Boise State vs. Air Force: Game Preview, Kick Time, Livestream, Radio Schedule, Prediction
The first conference game of the year is a good one.
Contact/Follow @RajaBleedsBlue & @MWCwire
Falcons travel to the blue to face the Broncos
Disclaimer: While this is a neutral game preview between 2 Mountain West Conference opponents, I am a Boise State graduate
Mountain West conference play has arrived, and two mountain division foes square off on a Friday night to start things off. Air Force travels to the blue turf in Boise in what should be a competitive contest. Since the Mountain West split into divisions, no one in the mountain division has been able to stand toe to toe with Boise State like the Air Force Falcons have.
Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun welcomed Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin into the conference in 2014 by handing the Broncos 3 straight losses in 3 consecutive years, something no other school has been able to do to the mighty Broncos this century. However, Coach Harsin was able to circle the wagons and come away as the victor the last two years.
Both schools are undefeated and will look to score a big win on ESPN2 before a national audience.
Date: Friday September 20, 2019
Where: Boise, ID
When: 7 PM, MST
Spread: Boise State -8
ESPN FPI Win Predictor: 72% Boise State victory
Weather: 66˚ and partly cloudy. Sunset at 7:46 PM
How to Watch: ESPN2 – Stream on SlingTV with a free-trial
Head to Head Record: 4-3, Boise State
Previous Meeting: 48-38, Boise State victory on October 27, 2018 in Colorado Springs, CO
MWC Mountain Division Titles: Air Force 1 (2015), Boise State 2 (2017 and 2014)
MWC Conference Titles: Air Force 0, Boise State 3 (2017, 2014, and 2012*) *split championship
Air Force Season Rewind
Despite losing superstar running back Cole Fagan before the year, the Falcons have come blazing out of the gates in 2019. After smashing their opening week warm up FCS opponent (Colgate), the Falcons proved their mettle with a road win against a Pac-12 opponent when Air Force defeated in state rival Colorado.
While the Falcons lead most of that game, Colorado rallied and forced overtime but Air Force was able to come away with a victory in the extra stanza. As usual, the Falcon offense has been very successful running the ball within their triple option offensive scheme while the defense has held up their end of the bargain. Led by their dynamic junior quarterback, Donald Hammond III, and veteran head coach, Troy Calhoun, Air Force can make a major splash with a road upset over the Broncos.
Boise State Season Rewind
Boise State opened their 2019 campaign with a bang by scoring a major road victory over college football blue blood Florida State. The Broncos replaced outgoing quarterback Brett Rypien, who holds majority of the Mountain West passing records, with a true freshman in Hank Bachmeier. Bachmeier has not disappointed and the Broncos followed up their win over the Seminoles with home victories over Marshall from Conference USA and Portland State of the FCS.
With youngsters at the quarterback and running back positions, head coach Bryan Harsin has complimented his offense with a strong defense that has been impenetrable in the second half of the 3 Bronco victories. The Broncos would love to knock off their familiar foe Air Force in conference play before heading into their bye week.
Rankings
Boise State rose from 22 to 20 in both the AP Poll and the USA Today Coaches Poll. Air Force is not currently receiving votes in either poll. Jeff Sagarin’s computer rankings have the Broncos checking in at 24 and the Falcons at 55.
Wyoming (+3) at Tulsa at Saturday 1:30 PM CBS Sports Network
New Mexico State at New Mexico (-4.5) at Saturday 2:30 PM
Toledo at Colorado State (+8) at Saturday 8:15 PM ESPN2
Utah State (+5) at San Diego State at Saturday 8:30 PM CBS Sports Network
Predictions (my prediction can be found at the bottom of this article)
Jeremy Mauss (Mountain West Wire Manager): Boise State 28, Air Force 24
Matt Kenerly (Mountain West Wire Editor): Boise State 24, Air Force 22
Erik Smiley (Mountain West Wire Boise State Contributor): Boise State 28, Air Force 17
Collin Clovis (Mountain West Wire Boise State Contributor): Boise State 34, Air Force 17
Sean O’Toole (Mountain West Wire Air Force Contributor): Air Force 28, Boise State 27
