Broncos Face the Option; CSU in Must-Win Mode

By Mark Knudson, The Mtn. Insider
October 20, 2011
 
Is the predicting getting easier or is the predictor getting smarter? A nice 4-0 week leaves us at 32-10 for the season with the meat of the schedule coming up.
 
Things are starting to shake out as Conference action gets rolling. Still a lot of byes on this week’s schedule, but things are building towards that expected great finish. Anticipation remains high for the Broncos and Horned Frogs on November 12.   
 
Game of the Week: Air Force (3-3, 0-2) at Boise State (6-0, 1-0)
 
The Broncos look unstoppable at this point and the Air Force defense is in shambles. This game could get out of hand early.
 
On the other hand, a lot of what happens this week falls back on Troy Calhoun’s decision regarding the no-huddle offense. If he sticks with the no-huddle, hurry-up approach and isn’t able to control the ball and most importantly the clock, Air Force will get hammered. Imagine what Kellen Moore and company will do to a tired Falcon’s defense.
 
However, if Air Force goes back to some old fashioned, grind it out control the clock triple option football – the kind the Broncos have not faced in many seasons – they could keep things close. Remember, Boise State hasn’t spent a lot of time preparing to face an option team. That could be problematic for the otherwise stout Boise D. Then again, Moore and the Broncos will probably score almost every time they touch the ball. Now that the BCS standings are out, style points do matter.
 
Boise State 48, Air Force 27
 
New Mexico (0-6, 0-1) at TCU (4-2, 2-0)
 
I’ll say it again: George Barlow might have the toughest job in all of college football right now. How can he rally the troops that have been deflated with a string of losses and the firing of coach Mike Locksley? It would be best for New Mexico if they could fast forward to next spring and look for that fresh start. Alas, they have to finish this season first.
 
It’s about time for the Horned Frogs to kick it into gear for the strong finish we’re all expecting. Don’t think they don’t know that November 12 is on the horizon.  
 
TCU 47, New Mexico 10  
 
Colorado State (3-3, 1-1) at UTEP (3-3)
 
No one expected the young and injury riddled Rams to beat Boise State last week. But playing in front of a full house, not many expected them to get completely dismantled by 50 points, either.
 
CSU and head coach Steve Fairchild find themselves in the same sort of spot they were in after losing to Colorado; another deflating loss that they have to bounce back from in a hurry. After the CU game, they did just that, posting their biggest win of the year on the road against favored Utah State. Now comes a trip to El Paso to face a UTEP team that is one of the teams the Rams need to defeat if they want to go to a bowl game.
 
UTEP can light up the scoreboard and is playing for their own postseason hopes. The Miners put up 42 points in a loss to nationally ranked Houston two weeks ago then squashed Tulane 44-7 last week. They come in hot.
 
This is a must-win for Fairchild’s team. Someone needs to step up big. Again.
 
Colorado State 31, UTEP 27
See all of Mark Knudson's blog entries HERE.