BOISE State’s national championship aspirations came to a sudden end with a dramatic 34-31 loss against Nevada, but no matter how disappointed the Broncos are to be playing pre-Christmas rather than post new years day, they can be backed to deliver against the Utah Utes.
The Broncos were most people’s darling team this season as they, alongside TCU, tried to play the role of BCS-buster with an undefeated season. However, despite over-coming several key hurdles on their way to an undefeated season, with wins over Hawaii, Oregon State and notably Virginia Tech, the Broncos dream ended on the road against Nevada. The Broncos led that game by a score of 24-7 at halftime, only to blow that lead, before missing a potential game-winning chip shot field goal. The loss bumped Boise out of the race for a BCS bowl game and down to #10 in the most recent poll.
However, while the loss was ultimately heartbreaking for the Broncos, it was a blip game where Boise allowed a ferocious second half comeback on the road. Perhaps not too much should be read into that defeat, and instead the focus should remain on Boise’s high-powered offence led by Kellen Moore. Moore was the second best quarterback in the country this season, behind only Heisman-trophy winning Cam Newton from Auburn, a vote in which Moore himself finished fourth. The fact remains that just a few weeks ago, Boise was seemingly poised for BCS pay dirt, and the spectacular failure of a kicker in a hostile road environment should not over-shadow the great talent that the Broncos possess. Boise also showed a resiliency after the Nevada loss, putting up 50 points against Utah State in a victory to end the regular season.
The Broncos will, though, have to try end a 9-game bowl winning streak by their opponents if they are to claim victory in Las Vegas. The Utah Utes, on their way to a BCS conference themselves next season, are no strangers to big post-season games, and big post-season success. Utah themselves at one point were ranked inside the top ten, before a huge loss to eventual unbeaten TCU. That November 6th loss, by a 40-point margin at home, clearly took its toll on the Utes, as they lost by 25-points the next week on the road against Notre Dame. However, the Utes did rebound in their final two games of the regular season with gritty, come from behind wins, against San Diego State and BYU. Indeed, Utah players have rallied behind their ‘comeback ability’, a toughness and resiliency that could exploit Boise’s inability to necessarily put teams away. That resiliency will be tested even more in this match up however, as the Utes will be missing their starting quarterback Jordan Wynn. Senior Terrance Cain, who has a 9-1 record, will start in Wynn’s absence, but Cain has blown hot and cold this season and threw two interceptions in the team’s last game against BYU.
Utah’s resolve, and their 9-game bowl win streak, should not be discounted given Boise’s ultimate disappointment in playing this game. Indeed, Boise’s bowl wins may be memorable, but the Broncos have a history of playing close games in the post-season; their last seven bowl games have all been decided by seven points or less. However, no matter how resilient and mentally strong Utah have been in adversity, it cannot hide the fact that they were demolished in their most important game of the season against TCU. Without Jordan Wynn, the Utes will struggle to keep up with Kellen Moore and company, who showed their own ability to battle, of sorts, with a win last week. Boise’s history of close bowl games is a concern given their potential lack of motivation (coupled with their ability to give sizeable advantages away) but at the end of the day the ability to put big points on the board will be enough to carry the Broncos to a comfortable victory. Take Boise State to win, and take them to cover the spread as well, as they end the season in style.
*Boise State has won by 17 or more points nine times this season*
SUGGESTION:
Boise State -16.5 (10/11 @ various)
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