The Broncos heartbreaking season continued as Fresno State bested the Blue and Orange 37-30 on Nov. 4, in Fresno, California. The Broncos sit with a 4-5 overall record and 3-2 record in the Mountain West Conference.
If there was a game that is the symbolic microcosm of how Boise State can make bad things even worse, it would be this game.
After impressively beating a dominant Wyoming team 32-7, the Broncos momentum was completely halted in its tracks.
The win against the Cowboys was what seemed to be a glimmer of hope for a team that so desperately needed it. Though just like the rest of the season, the Broncos gave fans a false sense of hope just to take it away the next week.
The matchup against the Bulldogs was like any other game this season, a must win. Except this time, it was a win to secure their own destiny.
A win against Fresno State would mean a slight chance to make it to the Mountain West Championship game, however, with a loss, you can kiss that dream goodbye.
This is a huge fall from grace considering the Broncos were chosen as favorites to win the Mountain West Championship for this season.
Like most games, there are things that the Broncos did extremely well and things they did extremely poorly.
Despite controversial coaching decisions such as the dual quarterback system, the Broncos cannot seem to find a consistent rhythm.
If consistency is key, the Broncos are completely locked out.
Their inconsistency stems from a lack of clear miscommunication on the field, missed snaps, interceptions and lack of leadership in the quarterback role.
The Broncos have yet to play a game where each part of their team (special teams, offense and defense) are firing on all cylinders simultaneously.
There is no doubt that these three pieces of their team have had elite moments during games. However, playing in the trifecta that they most certainly need to be seems to be near impossible.
There is very little to be impressed by for the Broncos other than star running back Ashton Jeanty, who is out due to injury.
With a dual quarterback system utilizing both redshirt sophomore Taylen Green and redshirt freshman Maddux Madsen, there is no clear leader on this struggling Bronco squad.
The defense, which struggled tremendously in the first few games of the season, has been looking up, in comparison. Despite this, they are still not making simple plays and struggle with their coverage against opponents.
Linebacker Marco Notarainni, defensive end Ahmed Hassanein and safety SeyI Oladipo have been expanding upon their progress all season.
The offense is now led by the dual quarterback system that sometimes works to flourishion and other times is just a mess.
Nearly every other play is handled and led by a different quarterback at the helm, leading to miscues, detrimental turnovers and a lack of offensive weapons.
Special teams is the only team that can somewhat make a difference and even then, it is a hit-or-miss.
In the matchup against Fresno State, the Bronco specials team allowed a last second touchdown return. With just seven seconds left in the half and leading 13-10, the Broncos found a way to give up a lead, yet again.
However, the special teams made a masterful fake punt to convert on fourth and 13.
The Australian punter James Ferguson-Reynolds, is the only real consistent player, beside Jeanty.
The Broncos are absolutely spiraling out of control. Though the talent is plentiful, the coaching capabilities seem to be few and far between.
Head coach Andy Avalos, has been under fire for weeks now, with lack of future job security, the Bronco Football program’s future is as unpredictable as ever.
There have been many areas of “grace” for Avalos and his coaching squad as many are still settling into their roles and getting acclimated to the Bronco football program, but when is enough enough?
A team that has one of the nations best running backs in Jeanty, two young talented quarterbacks, a defensive leader in DJ Schramm and others defensive power horses, the Broncos still struggle to find success on the field.
The Broncos will return to Albertsons Stadium to face University of New Mexico on Nov. 11.
