Boise State Broncos vs. No. 24 San Jose State Spartans Inside the Numbers Preview
Posted by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The 2020 Mountain West Conference Championship Game will have somewhat of a different look and feel when the mainstay Boise State Broncos head to Las Vegas to square off against the newcomer No. 24 San Jose State Spartans. For a Spartans victory to be had, not only must they break a 13-game losing streak to the Broncos but they must also overcome first-game MWC Championship Game appearance nerves.
Since the MWC went to a championship game format in 2013, the Broncos (5-1, 5-0 MWC) have scheduled five appearances with three wins seeking their fourth on Saturday. On the way to their third consecutive appearance in the title game representing the Mountain Division, the Broncos ripped through their five-game conference schedule only suffering a non-conference loss to then-No. 9 BYU (51-17). With a solid passing game led by Hank Bachmeier and a three-headed attack out of the backfield from the rugged Andrew Van Buren, slotback/receiver Khalil Shakir, and George Holani, this unit has been able to post 36 points per game keeping the pressure on the opposition to keep up.
There is a burning football fever in San Jose for the first time since the 2012 when the Spartans posted an 11-2 season. Then, the Spartans were a member of the Western Athletic Conference with Mike MacIntyre on the sidelines. In his fourth season with San Jose State, head coach Brent Brennan has turned the proverbial corner racing out to a 6-0 record with Texas A&M/Arkansas grad-transfer Nick Starkel leading his offense. Averaging 276 passing yards per game, the offense is putting 30 points per game on the board marching up and down the field for 433.7 total yards of offense per outing. After a tight opening 17-6 win over Air Force (Oct. 24), SJSU has effectively steamrolled through their schedule.
After a two-week hiatus ending November, SJSU has taken down Hawaii on the road and Nevada on a neutral site (Sam Boyd Stadium). Boise State had a two-week break ending November overlapping into the first week of December. They returned to action for a hard-fought 17-0 showdown against Wyoming in Laramie last week.
Statistically speaking, both teams line up well on offense with San Jose State gaining more yards but with Boise State having more to show for it on the scoreboard. Defensively, again, the teams are even in yards per game allowed but the Spartans defense has tightened up holding the opposition to 17.5 points per while the Broncos allow 26 per. This promises to be a showdown worth watching after the teams missed each other on Nov. 28.
Boise State (5-1, 5-0 MWC) vs. No. 24 San Jose State (6-0)
Kickoff: 4:15 p.m. ET – Saturday, Dec. 19
TV: FOX
Spread: Boise State -6.5
Location: Sam Boyd Stadium – Las Vegas
Game Breakdown
Boise State Strength of Schedule: 77th
San Jose State Strength of Schedule: 95th
Offensive Breakdown
BSU Points Per Game: 36.17
SJSU Points Per Game: 30.33
BSU Rushing Yards Per Game: 123.0
SJSU Rushing Yards Per Game: 157.7
BSU Passing Yards Per Game: 245.33
SJSU Passing Yards Per Game: 276.0
BSU Total Offense: 368.3
SJSU Total Offense: 433.7
BSU Third Down Conversion Percentage: 39-82 – 47.56 percent
SJSU Third Down Conversion Percentage: 32-73 – 43.84 percent
BSU Red Zone Offense: 19-21 – 17 touchdowns
SJSU Red Zone Offense: 19-22 – 14 touchdowns
Boise State Key Offensive Players
RB Andrew Van Buren: 100 carries, 356 yards, 8 TDs
QB Hank Bachmeier (4 games): 76-115-2, 929 yards, 6 TDs
WR Khalil Shakir: 46 rec. for 634 yards, 6 TDs
WR CT Thomas: 17 rec. for 322 yards, 2 TDs
San Jose State Key Offensive Players
RB Tyler Nevens: 51 carries for 454 yards, 5 TDs
RB Kairee Robinson: 61 carries for 246 yards, 2 TDs
QB Nick Starkel: 106-160-4 for 1,453 yards, 13 TDs
WR Bailey Gaither: 36 rec. for 627 yards, 4 TDs
WR Tre Walker: 31 rec. for 409 yards, 3 TDs
Defensive Breakdown
BSU Total Defense: 352.5
SJSU Total Defense: 355.7
BSU Points Allowed Per Game: 26.00
SJSU Points Allowed Per Game: 17.50
BSU Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 169.0
SJSU Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 228.17
BSU Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 183.5
SJSU Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 127.5
BSU Defensive Third Down Conversion: 24-91 – 26.37 percent
SJSU Defensive Third Down Conversion: 38-90 – 42.22 percent
BSU Red Zone Defense: 22-24 – 17 touchdowns
SJSU Red Zone Defense: 14-19 – 11 touchdowns
Boise State Key Defensive Players
LB Riley Whimpey: 54 tackles, 6 TFL, and 1 sack
CB Jalen Walker: 30 tackles, 1.5 TFL, and 1 PBU
DE Shane Irwin: 28 tackles, 7 TFL, 6 sacks, and 1 FF
San Jose State Key Defensive Players
Kyle Harmon: 67 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 PBU, and 1 FF
Tre Webb: 44 tackles, 3.5 TFL, and 3 PBU
Tre Jenkins: 36 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 INTs, 2 PBU, 2 FR, and 1 FF
Viliami Fehoko: 25 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 5 sacks, 2 QB hurries, and 1 FR
Photo credit: Boise State Univeristy; No. 19 Hank Bachmeier