When ISU has the ball …

A lot has been made regarding the Bengals' heighth advantage at receiver - Idaho State wideouts average 6-foot-3, while no Boise State starting cornerback stands taller than 5-10. It's definitely an aspect the Bengals should try and exploit but the biggest matchup will come at the line of scrimmage.

The Broncos' defensive line is the strength of the team and the Bengals' offensive line will have to keep the pressure off quarterback Roman Ybarra. No matter how much taller the ISU receivers are than their opponents, Ybarra will need time to throw and good passing lanes to get the ball through.

Even though the offense traditionally has been the strength of Boise State, Idaho State coach Larry Lewis said he believes that claim now goes to the defense.

"Right now, it looks to me like they are playing well on defense," he said. "It looks like up front they are really good. They play hard. The things I've read, it seems like to me they are a little ahead on the offense."

The Bengals admittedly toned down their offensive scheme against Montana Western last week. Look for Idaho State to open things up and use their entire playbook against the Broncos.

When BSU has the ball …

Ryan Dinwiddie threw for 2,283 yards and 20 touchdowns, with just three picks in 2002, while playing the majority of the season on a bum ankle. In turn, the Broncos led the nation in scoring (45.6 points per game), but they lost four players that accounted for 4,072 yards and 44 touchdowns.

Idaho State coach Larry Lewis said the Broncos will use a lot of misdirection and play-action passing, attempting to catch the Bengals off guard. Idaho State's secondary needs to avoid the type of mistakes they made against Montana Western if the Bengals are to have a chance in this game.

"I think the experience we gained last week will help us in this ballgame," Lewis said. "I'm glad we didn't play Boise last week with some of the mistakes we made. If you're playing a Utah State or a Boise State and make those kind of mistakes, you're down 21-0."

David Mikell, who was a backup to current Chicago Bear Brock Forsey last season, will be a dangerous weapon. He rushed for 606 yards and eight touchdowns and might be equally as productive making catches out of the backfield.

Part-time starter Tim Gilligan is the most experienced receiver back for Broncos and might also be the most dangerous.

The Bengals defensive line needs to get pressure on Dinwiddie to prevent him from utilizing his weapons.