NCAA football preview: Boise State attempting to remain undefeated
The number four ranked Boise State Broncos will be putting their 9-0 record on the line when they host the unranked Fresno State Bulldogs on Friday 19 November. With a victory this weekend, Boise State can clinch the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).
Fresno State’s season to date
The Bulldogs opened their season with a two-game winning streak over the Cincinnati Bearcats and then a 41-24 victory over Utah State.
The Bulldogs received their first loss of the season when they travelled to Mississippi, losing 55-38, but they quickly rebounded the following week against California Poly, winning 38-17.
Hawaii came to visit Fresno State and beat the Bulldogs, 49-27, but once again the Bulldogs replied to the loss, reeling off three straight victories. New Mexico State, San Jose State and Louisiana Tech
were all victims of their winning streak.
Last weekend, however, the Bulldogs were involved in the closest game of their season. They were defeated by Nevada, 35-34, which brings them into this weekend, looking for some vengeance.
"We need to bury it and get ready for Boise State," coach Pat Hill said according to espn.go.com. "We have a short week ... and will be in for a tough challenge against one of the best teams in the country."
Boise State’s perfect season
The Broncos remain perfect through nine games this season, with their closest margin of victory coming in their opening day win over Virginia, 33-30.
The Broncos have also scored more than 40 points in seven of their nine games, and they average 47.6 points per game, good enough for second in the country.
Fresno State’s keys to victory
Even though they don’t have a chance at winning the WAC this season, the Bulldogs have the second best defence in the conference. Defence does win championships, and for Fresno State, their defence could land them in a bowl game in December.
They are allowing only 193.9 yards through the air on defence, while they really need to work on their rush defence. Clogging the line of scrimmage will be helpful as if there are no holes, Broncos quarterback
Kellen Moore will have to stick to the aerial assault.
On offence, the Bulldogs will be looking to sophomore running back Robbie Rouse to carry this team to victory. He has rushed for 503 yards over his last two games, and will need a similar performance this
weekend for the Bulldogs to be successful.
Boise State’s keys to victory
Kellen Moore has been on fire this year through the air. He has a completion percentage of 71.9 and has accumulated 2588 yards and 24 touchdowns. He should not get overconfident, as the Bulldogs secondary will be waiting for him to drop back in the
pocket.
"Kellen's being doing a great job with the deep ball and turning the ball over and giving those guys a chance," coach Chris Petersen said according to espn.go.com.
The offence may have to rely on its 16th ranked rushing game, and more specifically, junior running back Doug Martin. He is averaging 6.8 yards per carry and has reached the end zone eight times
this season.
The Broncos may find themselves looking ahead of Fresno State to next week’s highly anticipated match up against Nevada. It will be Boise State’s toughest test on paper, but if they are not prepared for
Fresno State, this game could be their toughest of the season.
Prediction
The point spread is currently Boise State -31 and that is way too many points to give away. Fresno may not win, but they'll do better than the current spread.
Bet Fresno State over Boise State -31.
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