The University of Maine defied the odds and preseason prognosticators last season when it finished 9-4 and marched all the way to the national quarterfinals.

They will have to do it again this year if they want to match or exceed one of the most successful seasons in the program’s history.

The Black Bears, who open their season Saturday at Boston College (1 p.m., ESPN3), were picked to finish sixth in the Colonial Athletic Association’s preseason poll.

The poll is perhaps more indicative of the talent Maine graduated than what remains on the roster. The 2012 edition features five All-CAA preseason selections, as well as several other key holdovers from the squad.

But there are a number of major holes to fill, starting at quarterback. Marcus Wasilewski, a junior from Kulpmont, Pa., won the preseason competition with fellow junior John Ebeling to succeed Warren Smith. Smith became the first Maine quarterback to throw for 3,000 yards in a season in 2012.

Wasilewski has never started in seven career appearances at QB. He’s completed both of his pass attempts for seven yards. He also has played on special teams, appearing in five games last season.

Despite the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Wasilewski’s inexperience, Maine head coach Jack Cosgrove likes poise he has shown in training camp, particularly when the veterans haven’t been on the field with him.

“He really worked very patiently and continued to grow our younger players with a lot of the complicated things that we do,” Cosgrove said.

In the event things get too complicated for Wasilewski, he has plenty of experience surrounding him at the skill positions and along the offensive line.

“They’re veteran guys. They’ve seen probably every situation that you could see,” Wasilewski said. “If there’s something that I come out and maybe haven’t seen yet, it’s a big help for them to point stuff out to me if I don’t notice it right away.”

With senior starters Josh Spearin of Limington, Garret Williamson and Chris Howley returning, the line is the strength of Maine’s offense.

“We have a real good group of veteran offensive linemen returning,” Cosgrove said. “And I think we’re starting to develop some depth there with some of our younger players.”

Among those younger players is junior tackle Doug Nash of Turner. The former Leavitt star saw spot duty on the line and regular action on special teams last year and figures to get some snaps backing up Spearin and Joe Hook at tackle. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Nash has also been taking practice reps at tight end in preseason and caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Wasilewski in the Black Bears’ final intrasquad scrimmage.

“Hey, I’m open to it. Wherever I’m going to play the most,” Nash said.

Nash took some practice reps at tight end in practice last season after a rash of injuries depleted the Black Bears at the position. Those injuries also led to the emergence of Justin Perillo, an All-CAA selection who caught 51 passes for 511 yards and four touchdowns in 2011.

Wasilewski has another All-CAA target in senior wide receiver Maurice McDonald, who led Maine with 58 receptions and 591 yards despite missing the last four games of the season with a foot injury. Sophomores Arthur Williams and Damarr Aultman both topped the 30-catch mark as freshmen.

Maine’s revamped running game lost 1,000-yard rusher Pushaun Brown but returns sophomore tailback David Hood, who rushed for 326 yards behind Brown last year.

The Black Bears have high expectations for their defense, which returns veterans at defensive end, linebacker and cornerback. The unit is  bolstered by the return of senior linebacker Donte Dennis, who led the team in tackles as a sophomore but missed all of last year due to Tommy John surgery.

“We’ve been talking over the years about getting better, getting better. I feel like right now is the time for our defense to be great. That’s what we’re striving to be and that’s what we’re going to be,” Dennis said.

Joining Dennis at linebacker are senior Troy Russell and junior Troy Eastman. At cornerback, senior Darlos James and junior Kendall James add strength to a secondary looking to replace standout safeties Trevor Coston and Jerron McMillian.

The Black Bears will need to fill another void in their defense at tackle, which Raibonne Charles of Windham and Kevin Phanor held down for the last three years. Injuries have made the position even more unsettled.  Sophomore Matt Pellerin of Turner suffered a knee injury and is expected to miss four to six weeks. Senior Kris Enlsen is also trying to rebound from knee woes, so senior David Toriola and sophomore Matt Wilson will have to form the front wall with junior All-CAA end Michael Cole (11 sacks last year) and senior end Doug Alston.

Senior Bryan Harvey returns to handle placekicking duties. Sophomore Jeff Ondish is expected to do the punting.