Boise State Broncos vs Washington Huskies

Led by star quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the Washington Huskies begin their quest for another 10-win campaign when they host the Boise State Broncos.

Washington has reached double-digit victories in four of the past six full seasons and opened as favorites of more than two touchdowns against the Broncos, who are coming off a 10-4 campaign of their own in 2022. The Huskies have covered all five meetings between the programs, most recently a 38-7 rout in the 2019 Las Vegas Bowl.

Latest Betting Notes: Boise State

Boise State’s bread and butter on offense last year was the running game, which ranked sixth in the nation averaging more than 200 yards per contest. That should be a strength for the Broncos again this season as quarterback Taylen Green and running backs George Holani and Ashton Jeanty all return after combining for more than 2,500 yards in 2022.

Defensively, the Broncos boasted one of the best pass defenses in college football last year, allowing less than 171 yards per contest. Boise State’s ability to slow aerial attacks caused the Broncos to go UNDER the total in each of their last six games as a road underdog and 13 of their last 14 road games overall.

Latest Betting Notes: Washington

The Huskies own the second-longest win streak among Power 5 teams after closing out last season with seven consecutive wins and four straight covers. Penix Jr. directed one of the most lethal offenses in the country, throwing for the second-most yards in the nation as Washington averaged more than 500 yards per game.

1,000-yard receivers Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan are also back, although Washington’s offensive backfield took a big hit with the loss of Cameron Davis to a season-ending injury. Mississippi State transfer Dillon Johnson could be the Huskies’ best option at running back after averaging more than five yards per carry in three years with the Bulldogs.

The Keys to Victory: Boise State

If last year’s statistics are any indication of what to expect from these teams, the Broncos match up really well with Washington. Boise State’s defense allowed a paltry 170.9 passing yards per game in 2022 and could keep Penix Jr. in check, while the Broncos’ three-pronged rushing attack can help Boise control the clock and keep the powerful Huskies offense off the field. The Broncos’ pass rush could also make life difficult for Penix as it goes up against a UW offensive line with three new starters.

The Keys to Victory: Washington

Although the Huskies were vulnerable to the pass last year, they were stout against the run, ranking inside the top 25 in rush defense. If Washington can shut down Boise State’s ground attack, Green and the Broncos will have a tough time putting up enough points to keep up with a Huskies attack that scored nearly 40 points per game in 2022.