BY BOB BEHLER

Finish the drill…Finish the play…Finish the game…and Finish the month.

After losing to Virginia to close September, the Broncos have played with a physicality in October that has them 3-0 in the month. They close the month at Utah State on Saturday night, looking to finish 4-0 and remain unbeaten in the Mountain West’s Mountain Division.

Boise State has improved on the offensive side of the ball, while the defense and special teams have continued to carry the team. The Broncos will need to be the more physical team and not beat themselves against Utah State. The last time in Logan, the Broncos committed eight turnovers and the Aggies won 52-26.  Boise State has committed one turnover in the three games and it was on the first drive of the first game of the month at BYU. Utah State’s defense is No. 2 in the nation, forcing 20 turnovers.  So being careful with the ball is key No. 1.

Last week, the Broncos’ defense did a great job changing things up on Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen. They sacked him four times, intercepted him twice, and harassed him on many other plays. Saturday, they will need the same type of performance against the Aggies’ new quarterback, Jordan Love, who is coming off a successful first start that saw him throw for 300 yards and win Mountain West Player of the Week.  Keeping him off balance will be key No. 2. Utah State’s offense wants to speed up the tempo, so Boise State’s defense will have that challenge to handle.

Key No. 3 is run the ball. The Broncos have averaged 170 yards over the three October games. The Aggies look vulnerable to the run, having given up 204 yards a game and 4.5 per carry. Alexander Mattison has developed into a good running back and should be able to turn in his third 100-yard performance of the month.

That’s what I see as necessities in advancing the winning streak to four.

Bob Behler, the Voice of the Broncos, co-hosts Idaho Sports Talk with Bob & Chris weekdays from 1-3 p.m. on KTIK 93.1 FM The Ticket. He can be found @BSUBob (Twitter).