College Football Predictions – Boise St Broncos 2020 College Football Preview
July 2020
OCTOBER 2020 – Schedule notes updated.
2019 Recap
Record – 12-2
ATS – 8-6
Yes, guy.
The Broncos came back with a VENGEANCE after losing to Fresno St in the previous year’s Mountain West Championship came and RAN the table in conference play. They only lost a pair of games all season. One was a mysterious EGG LAYING on the road at BYU and the other was a trouncing at the hands of the Washington Huskies in the Las Vegas Bowl (L 38-7). They bagged another conference title when they took down Hawaii (W 31-10).
Let’s dig in and see if they are the team to beat in the Mountain West in 2020.
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
Mountain Division – #1
Mountain West – #1
Boise St Broncos 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Broncos booked 400+ yards of total offense for the 7th consecutive season (429, #4 MW) and led the conference in scoring (34.7 PPG). They were mid-pack in both rushing (#5) and passing (#5) offense managed to book a lot of explosive plays (#T1 MW 20+ yard plays). Hank Bachmeier gets the keys to the offense this year after having an up-and-down true freshman campaign (63%, 9-6 TD to INT). The THROW GAME will benefit from one of the most talented WR groups in the conference, even with the departure of John Hightower (943, 18.5, 8 TD) who led the team in receiving yards LY. Khalil Shakir and CT Thomas combined to catch 104 balls for almost 1,400 yards a season ago. The RB room is set with the return of 1,000 yard rusher George Holani (5.3, 7 TD) and back-up Robert Mahone (6 TD). The offensive line is a yuuuuuge concern as they are light on experience and lose a few very talented seniors.
They’ll crank out 30+ PPG as usual but the inexperienced offensive line may hold them back a bit.
DEFENSE
Boise St was their usual STINGY self last year and allowed fewer than 25 PPG for the fifth consecutive season (21.9, #4 MW). They were #3 in the conference in total defense and held up well vs the run (113 YPG, #15 FBS) whilst leading the conference in completion percentage. Six starters are back in the mix but they will certainly miss star DE Curtis Weaver who bagged 13.5 sacks LY (!) and is off to the NFL (Miami). In fact, the Broncos lose all three starters on the defensive line and it remains to be seen if their rush defense can be as effective as it has been over the past three years (113 YPG, 123, 120). The LB corps and secondary look really solid. The top-two tacklers at LB (Riley Whimpey, Benton Wickersham) both return and Ezekiel Noa is back after missing a big chunk of last season due to injury. The Broncos also boast the best CB tandem in the Mountain West with Avery Williams and Jalen Walker both back for their senior campaigns.
This should be another good Boise St stop unit. The inexperience on the DL and the need to find an elite pass rusher are legitimate concerns.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Boise St needs to replace PK Eric Sachse who had a fine 2019 campaign (14/17 FG, 61/62 XP LY). They’re set at punter with Joel Velasquez and recall that PR Avery Williams took a pair (!) of punts to the HOUSE in 2019.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The Broncos draw Hawaii and San Jose St from the West division. They have a nasty non-conference game when they host BYU in early November. The season finale at Wyoming just might decide all the division marbles.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Hawaii (November 21)
REVENGE IS A DISH BEST SERVED COLD. And crazy stuff happens in that stadium. We won’t be laying the points in this spot.
Season Win Total
TBD
MEGALOCKS says:
TBD
MEGAmazing Tidbits
The Broncos have tallied double-digit wins in 12 of the last 14 seasons (!) and they haven’t won fewer than eight games in any campaign this century. Rock solid, yo.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
Boise St looks poised for another run at the Mountain West title. YAWN. They’ll be able to SCORE THE FOOTBALL and seem to have one of the better defenses in the conference on paper. Special teams and coaching are a plus. The play of the big boys on the offensive and defensive lines will ultimately determine whether or not this is a team capable of making a big time bowl game.
Want more Boise St Broncos Football?
WEBSITE
https://broncosports.com/sports/football
FORUM
https://247sports.com/college/boise-state/Board/Blue-Turf-Board-103542/
https://boisestate.forums.rivals.com/forums/the-blue.22/
http://www.scout.com/college/boise-state/forums/2245-bronco-corral
NEWS
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/68/boise-state-broncos
TWITTER
Hashtag – #BleedBlue, #STAMPEDE21
Accounts to follow