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A missed field goal cost the Boise State Broncos what would have been their first-ever MWC title last season.
Broncos’ kicker Dan Goodale booted a kick wide right as time expired. As a result, Boise State lost at home to TCU 36-35. The Horned Frogs eventually won the conference title, and the Broncos settled for second.
The Lobos host the Broncos in the first conference game of the year for both teams on Saturday. Most MWC teams will start their conference schedules this weekend, with four exceptions; UNLV defeated Air Force 38-35 last Saturday in Las Vegas, Nev., while Nevada dismantled Hawaii 69-24 in Honolulu.
In a 2012 preseason media poll, Boise State was ranked first, followed by Nevada and Fresno State. The Broncos appear to be the favorite to take home the hardware, but former WAC rivals Nevada and Fresno State may have a say about that.
For No. 24 Boise State (2-1, 0-0 MWC), the key to taking home the conference championship is kick-starting the Bronco offense that ranks 116th in total offense and 92nd in passing yards. The defense has made compensation for the lackluster offense with a No. 10 ranking in points allowed.
Boise State redshirt junior quarterback Joe Southwick, who has the unenviable task of replacing now-NFL quarterback Kellen Moore, said he doesn’t feel the offense has been in a bind.
“I wouldn’t say it felt like a struggle,” he said after last week’s 7-6 win against BYU. “We were moving the ball pretty good. I feel like we had a decent amount of total yards. Again, BYU did some really good things; we shot ourselves in the foot, and I think if we all elevate our play a little bit, we’ll be a better offense in the next few weeks.”
UNM head football coach Bob Davie recognizes Boise State as one of the top schools in the nation with its recent run of success, especially in Chris Peterson’s seven-year tenure at the helm.
“I haven’t seen any other conference team on tape, but just knowing what I know they’re 75-7 since Chris Peterson’s been there and they’re the highest scoring team in the country since 2000,” Davie said. “It’d be hard to bet against them right now without watching anybody else.”
Nevada (3-1, 1-0) is currently tied for the MWC lead with UNLV (1-3, 1-0), and the Wolf Pack is one of only three teams to beat the Broncos in the past three years.
Junior tailback Stefphon Jefferson spearheads the Nevada offensive attack. Jefferson leads the MWC in rushing with 699 yards on 122 attempts and 11 touchdowns. He has reached the century mark in every game thus far, and his seven touchdowns against Hawaii tied the NCAA record for touchdowns scored in a game.
Nevada head football coach Chris Ault said Jefferson is one electrifying player on the field.
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“What can you say? He played terrific,” Ault said. “He caught a couple screens, did a great job with it. Our offensive front did a terrific job up front for him, and Stefphon did a great job finding the holes.”
Nevada hosts Boise State in the season finale on Dec. 1, which could very well decide the championship.
The rest of the conference stands at .500 or worse. Fresno State, SDSU and UNM sit at 2-2. UNLV, Wyoming, Colorado State, Air Force and Hawaii all have one win.
Fresno State and Nevada are newcomers to the MWC after stints in the WAC. They replace 2011 champion TCU, who bolted to the Big 12.
