Is an early-season shocker brewing in college football? Greg McElroy has Boise State on high alert for their Week 1 clash against South Florida. Between cross-country travel and a fired-up Bulls squad, this isn’t just any opener. Will the Broncos survive the heat and the fight, or is a major upset on the horizon? Tune in to see if the predictions hold true!
As the college football season kicks off, veteran analyst Greg McElroy has sounded an NCAAF upset alert for a highly anticipated Week 1 preview. Ranked No. 25 nationally, Boise State Football faces a formidable and potentially dangerous road challenge against the USF Bulls in Tampa, a matchup that carries significant implications for both programs.
McElroy, renowned for his insightful analysis on Always College Football, specifically highlighted several factors contributing to the precarious position Boise State finds itself in. The 5:30 p.m. ET kickoff, coupled with a cross-country journey spanning three time zones, presents a unique logistical hurdle for the visiting Broncos. He emphasized that the athletic South Florida team will undoubtedly “throw their best punch,” eager to make a statement early in the season.
The stage for this potential upset is Raymond James Stadium, an environment expected to be both humid and loud, adding another layer of difficulty for the favored Broncos. This game marks the first-ever meeting between these two institutions, amplifying the intrigue as it leads off the Week 1 schedule on ESPN. The betting line, surprisingly close with Boise State favored by 5.5-6.5 points, further underscores the perceived parity and the genuine threat posed by the Bulls.
Despite their No. 25 ranking and the heavyweight expectations that accompany it, Boise State enters the season having lost superstar running back Ashton Jeanty to the NFL. Their impressive 2023 campaign, culminating in a 12-2 record, a Mountain West title, and a College Football Playoff berth—where they ultimately fell to Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal—sets a high bar, yet also places a substantial target on their back.
The Boise State Football offense will now rely on a committee approach in the backfield, featuring redshirt freshman Sire Gaines, already on the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year watch list, and Fresno State transfer Malik Sherrod. This duo will operate behind an experienced offensive line anchored by left tackle Kage Casey and center Mason Randolph, aiming to maintain the Broncos’ traditionally potent ground attack.
On the other side, USF Bulls head coach Alex Golesh and his staff recognize the immense opportunity this game presents. Golesh, according to McElroy, “knows how big this opportunity might be,” suggesting this matchup has been circled all off-season as a potential statement win. South Florida defensive coordinator Todd Orlando believes his defensive line is now “longer and heavier,” planning an eight-man rotation specifically designed to counter outside-zone schemes in the August heat.
The Bulls have enjoyed back-to-back winning seasons under Golesh and face one of the most challenging opening three weeks in college football, including home games against Boise State and road trips to Florida and Miami. This demanding schedule fosters an undeniable sense of urgency for USF, making the Week 1 encounter against the Broncos an absolutely critical contest for their season aspirations.
Ultimately, Greg McElroy’s NCAAF upset alert serves as a stark reminder for Boise State. The Broncos must be fully prepared to handle not only the physicality of an athletic USF Bulls team but also the challenging road environment and the high stakes of a season opener where their opponent views this as a defining moment. This Week 1 preview suggests fans could be in for a thrilling and potentially unpredictable start to the college football season.
