Time to overreact
The Mountain West went 6-5 in Week 1
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Week 2 should provide more answers
Fresno State: Offense was a little too shaky
Week 1 performances can be a little difficult to judge. When an FBS team hosts an FCS program—as point 40 favorites—the expectation is that things will get ugly—early and often. For Fresno St., things weren’t really all that smooth as lowly Cal Poly forced two first-half punts and the Bulldogs also missed a short goal. The opening second act of the Jeff Tedford era wasn’t familiar by any stretch but struggling to score—at times—was a little concerning.
The Bulldogs will get a far more interesting test next weekend as they host Oregon St.—who pounded the preseason conference favorites in the Mountain West—on Saturday.
San Jose St.: It’s going to be a rough year for the Spartans
Is it an overreaction to say Thursday’s win vs. Portland St. signals that SJSU caught lightning in a bottle in 2020? No? Well, SJSU squeaked out a victory vs. FCS Portland St., 21-17, but were far, far from impressive in doing so. Dare I say it was almost a moral victory for the Vikings, who threw a pick late, and still had a chance to win the game in the fourth. The Spartans late touchdown, although it secured the victory, did little to raise the belief for the rest of the season.
The Spartans will head to Auburn next weekend to face off with a somewhat familiar foe—Bryan Harsin—in a chance to “right the ship” after the Week 1 near disaster.
Utah St.: The Aggies took a step-back from last year’s conference championship
In no world did anyone really expect Utah St. to give the Crimson Tide much of fight. Considering ‘Bama was coming off a national championship loss, some drama in the offseason and a lot of key pieces returning, a route was expected. However, the Aggies did not put up much of fight and even worse—UCONN didn’t exactly look like world beaters vs. Central Connecticut St. It might be reading too much into two nonconference games but Utah St.’s either dealing with a championship hangover (if those even exist in college football?) or they took a step back from last year. From the outside, it looks like the Aggies took a fairly significant step back.
Weber St., who has been a playoff caliber FCS program in recent years, will travel to Logan this week before conference play begins.
Boise St.: It’s time to move on from Hank Bachmeier
Let’s just get one thing clear: Bachmeier is as tough as they come and a Boise St. loyalist. But, after last Saturday’s performance, it’s time to move on. Last year was suspect at times and there was a lot of finger pointing going on (O-line, coaching, quarterback play), but it seemed like most people around the program were comfortable giving Bachmeier another go round. Last Saturday made it clear that it’s time for the Taylen Green era to begin. I think Avalos is going to make the move, not just for the team’s sake, but his own sake because that seat will begin warm if things start going really south for the Broncos. It’s still too early to go full blown panic mode but if Green’s the better option from here on out, he’s got to get the start vs. New Mexico next week. There’s too much talent on this team to be held back by quarterback play.
“He’s got some serious adversity right now and he’s going to have an opportunity to respond. If he responds positively, it might be the greatest lesson he’s ever learned."
Broncos are giving Hank Bachmeier a chance to respond. But will he start Friday?https://t.co/YjvMAbMLPE
— Bronco Nation News (@BNNBroncoNation) September 6, 2022
