What scares Boise State OC Dirk Koetter ahead of Fiesta Bowl showdown against Penn State?
Penn State proved back on Dec. 7 that it could stick with the nation’s No. 1 team, Oregon, in the Big Ten Championship game. Although the Ducks ended up getting the win, many have argued that the Nittany Lions benefitted the most from the result.
Earning the No. 6 seed, Penn State was able to face SMU in the first round at home, which resulted in a 38-10 blowout. Now, in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff, Penn State is an 11-point favorite against this year’s Group of 5 representative, Boise State.
But, in addition to what many believe is a talent disparity that favors the Nittany Lions, you can make the argument that playing last week against SMU could also work in Penn State’s favor. Even having one week off during the regular season can sometimes throw a team out of rhythm. Boise State will have gone 25 days since it last played once the Fiesta Bowl kicks off next Tuesday night.
“I think most teams this time of the year that are playing well – which I think if you’re winning games, you’re playing well – I think most teams that are playing well would rather play than rest,” said Boise State offensive coordinator and former NFL head coach Dirk Koetter. “The time off scares me more than I think it helps us, with a couple of exceptions. There’s a couple of guys injury-wise. Mason Randolph, for example, if we wouldn’t have had the time off, we probably wouldn’t have had a chance to get him back.”
Link: Dirk Koetter discusses Nittany Lion defense ahead of Fiesta Bowl
Koetter went on to explain why the time off is a potential detriment to his offense.
“Going against your scout team every day is different than going against any real team, let alone a team that’s as good as Penn State,” he said. “The speed difference and then just time off. It’s been a really good schedule that Coach [Spencer] Danielson put together, as far as giving guys time off for Christmas, giving guys enough time to get their bodies back. But that’s just me personally. I would rather keep playing.”
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Boise State’s players didn’t see as concerned as their coach, however. Quarterback Maddux Madsen, who’s thrown for 2,714 yards, 22 touchdowns and just three interceptions this season, looked at the positive side.
Link: Penn State embraces the grind for momentous opportunity
“A break for certain guys is a big deal. To get multiple guys healthy and back playing is huge,” Madsen said. “But I also know that our team is not going to let multiple weeks of not playing a game change the way we play football. I know I’ve been able to see that through practice and through preparation of the way that guys are taking this extremely serious. That’s not something I’m extremely worried about. But there obviously are, as a coach, some concerns that could be had. But I know our guys, and I trust our guys to be ready to go.”
Star running back Ashton Jeanty pointed to Boise State’s physicality as the main reason why the rest will prove beneficial next Tuesday against another physical team in Penn State.
“I feel really good about it, from the standpoint football is a very physical sport. Then our offense, we pride ourselves in physicality,” Jeanty said. “I think it will do us all well having this time off. But obviously, it’s been a little bit since we played football. But I’m confident in our preparation and how we’ve been working, and we’re all back now, so we can put some more work in and get ready.”
