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2018 First Responders Bowl: Three Reason To Watch
Why you should watch Boise State vs. Boston College
Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire
Can the Broncos top the Eagles?
The final game for the Boise State football season is on Boxing Day December 26 against Boston College in the infamous — code for rundown — Cotton Bowl on the Texas State Fairgrounds.
Hopefully, you all have the day off of work since this game kicks at 12:30 p.m. locally in Dallas, and we give everyone a few reasons why people should watch this game.
Who is suiting up for Boise State?
OK, this one is not really positive but the Broncos are without a few players in this game. Middle linebacker Tyson Maeva was sent home from Dallas on Monday for the vague violation of team rules.
He is the Broncos second-leading tackler with 61 total with eight for a loss and he could leave a void in stopping the run game. Benton Wickersham is listed as the backup for Maeva and he saw action in 12 games with 19 tackles.
Two others not in Dallas due to not making the grades are wide receiver John Hightower and backup running back Robert Mahone.
Hightower was a do-it-all player on offense with 31 receptions for 504 yards and scored six touchdowns, plus he ran the ball for 163 yards on just eight carries which led to a pair of touchdowns. Mahone rushed for 128 yards on 32 carries and caught a dozen passes for 86 yards.
Brett Rypien‘s final game.
Rypien is a four-year starter for the Broncos and is one of the best ever to play the position on the blue turf which has featured plenty of great quarterbacks.
He is clearly behind Kellen Moore who was part of Boise State’s winningest class ever, but Rypien is no slouch among the best of the best. He was a three-time captain, three-time first-team All-Mountain West player and has 37 wins for his career.
He also has set a few conference records as well with most passing yards, completions and also the most 300-yard passing games. He is tied for second in touchdowns.
There are many Broncos records he owns as well, so tune in one last time to see what Rypien can do in a Boise State uniform.
Can Boise State stop A.J. Dillon?
The running game is the way that Boston College moves the ball and A.J. Dillon is really good at doing as much. He is third in the ACC with 1,108 yards and scored 10 times on the ground.
With the Broncos not having Tyson Maeva at linebacker this could be an issue for Boise State. There are plenty of defensive playmakers like Jabril Fraizer and Curtis Weaver to step in, but Maeva was great at making tackles and finding the ball-carries.
If Boise State can minimize the running game and force Boston College to pass then look for the Broncos to take care of business.
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