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Hawaii vs. Boise State Game Preview: Keys For A Warriors Win
Warriors will need a season best game to get the win
Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire
A title game rematch.
Hawaii will be hosting Boise State in a rematch of the Mountain West title game from last year which the Broncos pulled away in the second half to get the victory.
The Warriors are stumbling on offense, when compared to last year, with the team not passing the ball as much when they were utilizing the run-n-shoot. The passing game this season has been subpar and what also doesn’t help is that the running game is averaging 4.1 per game and a lot of the ground game comes from quarterback Chevan Cordeiro and they need Miles Reed or another back make a big play.
It will take a big time effort for the Warriors to win and we will discuss how that can happen.
1. 2019 Passing attack needs to make a comeback
This is tough to accomplish because the offense is not throwing as much, but in more simpler terms, Cordiero needs to be more accurate and throw for about 300 yards at a minimum.
This is not all on the quarterback’s shoulders as the offensive line has allowed 17 sacks this year and the wide receivers that were suppose to be amazing like North Texas transfer Rico Bussey has just 17 catches and no touchdowns. The Warriors do have Jared Smart as well but for a win this weekend against Boise State they need all of those players to step up and make big plays.
2. Find a running game
Reed is leading the Warriors in rushing with just 191 yards and no touchdowns. They also have Calvin Turner but he has only 138 yards through four games. This must improve as it will not only keep the ball away from the Broncos offense but open up the passing game to be more productive.
Cordeiro is also part of this ground game but he can not be the main source of the ground attack to get the win. Boise State’s rush defense has not been overly positive this year, they have given up 12 touchdowns and are just average in yards per play allowed at 4.70, however, that is a little bit of a mirage as they played Air Force and gave up 6.29 yards per play. So, their defense is a bit better than total numbers through four games. The touchdowns are something Hawaii could gain an edge but that will require them to get the offense in the red zone.
3. Secondary needs to make plays
Boise State QB Hank Bachmeier has missed two games and he did not put up huge numbers against Colorado State — mostly due to not having the ball that much — but he was efficient. The Broncos also have Khalil Shakir who is averaging just under 100 yards per game.
With more games under Bachmeier’s belt, he has the chance to make some big plays against this Warriors defense. However, this Hawaii secondary has playmakers with six interceptions on the year and each quarterback they have faced that player had its worst game of the year. For the season, Hawaii is allowing just 49.5% completion rate by its opponents. Yet, Bachmeier will be the toughest quarterback that the Warriors have faced. This could be the biggest key for a Hawaii win because if they can slow down the Boise State offense and the Broncos ground game struggles there is an opening for a win.
When: Saturday, November 21st @ 11 p.m. ET
Where: Aloha Stadium; Honolulu, Hawaii
Series Record: Boise State 14, Hawaii 3
How to Watch on TV: CBS Sports Network
Stream: FuboTV – Get a seven-day free trial
Odds via BetMGM: Broncos +14
Game Notes (PDF): Boise State | Hawaii
Radio: Hawaii | Boise State
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