Yahoo Autos Boise State Broncos: CFN College Football Preview 2021
College Football News Preview 2021: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Boise State football season with what you need to know.
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– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Keys To The Season
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Boise State Football Schedule Analysis
– Boise State Broncos Previews
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015
2020 Record: 5-2 overall, 5-2 in Mountain West
Head Coach: Andy Avalos, 1st year
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 49
2020 CFN Preview Ranking: 43
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 10
Boise State Broncos College Football Preview 2021: Offense
– Can the offense get any semblance of consistency from the quarterback spot for a full season? The offense one averaged 349 yards per game, but it averaged a Mountain West high 34 points.
The ground game struggled, the passing attack wasn’t consistent enough, and the stalls against BYU, Wyoming and San Jose State – scoring 20 points or fewer in each – wasn’t okay.
New offensive coordinator Tim Plough comes over from UC Davis with a high-octane passing game, but in order for new head coach Andy Avalos to get off to a hot start, but …
– Again, the quarterback situation has to be consistent. Hank Bachmeier is the team’s star, and he’s a difference-maker when he’s playing, but he missed a few games hurt and struggled in the Mountain West Championship loss. Former USC transfer Jack Sears is a terrific No. 2, but he got hurt last year, too.
The receiving corps is outstanding, starting with First Team All-Mountain West performer Khalil Shakir coming off a 52-catch, six-touchdown season. He’s back along with super-senior CT Thomas – a quick target who was second on the team with 20 catches averaging over 17 yards per grab – and leading receiving tight end Riley Smith returns.
– The offensive line was okay in pass protection, but it could do more for a ground game that finished last in the Mountain West. Four of the five starters are expected back up front, with three all-stars returning around John Ojukwu at left tackle and Jake Stetz at one of the guard spots.
The talent is there at running back to do a whole lot more. Andrew Van Buren led the team with 382 yards and eight scores, and 2019 1,000-yard rusher George Holani returns after missing most of last year with a knee injury.
– What You Need To Know: Defense
– Top Players | Keys To The Season
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Boise State Football Schedule Analysis
NEXT: Boise State Broncos College Football Preview 2021: Defense
Boise State Broncos College Football Preview 2021: Defense
– New head coach Andy Avalos spent the last few years as the Oregon defensive coordinator after working the same role at Boise State. He knows defense, he’s got a good group around him, and he’s got a loaded group with nine starters expected to be back from a group that allowed 373 yards and 27 points per game.
– The linebacking corps has two starts to work around in 238-pound Ezekiel Noa and 236-pound Riley Whimpey. Both are senior All-Mountian West performers who can hit, combining for 101 tackles with Whimpey leading in tackles and tackles for loss.
The front line has except nice around 306-pound Divine Obichere and 296-pound all-star Scott Matlock, a tough interior force who came up with 22 sacks. on the outside. End Shane Irwin also earned all-star honors with a team-high six sacks as he rose up into the team’s new top pass rusher.
– More interceptions would be a plus after coming up with just three – the secondary is one of the few areas that needs a little work. Two great corners – Avery Williams and Jalen Walker – are done, but the safeties are set starting with veteran Kekaula Kaniho, a versatile tackler who made 32 tackles last year in a nickel role.
– What You Need To Know: Offense
– Top Players | Keys To The Season
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Boise State Football Schedule Analysis
NEXT: Boise State Broncos College Football Preview 2021: Top Players
Boise State Broncos College Football Preview 2021: Top Players
Best Boise State Broncos Offensive Player
WR Khalil Shakir, Sr.
A dangerous target over the last few years, the 6-0, 188-pound speedster caught 63 passes with six scores as a sophomore, and last year became the main man for the passing game.
Dangerous as a runner – he had 17 carries last year – he was great whenever he had the ball in his hands. The First Team All-Mountain West performer caught 52 passes for 719 yards and six scores, hitting Utah State, BYU and Hawaii for two touchdowns and with 85 yards or more in six of the seven games.
2. QB Hank Bachmeier, Jr.
3. OT John Ojukwu, Sr.
4. RB George Holani, Soph.
5. OG Jake Stetz, Sr.
Related
Boise State Football Schedule 2021
Best Boise State Broncos Defensive Player
LB Riley Whimpey, Sr.
Several Broncos could make a claim to be here, but Whimpey is the veteran tone-setter from his outside linebacking spot who should once again be a statistical star.
The 6-1, 236-pounder led the team with 61 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss, and that’s coming off an 83 tackle season with seven tackles for loss. He’s not much of a pass rusher, but he’s great in pass coverage and he’ll come up with a few sacks.
2. DE Shane Irwin, Sr.
3. LB Ezekiel Noa, Sr.
4. DT Scott Matlock, Jr.
5. S Kekaula Kaniho, Sr.
Top Incoming Boise State Broncos Transfer
LB/DE Andrew Faoliu, Jr.
Boise State is getting a few interesting transfers who might play a big role right away. Bowling Green CB Caleb Biggers is a good veteran tackler who’ll be in the mix for a starting spot in fall camp, and Cyrus Habibi-Likio is an interesting running back option from Oregon, but Faoliu might be the breakout transfer.
The former Oregon Duck followed Andy Avalos over, and he’s got just the mix of edge rusher talents to fit what’s the Broncos will do. He only made 28 tackles with three sacks in his three years in Eugene, but he should be a big part of the rotation right away.
– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Keys To The Season
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Boise State Football Schedule Analysis
