For your day planners and social calendars ...
- When to watch: Saturday, September 15, 2:00 p.m. MT kickoff
- Where to watch: Bronco Stadium, Boise, Ida. (Capacity: 37,000)
- How to watch: Live on NBC Sports Network with Paul Burmeister, Rod Woodson, and Anthony Herron
- What to wager: Boise State by 20.5 points
- What to wear: A t-shirt. Forecast calls for sunny skies, high of 88
- How to score tickets: The ticket black market has seats starting at $32
Drama-filled storylines in Saturday's game
Bouncing back!
Boise State will be looking for its first win of the season halfway through September, and if that's not a weirdest thought you've thought all day, then you must think of some weird things. Miami (OH), whose season-to-date includes a big loss at Ohio State and a big win over FCS Someone Or Other, will pose a test with its high-flying passing game and, I don't know, pluck? MAC teams have pluck, I think.
Offensive touchdowns!
I have always loved using the word "offensive" to describe, well, offense - the running and passing of the football. I giggle to myself because "offensive" can also mean putrid, abhorrent, and gross. Then last week, all of a sudden my wordplay world was flipped upside down when all definitions of the word "offensive" applied to Boise State's offense against Michigan State.
All that to say: I would like to see a touchdown or two, please. Here's hoping Andrew Maxwell does not lead Boise State in touchdown passes by game's end.
Trap game!
Just five days after the RedHawks game, Boise State plays what may be its toughest remaining game of the year, at home versus BYU. If ever there was a time to look past an opponent, it would be when UNLV is on the schedule or when a MAC team precedes a Top 25 matchup by fewer than seven days.
Home opener!
The crowd at Bronco Stadium is no doubt itching to yell "First Down" and do the wave, and they'll finally get their chance on Saturday. Plus, there are new and improved end zone seats, so now more people will have no idea what to do when the "Boise!" "State!" cheer takes place.
Southwick at home!
What kind of reception will the Broncos' new starting quarterback receive? I put the over-under on time it takes for someone to start a Nick Patti chant at 10 minutes, followed a few seconds later by more reasonable, intelligent fans drowning out the Patti chanter with a "Don't listen to him, he has misplaced priorities" shout.