Boise State, Joe Avery, Craig Bell, Etc.

CBSSports.com has a UH-Boise game preview.

Stephen Tsai writes that Joe Avery will get the first shot at starting left wideout and that receiver Craig Bell is healthy again.

A few years ago, Bell was a much-sought recruit. He received scholarship offers from Washington, Utah, San Diego State, Idaho and Washington State. But after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, Bell's offers dwindled. He signed with UH in February 2008, three weeks after McMackin was hired as head coach.

But just before the 2008 training camp, Bell aggravated his right ACL.

He did not play last season.

At the end of spring practice, it was agreed that Bell would never be 100 percent. UH was prepared to petition Bell for a medical retirement, which would mean he would remain on scholarship but not be eligible to play.

But after intensive workouts and rehabilitation during the summer, Bell's knee strengthened. It improved to the point where it was decided he would be able to play this year.

"I was frustrated, but the frustration level has gone down," Bell said. "I'm up at 100 percent again."

Tsai also has notes about Kealoha Pilares, Greg Salas, Laupepa Letuli and Vaughn Meatoga.

Jason Kaneshiro has notes from yesterday's press conference.

As he said last week, McMackin wants the Warriors to play with the confidence to make big plays on defense. Doing so while staying within the scheme can be the tricky part.

"We're saying you've got to make plays. Relax, make plays," McMackin said. "But they're not doing it at the right point in time. They're guessing a little bit. We have to be more disciplined."

Since coming up with 10 turnovers in the first three weeks of the season, seven in a win against Washington State, they've added just one takeaway the past three games.

Third-down defense has also remained an issue. Idaho converted eight of 10 third downs, raising the conversion rate for UH opponents to 52 percent. The Warriors have a weekly goal of 37 percent.

Chadd Cripe of the Idaho Statesman writes about Boise State's desire to get better.

Sloppy.

It isn't usually a word associated with the Boise State football team.

This year, though, the Broncos have been just that.

Fumbled snaps, handoffs, pitches and punts. Botched field goals. Red-zone stumbles. Explosive scoring plays for opponents.

All have prevented the No. 6 Broncos (6-0) from putting together the type of performances they need to impress voters and boost their long-shot bid for a berth in the BCS National Championship Game - particularly the past two games, when they failed to blow out UC Davis (34-16) and Tulsa (28-21).

Ferd Lewis hopes that UH plays well enough so that Chris Petersen isn't tempted to run up the score. Sigh.

Dave Southorn of The Idaho Press has some Boise State news and notes.