College Football Lines: Boise State at Idaho

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There is a lot more at stake than an in-state rivalry when the undefeated Boise State Broncos head to Moscow to face the Idaho Vandals in a WAC matchup on Friday night. The Broncos will look to keep their BCS Championship Game hopes alive by winning this game, and the remainder of their schedule. And while the Broncos will hope for some help in other games over the next few weeks, they know that if they don’t take of their own business, it won’t matter what else happens.

Boise State (8-0, 4-0) at Idaho (4-5, 1-3), Friday 9PM EST ESPN2

Our college football odds show the Broncos at -34 ½ over the Vandals with a total of 63.

This is the backdrop for which the Broncos look to extend their nation-best 22-game winning streak, and will also look to continue their dominance in this rivalry with Idaho. Boise State has won 11 straight times in this series, and haven’t lost a game on the Vandals home field since 1995.

The Broncos are led by Heisman Trophy candidate Kellen Moore. The senior quarterback has been terrific again this season in leading the Broncos offense, throwing for 2,372 yards and 21 touchdowns to just four interceptions while completing 71.8 percent of his passes. It helps to have talented receivers to throw the ball to, and in the Broncos case, they have two of the best in the entire country, both of whom hail from southern California.

Titus Young, from Los Angeles, leads the team in receptions with 42 and yards with 749, averaging 17.8 yards per catch. Austin Pettis hails from Anaheim, and has recorded 38 receptions for 564 yards and a team leading six touchdowns.

The Broncos can also move the ball on the ground, as Doug Martin leads the team with 749 yards gained, producing at a remarkable 6.7 yards per carry pace. Jeremy Avery leads the team with nine rushing touchdowns, and the Broncos are ranked fourth in the nation in total offense at 543.5 yards per game.

The defense provides a group effort, but several individuals stand out including: leading tackler George Iloka with 43 tackles; defensive tackle Byron Hout with 33 tackles including four for loss; and Shea McClellin who leads the club with 6 ½ quarterback sacks.

Idaho will not roll over though, and brings a potent offense themselves to engage in the battle. They have a solid triggerman in quarterback Nathan Enderle, who has passed for 2,506 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 57.2 percent of his passes. His main target is Daniel Hardy, who has caught 32 passes for 545 yards.  Justin Veltung has accounted for eight touchdown receptions on just 20 overall catches.

Idaho will need to be more careful with the ball in this game, as they have committed 23 turnovers this season, and will look to stop a two-game losing slide. Defensively, watch for Aaron Lavarias. The senior defensive end has recorded team highs in tackles for loss with 12 and in quarterback sacks with eight for the Vandals.

Matt’s Free Prediction: Boise State 48 – Idaho 13

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