Game prediction: Boise State 41, Fresno State 10

by Kevan Lee on Nov 26, 2008 12:15 PM PST in Boise State football Comment 14 comments

Friday's game against Fresno State sure doesn't feel like a Fresno State game.

Typically, we Bronco fans are in a lather about our hatred of the Bulldogs. We are uptight, hostile, and belligerent every time the word "Fresno" is uttered, and not a minute goes by when we aren't bringing up the 2001 game or reminding everyone we see about David Carr's NFL career.

This year, it feels like Utah State is coming to town again.

Fine by us. We always kill Utah State.

Personally, we're super stoked for Friday's showdown against the Bulldogs (4:00pm, ESPN2, ESPN360) because all signs point to a blowout. Fresno is hurting, disappointing, mostly one-dimensional, and has nothing on the line. It's the perfect storm of ineptitude! If Boise State plays to its capabilities, this game should be over by halftime.

Giving the Bulldogs 10 points in our prediction might even be a bit generous. If the Broncos have more of an advantage on one particular side of the ball, it would have to be the defense. Fresno is hurting at running back, and the Broncos are coming off a stifling performance against Nevada's rushing attack. Tom Brandstater is an error-prone quarterback, and Boise State feasts on error-prone quarterbacks. If the Bulldogs get more than 17 points in this one, it will be a miracle.

Defensively, Fresno State should struggle, too. The only thing that slowed the Bronco offense last week was turnovers, and the Bulldogs just so happen to be horrendous at forcing turnovers (they have three interceptions this season, total). Kellen Moore has proven this year that it doesn't matter how good the opposing pass defense is because he will still get his yards. The Broncos should find room to run, too, with Fresno State DT Jon Monga out with an injury.

The only area that Fresno might have a chance is in the return game. Last week, Chastin West's punt return TD was pretty much the only reason Fresno beat SJSU. West might get lucky again this week, and it might be all the Bulldogs get.

We Bronco fans have been trained to expect big things when the Bulldogs and Broncos tangle. This year, the only thing we're expecting is a lopsided final score.

Other predictions:

Bush Hamdan throws a touchdown to Andrew Woodruff.

Vinny Perretta gets the start at quarterback.

Pat Hill benches Tom Brandstater in the fourth quarter, which, according to Fresno fans, is about a month and a half too late.

Ian Johnson gets his first 100-yard game of the season.

Kyle Gingg has double-digit tackles.

OBNUG's Kevan falls asleep during the game and the comment thread, due to a poorly timed turkey sandwich.

ESPN spends half the broadcast talking about Utah.

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Comments

Game prediction: Bush and Ian finally debut their long awaited player introduction handshake. Can't wait.

by OSQjunkie on Nov 26, 2008 1:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Good call on Ian getting his hundred. I think he gets two TDs to go along with that, hopefully more.
Vinny Peretta throws a 60 yard TD
6 different seniors score
Kellen Moore throws a bunch of TDs, hands the reigns over to Hamdan at halftime.
Mike T Williams eats Tom Branstater
I fall asleep on a triptophan high
BSU 56 FSU 7

FSU scores off an intercepted Hamdan throw.

by BroncoFever on Nov 26, 2008 2:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

BF, you forgot to mention that that 60 yard TD pass from Vinny was to himself! I didn't even realize that was possible. Boy, that guy's amazing!

I like your score prediction, however, I am say that Fresno will not score.

by goodhandsman on Nov 26, 2008 2:30 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Great prediction once again Kevan. Apparantly even Graham Watson could see that Fresno had a whopping 29 total yards in the first half last week and didn't even give her normal prediction of a possible upset.
37-7 – only because Bush Hamdan comes in for good halfway through the second quarter.

by BlueTurf on Nov 26, 2008 3:03 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

good call ghandsman. Yeah, Vinny is a stud. Fresno's scoring is contingent on whether or not Hamdan sees his mom in the crowd giving away his favorite home-baked christmas cookies to another Bronco fan just as he's about to release the rock

by BroncoFever on Nov 26, 2008 3:05 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Good point, I would be off my game too if I saw that happen!

by GHM on Nov 26, 2008 3:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Come on, delusional Fresno State fan, lets take a look at how much NOT like Utah State, Fresno State is (forgive the grammar):

by pretendhuman on Nov 26, 2008 9:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Well Happy Thanksgiving to you, Fresno fan.

by kevanlee on Nov 26, 2008 9:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I like the score prediction on a Wednesday. It feels timely. I hope Bush hands the ball to Ian every play except a 40 yard scramble. Kellen will get 275 yards passing and 7 yards rushing. 48-12. I'll be eating a turkey sandwich and be hopped up on pecan pie. whoooeee! (not a redneck, i swear)

by pretendhuman on Nov 26, 2008 9:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Fresno State – 5 time WAC pre-season champions.

Glad to see that the Bulldog fans are just as happy as Pat Hill is with pre-season accolades, a few non-conference wins and no titles.

by BlueTurf on Nov 27, 2008 12:39 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I've gotta tell you, these kind of arrogant posts are what's so irritating about Boise State and its fans. Acting like a win over the 'Dogs is a Utah State game is ignorant. Flat out. That's all there is to it. Graham Watson? She's never been right about any predictions I've seen. I just posted some thoughts over on the Bulldog Bounce blog.

Boise State is good. Boise State deserves a ton of credit for its success in the WAC. But anyone who compares Boise State's non-conf. success to Fresno State's is just asking for a debate beatdown. There is no comparison. Heck, in a disappointing year Fresno State won twice as many BCS-conf. road games as Boise State has won in its entire program history. Congrats on getting that first one this year though.

Oh, and here's a prediction for you, if your dirty corner late hits Brandstater, he gets absolutely pummeled by either Bobby Lepori, Joey Bernardi, or both.

by FSDogs1 on Nov 27, 2008 1:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Hummmmm, did that Fresno fan read the descripion of this Blog site before coming to post (say it with me, tongue-in-cheek?) Dude, lighten up, relax, and enjoy your loss with the rest of your fans. Sorry, couldn't resist.

+Apparently non-conference "road-game" success does not equate with winning your conference. Bummer, maybe next year.

by bobbylovesjoey on Nov 27, 2008 8:08 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

If Jeron Johnson was out for the game, does this change the prediction?

by bronconationnow on Nov 27, 2008 8:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Has anybody ever seen the South Park episode where Michael Jackson moves to town? MJ goes around calling everything ignorant. The voice was funny and this Fresno fan reminds me of that show. That's ignorant! You're so ignorant! Haha

The best part of the season for Fresno fans must be when the preseason rankings come out.

by Fresnoblows on Nov 28, 2008 1:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs