Rev's Rundown 2021 Week One- Boise State At University of Central Florida

 

Boise State University (+5.5) at University of Central Florida

Date: Thursday, September  2nd, 2021 

Time: 5:00pm MT 

Stadium: 3MG Stadium “The Bounce House” Orlando, FL (44,206)

TV:ESPN

Broadcasters:  Matt Barrie, Roddy Jones, Harry Lyles Jr. 

Know Thy Enemy

Boise State heads east to the Sunshine state to play party crasher at the “Bounce House” Thursday night in a clash of Group of 5 powers. Plenty of intrigue going into this game as both schools will be led by coaches in their first year with their respective programs. On one side you have Andy Avalos coming “home” to Boise State where he was a player and an assistant coach for many years, taking over as head coach after Bryan Harsin jumped ship to The Plains. On the other ,you have Central Florida’s head coach Gus Malzahn who was fired by Auburn at the end of the 2020 season. 

In recent years UCF has risen from the ashes of doormat to destination . Since going 0-12 in 2015 the Knights have gone 41-8 with an undefeated season and self proclaimed “National Championship” in 2017. However, in spite of their recent success UCF has not been to the American Athletic Conference title game in the past two seasons and have their eyes set on returning to conference prominence. 

The Knights have one of the most prolific offenses in all of college football. Since 2017 UCF has scored 30 or more points in 45 of their 48 games. In the past three seasons the Knights have ranked in the top eight nationally in both total offense and scoring, the only team in the country to accomplish that. 

On offense UCF are in need of a host of new playmakers in 2021 as they look to replace a lot of their production from 2020. However, the cupboard isn’t empty for quarterback Dillion Gabriel as he will look to receiver Jaylon Robinson and graduate transfer running back Isaiah Bowser to shoulder that load. Luckily for the Knights the entire offensive line from last season will be returning. 

On defense the new defensive coordinator Travis Williams will have the task of turning around a Knights defensive unit who ranked 123rd nationally in total defense from a year ago. The one area where UCF does return experience is at linebacker. Eriq Gilyard and Tatum Bethune will anchor the unit along with key backup Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste. 

As mentioned before the UCF Knights are coached by Gus Malzahn. Malzahn is in his first year at UCF after coaching for eight seasons at Auburn. 

This is the first time in program history that these two teams have met on the playing field. These two programs are set to play again in the 2023 season. 

What Happened Last Year 

The Broncos and the Golden Knights will face for the first time in history on Thursday night. Boise State has played teams that currently comprise the American Athletic Conference 11 times, going 10-1 with their lone blemish coming in the 2007 Hawaii Bowl against East Carolina. 

Players to Watch 

CENTRAL FLORIDA

JR., DILLON GABRIEL, QB #11 

Gabriel has already made his name as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation coming into the 2021 season being named to the preseason honorable mention All-American and a watch list honoree for every national quarterback and player of the year award.  Gabriel’s 32 passing touchdowns in 2020 was good for second most in a single season in UCF history. As a sophomore he threw for 400 or more yards in four games in 2020, which was more than any other Knight has done in an entire career. 

Rs.JR., JAYLON “FLASH” ROBINSON, WR #1

Robinson will be leaned on heavily to produce for the Knights in 2021 after posting 979 yards and six touchdowns in his first season with the Knights in 2020. Flash earned first-team all-conference honors as a sophomore with this performance in 2020. Robinson went over 100 yards six times last season which tied him for the third most in UCF history.  

Rs.SR., MARKAVIEST “BIG KAT” BRYANT, DL #1

The #1 will look a bit smaller on Big Kat than it will on Robinson, but the graduate transfer from Auburn will anchor a revamped defensive line for the Knights in 2021. Bryant comes to UCF after being a team captain for the Auburn Tigers in 2020 under head coach Gus Malzahn. Bryant totaled 56 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, two interceptions, seven pass breakups and two forced fumbles over four seasons at Auburn. 

BOISE STATE 

Rs.JR., STEFAN COBBS, WR #5

A number change for the Junior receiver going form #82 last season to #5 this season. Stefan aka Static Shock has garnered high praise from the coaching staff during fall camp saying that Cobbs is ready for a breakout year. The Broncos have two huge receivers at receiver in CT Thomas and Kahlil Shakir, but look for Cobbs to emerge as that third target for the Broncos and  don’t be surprised if he “shocks” the world. 

Rs.SO., GEORGE HOLANI, RB #24

We can all agree that the Boise State rushing attack in the 2020 season is better off forgotten. After Holani went down due to injury the Broncos running game also went MIA. The good thing is Holani is back and so should the run game. Look for Holani to have a breakout game and return to his usual ways of running for 100-yards.  

SO, JL SKINNER, S #0

Skinner seems to have gained some new life with this year's coaching staff at Boise State. He too has received high praise from the defensive coaches. Skinner along with his fellow safety Tyreque Jones will have the task of keeping the Knights passing game in check. Skinner last year started six games and totaled 37 tackles, one interception and two pass deflections. 

Focus Position Group: Defensive Line

All spring and fall we have heard about the talent and depth of this year’s defensive line for Boise State. Across the front you have names like Shane Erwin, Scott Matlock and Scale Igiehon. Then in the two-deep you have familiar names like Aisa Kelemete, Divine Obichere, and Jackson Cravens. The difference in this game might be who plays better between the Broncos defensive line and the UCF offensive line. Gus Malzahn likes to establish the run and if Boise State can shut that down it might be just what it takes to get out of Orlando with the win. 

Rev's Route to a Bronco Win

1. Keep Your Top On

Safeties coach Kane Ioane said that first and foremost Boise State needs to stop the run, but after that, “It’s on us to defend the back end for the shots we know are coming.” Dilon Gabriel ranked number one in the FBS with 21 completions of 40 or more yards last season. Combine that with the “speed, speed and more speed.” of the UCF receivers the Broncos will have to be ready for the Knights to try and take the top off of the defense. 

2. Pull the Plug 

The “Bounce House” will be in full party mode Thursday night as 44,000 plus fans go crazy in support of their Knights. If the Broncos want to win this game they will have to pull the plug on the party and start fast on the road. Whether it's scoring first on offense or getting a quick three and out the Broncos will have to steal the momentum and quiet the crowd. 

3. Weather the Storm

This is a huge game for both teams. A win and you are in the conversation for the New Year's Six bowl game at the end of the season. A loss and you are fighting your way back all season. Not everything will go the Broncos way on Thursday and assuredly the Knights will move the ball and score points. If the Broncos want to win they will need to weather those momentum surges and find a way to keep themselves in the game going into the late stages of the game. 

Editorial Note: 

A new era is dawning at Boise State and one that most fans and players seemed to be very excited about. Coach Avalos seems to be saying all the right things leading up to his first game as the head coach of Boise State. Many media members have said this is a legacy defining game for Boise State Thursday night. I certainly think this game could go a long way in building the confidence it takes to have a special season. Would it help winning this game two weeks from now when Oklahoma State comes to town, you bet! I for one am excited to see the new brain trust that is the coaching staff. I think Spencer Danielson is a rising star at Defensive Coordinator and I am excited to see what kind of life Offensive Coordinator Tim Plough can breathe into this Broncos offense. It was time for a change as things seemed to stagnate towards the end of the last era of Bronco Football. Thursday will certainly be a game of “firsts” for a lot of these coaches and we all hope one of the first will be in the Win column.  

Boise State 35, UCF 34