Brigham Young Cougars at Boise State Broncos
Thursday, September 20, 2012, 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Bronco Stadium – Boise, Idaho
Opening Line: Boise St -6 1/2
Current Line: Boise St -7 1/2
Opening Total: 51
Current Total: 49
Opening Money Line: Boise St -280 / BYU +240
Current Money Line: Boise St -290 / BYU +245
Despite being less than 400 miles away from each other, the BYU Cougars and #24 Boise St Broncos are meeting for only the third time Thursday night. The Broncos swept a home and home against the Cougars in 2003 and 2004. The two schools were slated to be in the same conference last year, as Boise St moved from the WAC to the Mountain west. However, BYU left the Mountain West before last season to become an independent. Boise St will leave the MWC for the Big East next season.
BYU is 2-1 this season under coach Bronco Mendenhall. The Cougars opened the season with home routs over Washington St 30-6 and Weber St 45-13. BYU climbed into the rankings at #25, and traveled to rival Utah last week. The Cougars lost a heartbreaker to the Utes 24-21. For the season BYU is 423.3 yards per game, including 272 passing yards and 151.3 rushing yards. On defense, the Cougars are allowing 241 yards per game, including 188 passing yards and 53 rushing yards per game. BYU is in the top ten nationally in both total and rushing defense. The Cougars are outscoring opponents 32-14.3 so far this season. BYU is 1-2 ATS and the total is 1-1 this season.
BYU was a -3.5 point favorite on the road at arch-rival Utah last week, and the total was 44.5. The two teams exchanged touchdowns in the first half to make it 7-7 at the half. Utah scored 17 points in the third quarter, including a 47 yard fumble return for a touchdown, and a 39 yard TD pass, to make it 24-7. BYU pulled to within 24-21 with 3:39 left in the fourth.
What followed was one of the wildest finishes in college football in recent memory. BYU kicked deep instead of trying the onside kick. The Cougars forced a punt with 1:11 left. BYU got it all the way to the Utah 34, but the clock expired. Utah fans rushed the field, but replays showed there was one second left on the clock. The Cougars attempted the game tying 51 yard field goal but it was blocked. The Utah fans rushed the field again, but the referees said they got on the field too soon while the play was still alive, and Utah was given a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. BYU got another shot from 36 yards. However, the kick bounced off the right upright, and Utah fans were finally able to rush the field for real this time.
BYU had 312 total yards including 206 passing yards from quarterback Riley Nelson. Nelson completed 17 of 35 passes with 2 touchdowns and an interception. Nelson was unable to recover the fumble after a bad snap that was returned 47 yards by Utah for a touchdown. Nelson had 14 carries for 34 yards. Receiver Cody Hoffman had 8 catches, 120 yards, and a touchdown. Kaneakua Friel had 5 catches for 54 yards with a touchdown. BYU held Utah to 245 yards including just 49 rushing yards. The Cougars had the only two turnovers of the game. BYU had 12 penalties for 75 yards, and Utah had 10 for 112 yards.
Through three games, Nelson is 60/100 passing for 735 yards with 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, along with 29 carries for 71 yards. Back-ups James Lark and and Taysom Hill have each thrown a touchdown pass this season. Hill also has two rushing touchdowns and Lark has one. Running back Michael Alisa has 39 carries, 163 yards, and a touchdown, along with 5 catches for 25 yards. Jamaal Williams has 17 carries, 77 yards and a touchdown. Hoffman has 18 catches, 281 yards and 2 touchdowns. Friel has 15 catches for 195 yards and 4 touchdowns. No other Cougar receiver has more than 7 catches this season.
Boise St is coached by Chris Petersen. The Broncos are 1-1 with a 17-13 loss at Michigan St, and a 39-12 win at home against Miami-Ohio. Boise St is averaging 402.5 yards per game on offense, including 236.5 passing yards and 166 rushing yards. On defense, the Broncos are allowing 344 total yards per game, including 213 passing yards and 131 rushing yards. Boise is outscoring opponents 26-14.5 this season. Boise St is 2-0 ATS and both games have gone under the total.
Boise St was a 21 point favorite last week at home against Miami-Ohio, and the total was 53.5. Boise St scored a first quarter touchdown and successfully went for two. Miami scored the next 9 points, and tried for two as well, but failed. The Broncos scored 28 straight points to take control of the game 36-9. The Broncos ended up winning 39-12 to cover the 21 point spread.
Boise St had 599 total yards including 304 passing yards from quarterback Joe Southwick, who completed 24 of 31 passes for 304 yards, with 2 touchdowns and an interception. Running back D.J. Harper had 16 carries, 162 yards and 3 touchdowns, and a 21 yard touchdown catch. The Redhawks had 227 total yards, including 49 rushing yards, and 9 first downs. Boise St had the only two turnovers of the game.
Through two games, Southwick has completed 39 of 62 passes (62.9%) for 478 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Harper has 31 carries, for 170 yards with 3 touchdowns, along with 3 catches for 28 yards with a touchdown. No Bronco receiver has more than 9 catches or 130 yards receiving, but six have at least 3 catches. Matt Miller, Kirby Moore, and Mitch Burroughs are the best receivers.
BYU is 5-0 ATS against Mountain West teams, 15-3 after allowing less than 100 rushing yards, 4-1 in road games, and on fieldturf, 8-2 overall, 7-2 in non-conference games, 9-3 after allowing less than 275 yards, 5-2 in Thursday games, and after failing to cover, and 2-8 in September.
Boise St is 4-0 ATS in Thursday games, and in non-conference games, 10-2 in September, 5-2 after rushing for 200 yards, 41-18-1 against teams with winning records, 43-19-2 after gaining more than 450 total yards, 21-10-1 after a cover, 2-5 on fieldturf, 2-6 at home, and 1-5 after a straight up win.
Since 2001, Boise St has only lost one game at home in the regular season, and that was last year by one point to TCU. The Broncos have lost in bowl games in Boise in that time frame. BYU has a really good defense, and Boise St struggled against Michigan St to open the season. The Spartans also have a top 10 defense, just like the Cougars. I think Boise wins, but BYU keeps it close.
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