ESPN INSIDER: Boise State at Fresno State Matchups

Don't hate me is this is a repeat...doesn't seem to be...I do pay for ESPN insider, and if we want, I will post whatever insider "preview" or news that you all want...and if you haven't notices...I love the Ellipsis!  So, the ESPN INSIDER Boise State at Fresno State Matchups come to you now...right after the break!

Boise State at Fresno State

Boise State at Fresno State Matchups
QB	RB	WR	OL	DL	LB	DB	ST	Coach

Boise State offense vs. Fresno State defense

• The quickness of undersized DTs Chase McEntee and Chris Lewis will keep C Thomas Byrd, LG Will Lawrence and RG Kevin Sapien busy at the line of scrimmage and free up MLB Ben Jacobs. Jacobs is an instinctive run-stopper capable of meeting RBs Jeremy Avery or D.J. Harper in the hole when he goes unblocked and Boise State runs inside. However, Fresno State's back seven has to do a better job of reading keys and locating the ball than it did a week ago because the Broncos will throw plenty of misdirection at them.

• CBs Desia Dunn and A.J. Jefferson are quick enough to shadow WRs Austin Pettis and Titus Young getting in and out of breaks, but the edge goes to the receivers when it comes to jump balls. Dunn is 5-foot-9 and Jefferson is 6-0, but neither corner tracks the ball particularly well. Meanwhile, the 6-3 Pettis is tall enough to elevate over either corner and the 5-11 Young attacks the ball instead of waiting for it to come to him. In addition, QB Kellen Moore is an accurate passer with good touch so he's capable of exploiting this advantage.

• DE Chris Carter is explosive coming off the edge and his quickness will give both LT Matt Slater and RT Michael Ames problems. In addition, defensive coordinator Randy Stewart can and will overload one side of the pass protection, so the Broncos will struggle to account for all the rushing defenders. The good news for Broncos' fans is Moore is a cerebral quarterback who will help negate Fresno State's pass rush by reading the coverage and getting rid of the ball quickly.

Key individual matchup

The 6-4 Ajirotutu is six inches taller than Wilson and he does an excellent job of high-pointing the ball, while Wilson is a physical corner who won't let Ajirotutu push him around and times his jumps well so these two will battle for many jump balls. However, look for Wilson to get the better of this matchup. Though Ajirotutu is a smooth route runner for his size, Wilson has the burst and quick-twitch hips to mirror him coming out of breaks. In addition, Wilson is capable of turning and running with Ajirotutu and he does a good job of tracking the ball downfield.

Fresno State offense vs. Boise State defense

• RB Ryan Mathews is a hard-nosed runner who will find room to work between the tackles. The Bulldogs' physical interior offensive linemen are capable of neutralizing DTs Billy Winn and Chase Baker, while getting a body on MLB Derrell Acrey or WLB Aaron Tevis. In addition, Fresno State's three-receiver sets and QB Ryan Colburn's strong arm make playing eight men in the box risky.

• The Broncos are better equipped to slow the Bulldogs' perimeter running game. DEs Ryan Winterswyk and Jarell Root are stout and capable of stringing out any outside runs working against LT Bryce Harris and RT Kenny Wiggins. Even when Matthews can turn the corner, SS George Iloka and NB Winston Venable will make it difficult for him to pick up substantial yards. Both are sound open-field tacklers who show good closing speed when filling the alleys.

• Fresno State has the talent on the perimeter to challenge the Broncos' secondary, but that doesn't mean the Bulldogs will have a big day throwing the ball. Colburn is making too many poor decisions and he doesn't appear to read defenses well enough at this point. Defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox will exploit this flaw by mixing coverages. The result will be Colburn forcing a few throws into coverage that end in either stalled drives or turnovers.

Scouts' Edge

Expect a back-and-forth battle that will inevitably be decided by quarterback play, and the Broncos have the clear advantage at this position. While Fresno State's physical defense and ground game will help keep the score close for a few quarters, Moore is too efficient to allow Boise State to get upset by a talented, but sloppy Bulldogs squad. The Broncos should pull away late on the road.

Prediction: Broncos 27, Bulldogs 24

My end note...without taking away from "their" knowledge...and adding more ellipses..."they" don't know how to predict a score...What If Sports = 26 - 18 (Boise)...TheShrewdScore (one minute to double check my picks...47 - 17).  Take that "THEY"...you suck more than anyone on Boise State's schedule (sick burn)!