BOISE, Idaho (AP) – Defensive coordinators might be chugging a lot of antacid on Wednesday night.

Two of the more potent offenses in the country will meet when Boise State hosts Bowling Green in a matchup of two of the country’s top mid-major programs. It’s the kind of game Falcons coach Gregg Brandon would like to see more often.

“This is the type of game our league needs to start taking a look at. Playing teams with similar size, speed and talent,” Brandon said. “I think going to a 12-game schedule, it’s very difficult for a mid-major to find games. We need to look more at some of these games.”

After being routed at Georgia and losing on a late field goal at Oregon State, Boise State (0-2) returns to Bronco Stadium facing a major challenge in attempting to extend the nation’s longest home winning streak. Boise State has won 25 straight at home, its last loss coming in 2001 to Washington State, and 39 of its last 40.

The rare Wednesday game is also a chance for Bowling Green (1-1) quarterback Omar Jacobs to display his remarkable efficiency in a nationally televised game.

Jacobs led the country with 41 TD passes last year and has started this season on a similar pace. The 6-foot-4 junior threw five touchdown passes at Wisconsin in the opener, and followed that with five more in the Falcons’ 40-31 win over Ball State. He is averaging 443 passing yards per game.

Jacobs has thrown two interceptions so far – notable because he tossed just four all of last year.

“I don’t set TD goals. They call the plays, I run them,” Jacobs said. “I just want to win games.”

The Falcons’ spread offense is set up to give Jacobs multiple chances to throw the ball into safe situations and before defensive pressure arrives. Ten receivers have caught passes from Jacobs.

The variety of options in the system is part of the reason that Jacobs, with his career passer rating of 170.22, is on pace to eclipse the all-time NCAA mark of 168.79, held by former Boise State QB Ryan Dinwiddie.

“Omar does a nice job taking care of the football. We do a good job coaching that … stressing getting rid of the ball on time and protecting our quarterback,” Brandon said. “We do a nice job with him inside the system and don’t throw a lot of high-risk plays.”

Boise State, ranked No. 18 in the preseason top 25, is still trying to recover from the reality check it was given by No. 7 Georgia, 48-13, in the season opener.

The Broncos recovered nicely against the Beavers, leading 24-14 in the third quarter, before Oregon State scored 16 of the final 19 points.

Boise State is on a three-game losing streak dating back to last year’s 44-40 loss to Louisville in the Liberty Bowl, its longest skid since 1997.

“We’re trying not to get caught up in the highs or lows, and trying to focus on the things we can control,” Boise State coach Dan Hawkins said. “Nobody likes losing, especially these guys or coaches, but we understand we’ve got to play better and cleaner.”

Broncos quarterback Jared Zabransky threw four interceptions and fumbled twice before being benched in the second quarter in the opener, but rebounded with a 19-of-36 performance for 233 yards and three TDs against the Beavers.

Zabransky and his offense are still trying to find the same rhythm and potency as last year, when the Broncos averaged 48.9 points – second in the country – and Zabransky threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 16 TDs.

Boise State is 87th in the country in scoring offense this year.

“We feel confident about moving our offense on a lot of the defenses we play,” Zabransky said. “We need to establish ourselves … for us to put a lot of points on the board.”

AP-ES-09-20-05 1548EDT

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