The defending Mountain West champions Fresno State Bulldogs had a tumultuous regular season that saw them finish with a 6-6 record. However, they’ve made it to the Mountain West Championship game against the conference-best Boise State Broncos and will look to end their season on a high note.
The stakes are higher for the Broncos. Win and they also clinch a coveted bowl game. Can the Broncos deal with the pressure and take the conference championship with force? Or will the Bulldogs show their championship form with a big upset?
For more on exciting conference championship games, check out our preview for the Florida State vs. Georgia Tech ACC Championship Game as well as the Big Ten’s Wisconsin vs. Ohio State.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Boise State Broncos Betting Preview
Where: Bronco Stadium, Boise
When: Saturday, December 6, 10:00 PM ET
Line: Fresno State Bulldogs (+21) at Boise State Broncos (-21) – view all NCAA Football lines
Betting on the Fresno State Bulldogs
The Bulldogs enter the Mountain West Championship game on the heels of three straight wins, clinching the conference’s West Division with Saturday’s 28-21 victory over Hawaii.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Quarterback Brian Burrell has thrown for eight touchdowns in the three-game, division-clinching run, but was limited to a 52 percent completion rate for 127 yards with a touchdown and a pick against Boise State on October 17. If Burrell continues to struggle against Boise State’s pass defense (216.1 yards allowed per game), the Bulldogs can still turn to their productive running game to move the ball effectively.
Lead Bulldogs running back Marteze Waller had a season-high 164 yards and two touchdowns against Boise State. Rushing for 6.5 yards per carry this season, Waller may also allow the Bulldogs to milk the clock and keep Boise State’s conference best-offense (512.1 total yards per game) off the field for an extended amount of time.
Defensively, though, the Bulldogs have struggled to keep opponents off the scoreboard, allowing an average of 33 points (10th in the 12-team Mountain West). They will need the pass rush duo of Tyeler Davison and Donavon Lewis (six sacks each) to wreak their havoc and disrupt the Boise State offense. Both should have a favorable matchup against Boise State’s offensive line, which has allowed 26 sacks this season.
Which team leaves with the Mountain West Championship in hand? Give us your take. Create a betting account now and make your pick.
Betting on the Boise State Broncos
Boise State enters the championship game on an impressive seven-game win streak and in with a shot at a coveted New Year’s Day bowl game. It’s no secret what the Broncos want to do heading into this matchup against the defending conference champions. They’re going to force Fresno State to bite the dust with a dynamic running game led by Jay Ajayi.
A first-team All-Mountain West running back, Ajayi is on a roll after rushing for career-highs of 229 yards and five touchdowns in the Broncos’ 50-19 win over Utah State on Saturday. The Boise State running back has been difficult to keep out of the end zone, accounting for 19 scores on a seven-game touchdown streak. Ajayi has also contributed heavily to the receiving game, ranking third among the Broncos with 536 yards while hauling in four touchdown receptions.
Powering the Broncos’ passing game is Grant Hedrick. The Boise State quarterback is a sniper in the Mountain West completing 71.5 percent of his passes, a conference-high, and accounting for 22 touchdowns this season. Hedrick should be able to find the open passing lanes left by Fresno State’s sketchy pass defense which has allowed 256.3 yards per game.
On the other side of the ball, Boise State’s own secondary has been quite strong. Defensive back Darian Thompson leads the conference with seven interceptions and has returned one for a touchdown this season. He also shares a team-high eight passes defended, making him a tough matchup for Fresno State’s leading receiver Josh Harper.
Harper is Fresno State’s go to guy in the receiving game with team-highs of 76 receptions, 941 yards and four touchdowns. Keeping the Bulldogs’ go-to receiver out of the stat sheet should give Boise State one less thing to worry about.
The Broncos are 4-2 ATS as home favorites this season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Broncos take the conference championship, but fall short of covering the spread. Take Fresno State to cover +21.
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