Boise State @ Wyoming preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 26, 2011 ) Wyoming 14, Boise State 36

Boise State seeks its seventh consecutive victory when it visits a Wyoming team spiraling downward. Not only have the Cowboys lost three consecutive games but coach Dave Christensen was suspended for Saturday’s game and fined $50,000 for verbally accosting Air Force coach Troy Calhoun after Wyoming’s loss on Oct. 13. Assistant head coach Pete Kaligis will serve as interim coach against the No. 18 Broncos. Boise State is the only unbeaten team in Mountain West Conference play and is seeking to land in a BCS bowl. The Broncos aren’t scoring points in bunches like previous seasons and their success has been due to a highly stingy defense.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: Boise State –16.5

ABOUT BOISE STATE (6-1, 3-0 Mountain West): The Broncos are sixth in scoring defense (13.6 points per game) and their 22 forced turnovers are tied for second nationally. Boise State has 11 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries and has allowed 17 or fewer points in six of seven games. Sophomore defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (team-best 5.5 sacks) is expected to return after missing last Saturday’s 32-7 victory over Nevada-Las Vegas because of a suspension for violating team rules. Senior cornerback Jamar Taylor is having an all-conference caliber campaign with three forced fumbles, two interceptions and two sacks. Senior running back D.J. Harper has rushed for 608 yards and eight touchdowns and has topped 100 yards three times. Junior quarterback Joe Southwick has completed 64.8 percent of his passes with nine touchdowns against five interceptions.

ABOUT WYOMING (1-6, 0-3): The Cowboys lost 42-14 to Fresno State last Saturday and have allowed 34 or more points in five of their seven games. Wyoming’s secondary is in disarray because of injuries with sophomore cornerback Blair Burns (37 tackles) being the lone healthy starter. Senior outside linebacker Ghaali Muhammad leads the Cowboys with 64 tackles, including 7.5 for losses. Sophomore quarterback Brett Smith ranks 10th in school history with 3,962 passing yards. He has thrown 14 touchdowns passes this season against six interceptions. Senior receiver Chris McNeill has 38 receptions for 460 yards.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Broncos have won all six meetings, including 51-6 in their last visit to Wyoming in 2010.

2. Boise State has pitched a first-half shutout in five consecutive games and has allowed only 19 first-half points this season.

3. The Cowboys have allowed five opponents to top 200 rushing yards and rank only 104th in rushing defense at 213.6 yards per game.

PREDICTION: Boise State 38, Wyoming 6