Boise State University #21 (+3) vs Brigham Young University #9

Date: Friday, November 6th, 2020

Time: 7:45pm MT

Stadium: Albertsons “Bronco” Stadium (36,387)

TV:FS1

Broadcasters: Aaron Goldsmith and Petros Papadakis

Know Thy Enemy

With Moroni looking on, the Cougars of Brigham Young University will travel to the house that Moore built to take on the Broncos of Boise State University Friday night under the lights!

BYU (7-0) is looking to continue their hot start to the season, their best start to since 2001, as they bring their #9 ranking to ‘The Blue’ in a matchup with #21 Boise State. The Cougars are creating quite the buzz with national media when it comes to that fourth and final College Football Playoff spot. However, that buzz will most likely fade if they fail to win on Friday night.

This Cougars team is impressive on both sides of the ball, but their offense is who’s making headlines. Led by quarterback Zack Wilson, the BYU offense is averaging more than 500 yards and 40 points per game this season. Their ‘run and gun’ style of offense aims at putting the opposing defense on their heels with an aerial assault and before you know it, they’re up 21-0 in the blink of an eye. Wilson has a litter of weapons on offense, including receivers Gunner Romney and Dax Milne. As well as the running back tandem of Lopini Katoa and Tyler Allgeier.

On defense the Cougars lo

ok just as fierce, limiting their opponent to just over 208 yards per game and just under 14 points per game.

The BYU defense is a veteran group that return seven starters from a year ago. They also return more than 74% of their total defensive production from last season. They are led by long-time standouts Isaiah Kafusi at linebacker, Bracken El-Bakri at defense tackle, and Khyiris Tonga at nose tackle.

The Cougars are coached by Kalani Sitake. Sitake is in his fifth year as head coach and has an overall record of 34-25. Sitake has recently led the Cougars to back-to-back 7-6 seasons and has never finished better than 9-4 during his tenure.

The Broncos and the Cougars have battled it out 10 times in program history. Boise State leads the all-time series 7-3, but BYU holds the current win streak at one game. BYU is 0-5 when playing on ‘The Blue’. Friday will also be the first time both teams have been ranked in the Top 25 when facing each other.

What Happened Last Year

The Cougars turned to third-string quarterback Baylor Romney,with Zach Wilson and Jaren Hall both sidelined with injuries. He threw two scoring passes to Matt Bushman and helped deliver a second home win for BYU (3-4) over a Top 25 opponent this season.

Chase Cord, Boise State's No. 2 quarterback, got the call with Hank Bachmeier out because of an injury. He struggled in his first career start, throwing for 185 yards, two touchdowns, and a pair of interceptions.

Boise State (6-1) was dealt a serious blow to its New Year's Six bowl hopes with the team's first loss to BYU since 2015.

The Broncos trimmed an 18-point deficit to three late in the fourth quarter. Cord hit Octavius Evans with a 13-yard TD pass and then Akilian Butler with a 5-yard TD pass to make it 28-25 with 3:17 remaining.

The Cougars were able to run out the clock after Austin Kafentzis picked up a yard on 4th-and-inches from the BYU 34 with 2:17 left as BYU upset the No.14 Broncos handing them their first and only loss of the regular season.

Players to Watch

BYU

JR., ZACH WILSON, QB #1

Zach Wilson, a junior out of Draper, UT is quite the talent at the quarterback position for the Cougars. The former Boise State commit is playing as well or better than any quarterback in all of college football. Wilsons 19 touchdowns and 2,100 yards puts him in the top 4 statistically in the nation. Pro Football Focus has Wilson as a projected first round pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Wilson has a cannon for an arm and loves to move around in the pocket and extend the play in hopes of finding open receivers down field in a “backyard” style of football. The Broncos ability to keep Wilson in check will determine the winner of this game.

JR., DAX MILNE, WR #5

Dax Milne, a junior out of South Jordan, UT is by far Wilson’s favorite target. Milne leads the team in receptions with 42, receiving yards with 706, and touchdowns with 6. Milne’s route running is a big key to his success. He ranks as one of the best receivers in the nation against single-man coverage. Look for Boise State to make sure they give help to whomever is in charge of covering #5.

SR., ISAIAH KAUFUSI, LB #53

If Isaiah Kaufusi sounds familiar, it’s because the Kaufusi family has been synonymous with BYU football for many many years. Isaiah is just the latest Kaufusi to be a standout on the Cougars defense. The senior out of Cottonwood Heights, UT has had a pretty phenomenal season, recording career numbers in sacks and is on pace for setting career marks in tackles as well. Kaufusi is the heart and soul of this BYU defense. Limiting his game changing plays will be huge for the Broncos. Cottonwood Heights, UT

BOISE STATE

Rs.JR., JACK SEARS, QB #16

Sears Roebuck and Company sales slogan is, “You can count on me” and that is certainly what Boise State’s Jack Sears did last week when he had to step into the starting quarterback role for a MIA Hank Bachmeier. Little is known about the length of Bachmeier’s absence, but Jack Sears, the transfer from USC is up to the challenge. Sears, a 4-star recruit out of California found himself in a situation where he wasn’t going to be the starting quarterback at USC and wanted to go somewhere that he could be a winner. Jack’s dad, Paul Sears, told The Athletic, “Being part of a winning program was important. A lot of the ones out there weren’t … maybe he could’ve walked in and (gotten) the job somewhere, but he believes in his abilities to compete at Boise State.” Sears played extremely well in relief of Bachmeier, going 17 of 20 passing for 280 yards and three touchdowns as well as another touchdown on the ground. All signs point to Sears taking the snaps on Friday night and he will need another great performance to beat the Cougars.

SO., JL SKINNER, SAFETY #0

JL, and it's just JL, is a name that Bronco Nation better get ready to remember. The sophomore safety from San Diego is primed and ready to have a breakout season. Skinner appeared in all fourteen games last season as a freshman and had 14 tackles and three pass breakups. This season Skinner recorded two tackles and had one pass breakup against Utah State in the season opener. Skinner was sidelined last week against Air Force, but coach Harsin did say in his weekly presser that Skinner should be available to play on Friday. At 6’4” 214lbs, Skinner will match up nicely against the big, lanky receivers from BYU.

Rs.JR., SHANE IRWIN, DE #55

Shane Irwin may be a Junior, but he is in his first year with the Boise State program. Irwin a JUCO transfer from Long Beach City College has made an immediate impact on the Bronco Defense. Playing in more of a reserve role, Irwin recorded two tackles and a sack against Utah State and then made eight more tackles including a tackle for loss last week against Air Force. With the season-ending injury to Defensive End Demitri Washington, Irwin is the logical guy to take his place and step into that starting role. Irwin, weighing in at 6’4” 250lbs has the size, strength and speed to defend the run and the pass as well as rush the passer. Getting after the quarterback will be top priority this week for the Broncos and look for Irwin to lead the charge.

Focus Position Group: DEFENSIVE BACK

The Bronco secondary is in for a rude awakening this Friday night when they take the field against the BYU Cougar offense. The Cougars offense has been putting up video game-like numbers so far this season and that is largely in part to their passing game. The Cougars feature three receivers and a tight end that are just plain big, with all of them well over six foot. Boise State secondary is up against a tall task on Friday night and their ability to cover these receivers will ultimately be the difference between victory and defeat.

Rev's Route to a Bronco Win

HERE KITTY KITTY

We all know by now, BYU quarterback Zach Wilson is the real deal. His ability to beat you with his arm as well as his legs is NFL level stuff. Wilson maybe the best quarterback (outside of the GOAT, #11) to ever play on the blue turf. If Boise State wants to win this game they will need to hurry and harass Wilson and not allow him to play the “backyard” style of football that he likes to play.

APPETITE SUPPRESSANT

The BYU offense is averaging over 500 yards and 40 points per game this season. A main reason for such success is their ability to get the “chunk” play and move down the field in a hurry. The Cougars are averaging about 7 plays of 20+ yards and most of those plays are going for touchdowns. If the Broncos want to come out on top they will need to keep the “lid” on the BYU offense and not allow the Cougars to “take the top off” time and time again.

GRIMED AND READY TO GO

BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes has had his Cougars offense running on all cylinders this season. They have been crushing their opponents by an average of 31 points. Last year Grimes put together a “once in a lifetime” gameplan against Boise State which ultimately won the game for the Cougars. In last year's game, BYU ran a double reverse flea flicker and the ultimate playground play “The Fumblerooski” where the quarterback faked a fumble and then threw a touchdown. If the Broncos want to win this game they will have to be on their toes on defense and not fall for any “gadget” type plays to give the visiting team momentum.

Editorial Note:

Boise State and BYU started an annual matchup back 2012 and are scheduled to play annually until 2034 with a one year hiatus in 2024. Whether you personally believe this is a rivalry game or not, you can’t hide the fact that Boise State had to receive special permission from the Mountain West to even put this game on their schedule.

Broncos vs Cougars has provided many memorable moments over the years and you can’t deny that “BYU week” just hits differently than any other week. It’s a “circle the date” kind of game and this year especially, with both teams being ranked in the Top 25. Not to mention, BYU at #9 is the highest ranked opponent to ever come to Boise.

Let’s face it, neither team has been exactly “challenged” this season. BYU’s opponents are a combined 20-27 on the year and there is not one Power 5 opponent on their schedule. Likewise, the Broncos have beaten up on a Utah State team that is certainly having a down year, and an Air Force team that is searching for playmakers.

Friday night will be the true test to see how good these two teams are. This game is going to be a knock-down, drag-out, snot bubble brawl between two teams that don’t like each other and I’m here for it.

This wild west showdown will come down to which team “blinks” first. Look for the Broncos to outlast the Cougars with a key defensive stop.

Boise State 35, Brigham Young 34

Rev's Rundown

Revs Rundown 2020 Week Three: Boise State vs Brigham Young University