Fansided

No. 20 Boise State Broncos vs BYU Cougars preview, predictions, betting odds and live stream info

By Charles Rahrig V

Sep 5, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Matthew Hadley (2) and linebacker Fred Warner (4) celebrate against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Brigham Young won 33-28. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Matthew Hadley (2) and linebacker Fred Warner (4) celebrate against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Brigham Young won 33-28. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

No. 20 Boise State Broncos vs. BYU Cougars

In what could be one of the more competitive games late Saturday night, the No. 20 Boise State Broncos head to Provo, Utah for a showdown with the BYU Cougars. Last week, the Broncos picked up an emotional home win against the Washington Huskies, while the BYU Cougars won miraculously on a Hail Mary on the road against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

These two teams are absolutely no strangers to each other. For BYU, success hasn’t been too often against the Broncos as Boise State has won 24 of the 31 games against Utah teams. BYU has only won once in five games overall against Boise State. A win would be big for both teams as it would likely shoot BYU into the top-25 and for Boise State potentially into the top-20 overall.

Here are details for Saturday’s game below.

Date: Saturday, September 12, 2015
Start Time: 10:15 p.m. ET
Location: Provo, UT
Stadium: LaVell Edwards Stadium
TV Info: ESPN 2
Live Stream: WatchESPN App
Radio: KKGL 96.9 FM Boise/KSL Salt Lake City
Ticket Information: For Boise State ticket information click here. For BYU ticket information click here.

Keys to Victory

Both teams are very different offensively and defensively. For Boise State, they like to put the ball on the ground and carry the ball to victory. Against Washington, Jeremy McNichols ran the ball 24 times and the Broncos kept pounding away at the Huskies defense. With a Sophomore quarterback, the Broncos are likely to be very conservative on offense.

BYU struggled against the run last week so if they can perform better this week, it will force Boise State to air the football out with their very young quarterback. Playing at home will give them a bit of an edge defensively against the ground attack.

On offense, the Cougars need to take advantage with their height differential and their big receivers much like they did last week when they stole the victory against the Cornhuskers. Mitch Mathews and Nick Kurtz will be the big names on offense for BYU this week. With Taysom Hill gone, the receivers will need to do everything to help Tanner Mangum.

Much like when Boise State is on offense with a young quarterback, BYU will have a young quarterback of their own and the Broncos will try to bring pressure and force the quarterback into making mistakes. They have to be careful as Mangum can make some plays with his legs.

Betting Odds:

Point Spread: Boise State -2.5

Moneyline: Boise State -140 BYU +120

O/U: 55

Prediction

Tanner Mangum is about to become a legend in Provo folklore. After the Hail Mary last week, Mangum is going to make big plays again this week as he finds his talented wide receivers who should push around a smaller Bronco secondary.

A lot is going to hinge on whether or not the Broncos can run the football, but if they can’t their young quarterback is going to feel pressure as he tries to air it out against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium. It’s not going to be an easy place for Boise State to play and their defense is going to have to step up.

Last week Boise State absolutely shut down the Washington run game and they will be as successful against BYU’s run game keeping this a close game. To silent the crowd, the Broncos will have to score first, but this week BYU rides the emotional momentum of Hill’s injury and last week’s heroic victory.

Mangum will run wild all over Provo this week and will make big plays en route to a win that will launch BYU into the top-25. Look for Nick Kurtz to catch a couple of touchdown passes and some chemistry be formed between the Cougars and their new quarterback. The upset is on in Provo, Saturday night.

Final Score: BYU Cougars 27 Boise State Broncos 20

More from FanSided

Home/College Football