Washington Huskies (0-0) vs Boise State Broncos (0-0)
Game Info: Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 3:30 pm (Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium)
Betting Odds: Washington Huskies -14 -- Over/Under: 60.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Boise State Broncos will make the trip to Seattle to face the Washington Huskies in non-conference play this weekend from Husky Stadium on ABC. Washington leads the head-to-head series, 3-2, after a Las Vegas Bowl victory over Boise State back in 2019, that also happened to be Chris Petersen’s head coaching finale. Petersen put the Broncos on the map before revitalizing a struggling Huskies program over the course of his 14-year career.
Boise State Broncos Preview
Boise State went 10-4 last season, with a 8-0 record in Mountain West play. The Broncos got back to their winning ways after an early season quarterback change, and they’ll look to add another victory to the notable list of Power Five wins. Boise scored 29.5 points per game, while passing for 254.5 yards per game, and rushing for 107.3 ypg.
• Taylen Green returns as the starter for Boise State. The sophomore quarterback took over the QB1 spot in October and didn’t look back, leading the Broncos back to the top of the Mountain West. Green passed for 1,905 yards, with 13 touchdowns to six interceptions, while rushing for 467 yards and eight scores thru eleven starts in 2022.
• George Holani returns after a strong junior season that saw him lead Boise in rushing with 1,133 yards and ten touchdowns.
• Latrell Caples and Stefan Cobbs will lead the wideout group. Caples led the team with 51 catches for 549 receiving yards and four touchdowns, while Cobbs caught 29 passes for 396 yards.
• The Boise defense allowed 19.5 ppg last season.
Washington Huskies Preview
Washington went 11-2 last year, with a 7-2 record in Pac-12 play. The Huskies bounced back in a big way during Kalen DeBoer’s first season, improving by seven wins, and they’ll look to bring the same kind of play here in 2023. Washington scored 39.7 points per game, while passing for 369.8 yards per game, and rushing for 146.1 ypg.
• Stud quarterback Michael Penix Jr. returns for UW. The senior signal caller came over from Indiana last year and was a key to a program’s big turnaround. Penix Jr. led one of the best passing attacks in the country, totaling 4,354 yards, with 29 touchdowns to seven interceptions during the 2022 campaign.
• Dillon Johnson transferred in from the vaunted Air Raid at Mississippi State led by former UW rival Mike Leach, and he brings a versatile skill set that allowed him to rush for 488 yards, and catch 48 passes for 285 receiving yards.
• The Huskies return four of their top five receivers, including studs Jalen McMillan and Rome Odunze. McMillan had a terrific sophomore season, bringing in 79 receptions for 1,098 yards and nine touchdowns. Odunze had six 100-yard performances, and he finished with 75 catches for 1,045 receiving yards and seven scores.
• The Washington defense allowed 25.8 ppg in 2022.
Corey’s Free Pick
Chris Petersen won’t be the only one to enjoy both sides of this contest, as this class of styles could wind up giving up the best game of the weekend. Boise’s physical approach will be put to the test by Washington’s Air Raid, and if the visitors aren’t able to keep up, they may be in trouble. The return of Michael Penix Jr. puts the Huskies in national title contention, and with this being their home opener, and lone notable home non-conference game, they can put the country on notice with a strong performance here. Back Washington at home for this non-conference matchup, and give the Under a look, as the number is high for a season opener.
Corey’s Pick Washington -14
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
