BOISE, Idaho — During Jim McElwain’s 15-year stint as an assistant in the Big Sky Conference — 10 seasons at Eastern Washington and five at Montana State — he often coached against Boise State.
In conference games.
In Division I-AA.
So when the Colorado State coach steps into Boise State’s stadium, he marvels at the progress of the program.
The Broncos manhandled the Rams 42-14 in Boise in 2012, McElwain’s first season at CSU, so Saturday night’s Mountain West matchup will be his second appearance in the stadium since he became a head coach.
“I think about growing up when they were in the Big Sky, and even coaching against them in the Big Sky Conference,” McElwain said. “What they have done as a program, my hat’s off to them. They’ve done an outstanding job. It’s also helped their enrollment and their school. … Until somebody knocks them off, they’ll be king of the mountain.”
This time, the Rams come in off a 31-17 victory over Colorado in the Rocky Mountain Showdown, while in Atlanta.
Regardless for the Rams, this road game — in the stadium where the Broncos have won 86 of their past 90 games — is a test of early-season legitimacy.
“Obviously, when you’re playing early, a conference (intradivisional) game, who- ever wins in those first ones, now they have a chance to really control their own destiny and not have to bank on somebody else knocking somebody off,” McElwain said.
With the 8:15 p.m. game televised on ESPN2, it’s another national showcase for the Rams and the alternating transfer running back tandem of and Treyous Jarrells, who combined for 260 yards rushing against Colorado.
“I know Dee’s obviously excited for the opportunity, and for a lot of people to see him who remember him from his high school days and some of the things he did at Alabama,” McElwain said.
This matchup doesn’t have a lot of history. The programs have met only three times, the first in 2011, and the Broncos’ combined winning margin is 147-57.
“We haven’t had very much success against Boise since I’ve been here,” said CSU quarterback in Fort Collins last year. “Boise’s always kind of been the top dog, the team everyone wants to be in the Mountain West, and that’s our goal.
“We’re hoping we can kind of take them off that top notch, and we’re hoping to be the team that everybody’s trying to be. That’s what Coach Mac has been trying to instill in everybody since he’s been here. I think everybody’s starting to buy into it, and we’re ready for the challenge.”
The Broncos will be playing their first home game under first-year head coach Bryan Harsin. The former Boise State player and assistant returned to take over for Chris Petersen, who left the Broncos to take the Washington job.
Terry Frei: tfrei@denverpost.com or twitter.com/TFrei
When the rams run
CSU again will be without starting left tackle Ty Sambrailo, who suffered a sprained knee early in the season opener against Colorado. But the line played on, and until someone proves they can slow Dee Hart and Treyous Jarrells …
Edge: Colorado State
When the broncos run
Boise State’s Jay Ajayi, a redshirt junior from Plano, Texas, was 15th in the country in rushing last season, with 1,425 yards and 18 touchdowns. CSU did a good job of containing Colorado’s ground game, but …
Edge: Boise State
When the broncos pass
Boise State chose quarterback Grant Hedrick, from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, over CSU’s Garrett Grayson. He took over the starting job last season when Joe Southwick was injured. His numbers looked good against Ole Miss — 36-of-46 for 264 yards — until you got to the four interceptions. Senior receiver Matt Miller, from Helena, Mont., has caught passes in all 40 of his career games and is a major threat. CSU’s secondary remains suspect.
Edge: Boise State
When the rams pass
The challenge is for this reconfigured line to again protect Grayson and for the wide receivers to respond to Jim McElwain’s challenges. Mississippi’s Bo Wallace threw for 387 yards and four TDS against the Broncos, though.
Edge: Colorado State
Special teams
Freshman Deointe Gaines helped swing the momentum with a 43-yard kickoff return against Colorado, and it will help if he can provide a spark here. Both teams have fine kickers — CSU’s Jared Roberts and Boise State’s Dan Goodale.
Edge: Even
Terry Frei, The Denver Post
