Boise State: 3 Questions

So, I guess I actually have to think about the game, right?  Here are the questions I have going into the Dome:

1. Can we make them earn points?  Boise State is going to score points.  Get over it.  The key will be to keep them from scoring in five or fewer plays.  Their offense isn't tooled to handle long sustained drives.  They want to use the running game to set up 20+ yard passing plays.  I like our chances if this thing is 20-17, either way, going into the 4th.


2. Can our coaches play to win, even if that means going away from a script? Look, we've all gone crazy over the balance thing.  If it were me, the first offensive play we run will have Mitchell or Branden on one side and Brown or King on the other and everybody running fly patterns, with Orson splitting the middle. Dare them to beat us.  If we find something that works, go with it until the defense stops us or the officials turn off the lights.  If we are more successful rushing four, go with it.  If we are consistently sacking Moore rushing 9, do it.  If Brandon Harton is getting seven yards a tote, give him the rock.  Take the fight to them, instead of waiting for the fight.


3. Can we come back if we get down early? It is a fair question.  We don't need to confuse our (the fans') mindset with the team's. I know what the fans will do.  What will the team do? Honestly, Boise State lets up when they jump to big leads.  They did it against Virginia Tech, they did it in their loss to Nevada, they did it against Oregon State.  I expect them to jump to a lead.  Can we stick around long enough to win it?

A couple of things I'm looking for is being strong on 3rd and long and inside our own 20.  Calling any play in the book from any place on the field with any personnel in the game.  Not wasting TOs.  No missed assignments on defense.  Nothing fancy from the running backs.

Am I expecting too much?

I wrote it the other day and it was the most honest manifestation of what I think the program needs: We have to be totally and honestly committed to the single minded pursuit of playing the best football possible with the goal of humiliation and domination of Boise State.  Do that tomorrow, and we win.

TD