The 13th ranked Boise State Broncos will travel to War Memorial Stadium (WY) to take on the Wyoming Cowboys this Saturday night in College Football action.
The 13th ranked Boise State Broncos stayed a perfect 7-0 (3-0 MW) on the season after defeating the BYU Cougars, 28-27, this past Thursday night. Boise state allowed BYU to score twice on interception returns, however, was able to hang on for the victory after blocking BYU’s 44-yard FG attempt at the end of regulation. Boise State outgained BYU by a 577-322 margin however, lost the turnover battle by a 5-0 margin. Leading the way for the Broncos was Brett Rypien who completed 25 of 39 passes for 442 yards, 3 TD, and 2 INT. On the season, Boise State is averaging 34.3 ppg on 481.6 total yards per game (320.6 passing, 161.0 rushing). Offensively, Boise State is led by RB Jeremy McNichols who has 12 rushing TD’s on the season while averaging 130.7 yds/g on 25.7 att/g. McNichols is also a huge threat in the passing game as he has 4 receiving TD’s on the season and averages 53.1 yds/game on 3.6 rec/g. QB Brett Rypien has completed 62.6% of his passes for 15 TD and 5 INT while averaging 294.9 passing yds/game. Thomas Sperbeck (6.7 rec/g, 115.7 yds/g, 7 TD) and Cedrick Wilson (3.9 rec/g, 71.4 yds/g, 6 TD) have been the biggest threats at the WR position for the Broncos. Defensively, Boise State is holding their opponents to an average of 20.4 ppg on 364.0 total yards per game (222.7 passing, 141.3 rushing). Boise State has only forced 3 turnovers on the season and has an overall turnover margin of -8.
The Wyoming Cowboys won their 3rd straight game and improved to 5-2 (3-0 MW) on the season after defeating the Nevada Wolfpack, 42-34, this past Saturday. Wyoming got a huge game from Brian Hill and was able to hang on late after taking a 35-27 lead entering the 4th quarter. Wyoming outgained Nevada by a 540-479 margin and won the turnover battle by a 1-0 margin. Leading the way for the Cowboys was RB Brian Hill who had 289 yards and 3 TD’s on 29 carries. On the season, Wyoming is averaging 34.4 ppg on 418.4 total yards per game (191.9 passing, 226.6 rushing). Offensively, Wyoming is led by RB Brain Hill who has 11 TD’s on the season while averaging 144.29 yds/game on 24.9 att/g. QB Josh Allen has completed 58.6% of his passes for 10 TD and 6 INT while averaging 191.3 passing yds/game. Tanner Gentry (5.4 rec/g, 87.4 yds/g, 5 TD), Jake Maulhardt (2.7 rec/g, 44.0 yds/g, 2 TD), C.J. Johnson (1.1 rec/g, 16.7 yds/g, TD), and Jacob Hollister (1.4 rec/g, 16.0 yds/g, 2 TD) have been the leading receivers for the Cowboys. Defensively, Wyoming is allowing their opponents to average 30.3 ppg on 438.9 total yards per game (299.4 passing, 139.4 rushing). Wyoming has forced 15 turnovers on the season and has a turnover margin of +4.
The Broncos are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games on turf however, just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Cowboys are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 conference games however, just 2-9 ATS in their last 11 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Boise State continues to be able to survive games without forcing turnovers, however, the Broncos will need to better when it comes to protecting the ball as teams generally will still win games when committing 5 turnovers. Wyoming has had a great start to their season however, needs to find some answers on the defensive end as the Cowboys rank just 83rd on scoring defense and 123rd in passing defense. This game will feature two of the best RB’s in the country in Boise State’s Jeremy McNichols and Wyoming’s Brian Hill, however, as I just don’t see the Wyoming defense being able to slow down both the passing and rushing attack of the Broncos, I’m taking Boise State to win big in this one. Take Boise State to cover.