A 2008 Boise State Preview: Part II: Young at Heart

The Boise State Broncos enter the 2008 season with a simple slogan, "Take Back the WAC." While it doesn't portray the hopes that the team has to be a player on the stage for a national championship it does define what coach Chris Peterson, and Dan Hawkins before him, believe to be the Broncos #1 goal. Entering this season the Broncos have one of their youngest, albeit possibly most talented teams ever. Every position brims with talented backups just waiting for their chance to prove themselves. Take the Broncos first game versus Idaho State. Freshman Aaron Tevis got the start at linebacker when senior Kyle Gingg couldn't go and made the most of his opportunity finishing with 8 tackles, 2 sacks and a forced fumble. Freshman Tyler Shoemaker stepped in and caught two touchdown passes in the absence of junior star Jeremy Childs. 

This level of depth, which the Broncos haven't had before, should enable the team to make it through a schedule which is more treacherous that it appears at first glance. 

Boise State 49, Idaho State 7

The young Broncos got off to a burning start in the season opener, torching the Bengals in every category. Freshman QB Kellen Moore got the start that he needed completed 73% of his passes and tossing 2 touchdowns to no interceptions. Titus Young really stood out for me, in both a good and bad way. Sure he had a long touchdown catch and a nice TD run on a reverse, but he also fumbled twice, revealing his inexperience. The defense looked porous at times, especially against a Division I-AA running back, but held for the most part, looking good on a goal line stand. It is important to remember that the Broncos were playing Idaho State here, and while they made an effort not to run up the score against their overwhelmed opponent I expected an outcome similar to Florida States 63-0 win over Western Carolina. I'd give the Broncos a B+ for their effort in this game.

Boise State vs Bowling Green

Bowling Green looked good two weeks ago upsetting Pittsburgh, but rather ordinary getting whooped by Minnesota last week. Which BGU will show up in Boise? Probably one that lies somewhere in between, which should be good enough to give the Broncos a game, but only for a while. Expect Kellen Moore to experience his first struggles here. He'll probably throw an interception or two and it will be interesting to see how he reacts. Something tells me he'll get over it really quickly and will have a pretty decent game (200+ yards, 2 tds). The real reason I expect the Broncos to pull out a victory is Ian Johnson and his running committee. I see Johnson running for well over 100 yards and 2 or 3 scores. I don't think 50+ from Avery is out of the question either. Childs will look good in his first game back and Young will cement his status as the #2 guy. The defense will struggle a bit with a more talented opponent, but establishing an early lead should allow the corners to sit back a bit more and snag some interceptions. I see Boise putting this one away by a score somewhere around 48-28. 

Boise State at Oregon

No doubt, Boise fans will get all excited and as many of them will make the trip to Eugene to see the Broncos knock the Ducks from their top 20 ranking, but much like the trip to Georgia a few years back, the Broncos are simply over-matched in this one, or maybe like the Georgia game, just a year too early. The Ducks have put on quite an offensive display so far and look to show the nation that they were more than just Dennis Dixon last year. This will be Moore's first road test and what a place to start. The crowd will be into this one and Moore needs to keep his focus on the game. If Taylor Tharp could keep Boise in the game against Washington last year in only his second start, Moore should be able to at least keep the Broncos within striking distance in his third. The running backs won't find as much running room against the quickest defense they'll face all year, and the offensive line will struggle to keep Moore protected. I expect the Broncos to keep it close, but to fade at the end, losing their first of the year 37-28.

Boise State vs Louisiana Tech

After the disappointing finish in the Oregon game the Broncos will come back to friendly confines of the blue turf to take on La. Tech. Tech is much improved from the team that hung 31 on the Broncos last year, but Boise always steps up their intensity at home. This game will be no different. Kellen Moore will rebound and throw for 300+ and 3 TDs. IJ will get his 100 and a couple TDs as well. Look for Childs to have a big game and the defense to step it up, reeling from their performance against Oregon. Boise State 49, Louisiana Tech 20.

Boise State at Southern Miss

This game intrigues me more than any other game on the schedule. Southern Miss is a good team who is young and talented also. They start a freshman QB and have an experienced, very talented running back in Damion Fletcher. At home, they should make this a tight game. I expect Kellen Moore to continue his great stretch of play against the Golden Eagles, winning his first big game on the road. He'll get some help from IJ, Avery and Harper. Expect the Boise special teams to begin hitting their stride about this point as well. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they scored a TD or two off of a punt return or kickoff return. The defense will use their newfound confidence to hold Southern Miss to only a few scores. Boise 28, So. Miss 14.

Boise State vs Hawaii

Boise wants to win this game more than any on their schedule. Hawaii dethroned Boise of the WAC title for the first time in many years and the Broncos want that title back. Hawaii threw all over the Broncos last year, but they don't return Colt Brennan, the record setting QB who gave the Broncos fits. I wish this game came earlier for the Broncos, as the Warriors passing game should develop some sort of consistency by week seven. Regardless, I think the Broncos will be amped for this game and come out swinging. Expect a couple of trick plays from Peterson, another good one from Moore and big plays by the Boise secondary. My pick to click for this game is Brandyn Thompson, the sophomore corner, who is itching for this rematch after being burned last year as a freshman by Brennan numerous times. Boise 55, Hawaii 21.

Boise State at San Jose State

San Jose State struggled to beat UC-Davis and got trampled by Nebraska, setting up what appears to be an easy victory for the rolling Broncos. I expect a better effort from the Spartans for a couple reasons. First, their at home, where they went 4-1 last year averaging nearly 40 points a game. Second, they have a talented QB and RB who have experience, and third, because they're coming off what should be an easy confidence building win the week before at New Mexico State. Moore should have a decent game and Johnson should find some holes, but I expect this one to be a dogfight, coming down to the 4th quarter, where I see the Broncos plethora of playmakers making some big ones to pull away. Boise 33, San Jose State 24.

Boise State at New Mexico State

Chase Holbrook may very well be the best QB in the WAC, but I expect this game to be the changing of the guard of that title, from Holbrook to Moore. Moore will have plenty of time to throw and excels when he gets time. I expect a HUGE game from him, possibly 350+ yards and 4-5 TDs. His big game will create room for IJ to run and I expect this game to get out of hand early. The backups will get a decent amount of playing time in this rout. Boise 64, New Mexico State 17.

Boise State vs Utah State

Utah State caught a bad break with their schedule this year, playing Oregon, BYU, and Utah, in addition to conference foes Fresno State, Hawaii, and Boise State. I expect them to just about run ragged by the time this game rolls around. The Broncos should have no trouble here. Expect to see them establish their running game early and often. IJ will get 15+ carries, but Avery and Harper will get 10+ too. Moore will toss a couple of TDs, and the receivers shouldn't drop too many passes. The D will keep solid and give Boise it's sixth straight victory 58-7.

Boise State at Idaho

This could turn out to be the closest game of the year for the Broncs. Idaho returns a pretty talented team and should catch enough breaks to pull themselves out of the bottom of the WAC, possibly even into a bowl game. If the game was in Boise I would call this an easy win for the Broncos, but there's just something about them playing at Idaho that makes me nervous. This should be a nerve racking game for Bronco fans. I wouldn't even be surprised if Idaho held the lead for a while in this one. In the end, however, the Broncos should pull away, running the legs of IJ and company to their seventh straight victory 38-34.

Boise State at Nevada

Had Luke Lippincott not gone down for the season with an injury, this game could have been a good one. Instead, the Wolfpack will have to rely on the arm and legs of Colin Kaepernick, which fared them well in last years game against the Broncos. Expect the Broncos D to come out and silence the talented QB, using multiple looks to keep him grounded and on his butt for most of the game. With no reliable running game to look too, he'll be forced to throw more than usual, allowing the Broncos to force plenty of three and outs, and even grabbing a couple of errant passes. Expect a big game from the linebacking corp in a Boise win, 33-10.

Boise State vs Fresno State

The game of the year for the Broncos...and the Bulldogs. Both teams will come into this game 10-1, looking to wrap up the WAC title. Petey should have full confidence in Moore by this point and let him try to beat the Bulldogs through the air. It's just a matter of if the offensive line can give him enough time, and if they can create enough holes to give Ian and the boys some running room. I want to say to expect a shootout, but something tells me both defenses will come to play, knowing what's at stake. Moore should have a decent game 200+ and 2 TDs, but if any of his passes end up in the hands of the Bulldogs, look for the dawgs to build an early lead. Ian should be revved for this one, his last game at Bronco Stadium, and I fully expect him to leave it all on the field. 150+ and 2 TDs seem reasonable to me. That adds up to 28 points for the Broncos, which I don't think will be enough to keep up the Fresno, who should have better luck against the Broncos defense. Final score: Fresno 38, Boise 28.

Well, that completes the regular season and as you can see I expect the Broncos to finish a strong 10-2, accepting an invitation to a mid-level bowl game. Moore should have a good year for a freshman and Ian should go out on top finishing in the top 10 of every running category if he can stay healthy. Childs will catch almost as many balls as last year, but Young will emerge as the Broncos big play receiver, leading the team in TD catches. The defense should have a pretty good year too, setting the stage for a very good 2009. The steps taken and progress made should enable the Broncos to emerge as the favorite for the 2009 WAC title, and possibly another run at the BCS in '09 and 2010.