1. MAKE PAUL PINEGAR BEAT YOU: The Broncos have held the Bulldogs to a total of 101 rushing yards the past three years. That left all the work for QB Paul Pinegar, and he wasn't able to lead the Bulldogs to a win. Sounds like a proven recipe for success.
2. GET A DRAW IN SPECIAL TEAMS: BSU special teams coach Kent Riddle said it best. "We're trying to make something happen, but at the very least we've got to not let them make anything happen," he said. The Bulldogs can change the game in an instant on special teams.
3. MAKE THE RED ZONE THE TD ZONE: These are the two best rushing defenses and two best red-zone defenses in the WAC. When the Broncos get inside the 20-yard line today, they need to capitalize ? particularly early. A big lead would help with key No. 1.
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When Fresno State has the ball
The Bulldogs offense is much like that of the Broncos ? run, run, run, then pass.
Tailback Wendell Mathis shoulders most of the load in the run game, with 1,000-yard rusher Bryson Sumlin ready to fill in if needed. The wide receivers have been inconsistent, but Paul Williams is supremely talented.
Williams, who has two 100-yard games, leads the team in receiving yards (329) and yards per catch (17.3), and he's tied for the team lead with three TD catches.
The Bulldogs have not done much damage with the passing game this year except for two games ? early in the season at Oregon, and last week against San Jose State.
Pinegar passed for 368 yards and three touchdowns against the Spartans.
"We've been struggling a little bit on offense," he said. "I think it was big for us to find that passing game and get back on track, especially going into a big week with Boise State."
The Broncos' defense is on a roll. They held New Mexico State to 176 yards last week, and have held four of the past five opponents to fewer than 300 yards.
BSU has accumulated nine sacks and eight interceptions in the past two games.
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When Boise State has the ball
The Broncos' plan has been simple this season: Pound away with four running backs and a great offensive line, then strike the softened defense with well-timed passes.
Fresno State will try to take away the first option and make the Broncos one-dimensional. Oregon State, in the second half, and Utah State, for three quarters, were able to do that.
Quarterback Jared Zabransky beat the Aggies, but couldn't quite overcome the Beavers.
The Broncos' running game has operated at near-full efficiency the past two weeks. They racked up 567 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground in those games, and senior Lee Marks picked up the team's first 100-yard rushing game last week.
"They've got some good running backs," Fresno State defensive lineman Garrett McIntyre said. "They're little shifty guys. ... We know we have to stop the run in order to slow that offense down."
The Bulldogs own the top-ranked defense in the WAC almost across the board. McIntyre is a monster in the trenches, linebacker Dwayne Andrews is an excellent run-stuffer and the corners are ball hawks.
"They're just very athletic and they play really hard, and that's what jumps out at you," BSU offensive coordinator Chris Petersen said.
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2. GET A DRAW IN SPECIAL TEAMS: BSU special teams coach Kent Riddle said it best. "We're trying to make something happen, but at the very least we've got to not let them make anything happen," he said. The Bulldogs can change the game in an instant on special teams.
3. MAKE THE RED ZONE THE TD ZONE: These are the two best rushing defenses and two best red-zone defenses in the WAC. When the Broncos get inside the 20-yard line today, they need to capitalize ? particularly early. A big lead would help with key No. 1.
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When Fresno State has the ball
The Bulldogs offense is much like that of the Broncos ? run, run, run, then pass.
Tailback Wendell Mathis shoulders most of the load in the run game, with 1,000-yard rusher Bryson Sumlin ready to fill in if needed. The wide receivers have been inconsistent, but Paul Williams is supremely talented.
Williams, who has two 100-yard games, leads the team in receiving yards (329) and yards per catch (17.3), and he's tied for the team lead with three TD catches.
The Bulldogs have not done much damage with the passing game this year except for two games ? early in the season at Oregon, and last week against San Jose State.
Pinegar passed for 368 yards and three touchdowns against the Spartans.
"We've been struggling a little bit on offense," he said. "I think it was big for us to find that passing game and get back on track, especially going into a big week with Boise State."
The Broncos' defense is on a roll. They held New Mexico State to 176 yards last week, and have held four of the past five opponents to fewer than 300 yards.
BSU has accumulated nine sacks and eight interceptions in the past two games.
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When Boise State has the ball
The Broncos' plan has been simple this season: Pound away with four running backs and a great offensive line, then strike the softened defense with well-timed passes.
Fresno State will try to take away the first option and make the Broncos one-dimensional. Oregon State, in the second half, and Utah State, for three quarters, were able to do that.
Quarterback Jared Zabransky beat the Aggies, but couldn't quite overcome the Beavers.
The Broncos' running game has operated at near-full efficiency the past two weeks. They racked up 567 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground in those games, and senior Lee Marks picked up the team's first 100-yard rushing game last week.
"They've got some good running backs," Fresno State defensive lineman Garrett McIntyre said. "They're little shifty guys. ... We know we have to stop the run in order to slow that offense down."
The Bulldogs own the top-ranked defense in the WAC almost across the board. McIntyre is a monster in the trenches, linebacker Dwayne Andrews is an excellent run-stuffer and the corners are ball hawks.
"They're just very athletic and they play really hard, and that's what jumps out at you," BSU offensive coordinator Chris Petersen said.
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