College Football Preview Capsules
Friday, November 13, 2009 11:15 AM PST
Idaho (7-3) at No. 6 Boise State (9-0) 3:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
Line: Boise State by 31 1/2.
Series record: Boise State leads 20-17-1.
Last meeting: Boise State 45-10.
What’s At Stake
Boise State’s BCS bowl hopes. Recent close wins for the Broncos have put them behind TCU in the BCS rankings, and only the higher ranked non-BCS school has a chance to crash the megabucks series. This renewal of a recently lopsided in-state rivalry appears to be one of only two remaining threats to Boise State’s perfect regular season. The other comes in two weeks as home against WAC co-leader Nevada. Idaho, already bowl eligible while off to its best start since 1994, would see its profile skyrocket with a huge upset.
Key Matchup
RB DeMaundray Woolridge and Idaho’s offensive line vs. Boise State’s defensive front. Left guard and Outland Trophy candidate Mark Iupati leads the strength of the Vandals. If those blockers can control the line of scrimmage and open holes for Woolridge against the WAC’s best rushing defense, Idaho will limit how much hot Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore will get on the field and silence the raucous sea-of-blue BSU crowd.
Players to watch
Idaho: Whoever plays quarterback. Coach Robb Akey says he won’t know until game time whether starter Nathan Enderle, second only to Moore in WAC passing efficiency and 10th nationally, can play. He missed last week’s loss to Fresno State with a bruised rotator cuff. The backup is Brian Reader played well replacing Enderle last week.
Boise State: RB Jeremy Avery. The junior ran for 146 yards and the clinching touchdown last week at Louisiana Tech. He romped for a career-high 156 yards with an Broncos-record average of 14 yards per carry and two TDs last year when Boise State romped over Idaho yet again.
Facts & Figures
Boise State has won 10 consecutive games in the series and is averaging 59.4 points per home game against Idaho in five games this decade. The last three times the Broncos have played the Vandals in Boise, they’ve won 58-14, 70-35 and 65-7. ... Boise State has the nation’s best home winning percentage this decade at .968 (60-2). ... Idaho’s three losses this season: at Washington, when they outgained the Huskies; at WAC co-leading Nevada, and last week without Enderle. ... Idaho already has as many wins this season as in its three previous years combined. ... Vandals’ offense has fewest three-and-outs in the country, just 10 in 10 games.
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Arizona State (6-2) at No. 14 Oregon (7-2), 10:20 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Oregon by 17.
Series record: Arizona State leads 16-13.
Last meeting: 2008, Oregon 54-20.
What’s At Stake
Oregon lost its first conference game last week against Stanford but is still in good shape to win the conference after USC has held the title for the past seven years. Oregon and Arizona each have one conference loss, while Stanford, USC and Oregon State all have two league losses. The Ducks are also looking for their first trip to the Rose Bowl since 1994.
Key Matchup
LaMichael James vs. Arizona State’s run defense. Oregon’s redshirt freshman is ranked second in the Pac-10, behind Stanford’s Toby Gerhart, with an average of 115.9 rushing yards a game. He has eight touchdowns. Arizona State’s run defense is ranked atop the Pac-10, and sixth nationally, allowing just 87.4 yards a game.
Players to watch
BYU: Coach Dennis Erickson says he won’t decide until the last minute whether to start struggling quarterback Danny Sullivan or 6-foot-8 freshman Brock Osweiler, who finished 11 of 27 for 153 yards with one touchdown and one interception in last week’s 14-9 loss to USC.
Oregon: RB LeGarrette Blount is eligible to play. He was suspended for punching a Boise State player following Oregon’s season-opening loss, but he was reinstated this week after meeting behavioral and academic requirements.
Facts & Figures
Arizona State also leads the conference in total defense, allowing an average of 291.88 yards in total defense. ... The Sun Devils lead the league with 14 interceptions. ... Oregon is averaging 36.3 points per game. ... QB Jeremiah Masoli passed for 334 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for 55 yards and another score, in the Ducks’ 51-42 loss at Stanford last weekend. ... Oregon leads the league with an average of 233.6 yards rushing a game. ... Arizona State is 8-6 against the Ducks at Autzen Stadium.
