Boise State University (-14) vs University of Wyoming

Date: Friday, November 12, 2021

Time: 7:00pm MT

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

TV:FS1

TV Commentators: Dan Hellie and Petros Papadakis

Radio: KBOI 670 AM

Commentators: Bob Behler and Pete Cavender

Know Thy Enemy

The boys are back in town after almost a month! This time they welcome the ‘Pokes from Laramie Wyoming to town for a Friday night fight! Both teams are coming off huge emotional wins in rivalry games. It’s a high desert Mountain West showdown between the Boise State Broncos and the Cowboys from the University of Wyoming.

Wyoming started out the 2021 campaign red hot. The Cowboys ran through their non conference schedule with a 4-0 record and were headed into their bye week riding a wave of confidence and momentum. Then started conference play. Wyoming lost their first four conference games falling to Air Force, Fresno State, New Mexico and San Jose State.

Last week Wyoming was able to get back in the win column with a huge win against Colorado State in the “Board War” and the battle for the “Bronze Boot.” The Cowboys come into Boise Looking to salvage their conference season with three games left.

The Cowboys offensive plan is simple. Run the ball and then run it some more. Wyoming has always been a team that wants to pound you into smithereens with their rushing attack. This season is no different. Wyoming ranks third in the Mountain West in rushing with over 1,700 total rushing yards and averaging close to 200 yards per game on the ground. The Wyoming offensive attack is led by longtime running back Xavian Valladay. Valladay is a big bruising back that has great vision and has a very physical, violent, downhill running style. If he’s not enough, they have up and coming running back Titus Swen who is emerging as the next workhorse in the back field. The Cowboys will go to any length to beat you into submission with their multiple downhill run schemes.

On defense Wyoming is big, fast and active. They have a really big defensive line, with all four starters standing at at least 6’4” and weighing at least 275lbs. They have really active and athletic linebackers that can cover sideline to sideline. The linebacking unit is headlined by All- Mountain West player Chad Muma. Muma is one of the favorites for Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year as well. Not only is the front seven good for the Cowboys, the Wyoming secondary is ranked third in the nation in pass defense. The Cowboys secondary will play a lot of man coverage and jam the receivers at the line to deter any free releases. The Cowboys are giving up a measly 155 yards per game through air. They have also only given up 10 passing touchdowns and have intercepted 8 passes on the year.

Wyoming is coached by Craig Bohl. Bohl is in his 8th year as head coach of the Cowboys. Over the past eight seasons Bohl has led the team to a 43-48 record. Bohl has never won more than 8 games in a season and has been to one Mountain West Championship game, but has never finished higher than second in the conference. Prior to coming to Laramie, Bohl spent 11 seasons as head coach of FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, where he led the Bison to three straight Division I FCS championships from 2011-2013.

Boise State and Wyoming have had an interesting series when it comes to football. The Cowboys and Broncos have met 15 times since 2001 with the Broncos dominating the series 14-1. The Cowboys lone victory came in the “Safety Dance” game of 2016 which ultimately was the difference in who was the Mountain Division representative in the conference championship game. Boise State has defeated Wyoming 11 times by double digits and has never lost to the Cowboys at home. Boise State's average margin of victory at home versus Wyoming is over 17 points.

What Happened Last Time

On a snow covered field, in mid-December the Broncos went to Laramie, WY, in hopes of staying perfect in Mountain West play, in the regular season finale.

The Broncos started the game off on the wrong foot with Hank Bachmeier throwing an interception on just the third play from scrimmage to give the Cowboys early momentum. The Cowboys would take their first and only lead of the game on a 42-yard field goal to make the score 3-0 early in the first quarter. Boise State would respond with a methodical 12-play, ,75-yard drive and score on a 4-yard pass from Bachmeier to George Holani to take the lead, 7-3.

Boise State would extend their lead to 10-3 going into halftime and would cap off their scoring with a 2-yard run by Van Buren late in the third to make the score 17-6.

The real story of the afternoon was the Broncos defense, which forced Wyoming to punt on seven straight drives after their opening drive field goal. The Broncos defense also forced 8 three-and-outs, kept the Cowboys out of the endzone, and would only give up a total of 146 yards on the night en route to a 17-9 win. The win helped the Broncos finish the season with a perfect 5-0 conference record and reach the Mountain West championship game for the fourth consecutive season.

Players to Watch

WYOMING

SO., ISAIAH NEYOR, WR #5

The Cowboys don’t throw it a lot, but when they do they throw it to Isaiah Neyor. Neyor, the sophomore out of Fort Worth, Texas, is leading the team in receptions as well as receiving yards. That’s not too shocking, what’s shocking is that Neyor leads the team in touchdown receptions, catching 8 of the 10 touchdown throws that Wyoming has had this season. The other two have been caught by their tight end. Neyor is a big red zone threat for the Cowboys, so look for the Broncos to key on #5 if Wyoming gets inside the 20 yard line.

JR., TITUS SWEN, RB # 8

Everyone knows about Xazavian Valladay, but watch out for junior running back Titus Swen. Swen is second on the team in all major rushing categories, but last week against Colorado State, Swen went off for 166 yards on 21 carries. Those 166 yards and 21 attempts were by far Swen’s biggest output of the season and the first time he has capped the 100-yard mark this year. Swen looks to be getting more carries so the Broncos will have a second running back to try and corral this week.

SR., CHAD MUMA, LB #48

Wyoming linebacker Chad Muma has been a one-man wrecking crew for the Cowboys over the last two seasons. Muma is a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is presented to the outstanding defensive player in college football. Muma is currently ranked No. 4 in the nations in solo tackles and ranked No.10 in the nation in total tackles. Muma has recorded double-diget tackles in seven of eight games this season. Not to mention he is also tied for No. 1 in the nation with two interceptions returned for touchdowns.

BOISE STATE

SR., DIVINE OBICHERE, DT #95

Obichere missed some time earlier this season with an injury, but has been back in the lineup for the Broncos over the past two games. Obichere doesn’t play a flashy position and normally goes unnoticed, but his play over the last two games warrants your attention. The last two weeks the Broncos limited their opponents to season lows in rushing yards, which is no doubt due to the play of the big man in the middle of the defensive line. Last week Obichere even had a punishing sack on Fresno State’s Jake Haener. The Broncos are facing, yet again, another team with a potent rushing attack in Wyoming. Obichere along with the other members of the defensive line will have to play well on Friday Night.

SIXTH YEAR, JAKE STETZ, OL #68

Jake Stetz has been a swiss army knife on the Broncos offensive line. Stetz, a natural guard, has been moved over to center the last two games for the Broncos. In those two games, outside of the first quarter against CSU, the Broncos offense has looked complete and dominant. The offensive line has been a huge issue for Boise State this year, but they seemed to have found a good mix the last couple of games with Stetz in the middle.

Rs.SO., GEORGE HOLANI, RB #24

By George he’s back! Holani rushed 21 times for 117 yards and caught two passes for 69 yards last week against Fresno State. Holani, the clearcut #1 running back for the Broncos has been out and or limited all season. Last Saturday was the first time that Holani looked like the player that Bronco Nation fell in love with in 2019. Last week was Holani’s first 100-yard performance since the first game of the 2020 season. The Broncos might be getting their star running back back at just the right time to make a late season run.

Focus Position Group: Defensive Line

Boise State has seemed to get back some of their “dependable depth” on the defensive line over the last couple games and it has shown. Not only on the stat sheet, but on the scoreboard. Over the last two games against, the Broncos defense held both Colorado State and Fresno State to their lowest rushing output in Mountain West play. The run defense that has been an issue this season has been fixed it seems and that partially is due to the outstanding play of the defensive line as of late. Scott Matlock, Divine Obichere, Herbert Gums, and Jackson Cravens have been playing lights out the last couple weeks and will need to continue their hot streak this week as they face yet another physical rushing attack.

Rev's Route to a Bronco Win

Benjamin Franklin

The Broncos have this crazy stat this season that if they rush for at least 100 yards they are 5-0. They are 0-4 when they rush for under 100. It seems like a fairly simple key to the game this week: run the ball. The Broncos have been getting creative with their rushing attack the last couple of weeks and combine that with a healthy George Holani, Boise State has all the right ingredients to get it done. Wyoming’s rush defense is second to last in the Mountain West, giving up an average of 169 yards per game. Look for the Broncos to continue their commitment to the run game and get to that century mark.

Pressure Cooker

Last week Boise State had a season high five sacks, from five different players, against Fresno State. All night long the Broncos were able to get pressure on the quarterback which helped Boise State get three interceptions on the night. This week the Broncos face a Wyoming team who have committed at least one turnover in all but one game this year. Creating turnovers and causing pressure really swings momentum and more times than not are the difference in the game. This week Boise State needs to keep dialing up the pressure and create some chaos for the Cowboys.

Friday Night Flight

On Monday, Tim Plough said, “We definitely want to take more vertical shots.” Wyoming ranks 3rd in the nation in pass defense and has held some of the Mountain West’s most prolific passing attacks well under their season averages. Coach Plough also said that it can seem suffocating at times the way Wyoming packs the box and plays a lot of press coverage. Boise State will need to win those one-on-one press coverage matchups, and if they can, should be able to beat the Wyoming defenders deep which will open up their “full menu” on offense. Boise State and Hank Bachmeier need to be able to throw the ball successfully this week against a good defense if they want to win.

Rev's Reasonings:

Feels So Good

Beating Fresno State just feels good and I forgot how good it feels to be on a win streak. I am officially back on the Boise State hype train and will be scoreboard watching in hopes of seeing the Broncos get back to the Mountain West Championship. With the win last week the Broncos now have a distinct path to the Championship even if they’ll need Utah State and Air Force to stumble at least one more time along the way. The Broncos are above .500 for the first time this season and one win away from getting bowl eligible.

Coming Into Focus

Coach Avalos was all business this week during his weekly press conference, and honestly it was refreshing. Avalos deflected all questions about being on a win streak or having a path to get back to the championship and “reaching their goals.” Avalos was all about one thing and one thing only, beating Wyoming. I think his focus really encapsulates where this team is at right now. After their bye week they came out sluggish to start the game agasint CSU, but ultimately turned it on and dominated the Rams in the last three quarters. Last week against Fresno State the Broncos looked locked in from the start and imposed their will on the Bulldogs. Which brings us to this week in which both teams are coming off huge emotional victories. Which team will be able to forget last week and focus on this week? This week It all comes down to who wants it more. It’s about focus.

Finish Line

Boise State is 5-0 this season when leading after three quarters. Boise State has also won 122 straight games at home when leading after three quarters. Everyone knows the struggles Boise State has had in the third quarter this year. They have let a halftime lead slip away three times this season and the Broncos offense has either been outscored or hasn't score in the third quarter four times this year. Even further down the rabbit hole, in the three home losses Boise State has been outscored 24-13 in the second half and have only one second half touchdown. However, Boise State’s second half defense has been outstanding, limiting their opponent to 7 or fewer points seven times on the season. Only UCF and Nevada were able to score more points.

Defensive coordinator Spencer Danielson was asked about what it’s like to have lost three straight home games and he responded with, “First and foremost it breaks my heart and breaks the hearts of our players. It breaks our heart and we take so much pride in playing on this blue field..so getting another opportunity is huge and we have to protect ‘The Blue’.”

It’s crazy to even think that the Broncos have lost three home games let alone three in a row. I think this is the week that the Broncos reverse that trend. You can tell in how the coaches talked this week that they are ready and will have the players ready. The Broncos are dressed in black for a Cowboys funeral this week.

Broncos dominate in every phase.

Rev's Rundown

Boise State vs University of Wyoming