Perhaps the most under the radar game with potential to be
an instant classic: Memphis goes to Boise, Idaho where the winner will surely
be the front runner for the G6 playoff spot. I told you in week 0 that if
Memphis beat UNLV, they would immediately be at the front of the G6
conversation. I also told you they had a much tougher schedule than UNLV and
could stumble along the way. The Tigers’ next test is a Boise State team who
played Oregon down to the wire.
Boise State: Keys to Victory
Boise State is a familiar face. They have been in this
position and represented the G6 in the playoffs before. Even farther back than
that, the Broncos have been a main stay in major college football for two
decades. They are the G6 brand that us power conference fans expect to see in
the top 25 poll. They played Oregon close; a team everyone expects to be a
national title contender. Need I remind you they did the same thing 2 years ago
behind the legs of Ashton Jeanty in a season that saw Oregon win the Big 10 and
pull the top spot in the CFB playoffs. The Broncos are coached well, and they
have been under the bright lights each of the past 3 seasons. To win the game
they will have to force turnovers and dominate the line of scrimmage. Memphis
has been able to pull away in each of their first two games behind second half
pressure from their defensive line. I believe Memphis has the more talented
roster, but the margin is much thinner than the talent disparity Boise State
saw in week one.
Memphis: Keys to Victory
To continue to pull away in the G6 race, Memphis will have
to take care of the ball. It seems obvious but Oregon got into a dog fight
after a muffed punt last week. UNLV swung first in their week 0 matchup, but Memphis
prevented them from pulling away by playing disciplined football and applying
pressure in the second half. I would like to see Huff play a little more
aggressive on offense, but not at the cost of playing sloppy. It is a road game,
but I do believe Memphis is the more talented team. I like the Tigers to cover
+8.5 spread. In fact, I like them to win outright in what could be a first to
40 game. I want to see a complete game as opposed to an ok first half and a
dominant second half.