Who has the advantage? Breaking down New Mexico and Boise State by position
Nov. 10—A position-by-position look at who has the edge as New Mexico travels to Boise State. Kickoff is 8 p.m. MT Saturday:
Quarterback
Boise State
Projected starter: Maddux Maden, R-Fr OR Taylen Green, R-So
New Mexico
Projected starter: Dylan Hopkins, R-Sr.
Backup: Devon Dampier, Fr.
Analysis: What's the old saying? If you have two quarterbacks, you have none, right?
This is brought up because, well, Boise State has two quarterbacks. And they're the next team to try to prove that adage wrong: Heading into Saturday, incumbent starter Taylen Green has been first on the field for all nine games, while playing the exact same amount of snaps (396) as Maddux Madsen.
Why? Because while the 6-foot-6, 221-pound Green (83-for-157 passing, 1,157 yards, six touchdowns, six interceptions) is an incredibly talented athlete, Madsen (75-for-121 passing, 989 yards, seven touchdowns, three interceptions) is a more refined passer. Green (50 carries, 268 yards, five rushing touchdowns) is a true ground threat; Madsen is just solid. Green probably has a better overall arm; Madsen has shown more control ...
You get the idea.
It's worked at times — how Madsen and Green played together in a 32-7 romp over Wyoming on Oct. 28 is the clearest evidence that the system can actually thrive. It also ... hasn't really worked at times, with mid-drive switches (!) leaving more than a few observers wondering why they don't just stick with one guy or the other.
On Friday, Madsen — who has gotten the bulk of reps recently — was named the starter. Still, UNM should expect to see both come Saturday.
Advantage: Boise's two-quarterback system is one of the weirdest stories in the Mountain West. But no matter how awkward, it's working to some degree — after all, the Broncos have scored 30-plus points in seven straight games. There's a lot to be said for having a clear-cut starter, but until Hopkins turns in stronger performances, Boise State gets the nod. Boise State
Running backs
Boise State
Projected starter: George Holani, R-Sr. OR Ashton Jeanty, So.
Backup: Jambres Dunbar, Fr.
New Mexico
Projected starter: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Sr.
Backup: Sherod White, Sr. OR Andrew Henry, R-Sr. OR Zach Vigil, So.
Analysis: Ashton Jeanty (157 carries, 921 yards, 11 touchdowns) was having a sensational season before he went down with a lower body injury against Wyoming — a disastrous injury for most teams, in most spots.
But ... not for Boise State? The Broncos got George Holani, a second-team All-Mountain West selection in 2022, back from an ankle injury at the perfect time and right now, it looks like he's back to his old ways with a solid 79 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries against Fresno State.
Advantage: Croskey-Merritt and UNM's sheer depth at running back has usually given them a clear edge on the ground. However, that depth hasn't made a huge difference lately; if we're going off top options alone, Holani is the choice — and that's not considering whether Jeanty returns this weekend. Boise State
Offensive line
Boise State
Projected starters: Kage Casey, R-Fr. (LT), Ben Dooley, R-Sr. (LG), Mason Randolph, R-So. (C ), Garrett Curran, Grad. (RG), Cade Beresford, Grad. (RT)
Backups: Ethan Carde, Sr. (LT), Jason Steele, Fr. (LG), Nikolai Bujnowski, R-So. (C ), Roger Carreon, R-Fr. (RG), Rick Moore, R-So. (RT)
New Mexico
Projected starters: JC Davis, Jr. (LT), Isaiah Sillemon, R-So. OR Taurrian "Teedo" Stafford, Sr. (LG), CJ James, Jr. (C), Isaiah Sillemon, R-So. OR Taurrian "Teedo" Stafford, Sr. (RG), DJ Wingfield, R-Jr. (RT)
Backups: Jer'Marques Bailey, R-Jr. (LT), Reese Steele, Jr. (LG), Taurrian "Teedo" Stafford (C) , Devon Smith, Jr. OR Travis Gray, Fr. (RT)
Analysis: Another week, another game and just one sack allowed by New Mexico in a 56-14 loss to UNLV. As of Friday, they're Pro Football Focus' 11th ranked FBS team in pass protection — a fitting number given that they've allowed only 11 sacks on the year.
The list of other teams that have given up 11 sacks on the year: No. 2 Michigan, No. 17 Oklahoma, Miami (Fla.), Duke and Boston College. So, outside of the Golden Eagles, UNM's in a group with four teams that are currently or have been ranked in the AP Top 25 this season.
As for Boise State? They've been pretty good, too, with just 10 allowed sacks on the year. Is one play enough for an edge?
Advantage: Let's call it even. Draw
Wide receivers
Boise State
Projected starters: Austin Bolt, R-Jr. (X), Stefan Cobbs, Grad. OR Chase Penry, R-So. (F), Billy Bowens, Grad. (Z)
Backups: Prince Strachan, Fr. (X), Cole Wright, R-Jr. (F), Shea Whiting, R-Sr. (Z)
New Mexico
Projected starters: D.J. Washington, Sr. (X), Caleb Medford, So. (Z), Jeremiah Hixon, R-Sr. (A)
Backups: Duece Jones, R-Jr. (X), Andrew Erickson, R-Sr. (Z), Kaydin Pope, Fr. (A)
Analysis: This is, of course, missing one big name: wide receiver Eric McAlister, who shocked fans (and from the looks of it, coaches and players, too) when he decided to transfer out after last Saturday's loss. Boise State's leading receiver now?
Jeanty — who may or may not play. So, that leaves true freshman Prince Strachan (four receptions, 63 yards this season) and redshirt junior Austin Bolt (one reception, 33 yards) to try to pick up the pieces as the Broncos attempt to replace McAlister (47 receptions, 873 yards, 11 touchdowns) in the aggregate.
Advantage: There's a reason fans have wanted to see more from Strachan and Bolt, no matter how inexperienced they may be. But McAlister might very well be irreplaceable; so, for the first time in this series, New Mexico gets the nod for having a better top option. New Mexico
Tight ends
Boise State
Projected starters: Riley Smith, Grad.
Backups: Matt Lauter, R-So.
New Mexico
Projected starters: Trace Bruckler, R-So. (Y), Wyatt McClour, So. (U)
Backups: Everett Hunter, So. OR Magnus Geers, Jr. (Y), Caleb Marra, R-Jr. (U)
Analysis/advantage: Backup probably doesn't do Matt Lauter (343 snaps) justice, even if he trails Riley Smith (363 snaps) in receptions — by three. Either way, the Broncos get an edge here off Lauter's outstanding blocking this season. Boise State
Linebackers
Boise State
Projected starters: DJ Schramm, Grad. OR Marco Notarainni, R-So. (MLB), Andrew Simpson, R-So. (WLB)
Backups: Dishawn Misa, R-Fr. (MLB), Jake Ripp, R-Fr. (WLB)
New Mexico
Projected starters: Dimitri Johnson, Jr. (LLB), Milhalis Santorineos, So. (MLB), Syaire Riley, Sr. OR Ja'Shon Lowery, R-So. (RLB)
Backups: Tate Zimmerman, So. (LLB), Alec Marenco, Jr. (MLB), Milhalis Santorneios, So. (RLB)
Analysis: Safe to say it's been tough sledding for UNM linebackers lately. UNLV was merely the latest chapter: Ja'Shon Lowery (concussion) was an unexpected absence and Alec Marenco (targeting) missed the first half while Syaire Riley (undisclosed injury) finally made an understated return to the field.
"I thought he did some really good things," Gonzales said of Riley on Tuesday. "And I thought he did some things that looked like he hadn't played in a couple of weeks."
But after weeks of depleted lineups, Gonzales indicated UNM might be as healthy as they can be in the middle with three games to go. The problem is that Boise State might be, too, with DJ Schramm returning from an undisclosed injury of his own against Wyoming.
Then there's Marco Notarainni (53 tackles, three sacks) and Andrew Simpson (47 tackles, four sacks, one interception) —the Broncos' leading tacklers at the moment. Boise State's defense has clearly regressed from last year, but this linebacking core hasn't been the issue.
Advantage: The Broncos overall production at the position clears. Boise State
Defensive line
Boise State
Projected starters: Ahmed Hassanein, Jr. (DE), Herbert Gums, R-Jr. (NT), Demitri Washington, Grad. (DT)
Backups: Cortez Hogans, Grad. OR Max Stege, Fr. (DE), Sheldon Newton, Sr. (NT), Jayden Virgin, R-Fr. OR Cortez Hogans, Grad. (DT)
New Mexico
Projected starters: Gabriel Lopez, R-Jr. (LE), Tyler Kiehne, R-So. (NT), Kyler Drake, R-Jr. (RE)
Backups: Hunter Rapolla, Jr. (LE), Tavien Ford, Jr. (NT), Destin Gainer, R-Jr. (RE)
Analysis: Per Pro Football Focus, the four worst pass rushing teams in college football: — 130/133: Boise State (Grade: 59.5) — 131/133: Stanford (Grade: 58.5) — 132/133: Nevada (Grade: 58.2) — 133/133: New Mexico (Grade: 57.3)
As noted, these grades aren't everything. And in UNM's case, the defensive line shouldn't bear the entire brunt of a pass rush that's under performed.
But it has to start somewhere, right? Perhaps the oddest part is that UNM has been solid at getting pressure — the Lobos hurry opposing quarterbacks 30.8% of the time — but bad at getting home: with nine sacks, they're one of only three teams in the country to have fewer than 10.
On the other hand, Boise is outright bad at getting pressure (an abysmal 23.6% pressure rate) ... but better at getting sacks? The Broncos do have an awfully respectable, if not jaw-dropping, 19 sacks on the year.
Advantage: If it's this confusing to break down, it probably should be more of a draw. And yet, pitted against a UNM front that's left a little to be desired, defensive end Ahmad Hassanein (34 tackles, seven sacks) has been enough of a standout to give the Broncos an edge. Boise State
Secondary
Boise State
Projected starters: Seyi Oladipo, Jr. (N), Rodney Robinson, R-Jr. (FS), Alexander Teubner, R-Sr. (BS), Markel Reed, R-Sr OR A'Marion McCoy, Jr. (FCB), Jaylen Clark, R-Jr. (BCB)
Backups: Kaonohi Kaniho, R-Jr. (N), Ty Benefield, Fr. (FS), Alexander Teubner, R-Sr. (BS), Dionte Thornton, R-Fr. (BCB)
Projected starters: Zach Morris, So. (LCB), Christian Ellis, So. (LWOLF), Tavian Combs, R-Jr. OR Dereck Moore, Fr. (LOBO), Jermarius Lewis, So. (RWOLF), Donte Martin OR Bryson Taylor, So. (RCB)
Backups: Marvin Covington, R-So. (LCB), Aaron Smith, Jr. (LWOLF), David Murphy, R-Fr. (LOBO), Noa Pola-Gates, Sr. (RWOLF), Josh Williamson, R-So. (RCB)
Analysis/advantage: Injuries have played a role. But UNM's phenomenal performance in the secondary against Hawaii is starting to look like more and more of a glimmer with each passing week. Boise State
All statistics are from NCAA.com, ESPN, cfbstats.com and cfb-graphs.com unless noted otherwise.
Boise State (4-5, 3-2) Depth Chart
OFFENSE
WR (X) Austin Bolt, R-Jr. (81)
Prince Strachan, Fr. (17)
WR (F) Stefan Cobbs, Grad. (5) OR Chase Penry, R-So. (13)
Cole Wright, R-Jr. (83)
LT Kage Casey, R-Fr. (77)
Ethan Carde, Sr. (73)
LG Ben Dooley, R-Sr. (66)
Jason Steele, Fr. (67)
C Mason Randolph, R-So. (63)
Nikolai Bujnowski, R-So. (61)
RG Garrett Curran, Grad. (69)
Roger Carreon, R-Fr. (62)
RT Cade Beresford, Grad. (71)
Rick Moore, R-So. (76)
WR (Y) Riley Smith, Grad. (3)
Matt Lauter, R-So. (9)
WR (Z) Billy Bowens, Grad. (18)
Shea Whiting, R-Sr. (9)
RB George Holani, R-Sr. (24) OR Ashton Jeanty, So. (2)
Jambres Dunbar, Fr. (1)
QB Maddux Maden, R-Fr. (4) OR Taylen Green, R-So. (10)
DEFENSE
DE Ahmed Hassanein, Jr. (91)
Cortez Hogans, Grad. (33) OR Max Stege, Fr. (95)
NT Herbert Gums, R-Jr. (98)
Sheldon Newton, Sr. (94)
DT Demitri Washington, Grad. (38)
Jayden Virgin, R-Fr. (40) OR Cortez Hogans, Grad. (33)
MLB DJ Schramm, Grad. (52) OR Marco Notarainni, R-So. (53)
Dishawn Misa, R-Fr. (50)
WLB Andrew Simpson, R-So. (10)
Jake Ripp, R-Fr. (43)
N Seyi Oladipo, Jr. (23)
Kaonohi Kaniho, R-Jr. (14)
Milo Lopez, Jr. (29)
FS Rodney Robinson, R-Jr. (4)
Ty Benefield, Fr. (20)
BS Alexander Teubner, R-Sr. (34)
Zion Washington, R-So. (31)
FCB Markel Reed, R-Sr. (8) OR A'Marion McCoy, Jr. (21)
BCB Jaylen Clark, R-Jr. (6)
Dionte Thornton, R-Fr. (27)
SPECIAL TEAMS
KO/FG Jonah Dalmas, Sr. (35)
Wyatt Redding, R-Fr. (45)
P James Ferguson-Reynolds, So. (46)
Jonah Dalmas, Sr. (35)
New Mexico (3-6, 1-4) Depth Chart
OFFENSE
WR-X D.J. Washington, Sr. (0)
Duece Jones, R-Jr. (14)
LT JC Davis, Jr. (75)
Jer'Marques Bailey, R-Jr. (77)
LG Isaiah Sillemon, R-So. (70) OR Taurrian "Teedo" Stafford, Sr. (66)
Reese Steele, Jr. (72)
C CJ James, Jr. (51)
Taurrian "Teedo" Stafford, Sr. (66)
RG Isaiah Sillemon, R-So. (70) OR Taurrian "Teedo" Stafford, Sr. (66)
RT DJ Wingfield, R-Jr. (73)
Devon Smith, Jr. (65) OR Travis Gray, Fr. (71)
TE-Y Trace Bruckler, R-So. (85)
Everett Hunter, So. (83) OR Magnus Geers, Jr. (17)
TE-U Wyatt McClour, So. (84)
Caleb Marra, R-Jr. (47)
WR-A Jeremiah Hixon, R-Sr. (8)
Ryan Davis, R-Sr. (6)
Kaydin Pope, Fr. (18)
WR-Z Caleb Medford, So. (4)
Andrew Erickson, R-Sr. (11)
QB Dylan Hopkins, R-Sr. (10)
Devon Dampier, Fr. (13)
D.C. Tabscott, R-So. (7)
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Sr. (5)
Sherod White, Sr. (9) OR Andrew Henry, R-Sr. (2) OR Zach Vigil, So. (23)
DEFENSE
LE Gabriel Lopez, R-Jr. (99)
Hunter Rapolla, Jr. (97)
NT Tyler Kiehne, R-So. (90)
Tavien Ford, Jr. (66)
RE Kyler Drake, R-Jr. (45)
Destin Gainer, R-Jr. (93)
LLB Dimitri Johnson, Jr. (16)
Tate Zimmerman, So. (26)
Jayden Wilson, Fr. (24)
MLB Mihalis Santorineos, So. (21)
Alec Marenco, Jr. (18)
RLB Syaire Riley, Sr. (36) OR Ja'Shon Lowery, R-So. (50)
Mihalis Santorineos, So. (21)
LCB Zach Morris, So. (2)
Marvin Covington, R-So. (6)
Hunter Sellers, R-So. (20)
LWOLF Christian Ellis, So. (22)
Aaron Smith, Jr. (12)
LOBO Tavian Combs, R-Jr. (7) OR Dereck Moore, Fr. (11)
David Murphy, R-Fr. (38)
RWOLF Jermarius Lewis, So. (5)
Noa Pola-Gates, Sr. (9)
RCB Donte Martin, R-Sr. (8) OR Bryson Taylor, So. (13)
Josh Williamson, R-So. (17)
SPECIAL TEAMS
P Aaron Rodriguez, R-Sr. (10)
Charles Steinkamp, R-So. (27)
K Luke Drzewiecki, So. (94)
Charles Steinkamp, R-So. (27)
