Boise State lost focus and looked vulnerable against Colorado State on Saturday, leading 28-3 in the fourth quarter but allowing two onside kicks before holding on for a 28-23 win.
Don’t pay any attention to the finish: The Broncos will be completely, totally and in every way possible ready for BYU to come to Albertsons Stadium on Thursday.
Boise State’s record against Utah schools (31-9) is a point of pride for the program and playing BYU is as much of a rivalry game as any the Broncos play all year. Losing last year on a last-second Tanner Mangum-to-Mitch Juergens touchdown pass – followed by a Kai Nacua pick six – didn’t sit well with Boise State, either.
Crazy things happen in Boise, from the 28-27 BYU loss in 2004 when Matt Payne missed a last-second field goal to Boise State’s 7-6 win in 2012. The Broncos pounded BYU 55-30 the last time the Cougars hit the Smurf Turf.
BYU’s top two quarterbacks in Taysom Hill (Pocatello) and Tanner Mangum (Eagle) are both from Idaho and spurned Boise State’s recruiting efforts. Don’t think that doesn’t stick in the craw of BSU fans, players and coaches.
On top of that, Boise State is ranked (No. 14) and undefeated at 6-0.
Harsin on BYU
“This is a short week and it’s a big week. BYU has done very well the past three games. They are certainly physical up front on both sides of the ball. They have been opportunistic on the defensive side of the ball as of late. Jamaal Williams is a downhill physical runner. BYU’s offensive line is very good. They are very big and they move guys off the ball, Jamaal doesn’t make a whole lot of cuts initially in the hole. He’s going to punish you when he hits you, then he can get into the open field, shake you, make you miss and go.” – Harsin in his Monday news conference.
Numbers to ponder
Boise State has outscored its opponents 139-30 in the first half of games this season. … The Broncos are the highest scoring team in the country since the 2000 season (40.2 points per game). … Boise State last lost a regular-season non-conference home game in more than 15 seasons (2001).
He said it
“I would definitely say (that it’s a rivalry). Losing to them a few times, especially after last year, it’s a physical game every single time we play them.” – Boise State linebacker Ben Weaver in the Idaho Statesman.
Broncos on Offense
Boise State typically has one of the most potent and innovative offenses in the country. This year is another good one, with the Broncos averaging 466.7 yards and 35.3 points per game. Sophomore quarterback Brett Rypien has thrown for 1,622 yards, 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Junior running back Jeremy McNichols has 775 yards and 11 touchdowns this season and has twice rushed for more than 200 yards. BYU did a nice job against McNichols last year (46 yards rushing) but he still scored three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving). The Cougars also did a fine job last year on receiver Thomas Sperbeck – just two catches for 13 yards. But two years ago, Sperbeck caught six balls for 148 yards and a touchdown against BYU. This season he has 38 catches for 701 yards and six scores. Junior college transfer Cedrick Wilson (23-432-5) is a big receiver who is also dangerous. In all ways, the Broncos are going to test the Cougar defense.
Broncos on Defense
Boise State’s defensive numbers are impressive with top 50 numbers in total defense (48th-371.0), rush defense (47th-142.3) and scoring defense (23rd-19.3). Of course, the Broncos are playing just the 72nd-ranked schedule in the country, so sometimes numbers can be deceiving. Over the past two games (New Mexico and Colorado State), Boise State has allowed 283 yards rushing per game and almost six yards per carry. In addition, the Broncos have just two interceptions in six games.
The strength of Boise State’s defense is the linebacking corps, which boasts three seniors in Ben Weaver (46 tackles), Darren Lee (36 tackles and 6 TFL) and Tanner Vallejo (36 tackles, 3.4 TFL). The Broncos have 21 sacks (10th in the country) led by senior defensive end Sam McCaskill (five sacks) and sophomore Jabril Frazier (four). Senior cornerback Jonathan Moxey is the top defender in the backfield.
Broncos on Special Teams
Punter Sean Wale has been very effective, averaging 45 yards per kick and nine of his 27 punts inside the 20-yard line. He is 21st in the country in net punting (41.11). Kicker Tyler Rausa is just 3-4 on field goals.
Neither return team (punt or kickoff) have been particularly dangerous so far this season.
Harsin’s Final Word
“Taysom Hill, we know about him and he’s a very good player. Jamaal Williams has done some outstanding things. He’s one of the better backs we have seen, if not the best, the entire year.”
Darnell Dickson can be reached at ddickson@heraldextra.com. Follow him on Twitter @darnellwrites.
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