Boise State Broncos
Mountain West
Boise State is not used to losing four games in a season. Two of those came in Mountain West play and the Broncos slipped behind Utah State in the Mountain Division and did not even get an opportunity to go to the conference championship game. At least the Broncos continued to play well at home. All four of their losses came on the road.
2013 Record: 8-4, 6-2
Coach: Chris Petersen
Coach Bowl Record: 5-2
Big Wins: 10/12 at Utah State (34-23), 11/2 at Colorado State (42-30)
Bad Losses: 10/25 at BYU (20-37), 11/23 at San Diego State (31-34)
Strengths:
The offense may not have put up huge numbers, but they are an efficient group that can chew up clock and move the chains. Running back Jay Ajayi rushed for 1,328 yards and 17 touchdowns. The 6-0, 220 pound sophomore has the size to punch the ball into the end zone and the speed to break some big runs. Quarterbacks Joe Southwick and Grant Hedrick have both been relatively efficient. In eight contests, Southwick completed 72.6 percent of his attempts for 1,654 yards and 12 touchdowns. Hedrick added 1,443 yards through the air with 15 touchdowns. However, Hedrick adds another dimension to the offense with his ability to run the ball. The junior rushed for 257 yards and six scores. Expect both quarterbacks to play again in the bowl game and for Coach Chris Petersen to ride the hot passing hand. Hedrick’s ability to run is nice, but the Broncos want to take advantage of the talent they have in receivers Matt Miller and Shane Williams-Rhodes. Those two caught 77 passes each and combined for 1,636 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.
Weaknesses:
The defense allowed only 23 points per game, but against the better offenses on the schedule, that number went up. Washington, Fresno State, BYU and San Diego State each dropped at least 34 points on the Broncos. The pass defense will make some big plays, but they will give up just as many. Safety Darian Thompson and cornerbacks Donte Deayon and Bryan Douglas accounted for 13 of the team’s 15 interceptions. Those three can make things happen, but they cannot afford to give up giant chunks of yardage through the air. Defensive end Demarcus Lawrence knows how to force some turnovers too. He easily led the team with 10.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles-for-loss, but also forced three fumbles and blocked a couple of kicks. If the big plays for the defense outweigh the big plays given up by the defense, Boise State will win.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Jay Ajayi, RB, 1,328 yards
Passing: Joe Southwick, QB, 1,654 yards
Receiving: Matt Miller, WR, 934 yards
Tackles: Ben Weaver, LB, 86
Sacks: Demarcus Lawrence, DE, 10.5
Interceptions: Donte Deayon, CB, 5
2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 201.8 (32nd in nation, 4th in conference)
Passing Offense: 269.0 (32, 5)
Total Offense: 470.8 (24, 4)
Scoring Offense: 38.8 (14, 2)
Rushing Defense: 161.6 (63, 5)
Pass Defense: 248.4 (90, 6)
Total Defense: 410.0 (72, 3)
Scoring Defense: 23.8 (41, 2)
Turnover Margin: 0.3 (40, 5)
Sacks: 2.50 (34, 2)
Sacks Allowed: 1.75 (45, 4)
Recent Bowl Appearances:
2012 Las Vegas Bowl Washington (28-26)
2011 Las Vegas Bowl Arizona State (56-24)
2010 Las Vegas Bowl Utah (26-3)
2009 Fiesta Bowl TCU (17-10)
2008 Poinsettia Bowl TCU (16-17)
2007 Hawaii Bowl East Carolina (38-41)
*all team stats through 11/30
