BOISE STATE VS. SOUTHERN MISS’ SPEED

The same theme emerges every time Boise State heads to the South for a game.

“This might be overall the best athletic team that we’ve faced,” Boise State linebackers coach Bob Gregory said.

The Broncos have good speed themselves, but haven’t seen many fearsome offensive players so far this season. They did have trouble handling BYU quarterback Taysom Hill’s quickness.

Southern Miss has three players who have contributed a run of at least 35 yards and three receivers with catches of at least 30 yards. Kickoff returner Tracy Lampley is one of the nation’s best, although most teams avoid kicking him the ball on punts.

“Their schemes are very good and they’ve got some electrifying players,” Boise State coach Chris Petersen said.

That’s true of the defense, too, which ranked 29th in yards allowed and 26th in points allowed last season but has misfired this year.

“We’ve got a switch,” defensive end Jamie Collins said. “We click it on and off sometimes. We get complacent. We just have to finish and keep that switch on all game.”