Hawaii Warriors (7-2 SU, 8-1 ATS) vs. Boise State Broncos (7-0 SU, 5-2 ATS), 3:30 pm EST, College Football Week 10, November 6, 2010, Bronco Stadium, Boise, Idaho
By Scotty L of Predictem.com
Betting Odds: UH +21.5/BSU 21.5
Over/Under Total: OFF
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Boise State continues their quest for a national championship, as they host the resurgent Hawaii Warriors in a pivotal WAC game. Hawaii lost 2 of their first 3 games, but has won 6 straight games and is undefeated at 5-0 in conference play. They look to shock the high-powered Boise State squad on Saturday. It wont be easy.
BSU is playing with a fine edge this season and is by far the better-rounded team. Lets give credit to Hawaii for turning their team around, after going 13-13 in the past 2 years. This season, they are looking like a typical good Hawaii teamsuspect defense with a super high-powered passing attack. They are a dangerous team once again.
One might have been willing to write off Hawaiis surge, until they defeated Nevada. Prior to the season, Nevada was widely hailed as Boise States toughest conference rival and considered a tough matchup for the Broncos. While that may still be the case, Hawaiis win over a top-20 Nevada throws a different light on things. Hawaii must now be viewed as a threat. Boise State better not be looking ahead and something tells me they wont be.
There has been little letdown during this period in the Boise State season. They beat what most felt would be their two toughest opponents in Virginia Tech and Oregon State, but have given no quarter as they settled into the easier part of their conference schedule. They didnt cover in their last game against Louisiana State, but for the most part, they have approached these conference games with a head of steam.
Boise State spreads the ball around to any of its many playmakers. Running backs Doug Martin and Jeremy Avery each have 6 rushing touchdowns. Receivers Titus Young and Austin Pettis are putting up big numbers. At the helm we have quarterback Kellen Mooreone of the most thoughtful and efficient field generals in the nation. With 18 touchdowns against only 2 interceptions, Moore is getting the job done with aplomb without giving the opposing defenses an in.
Boise State has not played the toughest opposition, but their defense has been excellent. The Broncos D is ranked in the top 5 in all major categories except passing yards allowedwhich they are ranked 8th. This defense will be tested on Saturday. Hawaii has the nations top-ranked passing attack. Quarterback Bryant Moniz has already passed for an obscene 3247 yards and 25 touchdowns. Main target Greg Salas has already caught 81 balls for over 1200 yards. Running back Alex Green has 11 rushing touchdowns on only 71 carries. A defense that has largely bent without breaking has allowed the Rainbows to cover an incredible 8 out of 9 games, including 6 straight.
Boise State would be well advised to view Hawaii as a fellow undefeated conference rival they need to be at their best to beat. If they just look at Hawaii like a trivial step on their way to an undefeated season, they could run into problems. A team like Hawaii can hypnotize themselves to play 4 tough quarters and threaten the Broncos, but that would require a loss of edge on the Broncos part. Hawaii is not the type of team you want to be facing when playing with a deficit of spirit.
Scotty Ls Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Neglected by the BCS, Boise State cannot afford to take weeks off. They need to leave it all on the field and let the chips fall where they may. Now sitting on the outside of a national championship opportunity at #3, this team still has something to prove. It would be surprising if anything less than a 100% Broncos squad showed up on Saturday. They simply do not have the privilege to coast.
Hawaii has looked like theyre ice-skating, with their opponents stuck in the mud. That changes on Saturday. This season, the Hawaii D has allowed 49 points to USC, 28 to Army, 31 to Colorado, and 27 to Fresno State. Facing the Broncos at home, look for that number to spike. Then again, if Boise State gave up 21 to Louisiana Tech, Hawaii could put up a number in the 30s.
The oddsmakers have failed to give Hawaii any respect and that doesn’t change this week with this four score line (-21.5). Boise is a solid team, HOWEVER, if they do have any weakness, it’s in pass defense and that’s exactly what their going to see Saturday. Take the Hawaii Warriors to cover the point spread!
