Boise State Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017
By Zach Bigalke
Last year, New Mexico finished alongside Wyoming and Boise State in a three-way tie for the MWC Mountain division crown. The Lobos featured the top rushing offense in the country, averaging 350 yards per game on the ground. Bob Davie’s team also led the conference in scoring with an average of nearly 37 points per game.
When these two teams met in 2016 in Albuquerque, it proved to be a mismatch. The Broncos ran away with a 49-21 victory over the Lobos. Interestingly, it was a loss that would prevent New Mexico from playing San Diego State for the conference championship. Had the tables reversed, the Broncos would have finished third in the MWC Mountain and New Mexico would have been 7-1 in league play to win an undisputed division crown.
The Lobos, though, have to replace all but three starters from last year’s defense. They will continue to gash opponents on the ground, but they will also have a harder time when the other team has the ball.
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Final: Boise State 42, New Mexico 37 (2-1, 1-0 MWC)
Boise State has just five days to prepare for its first conference game of the season. The Lobos will take advantage of a fatigued Broncos front seven to rack up rushing yards at will. They could eclipse 400 yards rushing on the Smurf Turf. But things will get tighter in the red zone for New Mexico.
While they will have more overall scoring plays, several of those will be field goals from senior placekicker Jason Sanders. Alexander Mattison will respond with a big rushing game of his own, and Rypien will be a far better passer than Lamar Jordan.