Boise State @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 22, 2012 ) Washington 26, Boise State 28

A $261 million stadium renovation is complete and Washington returns to its lakeside home venue for the first time in 21-plus months when it hosts No. 19 Boise State in Saturday’s season-opening contest. The 93-year-old facility got an extensive facelift to modernize it and the Huskies are hoping to have a glitzy high-powered team to match. Boise State defeated Washington in last season’s Las Vegas Bowl and is vying for its eighth straight 10-win season.

Broncos coach Chris Petersen has an 84-8 record in seven seasons, including four campaigns of 12 or more victories. Boise State is opening away from home against a BCS opponent for the fourth straight season, beating Virginia Tech (2010) and Georgia (2011) before losing to Michigan State (2012). Washington junior tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (69 receptions, 850 yards) will miss the game due to a suspension for an offseason DUI offense but the Huskies still have a formidable pass-catching target in junior receiver Kasen Williams (77 receptions).

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1. LINE: Washington -3.5.

ABOUT BOISE STATE (2012: 11-2, 7-1 Mountain West): Senior quarterback Joe Southwick struggled early last season while attempting to replace school icon Kellen Moore and rallied nicely to throw for 2,730 yards and 19 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. Sophomore running back Jay Ajayi (548 yards, 6.7 average in 2012) will be the main ball-carrier and junior receiver Matt Miller (128 career receptions) will again be the top receiver. A stingy defense that allowed 15.8 points per game last season is led by junior defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (9 1/2 sacks in 2012) and junior safety Jeremy Ioane (70 tackles, three interceptions).

ABOUT WASHINGTON (2012: 7-6, 5-4 Pac-12): Junior tailback Bishop Sankey ran all over Boise State in last December’s 28-26 bowl game loss, accounting for 279 all-purpose yards (205 rushing, 74 receiving) to complete a stellar campaign in which his 1,439 rushing yards were third-most in school history. Senior quarterback Keith Price is making his own run up the record books, ranking fourth in school history with 5,943 career passing yards and has thrown 54 touchdown passes - one behind Cody Pickett (1999-2003). The top returners on the defense are junior middle linebacker John Timu (team-leading 91 tackles), sophomore outside linebacker Shaq Thompson (8 1/2 tackles for loss, three interceptions) and senior safety Sean Parker (77 stops, three forced fumbles).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Washington defeated Boise State 24-10 in 2007 in the lone previous meeting prior to last season’s bowl matchup.

2. The Broncos allowed four passing touchdowns last season, fewest in the nation.

3. Huskies defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox held a similar position at Boise State from 2006-09.

PREDICTION: Washington 30, Boise State 27