Boise State @ Nevada preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 1, 2011 ) Nevada 10, Boise State 30

Boise State’s last visit to Reno resulted in one of the more crushing defeats in recent college football history and the No. 22 Broncos look to deliver a form of payback when they visit Nevada on Saturday. The Wolf Pack notched a 34-31 overtime upset of an undefeated Boise State squad two years ago in the contest infamously known for two chip-shot misses by Broncos kicker Kyle Brotzman. That contest marks the only time the Wolf Pack has beaten Boise State in the past 12 meetings. A win by the Broncos would give them a share of the Mountain West Conference title with San Diego State and Fresno State. Nevada has already accepted a bid to the New Mexico Bowl.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Boise State -8.5

ABOUT BOISE STATE (9-2, 6-1 Mountain West): Sixth-year senior D.J. Harper is only 65 yards away from a 1,000-yard season and ranks eighth in school history with 2,577 yards. Harper has rushed for 14 touchdowns and has topped 100 yards five times. Junior quarterback Joe Southwick improved as the season went on and is completing 66.1 percent of his passes. He has 15 touchdowns against seven interceptions. Boise State’s defense has been stellar all season and has forced 32 turnovers – 16 interceptions and 16 fumbles. The Broncos are fifth in scoring defense (14.4 points per game) and eighth in rushing defense (293.3 yards). Sophomore defensive end Demarcus Lawrence has 9.5 sacks and forced four fumbles.

ABOUT NEVADA (7-4, 4-3): The Wolf Pack are the only team in the country to score 30 or more points in each game but a leaky defense has allowed more than 30 six times. Junior running back Stefphon Jefferson has rushed for 1,564 yards and needs 169 to surpass the school record set by Chance Kretschmer in 2001. Jefferson has rushed for 20 touchdowns, matching the school mark set in 2010 by current San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Senior middle linebacker Albert Rosette has a team-best 113 tackles and sophomore defensive end Brock Hekking has a team-high seven sacks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Boise State leads the series 25-13 and posted a 30-10 victory over Nevada last season.

2. The Broncos have allowed only three passing touchdowns, fewest in the nation.

3. Nevada is 2-3 at home and hasn’t lost four games at Mackay Stadium in one season since 2000.

PREDICTION: Boise State 37, Nevada 26