Boise State Football: MWC championship preview vs. Fresno State

Boise State football hosts Fresno State for a second year in a row in the MWC title game. Can the Bulldogs beat the Broncos after losing in Boise earlier this year?

Boise State took down Utah State on Thanksgiving weekend, earning the right to host the Mountain West championship game for a second straight year with a 33-24 takedown of the Aggies. The Broncos benefitted from a huge day by Alexander Mattison, who rushed for 200 yards and three touchdowns in the victory. It was the fourth time in the past five games that the Boise State back topped the 100-yard mark.

Boise State has also benefitted offensively from the efficient play of veteran quarterback Brett Rypien, who ranks in the top 12 nationally in most passing categories. The defense hasn’t been as solid as past vintages in Boise, but they have been adept at sacking quarterbacks to the tune of more than three sacks per game.

Bryan Harsin’s squad gets a title game rematch against Jeff Tedford’s MWC West-winning Fresno State side. The Bulldogs have been one of the best teams in the country both at passing the ball and at thwarting opposing passing attacks. Fresno State is fourth in the country in turnover margin, a statistic that could prove pivotal in this contest.

After losing two straight in Boise, can the Bulldogs reverse their fortunes and upset the Broncos at Albertsons Stadium? Here’s how you can watch the Mountain West championship game on Saturday night between No. 22 Boise State and No. 25 Fresno State:

Date: Saturday, Dec. 1
Time: 7:45 p.m. ET
Location: Boise, Idaho
Venue: Albertsons Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN | FuboTV

Keys to Victory

Boise State is dead last in the nation in net punting, as they average fewer than 31 yards gained per punt. Against a Fresno State team that ranks 104th in punt return average, the Broncos have to do better when they are put in fourth-down situations. Or they could just avoid punting altogether, which would almost certainly mean they were on track for victory.

Fresno State, meanwhile, needs to use its track record of protecting the football and their skill at taking the ball away from opposing offenses to give Marcus McMaryion and crew as many chances as possible with the football. And if they get a lead, like they did earlier in November when the two teams met in the Battle for the Milk Can, the Bulldogs cannot allow Boise State to get back into the football game.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of oddsshark.com

Point Spread: Boise State -2.5
Over/Under: 52

Prediction

The oddsmakers think this contest will be a close one, and there is little reason to disagree. This will be a back-and-forth battle with several momentum shifts. Fresno State will mount a late comeback in the fourth quarter, but Boise State will snatch the Mountain West title when the Bulldogs opt to go for two inside the final 15 seconds but are stopped at the line.

Final Score: Boise State 28, Fresno State 27