from boise st perspective:
3 keys to a BSU victory
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1. Regain that big-play touch
SMU has the WAC?s second-best defense, and the numbers would be better if the Mustangs hadn?t played the nation?s best passing attack (Texas Tech) and arguably the nation?s best receiver (Oklahoma State?s Rashaun Woods) in the first three weeks.
The Broncos probably won?t be able to mount 10- and 12-play touchdown drives today. They will need to make big plays. Last week against Tulsa, BSU couldn?t bust out ? TDs came on plays of 1, 1 and 5 yards.
A week earlier against Louisiana Tech, the Broncos set a school record with 732 yards of total offense.
?They?re explosive,?? SMU coach Phil Bennett said.
The Mustangs proved vulnerable to the big play last week against San Jose State. Both safeties were hobbled, and the Spartans became the second WAC team to score 30 points against SMU in the past seven tries.
2. Keep Bartel down
Sophomore quarterback Richard Bartel?s confidence has to be about as low as his abysmal quarterback rating. He already has proven his decision-making is shaky.
The Broncos? defense seems to alternate between dominant and porous, and last week it was dominant. They cannot allow Bartel to make a few nice plays early and start feeling good about himself.
Senior cornerback Julius Brown grabbed his first interception of the season last week and nearly made a couple others. Junior corner Gabe Franklin still is looking for his first. If one of them can get his hands on the football early, it could be a rout.
3. Finish
The golden rule at Boise State football practice is to finish every play. In games, however, the Broncos haven?t been able to finish off anyone other than Idaho State in the opener.
BSU allowed Idaho, Louisiana Tech and Tulsa to hang around in the fourth quarter by making mistakes.
Louisiana Tech and Tulsa trailed by 13 points in the final quarter. The Bulldogs were one dropped pass away from getting a shot at a winning touchdown pass from the BSU 25-yard line because of a Broncos fumble. The Hurricane were an onside-kick recovery away from a potential tying drive because of an offensive meltdown.
This is one of those games BSU should win, and should win without drama.
It will be a good test of whether they have found the killer instinct they need for the second half of the season, when they confront their top rivals for the WAC title.
When the Broncos have the ball
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Quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie finished the Tulsa game with an ugly half, completing just two passes. Coach Dan Hawkins won?t say why the offense faltered so much, but it might have had something to do with his quarterback?s headache.
Regardless, expect Dinwiddie to come back with a performance more typical of his sterling BSU career. His precision passing could spell trouble for the Mustangs? zone defense.
Tailback David Mikell isn?t attracting much attention because his numbers aren?t outrageous. But quietly, he?s working on an All-WAC year. He leads the conference with 116 rushing yards per game and six touchdowns.
Key matchup
Boise State?s receivers vs. SMU?s safeties. The Mustangs? ailing safeties will need to fight off the pain today to keep the Broncos? receivers from piling up yards. The Mustangs may start true freshman Joe Sturdivant at strong safety, their third starter at that position this season, because Jamey Harper has a leg injury. Sophomore Alvin Nnabuife starts at free safety. The two corners are seniors. Tim Gilligan leads the Broncos? receiving corps with 36 catches, or more than any other two BSU receivers combined, but doesn?t have a receiving touchdown.
When the Mustangs have the ball
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SMU owns one offensive weapon ? tailback Keylon Kincade, who averages 28 carries and 103.3 yards per game. He doesn?t rip off huge chunks of yardage, but he does help SMU dominate in time of possession. The Mustangs lead the WAC with 33 minutes per game of possession time.
Quarterback Richard Bartel is the lowest-rated starter in the WAC. Matt Rushbrook is his top target.
The Broncos defense stuffs the run, a bad sign for the Mustangs. BSU ranks sixth in the nation in rush defense and leads the WAC by 54 yards.
Key matchup
SMU quarterback Richard Bartel vs. BSU?s defensive backs. Nothing will take the Mustangs out of the game more quickly than a couple bad throws by Bartel. However, if he can beat the Broncos early, he may be able to find the same holes in the secondary that Oregon State and Louisiana Tech exploited.
BSU safeties Wes Nurse and Cam Hall share the team lead with two interceptions apiece.
Injury report
BSU ? OL Kellen Wright (out, leg), WR Brett Ralph (out, concussion), WR/RB Quinton Jones (questionable, knee). SMU ? S Jamey Harper (questionable, leg).
3 keys to a BSU victory
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1. Regain that big-play touch
SMU has the WAC?s second-best defense, and the numbers would be better if the Mustangs hadn?t played the nation?s best passing attack (Texas Tech) and arguably the nation?s best receiver (Oklahoma State?s Rashaun Woods) in the first three weeks.
The Broncos probably won?t be able to mount 10- and 12-play touchdown drives today. They will need to make big plays. Last week against Tulsa, BSU couldn?t bust out ? TDs came on plays of 1, 1 and 5 yards.
A week earlier against Louisiana Tech, the Broncos set a school record with 732 yards of total offense.
?They?re explosive,?? SMU coach Phil Bennett said.
The Mustangs proved vulnerable to the big play last week against San Jose State. Both safeties were hobbled, and the Spartans became the second WAC team to score 30 points against SMU in the past seven tries.
2. Keep Bartel down
Sophomore quarterback Richard Bartel?s confidence has to be about as low as his abysmal quarterback rating. He already has proven his decision-making is shaky.
The Broncos? defense seems to alternate between dominant and porous, and last week it was dominant. They cannot allow Bartel to make a few nice plays early and start feeling good about himself.
Senior cornerback Julius Brown grabbed his first interception of the season last week and nearly made a couple others. Junior corner Gabe Franklin still is looking for his first. If one of them can get his hands on the football early, it could be a rout.
3. Finish
The golden rule at Boise State football practice is to finish every play. In games, however, the Broncos haven?t been able to finish off anyone other than Idaho State in the opener.
BSU allowed Idaho, Louisiana Tech and Tulsa to hang around in the fourth quarter by making mistakes.
Louisiana Tech and Tulsa trailed by 13 points in the final quarter. The Bulldogs were one dropped pass away from getting a shot at a winning touchdown pass from the BSU 25-yard line because of a Broncos fumble. The Hurricane were an onside-kick recovery away from a potential tying drive because of an offensive meltdown.
This is one of those games BSU should win, and should win without drama.
It will be a good test of whether they have found the killer instinct they need for the second half of the season, when they confront their top rivals for the WAC title.
When the Broncos have the ball
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie finished the Tulsa game with an ugly half, completing just two passes. Coach Dan Hawkins won?t say why the offense faltered so much, but it might have had something to do with his quarterback?s headache.
Regardless, expect Dinwiddie to come back with a performance more typical of his sterling BSU career. His precision passing could spell trouble for the Mustangs? zone defense.
Tailback David Mikell isn?t attracting much attention because his numbers aren?t outrageous. But quietly, he?s working on an All-WAC year. He leads the conference with 116 rushing yards per game and six touchdowns.
Key matchup
Boise State?s receivers vs. SMU?s safeties. The Mustangs? ailing safeties will need to fight off the pain today to keep the Broncos? receivers from piling up yards. The Mustangs may start true freshman Joe Sturdivant at strong safety, their third starter at that position this season, because Jamey Harper has a leg injury. Sophomore Alvin Nnabuife starts at free safety. The two corners are seniors. Tim Gilligan leads the Broncos? receiving corps with 36 catches, or more than any other two BSU receivers combined, but doesn?t have a receiving touchdown.
When the Mustangs have the ball
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SMU owns one offensive weapon ? tailback Keylon Kincade, who averages 28 carries and 103.3 yards per game. He doesn?t rip off huge chunks of yardage, but he does help SMU dominate in time of possession. The Mustangs lead the WAC with 33 minutes per game of possession time.
Quarterback Richard Bartel is the lowest-rated starter in the WAC. Matt Rushbrook is his top target.
The Broncos defense stuffs the run, a bad sign for the Mustangs. BSU ranks sixth in the nation in rush defense and leads the WAC by 54 yards.
Key matchup
SMU quarterback Richard Bartel vs. BSU?s defensive backs. Nothing will take the Mustangs out of the game more quickly than a couple bad throws by Bartel. However, if he can beat the Broncos early, he may be able to find the same holes in the secondary that Oregon State and Louisiana Tech exploited.
BSU safeties Wes Nurse and Cam Hall share the team lead with two interceptions apiece.
Injury report
BSU ? OL Kellen Wright (out, leg), WR Brett Ralph (out, concussion), WR/RB Quinton Jones (questionable, knee). SMU ? S Jamey Harper (questionable, leg).
