Boise State is 4-0 against the Pac-12 in Coach Harsin’s time as head
coach. Saturday’s game in Pullman will be a tough challenge against the
nation’s 20th-ranked team.

Stopping the Cougars’ offense will be a big challenge, for a defense coming
off a stellar performance against Troy. This WSU offense can run the
football behind a huge offensive line. Yes, I said run the ball. The two
primary runninng backs, James Williams and Jamal Morrow, are better and
maybe the biggest thing is Coach Leach is committed to it more now.

Last season, the Broncos’ D shut down the run, allowing 40 yards on 20
carries. Quarterback Luke Falk ended up throwing for 480 yards, but he
did it on 71 attempts. Boise State did a great job of wrapping up after a
catch was made and limited the gains. The Cougars will move the ball,
you just have to make it difficult on them so they don’t have a lot of easy
opportunities.

The Broncos’ offense will need to be a lot better this week. The O-Line
improved as the game went on. They will need to pick up where they left
off and protect Brett Rypien better and give him time to find receivers
down field. They will also have to control the line of scrimmage better on
the short runs to keep drives alive. Possessing the ball and keeping it
away from Falk and company is a big way to win the game. Rushing for
150 would be a good number to watch. Time of possession, normally a
meaningless stat, will be important this week.

Turnovers were big last year. The pick six by Tyler Horton got the
Broncos out early. A couple of late interceptions from Rypien had the
Broncos holding on instead of closing out the game.

As I said early in the week on Idaho Sports Talk, this game isn’t nearly as
important as a conference game. A loss doesn’t derail any of the main
goals, but a win could set Boise State up for something.

Hope the smoke cooperates and we can see a very entertaining game.