Talented Broncos eye a title
Boise State has long been one of the most dominant Group of 5 teams in college football.
The loaded Broncos could push UCF and other potent teams for the top of the Group of 5 mountain and earn a spot in a College Football Playoff access bowl.
As a result, Boise State is No. 22 in Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel’s preseason 2018 college football rankings. Murschel ranked all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 129 to our projected No. 1 team.
State Boise
Bryan Harsin (42-12, entering fifth season; 49-24 overall)
11-3, 7-1 in Mountain West; first in Mountain Division
Boise State coach Bryan Harsin faced a major challenge in 2014, replacing record-setting coach Chris Petersen. While the Broncos had an elite roster and ability to consistently recruit top talent, Petersen raised expectations and turned anything but undefeated seasons into a bit of a disappointment.
Harsin has fallen short of perfection, but he has helped Boise State win the Mountain West title with a young lineup last season. The Broncos fell early in the season 47-44 in triple overtime on the road against Washington State. The team stumbled against Virginia and Fresno State before defeating the Bulldogs in a rematch in the Mountain West championship game. Boise State closed the year with a 38-28 win over Oregon in the Las Vegas Bowl and finished the 2017 season
ranked No. 22 in top 25 polls. 1
6
WR Cedrick Wilson, TE Jake Roh,
OL Mason Hampton, OL Archie Lewis, LB Leighton Vander Esch
QB Brett Rypien, RB Alexander Mattison, DL Curtis Weaver, DL Jabril Frazier, DL David Moa, LB Tyson Maeva, DB Tyler Horton, DB Kekoa Nawahine, PR Avery Williams Quarterback Brett Rypien returns for his senior season. He suffered a head injury against Washington State and later struggled against Virginia. Once he fully recovered and got more help from both his defense and the rushing attack, Rypien looked sharp and played a big role in the Broncos’ run to a Mountain West title.
He’ll work with a more seasoned offensive line and strong rushing threat in Alexander Mattison.
The team is loaded on defense, returning 10 starters. The defensive line features three strong leaders in Curtis Weaver, Jabril Frazier and David Moa.
If Rypien suffers another head injury, it could be challenging for the still relatively young Boise State offense to fill in for him.
The Broncos’ offense must offset the loss of a few key playmakers in receiver Cedrick Wilson and tight end Jake Roh.
Boise State has learned perfection doesn’t come easily and will be tested often by talented Mountain West foes San Diego State and Fresno State.
It’s no surprise balanced Boise State is the favorite to win the Mountain West title. But the team isn’t unbeatable. The Broncos have to limit turnovers and injuries to win back-to-back championships while making a run at the Group of 5 crown.