The Boise State Broncos piled up 5 losses last year, which was their most since 1998. It was Chris Petersen’s last year at the helm, as he has moved on to Washington. In steps Bryan Harsin, who inherits a veteran team that should have a great shot at winning the MWC, which they have yet to do since joining the league in 2011. Preview & schedule are below.
The Broncos are used to putting up 40+ ppg on offense, but have failed to do so in each of the last 2 years. That should change this year with 7 starters back, including QB Grant Hendrick, who threw for 1825 yards, with 16 TDs and 5 INTs last year. Hedrick played in all 13 games last year, but started the last 6 after Southwick broke his ankle. Matt Miller and Shane Williams-Rhodes form a nice duo in the passing game, after the two combined for 1842 yards and 18 TDs last year, while their leading rusher from last year returns in Jay Ajayi, after he ran for 1425 yards and 12 TDs last year. The problem for the offense is a line that returns just 2 starters, 26 career starts (121st in the nation) and has no seniors in the starting 5. Last year the defense allowed more than 18.7 ppg for the first time since 2007, as they allowed 24.8 ppg. This year they look to rebound with 25 of 31 lettermen back, which includes 8 starters. All three starters the defense has lost comes from the DL, but still this unit has 4 players that combined for 23.5 TFL last year and is rated as 2nd best in the MWC. The back 7 for the Broncos will be very good as they have all 7 starters back, including DBs Bryan Douglas, Darian Thompson and Donte Deayon, who combined for 19 PBUs and 14 INTs last year. The LB corps and secondary are rated tops in the MWC.
The Broncos look loaded on both sides of the ball this year, especially on what should be the best defense in the MWC. The offense should be better this year with a ton of quality skill players and a QB that can effectively get them the ball. The OL is a question mark but they should still be a solid group and will only get better as the season progresses. The Schedule isn’t too tough as they do have a game vs Ole Miss to open the season and a road game vs Nevada, but the rest of their road slate is rather easy, while they get Fresno State, BYU, San Diego State and Utah State at home. This team may very well win 10 games this year, but more importantly for them is the fact that they should find themselves in the MWC title game. KEY TREND: 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games with Fresno State
2014 Boise State Football Schedule
Aug. 28 Ole Miss (Atl)
Sep. 6 Colorado State
Sep. 13 at Connecticut
Sep. 20 Louisiana-Lafayette
Sep. 27 at Air Force
Oct. 4 at Nevada
Oct. 11 OPEN DATE
Oct. 17 Fresno State
Oct. 24 BYU
Nov. 1 OPEN DATE
Nov. 8 at New Mexico
Nov. 15 San Diego State
Nov. 22 at Wyoming
Nov. 29 Utah State
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
-$25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
Stay on top of the latest odds and line moves for Football Season with our real-time odds from Las Vegas and offshore!
Handicapping Tips: NCAA Week 1 Betting
Ken Thomson and Bryan Leonard From Pregame.com take a look at some handicapping tips for betting week 1 of the NCAA football season.