BOISE STATE DEFENSIVE BACKS VS. FRESNO STATE WIDE RECEIVERS

The Boise State defense has faced quite a mix of attacks this season. What it hasn’t seen — a proven set of playmakers at wide receiver.

That changes today in what looks like the most intriguing matchup of the game — Boise State’s confident, talented defensive backs against Fresno State’s fast receivers, who get the ball from red-hot quarterback Derek Carr.

“This is, by far, the best combination of quarterback and receivers (we’ve faced),” Boise State coach Chris Petersen said. “The Miami of Ohio guy was a good thrower, but he didn’t have the surrounding talent that these guys have, so that changes things tremendously.”

The Bulldogs average 315.5 passing yards per game. They lead the nation with four receivers who have caught at least three TD passes.

The Broncos rank ninth in the nation in pass-efficiency defense and haven’t allowed a quarterback to throw a TD pass.

“Any time a team comes out and they have that many passing yards per game, it puts the monkey on our back,” Boise State senior cornerback Jamar Taylor said. “We have to go out there and fly around and make plays and show that we can play with these guys.”