WEEK 2: Boise State Broncos vs. Colorado State Rams
WHEN: Saturday, September 6 –8:15 PM, MST
WHERE: Albertsons Stadium Boise, Idaho (37,000)
CONFERENCES: Mountain West (Mountain Division)
2014 SEASON: Boise State, 0-1, 0-0 (MW); Colorado State, 1-0, 0-0 (MW)
COACHES: Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin (7-5), 1st year; Colorado State head coach Jim McElwain (13-14), 3rd year
TV: ESPN2
WEB STREAMING: Watch ESPN
RADIO: Bronco Radio Network: KBOI (670 AM) and KKGL (96.9 FM) in the Boise area; Northern Colorado’s Sports Station: ESPN 105.5 in the Fort Collins area
SERIES RECORD: 4rd meeting. Boise State is 3-0 against Colorado State
LAST MEETING: 2013, in Hughes Stadium, Fort Collins, Colorado, Boise State 42, Colorado State, 30
WEB SITES: Boise State official | Colorado State official
Colorado State is taking it one step at a time and following its motto of "The Climb" beginning with its 2014 season opener last week against instate rival Colorado. That 31-17 win in the Rocky Mountain Showdown over the Pac12 Buffaloes is a huge confidence builder. CSU trailed the Buffaloes through much of the game but took control of their destiny in the fourth quarter and scored 24 unanswered points to win the rivalry game for the second time in the past three years.
Now contrast that with Boise State. They did just the opposite last week. The Broncos played toe-to-toe with Ole Miss in the first three quarters then folded their tent in the fourth quarter. That disastrous quarter resulted in the Rebels scoring 28 fourth quarter points and handing the Broncos a 35-13 loss in their debut under new head coach Bryan Harsin. The Broncos are off to a rocky start after blowing their season opener, a game they had a chance of winning. It was the third year in row that the Broncos have dropped their opener to a Power 5 team.
What to expect when Colorado State has the ball: Senior QB Garrett Grayson, 6-2, 220 lbs, is the Mountain West’s top returning passer. Last week he threw for 134 yards and a touchdown against Colorado and finished the game with 13 completions on 23 attempts. But it was the running game behind two transfer backs that were the meat and potatoes of that win: Dee Hart, 5-9, 190 lbs, and Treyuous Jarrells, 5-7, 185. Between the two of them they combined for 260 running yards and 3 TD's in their romps through the Colorado D-line.
Look for more of the same from the CSU offense on Saturday night. That Ram attack has a lot of weapons to deploy, especially on the ground. With all the solid talent in the backfield it is almost as if Kapri Bibbs was still in the lineup. Following last week’s success they will certainly want to test Boise State’s defensive line early on. But don’t be surprised if the Broncos manage to stuff the Rams running game. Last week the Broncos held Ole Miss to a measly 71 yards on the ground. With that in mind Colorado State offensive coordinator Clay Hendrix will be ready to rely on Grayson’s passing attack and a set of good receivers in Rashard Higgins, 6-2, 188 lbs, and Joe Hansley, 5-10, 180 lbs to try and win the day.
What to expect when Boise State has the ball: The Bronco offense will be headed up by QB Grant Hedrick, 6-1, 195 lbs, who was 36 of 46 for 264 passing yards and a TD last week in Atlanta. He also threw four interceptions which call into question his poor decision making when under pressure. Also, most of the Broncos entire offensive attack last week was carried out by the same three playmakers: RB Jay Ajayi, 6-1, 215 lbs, WR Matt Miller, 6-3, 220 lbs, and WR Shane WIllaims-Rhodes, 5-6, 158 lbs. If the Broncos do that again this week, the Rams may find an easy offensive scheme to defend against.
The Broncos will be coming out with a balanced charge consisting of both a running and passing attack as they look for a weakness they can exploit in the Rams defense. That will probably be end up with a predominately aerial attack. While the Rams gave up 375 yards last week to Colorado, only 135 were on the ground. As for Boise State, after all the costly interceptions last week, offensive coordinator Mike Sanford will hope he can get a few points up on the Rams early on and turn the Broncos attack into a ground game.
Special Teams: Boise State has the 11th best field goal kicker in the nation with Dan Goodale, 5-10, 185 lbs, and in last week’s game he didn’t disappoint. He accounted for 7 of Boise State’s 13 points with two field goals (one from 43 yards). Last season he was 17 of 19 in goals with an 89.5 percent rating. He also booted 57 of 60 extra points through the uprights and doubled as a punter averaging 61 yards a kick.
Rams kicker Jared Roberts, 6-1, 205 lbs, also accounted for 7 Ram points last week against Colorado. Three of those points came off a 52-yard field goal. Last season Roberts was second in the conference behind only Dan Goodale, making 21 of 24 field goals for an 87.5 percent rating. Doing kickoff returns for the Rams is WR Deinte Gains, 5-8, 175 lbs, who is leading the conference with an average of 29 yards per return
The bottom line is Boise State is favored to win this contest. But after last week's performance by both teams it is easy to think it could go either way. Still, I will go with the majority and give it to the Broncos by 10.
Give us a like on Facebook: