# Why the Broncos' 8.5 looks too fat

> Memphis has been the best Group of 6 team in football, so why are they getting 8.5 at Boise State?
- Title: Why the Broncos' 8.5 looks too fat · New York Post | Shortify
- Summary: Memphis has been the best Group of 6 team in football, so why are they getting 8.5 at Boise State? Boise State's near-miss at Oregon flattered them, and the…
- Keywords: college football, betting, memphis, boise state, week 2, news, entertainment, Broncos', looks, too, fat, New York Post
- Source: New York Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/12/betting/memphis-vs-boise-state-prediction-college-football-week-2-picks-best-bets-odds
- Published: 2026-09-12T18:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: college football, betting, memphis, boise state, week 2, news, entertainment
## Memphis handled the turnover
Charles Huff's first two weeks buried the offseason worry. The Tigers won at UNLV in Week 0, then put away Arkansas State 42-24.

> Perhaps the concern about all the change at Memphis this offseason was overblown.
## Still getting 8.5 points
Despite a 2-0 start with a road win in it, Memphis walks into Boise as an 8.5-point underdog Saturday evening.
## Boise's loss played like a win
The Broncos were massive underdogs at Oregon and lost 34-27. For the season ahead, that performance did more for them than the scoreboard suggests.

> It goes down in the ledger as a loss, but in terms of Boise State's season-long prospects, it was a massive victory.
## The box score says otherwise
Oregon piled up penalties, went 0-for-3 on fourth down, and still outgained Boise State by 223 yards. That is a lot of help for a close final score.
## Madsen is the wobble
Maddux Madsen was erratic in 2025 and was not sharp in Eugene. He avoided disaster, which is the underdog's job, but this week he has to be the difference-maker.

> the performance doesn't give me much confidence that he can be the difference-maker
## The play: Memphis +8.5
The Tigers' run game has been rolling through two weeks, which makes them a hard out on the road. Take Memphis +8.5 at -110 on DraftKings.

> Memphis' ground game has been firing on all cylinders through two weeks
## Key takeaway

Boise State's near-miss at Oregon flattered them, and the number has overcorrected. Take Memphis and the points.