Boise State vs. Washington Prediction, In-Depth Game Preview

The Washington Huskies will open the 2015 season on the road against the Boise State Broncos. Can the Huskies give Chris Petersen a win in his return to his former stomping grounds? Below is the Boise State vs. Washington prediction and full game preview. 

Boise State vs. Washington Prediction & Preview

Why You Need To Care

Welcome back home, coach.

Washington head coach Chris Petersen is back in Boise, where he became an icon of the sport for eight seasons. While it’ll surely be an emotional night for the coach and his family, there’s also a game to be played. Coach Pete had a so-so debut in Seattle, winning eight, yet underachieving considering how many Huskies wound up being drafted. With far less ready-made talent at his disposal in 2015, Petersen could be staring down the barrel of a serious rebuilding job.

Petersen will be facing his former assistant, Bryan Harsin, who won 12 games—including the Fiesta Bowl and a Mountain West crown—in his first season at the helm of the Broncos. Boise State is once again heavily favored to not only win the league but also capture another bid to one of the Big Six bowl games.

Why Washington Will Win

Despite wholesale changes, the Huskies are still going to make noise on defense. And that’s going to be a hurdle for first-time starting Bronco QB Ryan Finley and his revamped collection of backs and receivers. U-Dub remains athletic on defense, with the ability to pressure the pocket with DE Will Dissly, DT Elijah Qualls and BUCK Joe Mathis. And on the back end, Finley must contend with a pair of emerging stars, S Budda Baker and CB Sidney Jones.

Why Boise State Will Win

The Husky offense is one giant, purple mystery. And the Bronco D is poised to keep it that way in Week 1. Washington is unproven everywhere, but especially behind center and up front. The tattered O-line will have its hands full trying to keep DE Kamalei Correa and LB Tanner Vallejo from blowing up plays. And S Darian Thompson and CB Donte Deayon are next-level defensive backs who close quickly and create takeaways.

Player Who Matters

Finley isn’t the only new member of the Boise State backfield. The Broncos must also replace Jay Ajayi, arguably the best back in school history. The future at the position belongs to sophomore Jeremy McNichols, though Harsin has yet to determine how he’ll divide the carries. No one will get as many touches as Ajayi did in 2014, which means Devan Demas and Stanford transfer Kelsey Young will get chances as well.

What’s Going To Happen?

At least for one evening, the student will school the master. While it’ll be the same old Boise State, potent on offense and well-coached on D, Washington is facing a transition year. And as talented as Petersen is at maximizing potential, he also knows how tough it is to win in Boise. The Broncos will dominate from the defensive side of the ball in a game that’ll stop being competitive before halftime.

Boise State vs. Washington Score Prediction

It’s that time, folks. The Boise State vs. Washington prediction is …

Boise State 31, Washington 20

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