Boise State Football Week 1 Preview: Georgia Southern Eagles Challenge the Broncos

Boise State Football Showdown: Eagles vs. Broncos

Date: Saturday, August 31

Time: 3 PM CT / 4 PM ET

Watch: ESPNU

Betting Line: Boise State -13

Let’s get this out of the way up top: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is the best all-around running back in college football this season. He led the nation in yards from scrimmage per game with 159.7. Jeanty will be featured in both the run game and pass game, led by newly named starting quarterback Maddux Madsen. As defending Mountain West champions, the College Football Playoff favorites present an exceptional challenge for Clay Helton’s Georgia Southern Eagles.

Georgia Southern's Offense

Redshirt sophomore JC French takes the helm in an offense that threw the ball 62% of the time last season. French appeared in ten games, backing up Davis Brin. He’ll have talented receivers, including 2023’s leading receiver Derwin Burgess Jr., to depend on.

Defensive Matchup

Favoring the passing game could be a smart move for Georgia Southern, as Boise State had the second-worst passing defense in the Mountain West last season. Yet, turnovers will be key: Georgia Southern QBs threw 20 interceptions last year, the most in FBS, highlighting a critical barrier to success.

Though Georgia Southern shows promise for another postseason run this year, envisioning a Boise State team with College Football Playoff ambitions faltering early is tough. Nevertheless, we must remember this Georgia Southern team previously upset Nebraska two years ago. Boise State has the tools to win and cover, but they must stay alert against a Georgia Southern team aiming to break past its recent trend of finishing seasons with a 6-7 record.