Boise State University (-2.5) at #21 San Diego State University

Date: Friday, November 26, 2021

Time: 10:00am MT

Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park (27,000)

TV:CBS

TV Commentators: Rich Waltz and Aaron Taylor

Radio: KBOI 670 AM

Commentators: Bob Behler and Pete Cavender

Know Thy Enemy

The road warriors of Boise State, head south for Thanksgiving as they travel to Carson, CA to take on the Aztec Warrior and the San Diego State University Aztecs. SDSU is in the midst of a building project and currently plays their home games two hours north of campus. The Aztecs hope to have their new digs ready in time for the home opener next season.

In spite of feeling like orphans without a home, San Diego State is having a banner year. SDSU is on pace to have one of their best seasons since going 10-1 in back-to-back years in the mid 70’s. The Aztecs, sitting at 10-1(6-1) and currently ranked #21 have a marquee win against Pac-12 Utah, but have also beaten teams like New Mexico State, Arizona (which had a 20-game losing streak until just a couple weeks ago), and FCS Towson. Their one slip up came on Oct. 30th against Fresno State.

On Offense, the Aztecs aren’t going to wow you by putting up massive amounts of points or yards. They feature a pro-style offense that likes to establish the run to set up the passing game. Currently the Aztecs offense is ranked 10th in the Mountain West, averagings just over 326 yards per game and are ranked 7th in the conference in scoring, averaging just over 27 points per game. SDSU has one running back that will tote the rock in Greg Bell. Bell and SDSU average 41 rushing plays per game for 184 yards and have scored 22 touchdowns on the ground. As mentioned before, the Aztecs will only pass when necessary, averaging just over 90 yards per game through the air.

For as long as the Earth has been round, San Diego State’s calling card has been their defense. Rocky Long made them extra good with his 3-3-5 defense and even after his departure, the Aztecs still feature the same defense. The Aztecs have been suffocating their opponents all season long, only giving up an average of 313 yards and 17 points per game. They are going to beat you up and make you earn every yard and point you get.

San Diego State is coached by Brady Hoke. Hoke is in his second season as head coach of the Aztecs. Coach Hoke was promoted from Defensive Line Coach to Head coach after Rocky Long stepped down in 2019. This is Coach Hoke’s second stint with the Aztecs as he was the Head Coach back in 2009 and 2010. Brady Hoke has been around college football for many years, coaching at several programs including Michigan, Oregon and Tennessee. During his time with the Aztecs Coach Hoke is 27-17 over four seasons.

Boise State and San Diego State have faced each other just six times dating back to 2011 when Boise State joined the Mountain West. The Broncos and the Aztecs have split these six meetings three apiece with each team holding two game win streaks. Boise State and San Diego State haven’t met since 2018 due to being in opposite divisions inside the Mountain West. Four of the six meetings have been decided by 9 points or less with three of those being decided by less than a touchdown.

What Happened Last Time

On a sunny October afternoon in 2018 Boise State took on San Diego State in what many thought could be a Mountain West Championship preview.

Coming into the game, Boise State had only committed two turnovers all season, but it was three interceptions that was ultimately the difference in the outcome of the game.

San Diego State, known for their defense, kept the Broncos at bay and out of sync for the majority of the game, allowing Boise State to score an opening quarter touchdown on a 1-yard run by Alexander Mattison and then held the Broncos scoreless until late in the 4th quarter on another 1-yard run by Mattison.

Despite being held in check for the majority of the game, the Broncos defense kept the team in the game with their own tough defense. However they could only hold the prolific rushing attack down for so long as the Aztecs took a two score league 19-7 on a 72-yard run by Jordan Byrd to seal the win. The Aztecs were paced by Jordan Byrd and Chase Jasmin who each had a touchdown in the 19-13 win.

Players to Watch

SAN DIEGO STATE

SR., GREG BELL, RB #22

As goes Bell, goes the Aztecs. Greg Bell, the senior from Chula Vista, CA has had a very productive season for the Aztecs. Coach Avalos had some high praise for the running back saying he had impeccable vision and really runs “behind his pads.” Bell has been the feature back this season with 194 carries and 964 rushing yards. The Aztecs want to pound the ball down the opposition's throat and Bell will be at the center of that attack.

JR., CAMERON THOMAS, DL #99

Just the name Cameron Thomas will strike fear into opposing quarterbacks. The junior from Carlsbad, CA has been haunting quarterbacks all season long. Thomas leads the team in sacks with 9.5 and tackles for loss with 18.0. Thomas has had at least a half a sack in the last nine straight games. Thomas has been a handful for every opposing team this season and the Broncos will have their handsful on Friday.

JR., PATRICK MCMORRIS, S #33

The strong and athletic Safety from Santa Ana,CA plays the signature “Aztec” position for San Diego State. McMorris leads the team in tackles with 74 and is second on the team in pass breakups with eight. The Junior is all over the field in run support as well as defending the pass. McMorris has had at least seven tackles in six games this season. The Criminal Justice major will try to lay down the law against the Broncos offense Friday morning.

BOISE STATE

JR., HANK BACHMEIER, QB #19

Hank Bachmeier has quietly had a really productive season. During the current 4-game win streak Hank has thrown for over 900 yards, six touchdowns, and one incterpetion. Bachmeier might be a polarizing figure in the minds of some members of Bronco Nation, but there is a reason he is QB1 and he has played like it this season. Bachmeier needs to play well and pass the ball efficiently again this week if the Broncos want to upset the Aztecs

Rs. JR., SCOTT MATLOCK, DT #99

The pride of Homedale High School, Scott Matlock has been a mainstay on the Broncos defensive line this season. Matlock ‘s name hasn’t been at the top of the stat sheet the last couple of week’s, but that's because teams are game planning against him with double teams and chip blocks. However, this week is a big game and Scott has shown up in a big way in big games. Matlock had a sack in each of the games against UCF, Oklahoma St, BYU and Fresno State. This is yet another big game in which Matlock will need to make his name known.

SO., JONAH DALMAS, K #35

Jonah Dalmas has become a folk hero for Bronco Nation this season. Fan bases love a kicker they can trust and Dalmas checks all the boxes. If Dalmas wasn’t a fan favorite already he became one when Wyoming’s coach Craig Bohl tried to “ice” him at the end of the first half by calling three straight time outs. After hitting the field goal, Dalmas appeared to look at the Wyoming bench and gesture in a way that looked like he was saying something like, “You can’t touch this!” The Lou Garza Award Semifinalist (he got robbed of being a finalist in my opinion) has hit 25-27 field goal attempts and is 37-37 in Point After attempts. Dalmas is pretty much the closest thing you can get to automatic and in a game that might be decided by a field goal or less, Dalmas might be called upon to be automatic with the game on the line.

Focus Position Group: Offensive Line

The offensive line has been a focus position group two other times this season, but this group has got to play well on Friday. Injuries have plagued this unit all season with the latest victim being Jake Stetz who left the game last week and isn’t expected to return this season. What is a major blow is that since moving to Stetz to center, the Broncos offense seemed to have found the magic repiece for production. Donte Harrigton came in to replace Stetz last week and is expected to start at center this week. This offensive line is going up against a defensive line that nightmares are made of on Friday and will have to keep Hank on his feet and open holes for Holani if the Broncos want to win. Let’s hope these hog mollies are up for the fight on Friday.

Rev's Route to a Bronco Win

Early Bird

In San Diego State’s one loss this season they fell behind 20-7 at halftime and were down 20-0 at one point. Boise State has done a great job this year getting out to early leads. The Aztecs don’t score a ton of points and aren’t built to play from behind. If Boise State can score early and build a lead then the Broncos will have a decent chance at upsetting the Aztecs.

Pass the Pigskin, Please

The passing attack for the Broncos has been the one constant this season. Boise State is averaging over 260 yards per game through the air. In one game that the Aztecs lost and a few others that they could have lossed, the opponent threw the ball extremely well. Fresno State threw for over 300 yards and so did Navada. If the Broncos want to win it looks like passing the pigskin will have to be part of that plan.

No Seconds

With the nature of San Diego State’s offense, they chew up a lot of game clock. If Boise State’s defense can’t stop the Aztecs on third down it will shorten the game and give the Broncos offense less time on the field. Boise State’s defense is ranked 8th in the conference in stopping the other team on third down. Third down is the “money” down and the Broncos will have to “cash in” this week if they want to win.

Editor Note:

Holiday Hangover

This game is bright and early the day after Thanksgiving at 9:00am local time. Boise State has already had one game this season before noon against Utah State early this season, in which they demolished the Aggies 27-3. The Aztecs have only had one game this season before 4:00pm. Boise State regularly operates in the early morning practicing everyday at 9:00am so the Broncos are used to being up early. Boise State will have to as coach Plough said, “Wake up and roll.”

Roll Up Your Sleeves

The Broncos and Aztecs are ranked 1 and 2 in the conference in scoring defense. These two defenses have really been locked down and points could be a premium come Friday. When coach Danielson was asked about these types of roll up your sleeve games where it’s strength on strength he said, “Fired up for it…. Having everything on the line is awesome. We can’t wait for our guys to go huntin’ Friday morning. I know San Diego State will be ready, but I can promise you that we’ll be ready too.”

Paper Tigers?

Yes I know you can only play who’s on your schedule, but if SDSU got a grade for this year’s schedule it would be a C- at best! In their non conference they played an FCS school and two other schools who have a combined record of 2-20 this season. Their one “good” non-conference game only looks as good as it does because Utah upset #4 Oregon last week. Yes, I also know they beat the two conference teams we couldn’t this year, but Boise State’s schedule has been by far the more difficult one. All that being said, San Diego State is 10-1, but the Aztecs could be more of a paper tiger than a juggernaut.

Believe

Boise State socks the world and defeats their third top-25 team on the road. Holani goes for a 125 and the Defense scores a touchdown.

Boise State 24, San Diego State 21

Rev's Rundown

Boise State at San Diego State University