Boise State Football beats Troy to stay atop Group of Five race

Boise State football overwhelmed the defending Sun Belt champs on their turf. Here are three takeaways from the Broncos win over Troy on Saturday evening.

Last year, Boise State and Troy played a relatively close game on the Smurf Turf in Idaho. This year, close would be a horrible way to describe the runaway victory by the Broncos on the road in Alabama. There was no doubt this year about which team is the better Group of Five outfit.

Boise State ran roughshod over their hosts this weekend, finishing the game against Troy with a 56-20 advantage by the end of the evening. Here are three takeaways from the showdown between the Trojans and the Broncos.

1. Brett Rypien should be in Heisman discussion after big performance

Brett Rypien entered his fourth year as the starter at Boise State at a crossroads. Last year’s performance deviated downward from his career trend with the Broncos. Rypien threw for nearly 800 fewer yards and eight fewer touchdowns than his sophomore season. But he also helped pilot the Broncos to their first Mountain West title in three years.

This year, the senior looked to bolster his shot at landing a spot on an NFL team like his Super Bowl-winning uncle. Rypien is one of the few Group of Five players this year that could make a legitimate case for a Heisman invitation, as long as he continues to win.

Against Troy, Rypien threw four touchdown passes before halftime. The quarterback finished the contest with an über-efficient showing against the Trojans. Rypien finished the day with 305 passing yards and those four touchdowns on 20-of-28 passing.

He looks prepared to vault up Heisman charts if Rypien continues having big games like the one he had Saturday at Troy.