Two schools that like to keep it on the ground, Coach Bryan Harsin and the No. 21 Boise State Broncos (-13) are gearing up to take on their in-conference rival Wyoming Cowboys at Albertsons Stadium. The game is scheduled to kick off at 10:15 p.m. ET and fans can watch the action on ESPN.
Betting Preview: Boise State Broncos vs. Wyoming Cowboys
In this Saturday Mountain West game, Boise State is projected as the heavy favorite and the team’s currently giving up 13 points. The Cowboys are also receiving +375 moneyline odds while the Broncos are -550. It appears that there might be some good live betting opportunities during this game, and Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 47.5 points.
Early action has been shifting to the Broncos, as the opening line was -12. The game’s over/under has yet to move after it was set initially at 47.5.
Each of these teams has posted a positive return this year as the Cowboys have recorded 8.0 units while the Broncos are up 3.1 units.
The Cowboys are 6-2 straight up (SU), including 3-1 SU against MWC opponents. The Broncos are 7-1 SU overall and 4-0 SU in conference play.
The Cowboys are looking to keep things going after a solid 31-3 win over Nevada on October 26. the Cowboys completed 9-of-19 passes for 221 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Tyler Vander Waal went three-for-10 for 63 yards and one touchdown while Sean Chambers completed six-of-nine for 158 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Xazavian Valladay (206 rushing yards on 26 attempts) spearheaded the ground attack while Raghib Ismail Jr. (four receptions, 93 yards, one TD) and Valladay (two catches, 74 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Boise State just got a 52-42 win over San Jose State. Hank Bachmeier completed 13-of-17 passes for 213 yards and one interception. George Holani (126 rushing yards on 28 attempts, four TDs) and Andrew Van Buren (85 yards on nine carries, one TD) handled the running game as John Hightower (five receptions, 129 yards) and CT Thomas (four catches, 37 yards) led the receiving corps in the win.
Wyoming’s run the ball on 72.2 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Boise State has an overall rush percentage of 54.3 percent. The Cowboys have produced 239.4 rush yards/game (including 262 per game versus Mountain West opponents) and have 19 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Broncos are logging 178.3 rush yards per game (183.3 in conference) and have 18 total rushing TDs.
It appears that the Cowboys might have an edge in all aspects of the ground game, since their backfield has logged 5.3 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 2.8 to opponents. The Broncos have recorded 4.4 yards per carry and given up a YPC of 3.7 to opponents.
The Cowboys offensive scheme has tallied 124.9 yards per contest in the air overall (135 per game versus conference opposition) and has eight passing TDs so far. The Broncos have put up 291 pass yards per contest (278 in the MWC) and have 18 total pass scores.
Defensively, Wyoming has let opponents rush for an average of 98.4 yards and pass for 288.8 yards per game. The Boise State defense has allowed 234.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 116.3 yards per game to opposing runners. The Cowboys are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.50 to opposing QBs, while the Broncos have given up a 6.19 ANY/A.
Offensively, Chambers has amassed 829 passing yards on the year. The signal-caller has completed 41 percent of his 106 attempts with six passing scores and three interceptions. He has a 7.18 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 8.70 over the past two games.
Look for a balanced approach offensively from Wyoming in this one. Xazavian Valladay (504 rushing yards, three rush TDs, 74 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown this season), Sean Chambers (137 rush yards, nine rush TDs, 0 receiving yards) and Raghib Ismail Jr. (212 receiving yards, two TDs) have all played significant roles lately.
On the other sideline, Hank Bachmeier has connected on 122-of-193 passes for 1,760 yards, nine TDs and four INTs. Bachmeier’s ANY/A sits at 8.01 for the year and 7.30 over his past two outings.
We’re thinking the Broncos will control tempo by pounding the defense with their running backs. Along with WR John Hightower (573 receiving yards, five receiving TDs this season), George Holani (492 rush yards, five rush TDs, two receiving TDs) and Andrew Van Buren (152 rush yards, two rush TDs) have been focal points in the Broncos’ recent offensive gameplans.
When these two programs faced one another last year, Boise State knocked Wyoming off handily 34-14.
Wyoming Cowboys at Boise State Broncos Betting Pick
SU Winner: Boise State, ATS Winner: Boise State, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The Over/Under for Wyoming’s previous game was 44. The under cashed in the team’s 31-3 triumph over Nevada.
- Wyoming has averaged 4.9 yards per rush attempt across its past three games and 5.2 over its last two.
- Boise State has averaged 4.8 yards per carry over its last three outings and only 4.7 over its past two.
- The Boise State offense has lost five fumbles this season while Wyoming has lost two.
- Over its last three matches, Wyoming is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Boise State’s last outing was 61. The over cashed in the 52-42 victory over San Jose State.
- Over its last three matchups, Boise State is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The Cowboys offense has tallied five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Broncos have put up seven such plays.
- The Wyoming defense has allowed four pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Boise State has given up seven such plays.
- The Wyoming offense has created 19 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Boise State has created nine such runs.
- The Cowboys defense has allowed four rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Broncos have given up six such runs.
- The Wyoming defensive unit has sacked opposing QBs 26 times this season. Boise State has registered 22 sacks.
