CFB odds: Bryan Harsin will try and fill the incredibly large shoes of departed head coach Chris Petersen, who led the Boise State Broncos to their greatest era in history before departing for the Washington Huskies after a disappointing 8-5 season that reportedly made him feel as if his shelf life in Boise had expired. Harsin returns to his Alma Mater after leading Arkansas State to a bowl game in his first and only season there last year. The cupboard still looks full and there is potential for a bust out season in 2014. Boise State opened as a 500/1 long shot to win the BCS national championship and with an over under win total of 10.
Home for Harsin
Harsin was a backup QB at Boise State from 1995-99 and is thrilled to be back home with a team that has seven starters back on offense and eight on defense. Senior QB Grant Hedrick gives the Broncos immediate credibility at QB.
Handicapping Notes
Boise State has been a solid board value on the road with 12 payouts in their last 20 road games as just five out of their last 18 road games have gone under the total. The Broncos have lost a lot of board value at home on their famed “Blue Carpet” as the betting public has become too enamored with Boise State’s home field advantage and this extra betting activity has made for consistent overlays. Boise State has covered the spread in just six out of their last 20 games at home with 12 out of their last 20 home games going under the total. The Broncos have lost just eight out of their last 20 games against the spread as a dog with 13 out of their last 20 games as a pup going under the total. The Broncos have failed to cover the spread in 11 out of their last 20 games as a favorite with just seven out of their last 19 games as a chalk going under the total.
Our Prognosis
We expect a Mountain West Conference championship for the Broncos and the potential to end their string of three consecutive losing seasons at the betting window.
