Boise State Football: Will Broncos topple pesky BYU team on road?

Boise State football takes its undefeated record into Provo against rival BYU. Will the Broncos be able to avoid the upset on the road?

Boise State takes its undefeated record into Provo on Saturday night against a battered BYU team. Boise State has started the season 6-0 and sits atop the Group of Five as the highest-ranked team, positioning itself as the favorite to get into a New Years Six (NY6) bowl.

Both teams have had a spurt of injury concerns that have impacted their quarterback situations. BYU quarterback Zach Wilson has been out two weeks after undergoing hand surgery, while Boise State starting quarterback Hank Bachmeier is questionable for Saturday’s game after being knocked out of the game last week vs. Hawaii.

BYU is coming into Saturday’s game at home after two straight losses on the road and dropping to 2-4 on the season. The Cougars are looking to get a boost in this rivalry game against the Broncos with their backup quarterback Jaren Hall. Hall was also taken out of the game last week with an apparent leg injury but is probable to play against Boise State.

This is a matchup that you can always throw out the records on, having a great game after great game each time the Cougars and Broncos meet up. Boise State has taken the last three games from BYU and is looking to make it a fourth on Saturday night.

Here’s how you can watch:

Date: Saturday, Oct. 19
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Provo, Utah
Venue: LeVelle Edwards Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

Boise State is a run-first offense, they will have to get something going on the ground against an unusually soft defensive line from BYU. The Cougars have had injuries up front and it has shown up big time. Giving up 224 yards rushing a game, BYU is extra vulnerable against a great duo for Boise State in George Holani and Robert Mahone. With injury questions for the Broncos at quarterback, expect a run-heavy game plan for the Broncos.

BYU has struggled to move the ball in 2019 in each of their first six games. Averaging just 22 points a game on offense, the Cougars have relied heavily on the scrambling ability of their quarterbacks to make something happen. To keep up with the Boise State offense that puts up almost 40 points a game and strong defensive line that has impressed in the first half, the Cougars have to set the tone through their running game as well and slow the pace of the game all night long.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of Bovada

Spread: Boise State -7
Over/Under: 45.5

Prediction

Boise State moved up to No. 13 in the polls this week and is looking to make a statement after putting up 59 points against Hawaii. We should see the Broncos smell blood in the water after Wilson was ruled unable to play in this rivalry matchup. Boise State should be able to get to the quarterback early and often to avoid the upset in Provo.

With any of these matchups between BYU and Boise State, there seems to always be some wacky elements. With this being the last game of the night in college football in a tough environment for the No. 13 team in the country, expect the Cougar faithful to play a role in this game. As long as the Broncos can play disciplined football, we should see the Broncos escape Provo handily.

Final Score: Boise State 35, BYU 17