Boise State University (-6.5) at San Diego State University

Date: Friday, September 22, 2021

Time: 8:30pm MT

Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium (35,000)

TV:CBS Sports Network

TV Commentators: Rich Waltz and Aaron Taylor

Radio: KBOI 670 AM

Commentators: Bob Behler and Pete Cavender

Know Thy Enemy

The Broncos hit the road for the second time this season after notching their first win of the year. Boise State hopes to not get bit as they head to Snapdragon Stadium to face the Aztecs of San Diego State. This game might be like staring in the mirror as both teams are eerily similar on paper.

SDSU is coming off of back-to-back losses to UCLA and Oregon State after starting the season with wins over Ohio and Idaho State. In their most recent game against Oregon State, the Aztecs went on the road and hung in there against the Bevers for the better part of three and a half quarters. SDSU limited the Beavers to just 26 points which is well under their season average of 48 points, coming into the game. However it was their offense, or lack thereof, that did the Aztecs in, as they managed to score just 9 points. It was their second consecutive week where their offense was only able to find the endzone once.

Through the years we have come to realize that San Diego State isn’t going to light up the scoreboard. They play a lot of low-scoring, defensive games and this year is really no different. Currently through four games the Aztecs rank second to last in the Mountain West, averaging 18.75 points per game.

Quarterback Jaylen Mayden is a reason for optimism for this SDSU squad as he took over the job in the middle of last season and has shown his ability to make enough plays to keep the Aztecs in games. However, one critique is that he is turnover prone. Through four games this year he already has four interceptions to just three touchdowns. This year so far it has been the Jaylen Mayden show as the Aztecs try to replace much of their offensive production form last season. Mayden leads the team in passing yards and rushing attempts and is only half a yard behind running back Jaylen Armstead for most yards per game.

Much like Boise State, SDSU is looking for a receiver to separate themselves from the group as 8 different receivers average over 15 yards per game. Mayden’s top-target is his tight end Mark Redman who leads the team in every receiving category. Redman has almost topped his 2022 season totals and he’s only a third of the way through this season.

Another cause for concern for Coach Hoke’s squad is the amount of sacks their offensive line has given up so far this season. The Aztecs are tied at 110th in the nation for Sacks Allowed, having given up 11 sacks this season including six last week against Oregon State.

On Defense, SDSU returns six starters from a team that was 15th in the nation in total defense a season ago. The Starters that return are mostly in their “No Fly Zone” secondary in cornerbacks Dalles Brand, Dez Malone, and Noah Tumblin along with safety Cedarious Barfield. SDSU is 2nd in the nation in interceptions this season, picking off eight passes so far. They also return linebacker Cooper McDonald. One of the standouts so far this season has been sophomore linebacker Zyrus Fiaseu. He leads the team in just about every defensive category and is always around the football. However, it’s been a bit of struggle so far for the Aztecs. Much like the Broncos they have been giving up a ton of yards, but playing better in the red zone. SDSU is giving up almost 300 yards per game through the air and another 144 yards per game on the ground.

San Diego State is coached by Brady Hoke. Hoke is in his second stint with the Aztecs which proves you can always come home. Hoke first roamed the sidelines for SDSU back in 2009-2010 before taking the gig at Michigan. After Michigan, Hoke bounced around both the NCAA and NFL before coming back to coach the defensive line for the Aztecs in 2019. In 2020, Hoke took over for legendary SDSU coach Rocky Long who stepped down after nine seasons as head coach. Coach Hoke is 38-26 at SDSU and has led the Aztecs to one conference title.

Friday will be the ninth time the Broncos and the Aztecs have gone toe-to-toe on the gridiron. The two schools have split the previous eight games with four wins apiece. Interestingly enough, both teams are 2-2 at home and 2-2 on the road and both teams longest win streak in the series has been, you guessed it, two games.

What Happened Last Time

It was the dawn of the Koetter Comeback Tour when the Broncos hosted the Aztecs on September 30th last year. However it wasn’t all roses as the Broncos fell behind 13-0 and the offense looked pretty inept in the first half. Then came the second half. Green jumpstarted Boise State's comeback with a 17-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, as both he and Holani had two rushing scores in the second half. Jeanty powered the Broncos to retake the lead from San Diego State with a 32-yard run in the waning seconds of the third quarter. Defensively the Broncos were otherworldly as they only allowed two first downs the entire second half. Boise State football scored 35 unanswered points in the second half to rally from a 13-0 halftime deficit and defeat San Diego State, 35-13.

Players to Watch

SAN DIEGO STATE

SR., MARK REDMAN, TE #81

Mark Redman is just another tight end in the line of productive tight ends to come out of SDSU. Redman has cemented himself as quarterback Jaylen Mayden’s top-target, posting 16 receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns. He’s on-pace for a career year in all of those categories as long as Mayden keeps finding the big fella. Boise State’s defense has had trouble defending top-end tight end’s in the past so it will be interesting to see how they plan to defend #81.

SO., ZYRUS FIASEU, LB #6

The pride of Liberty High, Fiaseu the Las Vegas native is making a name for himself as a full-time starter this year for the Aztecs. The Middle Linebacker, in just four games has already surpassed his season total of tackles from last year and currently leads the team with 25 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He also has three quarterback hits and two forced fumbles so far this season. Fiaseu is very athletic and can play from sideline to sideline so it will be interesting to see how the Broncos run game schemes against #6

SR., CEDARIOUS BARFIELD, FIELD WARRIOR (SAFETY) #3

Last but certainly not least is starting Field Warrior and team captain, Cedarious Barfield. Barfield is coming back for his sixth season as a member of the Aztec defense and he is making the most of it. Last season he played in 12 of the team’s 13 games with seven starts. 2023 has also gotten off to a career-best start for him as he already has, through four games, three interceptions! He’s had a pick in three of the four games as he roams the back of the secondary.

BOISE STATE

FR., TY BENEFIELD, S #20

We’ve been hearing his name for a while now and as the only true freshman listed on the defensive depth chart for the Broncos Ty Benefield has the potential to become a household name. Even JL Skinner tweeted, “I like #20. He might be da next one.” He’s also been labeled as “a bad man.” Which is good, this is the good kind of “bad.” Earlier this week, both Andy Avalos and DC Spencer Danielson said, “He is much more mature than a freshman who has been here three-and-a-half months,” and, “it’s not like he’s a freshman. It’s for sure not like he’s a true freshman.” He’s listed behind Tuebner, but if Benefield keeps playing like he is it won’t be long before he won’t be coming off the field.

Rs. SO.,ERIC McALISTER, WR #80

Eric McAlister had himself a day last week against the Fighting Hawks, snagging 6 balls for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns. He’s already surpassed his season total in catches from last year and is only 21 yards and two touchdowns away from last year's high water mark. In a receiver room that is really missing that dependable target, McAlister might be the guy the Broncos need and last Saturday might be the catalyst for a big season from #80.

SR., JONAH DALMAS, K #35

There’s not much that hasn’t already been said about Jonah Dalmas. Dalmas will go down as arguably the best kicker Boise State has had to date. Dalmas has been so automatic during his time at BSU that we’ve almost taken him for granted which had us all surprised when he missed the first PAT of the season against Washington. However since then, Dalmas is a perfect 8-for-8 on PAT’s and is 3-for-3 on his field goal attempts this year. Against UCF he brought Bronco Nation to their feet when he hit a 56-yard bomb late in the second quarter. He followed that up by hitting a 54- yarder against UND that unfortunately was negated by a roughing the kicker penalty. He’s got the leg that if the Broncos get inside the 35-yard line that you feel like he’d be able to give you a chance to get it done. With many projecting this game to hit the “under,” Boise State might need Dalmas to play a big role in winning this game.

Focus Position Group: Quarterback

This game is going to come down to the play of the quarterback and for Boise State that means Taylen Green. I’m not sure if it’s pressure, a lack of confidence or what, but Taylen seems to be pressing. He doesn’t seem to be deliberate in his decision making. There have been moments this year where he has forced a throw when last year he would have tried to scramble. Green has just got to play, play his game and play free and loose. His performance this week will be the difference for the Broncos.

Rev's Route to a Bronco Win

Perfection

I hope coach Avalos told his team something similar to what Coach Herman Boone told his team, “When you put that uniform on, you better come to work. We will be perfect in every aspect of the game. You drop a pass, you run a mile. You miss a blocking assignment, you run a mile. You fumble the football, and I will break my foot off in your John Brown hind parts...and then you will run a mile. Perfection!” Last week despite what the final score indicated, was a sloppy game of football. In the third quarter the Broncos turned the ball over on three of their first four possessions. This season we have seen a lot of sloppy football. Boise State can’t keep playing this way and expect to compete for a conference title. Perfection is the standard!

Arm-y Green

After Green and company ran all over SDSU to the tune of 316 yards and five touchdowns a year ago, you better believe the Aztecs are not about to let that happen again. Which means they will probably force Green to beat them with his arm. Unfortunately, TG10’s passing ability has not come along as fast as we all had hoped. He routinely makes ill advised throws that have been intercepted more times than we’d all like and the Aztecs have a ton of “ballhawks” in that secondary. Fortunately however, SDSU’s pass defense is one of the worst in all of college football. The Aztecs rank 120th in passing yards allowed, giving up 295 yards per game. This week Green has to be able to use this to his advantage and Boise State has to be able to throw the football if they want to win.

Mayday Mayden!

Let’s hope last week’s performance from the Boise State defense is what we can come to expect the rest of the season. Yes I understand it was against and FCS opponent, but they were able to limit the then #1 offense in all of FCS less than half of their season average in both total offense and points. The defense was also able to provide much needed pressure on the quarterback to the tune of six sacks, something we hadn’t seen yet this season. If Boise State can ramp up the pressure and force Mayden to rush his decisions the Broncos might be in for a good day in San Diego.

Revs Rant and Prediction:

Written on the board of the Boise State team room is the statement, “Win the Mountain West Championship.” That in itself isn’t a surprising thing to see. Most programs probably have that as an aspiration. For Boise State however, that has come to be not an aspiration, but the standard. Boise State has appeared in the Mountain West title game five times in the last six seasons, but have only come away with the title twice in those five tries, with the last championship coming in 2019. Only 13 players on the current roster have a ring on their finger. It has been a long time since Boise State has hoisted the hardware in early December. Even with starting the season 1-2, the Broncos are just at the trailhead of the path to a conference Championship. Their 1A goal each and every year is right in front of them and the climb starts Friday. Yes their street cred has been damaged with their losses, but the Mountain West media and coaches picked the Broncos to win the conference for a reason. Because they are the class of the conference. Boise State is going to get every team’s “A-game” every week, because they are the class of the conference. It’s plain and simple. The Mountain West runs through Boise.

I truly think last week’s win had enough success in it and enough teachable moments that it will be the catalyst to a special season. A season where we are all freezing our buns off on a bluebird day,at Albertsons Stadium, on the first Saturday in December. I truly believe this team will get better each and every week and with each and every win their confidence will grow and we will look back and wonder how we didn’t play better or win those first two games.

With that being said, they still have work to do. No one is going to hand anything to them, they have to go out and take it. The coaching staff might have to make some tough decisions on playing time because we’ve seen that some of these youngsters, although inexperienced, can play some ball and we will need them to ball out for this team to succeed. It will take players getting better each week and learning from the previous week and not repeating any mistakes. It’s going to be a total team effort and there will be some close, gut-it-out, wins along the way. Much like this week. Statically, outside of a few individuals, these teams are not having great years. Both teams' defenses look more like swiss cheese than the steel curtain. Both teams’ offenses can resemble Iowa more than USC. All I’m saying is that both teams have their flaws and whichever team can give up the fewest big plays and create the most big plays will come out on top. To steal a phrase from coach Leon Rice, this week is going to be a “rock fight.” With the Mountain West ditching the old “divisions” format all these conference games count the same, one loss and your title hopes could be dashed.

Boise State gets to 1-0 in conference play.

Boise State 24, San Diego State 20

Rev's Rundown

CFB: BOISE STATE (1-2) (-6.5) AT SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY (2-2)