FIRST FOUR
The Boise State football season is now 33% over. The team is 3-1. Last year, after 4 games, they were 2-2. Last season’s crew had a season opening Power 5 loss that got away from them late, 2 home blow out wins and a 4th quarter comeback and loss on the road to a record setting Fresno State team with a starting NFL QB in Carr. This year they have had a season opening Power 5 loss on the road that got away from them late. But, Ole Miss is a Top 10 SEC team and was better than Washington 2013. Boise State should have blown out CSU at home but after a 37-10 lead going into the 4th quarter they wilted to win 37-24. The ULL game wasn’t ever close at home and Boise State pulled out a clutch 4th quarter win on the road vs a so-so UCONN.
Advantage 2014.
But playing in a neutral site opener, at home 2x and real long road trip to beat UCONN wasn’t as tough as last year’s schedule to me. Washington opening their remodeled stadium with BSU after losing to them in a bowl game and on the road in a hostile Fresno environment were tougher tests.
Advantage 2013.
Boise State averaged 38 ppg through their first four in 2014 and has only averaged 30 ppg this year. The 2014 offense has more diversity but the same playmakers are being called upon time and again.
Advantage 2013
The 2014 Boise State defense really saved the day for 3 quarters vs Ole Miss and shut down Colorado State and ULL. The defense also won the game vs UCONN. The defense has allowed 22 ppg. The 2013 crew played a tougher schedule with better offenses in UW and especially Fresno State. They allowed 28 ppg. BUT, they didn’t come through in the clutch vs Fresno St.
Advantage 2014
In the end, I sense more optimism about this year after the First Four. There is no Fresno State or even Utah State to worry about in the MWC that I can see at this time. And, with the win vs CSU, Boise State is in the driver’s seat for the Mountain division. Ole Miss is a Top 10 team and that loss wasn’t as bad as it looked. Last year’s UW game got ugly.
FINAL Advantage 2014
