Game Day Guide: No. 12 Boise State collides with Nevada in national spotlight
Boise State looks to put the nation on notice Saturday night as it welcomes Jeff Choate and Nevada to The Blue for a Mountain West showdown in primetime.
KTVB
No. 12 Boise State chases its seventh straight win Saturday night as it collides with conference foe Nevada in a nationally-televised contest at Albertsons Stadium.
The Mountain West matchup marks the 46th all-time meeting between the Broncos and Wolf Pack, the most-played series in Boise State history. Nevada last visited the City of Trees in October 2021.
Boise State is more than a three-touchdown favorite against Nevada, who fell 38-21 to Colorado State at home for its third loss in a row. The Broncos and Rams are both perfect in conference play, tied atop the standings entering the weekend.
Bronco Nation welcomes Nevada head coach Jeff Choate back to The Blue on Saturday. Choate served on Chris Petersen's staff from 2006-2011, helping Boise State win four WAC titles and a pair of Fiesta Bowl trophies.
Saturday serves as Choate's debut against Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson and his first trip since becoming the 28th leader of the Wolf Pack program in December 2023. Choate was considered a potential candidate for the Broncos' top job after Andy Avalos was fired.
Danielson's squad landed at No. 12 in the season's first College Football Playoff poll earlier this week, surpassing the program's previous all-time best of No. 19 in the CFP rankings. The Broncos are projected to play at Ohio State in the first round.
Boise State is tasked with keeping its dreams of reaching the newly-expanded playoffs and winning the Mountain West title alive each week in hopes of serving as the Group of Five representative. Another opportunity awaits against the struggling Wolf Pack.
Also awaiting is a fifth consecutive sold-out crowd at Albertsons Stadium. The Broncos are averaging an FBS-high 54.8 points per home game and have beaten all four opponents by an average of more than 30 points.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Maddux Madsen threw for a career-best 307 yards and four touchdowns in Boise State's dominant 56-24 win over San Diego State last time out. He was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week following his impressive performance.
Madsen is set to square off with Nevada dual-threat quarterback Brendon Lewis, who ranks fourth in the conference averaging 244.67 yards of total offense per contest. Lewis is the team's second-leading rusher with 660 yards and seven scores.
FOX Sports and the Mountain West on Nov. 2 announced Boise State's bout with Nevada will air nationally on FOX in primetime. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT Saturday, Nov. 9. Information on how to watch the game is included in this article.
The national TV spot provides the Broncos and Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty an opportunity to shine in front of an increased audience. The junior running back leads the nation in rushing yards (1,525), rushing touchdowns (20), total touchdowns (21) and all-purpose yards (1,606).
Nevada ranks No. 80 or worse in the FBS allowing 28.6 points, 385.9 total yards, 156.4 rushing yards and 229.5 passing yards per game. The Wolf Pack sit at No. 121 nationally and eighth in the Mountain West in sacks per game (1.30).
Linebacker Drue Watts leads the way with 65.0 total tackles and ranks fourth among Wolf Pack defenders with 4.5 tackles for loss. Fellow LB Tongiaki Mateialona and edge rusher Henry Ikahihifo have combined for 15 TFLs this season.
Boise State is rolling out its all-black look Saturday night on The Blue, combining its black jerseys and pants with black helmets featuring blue facemasks. The Broncos have an 8-4 record in the uniform combination, last worn in a 42-14 win over New Mexico in November 2023.
Scroll down or use the tabs at the top of this article to find game predictions, stat comparisons, players to watch, streaming and radio information, details on KTVB's pre-game shows and post-game coverage, and more.
Game Information Broncos vs. Wolf Pack
No. 12 Boise State (7-1, 4-0 MW) vs. Nevada (3-7, 0-4 MW)
- Saturday, Nov. 9
- Kickoff: 6 p.m. MT
- Channel: FOX
- Albertsons Stadium – Boise, Idaho
- Capacity: 36,363
- Weather: High of 54 | Low of 35 | Mostly cloudy
How to Watch TV, Radio, Streaming
ON TV
Boise State's battle with Nevada will be nationally televised on FOX, with Devin Gardner (play-by-play), Tim Brando (analyst) and Josh Sims (sideline) on the call. FOX is available on the following channels:
- DirecTV: Channel 9
- Dish Network: Channel 11
- Sparklight: Channel 9 / Channel 1009 HDTV
- Cox: Channel 6
ON THE RADIO
Fans can listen to the game on the Bronco Radio Network, with Bob Behler (play-by-play) and Pete Cavender (analyst) on the call. The Bronco Radio Network is available online and through the 2024 affiliates listed below. The call can also be heard on SiriusXM Channel 83.
- Boise: KBOI 670 AM
- Boise: KBOI 93.1 FM
- Idaho Falls: KSPZ 980 AM
- Idaho Falls: KSPZ 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
STREAMING
Saturday's showdown will stream live on the FOX Sports website and the free FOX Sports mobile app, available in Apple and Android app stores. The app is available to subscribers of participating cable and satellite television providers, such as DirecTV and Dish Network.
Fans can also watch the Mountain West matchup on a number of popular streaming platforms, including FuboTV, Hulu, Sling TV and YouTube TV. Click here for more information or to sign in with your TV provider prior to Boise State vs. Nevada.
Bronco Roundup Live on The Blue
BRONCO ROUNDUP GAME DAY SHOW
Start your Saturday with KTVB's Jay Tust and Brady Frederick on the official TV station for Bronco Nation! A pair of pre-game shows are set to provide everything fans need to know prior to No. 12 Boise State's showdown with Nevada.
The first Bronco Roundup Game Day Show starts at 9 a.m. Saturday on KTVB Channel 7, KTVB.COM, KTVB+ on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV, and the KTVB mobile app.
Tust and Frederick return ahead of kickoff with an exclusive look at players warming up, last-minute injury updates, sideline interviews and more. The in-depth preview on The Blue goes live at 5 p.m. Saturday on KTVB.COM, KTVB's YouTube Channel, KTVB+ and the mobile app.
Bronco Roundup breaks down matchup storylines, players and trends to watch, comments from coaches and captains, the College Football Playoff and conference title races and all things Boise State football while capturing the Albertsons Stadium experience.
POST-GAME COVERAGE
KTVB will live stream Boise State's press conference immediately following Saturday's game on KTVB.COM, KTVB's YouTube channel, KTVB+ and the KTVB mobile app.
Bronco Nation can expect to hear from head coach Spencer Danielson, an offensive player and a defensive player. All interviews are posted online following the press conference.
Coverage of Boise State's conference clash continues Saturday night on KTVB.COM with a recap story, post-game comments and key takeaways, photo gallery, extended highlights and more.
Series History 45 Meetings
History: Sept. 25, 1971 – Nov. 12, 2022
- Overall: Boise State leads 31-14
- In Boise: Broncos lead 18-3
- In Reno: Broncos lead 13-11
- Current streak: Boise State – 1
- Longest win streak: Boise State – 10 (1999-2009)
- Largest margin of victory: Boise State – 56-3 (2003) | Nevada – 66-28 (1996)
- Smallest margin of victory: Boise State – 28-27 (1979) | Nevada – 23-21 (1973)
Boise State's all-time record against Nevada:
- Nov. 12, 2022: Win – 41-3 (Reno)
- Oct. 2, 2021: Loss – 41-31 (Boise)
- Oct. 13, 2018: Win – 31-27 (Reno)
- Nov. 4, 2017: Win – 41-14 (Boise)
- Oct. 4, 2014: Win – 51-46 (Reno)
- Oct. 19, 2013: Win – 34-17 (Boise)
- Dec. 1, 2012: Win – 27-21 (Reno)
- Oct. 1, 2011: Win – 30-10 (Boise)
- Nov. 26, 2010: Loss – 34-31 in OT (Reno)
- Nov. 27, 2009: Win – 44-33 (Boise)
- Nov. 22, 2008: Win – 41-34 (Reno)
- Oct. 14, 2007: Win – 69-67 (Boise)
- Nov. 25, 2006: Win – 38-7 (Reno)
- Oct. 29, 2005: Win – 49-14 (Boise)
- Nov. 27, 2004: Win – 58-21 (Reno)
- Nov. 29, 2003: Win – 56-3 (Boise)
- Nov. 23, 2002: Win – 44-7 (Reno)
- Oct. 27, 2001: Win – 49-7 (Reno)
- Oct. 23, 1999: Win – 52-17 (Boise)
- Oct. 31, 1998: Loss – 42-24 (Reno)
- Nov. 8, 1997: Loss – 56-42 (Boise)
- Oct. 12, 1996: Loss – 66-28 (Reno)
- Sept. 17, 1994: Win – 37-27 (Boise)
- Sept. 11, 1993: Loss – 38-10 (Reno)
- Oct. 26, 1991: Loss – 17-14 (Reno)
- Dec. 8, 1990: Loss – 59-52 in 3OT (Reno)
- Nov. 10, 1990: Win – 30-14 (Boise)
- Nov. 4, 1989: Loss – 30-14 (Reno)
- Oct. 29, 1988: Win – 40-28 (Boise)
- Nov. 7, 1987: Win – 36-31 (Reno)
- Nov. 8, 1986: Loss – 21-16 (Boise)
- Sept. 21, 1985: Loss – 37-10 (Reno)
- Sept. 22, 1984: Win – 37-12 (Boise)
- Sept. 27, 1983: Loss – 38-20 (Reno)
- Sept. 18, 1982: Win – 20-13 (Boise)
- Oct. 31, 1981: Win – 13-3 (Reno)
- Nov. 8, 1980: Win – 14-3 (Boise)
- Nov. 10, 1979: Win – 28-27 (Reno)
- Oct. 15, 1977: Loss – 28-10 (Reno)
- Oct. 23, 1976: Win – 26-8 (Boise)
- Nov. 8, 1975: Win – 49-6 (Reno)
- Oct. 5, 1974: Win – 36-16 (Boise)
- Nov. 3, 1973: Loss – 23-21 (Reno)
- Oct. 14, 1972: Win – 56-19 (Boise)
- Sept. 25, 1971: Win – 17-10 (Reno)
Odds and Predictions CFP Path Continues
ESPN's Matchup Predictor, generated using ESPN Analytics, gives No. 12 Boise State a 94.3% chance of staying perfect in Mountain West play with a win over Nevada on Saturday night.
The Broncos are 24-point favorites on ESPN Bet as of Wednesday evening, with an over/under of 60.5. The spread opened at 26.5 on the platform, while the point total remains the same.
Bet365, Caesars and DraftKings also give Boise State a 24-point advantage with less than three days until kickoff at Albertsons Stadium, according to VegasInsider. The Broncos are 24.5-point favorites on Bally Sports, BetMGM, BetRivers and FanDuel.
Teams Stats FBS Ranks
Team: Stat Per Game | FBS Rank
TOTAL OFFENSE
- Boise State: 509.1 YPG | No. 4
- Nevada: 384.9 YPG | No. 75
SCORING OFFENSE
- Boise State: 45.8 PPG | No. 3
- Nevada: 24.6 PPG | No. 96
RUSHING OFFENSE
- Boise State: 267.9 YPG | No. 4
- Nevada: 187.7 YPG | No. 32
PASSING OFFENSE
- Boise State: 241.2 YPG | No. 60
- Nevada: 197.2 YPG | No. 95
PASSING EFFICIENCY
- Boise State: 151.73 | No. 26
- Nevada: 141.56 | No. 47
TOTAL DEFENSE
- Boise State: 364.4 YPG | No. 63
- Nevada: 385.9 YPG | No. 87
SCORING DEFENSE
- Boise State: 25.6 PPG | No. 78
- Nevada: 28.6 PPG | No. 96
RUSHING DEFENSE
- Boise State: 115.4 YPG | No. 30
- Nevada: 156.4 YPG | No. 80
PASSING DEFENSE
- Nevada: 229.5 YPG | No. 82
- Boise State: 249.0 YPG | No. 105
PASS EFFICIENCY DEFENSE
- Nevada: 130.29 | No. 63
- Boise State: 141.84 | No. 105
Individual Stats Players to Watch
PASSING
- Maddux Madsen: 144-of-225 (64.00%), 1,789 yards, 17 TDs, 2 INTs
- Brendon Lewis: 145-of-214 (67.76%), 1,542 yards, 11 INTs, 5 INTs
RUSHING
- Ashton Jeanty: 190 carries, 1,525 yards (8.0 avg.), 20 TDs
- Savion Red: 112 carries, 676 yards (6.0 avg.), 8 TDs
RECEIVING
- Cameron Camper: 32 receptions, 527 yards (16.47 avg.), 4 TDs
- Jaden Smith: 45 receptions, 630 yards (14.00 avg.), 4 TDs
TACKLES
- Alexander Teubner: 47.0 total tackles (27 solo, 20 assisted)
- Drue Watts: 65.0 total tackles (39 solo, 26 assisted)
TACKLES FOR LOSS
- Andrew Simpson: 9.0 TFLs (34 yards)
- Tongiaki Mateialona: 8.5 TFLs (50 yards)
SACKS
- Jayden Virgin-Morgan: 8.0 sacks (49 yards)
- Henry Ikahihifo: 3.5 sacks (15 yards)
INTERCEPTIONS
- Four Broncos: 1 INT each
- Michael Coats Jr.: 4 INTs