Boise State turns full attention to Florida State, expects to name starting quarterback

Boise State turns its full attention to Florida State this week.

The Broncos ended fall camp Sunday morning with the program’s annual tradition of hiking to the top of Table Rock, just south-east of downtown Boise, Idaho. 

The 2,00-foot climb over 3.6 miles symbolizes Boise State’s goal of “climbing the mountain” in the Mountain West Conference. It also honors the death of Paul Reyna, who died during his freshman fall camp with the Broncos in 1999.

Broncos coach Bryan Harsin could also name his starting quarterback this week as the team begins game-plan preparations Tuesday for FSU.

The Broncos and Seminoles open the season Aug. 31 in Jacksonville.

Following Boise State’s final preseason scrimmage Friday night, Harsin told the media he was close to naming a starter to replace four-year letterman Brett Rypien, now with the Denver Broncos.

Five players, led by favorite Chase Cord, have been competing for the starter’s role.

Harsin said Cord, who is coming off a torn ACL last season, played in Friday’s scrimmage.

“Chase had no limitations on his reps. … he was out there the whole time. It was good,” Harsin said. “It is a tough one (decision) because they are pushing each other. Not like somebody is running away from it.”

Cord completed 6-of-9 passes last season for 67 yards with a touchdown and an interception before being injured.

Other players in the mix include JUCO transfer Jaylon Henderson and heralded freshman Hank Bachmeier.

FSU coach Willie Taggart also has yet to name the Seminoles’ starting quarterback for the opener.

However, returnee James Blackman is considered the frontrunner over transfers Alex Hornibrook and Jordan Travis. Taggart doesn’t appear to be in a rush to name his starter.

“Before the Boise State game. Before we play it,” Taggart said Sunday at the team’s media day.

"I promise you we will have a starting quarterback, and I promise you we will announce it before we play that game. But don't necessarily have a timetable when we're going to name a starting quarterback. When we feel like it's right and best that we do it, we'll do it, and like I say, I promise you I'm going to announce it, and I promise you it's going to be before the Boise game.”

While experience is a strength of Boise State – it returns all five offensive line starters, features depth at receiver and spotlights 10 of the top 13 tacklers from last season on defense, anchored by preseason Player of the Year Curtis Weaver – the Broncos also have yet to name a starting tailback.

They must replace Alex Mattison, who won the Mountain West rushing title with 1,415 yards as a junior last season and declared early for the NFL.

Juniors Robert Mahone and Andrew Van Buren are considered the favorites to step in for Mattison. 

In an attempt to simulate the steamy conditions Boise State expects to experience in its trip to Florida, the team cranked up the heat at practice last week in its indoor practice facility.

The team raised the thermostat in the facility and also watered down the field and players during practice. The Broncos utilized the same routine last year during preparations for their road game at Troy in Alabama. 

FSU is favored over Boise State by 5 points, according to FanDuel.com. 

Here is the site's results and betting trends: 

- Boise State and Florida State have never faced one another in each program's respective history.

- Boise State is 2-2 in its four all-time, head-to-head matchups against ACC opponents. 

- Florida State is 4-0 in its four all-time, head-to-head matchups against Mountain West opponents. 

- Boise State finished the 2018 season with a 10-3 record.

- Florida State finished the 2018 season with a 5-7 record.

Moneyline: BSU: (+170) | FSU: (-200)

Spread: BSU: +5 (-110) | FSU: -5 (-115)

Total: 53.5 – Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

Public (Spread) Betting Percentages: BSU: 16% | FSU: 84%

Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com