Las Vegas Bowl 2017 Preview - Oregon vs. Boise State

Oregon has already had a coaching change, but the good news is Mario Cristobal the offensive coordinator is getting the job. Willie Taggart left for Florida State, but I don't know that there is a huge drop off for this bowl game with Cristobal coaching, and Jim Leavitt staying on as the defensive coordinator.

Boise State won the Mountain West Championship over Boise State, but did not cover the spread. We played Fresno in that game. Bryan Harsin has always been in my opinion an over rated coach, but it's hard to argue with what Boise State did this year in a down Mountain West Conference. Their 3 losses came against Virginia, Washington State, and Fresno.

Boise State has just 2 weeks to prepare and are dealing with a condensed schedule considering they have spent the last week or so on recruiting trips. Oregon obviously with an extra week to prepare, but have had the coaching changes. Both teams are about 2 hours from Vegas and I believe are excited to be here. Boise getting to play a power 5 school while Oregon did not go to a bowl game last year.

I mentioned the Mountain West being down this year, but so is the PAC 12. However, the MW went just 3-7 against the PAC12 as they have been in a steady decline. 2008-2012 the MW went 16-13 agasint the Pac 12, but over the last 5 years the PAC 12 has taken control going 48-11. This season the PAC 12 has outscored the Mountain West by 15 points. Worth noting is Boise lost by just 3 to Washington State, but they blew a huge lead in that game. Oregon pounded Wyoming 49-13. The betters teams of the Mountain West like San Diego State & Boise have actually played right with the PAC 12.

Oregon, keep in mind their season did not go as planned when they lost Justin Herbert, their star QB. Herbert missed 5 key games, but returned over the last two games. With Herbert this offense averaged 52 points per game, and without him they averaged just 15. The defense was much improved this year and if Herbert was in there you would think they would have been in contention, but the schedule was not friendly with their two toughest games at Stanford and at Washington both played without Herbert.

Boise State really had a weird season as they could not decide on a QB and still are running a 2 QB situation. Their strength is their defense specifically against the run, but I don't think they have faced an offense like Oregon all year long. Even Washington State who put 47 points up with their backup QB was extremely one dimensional. Oregon with Herbert in their arguably a top 3 offense in the nation.

Lean: Oregon. I would have liked to get them under 7, but I think even with the coaching moves they are in a good spot to win and cover this spread. I think Jim Leavitt their defensive coordinator sticking around is the biggest reason why you saw this spread jump 2.5 points.