SDSU vs. Boise State: Game Preview, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction
Hank Bachmeier shocked Boise State fan base last week by leaving the Broncos and entering the transfer portal.
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The offensively challenged Aztecs head out to play the offensively challenged Broncos to kick off Mountain West conference play.
WEEK 5: San Diego State Aztecs (2-2, 0-0 MW) vs. Boise State Broncos (2-2, 1-0 MW)
WHEN: Friday, September 30th — 5:00 p.m. PST / 6:00 p.m. MST
WHERE: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID (36,387)
WEATHER: Partly cloudy, temps ranging 59 degrees
TV: FS1
LIVE STREAM: fuboTV (Watch for free)
RADIO: 101.5 KGB / XTRA 1360 / iHeart Radio App / SiriusXM ch. 383
SERIES RECORD: This will be the 8th matchup between the Aztecs and Broncos. SDSU maintains a 4-3 series lead.
LAST MEETING: SDSU defeated the Broncos at Dignity Health Sports Park Stadium in Carson, CA, 27-16 in on November 26, 2021.
WEBSITES: GoAztecs.com, the official San Diego State athletics website
ODDS: Broncos -5
OVER/UNDER: 39
Boise, ID- Mountain West play begins for San Diego State, as the Aztecs head out to Boise State to face the Broncos at Albertsons Stadium.
The two historically dominant teams have both gotten off to very shaky beginnings this season, and have struggled to maintain 2-2 records.
Boise State is a 5-point favorite over the Aztecs for Friday night’s game, but the Aztecs have had Boise State’s number on the blue turf.
WHY THE BRONCOS WILL WIN
The Aztecs have struggled to get their offense up and running. If Braxton Burmeister fails to deliver again, an enormous burden will fall on defense and special teams. Burmeister has not connected consistently with receivers Jesse Matthews or 6’6″ Tyrell Shavers. He has instead, handed off the ball with three-and-out results for the most part.
WHY THE AZTECS WILL WIN
The Broncos are adjusting to the sudden news that their quarterback Hank Bachmeier left the team and entered the transfer portal. That is an incredible confidence killer, and is likely to cause every Bronco to think about what that truly means.
Another confidence killer was Boise State’s disappointing 27-10 loss last week at UTEP. It was considered one of Boise State’s worst losses in a generation.
Under second-year head coach Andy Avalos, offense has been a problem. Avalos reacted swiftly to UTEP’s loss, and terminated offensive coordinator Tim Plough immediately afterward.
Dirk Koetter was named to replace Plough. Koetter has served as an offensive coordinator for five college teams and three NFL teams, so he brings substantial experience.
All in all, Boise State’s house is not in order, and because of it the Aztecs might be able to go into Albertsons stadium and collect another road win.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN
The Broncos are re-grouping after losing their star quarterback and having to make the painful decision to let their offensive coordinator go. In light of the Aztecs’ own quarterback and general offensive problems, their defense and special teams will help make up the difference.
The Aztecs will come off with their third straight win against Boise State, and the Broncos will have to contend with rebuilding so that they may live up to their powerhouse brand of football that has defined them for the past couple of decades.
San Diego State will escape with a narrow victory, and hopefully their uniforms won’t sustain too many blue stains.
Final Score: Aztecs 20, Broncos 14