Expectations are set. Preseason polls and all-conference teams are out. All that’s left is for fall camp to start. Then the countdown to Idaho State’s home opener against Black Hills State on Sept. 5 is truly set in motion.

Before that, though, let’s take a moment to examine the initial roster released by Idaho State at the Big Sky media days in July. At the time, things were still falling into place for some players, but that list of names provides a good idea of what ISU’s team should look like in 2015.

OFFENSE

Who didn’t return from the spring: Gone are wide receivers Michael Tate, Kai Campbell, Cole Robinson and Domenic Toliver. Quarterback James Delacenserie also left the team.

Who’s new: Apart from the incoming freshmen class, Idaho State picked up an impact FBS transfer in junior tight end Jordan White. The Bengals added depth along the offensive line with Shelley’s Garrett Smith and St. Anthony’s Dakota Wilson, two returning LDS missionaries.

Former Utah State receiver Jevon Hasten was listed on ISU’s roster, but Bengals coach Mike Kramer wasn’t confident the El Cajon, California, native would be academically eligible.

“He was a kid we recruited out of high school,” Kramer said at the Big Sky Kickoff in Park City, Utah. “Went to Utah State, transferred back to junior college. He’s not sure what he wants to do. ... I’d love to have him because we’re a little shallow at wideout. But not confirmed yet.”

Surprises: Everything is pretty set when it comes to ISU’s offense. Nine returning starters have that effect. But it was a bombshell that Kramer named junior college transfer Michael Sanders his starter at quarterback. Don’t forget, ISU’s fifth-year coach was steadfast throughout the spring that ISU would hold an open QB competition in fall camp.

Landing White from Colorado State is no small coup for ISU’s coaching staff. At 6 foot 4, he adds depth to a receiving corps that needed it. Kramer wants his offense to run more plays than ever before, and that requires rotating through two receivers at each position.

The Bengals were stretched thin before White. But his presence allows junior Josh Cook some flexibility for where he’ll play. Injuries are bound to happen, but at least initially, ISU will start 2015 with a plethora of offensive weapons.

DEFENSE

Who didn’t return from the spring: Linebacker Spencer Harshman and defensive linemen Jeremiah Hazard, Larry Tharpe Jr. and Jordan Pili are gone.

Who’s new: Other than a freshmen class heavy on defensive players, ISU added junior safety Jeremy Bittle, a junior college transfer, and sophomore cornerback Fondereaux Wilson.

The introduction of Bittle is a big one if he shows up and plays like ISU expects.

“The biggest question for us is, can Jeremy Bittle become an adequate safety for us so we can move Manu back to nickel?” Kramer said. “Because last year he labored primarily as a nickel back. He did an excellent, excellent job. And in the spring (Manu) couldn’t play nickel because he had to be at safety.”

Why was Manu stuck at strong safety in Idaho State’s nickel package in the spring? Because the Bengals lost Daniel Roundtree to graduation from the 2014 season and didn’t have an adequate replacement. ISU hopes Bittle can fill Roundtree’s cleats. If he can’t, it’s a hole in the defense where there’s no immediate answer.

Surprises: Junior college transfer Luis Navarro didn’t qualify academically and will not be with ISU in the fall. It cuts at ISU’s linebacker depth because the 6-foot-3 Navarro has range and athleticism to run from sideline to sideline.

Minimizing the loss, however, is the fact that junior Hayden Stout proved he’s a capable starting inside linebacker in the spring, according to Kramer. Stout will combine with sophomore Mario Jenkins to form a staunch duo in the heart of ISU’s defense. It also means JC transfer Jake Pettit will backup senior Kurt Karstetter at rush linebacker.

“Can the defense catch up to the offense? No. Not necessarily ever catch up,” Kramer said. “But (can we) get within range?”

SPECIAL TEAMS

Who didn’t return from the spring: Punter Sean Cheney. He blew out is ACL over the summer, Kramer said.

Who’s new: Nobody. And that’s part of the problem. Kramer said he would like to add a punter to his roster, but he already had just over 90 players on the team in July. When the Bengals take to the field for their first practice Aug. 12, they can’t have more than 85 on the team because of NCAA gender equity rules.

Surprises: Assuming another punter doesn’t land in Kramer’s lap, Idaho State is going back to the roll punt. The issue is that Kramer doesn’t know who that could be. He’s hinted at using former Highland Ram Tom Jewell, a transfer from Snow College. And he’s mentioned sophomore kicker Zak Johnson is a possibility.