Who has the edge and players to watch as Boise State opens Mountain West play

WHO HAS THE EDGE?

When the Broncos run the ball

Including the last four games of 2017, Boise State has rushed for 112 yards or fewer in six of its past seven contests. The Broncos had a similarly slow start last September, but after a bye, got it going a bit. After just 34 yards at Oklahoma State, they’ll need to improve.

Wyoming has been a mixed bag, allowing 66 yards rushing the first two weeks against pass-focused teams, and 424 against Missouri and Wofford. The Cowboys don’t allow a ton of big runs, giving up just three of 30-plus in 2017 and one so far this season.

“They lay it all on the line to stop the run, that’s what they want to do, they want to put guys down in the box. ... They’ve got a good scheme,” Boise State offensive coordinator Zak Hill said.

Advantage: Push

When the Broncos pass the ball

Boise State senior quarterback Brett Rypien has been excellent, completing 71.3 percent of his passes for 1,047 yards with 10 TDs and no interceptions. He entered the week No. 12 nationally in pass efficiency (179.4) and has five receivers with nine or more catches.

Protection was a major issue in the Broncos’ last game, yielding seven sacks. Wyoming has five sacks, a bit of a surprise with a veteran defense. The Cowboys were second in the nation last season with 20 interceptions and have three so far in 2018. The Cowboys are 79th in pass efficiency defense.

“They do a good job of keeping things in front of them, so it’s not like it’s easy windows in the pass game,” Rypien said.

Advantage: Boise State

When the Cowboys run the ball

Wyoming is a pro-style, power-run team that will employ fullbacks, multiple tight ends, you name it. The Cowboys average 38.3 carries per game and get their top rusher back. Three players have more than 150 yards rushing thus far.

Through three games, Boise State is allowing 140.7 yards per game on the ground, but just 3.5 yards per carry subtracting a 55-yarder allowed late at Oklahoma State. A major focus during the bye was cleaning up missed chances that let OSU get ahead of the sticks.

“It is tackle football and we didn’t tackle well ... and (the Cowboys) do a great job identifying where numbers are and attacking,” Boise State defensive coordinator Andy Avalos said.

Advantage: Push

When the Cowboys pass the ball

There is not the array of weapons Josh Allen had two years ago in Laramie — only one player has double-digit receptions. The line has yielded eight sacks, and QB Tyler Vander Waal is completing 53.2 percent of his passes for 147 ypg. TE Austin Fort’s return is a boost.

Even with senior CB Tyler Horton out last game, the Broncos kept Oklahoma State in check and rarely are beaten by passers without much production. The Cowboys will look to create one-on-ones and use bootlegs to keep Boise State honest, but after frustrating Allen last year, the Broncos are confident.

“If we approach it like we did a first-round draft pick ... I think we have a good chance,” Boise State defensive tackle David Moa said.

Advantage: Boise State

Special teams

Well, it can’t get worse for Boise State, can it? The Broncos had two punts blocked at Oklahoma State, both quickly turned into touchdowns. They haven’t made a field goal on both road attempts, and when getting a punt off, they are averaging just 35.9 yards.

“We’re going to have a chance to reprove ourselves ... and it should be different,” Boise State coach Bryan Harsin said.

Wyoming kicker Cooper Rothe is 6-of-6 on field goals, but punter Tim Zaleski’s 38.4 yards per punt on 31 attempts is 72nd of the 89 punters averaging 3.6 punts per game. If returner Tyler Hall is healthy, he could make an impact (two TDs in 2017).

Advantage: Wyoming

PLAYERS TO WATCH

BOISE STATE

Chase Blakley, TE

A senior from Coeur d’Alene, he doubled his career production in one game at Oklahoma State. Coming in with three career catches for 44 yards (one at Wyoming in 2016), he had six for 30 yards and his first touchdown Sept. 15.

“It’s awesome for him, you just never know in a game how the flow is going to go. ... It helps anybody that has some success, especially early in the game. That’s great confidence for him,” Hill said.

Curtis Weaver, STUD

The sophomore surprised a lot of people last season, racking up 11 sacks last season, but not so this year. Weaver has been productive when he’s been on the field — all three tackles made have been for losses, including a sack. He had two sacks in 2017 against Wyoming.

“He’s still a young player, if someone is a freshman and does something well, you’ve got to keep developing. ... Each week he prepares himself better than last year, he’s still playing fast, playing physical,” Harsin said.

Khalil Shakir, WR

A highly touted, versatile true freshman, Shakir has shown exactly why he was a four-star recruit, with four carries for 31 yards, three catches for 34 yards and five punt returns for 60 yards. His maturity has been praised and will help him be used in all sorts of ways.

“I think he’s doing a good job of handling it all. Obviously he’s a great player, a great athlete and somebody that’s going to be a force to be reckoned with the next four years,” Rypien said.

WYOMING

Nico Evans, RB

A 5-9, 211-pound senior, Evans has waited his turn to be a feature back, coming into the season with 36 carries for 108 yards. He flew past that with 190 yards in the season opener and had 89 yards the following week before a rib injury in the third quarter. He’s missed the past two games but should be healthy enough to play against Boise State.

“Without question, Nico is our most talented running back and that was evident during the first couple games,” Wyoming coach Craig Bohl said.

Andrew Wingard, S

The nation’s leading active tackler with 399, the ultra-productive senior also has eight career interceptions. A two-time first-team All-Mountain West selection, the flowing blond locks are how some may know him, but Boise State knows the player very well.

“He’s having a good year, obviously had a great career ... excited to play him one last time,” Rypien said.

Carl Granderson, DE

After racking up 9.5 sacks last season and earning first-team All-MW honors, the 6-5, 255-pound Sacramento native does not yet have one this season. But the Broncos are coming off a game in which they allowed seven sacks, so neutralizing Granderson is key.

“He’s a really good ballplayer, has a ton of experience and is a good pass rusher,” Hill said. “I’m sure they’re going to find ways to try to get him one on one with some of our linemen.”

BOISE STATE DEPTH CHART

Quarterback

4 Brett Rypien, 6-2, 202 (Sr.)

10 Chase Cord, 6-2, 206 (RFr.)

9 Jaylon Henderson, 6-1, 211 (Jr.)

Running back

22 Alexander Mattison, 5-11, 211 (Jr.)

34 Robert Mahone, 5-10, 204 (So.)

31 Skyler Seibold, 6-1, 207 (Sr.)

Wide receiver

8 Sean Modster, 5-11, 189 (Sr.)

1 Octavius Evans, 6-1, 199 (So.) OR

16 John Hightower, 6-2, 183 (Jr.)

Wide receiver

6 CT Thomas, 5-8, 171 (So.)

81 Akilian Butler, 5-10, 192 (Jr.)

Wide receiver

7 A.J. Richardson, 6-0, 209 (Sr.)

2 Khalil Shakir, 6-0, 186 (Fr.)

Tight end

86 Chase Blakley, 6-4, 239 (Sr.)

85 John Bates, 6-6, 246 (So.)

47 Matt Pistone, 6-3, 244 (Jr.)

5 Garrett Collingham, 6-4, 229 (Jr.)

Left tackle

76 Ezra Cleveland, 6-6, 309 (So.)

69 Austin Dixon, 6-6, 289 (So.)

Left guard

77 John Molchon, 6-5, 310 (Jr.)

68 Jake Stetz, 6-2, 296 (RFr.)

Center

67 Garrett Larson, 6-4, 298 (Jr.)

71 Donte Harrington, 6-2, 306 (So.)

Right guard

79 Eric Quevedo, 6-4, 295 (Jr.)

66 Isiah Moore, 6-4, 292 (Jr.) OR

65 Zachary Troughton, 6-6, 322 (Sr.)

Right tackle

78 Andres Preciado, 6-6, 295 (Sr.)

70 John Ojukwu, 6-6, 297 (RFr.)

Defensive end

91 Durrant Miles, 6-6, 261 (Sr.)

93 Chase Hatada, 6-3, 253 (Jr.) OR

45 Kayode Rufai, 6-4, 255 (So.)

Nose tackle

98 Sonatane Lui, 6-1, 305 (Jr.)

57 Emmanuel Fesili, 6-2, 319 (Jr.)

90 Scale Igiehon, 6-2, 300 (Fr.)

Defensive tackle

55 David Moa, 6-3, 275 (Sr.)

54 Matt Locher, 6-2, 269 (Jr.)

40 Jabari Watson, 6-1, 253 (So.)

STUD end

8 Jabril Frazier, 6-4, 238 (Sr.)

99 Curtis Weaver, 6-3, 266 (So.)

53 Sam Whitney, 6-2, 233 (Jr.)

Weakside linebacker

44 Riley Whimpey, 6-1, 218 (So.)

48 Bruno DeRose, 5-11, 233 (So.) OR

33 Tony Lashley, 6-1, 233 (Sr.)

Middle linebacker

58 Tyson Maeva, 6-0, 228 (Jr.)

25 Benton Wickersham, 6-2, 230 (So.)

56 Joseph Inda, 6-0, 231 (Sr.)

Nickel/strongside LB

28 Kekaula Kaniho, 5-10, 185 (So.)

9 Desmond Williams, 5-11, 205 (So.)

41 Will Heffner, 6-2, 225 (Jr.)

Cornerback

14 Tyler Horton, 5-11, 197 (Sr.)

15 Jalen Walker, 6-0, 174 (So.)

Cornerback

26 Avery Williams, 5-9, 197 (So.)

15 Jalen Walker, 6-0, 174 (So.)

Safety

10 Kekoa Nawahine, 6-2, 207 (Jr.)

21 Tyreque Jones, 6-2, 197 (RFr.)

Safety

4 DeAndre Pierce, 5-11, 174 (Jr.)

32 Jordan Happle, 5-11, 199 (So.) OR

5 Evan Tyler, 6-2, 191 (Jr.)

Kicker

96 Haden Hoggarth, 6-0, 195 (Sr.)

46 Joel Velazquez, 6-0, 224 (So.)

Kick returner

26 Avery Williams, 5-9, 197 (So.)

34 Robert Mahone, 5-10, 204 (So.)

22 Alexander Mattison, 5-11, 211 (Jr.)

Punter

49 Quinn Skillin, 6-4, 189 (Sr.) OR

46 Joel Velazquez, 6-0, 224 (So.)

Punt returner

26 Avery Williams, 5-9, 197 (So.)

6 CT Thomas, 5-8, 171 (So.)

WYOMING DEPTH CHART

Quarterback

18 Tyler Vander Waal, 6-4, 220 (RFr.)

15 Nick Smith, 6-4, 235 (Sr.)

Tailback

22 Nico Evans, 5-9, 211 (Sr.)

20 Jevon Bigelow, 6-2, 215 (Fr.)

Wide receiver

80 James Price, 6-2, 212 (Sr.)

2 Jared Scott, 6-6, 225 (So.) OR

16 Gunner Gentry, 6-3, 208 (Fr.)

Wide receiver

25 Ausin Conway, 5-10, 183 (Jr.)

19 Ayden Eberhardt, 6-2, 195 (So.)

Wide receiver

17 Raghib Ismail Jr., 6-0, 186 (Jr.)

13 John Okwoli, 6-2, 210 (Jr.)

Tight end

81 Austin Fort, 6-4, 244 (Sr.)

85 Tyree Mayfield, 6-3, 241 (Sr.)

Left tackle

72 Zach Wallace, 6-7, 321 (Sr.)

77 Pahl Schwab, 6-5, 302 (Jr.)

Left guard

73 Keegan Cryder, 6-4, 291 (RFr.)

69 Eric Abojei, 6-5, 344 (RFr.)

Center

79 Logan Harris, 6-3, 304 (So.)

57 Patrick Arnold, 6-3, 296 (RFr.)

Right guard

61 Kaden Jackson, 6-2, 303 (Sr.)

65 Zach Watts, 6-5, 280 (Fr.)

Right tackle

78 Alonzo Velasquez, 6-6, 305 (So.)

62 Rudy Stofer, 6-6, 297 (RFr.)

Defensive end

91 Carl Granderson, 6-5, 261 (Sr.)

53 Josiah Hall, 6-1, 251 (Jr.)

Defensive tackle

93 Youhanna Ghaifan, 6-4, 282 (Jr.)

98 Ravontae Holt, 6-4, 262 (So.)

Nose tackle

96 Sidney Malauulu, 6-3, 293 (Sr.)

87 Conner Cain, 6-4, 270 (Sr.)

Defensive end

88 Garrett Crall, 6-5, 242 (So.)

42 Kevin Prosser, 6-2, 227 (Sr.)

Wakside linebacker

46 Cassh Maluia, 6-0, 248 (Jr.)

50 Ryan Gatoloai-Faupula, 6-1, 216 (So.)

Middle linebacker

30 Logan Wilson, 6-2, 250 (Jr.)

45 Adam Pilapil, 6-1, 220 (Sr.)

Strongside LB/nickel

9 Tyler Hall, 5-10, 190 (Jr.)

7 Chavez Pownell Jr., 5-11, 187 (Sr.)

Cornerback

4 Antonio Hull, 5-10, 188 (Jr.)

12 Jalani Ellison, 6-0, 171 (Fr.)

Cornerback

18 Keyon Blankenbaker, 5-10, 175 (RFr.)

21 C.J. Coldon, 6-1, 183 (RFr.)

Strong safety

28 Andrew Wingard, 6-0, 214 (Sr.)

3 Alijah Halliburton, 6-2, 190 (Jr.)

Free safety

6 Marcus Epps, 6-0, 197 (Sr.)

24 Braden Smith, 5-10, 195 (So.)

Kicker

40 Cooper Rothe, 5-11, 178 (Jr.)

41 Ryan Galovich, 6-0, 192 (Jr.)

Kick returner

9 Tyler Hall, 5-10, 190 (Jr.)

22 Nico Evans, 5-9, 211 (Sr.)

Punter

27 Tim Zaleski, 6-5, 221 (So.)

41 Ryan Galovich, 6-0, 192 (Jr.)

Punt returner

25 Ausin Conway, 5-10, 183 (Jr.)

8 Dontae Crow, 5-9, 178 (So.)

This story was originally published September 28, 2018 at 2:36 PM.