SEATTLE – There might not be a better setting for college football on Saturday – or a better matchup – than Boise State against No. 10 Washington in front of 70,000 fans on what is expected to be a perfect afternoon for football at Husky Stadium.
Taylen Green can’t think of anywhere he’d rather be – OK, there’s one spot.
“I mean there’s a better way – to kick it off on The Blue,” Boise State’s starting quarterback said. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way, kicking it off in a hostile environment in front of 70,000 people. Yeah, wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Boise State, coming off a 10-4 season and a win in the Frisco Bowl, received some votes in the preseason poll but wasn’t ranked. Washington, which features Heisman Trophy hopeful Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback and one of the best offenses in the country, is ranked No. 10 and has its eyes set on a Pac-12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
The Broncos have big goals themselves. The preseason Mountain West favorites are hoping to earn their first conference title since 2019 and would love to land in a New Year’s Six Bowl as the top-ranked Group of 5 team.
Optimism is high for the Broncos, although not many are expecting them to win on Saturday. Las Vegas odds makers have the Huskies favored by 14.5 points heading into the 1:30 p.m. MT kickoff on ABC.
Much of that comes due to Washington’s high-powered offense facing a Boise State defense which lost five starters, including two NFL Draft picks in Scott Matlock and JL Skinner and a third in Tyreque Jones who landed on the Jets’ practice squad.
But Boise State was built on being the underdog. Nobody giving them a chance? That’s exactly how they like it.
“As a defense we’re extremely motivated to go out there and prove ourselves,” corner Markel Reed said. “And prove to the brotherhood, ourselves, prove to the community – literally prove all the doubters wrong. We have a really good plan as a defense to go in and accomplish what we plan to.”
As for playing the No. 1 passing attack in the country from a year ago, which returns its quarterback and top three receivers? Bring it on, Reed says.
“Oh, 100%,” Reed said. “Line all the Heisman Watch guys up on the schedule. This is football and to go where we want to go, you have to play the best.
“Playing somebody highly ranked in the top 10, that’s obviously motivating for the team. Going into these situations and these big games, it’s extremely motivating to go out there and beat these guys.”
There are plenty of reasons to be excited about Boise State’s offense and, in turn, the season. The Broncos bring back Green, an exciting dual-threat quarterback, and maybe the best two running backs in the Mountain West: senior George Holani and sophomore Ashton Jeanty.
Throw in a talented receiver group and an improved offensive line, the Broncos should have one of the better offenses in the country themselves.
Scoring points shouldn’t be a problem. And if Andy Avalos’ track record is to be taken, the defense figures to be better than some think as well.
The Broncos aren’t expected to win on Saturday so a loss, unless it were an ugly blowout, likely won’t do much to derail the rest of the season. But if they were to somehow pull off the upset? Expectations and goals would quickly change.
And Washington coach Kalen DeBoer knows it.
“They are going to come in here and this is a chance – it won’t break their season if they don’t win – but this is one that would certainly get it off to a pretty good start,” DeBoer said. “…so we definitely have our hands full.”
DeBoer, who has played Boise State five times since 2017 while with Fresno State, knows all about what the Broncos are capable of – even if the Huskies are the one with the preseason ranking.
“Boise State coming in here is a team that we all know when it comes to their expectations, their tradition, the big games they’ve won over the years,” DeBoer said. “I am certainly aware of who they are. Nothing but respect for the whole Boise State program and coach Avalos and what he does and the mindset he brings from the defensive side in particular. You know you are going to get everything from him and his team.
“Our guys will not take this lightly.”
Will the Broncos have enough to win? Who knows? But it figures to be one heck of a way to kick off the season either way.
“We’re ready to go,” defensive tackle Herbert Gums said. “We’re hungry. … This is a dream. A big dream. It’s going to be a good experience to have, and we’re ready to go. We can’t wait.”}
The Bronco Nation News Lithia Ford of Boise Pregame Show will be live from Husky Stadium at Noon MT on Saturday with a live look at warmups and the scene in Seattle.
But until then, here’s plenty more to get you ready for kick off…
THREE KEYS FOR BOISE STATE
Get pressure on Penix Jr: The Broncos must find a way to get in the backfield and put pressure on Penix, who was sacked a total of five times last season. Boise State’s revamped defensive line has some question marks, and they’ll need to win the line of scrimmage and not allow the Washington QB time to sit in the pocket all afternoon. Boise State must get to Penix, or it will be a long day.
Force multiple turnovers on defense: Boise State needs at least two and maybe three turnovers on defense to have a shot in this game. The Broncos must change field position, momentum and the score with interceptions, fumble recoveries – whatever it takes to keep Washington out of the end zone. Creating extra possessions for the offense would be huge in a game like this.
Finish with touchdowns on offense: Boise State can’t settle for field goals against the Huskies. Not with one of the best offenses in the country on the other side. The Broncos must have a strong offensive game. They need to control the clock, hang onto the ball and finish drives in the end zone with touchdowns. Sounds simple, but it’s imperative to finish with seven and not three if the Broncos want to have any realistic shot at pulling off the upset.
Players to watch for Boise State
CB Markel Reed (No. 6) – After being injured in the season opener at Oregon State last year, Reed elected to return for a sixth season with the Broncos and won the starting spot during fall camp. Reed is an easy guy to root for, but has his hands full against a talented group of UW receivers. Is 2023 the year Reed finally stays healthy and performs at an All-MW level? A strong debut would be big for the Broncos.
WR Eric McAlister (No. 80) – There might not be a more exciting young player on the team than McAlister, who had four touchdowns and 259 receiving yards on just 11 catches last season as a freshman. McAlister came on late in the season, fueling optimism for a breakout sophomore campaign. He’s done nothing to slow the hype, putting together a strong fall camp and emerging as one of Boise State’s top receivers heading into the season.
RG Roger Carreon (No. 62) – Boise State’s chances Saturday probably rest on the shoulders of Taylen Green, but the play of the offensive line – and in particular Carreon – might be just as important. Carreon made one start last season at UTEP as a true freshman, but slid into the starting right guard spot early in fall camp due to an injury to center Mason Randolph. Is the youngster Carreon ready to battle one of the best defensive lines in the Pac-12? The answer could be a big factor in how the game plays out.
Washington Players to Watch
QB Michael Penix Jr. (No. 9) – Hype for this game started last December when Penix Jr. announced he was returning to Washington. The former Indiana transfer led the nation with 357.0 passing yards per game last season and was sacked just five times. He’s a legit Heisman Trophy candidate and will be the best quarterback the Broncos face all season.
WR Rome Odunze (No. 1) – Led the Pac-12 with 1,145 receiving yards last season and had 75 catches and seven touchdowns. Was named Washington’s ‘Most Outstanding Offensive Skill Player’ and is the Huskies top wide receiver.
WR Jalen McMillan (No. 11) – Tied for third in the Pac-12 with 79 catches and had team-high nine touchdowns to go along with 1,098 receiving yards. Fresno native is one of three star wide receivers for the Huskies.
DL Bralen Trice (No. 8) – Led the Huskies with nine sacks last season, third-most in the Pac-12, and was named the Washington Defensive MVP last season. The NFL prospect will be a big challenge for Boise State’s offensive line.
FACTS, STATS AND MORE…
-Boise State is 13-1 under coach Andy Avalos when rushing for at least 140 yards as a team. The Broncos went 7-1 last season with 140-plus rushing yards, losing only in the Mountain West title game to Fresno State.
-The Broncos are a perfect 13-0 when George Holani rushes for at least 100 yards.
-The Broncos are one of four schools to post a winning record on the road in each of the past nine seasons, joining Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State.
-Andy Avalos is 3-1 all-time while coaching against Washington, but this will be his first time facing them as head coach. He lost as the defensive line coach at Washington to start the 2013 season but has wins in 2012 in the Las Vegas Bowl, 2015 in Boise and 2019 while the defensive coordinator at Oregon.
-The Boise State defense ranks No. 7 nationally in sacks since 2010 with 438.
-Washington went 11-2 last season and finished on a seven-game winning streak, including a win over Texas in the Alamo Bowl.
-The Huskies went 7-0 at home last season and haven’t lost at Husky Stadium since Nov. 26, 2021.
-Washington led the nation in passing last season at 369.8 passing yards per game and third-down conversion at 56.83 percent. The Huskies finished second in fewest sacks allowed (7 total in 13 games) and seventh in scoring offense at 39.7 points per game.
Prediction
I am high on Boise State this season and expect the Broncos to win the Mountain West, go to a strong bowl game and finish with at least 10 wins. But I don’t love their chances of winning on Saturday at Husky Stadium. Boise State’s defense will end up being solid, but facing one of the best offenses in the country in front of 70,000 is not an ideal way to break in several new players in bigger roles. Boise State will have to win a shootout if they want to come to Seattle and pull off the upset, and I just can’t predict that yet. I’ll go Washington 41, Boise State 24.
Make sure to watch the Lithia Ford of Boise Pregame Show LIVE from Husky Stadium on Saturday at Noon MT on the BNN YouTube page.
