Oregon Ducks at Boise State Broncos
College Football: Thursday September 3, 2009, 10:15 EST (ESPN)
The Line: Boise State - 4 1/2
The big game of opening night of college football 2009 takes place on the blue turf in Boise, Idaho when the Oregon Ducks roll into town to take on the Boise State Broncos in a battle of ranked teams. This game is a rematch of last season's game in Oregon when Boise State went into Autzen Stadium and walked out with a win.
The Ducks aren't just out for revenge in this game, they need it to show they are among the elite progrograms in the country. Boise State wants an opportunity on National TV on center stage playing against the big boys. This isn't just a game for Boise State as a team, they Broncos in reality are playing for all of the schools in the non BSC conferences.
This game is receiving a ton of attention and it deserves it. It feature not just two of the countries best teams, it also features some of the best players as well.
Boise returns QB Kellen Moore who was a standout last year as a freshman. While Ian Johnson is gone, Boise returns Jeremy Avery and his six yards per carry average and two stellar wide receivers in Titus Young and Austin Pettis. Boise is also stacked at tight end.
On defense, Boise plays just two linebackers and three safties, this is because of their lack of depth at linebacker. The secondary looks strong but I still haven't got past the absolute shredding the Bronco run defense took against TCU in their bowl game when the Horned Frogs ran wild all night long.
Thr Pregon Ducks have been running all over people for years and a first round pick at running back seems to happen often. This years Duck team is no different and the running game is led by LeGarrette Blount who is an absolute bruiser. If the Ducks can get the running game going, look out because QB Jeremiah Masoli is one of the best in America.
I definitely give Boise the nod in the special team department as Oregon has newbies in the kicking game. This looks to be a decent scoring game so every point is going to be big.
Both of these teams have monster lists of trends in their favor. A few trends relating to Boise State are that the Broncos are 5-1-1 against the spread in their last seven overall and 4-1-1 against the spread in their last six against the Pac-10. Oregon is 4-1 against the spread in their last five against the WAC and 11-5 against the spread in their last 16 as road underdogs.
Both teams have glaring weaknesses in the same sopt, the offensive line. I think this is where I have to give Oregon the edge as they just have the size advantage in this game. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Boise somehow got the win but my head tells me this is Oregon's to lose and if they do lose Chip Kelly's first game as head coach, it's going to be by a last second field goal at the most.
Mitch's Pick: Oregon +4 1/2 (5 1/2 out of 10 confidence rating)
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their running games will zip through the legs of the terrified Broncos and the running games will be unstoppable.
Boise St. will out pass anyone this year, and the defensive secondaries are weak for Oregon and maybe even TCU.
Boise St. will win by 2 and 1/2 points as a final field goal splits the uprights bouncing off the crossbar!
doogie deechie