It is here...

The day has arrived (almost. It's tomorrow, actually). The Boise State Broncos versus the Virginia Tech Hokies. The biggest and most important game in Boise State regular season history goes down tomorrow. There is so much hype, pressure, angst, restlessness, and desire weighing down on the Broncos. Lose, and their critics have all the ammo they need for years to come. Win, and the solidify themselves as a contender for this season and stave off the haters for a while. I will break down what the key points are and what I think will happen. I have butterflies as I type this. I get way too worked up about Boise State football games, just ask everyone who was around me in January at the Fiesta Bowl. It is worth it when they win big games and it sucks when they lose them (which luckily and thankfully, they have not lost many big ones in the last few years).

The Broncos have to at least contain the Hokies' rushing attack. Ryan Williams, Darren Evans, and Tyrod Taylor will eat you alive if you don't have the talent and/or if you aren't prepared. Tackling is huge! The Broncos better look like they did against Oregon and TCU last year and not like they did against Fresno State (Ryan Mathews, eat your heart out!). If Boise State can get up early then Virginia Tech will have to rely on Taylor's arm, of which he has absolutely no one of merit to throw it to. That could spell doom for the Hokies.

Returning the most prolific and efficient passing attack from last season, the Broncos will give the Hokie secondary everything they could ever want and then some. Cornerback Rashad Carmichael will need to be at his best as a player and as a defensive leader out there. Boise State has always used the pass to set up the run and that will not change come tomorrow evening in Maryland. Do not sleep on Doug Martin, Jeremy Avery, and DJ Harper toting the rock. They will kill you if you don't pay attention. That is when Boise State is most dangerous, when they have you thinking pass and they run it and vice versa. That is a lot to ask a young, inexperienced Virginia Tech defense, even with Bud Foster and all those amazing, talented athletes he sends onto the field year after year.

Special teams could be the key to swinging the momentum one way or the other and keeping it there. There will be two teams out there who pride themselves on making plays and who use starters for key positions on special teams. This one is a toss up as to who has the advantage. A blocked kick or a good return could mean a lot for either team.

This game is a difficult one to pick a winner for. Boise State is ranked 3rd and VT is ranked 10th in the coach's poll. The rankings don't mean much. If Boise State would have lost the Fiesta Bowl last year they would not be in the top 10 this year, yet they will have the same team out there either way. I think both teams are evenly matched and if the game were to be played later on in the season, I think the Broncos would be in big trouble. However, returning 20 of 22 starters from a BCS Bowl winning team bodes well for Boise State. That will be the difference against a younger, more inexperienced team in the opening game of the season for both teams. I think the Broncos score early, holding off the Hokies for most of the game until scoring a couple TD's late to seal the deal. Ryan Williams does not break 100 yards, and neither does Evans, but Williams gets a touchdown or two. Tyrod Taylor has a decent night, but struggles to hit his unheralded receivers and throws a couple of picks. Kellen Moore dissects the Hokies for about 250 yards and 3 touchdowns. Doug Martin and co. eat up clock in the third quarter and get on the board with a score. Kyle Brotzman finally hits a field goal from the left hash to start the late scoring for the Broncos. The final is Boise State 35, Virginia Tech 17 and the Broncos stay on top and in the title hunt for the time being. It should be a good game and it will be a lot of fun!