BY BOB BEHLER

Boise State’s game at Colorado State on Saturday will be the Broncos toughest of the last three.  The defense will be challenged by an offense that runs and passes equally well.  The Rams have three playmakers – quarterback Nick Stevens, receiver Michael Gallup and running back Dalyn Dawkins.  Gallup and Dawkins are one of two pairs of 1,000-yard receiver/rusher combos in college football.  Oklahoma State has the other in Justice Hill and James Washington.

The Boise State defense has made things difficult to move the ball, and unlike last season, has forced turnovers, getting eight in the last five games.  Couple that with Boise State’s offense not giving the ball away and you have a team that is plus-8 in turnover margin.  All of this has led to great field position … and if you start your drives further up the field than your opponent, think of that as getting a few free first downs every time you have the ball.

The Broncos’ offense has been on fire of late and one of the reasons is that they sustain drives by converting third downs. In its five-game winning streak, Boise State is 52 percent on third downs compared to 37 percent in the first four games.  Coach Bryan Harsin hasn’t lost a game as Boise State’s head coach when his team converts 50 percent or better on third down.

The turnover battle, getting off the field on third downs, and sustaining your drives on third downs are the keys to beating the Rams.  If the Bronco team that has shown up the last five weeks comes to play in Fort Collins, rack up a sixth straight victory.

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).