Good Tuesday morning Tiger Nation, I'm Zach Maskavich, and this is the Morning Roar.

The Tigers finished the 2011 season ranked ninth in the FCS, and they will start the 2012 campaign as the seventh-ranked team in the College Sporting News FCS Football pre-season poll.

We are just a day away from the premiere of #upROAR 2012: the Towson Tiger Football Story. Be sure to clear your schedule (or DVR) for tomorrow night at 9:30 pm and tune into Comcast SportsNet for part one of the two-part series.

Let's Unleash the Roar
Yesterday, we took a look at the receiving corps for the Tigers, and today we are previewing the backfield. The success of the Tigers' backfield, led by freshman running back Terrance West, was very much recognized last year. West led the FCS with 29 touchdowns last season. To put that into perspective, the all-time career rushing touchdown mark at Towson belongs to Jason Corle - 33 TDs from 1996-99. That means West is four touchdowns shy of tying the career record in just his sophomore year. Oh yeah, and West ran for four touchdowns in three different games last year (Richmond, Delaware, and New Hampshire).

But as dominant as West was during his freshman campaign last year, he is just one of the many talented backs who are on the Tigers' roster this season. Senior Dominique Booker brings great versatility to the Towson backfield. Not only is he dangerous coming out of the backfield but Booker also has great hands. He is a great complement to West in the backfield, and his leadership in the locker room is another great aspect that Booker brings to this team.

The depth the Tigers have is impressive. The reserves on this team could start for many teams around the country, including junior Sterlin Phifer. Phifer transferred to Towson from Boston College last year and battled injuries throughout the 2011 season. Phifer had his best game last year against the University of Maryland when he ran for 75 yards on 12 touches. Phifer has good quickness and power that doesn't allow defenses to take a break from trying to stop the run.

A Look Outside Towson
All the conference realignment going on in and around the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) could play a factor this year, even though the changes won't actually take place until the 2013 season. Georgia State will be moving from the CAA to the Sunbelt, going from the FCS to the FBS, but the move may affect three student-athletes who are trying to play this upcoming season.

You never want to look past an opponent. Everyone knows the cliché "take it one day at a time" is true. But both Kent State, Towson's first opponent, and William & Mary - second on the Tigers' schedule - have something in common. Both schools have a quarterback competition as they start camp.

Countdown to Kent State
We are just over 23 days away from the opening kickoff of the 2012 season in Kent, Ohio.

The Flashes have had to take a couple of their first practices indoors, where normally the coaching staff takes the players to learn how to battle loud crowd noises. It is a place where veterans thrive and rookies tend to struggle. But their freshman quarterback Colin Reardon has a real shot at starting, according to Head Coach Darrell Hazell. As Reardon continues to turn heads at camp, I will be sure to keep you posted to the on-going QB battle at Kent State.

Thanks for starting your Tuesday off with the Morning Roar. Until tomorrow be sure to follow me on Twitter @ZachMaskavich.