Boise State at Virginia Tech
Written by Matthew Martz - Google +
The Boise State Broncos face off against the Virginia Tech Hokies at FedEx Field in Landover, MD. on Monday, September 6, 2010. Game time is 8:00 PM ET. This match up is sure to be one of the more interesting ones rounding out Week 1 of the season, and odds show the Broncos -2 over Tech with a total set of 50 points.
Could this be the year that No. 3 Boise State makes some noise, moving from underdogs to National Champions?
The Broncos’ open their season on Monday receiving a first-place vote while getting their highest preseason ranking after going 14-0 finish in 2010 that they capped off by knocking off Texas Christian in the Fiesta Bowl. It’s wasn’t a surprise, as Boise State has traversed their journey through the WAC with an overall record for 49-4 over the last four seasons.
Now they will attempt to put an exclamation point on their accomplishments before moving up to the Mountain West Conference next year.
Lone starter, quarterback Kellen Moore will return under center to lead the Bronco’s high powered offense that scored 42-plus points per game in 2009, to what most anticipate as another dominating campaign. The senior tossed for 39 touchdowns versus just three picks last year – the best ratio in NCAA history.
He will have a supporting cast that includes receivers Austin Pettis and Titus Young plus tailback Jeremy Avery, who rushed for over 1,110 yards last season.
They will all have their work cut out for them when they tangle with No.10 Virginia Tech and their suffocating defense that seems to frustrate their opponents to no end. The Hokies allowed just 15.6 points per game last year, and boasted the nation’s 11th-ranked pass defense.
However, one has to wonder if Tech can maintain those defensive numbers after losing seven starters from last year’s team. Rather it could be an unscheduled transition, as the Hokies transform themselves from defensive juggernauts to an offensive powerhouse.
It will all depend on if quarterback Tyrod Taylor is ready to step up his game after a mediocre season as full time starter. The senior tossed for 2,311 yards passing while rushing for 370, and was a key ingredient to the team’s average of 31.8 points per game to rank second in the ACC a year ago.
Taylor could be a handful, but Boise State also has a pretty good defense of their own, having allowed just 17.1 points per game in 2009.
But Taylor isn’t the only weapon the Broncos will need to keep in check. They will also need to contain the dual running threat of Darren Evans and Ryan Williams. Evans caught fire in 2008, rushing for 1,265 yards, but succumbed to a torn ACL last season. Filling in was Williams, who broke the ACC freshman yardage record with 1,655, while running for 21 scores.
While both teams like the run-n-gun offense, opting to keep the ball on the ground, they do have effective aerial assault weapons at their disposal. Taylor has wide receivers Jarrett Boykin, Danny Coale and Dyrell Roberts, who all combined for 92 catches and 10 touchdowns, while Moore’s choices include Austin Pettis and Titus Young combined for 142 catches and 24 touchdowns.
Matt’s Free Prediction: Boise State -2 – This will be a good game for sure. Both teams are expected to have standout seasons and to charge out the gate for a win in their first contest will be critical to this year’s overall attitude for success—especially Boise State as they transition to a new conference in 2011. I like the Broncos in this one as their potent offense could overpower the suddenly inexperienced Virginia D.
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