Last week’s snowy first half at Nevada could end up being the perfect primer for this Saturday’s game at Wyoming.
It seemingly snows every time the Broncos play in Laramie – several inches fell during blizzard-like conditions in their last trip there in 2020 – and all bets are off for another late-November trip to Laramie, Wyoming, this weekend.
Current forecasts don’t call for snow, but that could quickly change before Saturday. The big problem could be the cold, with single-digit temperatures predicted during the 5 p.m. kickoff on CBS Sports Network.
“No matter the conditions we have to be able to operate and be consistent,” Boise State coach Andy Avalos said Monday.
The Broncos did that for the most part against Nevada, although two field goals were botched due to a combination of bad snaps and dropped holds in the snow that cost the Broncos six points.
“We’ll have to work those scenarios,” Avalos said. “We can’t just create snow but there’s different things we can do at practice to help us with the wet ball mechanics to ensure that we’re ready for the next weather game we get – whenever that will be.
“We’ve got to be better than that. Losing the opportunity two times to put points on the board is a big deal.”
The Cowboys will present plenty of challenges themselves in addition to the weather. Wyoming (7-3, 5-1 MW) is battling with the Broncos for the Mountain Division title and would take over first place with a win.
Wyoming would clinch the division title and a spot in the Mountain West title game with wins over the Broncos and Fresno State to finish the year. The Broncos, meanwhile, would clinch the division crown and lock up hosting the title game in Boise on Dec. 3 with a win on Saturday.
“We obviously know what’s at stake Saturday night,” Boise State defensive coordinator Spencer Danielson said. “Our guys are getting ready for the battle that’s waiting for them Saturday night.”
The Cowboys won’t wow you statistically, but they are getting it done where it counts – on the scoreboard. During a four-game win streak the Cowboys have won by scores of 27-14, 28-14, 27-20 and 14-13.
Wyoming ranks No. 96th in scoring offense at 23.2 points over game and 112th in total offense at 328.7 yards per game.
“They do a phenomenal job of looking at how we’ve been attacked – hats off to their offensive staff,” Danielson said. “If we’ve been attacked a certain way this year, a pass play, a run play, a formation – we’re going to see it on Saturday night. They do a really good job of not just calling plays, but calling plays to attack weaknesses they might see in us.”
Defensively Wyoming ranks 44th in scoring defense at 23.1 points per game and 52nd in total offense at 365.4 yards per game.
“These guys are disciplined, tough, physical and they are very, very consistent with what they do as far as their scheme because of the fundamentals and techniques they play with,” Avalos said. “You don’t see a lot of explosive plays. They’ve done a really good job of limiting opponents, especially within conference, so its’ going to be a huge challenge and we’re going to have to be very efficient with our operation on offense and capitalizing on our opportunities and have a good week of practice.”
A Wyoming game is typically low scoring, and has been in each of the past three matchups with Boise State. The Broncos won 23-13 last year on The Blue, 17-9 in the snow in 2020 in Laramie and 20-17 in overtime in 2019.
With cold, wintry conditions in Laramie it figures to be another low-scoring slug fest on Saturday. And the Broncos know they’ll be challenged.
“Coach Bohl does an awesome job and has for a long time,” Avalos said. “Much respect to him and the type of man he is and what he stands for and the program he leads. This week it will require us to be our best and have our best week of practice.”