Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Boise State Broncos: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 10/8/2022

Time: 9:45 p.m. ET

Venue: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID

Where to watch: FS1

DraftKings: Boise State -7.5

FanDuel: Boise State -7.5

BetMGM: Boise State -7.5

Caesars: Boise State -7.5

Fresno State: 1-3

Boise State: 3-2 (2-0 Mountain West)

Fresno State: lost 19-14 at UConn

Boise State: won 35-13 vs. San Diego State

The nightmare season for the Fresno State Bulldogs continues and the changing of the guard is happening in the Mountain West Conference sooner rather than later. But at 1-3 and with their starting quarterback still dealing with a nasty ankle injury, the Bulldogs travel to take on the Boise State Broncos this weekend in what might be the best thing that could’ve happened to Boise State at the moment.

 

But back to the whole ‘nightmare’ motif, as you’d say. The Bulldogs reached the lowest of the low by losing 19-14 to, of all teams, the UConn Huskies last week. To still be here a week later and saying that that actually happened might be the biggest shock of this whole ordeal. Backup quarterback Logan Fife completed just 16 of 22 passes for 157 yards but threw two interceptions. It also didn’t help that Jordan Mims carried the ball just 15 times for 39 yards.

 

I get it: Fresno State is a pass-first offense that relies through everything via the air. But when the Bulldogs turn the ball over three times and put together just 187 total yards of offense, things are just weird and make no sense in regards to it.

 

Fresno State was seen as a favorite in the Mountain West, but it would look like they’re so far behind the 8-ball right now that teams like Air Force and UNLV are right there for the taking, teams that don’t normally get the shine that will gladly step into the limelight. That’s exactly like Fresno State’s opponents for this weekend.

 

Boise State is off to a 2-0 conference start after beating San Diego State 35-13 last week. That was a much-needed effort after Boise State lost at UTEP 27-10 the week prior. Things didn’t look great in the beginning with Boise State falling behind 13-0 in the first game after the post-Hank Bachmeier era. The Boise State quarterback entered the transfer portal and will have two years remaining at his new school.

 

Needless to say that put the Broncos in a bind by splitting the reps at quarterback between Sam Vidlak and Taylen Green. Vidlak got the better of this round and it’d be expected that he will start this game. George Holani ran for 131 yards and two touchdowns, while Green added 105 yards on the ground and two scores, as well. If they do go with a two-quarterback approach, that’s going to be helpful for the immediate future.

 

 

Fresno State has a lot to figure out, and going back on the road to take on a Boise State team that has always done well at home doesn’t bode well for the Bulldogs. I’d expect a much more dominant effort on the ground for the Broncos. Boise State by 17

Fresno State is 52-49 ATS since 1992 as a road underdog.

Fresno State is 11-12 ATS in its last 23 games.

Fresno State is 18-24 ATS since 1992 off an upset loss as a favorite.

Boise State is 8-10 ATS as a favorite in the last three seasons.

Boise State is 1-8 ATS off a win by 17 points or more the last three seasons.

Boise State is 3-11 ATS off a straight-up win the last few seasons.

Passing: Jake Haener -- 854 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT

Rushing: Jordan Mims -- 348 yards, 5 TD

Receiving: Jalen Moreno-Cropper -- 284 yards

Passing: Hank Bachmeier -- 497 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT

Rushing: George Holani -- 392 yards, 3 TD

Receiving: Billy Bowens -- 147 yards