It’s finally game week!  Ever since it was announced that VT would be playing Boise State, the media and respective fans have been eagerly anticipating this match up.  Almost every sports media outlet has argued who is the more underrated, and in some cases, the more overrated team - remind me to Fed Ex a bag of flaming dog poo to Colin Cowherd by the way – but there is no denying the significance of this game.  Both teams are riding a lot of hype to enter the season but only 1 will justify the thousands of opinions as to who deserved it.  With a win, either program will be catapulted into the National Championship discussion.  For Boise State, we are 1 of maybe 2 (the other being Oregon State) hurdles in their way of an undefeated season when you glance at their schedule.  If they beat us and get through their remaining games undefeated, this would not just spark the “we need a playoff in NCAAF” debate, but dump kerosene on dynamite and light the fuse.  For those that want a playoff, a VT win would ironically help to justify the BCS system and keep that issue on the back burner for another 5 years.  But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.  We are still in week 1 and there are too many factors to consider so let’s just worry about this game.  So what exactly are we up against?

  

Offense:  Some guy named Kellen Moore is their QB.  Maybe you’ve heard of him?  In his 2 year career he’s thrown for 64 TDs and only 12 INTs.  His only college loss was the 2008 San Diego County Credit Union Don’t-Eat-Them-They’re-Poisonous Poinsettia Bowl against TCU.  Big deal right?  Moving on. 

 

Doug Funny and Martin Lawrence’s love child, Doug Martin, was announced as the Broncos starting RB earlier this week.  He led the team in rushing TDs last year with 15.  He will be spelled by D.J. Harper who will be returning from ACL surgery like our very own Darren Evans so he’ll have something to prove as well.  Also getting into the RB mix is Jeremy Avery - listed at 5’9″ 179 lbs - and has been described as a “mini battering ram” by Andrea Adelson of ESPN.  Let’s see what he “batters” against or defensive line that outweighs him by at least 75 pounds. Against almost any other opponent their rushing game would be superior.  Unfortunately for them, they just happened to play a VT team with arguably the best RB trio in the country. 

 

All-WAC senior WRs Austin Pettis and Titus Young combined for 29 touchdowns and almost 2000 yards last season and that’s despite Pettis missing most of the last three games.  While Pettis is the possession receiver and Moore’s go-to guy, Young is a multi-dimensional speedster and their best deep threat.  Young was almost kicked off the team in 2008 for disciplinary reasons.  Does this look like a guy that has disciplinary problems?  Not to judge a book by its cover but It looks like Edward Scissorhands got drunk and went to town on him.  He apparently also has ball security issues.  Sounds like a fancy way of saying he is shy when talking to girls.  Since we have to deal with these guys I’d recommend a few things: 1) jam Young on the line and see if he can catch passes while looking out of his ear hole. 2) pressure Moore with various blitz packages and 3) wrap-up when tackling so someone else can perform the equivalent of a full body cavity search and try to strip the ball.

  

Their offensive line has been hit with the injury bug so they’ve been swapping in-and-out more fat guys than an IHOP bench seat.  All-WAC junior guard Nick Potter might shift to left tackle depending on the health of sophomore guard/center Joe Kellogg.  Brenel Myers is another name we need to look out for as he contained TCU’s beast All-American DE Jerry Hughes in last year’s Fiesta Bowl.  If you want to read more about their OL, knock yourself out but I’m warning you, it’s boring.   

 

Defense:  The Bronco’s defense dominated their offense in an early spring scrimmage. Safety Jeron Johnson and DE Ryan Winterswyk are nursing injuries but I expect them to play.   I’ve mentioned DE/LB Shea McClellin before in my Season-At-A-Glance article and you’ll see him moving around in a lot of different formations on the line but apparently the starting nickel back is Winston Venable; he’s #17.  Mark it down.  Anytime this guy gives up a pass or misses a tackle we need to shout “Nickelback sucks!”  I don’t care if no one knows what we’re talking about.  It’s still true.  Just pretend you’re yelling at Kam Chancellor for being out of position, again. 

 

Special Teams:  It should come to no surprise that their best play maker on offense, Titus Young, will also be returning kickoffs and is the backup punt returner to Mitch Burroughs.  These guys are small and fast so we need to refer to the basic cliches that coaches preach (i.e. stay in your lanes, contain, wrap up, etc.) in order to shut them down.  We might try a few squib kickoffs or kick away from these guys when punting.  They’re going to have the advantage in this department because of their experience, not because of the athletes.  Then again you never root against Frank Beamer when talking about special teams.  Death, taxes and Beamerball.  All guarantees in life.  Speaking of guarantees, you can bet the house on us unleashing hell at least once this game in order to try and block a punt.  Kyle Brotzman is the unfortunate soul that will have to deal with it.  Brotzman utilizes a rugby-style punt so Jayron Hosley will more than likely have to field punts on the bounce.  Brotzman will also handle the field goals and kickoffs.  What a renaissance man.  I say we try and block a kickoff as well.  Guinness just loves new records.   

 

Useless Crap: Don’t worry, I’m wrapping this up but I couldn’t let this go without making fun of Idaho to some degree.  Here’s some random Idaho State laws.  No wonder they’re traveling for this one, I wouldn’t want to live in a state where I need a father’s permission to court his daughter either.  It’s no deadspin but it should be worth a chuckle or two. 

 

I do have to give Boise State some credit though for traveling across the country to what is essentially a home game for us.  At least we’re not playing this asshole again.  Let’s see, ways to become successful?  Become a liar!?!  Ok!  Got it!  Thanks Nick! 

 

Anyone reading this that thinks Boise State is going to win can go dry hump a cactus. 

 

Prediction: VT 31 – BSU 20. I’m sticking to it.  And we’re going to Stick It In!  Stick It In!  Stick It In!  That’s what she said.