No. 9 BYU (7-0) at No. 21 Boise State (2-0)
- Kickoff: Friday, 7:45 p.m. MST
- Venue: Albertsons Stadium (36,387 capacity; 1,100 fans allowed)
- Surface: Blue FieldTurf
- TV: Fox Sports 1
- Livestream: Fox Sports Live
- Radio: KSL 1160 AM/102.7 FM
- Series: Boise State leads, 7-3
- Weather: Partly cloudy with temperatures in the mid 50s at kickoff.
THE STAKES
For Boise State … The Broncos are looking to beat a top 10 team and add a signature win in their bid for a New Year’s Six game.
For BYU … The Cougars are looking to beat a top 25 opponent for the first time this year and further their case for New Year’s Six/College Football Playoff inclusion.
THE TRENDS
For Boise State … The Broncos are trying to stay perfect against the Cougars in Boise, having beaten them in five previous matchups on the blue turf.
For BYU … This is the first time both teams will be ranked when they play. In two of the Cougars’ three wins over Boise State, the Broncos have been ranked.
THE CRYSTAL BALL
Boise State will win if … the Broncos disrupt the BYU offense and keep up their high-scoring efforts (they are averaging 45.5 points per game) behind whoever plays quarterback.
BYU will win if … the Cougars can maintain their offensive efficiency, especially early in the game, and pick up a few critical stops on defense.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Khalil Shakir, Boise State wide receiver: While it’s unclear who will start at quarterback for Boise State between Hank Bachmeier and Jack Sears, Shakir has been a reliable target this season, with 13 receptions for 213 yards and two touchdowns.
KEY MATCHUP
BYU quarterback Zach Wilson vs. the Broncos secondary: Boise State has held its first two opponents — Utah State and Air Force — to under 100 yards passing in their matchups. Wilson, meanwhile, is averaging 307.4 passing yards per game with a passing efficiency of 198.69; he threw for 252 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions in a 21-16 loss at Boise State two years ago as a freshman.
QUOTABLE
“They’ve got a really good team. They’ve played more games than we’ve played, so there’s some experience there. They’ve got a chance to go through things that just playing games provides for you, and we’ve got a lot of ground to make up. But across the board, I don’t really see any weak links.”
— Boise State coach Bryan Harsin
“They put up a lot of points and the versatility of their offense is impressive. It’s consistent, that’s what they do. It doesn’t matter the name of the quarterback; they get in there and they’re efficient.”
— BYU coach Kalani Sitake
NEXT UP
BYU hosts North Alabama on Nov. 21; Boise State hosts Colorado State on Nov. 12.
BYU SCHEDULE
Sept. 7 — BYU 55, Navy 3
Sept. 19 — at Army (POSTPONED)
Sept. 26 — BYU 48, Troy 7
Oct. 2 — BYU 45, Louisiana Tech 14
Oct. 10 — BYU 27, UTSA 20
Oct. 16 — BYU 43, Houston 26
Oct. 24 — BYU 52, Texas State 14
Oct. 31 — BYU 41, Western Kentucky 10
Nov. 6 — at Boise State (7:45 p.m., FS1)
Nov. 21 — North Alabama (1 p.m., BYUtv)
Dec. 12 — San Diego State (TBA, TBA)
All times MT