Boise State vs. Georgia: Breaking Down the Week 1 Showdown in Atlanta

The Boise State Broncos will travel to Atlanta to square off against the Georgia Bulldogs in Week 1 of the college football season.

Last season, the Broncos were poised to knock on the BCS championship's door again. That was before they traveled to Nevada and Kyle Brotzman's entire career was defined by two missed field goals, though.

The Bulldogs endured a very disappointing 2010 season. They finished 6-7 and failed to make a BCS bowl game.

Heading into this season, both teams face large expectations. The Broncos are ranked fifth in the nation to begin the season, and the Bulldogs are just inside the Top 20.

In their blockbuster Week 1 matchup, each team will have its own set of advantages and disadvantages. One major advantage within one major matchup could swing the game's outcome in one team's favor.

Here is a breakdown of each team's units and who will come out on top Saturday night.

The Quarterbacks

Saturday night's matchup could come down to which great quarterback makes the most big plays.

Boise State boasts one of the nation's most experienced and most successful signal-callers. Kellen Moore has put up 99 touchdowns in three seasons as the Broncos' starter and has never had a completion percentage lower than 60 percent for a season.

Moore is a fantastic leader and understands every nuance of the Broncos' attack. His precision and accuracy make him a very tough matchup even for an SEC defense.

Aaron Murray enters his sophomore season for the Bulldogs with a year of starting experience under his belt. Last season as a true freshman, Murray rang up more than 3,000 yards through the air to go along with 24 touchdowns.

This season, Murray will try and accomplish that and more without his best target from last season, A.J. Green.

Both of these quarterbacks will need to have big games for their respective teams Saturday night. Whoever has the bigger game could go a long way into determining the outcome.

Advantage: Boise State

The Running Backs

If neither team's great quarterback can get the job done offensively, the attention will turn to the run game.

Boise State's starting running, back Doug Martin, is poised for a big season. Martin rushed for 11 touchdowns and also eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark last season.

Martin is shifty and quick, but he is also powerful enough to work his way through the front seven of Georgia's defense. His receiving ability out of the backfield gives him excellent versatility as well.

Georgia's running game is a little less established. With Caleb King no longer on the roster, the onus will fall on Richard Samuel and electric freshman Isaiah Crowell. Crowell has Georgia fans very excited, but his inexperience could hurt the Bulldogs in a game of this magnitude.

The aerial attack should be wide open Saturday night. However, if the defenses show up to play, the run game may be a necessary plan of action.

In that case, look for Martin to have a breakout game on national television.

Advantage: Boise State

The Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Saturday night's matchup will feature two inexperienced receiving corps.

The Broncos lost their top two receivers in Titus Young and Austin Pettis from last season. Tyler Shoemaker is experienced, but lacks the size and breakaway speed needed to stretch the field. Geraldo Hiwat looks like he has a ton of talent, but his inexperience could hurt him early.

Georgia will also need to make up for major losses at wide receiver, namely A.J. Green. Tavarres King is the only returning starter at receiver for the Bulldogs. He possesses great speed, but is not a true No. 1 option.

At tight end, Kyle Efaw will need to shoulder more of a load for Boise State. He is not viewed as a great athlete at tight end, but he has solid hands when called upon.

Georgia has the benefit of having Orson Charles and Aron White available for sophomore sensation Aaron Murray. Charles and White are both great playmakers at tight end. Their athletic abilities create bad matchups across the board for the Boise State defense.

Neither team can call wide receiver a position of strength.

Luckily for Georgia, tight end is.

Advantage: Georgia

The Offensive Lines

In order for any skill players to play well, the offensive line must hold down the fort.

For the Georgia Bulldogs that could create a problem.

Trinton Sturdivant is down with a season-ending injury, and junior tackle A.J. Harmon left the team. That leaves a problem in terms of depth up front for the Bulldogs. Ben Jones is back and plays a solid center, but he will have two sophomores flanking him at guard.

Boise State's situation is much better. Nate Potter and Thomas Byrd are both back. These two will help to anchor what should be another very solid Boise State offensive line.

This epic opening week matchup features two great quarterbacks and a ton of potential surrounding each gunslinger.

However, none of that will matter if the offensive line cannot give those players time to operate. Look for Boise State to hold their own in the trenches in this one.

Advantage: Boise State

The Defensive Lines

In order to neutralize the playmaking ability of each quarterback, each team will need to crank up the pass-rush right away Saturday night.

For Boise State, that should not be a problem, especially given the woes of Georgia's offensive line.

Billy Winn and Chase Baker are both very good defensive tackles. Tyrone Crawford could open up many eyes across the country off the edge, and Shea McClellin is a quality veteran.

These four will provide one of the best pass-rushes in the nation.

For Georgia, it is all about the nose tackle—finding one that is.

Kwame Geathers is back and has another year of experience at the position. Community college transfer John Jenkins will also figure into the mix because of his excellent size for the position.

Having these two inside allows DeAngelo Tyson to move back to defensive end. Tyson being at his natural position should dramatically improve his production.

There is no shortage of playmakers on either team's defensive front. It will just depend on who can draw up the right plays to put those players in a position to attack.

Advantage: Boise State

The Linebackers

A game with great offensive playmakers means each team will need to chase down the ball and make the tackle.

That is where the linebackers enter the picture.

The Bulldogs lost five key contributors from last season and have no seniors on this year's unit.

However, they still have talent.

Jarvis Jones' 2011 season is highly-anticipated as he looks to become the leader in the middle for Mark Richt. Jones is a great athlete with a great attitude. Christian Robinson has a lot of potential on the outside, and has the speed to chase down ball-carriers from behind.

Boise State's linebackers are slightly more experienced, but not necessarily as talented. Byron Hout returns from last season as one of Boise State's top defensive leaders. He is a sideline-to-sideline playmaker who will also be relied upon to read and diagnose offensive schemes.

The SEC is traditionally known for its speed and outstanding athletes. Georgia may lack experience in the middle on defense, but they do not lack those traditional SEC staples.

Advantage: Georgia

The Secondaries

The strongest unit for the Georgia Bulldogs lies within the secondary.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Boise State.

Brandon Boykin returns to the Bulldogs' secondary as one of the SEC's top corners. He is smaller in stature, but he runs well in coverage. Boykin also possesses great ball skills. Baccari Rambo and Jakar Hamilton will offer Boykin support at safety, as both excel in run-support.

Boykin alone will give Kellen Moore something to think about under the lights in Atlanta.

Boise State will need to replace Brandyn Thompson and Jeron Johnson in the secondary. Both of these players have very large shoes to fill.

Cedric Febis is expected to replace Johnson and Jerrell Gavins will work on the island Thompson called home last season. The inexperience of these two players will definitely be something Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray keeps an eye on Saturday night.

The Broncos do return four-year starter George Iloka at free safety and second-year starter Jamar Taylor at corner.

Advantage: Georgia

The Kickers and Punters

The Georgia Bulldogs have experience in a unit the Boise State Broncos do not.

Returning for the Bulldogs is kicker Blair Walsh. Walsh is a clutch kicker and has very good range. Punter Drew Butler is also excellent at what he does and is a major threat to pin the Broncos deep in their own end zone.

Boise State is attempting to replace Kyle Brotzman at kicker. Despite his showing against Nevada last season, Brotzman is not an easy leg to replace. Attempting to do so will be true freshman Jake Van Ginkel. Punting for the Broncos will be Brad Elkin.

If either of these two falter for Boise State, it could prove critical in a huge opening matchup.

Thankfully for Mark Richt, he has less to worry about.

Advantage: Georgia

Conclusion and Prediction

Overall, both teams possess a great amount of talent on both sides of the ball.

In terms of offensive firepower, the Broncos hold the advantage because of their offensive line, the experience of Kellen Moore, and the presence of Doug Martin and D.J. Harper in the backfield.

The Bulldogs hold the advantage on defense because of their solid situation up front, their potential at linebacker and the outstanding ability of their secondary.

When looking for a x-factor, fans could point to their special teams department. Advantage Georgia there as well. Brandon Boykin's kick return ability, along with Blair Walsh's clutch ability, allows Mark Richt to feel safe at the end of a game.

Speaking of Richt, coaching could be a huge factor.

Richt, along with Boise State coach Chris Petersen, will have a major responsibility to have their teams ready to win. Both are experienced and have success with very different strategies.

The right strategy could provide the right solution for one team Saturday night.

Prediction: Boise State 31, Georgia 24