By Jeff Caves
The blueprint to stopping the Boise State offense has been on display plenty this season. Pressure Rypien with extra rushers. Dare ‘em to run the ball. Take away the run with an extra man in the box. Make ‘em execute long drives without making long throws. It has all worked at times but Boise State has made a few key long drives and lots of big plays to overcome those strategies. For the most part. Scratch OK State and San Diego State.
It’s like the Paul J buffet for Fresno State. Chicken or steak fajitas? Red or green salsa? Sour cream? Burritos or rice bowl? Iced tea or water? Extra beans and rice or spare the fat sportswriter sitting next to you? Seems like Bert Watts, in his first FBS defensive coordinator job, has limitless options. Me and a lot of fans couldn’t help but think of that as the Broncos escaped with a 5 point win over BYU 21-16.
And that’s just the main course.
The dessert is a choice between cookies and brownies and a Bronco defense that will be down 2-6 starters (Moa/Pierce-out, Lui/Whimpey-?, Miles/Hatada-50-50) and an offense that could be without John Hightower (left with a leg injury-my guess an ankle) and his 8 explosive touchdowns.
So, how does Fresno State like to play defense? Well, thank you.
Fresno St likes to get their most athletic guys on the field. They will play with 2 true defensive lineman, often in a 3 or 4 man front, with a stand up defensive end. The Bulldogs will drop 8 into pass coverage, just like BYU, but they will bring more blitz packages at Rypien similar to San Diego State. They are vulnerable to having the run right at them when they line up this way DOWNHILL. They are long and athletic in the secondary making the passing windows tighter. They have tremendous speed to the ball so throws need to be on a rope and delivered early. Fresno St. head coach Jeff Tedford has a lot of confidence in his defense and will punt the ball knowing that his group can get it back with good field position for his explosive offense. Fresno St. has a lot of the same linebackers and secondary back from 2018. They are even better on paper.
What happened in last years’ two games?
Not much.
The Boise St. offense averaged 17 points, 100 yards rushing and 275 passing. Looks like the defense will have to do more than a goal line stand to beat Fresno State. The Bulldog defense is pulling up a chair at the Paul J buffet Friday night.
