Three Storylines That Could Determine Winner of BYU vs. Boise State

PROVO, Utah – Another week, another rivalry game as BYU returns home to face Boise State on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars look to extend their win streak against the Broncos, while Boise State hopes to turn their season around with a big time upset.

BYU vs. Boise State

🏈 Can @BYUfootball stay perfect as they take on @BroncoSportsFB ? And who will start at QB? Listen Saturday morning starting at 9 AM as we break it down during a special extended Cougar pregame show. #BYUFootball #BYU #GoCougs #CougarNation pic.twitter.com/8SiKQeRBkO

— KSL NewsRadio (@kslnewsradio) October 8, 2021

Last year’s matchup was a dominant win for the Cougs on the blue turf, 51-17. In 2019, BYU’s third string quarterback Baylor Romney led the team to an upset at home over an undefeated and ranked Boise State squad, 28-25. Much like the game two years ago, BYU may have to turn to their third string QB on a cold and wet day for football. Here are three storylines that could determine the winner of BYU vs. Boise State.

Three Storylines to Watch

1) New Week, New QB?

Last year was an anomaly. BYU has had very few years in which just one quarterback started the whole season. In 2020, Zach Wilson was able to stay healthy and start all 12 games. However, 2021 has brought no such luck.

Starter Jaren Hall was injured at the end of the Arizona State game and has missed two games since. Baylor Romney played great in replacement, but he too was banged up last week in Logan and will likely be out for a few weeks. Third string quarterback Jacob Conover played the 2nd half last week and helped secure the win for BYU.

Freshman Jacob Conover becomes the third QB to take snaps for @BYUfootball this season. #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL #BYUvsUSU https://t.co/67ORppRjTN

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 2, 2021

It may be Jaren Hall this week, but it seems likely we will see Jacob Conover. Can BYU survive yet another injury to the most important position? Conover competed with Hall and Romney in fall camp for the starting job in Week 1. The ceiling is high for the young QB and with a week of practice as the presumed starter, I would expect a solid showing at his debut in Provo.

For the Broncos, Hank Bachmeier leads Boise State and has had a solid season. Last season, Boise State was forced to turn to their fourth string QB in the loss to BYU. Bachmeier is a great player, completing over 65% of his passes and averaging 300 passing yards a game. He may be one of better quarterbacks BYU will face in 2021.

2) Run, Run, Run

The story for the last two matchups between the Cougars and the Broncos has been the run game. BYU has averaged 172 yards in their last two wins against Boise State.

In 2019, it was Sione Finau who emerged with 89 yards and a big 46 yard touchdown run. Last season, Tyler Allgeier ran all over the blue for 123 yards on just 14 carries.

Tyler Allgeier is gonna be making some NFL money next year. Enjoy this man while you can. #BYU #BYUvsUSU #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 2, 2021

Allgeier will once again be the focal point for the BYU offense on Saturday. Allgeier is coming off the best game of his career. He ran for 218 yards and three touchdowns last week against Utah State.

Boise State is 103rd in rushing defense, allowing 191 yards a game to their opponents. Look for another big performance from Allgeier this week, especially if Jacob Conover gets the start on Saturday.

3) Home Field Advantage

One of the biggest stories of this season has been the raucous crowd at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Every opposing head coach has commented on the atmosphere at LES and the sheer volume of the home crowd. Arizona State committed four false start penalities when backed up against the ROC. USF head coach Jeff Scott said it was one of the loudest environments he’s been in as a coach.

USF coach Jeff Scott on the environment tonight at LES: “Incredible atmosphere. I’ve been in just about every ACC/SEC stadium…this is one of the best I’ve ever been in.” #USFvsBYU #GoCougs

— Dallen Graff (@lilthoint) September 26, 2021

This Saturday, it’s another sellout for the Cougars as they debut their all-navy look. #10 BYU looks to continue their special season and fans are right there with them. With inclement weather likely for kickoff, BYU’s home field advantage will be tested. If Cougar Nation shows out as they have this season, the 12th man will prove to be a deciding factor.

What do y’all think about the new drip? 💧 pic.twitter.com/1QJ0zHpPi8

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 7, 2021

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BYU vs. Boise State takes place on October 9th at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Pre-game coverage begins at 9 a.m. (MDT) on KSL NewsRadio 102.7 FM and 1160 AM. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. (MDT).

Dallen Graff is a KSL Sports Contributor. He is the Producer of Cougar Sports Saturday (SUBSCRIBE) on KSL NewsRadio. Follow him on Twitter.