Boise State Football vs Troy: 3 Takeaways from the Broncos’ win

2. Brett Rypien was underwhelming at quarterback for Broncos

If Boise State is going to return to a major bowl game in 2017 for the first time since 2014, they will need much better quarterback play from Brett Rypien. The Broncos quarterback completed just 16 of his 28 attempts for 190 yards. Though he hit tight end Jake Roh for a touchdown pass, he also threw a costly pick-six to Blace Brown right before halftime.

Rypien has been good but hardly great in his first two seasons as a starter for Boise State. It is worth wondering whether the team might actually be better off with Kansas graduate transfer Montell Cozart taking the snaps. Cozart completed three of his four attempts in the game, and added a running dimension that Rypien will never really bring to the table.

Between 2015 and 2016, Rypien has gone 16-6 as a starter. He will never be confused for Kellen Moore, but expectations were much higher when Bryan Harsin and the offensive coaching staff turned to the nephew of former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Mark Rypien.

As Boise State strives to return to the top of the Mountain West, they will need to examine whether Rypien gives their offense the best chance at victory. He will certainly start against his uncle’s alma mater next weekend when Boise State visits Washington State in Pullman. How long he lasts after that will determine on whether he rebounds from a lackluster performance in Week 1.