Boise State’s Kellen Moore is among the 2010 Heisman Trophy candidates.
The Boise State Broncos’ entire season could be riding on the Monday night matchup against the Virginia Tech Hokies.
Bookmaker.com has Boise State as a two-point favorite with a total of 51-points. The spread was at minus three at most sportsbooks just a few days ago.
This game is being played at a neutral site location of FedExField in Landover, Maryland (home of the Washington Redskins). It’s only 280 miles from the Hokies’ campus and they will have many more fans in attendance.
The Broncos are ranked third in the first AP poll after going a perfect 14-0 straight-up last year (9-5 against the spread). They ended with a 17-10 win over TCU in the Fiesta Bowl after being left out of the national title game in favor of Alabama and Texas.
SEC Alabama and Big-12 Texas were both undefeated heading in, so there was no Boise State snub. The Broncos have a good chance to make the title game this season, but they need to be perfect again, starting Labor Day night.
Boise State returns almost all its starters on offense and defense. The big loss was cornerback Kyle Wilson, selected in the first round by the New York Jets.
The offense is led by Heisman Trophy candidate Kellen Moore. He had 39 touchdown passes last year versus three interceptions. There are plenty of receiving weapons, led by wideouts Titus Young (1,041 yards, 10 TDs) and Austin Pettis (855 yards, 14 TDs).
Junior Doug Martin (765 yards) has won the top running back job. He will likely share carries with D.J. Harper, who had 284 yards (6.5 yards per carry) before tearing his ACL. Jeremy Avery, last year’s leading rusher with 1,150 yards, is relegated to a change-of-pace guy. That’s incredible depth.
The defense played best in its big games, limiting Oregon to eight points in the season opener and TCU to 10 points. Both schools finished the year ranked in the top-10 nationally in points scored. Boise State did have some defensive lapses in WAC games.
The Broncos will be moving from the WAC to the MWC next year. They’ve gone 8-0 SU in the conference the last two years and will be solid favorites in every WAC game. They need a statement game here, plus at home against Pac-10 Oregon State (ranked No. 24) on Sep. 25, to have any national title hope.
ACC Virginia Tech is ranked No. 10 in the AP poll. It’s the preseason favorite in a conference with good depth. Miami, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Florida State all made the top-25 as well.
The Hokies went 10-3 SU and 8-5 ATS last season. They finished the year 5-0 SU and ATS, including a 37-14 win over Tennessee in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Virginia Tech scored 33.8 PPG and allowed 9.8 PPG in those final five contests.
Senior quarterback Tyrod Taylor averaged just 18.7 attempts per game last year, but had a healthy 9.51 yards per attempt (second in the country). Taylor keeps developing as a pocket passer and has had a great offseason. He can run when necessary, but doesn’t rely on it anymore.
Coach Frank Beamer will still have a run-based offense and how can he not with Ryan Williams? He gained 1,655 yards as a freshman last year. Darren Evans is back from missing last year with a knee injury. He had 1,265 yards in 2008.
The defense ranked ninth nationally in points allowed (15.6). Defensive coordinator Bud Foster lost seven starters on defense though, and this is a tough opening contest no matter how much talent is waiting in the wings.
Special teams have always been a priority for Beamer and a big play or two in that area could swing this game.
This is the first meeting all-time between the teams. Virginia Tech lost its opener last year to Alabama, 34-24, as six-point underdogs.
Monday’s game will begin at 5 p.m. (PT) and will be broadcast on ESPN. Weather should be clear and in the 70s.