The Boise State Broncos (2-1) and the Virginia Cavaliers (1-2) face off in a first-ever meeting between the schools. Check out the Boise State vs. Virginia prediction and game preview.

Boise State vs. Virginia Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 25
Game Time: 8:00 ET
Network: ESPN

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Why You Need To Care

Virginia and Boise State will be after some non-conference momentum this week before league play gets cranking. Both schools have had more downs than ups this month, highlighted by the Cavaliers’ crushing last-minute loss to Notre Dame and the Broncos’ lone loss to BYU. Friday night’s game in Charlottesville marks the first time these two schools have met on the gridiron.

Why Boise State Will Win

The offense may not be what it once was, the result of injuries and graduations, but the Bronco D is off to a great start in 2015. Boise State is holding opponents to 1.7 yards per carry, and have allowed just two touchdown passes. A so-so Virginia offense will have to contend with playmakers at each level of the Bronco defense, namely DE Kamalei Correa, LB Ben Weaver and DBs Darian Thompson and Donte Deayon.

Why Virginia Will Win

The ‘Hoos can breathe a little easier now that they’ve broken through with last week’s win over William & Mary. It wasn’t pretty, but that first victory will keep Virginia from playing tight this week. The Cavaliers will also enjoy the better situation at quarterback now that Bronco Ryan Finley is out with a broken ankle. Matt Johns wants to test the Bronco secondary, with help from WR Canaan Severin and versatile RB Taquan Mizzell.

Player Who Matters

Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin plans to use two quarterbacks, Tommy Stuart and touted true freshman Brett Rypien, on Friday. The promising news is that Finley went down early enough last week for both of his backups to play multiple series. Stuart is the runner and Rypien is the pocket passer, so an underperforming Virginia defense must prepare for very different looks and styles.

What’s Going To Happen?

Boise State will feature the best unit Friday night, a defense that’s ready to pick up more of the slack now that Finley is out for the foreseeable future. The Broncos will frustrate the Virginia offense. Meanwhile, with an assist from RB Jeremy McNichols, Harsin will pull the right strings on Stuart and Rypien to maximize the potential of the new-look offense.

Boise State vs. Virginia Prediction

Final Score: Boise State 28, Virginia 24, Line: Boise State -2.5, o/u: 49.5
Must See Rating: 5: 99 Homes – 1: The Intern … 3

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