Start with the line. The latest odds from USA Today show Boise State by four points over Oklahoma State Saturday night on the blue turf. So the Broncos are favored over a team that beat them by 23 points three years ago in Stillwater?
The Big 12 factor
I was a guest on a sports-talk show in Tulsa Tuesday and was asked if Boise State will have a chip on its shoulder Saturday against Oklahoma State because the Broncos weren’t invited to join the Big 12.
Broncos-Cowboys: A former USU back is back
Running back Jaylen Warren was one of the only bright spots for Utah State in a 42-13 loss to Boise State in last year’s season opener, rushing for 89 yards and both of the Aggies’ touchdowns.
Holani is off the snap count
All that talk about the running game. We took note of George Holani getting only five touches (plus one target through the air) in Boise State’s 54-13 win over UTEP. Turns out he was on a “snap count” (like Khalil Shakir was at UCF).
Fumble recoveries: Checkmark times three
My column Friday had to do with fumble recoveries being next on the Boise State defense to-do list. How about three of those in the Broncos’ 54-13 win over UTEP later that night on the blue turf.
Broncos defense: Next on the to-do list
Boise State got off the schneid in the interception column last week with Tyric LeBeauf’s two picks, one them scoring a touchdown and the other setting up one at UCF. Now to the other side of the turnover ledger.
Sizing up the Miners
The 26½-point spread aside, let’s look at what kind of team Boise State will be facing when UTEP opens the home season on the blue turf Friday night.
The line of scrimmage
The theory goes that Boise State’s running game would be fine with George Holani in the lineup. And that might be true. But if we don’t find that out anytime soon, where do the Broncos go from here?
Walk away from the ledge, again
Writers often joke about overreactions to Week 1 football results. Some losses can’t be ignored (hello, Huskies), but Boise State’s loss at UCF last Thursday needs to be kept in perspective.
And they still kept it close
Boise State was outgained 573 yards to 283. The Broncos managed just 20 on the ground while the UCF was gashing them for 255. From late in the first half until midway through the fourth, Boise State went nearly 30 minutes without a first down.