Boise State Broncos @ Colorado State Rams Football Preview

When the Boise State Broncos moved from the Western Athletic Conference to the Mountain West Conference, they were hoping – in June of 2010 – that they would join a league with Brigham Young University, the University of Utah, and Texas Christian. As we all know, the Broncos did get TCU as part of the bargain (for only one season, however). They did not get the BYU-Utah double. What this means is rather simple yet heavily ironic: Boise State is playing a schedule which is not all that different from a typical WAC slate.

Yes, when the Broncos take their unbeaten record to Fort Collins, Colorado, this Saturday night, they won’t be facing a particularly imposing opponent. The Colorado State Rams give it the old college try every week, but they’re just not loaded with the heft or depth that is likely to make this contest competitive in the latter stages of the third quarter and beyond.

There were at least a few doubts about the well-being of the Boise boys after they slogged through a very choppy and uneven 30-10 win over Nevada on Oct. 1 at home. A 30-point game against a non-powerhouse opponent (Nevada is a far cry from what it was last year when it joined Boise atop the WAC) qualifies as a genuinely disappointing performance for coach Chris Petersen’s offense. Boise State’s superstar quarterback, Kellen Moore, threw two interceptions in that game and completed just 19 of 33 passes, barely more than 50 percent. Moore’s multi-pick game marked just the third time in his career that he’s thrown at least two interceptions in one 60-minute slugfest. Moore’s knee was dinged up, and the reality of that injury injected fresh concerns into the Broncos’ coaching staff for the road ahead.

However, those uncertainties and anxieties were happily flushed away by the following week’s performance for BSU.

Boise State shrugged off the ugliness of its groggy Nevada performance by bringing the hammer to Fresno State last Friday in the California Valley. It’s true that Fresno State is suffering through a miserable year, but Moore and the rest of the Broncos – minus their still-balky receivers, who are still dropping passes left and right – played brilliantly in coasting to a 57-7 win. The Broncos gained a 50-0 lead midway through the third quarter, as Moore showed no ill effects of his lingering injury. More important was the fact that Moore was able to leave the game midway through the very same third quarter, experiencing absolutely no aggravations to any of his nicks and bruises. Moore is physically healthier, and that’s why this Colorado State clash does not appear to be too intimidating.

CSU has fought hard this season. The Rams trailed throughout their Sept. 24 game against a talented Utah State team, but caught the Aggies at the wire and then won in overtime, 35-34. Head coach Steve Fairchild’s team has not been blown off the field in any of its games, but that’s because the schedule has been manageable. Colorado and San Jose State, two mediocre clubs, have still been able to knock off the Rams, which spells near-certain doom as Boise comes knockin’ on the door at Hughes Stadium in the northern part of Colorado. We could very well witness another game in which Kellen Moore plays just two and a half quarters, keeping Boise State fresh for the tougher tests that lie ahead.

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By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer