EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

Overview:

On Saturday, November 10^th, the (7-2) Boise State Broncos will be on the road to take on the (8-1) Fresno State Bulldogs.

The Crowd:

The Crowd projects a final score of Fresno State 28.9 – Boise State 28.1 with an over/under of 57.1.

Lou Holtz and Mark May:

Lou is predicting a final score of Fresno State 34 – Boise State 31.

Mark is predicting a final score of Boise State 24 – Fresno State 20.

2018-19 Statistics (130 total teams):

Passing offense: Boise State 318.9 YPG > Fresno State 280.8 YPG

Rushing offense: Fresno State 150.6 YPG > Boise State 149.8 YPG

Scoring offense: Fresno State 40.4 PPG > Boise State 38.0 PPG

Scoring defense: Fresno State 12.3 PPG > Boise State 23.7 PPG

Passing defense: Fresno State 178.2 YPG > Boise State 234.4 YPG

Rushing defense: Boise State 128.0 YPG > Fresno State 128.8 YPG

Turnover Margin Per Game: Fresno State +0.9 > Boise State +0.7

Summary:

Boise State is (7-2) with wins over Troy, UConn, Wyoming, Nevada, Colorado State, Air Force, and BYU.  They were defeated by #24 Oklahoma State in week three and San Diego State in week five.  Boise State made a last minute goal-line stand in their 21-16 victory over BYU last week.  The Broncos rank 21^st in points per game (38.0) and 41^st in scoring defense (23.7 PPG).  Boise State has one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Brett Rypien.  Rypien has completed 67% of his passes for 2,779 yards with 24 touchdowns to 6 interceptions.  Running back Alexander Mattison has rushed for 726 yards and 10 touchdowns.  Boise State has a pair of receivers in Sean Modster and A.J. Richardson with over 600 yards and 4 touchdowns.  The Broncos’ defense ranks 74^th against the pass (234.4 YPG) and 28^th against the run (128.0 YPG).  Boise State has the 18^th best turnover margin (+0.7) in the country.

Fresno State is (8-1) with victories over Idaho, UCLA, Toledo, Nevada, Wyoming, New Mexico, Hawaii, and UNLV.  Their lone defeat was a 21-14 road loss to Minnesota in week two.  Fresno State annihilated UNLV 48-3 on the road last week.  The Bulldogs rank 13^th in points per game (40.4) and 2^nd in scoring defense (12.3 PPG).  Quarterback Marcus McMaryion has completed 70% of his passes for 2,416 yards with 20 touchdowns to 3 interceptions.  KeeSean Johnson is the nation’s 10^th leading receiver with 858 yards to go along with his 6 touchdowns.  The Bulldogs’ defense ranks 15^th against the pass (178.2 YPG) and 30^th against the run (128.8 YPG).  Fresno State has the 12^th best turnover margin (+0.9) in the country.

Bottom Line:

Fresno State will have their hands full trying to slow down Brett Rypien but they have forced a ton of takeaways.  I expect a relatively high scoring game with two of the nation’s top 25 offenses squaring off.  Marcus McMaryion should be able to take advantage of a weak Boise State secondary as the Bulldogs win a close one at home.

Fresno State wins 36-31

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