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BOISE, Idaho -- It happened long enough ago that its become a footnote in Boise States history.Fifteen years ago, Washington State arrived in Boise and handed the Broncos a 41-20 beating. In the time since, Boise State is unbeaten in 33 non-conference regular-season games on its blue turf.Oregon visited and walked away with a loss. The same with Oregon State, Washington and BYU along the way.And now the Cougars return to Boise State on Saturday night for a game with increased importance for Washington States psyche. The Broncos must have a win to be part of the national conversation as the season goes on.The urgency for Washington State comes after the Cougars stumbled for the second straight year in an opener against an FCS program. Last year it was Portland State. This time, it was neighboring Eastern Washington pulling out a 45-42 victory.But traveling to Boise State presents itself as the kind of game Washington State could win considering the circumstances. Its what the Cougars did last season on their way to nine wins, many of those coming when they were least expected. That team displayed its resilience immediately after the opening loss to Portland State last season by winning on the road at Rutgers.Does this group have the same resolve?Maybe we have a certain mentality on the road, like us against the world, Washington State quarterback Luke Falk said. Maybe we need to get that at home.Washington States loss in the opener was also a potential setback for the Broncos. Washington State was supposed to be the marquee opponent on the Broncos non-conference slate that still includes Oregon State and BYU.We certainly have a big challenge trying to slow those guys down, Boise State coach Bryan Harsin said.Other things to watch as the Broncos and Cougars meet for just the fifth time:FAMILY TREE: Excuse Boise State quarterback Brett Rypien for disagreeing with some members of his family this week. Rypiens uncle, Mark, is in the Washington State athletic hall of fame and he has also been one of his nephews major supporters.Except for this week. The Rypien clans loyalties are split. Everyone wants to see Brett have a good game and hes coming off throwing for more than 300 yards in the first half of Boise States season-opening win over Louisiana. But some of the family would like to see the Cougars come out on top.(Marks) already told me, he hopes I throw for a lot of yards in that game, but we lose by three, Rypien said.FALKS CHOICE: Growing up in Logan, Utah, Falk saw Boise State regularly when it would visit Utah State. Falk had interest in the Broncos as a senior in high school and tried to draw their attention. The response he got from Boise State fell in line with other programs.Not much. Pretty much like every school, Falk said.If Washington State is to win in Boise, it will need Falk to be at his best. Falk did his part against Eastern Washington, throwing for 418 yards and four touchdowns. But the Cougars failed to score on four straight possessions late in the second quarter and into the third quarter.Last week is over and well learn from the mistakes that were there, Falk said.FEELING BLUE: Boise State is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its blue turf this season, but Washington State coach Mike Leach is not necessarily a fan of the tinted field.Im glad I dont have to watch film on it every day, to be honest with you, Leach said. I think secretly those assistant coaches and those coaches at Boise, despite the fact its a trademark thing, would rather watch their guys practice on grass so the bodies, theres a little more contrast with them running around than on blue turf. Id rather watch it on green than a variety of colors.PROTECT THE BLUE: Boise State has not won on its home field since Oct. 24, 2015. The Broncos lost their final two home games of last season to New Mexico and Air Force. It was the first time Boise State dropped consecutive home games since 1997.Soccer Jerseys China . Team physician Dr. Steve Traina performed the surgery Friday. Robinson was injured in a spill underneath the Nuggets basket during the first quarter of Wednesday nights loss to the Charlotte Bobcats. Fake Soccer Jerseys . PETERSBURG, Fla. https://www.soccerjerseyschina.us/ . - Derek Wolfe says hes finally healthy after suffering a seizure in November that doctors now believe was related to the spinal cord injury he suffered in the preseason. Wholesale Soccer Jerseys China . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Cheap Soccer JerseysThey say greatness recognizes greatness, and Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller has certainly had enough opportunities to recognize that of the New England Patriots.With his eighth career meeting with the Patriots (two in the playoffs) looming on Sunday, Miller praised Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Bill Belichick in a post for The Players Tribune, deeming them the toughest hes ever faced at their respective positions.On Wednesday, Brady?compared Miller?to three-time Defensive Player of the Year Lawrence Taylor, and it seems the respect is mutual. Miller calls Bradys pre-snap vision the best Ive ever seen, bar none, adding, You can disguise your look all you want, but hes still able to move guys around and forecast whats coming.Gronkowski is on injured reserve and wont play Sunday in Denver, but Miller deems him the leagues most dominant tight end, comparing him to the Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James.He went on to credit Belichick for his ability to repeatedly surprise his opponents:Some of the packages we see from the Patriots, Ive never seen before on a football field.Theyll line Gronk up way out wide at the X receiver position, and the running back will be lined up on Bradys left side. So in my mind, Im thinking, Damn, its all good. No tight end. No RB chipper in sight. Here we go. Lets eat....And then all of a sudden Brady sends Gronk in slow motion back toward me, then the ball is snapped. So I release and Gronk is coming from the outside to chip me, and I dont even see him coming. Ive played a lot of football, but theres stilll stuff the Patriots do that surprises me.ddddddddddddNot all of those Miller recognized were New England foes, however. At offensive tackle -- the position he most regularly does battle with -- Washington Redskins anchor Trent Williams got the nod, though the two typically line up on opposite ends of the line. Miller says Williams has that swag about him that makes him almost more like a defensive player, as he plays in attack mode like few tackles do.Miller also picked a running back for his list, going a bit off the board with Jacksonville Jaguars back Chris Ivory. The main reason? Ivory delivered one of the hardest hits Miller has ever absorbed, knocking out one of the linebackers contacts in a 2014 meeting between the Broncos and Jets.Ivory causes harm, bro, Miller writes. He almost never runs out of bounds to preserve himself. He lays his body on the line for his teammates.Lucky for Miller, Ivory missed the Broncos-Jaguars meeting in Week 13, while he has to face Williams only once every four years. Denver hosted Washington in 2013, so the Broncos will head to D.C. in 2017.Not so lucky regarding the Patriots though, who come to Denver again Sunday and will also be on the 2017 docket, regardless of how either team finishes. Its worked out OK for Miller however: He has 7.5 sacks in seven games against New England, tallying 2.5 and an interception in last seasons AFC Championship Game.-- David DeChant ' ' '