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Game Day Guide: Boise State Broncos vs. BYU Cougars

Boise State looks to cap off the rivalry series with a statement win on The Blue Saturday before BYU heads to the Big 12. Here's Bronco Nation's guide to the game.

Zack Armstrong

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Published: 2:53 PM MDT November 2, 2022
Updated: 5:45 PM MDT November 4, 2022

For the final time in the series' storied history, Boise State welcomes BYU to Albertsons Stadium for a rivalry battle Saturday at 5 p.m. MT on The Blue. 

The Broncos and Cougars met in 2003 and 2004, before an eight-year gap. Now, the 2022 matchup marks the 11th-consecutive year the two programs have faced off. BYU is touting this fall as an "independence farewell tour," as the Cougars plan to join the Big 12 Conference in 2023.

Headlines entering Saturday's battle have changed drastically in favor of the Broncos in the last 30 days. One month ago, Boise State was 2-2, coming off a loss at UTEP. BYU was ranked No. 19 in the nation, with a 4-1 record. 

Since then, Boise State has rattled off four-straight wins. Meanwhile, the Cougars are losers of four-straight contests, including a 41-14 loss at Liberty and a 27-24 loss in Provo against East Carolina in the last two weeks. 

"We come off a weekend where we were able to grow in a lot of things and now we got a huge task in front of us, a huge challenge in front of us. The upmost respect for what Kalani [Sitake] has done at BYU and the program he's built," Boise State head coach Andy Avalos said. "They've played a schedule this year, you know, the competition they've played against, the teams are 30-11 and they've played a bunch of ranked teams, beat ranked teams."

While the Cougars' last two losses are eye opening, Avalos is right – BYU's 2022 schedule has been nothing short of daunting. BYU knocked off No. 9 Baylor in double overtime Sept. 10, before falling to No. 24 Oregon in Eugene. 

Stikae's squad defeated Mountain West foes Wyoming and Utah State in back-to-back weeks before the four-game losing skid. Two of the four recent losses were to Notre Dame in Las Vegas and Arkansas in Provo. 

Since it's forgetful 27-10 loss at UTEP, followed by a handful of offensive changes, Boise State has rattled off four-straight wins amid a brutal Mountain West stretch. 

While the offensive production has taken the blue and orange to new heights in recent weeks, Boise State's defense has been as solid as they come in 2022, ranking No. 2 in the FBS in total defense, allowing just 232.2 yards per game. 

Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. MT Saturday on Fox Sports 2. Fans are asked to 'Wear Black' inside Albertsons Stadium, as the Broncos plan to wear all black uniforms against the Cougars.

Scroll down to find more ways to watch the game, the history of Boise State vs. BYU, a fan guide, matchup statistics and more.

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