Well, at this point the Broncos are sitting at a likely 6-0. This is not without some very hard fought battles, and potentially some very close games. With the most difficult game of the season ahead, Boise State still has a long road to travel.
Here is my breakdown for the second half of the Broncos 2011 season -
• Air Force at Boise State - Saturday October 22nd, 2011 – 1:30 PM
Boise State continues Mountain West play against the Air Force Falcons. Air Force looks very stacked going into this season, and I project they will finish 3rd in the conference, behind Boise State and TCU. The Boise State defense should be strong enough to hold the Air Force’s Triple Option at bay.
My Prediction – Boise State 35 – Air Force 14
• Boise State at UNLV - Saturday November 5th, 2011 – 7:30 PM
UNLV is a team that hasn’t faired well in Mountain West play over the past few years. Boise State should be familiar with the territory playing in the Las Vegas Bowl last year. The fact this is an away game shouldn’t prevent Boise State from winning big.
My Prediction – Boise State 42 – UNLV 7
• Texas Christian University at Boise State - Saturday November 12th, 2011 – 1:30 PM
This is the one that all of Bronco Nation is waiting for. In what is the biggest game to happen on the blue in recent memory, Boise State and TCU will go at it more time. This will be the only meeting Boise State and TCU will have as members of the Mountain West, as TCU will depart for the 2012 season to the Big East. Boise State and TCU are 1-1 in their last two meetings, both of which were defensively charged battles at were decided by one score. Don’t expect anything different this time around. Even though both teams have lost some strong players, expect new talent to prove themselves on both sides of the ball for both teams. This will be the Bronco’s biggest test in the 2011 season. However, without Andy Dalton at the helm, I expect TCU to fall a bit short in this trip to Boise.
My Prediction – Boise State 21 – TCU 17
• Boise State at San Diego State University - Saturday November 19th, 2011 – 4:00 PM
After a close win against TCU, Boise State has another challenge. This time it is a trip to San Diego to play the Aztecs of San Diego State. Expect a good matchup, as SDSU will put up a fight. However, with the loss of a few key players and their coach from last season, Brady Hoke, San Diego State won’t quite be able to contain the Broncos.
My Prediction – Boise State 38 – San Diego State 17
• Wyoming at Boise State - Saturday November 25th, 2011 – 12:00 PM
Sitting at 10-0 by this point, Boise State has but two games standing between them and a likely bid to a BCS game. If the cards were to play out like last season and Boise State can win out, there is a good shot at the big game. This has been the storyline going into the season for the past few years, and it has not come to pass. Wyoming will not pose a threat against Boise State, and the Broncos will roll onto 11-0.
My Prediction – Boise State 42 – Wyoming 3
• New Mexico at Boise State - Saturday December 3rd, 2011 – 4:00 PM
At the end of the season, Boise State could not have a better way to finish out Mountain West play. The New Mexico Lobos will fall as the Broncos continue on towards the BCS.
My Prediction – Boise State 35 – New Mexico 10
There you have it! 12-0 would be a great way to finish out the season, with a more than likely BCS bowl bid. This season is going to be our toughest in years, and we have some very solid opponents throughout. The toughest games this season being against Georgia, TCU, Tulsa, and Air Force.
There are many things that can change as the season goes on, and in College Football, anything can happen. But with a lot to prove going into the Mountain West and a very strong team, Boise State should finish strong.
Stay tuned for more once the season begins!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
And now for something completely different. Boise State 2011 Schedule Breakdown Part 1
It’s never too early to start getting excited for college football. With the state of the NFL questionable at best right now, college football may be our only outlet for football this year; and I’m as excited as could be. The Boise State Broncos face a number of difficult opponents this year, and if they can win out, have a better chance of playing in the big game than ever. The Broncos are shaping up to start the polls in the top 15, though I predict we break the top 10 by the time the initial polls come out. I will be breaking down each game, as well as giving my early predictions.
So lets get started!
• Boise State at Georgia (Neutral site) – Saturday September 3rd – 6PM
The opening game of the season is in the Georgia Dome against the Bulldogs from Georgia. Don’t let their somewhat lackluster season last year fool you, this is shaping up to be a great game. Similar to the Broncos, the Bulldogs are led by a strong quarterback in Aaron Murray. They start without their star Wide Receiver from last year, AJ Green, who went to the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft. This will be a battle, and I feel that it is on par with last years opener against Virginia Tech. Should be a shootout, but never bet against the Broncos when they have months to prepare.
My Prediction – Boise State 34 – Georgia 24
• Boise State at Toledo – Saturday September 17th – 6PM
The Toledo Rockets are an opponent we have faced a few times in the past, with the Broncos dominating last year in Boise. I had the pleasure of attending that game as a student last fall. Toledo faired decently in the MAC conference last year, but still was left out of the MAC championship thanks to the dominant Northern Illinois.
My Prediction – Boise State 45 – Toledo 17
• Boise State vs. Tulsa – Saturday September 24th – 6PM
The Tulsa Golden Hurricanes absolutely dominated the Hawaii Warriors in last year’s Hawaii Bowl. This is the game that I really got to see what Tulsa was all about. They possess a very potent offense, with a somewhat middle of the road defense, especially for competition is Conference USA. Tulsa is currently my way too early pick to take the Conference USA championship this year. Look out, this one might be a whole lot closer than everyone expects. Look for Boise to take it in a close one.
My Prediction – Boise State 42 – Tulsa 35
• Boise State vs. Nevada – Saturday October 1st – 6PM
This is the rematch that every Bronco is waiting for. However, this is not the Nevada team that finally took down the Broncos last year and ended their hopes of making it to another BCS Bowl game. Without Colin Kaepernick at the wheel, I don’t see the Wolfpack even putting up a fight this year. Look for a blowout in Boise.
My Prediction – Boise State 48 – Nevada 13
• Boise State at Fresno State – Friday October 7th – 7PM
Last year the Broncos shut out the Bulldogs in Boise. I don’t expect that to happen again this year, as Pat Hill and his Fresno State Bulldogs play a whole lot different when playing in Bulldog Stadium. The Broncos should win comfortably, but look for Fresno to put up a fight early.
My Prediction – Boise State 35 – Fresno State 17
• Boise State at Colorado State – Saturday October 15th – 4PM
Boise State opens up Mountain West play at Colorado State. For our first official Mountain West game we play against a perennial MWC bottom dweller. Look for this one to be over quick.
My Prediction – Boise State 49 – Colorado State 14
This concludes the first half of my predictions for Boise State in the 2011 season. At this point the Broncos should be sitting at 6-0, with three tough games sitting in front of them. Look for the second half of my predictions coming soon.
So lets get started!
• Boise State at Georgia (Neutral site) – Saturday September 3rd – 6PM
The opening game of the season is in the Georgia Dome against the Bulldogs from Georgia. Don’t let their somewhat lackluster season last year fool you, this is shaping up to be a great game. Similar to the Broncos, the Bulldogs are led by a strong quarterback in Aaron Murray. They start without their star Wide Receiver from last year, AJ Green, who went to the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft. This will be a battle, and I feel that it is on par with last years opener against Virginia Tech. Should be a shootout, but never bet against the Broncos when they have months to prepare.
My Prediction – Boise State 34 – Georgia 24
• Boise State at Toledo – Saturday September 17th – 6PM
The Toledo Rockets are an opponent we have faced a few times in the past, with the Broncos dominating last year in Boise. I had the pleasure of attending that game as a student last fall. Toledo faired decently in the MAC conference last year, but still was left out of the MAC championship thanks to the dominant Northern Illinois.
My Prediction – Boise State 45 – Toledo 17
• Boise State vs. Tulsa – Saturday September 24th – 6PM
The Tulsa Golden Hurricanes absolutely dominated the Hawaii Warriors in last year’s Hawaii Bowl. This is the game that I really got to see what Tulsa was all about. They possess a very potent offense, with a somewhat middle of the road defense, especially for competition is Conference USA. Tulsa is currently my way too early pick to take the Conference USA championship this year. Look out, this one might be a whole lot closer than everyone expects. Look for Boise to take it in a close one.
My Prediction – Boise State 42 – Tulsa 35
• Boise State vs. Nevada – Saturday October 1st – 6PM
This is the rematch that every Bronco is waiting for. However, this is not the Nevada team that finally took down the Broncos last year and ended their hopes of making it to another BCS Bowl game. Without Colin Kaepernick at the wheel, I don’t see the Wolfpack even putting up a fight this year. Look for a blowout in Boise.
My Prediction – Boise State 48 – Nevada 13
• Boise State at Fresno State – Friday October 7th – 7PM
Last year the Broncos shut out the Bulldogs in Boise. I don’t expect that to happen again this year, as Pat Hill and his Fresno State Bulldogs play a whole lot different when playing in Bulldog Stadium. The Broncos should win comfortably, but look for Fresno to put up a fight early.
My Prediction – Boise State 35 – Fresno State 17
• Boise State at Colorado State – Saturday October 15th – 4PM
Boise State opens up Mountain West play at Colorado State. For our first official Mountain West game we play against a perennial MWC bottom dweller. Look for this one to be over quick.
My Prediction – Boise State 49 – Colorado State 14
This concludes the first half of my predictions for Boise State in the 2011 season. At this point the Broncos should be sitting at 6-0, with three tough games sitting in front of them. Look for the second half of my predictions coming soon.
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