Game Facts

  • Date: Tomorrow, September 26th @1:30PM MST
  • Location: Waldo Stadium (Kalamazoo, MI)
  • Weather at kickoff: 70°
  • Moon Phase: Full Moon
  • Odds: Boise State by 7
  • TV: ESPN2
  • Radio: 670 KBOI/Here or Stream
  • Commentators: Jay Alter (Play by play), Tom Luginbill (Analyst), and Lauren Sisler (Sideline)

Other facts

1. Gamedayyyy

Hey, it’s the G6 playoff that everyone has been talking about.

2. Injury Report

No injury report til conference play (I think? Maybe that was just the Mountain West?) If I had to make some educated guesses I’d expect Carreon to play after he finished the game last week. Gaines and JVM are true toss-ups though. Gaines has been said to get limited work and I’m not sure about JVM. It’ll be a fun ‘lil surprise tomorrow.

3. THREADZ

The moment you all were waiting for, Broncos will be going with the Blue helmets and white pants. How about that? This is the first time in school history this color combination has been worn (aside from the other times it’s been worn).

4. Jeanty Legacy

Throwing up one of my own graphs real quick. Dylan Riley ranks SECOND nationally in yards after contact. Starting to think he’s getting the hang of this football thing.

5. Remember When?

Throwback to a time when the Broncos played a team that was considered a top team out of the MAC, and one team looked much MUCH better…

Streaks

Boise State – Won 2

Western Michigan – Won 9

WMU hasn’t lost a game since October 25th at Miami Ohio, including a 12-7 win over Michigan in Ann Arbor this year. They’ve got a great squad.

Best Name On Their Roster

Munachimdainanma Newman-Nwodik, OL

Source: wmubroncos.com

Now say that ten times fast. Or even one times fast, honestly..

Best Picture On Their Roster

KJ Kotalik, OL

wmubroncos.com

KJ wins by virtue of facial hair that I hadn’t even really considered before. It’s kinda like a Hunger Games Seneca Crane type of deal.

Players To Watch

Aveion Chenault, WR

I think under normal circumstances I would pick their Senior RB, but the level of concern I have for our pass defense at the moment is substantial. Chenault boast 13 catches for 216 yards this season, with multiple catches over 30 yards… He boasts a top-30 WR grade for PFF and all I want is for us to not make him look like a Heisman candidate.

Dillon Moore, LB

WMU’s heartbeat is its defense, and to not continue that metaphor, Dillon Moore runs that show. He was everywhere against Michigan, including a key interception in their season-opening win. The (good) Broncos will want to run the ball, and they’ll have to get past Dillon Moore.

Matchup(s) to Watch

Source: gameonpaper.com

A little bit later we’ll talk about the other side of the ball, but I’m intrigued by the disparity here from the Boise State offense to the Western Michigan defense on the bottom half of this table.

Boise has success on early downs and getting into 3rd and manageable, but struggles to convert (also has just played comparatively good teams). Western Michigan on the other hand gives up a lot on early downs, forcing them into 3rd and short, but they have been stout on those chances. If the Broncos can’t convert those 3rd downs, they will be in deep trouble.

Keys to Victory

Pass Defense, pls

I said this last week and came away deeply disappointed. On paper, Western Michigan is a good matchup for the Broncos. They are not a prolific passing team. And yet, that doesn’t really reassure me. I want to see something, this is getting ridiculous.

Win the Early Downs
Source: gameonpaper.com

In one of the most fascinating splits I’ve ever seen, the Boise State Broncos are 2nd-last in the country in giving up huge plays on first and second down, but 3rd down? They are lockdown. Legit #1 in the country. Perhaps the solution here is to call all downs “money downs”?

Score Prediction

The Broncos are a good team, but I just don’t think they’re as good as the Broncos (good guys). Kalamazoo will likely be a zoo, and honestly that sounds great. It’s good for college football. But this is the matchup for us, and we’ve got a team that’s been battle-tested already. Really, it’s a de-facto playoff game. The boys in blue & orange won’t disappoint.

Boise State 31, Western Michigan 21

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