ShareThisby JOHN LINDSAY
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Capsule preview of Wednesday night's Fresno State-Boise State game. All times Eastern and all rankings Coaches' poll.
FRESNO STATE (1-6) at No. 14 BOISE STATE (8-0), 8 p.m., ESPN2.
FAVORITE: Matthews/Scripps Howard power ratings say Boise State by 25.
COACHES: Pat Hill (73-49 in 10th year at Fresno State) and Chris Peterson (8-0 in first year at Boise State).
LAST WEEK: Both schools were off.
SERIES HISTORY: Tied, 4-4.
LAST MEETING: Fresno State won, 27-7, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Dating back to last year's win over Boise, Bulldogs have lost 10 of last 11 while yielding 35 points or more six times.
GAME FACTS: Loss clinches Bulldogs' first losing season under Hill. Hard to believe that last year's win over Broncos moved FSU to No. 16 in nation. But utter collapse has ensued following emotional 50-42 loss at No. 1 USC the next week. Since taking over for Tom Brandstater, sophomore QB Sean Norton has offered a flicker of hope going 27-of-45 for 359 yards with 3 TDs, 1 int. in two games. But defense (107th in nation in scoring, 32.1 ppg, 106 points given up in last two losses) and special teams remain awful. Winners of four of last five vs. Fresno since 2001, defending WAC champs want payback for last year's loss. RB Ian Johnson (fifth in nation with 1,118 rushing, leads nation with 18 TDs) might be best back you've never heard of. QB Jared Zabransky (98-of-164, 1,429 passing, 13 TDs, 4 ints.) has improved as passer and is still dangerous runner with 5 TD runs. Defense (46th in nation in total defense, 310.6 ypg) needs to tighten after giving up 54 points in wins over New Mexico State and Idaho.
