Mustang Musings...

SMU is most likely bolting the WAC to join what's left of C-USA.. (after the Big East gets done raiding it). This means that the Broncos will have limited chances to go up against possibly the biggest 'name' school in the WAC. Coach Bleu takes a look at what the Broncos have to do to tame the Mustangs...

The Broncos have beaten the Cowboys already this season, but now they face an equestrian enemy, the SMU Mustangs.

SMU boasts one of the best running backs the Broncos will face this season. OSU's Steven Jackson rushed for 120 yards against the Broncos, now they must face SMU's Keylon Kincade, #2 in rushing in the WAC behind DMike. The difference between DMike and Keylon is that while defenses must honor what Ryan Dinwiddie can do through the air, SMU has only 1 weapon. Defenses key on Keylon each week, yet he still is in the top 2 in rushing... that's impressive. With that background, lets see how Coach Bleu sees it...

Separation Saturday may have been last weekend, but for the WAC it could be this weekend.  Currently Boise State and Nevada are both 2-0 and lead the WAC.  With upcoming games at both Hawaii and Fresno, but Broncos need to keep their focus squarely on SMU this weekend.
Teams:	Boise State  (Broncos)	SMU (Mustangs)
Records:	5-1 (2-0 WAC)	0-6 (0-3 WAC)
Wins of note:	Louisiana Tech, Wyoming, Tulsa	None... Zilch... Nada.. Nobody.
Coach Bleu's 5 Keys to a Bronco Win:
RD needs to rebound from last weeks 2nd half fiasco. -- Last weekend, RD was a very pedestrian 12-36, with only 2 completions in the 2nd half, and no TD's.  RD will have to improve, going up against the WAC's 3rd best passing defense, and 2nd best defense overall. Contain Kincade. -- Last weekend the focus was on containing Kilian.. this weekend it's another K.  Keylon Kincade has been pretty much the only bright spot for the Mustangs this weekend.  Count on the Broncos loading the box and daring SMU's QB to throw. Catch the ball... -- Quick.. name the SMU Quarterback... can't do it can you.  His name is Richard Bartel.. and he's dead last in the WAC in QB ratings, behind even a walk-on QB from UTEP and behind even embattled Idaho Sophomore Michael Harrington.  Bartel has thrown 8 INT's to just 4 TD passes.  The Bronco DB's have been licking their chops all week.  We know they'll get chances, but they've gotta hold onto the ball this weekend.  The Broncos should come away with at least 2 and possibly as many as 4 INT's if the DB's will just.. "Catch the ball". Win the Special Teams clash  -- SMU is #1 in the Nation in Kickoff returns, but is last in Punt Coverage.  Boise State in contrast, is #1 in the WAC  and #9 in the Nation in Punt returns and has been excellent on Kickoff returns with Tyler Jones booming the ball and Donny Heck, Brad Allen, Lee Marks, and crew flying around on coverage.  This might be the best matchup of the game, and if the Bronco's are clicking, you might see the matchups numerous times. Show up. -- There is no way the Broncos should lose this game unless they forget to show up.  SMU has looked good at times on defense, but their offense has been on the back of a milk carton all season.  As long as the Broncos don't oversleep the 1:07 kickoff time, they win. It's that simple.
Coach Bleu's Player Picks:  * watch for these players on Saturday * Ryan Dinwiddie (Looking to bounce back after last week) * David Mikell (Has been improving week to week) * Julius Brown (Will have his chances this weekend to add to his INT total) * Andy Avalos & Korey Hall (Somebody's gotta focus on Kincade) * Julius Roberts (Has become the DL force Bronco fans have prayed for.) * Kyle Stringer (True Freshman Phenom is playing back in his neck of the woods, he won't disappoint his hometown fans!)

Thanks go out to Miss Cleo for her help in contacting the Coach!