The Aggie football team hosts the 11th ranked (BCS, AP, ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll) on Saturday evening and nobody knows their football team better than their own fans so we enlisted the help of Kevan, one of the founding editors at the sometimes irreverant (okay, okay, always irreverant) but always highly entertaining One Bronco Nation Under God to help you get a better feel for the Broncos. And yes, we stole the name for this segment from our buddy Jack Nixon.
bleedCrimson.net: What is Boise State's bigger strength, offense (32.6 points per game) or defense (allowing just 11.3 points per game)?
One Bronco Nation Under God: Had you asked me this question two or three weeks ago, I probably would have said "offense" - not because that answer is right, but because that answer is the answer I have been in the habit of saying over the past 10 years or so. Funny what several consecutive scoreless quarters will do to you.
Now I am finally capable of acknowledging the fact that the Bronco defense is indeed the team strength. They have single-handedly won games this season (see: Bowling Green, Southern Miss, LaTech, Hawaii, etc.) while the offense has bumbled and stumbled more often than we can ever remember a Bronco offense bumbling and stumbling. The Boise State "D" has playmakers at every position, they are sound in their assignments, and they play team football.
...sdkfjlan...
Sorry, my brain just about exploded typing that last sentence.
bc.net: Has Kellen Moore's play at quarterback as a freshman surprised anyone in Boise or did you guys pretty much expect him to be this good?
OBNUG: I'd like to think that I knew all along that Moore was going to be this great this soon, but that would probably be a lie. So would telling you that he and I are best friends.
Most Bronco fans expected the team to struggle this season (and we mean 10-3 or 9-4 when we say struggle), and having a new quarterback was a big reason why. Once Moore was named the starter, we began looking forward to 2010 and 2011 and talking about national championships. Think we were getting a little ahead of ourselves?
If so, then we probably shouldn't tell you that we're talking about national championships right now.
bc.net: Everybody knows who Ian Johnson is, most people probably remember who Vinny Perretta is. Who are a couple players that people outside of Boise who haven't played you yet should watch for?
OBNUG: RB Jeremy Avery. He actually had more carries than Johnson last week at San Jose State, and he looked significantly better than Johnson did carrying the ball. He's small (168 pounds), but he's powerful. Kind of like a Necco wafer.
Safeties Jeron Johnson and Ellis Powers. These two, in my opinion, have been the biggest reason for the defensive turnaround for the Broncos. They are both physical players who bring an attitude to the defense that the defense didn't use to have (see Kaepernick, Colin).
K/P Kyle Brotzman. I like to call him "Slash" because I'm a dork. Seriously, though, it has been really impressive that Brotzman has handled every single kicking duty for the Broncos. He punts, he kicks off, he does field goals and extra points. He even tries to run in two-point conversions (he probably shouldn't be).
bc.net: What would be more disappointing, losing to NMSU or finishing undefeated and getting shut out of the BCS?
OBNUG: Absolutely, 100 percent, without a doubt, losing to NMSU would be worse. If the Broncos lose to NMSU, there is no one to blame but themselves. If they go undefeated and don't get in the BCS, they can blame others. Personal responsibility is so 2005.
bc.net: Who's one player on the Aggie roster that you'd like to have on the Broncos' roster?
OBNUG: I'd take Chris Williams because then he wouldn't be playing for the Aggies on Saturday. Oh, and then I'd bench him. I don't like him very much.
bc.net: Your prediction for Saturday's game.
OBNUG: I've actually made multiple predictions on Saturday's game.
On OBNUG.com, I was irrational and predicted a final score of Broncos 58, Aggies 0. On a website that is giving away free tickets for the closest guess, I was sensible and went with a final score of Broncos 38, Aggies 13. And on your website, I am going to attempt to steal your thunder and say Aggies 37, Broncos 28.
I think I pretty much have my bases covered.
