[jwplayer jF5wU66N-sNi3MVSU]
Game Day Preview: No. 25 Boise State Goes on the road to face Air Force
Broncos looking to go 2-0
Contact and Follow:,@RajaBleedsBlue, @MWCwire
Broncos will Face a Rival in Colorado Springs
No matter what is happening in the world, it appears that there is no way for the Broncos to escape the triple option. It’s well documented that no one in the Mountain Division has given Boise State the kind of trouble that Air Force has. Boise State is currently riding a 3 game win streak over the Falcons but as we all know in Bronco Nation, the triple-option offense should never be taken lightly.
Boise State scored an impressive victory over Utah State on the Blue Turf to open their season last week. The overwhelmed Aggies were dominated to the tune of 42-13. This week’s road contest versus Air Force should prove to be more of a challenge.
Date: October 31, 2020
Where: Colorado Springs, Colorado
When: 4:00 PM Mountain Standard Time
Spread: Boise State -14
ESPN FPI Win Predictor: Boise State to win, 78.8%
Weather: 61˚, clear skies
How to Watch: CBS Sports Network
Stream: FuboTV (Get a 7-day free trial)
Head to Head Record: Boise State five wins, Air Force three wins
Previous Meeting: Boise State 30, Air Force 19 in Boise, Idaho on September 20, 2019
MWC Division Titles: Boise State 4, Air Force 1
MWC Conference Titles: Boise State 4, Air Force 0
Falcon/Bronco History Rewind
Air Force has been playing football since 1956 and were a founding member of the Mountain West Conference. Despite the relatively close proximity between these 2 institutions, Boise State and Air Force did not meet on the football field until Boise State joined the Mountain West in 2011. Boise State would win the first 2 matchups in 2011 and 2013 before Air Force reeled off 3 straight victories including a win on the Blue Turf in 2015. The Broncos would right the ship with a victory in 2017 and also defeated the Falcons in 2018 and 2019.
Air Force Season Rewind
The Falcons were flying high at the end of the 2019 season. Despite losing to rivals Boise State and Navy in the beginning of the year, Air Force rattled off 8 straight wins to end the season. This included knocking off Washington State in the Cheez-it Bowl. While Boise State won the division and conference and finished ranked 23rd in the AP Poll, but Air Force would finish the year ranked 22nd. Behind the arms and legs of superstar quarterback Donald Hammond III, the Falcons look poised to make another run at the Mountain Division title this season.
And then 2020 happened… Hammond III is no longer playing for Air Force and is in the transfer portal. Air Force did pummel Navy 40-7 to open their season but the Falcons were humiliated on the road by San Jose State last week to open their conference slate. The Falcons could not move the ball at all and were held to a mere 6 points versus the Spartans.
Boise State Offense Update
Boise State on offense is clearly who we thought and hoped they would be. Sophomore running back George Holani racked up 100 yards on the ground on only 14 attempts and scored a touchdown versus Utah State. Junior wide receiver Khalil Shakir put together a highlight real while gaining 157 total yards to go along with 2 touchdowns.
Most encouraging of all was the performance of star quarterback Hank Bachmeier (sophomore). Bachmeier went 20 for 28 for 268 yards through the air with 3 touchdowns against 0 interceptions. Most importantly, the offensive line kept Bachmeier clean for most of the game and it appears that Bachmeier has learned how to go down and avoid unnecessary hits.
Also of note, with former backup running back Robert Mahone in the transfer portal, junior Andrew Van Buren was able to give Holani some relief and gained 31 total yards and scored a touchdown.