Boise State University (-3) at Colorado State University

Date: Saturday, October 30, 2021

Time: 5:00pm MT

Stadium: Canvas Stadium (41,000)

TV:CBS SportsNetwork

TV Commentators: Rich Waltz, Aaron Taylor, and Jenny Dell

Radio: KBOI 670 AM

Commentators: Bob Behler and Pete Cavender

Know Thy Enemy

Cam the Ram and the ‘Dazfather’ await, as Boise State hits the road again, this time to Fort Collins, Colorado to take on the Colorado State University Rams. The stalwart Rams will try and, “Tear the Broncos’ line asunder” but after last week's “Baffling, chaotic last-second blunder” Ram faithful aren’t so sure. Last week against Utah State, the Rams were down two with 44 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Starting at their own 15-yard line, the Rams managed to get all the way down the field in just 33 seconds, setting up a first-and-goal with 11 seconds left. The offense was supposed to stay on the field to spike the ball and stop the clock. Here's what happened instead: The "fast field goal" team (as Addazio later described them) for some reason rushed onto the field to set up for a field goal. You could almost feel the confusion coming from the Colorado State players on the field. Several members of the offense had to frantically run off the field as time started ticking down. With the clock running, they then missed the potential game-winning field goal falling to the Aggies 24-26.

The Rams have had their share of ups and downs this season, losing three of their first four, but then winning their first two conference games before last weekend’s debacle. Sitting at 3-4, 2-1, The Rams are currently tied for first place with Utah State in the Mountain Division, but Utah State would hold the tiebreaker if the season were to end today.

On offense the Rams will feature a pro-style offense that relies heavily on the run and play action pass game. The Rams have three capable running backs that all have more than 70 carries through seven games. Through seven games the Rams are averaging over 170-yards per game on the ground. Additionally, the Rams have arguably the best tight end in the nation in Trey McBride. His length and size and “do-it-all” type player will really test the Broncos on defense this week.

Defensively, Colorado State is filled with senior laided experience especially up front with their defensive line and inside linebackers. The Rams have shown the ability to create tremendous pressure on the opposing quarterbacks racking up 55 sacks so far this season. Three different Rams have five or more sacks this year. Along with getting after the quarterback, Colorado State has shown that they really can stuff the run game. Three times this season they have held their opponent to 63 yards or less. Against Toledo early in the season they only surrendered 13 yards on 28 attempts and it took Utah State close to fifty attempts to get over the 100-yard mark last week.

Colorado State is coached by Steve Addazio. Addazio is in his second season as head coach of the Rams and has a record of 4-7. Prior to being with CSU coach Addazio spent seven seasons at Boston College where he never won more than 7 games in a season. Little known fact about Steve Addazio is that he has his own video game called DazQuest which was released by the Boston College satirical newspaper The New England Classic.

Boise State and Colorado State have faced each other 10 times since Boise State joined the Mountain West back in 2011. The Broncos have beaten the Rams each of the 10 times they have played. Only three times has the game been decided by a touchdown or less. Boise State's average margin of victory during the series has been over 21 points.

What Happened Last Time

Coming off a total beatdown the week before, Boise State was ready to get back on track. Things were already looking up for the Broncos as they were getting Hank Bachmeier back after missing the previous two games with an injury.

It was truly a special night for the Broncos as the special teams unity shined. Boise State’s “third phase” blocked three kicks on the night, including two blocked punts by Avery Williams. All three blocked kicks were returned for scores.

Boise State was in total control the entire game, taking a commanding 42-7 lead into half time. The first half was highlighted by the three blocked kicks as well as two touchdown runs from Andrew Van Buren.

The second half wasn’t much better for the Rams, although they did find the endzone twice two narrow the gap to 21-42 midway through the third. Boise State would extend their lead to 45-21 on a 38-yard field goal from Jonah Dalmas. On their next possession, Boise State would have a 1-and-10 from the Colorado State 17 yard line, Khalil Shakir would take an endaround hand off and rush for 16 yards, but right before he crossed the goal line, Shakir would lose control of the football, but luckily teammate, offensive lineman, Nick Crabtree was there to recover the ball in the endzone for a touchdown to cap off the scoring for the Broncos.

Boise State really controlled all three phases of the game en route to a 52-21 thumping of the Rams.

Players to Watch

COLORADO STATE

SR., TREY MCBRIDE, TE #85

Tight end Trey McBride, fresh off a 2020 All-American season, elected to return to Colorado State in 2021 and is bringing NFL scouts to campus on a weekly basis. McBride appeared on Todd McShay's Big Board as the top tight end and No. 27 overall prospect for the 2022 NFL Draft. McBride only needs 148 more yards this season to set the record for most career receiving yards by a CSU tight end. Boise State has faced some top tight ends this season but none bigger than Rams #85

GS., SCOTT PATCHAN, DL #1

Patchan not only wears number one, but he’s also number one on the stat sheet. Patchan leads the Rams with seven sacks this season. He also leads the team with 10.5 tackles for loss. Patchan is always finding himself in the opponent's backfield. Patchan has multiple sacks and tackles over the past two games. Patchan leads a Rams front that led the nation in tackles for loss per game last season, and are currently in the top-20 this season and top-3 in sacks.

GS., RYAN STONEHOUSE, P #41

Normally punters and kickers are not players to watch, but Colorado State has a pretty dominant and potential game changing weapon at punter. Stonehouse, a two-time All-American (2018, 2020), is currently the NCAA’s all-time career leader in punt average with a 47.3 mark. Through seven games, Stonehouse is currently second in the nation in average yards per punt, booting the ball over 50 yards per kick. Field position could be a major factor this week and Boise State has struggled when having to go the length of the field to score. Look for Stonehouse to try and “reverse the field” and pin the Broncos deep in their territory this Saturday.

BOISE STATE

SR., KHALIL SHAKIR, WR #2

The King of the Catch has been a human highlight reel so far this season. His ability to catch anything that is remotely close is amazing. The Senior from Murrieta, CA has been the brightest star on the Boise State offense so far this season. Through seven games Shakir has 40 catches for 659 yards and 4 touchdowns. However, “Shak” has not reached the 100-yard receiving mark in the past three games. Along with that his receptions have almost been cut in half over the last three games. Shakir is the Broncos best player and Boise State along with Bronco Nation are only guaranteed five more games with this special talent. If the Broncos want to stack up wins they have to get the ball in #2 hands any way possible and a lot more often.

Rs.FR., KAONOHI KANIHO, CB#14

The younger brother of Kakaula has been seeing a lot more playing time in the past two games due to the injuries to both starting corners. The redshirt freshman from Hawaii isn’t in the stat sheet much, accounting for just seven tackles through seven games, but had the game clinching interception against BYU three weeks ago. Little Kaniho looks to be the future for the Broncos at the corner position so you might as well get to know him.

FIFTH YEAR, KEKAULA KANIHO, N #28

Kekaula the fifth year senior, has been a fan favorite ever since he returned a fumble 34-yards for a touchdown against San Diego State as a freshman back in 2017. Ever since Kaniho has just been a playmaker for the Broncos. However, this season he’s been a little silent only accounting for 2 tackles for loss and two pass breakups. But don’t forget about #28 as he will be all over the field on Saturday and don’t be surprised if he doesn't do something noteworthy this week.

Focus Position Group: Running Back

This week the focus group has to be the running backs. The last two seasons haven't been what we have become accustomed to when it comes to production from the running backs. The streak of 1,000-yard rushers that was snapped last season was pretty remarkable not only because of the ability of the running back but the availability of the running back. This year and last, Boise State’s top running back has been on the sidelines a lot more than he’s been on the field. Boise State lacks that playmaker in the backfield outside of Holani. In games that Boise State runs for over 100 yards they are 3-0. They are 0-4 when they fail to hit the century mark. This week the Broncos face a very stout defensive front who stop the run extremely well. Boise State has to be able to run the ball on Saturday and that all starts with the running back.

Rev's Route to a Bronco Win

Attention to Detail

Boise State is coming off their bye week and have had an extra week to prepare for the Rams. This is Coach Avalos’ first career game after a bye week, but historically since 2001 Boise State is 20-1 in games following a bye week. Boise State’s biggest bugaboo this season has been it’s consistency. Some games they have, some games they don’t. Two weeks ago it was one of those, “Don’t have it” weeks with the team committing 8 penalties for 75 yards. Seven of those penalties were on offense which made drives stall out. This week will be about the attention to detail and the preparation from Sunday to Saturday. We won’t know if that attention to detail was there this week until Saturday evening. But if the Broncos want to win this game or any other game this season it will be about their preparation during the week.

Protect the Quarterback

Boise State has had four different offensive line combinations so far this season. In the last three games they have had the same starting lineup up front with John Ojukwu, Jake Stetz, Will Farrar, Ben Dooley, and Uzo Osuji. Having the same five guys upfront week in and week out goes a long way in helping solidify the unity of the offensive line. This week protecting the quarterback will be top priority on offense. CSU ranks top-3 in the nation in sacks this season averaging over 4 per game. They have multiple guys on defense that get after the quarterback. In Boise State's four losses they are giving up three times as many sacks as they do when they win. If Boise State’s Buffett Busters can give Hank time to throw, the Broncos should be able to put up points and win the game.

Razzle Dazzle

Whether you call it a “trick play,” a “gadget play,” or some “trickeration” Boise State has made it’s name for those off the wall, deceptive plays when you least expect it. From the “Hook and Ladder” to the “Statue of Liberty'' and everything else in between has been used to spice up the Boise State play book. Rumor has it that whenever there is a new offensive coordinator at Boise State they are handed a thumb drive that holds every trick play that the Broncos have ever run. We haven’t seen much of this razzle dazzle that has been so famous by BSU this season. This week the Broncos need to break out some of that “magic” and have some, “fun with your offense” against the Rams.

Editorial Note:

Well as the saying goes, “absence makes the heart grow fonder” and that is where I am at after a Boise State bye week. It makes no difference if the team is 7-0 or 3-4 I get excited for every Broncos football game. This week is no different because a Saturday with a Boise State football game is better than one without. This season hasn’t been anything what we as fans thought it would be. Everyone inside and outside the program would say and have said that this season does not meet the “standard” of Boise State. Every year the expectation is: qualify for a bowl game, win the Mountain West, and be in the New Year’s Six conversation. At 3-4, (1-2) only one of those expectations is achievable without help. It’s been a long time since Boise State hasn’t qualified for a bowl game. In order to do that they have to win 3 of their last 5. It starts with Saturday. For the rest of the season it’s about consistency and trying to go 1-0 each week. It’s about being mature enough to bring the same level of commitment and preparation no matter who is on the schedule that week. Boise State has shown that they are a good football team and I think that's the most frustrating part. The 2021 Broncos are not a bad football team. They aren’t a 3-4 football team. Are they good enough to be 7-0? Probably not, but with the talent they have they shouldn’t be below .500. To me it boils down to two things and these don’t have to do with “x’s and o’s” as much as it does with what's between the ears and that’s: lack of experience, especially in-game adjustments, from coaches and consistency from players.

Coach Avalos was asked about how much they worked on “mentality” during the bye week and this is what Avalos had to say, “that’s how the whole week started out. resetting the vision on what it looks like and what the work takes to become a consistent team...we’ve had some of our most competitive practices that we’ve had in the past year consistently for a week and we’re continuing to build on that...Mentaliy always starts with purpose. Why are we doing what we're doing? How do we approach every single day and how competitive are we every day? that mentality doesn’t start on the field it starts in the meetings and bing prepared.”

I think Coach Avalos and the rest of the staff are working on trying to bring that consistency to this program, but as we know the best way to show progress is by winning games.

For the rest of this season I am going to forgo my score prediction. All I am concerned about is watching Boise State football and enjoying the rest of the year.

And remember, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord” and root for the Broncos.

Rev's Rundown

Boise State at Colorado State University