Game Day Guide: Boise State battles Utah State with bowl eligibility up for grabs
Boise State can still earn a spot in the Mountain West title game and keep its nation-leading streak of 25 consecutive winning seasons alive. It all starts in Logan.
(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
The Boise State football program finds itself in an extremely rare spot – right between firing its head coach for the first time since joining the FBS level in 1996 and facing Utah State in a must-win game to keep its Mountain West title game hopes alive.
Saturday's scene on the Bronco sidelines in Logan should look different, not just because of former head coach Andy Avalos' absence, but also due to what appears to be a fired up squad under interim leader Spencer Danielson, who many players have highlighted during the roller coaster week.
Additionally, Boise State will welcome back sophomore standout running back Ashton Jeanty, who has not played since an Oct. 28 win over Wyoming on The Blue. Danielson on Friday told the media, "we're excited to get Ashton Jeanty back." He returned to drills on Tuesday alongside quarterback Taylen Green.
The update came as the media was allowed to ask questions for the first time this season on a Friday during availability with the Boise State head coach. Danielson added the Bronco coaching staff will cautious as to how much they use Jeanty in Logan.
Fellow gunslinger Maddux Madsen, who made his first start on the eve of Avalos' dismissal, is set to have surgery on Tuesday and will miss the rest of the season, according to Danielson. Madsen suffered an injury during Boise State's 42-14 rout of New Mexico.
Green returns to his No. 1 spot behind center with an opportunity to make some statements. Danielson on Friday said "Taylen Green is our guy," adding "I'm extremely confident about the way he's going to play tomorrow."
Boise State can punch their ticket to post-season play on Saturday as they visit fellow 5-5 squad and regional Mountain West rival Utah State. The contest is set to kickoff at 5 p.m. MT and will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
After all that's happened in the past week, including the Broncos' leading receiver in Eric McAlister deciding to leave the team and enter the transfer portal, the blue and orange got positive news with some conference upsets on the night it rolled the Lobos and still has a chance to play for a Mountain West championship.
The battle-tested squad is on a mission to keep Boise State's nation-leading streak of 25 consecutive winning seasons intact. A win at Maverick Stadium this weekend gets the Broncos to bowl eligibility ahead of a battle with Air Force on Black Friday at Albertsons Stadium. The game with the Falcons and a bowl would give them two chances to get their seventh win.
Not only can Boise State still play for a trophy, but it still has a chance to host the conference title. However, it needs to win out, and it needs Fresno State to lose one game or UNLV to lose two more.
Everything is still on the table – but it all starts with Utah State on Saturday night.
While Danielson has earned quite a bit of an applause from players, and his passion for the program and its student-athletes is obvious, Boise State offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan has quietly put together an impressive year as the playcaller. Last week, the Broncos posted 484 yards of offense, averaging nearly 8 yards per play without Jeanty and McAlister.
Boise State ranks 27th among FBS teams in total offense, 20th in rushing offense, 39th in scoring offense and 53rd in both passing offense and red zone offense. Utah State has also been impressive on offense this fall, ranking in the top 35 in the five statistical categories mentioned.
Rahsul Faison and Davon Booth are both nearing 600 rushing yards on the season for the Aggies, while Cooper Legas and McCae Hillstead have combined for 28 passing touchdowns and more than 2,600 yards through the air.
The Broncos will be without their leading tackler Marco Notarainni again on Saturday and he could be out a few more weeks. Additionally, standout Andrew Simpson is "banged up," but pushing to get back and play if possible.
Danielson will continue to call plays for the defense from the sideline moving forward as the interim head man. His group has received a much-needed boost the past few weeks from defensive back Seyi Oladipo, who forced a fumble and recorded 3 tackles-for-loss against New Mexico.
Boise State has won seven-straight games against Utah State and 18 of the past 19 meetings. The Broncos are roughly a 3-point favorite on the road across most major sportsbooks in Las Vegas.
Scroll down or use the tabs across the top of this story for more information on Saturday's matchup, how to watch and listen to the game, predictions, series history, a stats comparison, players to watch, a breakdown of KTVB's coverage and more.
Game Information Broncos @ Aggies
Boise State (5-5, 4-2 MW) vs. Utah State (5-5, 3-3 MW)
- Saturday, Nov. 18
- Maverik Stadium - Logan, Utah
- Capacity: 25,513
- Kickoff: 5 p.m. MT
- Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Weather: High of 54, low of 37 degrees, chance of showers
Ways to Watch TV, Radio, Streaming
ON TV
Boise State's road game against Utah State will be televised on CBS Sports Network, available on the following channels:
- Cox: Channel 234
- DirecTV: Channel 221
- Dish Network: Channel 158
- Sparklight: Channel 139 / 1139 (HD)
ON THE RADIO
Fans can listen to the game with Bob Behler and Pete Cavender on the Bronco Radio Network, which can be found online or on the stations listed below. Saturday's call can also be heard on SiriusXM Channel 381.
- Boise: KBOI 670 AM / 93.1 FM
- Idaho Falls: KSPZ 980 AM / 98.7 FM
- McCall: KDZY 98.3 FM
- Pocatello: KSPZ 94.5 FM
- Salmon: KSRA 960 AM
- St. Maries: KOFE 1240 AM
- Twin Falls: KSNQ 98.3 FM
- Baker City: KBKR 1490 AM
- La Grande: KLBM 1450 AM
STREAMING
Streaming for the conference contest in Logan is available through platforms such as Paramount+, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV and more. Live streaming is also available on CBSSports.com and the free CBS Sports mobile app for subscribers of participating cable and satellite television providers (including Dish Network and DirecTV).
Bronco Roundup KTVB Coverage in Logan
BRONCO ROUNDUP GAME DAY
Start your game day with KTVB Sports Director Jay Tust and Sports Reporter Brady Frederick on the official TV station for Bronco Nation! A pair of pre-game shows will provide fans with all they need to know ahead of kickoff, live from the Utah State campus in Logan.
The first Bronco Roundup Game Day Show airs Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. MT on KTVB Channel 7, KTVB.COM, KTVB+ on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV, and the KTVB mobile app.
One hour before kickoff, Tust and Frederick return for a second exclusive pre-game show on KTVB's digital platforms. Tune into KTVB.COM, KTVB's YouTube channel, KTVB+ and the KTVB mobile app at 4 p.m. MT Saturday to see the sights and sounds of Maverik Stadium from the sidelines.
While the shows differ in content, both editions of Bronco Roundup will hit on matchup storylines, players and trends to watch, a busy week in Boise State football and more. Saturday afternoon's online program gives fans an up-close look at players and coaches on the field prior to game time.
POST-GAME COVERAGE
KTVB will live stream Boise State's post-game press conference on KTVB.COM, the KTVB YouTube channel, KTVB+ and the KTVB mobile app immediately following the game. Fans will hear from interim head coach Spencer Danielson and select Bronco players in Logan.
Post-game interviews will also be posted online shortly after the press conference ends, so Bronco Nation can watch whenever and wherever they want. Stay tuned to KTVB.COM Saturday night for a game recap, extended highlights, a photo gallery and comments from the Mountain West battle.
Odds and Predictions Road Favorites
Based on its analytics system, ESPN's Matchup Predictor gives Boise State a 63.6% chance of beating Utah State on Saturday. The Broncos opened as 4-point favorites on ESPN Bet, which launched Tuesday in 17 U.S. states.
The spread is at 3.5 (even) and the over/under is 64.5 (-110) as of Wednesday afternoon on ESPN Bet. Odds for the moneyline are -155 if picking Boise State, and +135 if betting on Utah State.
According to VegasInsider, the Broncos are a 3-point favorite on BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings and bet365, with odds hovering around -110. FanDuel, BetRivers and Unibet are giving the Aggies 3.5 points.
Boise State is 4-6 against the spread this fall, while Utah State is 6-4, per DraftKings. The Broncos have won just a single game in five contests away from Albertsons Stadium, and three of the Aggies' five wins have came inside Maverik Stadium.
History Broncos-Aggies Series
Boise State football has dominated Utah State across the past 25 years. After the Aggies won back-to-back contests to start the series in 1996 and 1997, the Broncos went on a 12-game winning streak that lasted until 2015.
Saturday's showdown in Logan marks the 28th meeting between the two programs, with Boise State owning an all-time record of 22-5 in the previous 27 matchups. The Broncos are riding seven consecutive wins over their regional rival since the loss more than eight years ago.
In Mountain West battles, Boise State is 16-3. The Broncos are 10-3 when facing the Aggies in Logan and 12-2 in games played in the City of Trees. The offense has scored with ease throughout the series, averaging 41 points overall and having posted at least 50 points eight times in 18 games since 2000.
On senior day one year ago, Boise State extended its winning streak with a 42-23 victory on Black Friday at Albertsons Stadium. Quarterback Taylen Green tossed three touchdowns in the first half, two to Eric McAlister, and the home team led 21-7 at the break before the Aggies roared back late.
After Green threw a touchdown to former Bronco and current Los Angeles Charger Scott Matlock to make it 28-10 in the third quarter, Utah State responded with back-to-back touchdowns to trim the deficit to 28-23.
With one minute remaining, Green put the game on ice with a memorable 91-yard score on the ground. Safety Seyi Oladipo added the cherry on top with pick-six with 30 seconds to play. The win concluded Boise State's 8-0 regular-season run against Mountain West opponents.
Boise State's all-time record against Utah State:
- Nov. 25, 2022: Win - 42-23 (Boise)
- Sept. 25, 2021: Win - 27-3 (Logan)
- Oct. 24, 2020: Win - 42-13 (Boise)
- Nov. 23, 2019: Win - 56-21 (Logan)
- Nov. 24, 2018: Win - 33-24 (Boise)
- Oct. 28, 2017: Win - 41-14 (Logan)
- Oct. 1, 2016: Win - 21-10 (Boise)
- Oct. 16, 2015: Loss - 52-26 (Logan)
- Nov. 29, 2014: Win - 50-19 (Boise)
- Oct. 12, 2013: Win - 34-23 (Logan)
- Dec. 4, 2010: Win - 50-14 (Boise)
- Nov. 20, 2009: Win - 52-21 (Logan)
- Nov. 8, 2008: Win - 49-14 (Boise)
- Nov. 10, 2007: Win - 52-0 (Logan)
- Nov. 18, 2006: Win - 49-10 (Boise)
- Oct. 22, 2005: Win - 45-21 (Logan)
- Sept. 28, 2002: Win - 63-38 (Boise)
- Nov. 11, 2000: Win - 66-38 (Boise)
- Oct. 30, 1999: Win - 33-27 (Logan)
- Oct. 24, 1998: Win - 30-16 (Boise)
- Nov. 1, 1997: Loss - 24-20 (Logan)
- Oct. 19, 1996: Loss - 39-14 (Boise)
- Sept. 9, 1995: Win - 38-14 (Logan)
- Oct. 15, 1983: Loss - 10-7 (Logan)
- Nov. 13, 1982: Win - 30-10 (Boise)
- Oct. 29, 1977: Win - 23-16 (Logan)
- Nov. 15, 1975: Loss - 42-19 (Boise)
New Depth Chart Broncos Make Changes
On the heels of a change in leadership, Thursday's Boise State football depth chart also saw a handful of changes ahead of its Mountain West matchup with Utah State.
The lineup at wide receiver featured the biggest shakeup, with former Borah High standout Austin Bolt and sixth-year senior Billy Bowens listed as starters at different positions than last week. Bolt moves from the 'X' spot to 'Z' receiver, while Bowens goes from the starting 'Z' to the No. 1 'F' receiver.
True freshman standout Prince Strachan, who was listed as the backup to Bolt before the Broncos' win over New Mexico, takes over as the starter at the same 'X' position. Rocky Mountain High School graduate Hunter Steacker now appears on the depth chart as the No. 2 behind Strachan.
On Thursday, KTVB Sports Director Jay Tust confirmed former Boise State wide receiver Eric McAlister won't be rejoining the team despite exploring the option. The team's leading receiver elected to leave the team and enter the transfer portal last week prior to the firing of head coach Andy Avalos.
The tight end two-deep now features an 'OR' tag, with Riley Smith and Matt Lauter both listed as potential starters, rather than Smith sitting above Lauter as the confirmed starter. Smith was ruled out prior to last week's contest on The Blue.
As previously reported, quarterback Maddux Madsen is out for the foreseeable future due to an injury suffered against the Lobos, the first game he started this year. He has been removed from Boise State's depth chart, with Taylen Green returning to his No. 1 spot behind center and CJ Tiller now appearing as the No. 2.
The defensive depth chart also featured a few notable changes on Thursday. The Broncos' leading tackler in Marco Notarainni, who is expected to be out multiple weeks, is no longer listed. Notarainni had previously appeared alongside DJ Schramm with the 'OR' tag at starting middle linebacker.
Senior Markel Reed is now the backup boundary cornerback behind fourth-year junior Jaylen Clark. Prior to the New Mexico game, Reed appeared with A'Marion McCoy as a potential starter at the opposite field-side cornerback position.
Tust on Thursday learned Reed plans to utilize his additional year of eligibility due to COVID and return to Boise next year, a welcome sight for Bronco Nation.
McCoy is now the clear-cut starter at field-side cornerback, with redshirt sophomore Jalen Neal as the backup. Additionally, Bryce Cleave has been added to the depth chart at free safety, alongside freshman Ty Benefield as the backups behind starter Rodney Robinson.
Rising standout Jayden Virgin now has an 'OR' tag as a potential starter at EDGE with veteran Demitri Washington, who did not play in last week's 42-14 win at Albertsons Stadium. With Notarainni removed from the depth chart, Jake Ripp and Dishawn Misa are the backups to Schramm at middle linebacker.
Jay's Sports Bar What Went Wrong?
Ahead of Saturday's showdown with the Aggies, catch up on a wild week in the world of Boise State football with KTVB Sports Director Jay Tust and former Bronco wide receiver Shane Williams-Rhodes on Episode 11 of the Jay's Sports Bar podcast.
This week's edition dives into a number of pressing questions and hot topics, including:
- What led to the dismissal of Andy Avalos?
- Why didn't Boise State Director of Athletics Jeramiah Dickey wait until the end of the season to make the move?
- Potential candidates to replace Avalos
- Eric McAlister's attempted return to the program
- Previewing Boise State's matchup with Utah State in Logan
Bronco Nation can watch Jay's Sports Bar on KTVB's YouTube channel, KTVB+ and KTVB.COM. Episode 11 is also live on Apple Podcasts.
Team Stats FBS Ranks
Team: Stat Per Game | FBS Rank:
TOTAL OFFENSE
- Utah State: 448.3 YPG | No. 22
- Boise State: 439.3 YPG | No. 27
SCORING OFFENSE
- Utah State: 35.5 PPG | No. 20
- Boise State: 31.2 PPG | No. 39
RUSHING OFFENSE
- Boise State: 195.9 YPG | No. 20
- Utah State: 177.3 YPG | No. 40
PASSING OFFENSE
- Utah State: 271.0 YPG | No. 32
- Boise State: 243.3 YPG | No. 53
RED ZONE OFFENSE %
- Utah State: .914 | No. 22
- Boise State: .868 | No. 53
TOTAL DEFENSE
- Boise State: 387.4 YPG | No. 77
- Utah State: 400.3 YPG | No. 93
SCORING DEFENSE
- Boise State: 26.8 PPG | No. 71
- Utah State: 32.0 PPG | No. 110
RUSHING DEFENSE
- Boise State: 115.6 YPG | No. 26
- Utah State: 170.0 YPG | No. 98
PASSING YARDS ALLOWED
- Utah State: 230.3 YPG | No. 71
- Boise State: 271.8 | No. 123
RED ZONE DEFENSE %
- Utah State: .800 | No. 41
- Boise State: .861 | No. 88
Individual Stats Top Players
PASSING
- Taylen Green: 88-of-163 (53.99%), 1,205 yards, 6 TDs, 6 INTs
- Cooper Legas: 130-of-201 (64.68%), 1,687 yards, 18 TDs, 8 INTs
RUSHING
- Ashton Jeanty: 157 carries, 921 yards (5.9 YPC), 11 TDs
- Rahsul Faison: 84 carries, 581 yards (6.9 YPC), 4 TDs
RECEIVING
- Ashton Jeanty: 30 receptions, 396 yards (13.20 YPC), 4 TDs
- Jalen Royals: 54 receptions, 821 yards (15.20 YPC), 11 TDs
Note: McAlister's statistics excluded
TACKLES
- Marco Notarainni: 53 total tackles (29 solo, 24 assisted)
- MJ Tafisi: 108 total tackles (44 solo, 64 assisted)
TACKLES-FOR-LOSS
- Ahmed Hassanein: 12 TFLs (68 yards)
- Anthony Switzer: 7 TFLs (30 yards)
SACKS
- Ahmed Hassanein: 9 sacks (64 yards)
- Paul Fitzgerald: 5 sacks (26 yards)
INTERCEPTIONS
- Benefield, Clark, McCoy, Oladipo, Simpson, Teubner: 1 INT each
- Ike Larsen: 4 INTs
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