Today's Schedule, Prediction

7:30 PM---Oregon State at Boise State^ESPN

 
The Prediction

These teams met early last year, with Oregon State prevailing 30-27 to put Boise State in an 0-2 hole after their loss to Georgia.  It was a fairly even game, with Boise playing a little better offensively.  The weather played a hand with wind and a downpour of hail making play difficult.

Both teams are coming off meaningless wins against I-AA foes so it's hard to judge their performances just yet.  We do know that they have veteran quarterbacks who like to throw interceptions (34 combined last year).  Boise has a new coach in last year's offensive coordinator Chris Peterson who takes over for Dan Hawkins who went to Colorado.

The Broncos are also very tough at home, but were losing big to offensively-challenged Boston College in the MPC Computers Bowl (played in Boise) before a furious late rally came up just a bit short with a Zabransky interception in the end zone.

I think the combination of raucous home environment and a season unburdened by heavy national expectations should give Boise State a modest edge in this game against a team not much more talented than themselves.  Oregon State has a fine running back in Yvenson Bernard and is renowned for their defensive play, but the defense has slipped in the last two seasons and shows little sign of recovery.

With some hesitancy, I'm going with the Broncos here for just their second all-time win against a Pac-10 foe (previous win was against Oregon State in 2004 by the score of 53-34).