Fresno State (1-6, 1-2 WAC), the only WAC program to beat Boise State in the last four seasons, will travel to Idaho's capital city for a nationally televised showdown of the WAC's two premier programs of the decade. The game will be televised by ESPN with the kickoff at 7:30 p.m. (EST)
Boise State is a heavy favorite on the home turf with a –25.5 line against the Bulldogs, a
team that has gone 0-7 against the spread (ATS) in 2006. Keep in mind that Boise State has failed to cover its past two outings against inferior foe. The Broncos defeated Idaho straight up (SU) 42-26 on Oct 21 but failed to cover the –21-point line and winning 40-28 (SU) at New Mexico State on Oct 15 but failing to cover (ATS) the –27.5 line.
The Bulldogs have not won against Boise on the road since 1984. The last time the schools met on the Bronco’s blue turf was in 2004 when Boise State won over the Bulldogs 33-16. Fresno State did enjoy a win over a nationally ranked opponent in Bronco Stadium in 2004 when they defeated No. 18 Virginia 33-16 in the MPC Computers Bowl.
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Since the Broncos joined the Western Athletic Conference in 2001, they and Fresno State have formed a nice rivalry. While the Broncos have won four of the last five in the series, it was Fresno State's 27-7 win last season at Bulldog Stadium that snapped Boise State's WAC record 31-game winning streak. Boise State enters the Fresno State game undefeated and ranked No.14 in both AP and USA Today polls. Under new coach Chris Peterson, the Broncos have not skipped a beat, ranking in the NCAA top five on points scored (39.8 ppg) and have one of the nation's best running backs, Ian Johnson, who averages just under 150 yards per game and has scored 18 touchdowns this season. While the Boise State offense gets the lion's share of the recognition for the team's success, a stingy defense that allows 2.8 yards per carry and 16.1 points per game has been as important to its success.
In Fresno States last game at LSU, the Bulldogs were on the verge of getting their first cover against the superior talented SEC powerhouse but a late 4th quarter touchdown pass from Tiger’s starting quarterback JaMarcus Russell to wide receiver Craig Davis padded the lead and killed the Bulldogs +31-point cover. Prior to the disastrous 4th period, Fresno State had played a competitive football game.
Against Boise State look for the Bulldogs to have a game plan geared at stopping the Bronco’s running game and forcing BSU quarterback Jared Zabranski to throw the football. The Bronco’s air attack has been shaky at best in 2006. If this can be accomplished Fresno should get its first cover of 2006.
