College Football Preview: Boise State

Boise State Broncos

2015 Results: 9-4 (5-3, 4th in Mountain)

Defeated Northern Illinois in Poinsettia Bowl

Returning Starters: 9 OFF, 4 DEF, 2 SP

2016 Schedule

September

3rd at Louisiana

10th WASHINGTON STATE

24th at Oregon State

October

1st UTAH STATE

7th at New Mexico

15th COLORADO STATE

20th BRIGHAM YOUNG

29th at Wyoming

November

5th SAN JOSE STATE

12th at Hawaii

18th UNLV

25th at Air Force

We all know that Boise State is known for their offense, but what if I told you that they put on one of the best games defensively that has ever been seen? The Broncos faced off against Northern Illinois in last year's edition of the Poinsettia Bowl. NIU was averaging 426.6 yards per game and 34.9 points. The Broncos held them to 33 total yards!! NIU did score a touchdown, but it came from their defense. Since then, the Broncos have lost most of their contributors from that unit. Coming off a 9-4 season, one would imagine that the fan base would be pretty stoked anywhere aside from Tuscaloosa or Norman, but when these fans have seen their team win 10+ games in 11 of 15 years, the expectations are always high.

There is no question, this team will put up a ton of points. An offense that averaged 39.1 per game last year could do you one better this year. True Sophomore quarterback Brett Rypien is one of the nine starters on offense returning. The receivers are led by senior wide outs Thomas Sperbeck and Chaz Anderson. Tight end Jake Roh will be a production factor also. Rypien will have plenty of weapons around him on offense this year. The O-line returns four, but lacks depth and any injury would be critical. Don't be surprised even with the amount returning to see true freshman contributing on the offensive side of the ball. 

With only four starters returning, the defense will be tested constantly. There are no returners on the front line, but Sam McCaskill is the defensive end who has the most experience. Boise returns three of its top 5 tacklers from a year ago in linebackers Ben Weaver, Tanner Vallejo, and Joe Martarano. The secondary is the biggest question mark. Returning corner Jonathan Moxey and safety Chanceller James will be called upon to provide senior leadership for the depleted defense.

Player to Watch: Brett Rypien

Rypien will begin his first full season as a starter. The true sophomore was impressive as a freshman, but lacked consistency with his ability to deliver the long ball as the season went on. However, he did complete 63.6% of his passes for 3,350 yards with 20 TDs and only 8 INTs. Rypien is by far the best quarterback in the conference with most teams still undecided on their starter. Look for impressive numbers from yet another underrated Boise quarterback.

If you only watch them once, watch:

9/24 at Oregon State

Oregon State will be the Broncos second Pac-12 opponent in a row. They will have two weeks to prepare for the road trip after they face Washington State. 

What to Expect

The Broncos will look to return to the Mountain West Championship after a one-year absence. They do have a very difficult road schedule, but if they can make it 5-0 in October, they should be sitting pretty when they take on the West Division winner.

Prediction

9-3 (6-2, MWC)

-Dug 

@chansm1th