Game Day Guide: Boise State visits Colorado State for Mountain West bout
The Broncos ride into Fort Collins chasing their 13th-straight win over the Rams. Here's everything Bronco Nation needs to know ahead of Saturday night's showdown.
AP
Boise State rides into Fort Collins for a late-night showdown on Saturday, looking to maintain its perfect all-time record against Colorado State and undefeated start to Mountain West play.
The Broncos are coming off their best 30 minutes of football, scoring 28 unanswered points in a come-from-behind win over San Jose State last week. The debut of Boise State's two-quarterback system got off to a rocky, confusing start, but ultimately proved to be successful against the Spartans.
Earlier this week, Boise State head coach Andy Avalos said Taylen Green will remain the starting quarterback and will be the focal point of the offense. However, Maddux Madsen will continue to play a big role going forward. Despite competing behind center, the "two tremendous young men" showcased plenty of excitement for one another last week on The Blue.
The duo combined for 230 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception (Madsen), in addition to 79 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. If offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan plays his cards right, and the Broncos carry their momentum into Colorado, the unit could be in for a massive day against the Rams.
Colorado State sits within the bottom 10 FBS teams in a handful of statistical categories on defense. The Rams are allowing 36 points per game, which ranks 125th nationally and 11th in the Mountain West. They also rank 124th or worse in pass efficiency defense (163.68), total defense (478.4 YPG) and pass defense (333.0 YPG).
It is worth noting head coach Jay Norvell's squad opened the season against Cam Ward's Washington State and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders. In last week's loss at Utah State, Cooper Legas tossed for 387 yards and four touchdowns. The Aggies also ran for 292 yards, with three different players posting more than 50 yards on the ground.
The Rams will present challenges on the interior. They currently lead the conference with 19 sacks, four more than any other team. Linebacker Chase Wilson also leads Mountain West players with 54 total tackles (10.8 avg.), while defensive back Jack Howell ranks third with 46 total tackles (9.2 avg.).
Colorado State's damage on defending quarterbacks is led by Mohamed Kamara, a 6-foot-1, 250-pound defensive lineman with 9.5 sacks and 11 tackles-for-loss already this year. The graduate student knows the Rams are in need of a win over the Broncos.
Boise State is a perfect 12-0 all-time against Colorado State, dating back to 2011. Last year, the Broncos posted their second-most points ever under Avalos in a 49-10 rout of the Rams at Albertsons Stadium. During Mountain West Media Days in Las Vegas this offseason, Kamara talked about the motivation to change that:
"It's weird to say that we've never beat them. Like, I didn't notice until people bring it up. You know, that's a part of the game, that's a part of football, it really is," Kamara said. "Coach Norvell has beaten Boise State at other places and stuff like that. So, he always rants about that, so it's like, we're supposed to beat them. You know what I mean? I don't know what it is and maybe they had our number for the last 100 years or whatever, but you know, hopefully we get to beat them this year and we're gonna probably do that."
Boise State's defense will once again square off with one of the top passing attacks in the entire country Saturday at Canvas Stadium. The Rams are averaging 351.8 yards per game through the air, which ranks No. 4 among all FBS teams and at the top of the Mountain West.
The Broncos have struggled slow big-time passers in 2023, ranking 123rd nationally in pass defense (295.2 YPG) and 120th in pass efficiency defense (160.09). While San Jose State's Chevan Cordeiro totaled 325 passing yards last week, Boise State held him without a touchdown through the air and A'Marion McCoy grabbed an interception.
As noted by Tom Scott in this week's edition of the Scott Slant, the big question for the Boise State defense this week is, "which one will show up at Colorado State Saturday?" As the offense felt the wheels turn against the Spartans, defensive coordinator Spencer Danielson's group buckled down simultaneously.
Boise State gave up 319 total yards, 9.7 yards per play and allowed the Spartans to convert on 50% of third-down attempts in the first half of last week's win. After halftime, the Broncos allowed just 110 total yards on 3.5 yards per play without allowing a score. The front got pressure often, providing support for the back end to get its third pick of the year.
While the Rams tout impressive totals through the air, they have also thrown it much more often than most. Starting quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi's first pass on Saturday will mark his 200th attempt. The gunslinger has already hit nearly 1,600 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, but has also thrown 10 interceptions.
Colorado State's offense is led by wide receiver Tory Horton, who is responsible for 560 yards and six touchdowns on 48 grabs this season. The NFL-ready talent leads the Mountain West with 112 receiving yards per game, just ahead of Boise State standout Eric McAlister (99.33 YPG).
The Rams have leaned on their pass game while accomplishing little on the ground. They rank third-to-last in the FBS with just 74.2 rushing yards per game and their leading rusher – Kobe Johnson – is averaging just 2.9 yards per touch. Colorado State has 379 rushing yards as a team in 2023.
To put that into perspective, Boise State sophomore running back Ashton Jeanty is already up to 656 rushing yards by himself this fall. Green has 219 rushing yards, while Colorado State's top two backs have 228 yards combined.
The Mountain West contest is scheduled to start around 7:55 p.m. MT Saturday on Fox Sports 1. A familiar face in Dirk Koetter will be on the broadcast call in Fort Collins as an analyst for FS1.
Scroll down for more information on Saturday's matchup, how to watch and listen to the game, predictions, series history, press conference comments, a breakdown of KTVB's coverage and more.
Game Information Broncos vs. Rams
Boise State (3-3, 2-0 MW) vs. Colorado State (2-3, 0-1 MW)
- Saturday, Oct. 14
- Canvas Stadium
- Capacity: 36,500
- Kickoff: 7:55 p.m. MT
- Channel: Fox Sports 1
- Weather: High of 58, low of 34 degrees, clear to partly cloudy
Ways to Watch TV, Radio, Streaming
ON TV
Saturday night's Mountain West bout between the Broncos and Rams will be televised on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), available on the following TV channels:
- Sparklight: Channel 146 / 1146 HD
- DirecTV: Channel 219
- Dish Network: Channel 150
- Cox: Channel 78
ON THE RADIO
Fans can listen to Boise State vs. Colorado State through the Bronco Radio Network, with Bob Behler calling play-by-play for Boise State alongside former offensive lineman Pete Cavender. Click here to stream the Bronco Radio Network online. Radio affiliates are listed below by location:
- 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
Behler and Cavender can also be heard through satellite radio Saturday on SiriusXM Channel 385.
STREAMING
Streaming for Saturday's game is available with the FOX SPORTS App. The app is available to subscribers of participating cable and satellite television providers (including Dish Network and DirecTV).
Fox Sports 1 is also available on fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Philo, Sling TV, Vidgo, YouTube TV and AT&T TV Now's PLUS package. For more information on streaming FS1, click here.
Former Boise State head coach Dirk Koetter will be in the broadcast booth for FS1 Saturday night, alongside Dan Hellie (play-by-play). One year after serving as the Broncos' interim offensive coordinator following the firing of Tim Plough, Koetter adds analyst to his loaded football resume.
KTVB in Colorado Bronco Coverage Plan
BRONCO ROUNDUP GAME DAY
Get ready for Boise State football with the official TV station for Bronco Nation both Saturday morning and Saturday evening ahead of kickoff! The Bronco Roundup Game Day Show featuring KTVB's Jay Tust and Brady Frederick gives fans an up-close look at players warming up, provides an in-depth preview, hits on matchup storylines, features interviews with leaders of Boise State Athletics and more.
The first exclusive pre-game show airs Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. MT on KTVB Channel 7, KTVB.COM, KTVB+ on Roku and Amazon Fire TV and the KTVB mobile app. The second Bronco Roundup Game Day Show runs from 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. MT on KTVB.COM, KTVB's YouTube channel, KTVB+ and the KTVB mobile app.
Tust will be live from the sidelines of Canvas Stadium, showcasing the sights and sounds of game day in Fort Collins. Frederick will add commentary and Bronco feature stories from the City of Trees after showcasing potential future Boise State players on KTVB's Friday Night Football show.
POST-GAME COVERAGE
KTVB will live stream Boise State's post-game press conference on KTVB.COM, the KTVB YouTube channel and the KTVB mobile app Saturday immediately following the end of the game. Fans will hear from head coach Andy Avalos and select Bronco players in Fort Collins.
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 Boise State vs. Colorado State.
Odds and Predictions Road Favorites
ESPN's Matchup Predictor – generated using ESPN Analytics – gives Boise State a 79.2% chance of defeating Colorado State on the road to start Mountain West play 3-0. The Broncos opened as a double-digit favorite, but are favored by 7.5 across most popular sportsbooks as of Wednesday afternoon.
According to VegasInsider, FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, bet356 and others have a spread of 7.5. BetRivers and Unibet give Boise State an 8-point advantage at -110. The over/under is nearly unanimous at 60.5, other than DraftKings at 61. Both teams average around 30 points per game, with the Broncos at 29.7 and the Rams at 31.0.
Boise State is 4-2 against the spread in 2023, while Colorado State is 2-3, per DraftKings. Roughly 90% of betters on the platform like the Rams at +7.5, while bets on the total of 61 are split 50-50. As for the moneyline, around 67% of people have picked the blue and orange to win.
The Rams are coming off a 44-24 loss at Utah State in their first Mountain West game of the year. Colorado State fell to Washington State and Colorado to start the season, before wins over Middle Tennessee and Utah Tech.
After coughing up a 17-0 lead to Memphis in a 35-32 loss on Sept. 30, Boise State erased a 27-7 deficit to come back and defeat San Jose State last week at Albertsons Stadium. The second-half performance was the Broncos' best stretch so far this fall. Boise State is 1-2 in road games, while Colorado State is 1-1 at home.
History Broncos-Rams Series
Boise State is a perfect 12-0 against Colorado State, dating back to October 2011. The conference foes have faced off six times in Fort Collins and six times in the City of Trees.
The closest the Rams have come to beating the Broncos was in a 28-23 battle on The Blue on Oct. 15, 2016. Boise State's biggest win was in the first-ever matchup between the two programs, 63-13 nearly 12 years ago. In the blowout win, Kellen Moore went 26-of-30 with 338 passing yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.
Last year, a revamped Bronco squad cruised to its fourth-straight victory – all over Mountain West opponents – with a 49-10 win over the Rams at Albertsons Stadium. The offensive explosion marked the second-most points scored under head coach Andy Avalos.
Quarterback Taylen Green completed 24 of his 30 passes in the win, racking up 305 yards and two touchdowns. Running back George Holani, who's injury status is in question, rumbled for 108 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Former Bronco Divine Obichere dominated the Rams' offensive line, posting seven tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss and a pair of sacks.
Boise State's all-time record against Colorado State:
- Oct. 29, 2022: W - 49-10 (Boise)
- Oct. 30, 2021: W - 28-19 (Fort Collins)
- Nov. 12, 2020: W - 52-21 (Boise)
- Nov. 29, 2019: W - 31-24 (Fort Collins)
- Oct. 19, 2018: W - 56-28 (Boise)
- Nov. 11, 2017: W - 59-52 OT (Fort Collins)
- Oct. 15, 2016: W - 28-23 (Boise)
- Oct. 10, 2015: W - 41-10 (Fort Collins)
- Sept. 6, 2014: W - 37-24 (Boise)
- Nov. 2, 2013: W - 42-30 (Fort Collins)
- Nov. 17, 2012: W - 42-14 (Boise)
- Oct. 15, 2011: W - 63-13 (Fort Collins)
Coaches Talk Rams Bronco Press Conference
Boise State head coach Andy Avalos, offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan and defensive coordinator Spencer Danielson met with the media on Monday, each providing an in-depth preview of Saturday's matchup with the Rams and takeaways from last week's come-from-behind win over San Jose State. Hear everything each coach had to say to start the week:
Stats Comparison FBS Ranks
Team: Stat Per Game | FBS Rank:
TOTAL OFFENSE
- Boise State: 432.3 YPG | No. 41
- Colorado State: 426.0 YPG | No. 46
SCORING OFFENSE
- Colorado State: 31.0 PPG | No. 56
- Boise State: 29.7 PPG | No. 68
RUSHING OFFENSE
- Boise State: 181.7 YPG | No. 39
- Colorado State: 74.2 YPG | No. 128
PASSING OFFENSE
- Colorado State: 351.8 YPG | No. 4
- Boise State: 250.7 YPG | No. 56
RED ZONE OFFENSE %
- Boise State: .864 (15 TDs, 4 FGs) | No. 55
- Colorado State: .632 (9 TDs, 3 FGs) | No. 129
TIME OF POSSESSION
- Boise State: 29 minutes (avg.) | No. 76
- Colorado State: 27 minutes (avg.) | No. 115
TOTAL DEFENSE
- Boise State: 432.8 YPG | No. 112
- Colorado State: 478.4 YPG | No. 128
SCORING DEFENSE
- Boise State: 29.8 PPG | No. 98
- Colorado State: 36.0 PPG | No. 125
RUSHING DEFENSE
- Boise State: 137.7 YPG | No. 62
- Colorado State: 145.4 YPG | No. 78
PASSING YARDS ALLOWED
- Boise State: 295.2 | No. 123
- Colorado State: 333.0 YPG | No. 130
RED ZONE DEFENSE %
- Boise State: .846 (18 TDs, 4 FGs) | No. 74
- Colorado State: .850 (12 TDs, 5 FGs) | No. 78
Leaders Individual Stats
PASSING
- Taylen Green: 74-of-141 (52.48%), 1,013 yards, 5 TDs, 4 INTs
- Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi: 129-of-199 (64.82%), 1,585 yards, 11 TDs, 10 INTs
RUSHING
- Ashton Jeanty: 120 carries, 656 yards (5.5 avg.), 8 TDs
- Kobe Johnson: 44 carries, 128 yards (2.9 avg.), 1 TD
RECEIVING
- Eric McAlister: 30 receptions, 596 yards (19.87 avg.), 4 TDs
- Tory Horton: 48 receptions, 560 yards (11.67 avg.), 6 TDs
TACKLES
- Marco Notarainni: 42 total tackles (26 solo, 16 assisted)
- Chase Wilson: 54 total tackles (26 solo, 28 assisted)
TACKLES-FOR-LOSS
- Ahmed Hassanein: 6.5 TFLs (-23 yards)
- Mohamed Kamara: 11 TFLs (-61 yards)
SACKS
- Ahmed Hassanein: 4 sacks (-20 yards)
- Mohamed Kamara: 9.5 sacks (-57 yards)
INTERCEPTIONS
- Jaylen Clark, A'Marion McCoy and Alexander Teubner: 1 INT each
- Henry Blackburn, TJ Crandall, Jack Howell and Dom Jones: 1 INT each
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