Boise State Broncos vs. Fresno State Bulldogs Preview and Pick – Point Spread

No. 12 Boise State Broncos (2-0) 1-0 ATS, 0-2 O/U at Fresno State Bulldogs (1-1) 1-0 ATS, 1-0 O/U Friday September 18, 2009
by Wilson of Predictem.com

Point Spread: Boise State -7.5, Fresno State +7.5
Over/Under: 54

Kellen Moore and the No. 12 Boise State Broncos improved to 2-0 Saturday night after shutting out the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks 48-0. It was a slow start for the Broncos but after Austin Pettis blocked a punt which set up a Moore to Titus Young touchdown it was suddenly 20-0 at the half.

Boise State visits the Fresno State Bulldogs this Thursday night for their first road game of the young season. The Bulldogs are traditionally tough at home but can they handle the high octane offense of the Broncos? Only time will tell, but the Broncos are just as great on defense as they are on offense.

The Broncos are flying high after their first two wins as they also beat Oregon on the blue turf last week 19-8. If Kellen Moore keeps getting the opportunities to hit open receivers he might just break some national records by the time hes a junior. Moore went off for another four touchdown performance this past weekend against the Redhawks. He threw for over 300 yards on 16 of 26 pass attempts. Meanwhile the Broncos running game continues to take shape with D.J. Harper gaining 89 yards on 13 carries as Boise State is trying to balance out more of a run threat to secure Moores passing game even more (no pun intended).

Boise State is averaging nearly 33.5 points per game in their first two outings while their defense is only giving up 4 points per game! Yes, 4 points. Big playmakers for the Broncos continue to cause concern for other defenses. Titus young and Austin Pettis both had over 100 yards receiving and combined for three touchdowns. While these numbers were compiled on the “blue turf”, between Moore and his arsenal of choice, the Broncos will be tough to beat at home or on the road.

Fresno State is coming into this weeks contest extremely hungry for a win especially against the Broncos. The Bulldogs lost a heartbreaker at Wisconsin last week after taking the Badgers to overtime but dropped the game 34-31. The Bulldogs are averaging 41 points per game although their first opponent was UC Davis, and they shut them out 51-0.

Bulldogs QB Ryan Colburn can find the endzone as he tossed four TDs on 22 of 36 for 289 yards but he did throw three interceptions. Fresno State was impressive offensively, and they actually had more total yards (468) than the Badgers (413).

The Bulldogs will be looking to knock off one of the hottest teams and programs in college football this decade in Boise State. Fresno States chances at home are not too bad as they have a solid group of athletes and a great coaching staff who is certainly losing sleep this week in preparation for the short turn around game. I like the matchup between Moore of Boise State and the Bulldogs Colburn. We all know the QB is the key to the engine and sometimes both engines run smooth but sooner or later one of them has to miss or stall.

Its almost too early to call out a defense but its hard to imagine that Boise States defense is not more dominant than Fresno States guys. The Bulldogs gave up 34 to the Badgers while the Broncos only allowed 8 to No. 16 Oregon and zero to Miami (Ohio).

I like Fresno State at home usually, but this is not a usual situation as the Broncos are on a serious mission; this could be the Broncos last test before clearing the table and earning a shot at the National Championship Game.

Wilsons Pick: Pat Hill ALWAYS has his guys fired up to play at home. Look for the Bulldogs to cover in a game that’ll be closer than most think. Boise State 24, Fresno State 21. Luck to ya