Boise State and Nevada were once fierce rivals, but the wind went out of those sails after the Mountain West went to divisional play in 2013. That meant the Broncos and Wolf Pack wouldn’t see each other in 2015 and 2016.
Pride in the receivers room
Before the season started, the strength of the Boise State offense, by consensus, was the wide receivers group. And that thought has held through the first four games of the season. Well, the Broncos will meet their match Saturday afternoon against Nevada.
Broncos football: Rushing Carson Strong
All through September, it was all about the Boise State defensive line’s difficulty in defending the run. That issue remains as October approaches, but pressuring the quarterback is at least as big Saturday when Nevada comes to town.
Broncos football: Red zone resolve
It was striking how easily Utah State was able to venture into Boise State territory Saturday, and how difficult it was the for Aggies once they did.
Broncos football: Take what they give you
It was the epitome of bend-but-not-break. Boise State gave up those well-documented 317 first-half yards to Utah State Saturday morning while still shutting the Aggies out.
Broncos football: The goals are still ahead
The No. 1 goal, of course, is to go undefeated. And Boise State has done it twice in the 21st century. But that dream was quickly squelched this year in the opener at UCF, and now the Broncos are 1-2 for the first time in 16 years.
No margin for error on D-line
The first sign of Boise State’s “dependable depth” on the defensive line going out the window was Sunday, when B.J. Rains of the Idaho Press reported that backup tackle Divine Obichere was unlikely to play this week at Utah State.
How did the Aggies get here?
Utah State’s outlook going into its game at Boise State Saturday is a lot different than it was a year ago, and not just because it’s at home in Maverik Stadium at 10:00 in the morning.
Responding at the crossroads
It’s just the first game of the Mountain West schedule, so you hesitate to call Boise State’s game at Utah State “must-win.” But what if the Broncos lose in Logan and fall to 1-3 for the first time in 24 years?
Was it a ‘bad omen’ game?
Boise State’s 21-20 loss to Oklahoma State Saturday night was, after all, to a Big 12 team, and it was by only one point. The Broncos have dug themselves out of holes like this before. But Boise State’s problems in the trenches were magnified in this game.