Utah State Aggies (3-0) vs Boise State Broncos (1-2)
Game Info: Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 12:00 pm (Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium)
Betting Odds: Utah State Aggies +9 -- Over/Under: 70 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Boise State Broncos will travel to Maverik Stadium to take on the Utah State Aggies this Saturday afternoon in College Football action.
The Boise State Broncos dropped to 1-2 on the season after being defeated by the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 21-20, this past Saturday. Oklahoma State scored 14 unanswered points late in the 2nd quarter to take a 21-20 halftime lead and the defense was able to help the Cowboys hold on the victory late in the 2nd half after blocking a Boise State 36-yard FG with just 2:05 left in regulation. Boise State outgained Oklahoma State by a 336-303 margin and lost the turnover battle by a 2-1 margin in the loss. Leading the way for the Broncos was QB Hank Bachmeier who completed 22 of 34 passes for 242 yards, 1 TD, & 1 INT.
On the season, Boise State is averaging 35.0 ppg on 349.0 total yards per game (281.7 passing yds/g; 67.3 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Boise State has been led by QB Hank Bachmeier who has completed 66.0% of his passes for 845 yards, 5 TD, & 2 INT. The top receiving threats for the Broncos have been Khalil Shakir (20 rec, 335 yards, 2 TD), Stefan Cobbs (5 rec, 124 yards, TD), Octavius Evans (10 rec, 116 yards), & Davis Koetter (4 rec, 56 yards, TD). Leading the way for the Broncos backfield has been the trio of Cyrus Habibi-Likio (23 att, 61 yards, TD), George Holani (17 att, 50 yards, TD), & Andrew Van Buren (18 att, 37 yards, 3 TD).
Defensively, Boise State is allowing their opponents to average 23.3 ppg on 415.0 total yards per game (213.3 passing yds/g; 201.7 rushing yds/g).
The Utah State Aggies improved to 3-0 on the season after defeating the Air Force Falcons, 49-45, this past Saturday. Utah State trailed by a 45-34 margin early in the 4th quarter, however, the Aggies were strong down the stretch and was able to secure the win after a 61-yard TD run by Calvin Tyler Jr. gave the Aggies the lead for good with just 3:54 left in regulation. Utah State outgained Air Force by a 628-619 margin and won the turnover battle by a 2-1 margin. Leading the way for the Aggies was the QB duo of Logan Bonner & Andrew Peasley who combined to complete 31 of 49 passes for 448 yards, 5 TD, & 1 INT.
On the season, Utah State is averaging 41.0 ppg on 563.3 total yards per game (357.0 passing yds/g; 206.3 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Utah State has been led by the QB duo of Logan Bonner (64.8 Comp %, 786 yards, 7 TD, & 3 INT) & Andrew Peasley (58.1 Comp %, 285 yards, 3 TD). The top receiving threats for the Aggies have been Deven Thompkins (25 rec, 454 yards, 3 TD), Brandon Bowling (16 rec, 264 yards, 3 TD), Justin McGriff (12 rec, 130 yards, TD), & Derek Wright (9 rec, 124 yards, 2 TD). Leading the way for the Utah State backfield has been Calvin Tyler Jr. who had 288 yards & 4 TD on 47 carries.
Defensively, Utah State is allowing their opponents to average 30.7 ppg on 472.7 total yards per game (255.7 passing yds/g; 217.0 rushing yds/g).
The Broncos are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a road favorite. The Aggies are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games in September and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Boise State is a solid team that is going to have some offensive success in this one, however, they are a bit one-dimensional on the offensive end and their defense has struggled as they come into this game ranked just 95th in total defense. Utah State can score with the best of them as they have a balanced attack and two above-average QB’s and between the fact that I think they should have success against the Broncos defense and that they will be playing in front of their home crowd, I think the Aggies do enough at worst with the points to cover.
Brett’s Pick Utah State Aggies +9
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05