Boise State Broncos
Overall Rank: #32
#1 Mountain West
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Boise State lost five games in 2013, the most since 1998. And there is some rebuilding to do under new coach Bryan Harsin. Coach Harsin replaces Chris Petersen, who took the Washington job after serving as the head coach at Arkansas State last year. Previously, Coach Harsin was the offensive coordinator at Texas. The Broncos may not have the highest expectations right now, but that does not mean they are not the favorites to win the Mountain West.
2013 Record: 8-5, 6-2
2013 Bowl: Hawaii Bowl vs. Oregon State (L 23-38)
Coach: Bryan Harsin (0-0 at Boise State, 7-5 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Stanford
Defensive Coordinator: Marcel Yates
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Jay Ajayi, RB, 1,425 yards
Passing: Grant Hedrick, QB, 1,825 yards
Receiving: Matt Miller, WR, 1,140 yards
Tackles: Ben Weaver, LB, 89
Sacks: Gabe Perez, DE, 2.5
Interceptions: Donte Deayon, CB, 6
Other Key Returnees: WR Shane Williams-Rhodes, LB Corey Bell, S Darian Thompson, S Jermy Ioane, K Dan Goodale
Key Losses: QB Joe Southwick, WR Geraldo Boldewijn, OL Charles Leno, OL Matt Paradis, DL Demarcus Lawrence, DL Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe
Strengths:
The Broncos should feel pretty good about their skill position players. Quarterback Grant Hedrick threw for 1,825 yards and 16 touchdowns while splitting time with Joe Southwick. With Southwick gone, this is Hedrick’s team now. He can make some big plays with his arm and his legs. Receivers Matt Miller and Shane Williams-Rhodes will make plenty of big plays too. Miller caught 88 passes for 1,140 yards and a dozen touchdowns. Williams-Rhodes is the little speedy receiver who caught 77 passes for 702 yards and six scores during his sophomore season. The passing offense is in great shape, but the Broncos will want to work the offense through running back Jay Ajayi as much as possible. He is a tough back who rushed for 1,425 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore. The new no-huddle offensive scheme has the talent to work very well from day one with Hedrick, Miller, Williams-Rhodes and Ajayi leading the attack.
Weaknesses:
The potential problem with the offense is on the line. The unit lacks experience and depth pretty much across the board. And even those with experience, like Marcus Henry, are switching positions. Henry is taking over the center spot after starting at guard last season. If the line does not deliver, the entire offense is going to take a step back. On the other side of the trenches, the defensive line has concerns of their own. Gone are playmakers like Demarcus Lawrence and Ricky Tjone-A-Tjoe. The unit does have more experience than their counterparts on offense, but there is still a lack of proven playmakers.
The Bottom Line:
The back seven of the defense is much more experienced. Linebacker Ben Weaver led the team in tackles with 89 as a freshman and is ready to turn into a leader. The secondary returns cornerback Donte Deayon, who picked off six passes in 2013, as well as safeties Corey Bell, Jeremy Ioane and Darian Thompson. This is a unit that is capable of making big plays, yet it will not be nearly as easy without consistent pressure from the front four. The big play potential is there on offense too, but once again just how potent Boise State can be will depend on the play of the line.
Projected Bowl: Royal Purple Bowl
2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 198.3 (33rd in nation, 4th in conference)
Passing Offense: 277.7 (27, 5)
Total Offense: 476.0 (20, 3)
Scoring Offense: 37.5 (19, 2)
Rushing Defense: 164.2 (64, 5)
Pass Defense: 249.2 (88, 6)
Total Defense: 413.4 (75, 3)
Scoring Defense: 24.8 (50, 2)
Turnover Margin: 0.23 (42, 4)
Sacks: 2.31 (45, 3)
Sacks Allowed: 2.00 (60, 5)
Madness 2014 Recruit Rankings:
#87 Dylan Sumner-Gardner
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