BYU vs. #24 Boise State: Complete Game Preview

After a heartbreaking, three-point loss to in-state rival Utah, BYU will have a chance to redeem themselves on the road on Thursday. This time, though, it will be in Boise as they take on Boise State.

The Broncos, who are currently ranked 24th in the country, should prove to be a test for the Cougars whose weaknesses were exposed against the Utes last week. BYU will definitely have to improve in order to win this one, but that could be tough with only five days to prepare.

Boise State and BYU have only met twice before, with the Broncos winning on both occasions. But with a strong defense and veteran play-makers on offense, this could be a great time for the Cougars to jump back in to national polls.

So, here is a complete preview for the upcoming game.

Game-Day Information

Who: BYU at Boise State

When: Thursday, 7:00 PM (MDT)

Where: Boise, Idaho

Stadium: Bronco Stadium (37,000)

TV: ESPN

Radio: KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM 1160 AM 

Internet Stream: ESPN3 (www.espn.go.com/watchespn)

Depth Chart for BYU

Offense (Starters in bold)

QB: Riley Nelson, James Lark/ Taysom Hill

RB: Michael Alisa, David Foote, Iona Pritchard

WR: Cody Hoffman, Skyler Ridley, JD Falsev; Ross Apo, Dallin Cutler, David Foote

TE: Kaneakua Friel, Austin Holt

LT: Ryker Mathews, Michael Yeck

LG: Famika Anae (Starter Houston Reynolds out for the rest of the season)

C: Blair Tushaus, Houston Reynolds

RG: Braden Hansen, Brock Stringham

RT: Braden Brown, Manaaki Vaitai

Special Teams

K/P: Riley Stephenson

LS: Reed Hornung

H: JD Falslev

Defense

LE: Eathyn Manumaleuna, Mike Muehlmann

DT: Romney Fuga, Simote Vea

RE: Russell Tialavea, Ezekiel Ansah

LB: Spencer Hadley, Alani Fua

MLB: Uona Kaveinga, Zac Stout

LB: Brandon Ogletree, Manoa Pikula

OLB: Kyle Van Noy, Jherremya Leuta-Douyere

CB: Jordan Johnson, Micah Hannemann, Robbie Buckner

CB: Preston Hadley, Skye PoVey

SS: Daniel Sorensen, Craig Bills

FS: Joe Sampson, Mike Hague

Special Teams

PR: JD Falslev

KR: Cody Hoffman, Mike Hague

Depth Chart for Boise State

Offense (Starters in bold) 

QB: Joe Southwick, Grant Hedrick, Jimmy Laughrea 

RB: D.J. Harper, Drew Wright 

FB: Dan Paul, Chandler Koch 

X receiver: Matt Miller, Aaron Burks 

Z receiver: Mitch Burroughs, Troy Ware 

Slot receiver: Kirby Moore, Chris Potter

TE: Gabe Linehan OR Chandler Koch, Holden Huff 

LT: Charles Leno, Faraji Wright 

LG: Joe Kellogg, Marcus Henry 

C: Matt Paradis, Spencer Gerke 

RG: Michael Ames, Brenel Myers 

RT: Jake Broyles, Rees Odhiambo

Defense

DE: Demarcus Lawrence, Tyler Horn

NT: Mike Atkinson, Greg Grimes

DT: Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe, Darren Koontz

Stud end: Sam Ukwuachu, Beau Martin

MLB: Tommy Smith, Blake Renaud

WLB: J.C. Percy, Tyler Gray

N: Dextrell Simmons, Corey Bell OR Jonathan Brown

CB: Jamar Taylor, Ebo Makinde

CB: Jerrell Gavins, Bryan Douglas

S: Jeremy Ioane, Hazen Moss

S: Lee Hightower, Darian Thompson

Special Teams

K: Michael Frisina, Dan Goodale

P: Trevor Harman, Dan Goodale

KO: Trevor Harman, Dan Goodale

Holder: Matt Miller, Joe Southwick

KR: D.J. Harper, Mitch Burroughs

PR: Mitch Burroughs OR Chris Potter

Long Snapper: Chris Roberson, Kevin Keane

What Happened to the Cougs Last Week

As was mentioned earlier, BYU is coming off a heartbreaking loss against Utah. Despite out gaining the Utes with nine more first downs and 67 more total yards, they lost at the last second - literally - with a final score of 24-21.

They say that stats don't always tell the story. That could not be more true for this game. The Cougars only finished with two turnovers, but recovered multiple fumbles on offense. Also, two snaps flew by the hands of Riley Nelson, one of them being saved by a facemask penalty and the other rewarding Utah a touchdown.

It would probably be impossible to think of a more absurd finish than the end of Saturdays game. The Cougars had the ball with time winding down and after a miraculous fourth-and-long pass was caught by Cody Hoffman, Nelson threw an incomplete pass as time expired. Ute fans stormed the field, but only to be moved off after the officials declared that one second was still on the clock.

So, BYU decided to set up a fifty-plus yard field goal, only for it to be blocked and the fans stormed the field again. But, for one more time, they were forced off after a flag was thrown because they were on before the play was over. So, fifteen yards closer, the Cougs set up another field goal, only for it to strike the post and bounce out.

What Happened to the Broncos Last Week

Boise State's game on Saturday was not nearly as crazy, but a much happier ending for the Broncos. Hosting Miami (Ohio) in Boise, they were able to come up with a 39-12 win. Quarterback Joe Southwick threw for 309 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception.

Not only was the passing game great, but the running backs put up quite a clinic. DJ Harper ran for 162 yards off of 16 carries, with his three touchdowns complimenting his performance. Despite trailing 9-8 early on, they were able to bounce back and win big.

Boise State has not lost its first home game of the season since 2001 and was able to keep that streak alive.

What This Game Means to Both Teams

For Boise State, a win on Thursday would secure their first impressive win of the season. A game against Miami (Ohio), no matter the margin of victory, is simply not the type that you could call a "big win." If they can beat BYU, the Broncos will surely bolt up in the rankings. Also, this could become a great rivalry for Boise, since they have been looking for a rival.

On the other side of the equation, BYU is simply trying to save their season from tragedy. A loss against BSU would hand them a 2-2 record, and would show that they are simply not good enough to beat the likes of Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and perhaps even Utah State or Oregon State. In the long term, this could pan out to be a good rivalry and the Cougs would want to start it right.

Key Player(s) for BYU

The reason there is a "s" after the word "player" is because the key player for BYU come Thursday will not be one athlete but an entire unit.

Specifically, the offensive line.

After six false starts and multiple holding penalties, there is plenty of room to improve for the linemen. They also gave up several sacks and if they want quarterback Riley Nelson to stay healthy, that's something that had better change.

If the offensive linemen play well, Riley Nelson has time to complete passes and holes open up for the running backs. If the linemen play well, so does the offense.

Key Player for Boise

After setting a career record with 162 rushing yards off of 16 carries last week against Miami, DJ Harper proved that he can be a great running back. He will need to have another breakout game in order for the Broncos to win.

With 15 carries against Michigan State, he finished with only eight yards. Because of his lackluster performance, all of the responsibility to lead the offense fell on quarterback Joe Southwick. Unfortunately, Southwick is not capable of singe-handedly carrying the offense, as he finished that game with no touchdowns and two picks.

In other words, DJ Harper is the key part of Boise's offense. He will have to play a great game against BYU's stellar running defense.

Final Prediciton

BYU's defense will be the key factor in this one. If they can stop the run, a win is very possible. If Nelson and the offense can match that intensity, I can see the Cougs leaving Boise with a win.

My Prediction: BYU wins, 31-23