It's been a bit of a roller coaster season for the Boise State Broncos under first-year head coach Andy Avalos but the team has righted the course as of late.
Discouraging and disappointing were words thrown around regarding the Boise State Broncos football team in the first-half of the 2021 season. Despite early season struggles, however, as the team preps to face 21st-ranked San Diego State, the Broncos (7-4, 5-2) have a chance to win the Mountain Division title in the Mountain West Conference.
Things will have to break their way, as even a Boise State victory alone doesn't earn them the crown. A loss by the Air Force Falcons (8-3, 5-2) is needed and, in this chaotic college football season, you can bet Bronco fans will be rooting for the UNLV Rebels (2-9, 2-5).
Air Force plays host to UNLV on Friday (11/26) at 3:30 pm ET on the CBS Sports Network.
First, however, Boise State needs to take care of business at San Diego State (10-1, 6-1) on Friday morning. Secure a victory, and they will have to sweat out the Air Force game. Which, considering that many wondered at one point this season if the Broncos would even have a winning record or be bowl eligible, is a pretty big thing.
Boise State Broncos: A season of peaks and valleys
Heading into their bye week after a 24-17 loss to Air Force on Oct. 16, things looked pretty grim. The Broncos were 3-4 and had suffered three straight home losses, something unheard of to Bronco fans under the age of 25.
There was definitely a lot to be disappointed about when in fact there could have been more focus placed in regards to this team being much better than their record had indicated.
In those first seven games, there was only one game that could be considered bad. Yes, four losses were bad in, and of, themselves. Lapses in play, second-half struggles on offense, and difficult coaching decisions all played their part in those first games.
Three of those losses were by a combined 13 points, where a lack of offense, especially in the second-half of those games, shoulders much of the blame.
The 41-31 loss to the Nevada Wolf Pack was a double-digit loss in which second-half woes bit the Broncos. Boise State looked very unworthy in this game despite holding a halftime lead.
A new staff under Avalos, one of the younger staffs in the conference as far as FBS experience goes, can also be assigned a fair share of the blame. Injuries have certainly played their part, too, as during this four-game winning streak Boise State has been decently healthy (at least in consistently having the same players on the field, that is).
There is plenty of talent up and down the roster, and seeing them come together during this win streak has been nice. Two road victories over ranked teams have been a highlight, both of teams you love to see Boise State defeat in BYU and Fresno St. A third can be added this week if the Broncos can defeat the Aztecs.
In some ways, it's hard not to think about what might have been with a little extra defense (or bad pass) in a 36-30 loss to UCF. Or to not daydream about some second-half offense in losses to Oklahoma State (21-20) or Air Force (24-17). The Broncos had every opportunity to at least be 10-1 heading into this final week, but those issues and health of certain players impacted so much.
That happens, and with improved play across the conference, it's often not as easy to make up ground when injuries and consistent play take a hit. As bad as it could have been, the Broncos have turned it around, thanks in large part to a relentless, hard-hitting defense.
Boise State defense bringing the boom
Talent was abound from day one for Boise State. Entering the season, there was some secondary depth that needed to be replaced, but overall they looked to be an excellent unit.
Battling attrition up front on the line in the season's early-going was the first hurdle. It was definitely noticed during the three home losses. Slowly, however, depth has again been reinforced, with players coming back from injury (or getting healthy for the first time in a year).
The secondary has been hit hard, with the two starters from game one both out or limited.
Still, through it all, the defense has been a force for much of 2021, especially in the second-half of games.
In the UCF and Nevada games, Boise State allowed a combined 43 points after halftime. The other nine games? A grand total of 29, including three games with second-half shutouts. And 13 of those points were garbage time touchdowns from Fresno State and Wyoming.
These inspired efforts have helped Boise State, especially as it took until this four-game winning streak for the offense to provide consistency after halftime in games. It was often a bend-but-don't-break defense but one that was very opportune. This began in game one with a Tyric LeBeauf 101-yard interception return for a touchdown.
The Broncos have forced 22 turnovers this season and have 23 sacks. A major factor in the turnover department has been safety JL Skinner. Skinner, who leads the team in tackles with 83, has also accounted for two interceptions, tied for the team lead, and three fumble recoveries.
Up front, the steady play from Scott Matlock and Isaiah Bagnah have factored into Boise State's success. The two are 1-2 in sacks and tackles-for-loss, combining for 13 sacks. They have also combined for 75 tackles and it's been nice watching them all over the field consistently making big plays.
Defense for the Broncos did a lot of the heavy lifting, especially when the offense was finding trouble with consistency.
A return of healthy ground game
The answer all along to success on offense was simple: establish the run.
A healthy George Holani has made all the difference.
Holani, who burst onto the scene has a true freshman in 2019, has battled injuries since. And while he saw sporadic action in the games the last two seasons, he is finally back in form in making solid cuts, powering through tacklers, and eating up yards.
He has three straight games of at least 100 yards, averaging at least six yards per carry in that span.
It has also helped that the offensive line finally found a combination that worked. After be hit with injuries and less-than-stellar play from the line, moving Jake Stetz to center solidified the unit. (Here's hoping Stetz is playing on Friday after suffering an injury late in the shutout victory over New Mexico.)
Of course, a huge reason for any success is because of the highlight reel that is Khalil Shakir. Shakir has often been a one-person show with 1043 receiving yards (on 71 catches), 123 rushing yards, and six touchdowns.
Octavius Evans and Stefan Cobbs have been decent options behind Shakir. Both have missed some time but have combined for 62 catches, 790 yards, and seven touchdowns.
The man under center, Hank Bachmeier, has had a solid and steady season. A little unspectacular but he has shown improvement, growing alongside his offensive line. He's thrown for almost 3000 yards and has 18 touchdowns against six interceptions. There can be times Bachmeier gets too dialed in on Shakir. While sometimes it's fine, other times the lack of spreading the ball around is detrimental to this team.
A near-perfect game is going to be needed from the Broncos on Friday. Sticking to the run while on offense, with some tempo and connecting on short passes while biding time for the big play, should be the plan. On a defense, not letting a not-so-good San Diego State Aztec offense come up with huge plays is a must.
Naturally, as it often comes down to between these teams, special teams play will likely be the difference. And while the Aztecs are good, it could be sophomore kicker Jonah Dalmas (who should have been a Lou Groza Award finalist), who is the difference maker for Boise State. And it would only fitting in a season where he's tying or setting Boise State records, that a Dalmas field goal sends Boise State to win number eight on the season.
Kickoff is set for noon on 11/27 on CBS.
image credit: Wikimedia Commons
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