Boise State Previews, Pilares, Medeiros

Thanks to Kevan at OBNUG.com, a Boise State fan blog, for letting me participate in a fairly civil Blogger Q&A, in which I answered questions and he made fun of me. Unfortunately, there will be no poetry throwdown this year.

Brian McInnis looks at the history of the UH-Boise series in his game preview.

Year after year, beating the Broncos was like trying to grasp a greased-up jellyfish. UH lost six straight to the blue-clad bullies of the WAC since Boise joined the league in 2001, with the teams often matched closely in talent but not in execution.

Chris Petersen is 41-4 since taking over for Dan Hawkins as Boise State coach in 2006, including 24-1 against WAC opponents.

Yup, that only league loss came to the Colt Brennan-led Warriors of '07.

HAWAII CAUSED Boise's only gap in WAC championships since 2002, and UH senior linebacker Blaze Soares would like nothing better than to spoil BSU's BCS and WAC dreams again in 2009.

"It's always good to upset a team like that, especially Boise, which I hate," said Soares, one of the Warriors' few remaining impact players from '07. "They're the top dogs. They're the voice of the WAC. Going against them, you just gotta bring it, you know. You just gotta want it, when you line up against them. Have that attitude against them. You don't have to talk to build up that game."

Dave Southorn of the Idaho Press writes about Boise State's recent tough times playing at Aloha Stadium.

"We've talked about it a lot," senior fullback Richie Brockel said. "I've never won over there, and I don't enjoy the trip because of that. I'd really like to go over there my senior year and get the 'W' and put those emotions to rest."

Hawaii has gone 171-110-4 in the 34-plus years of the stadium's existence. Boise State is 3-3 all-time there. With its isolation, hostile crowd and unique weather, Aloha Stadium is anything but a fun trip for opposing players.

Stephen Tsai writes about UH tweaking the receiver lineups in the wake of Rodney Bradley's season-ending injury.

Kealoha Pilares, who has played right slotback in the first four games, is expected to start at left wideout against No. 4- ranked Boise State.

That opens the way for Jon Medeiros to start at right slotback. The other two starting receivers are left slotback Greg Salas and right wideout Jovonte Taylor.

But head coach Greg McMackin said Joe Avery, who has had a strong week of practice, will get extended playing time at left wideout.

Jason Kaneshiro writes about Jon Medeiros getting his chance.

Medeiros was awarded a scholarship in the offseason and is now looking to provide a steady hand at a position where Pilares caught 41 passes in the first six games of the season. Medeiros played much of the second half against Idaho last week and finished with three catches for 25 yards.

"He never complains, really does a good job in practice," offensive coordinator Ron Lee said. "He filled in the last couple weeks, does everything right, he's where he's supposed to be. Now he gets his chance."

Kaneshiro also writes about Liko Satele getting a start at left defensive end and QB David Graves emulating Boise QB Kellen Moore on the scout team.

I believe UH currently flies commercial to their road games for budgetary reasons. Boise State on the other hand:

Now charters are such accepted practice that BSU doesn't even price out the commercial option for most of its trips.

Charter airline flights are common across college football.

"When we first started down this road with the charters, it was so much better for the players to get back," Waller said.

Prices vary depending on the destination. Last year, the Broncos were able to charter a plane for 110 people for less than $50,000 for many of their trips through a three-year contract with Frontier.

This year, BSU has paid $69,000 for Fresno State, $99,000 for Bowling Green and $83,000 for Tulsa.

The flight to Hawaii, on Alaska, cost $160,000 for a traveling party of 129. That put the total cost of the trip within $10,000 of flying commercial, Waller said.

KMVT.com has a short video preview of the game.

And Ferd Lewis writes that Boise State could leave the WAC someday soon.