Game Day Guide: No. 25 Boise State welcomes Washington State to The Blue
Regional rivals and future Pac-12 foes collide Saturday night as Boise State hosts Washington State. The showdown features offensive stars and Heisman hopefuls.
KTVB
Future Pac-12 Conference foes collide Saturday night as No. 25 Boise State welcomes Washington State to Albertsons Stadium for a sold-out affair.
The top-30 matchup features two of the nation's most productive offenses, headlined by Heisman hopefuls in Bronco running back Ashton Jeanty and Cougar quarterback John Mateer. The duo has tallied more than 2,100 yards and scored 21 touchdowns combined this fall.
Boise State entered the AP Top 25 this week for the first time since November 2020 following a dominant 56-14 win over Portland State. Washington State received the most votes of any teams outside the rankings after defeating San Jose State 54-52 in double overtime.
The massive non-conference showdown marks the first meeting between the programs since a triple-overtime thriller in September 2017 on the Palouse. The Cougars lead the all-time series with the Broncos 5-1. Boise State's win came on The Blue in 2016.
"It's a big deal. It's a huge deal for the community and for our players, for our staff," Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson said. "I mean that's why you come to Boise State for opportunities like this."
Washington State enters the City of Trees undefeated, starting 4-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1906-1907. Boise State looks to boost its resume – which features a near upset of No. 8 Oregon – ahead of Mountain West play.
Boise State ranks in the top 10 among FBS programs in scoring offense, rushing offense and total offense. The Broncos are averaging 311.3 yards on the ground and 48.7 points per game.
The Cougars also tout an explosive attack, ranking in the top 25 nationally in scoring, rushing, passing and total offense. Washington State racks up more than 290 yards through the air and 46.3 points per game.
"They've got explosive receivers all over the place. They got a really good o-line, but John Mateer makes that whole thing go," Danielson said. "He's one of the fastest players on the field regardless of what position they play, I mean he's a matchup issue … A blue collar captain, a guy that's going to find a way to will his team to win."
Defense is a different story for both sides. Boise State is allowing an average of 32.0 points (No. 110) and 231.7 passing yards (No. 90) to opponents through its first three games.
Washington State also struggles to defend the air attack, ranking No. 132 among FBS teams in pass defense (319.5 YPG) and No. 100 nationally in scoring defense (29.3 PPG).
Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. MT (7 p.m. PT) Saturday on Fox Sports 1. Information on how to watch the Bronco-Cougar battle is included in this article.
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. Cougars
No. 25 Boise State (2-1, 0-0 MW) vs. Washington State (4-0, 0-0 Pac-12)
- Saturday, Sept. 28
- Kickoff: 8 p.m. MT (7 p.m. PT)
- Channel: Fox Sports 1
- Albertsons Stadium - Boise, Idaho
- Capacity: 36,363
- Weather: High of 91 | Low of 55 | Sunny
How to Watch TV, Radio, Streaming
ON TV
The Broncos' showdown with the Cougars on Saturday night will be televised on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), available on the following channels:
- DirecTV: Channel 219
- Dish Network: Channel 150
- Sparklight: Channel 146 / 1146 HD
- Cox: Channel 78
ON THE RADIO
Fans can listen to the game on the Bronco Radio Network, with Bob Behler calling play-by-play alongside Pete Cavender. The Bronco Radio Network is available online and through the 2024 affiliates listed below. Saturday's call can also be heard on SiriusXM Channel 160 or Channel 201.
- 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
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.
Bronco Roundup Live on The Blue
BRONCO ROUNDUP GAME DAY SHOW
Kick off your weekend with KTVB's Jay Tust and Brady Frederick on the official TV station for Bronco Nation! A pair of pre-game shows Friday and Saturday will provide fans with an in-depth breakdown Boise State's matchup with Washington State.
The first Bronco Roundup Game Day Show pivots to 6 p.m. MT Friday on KTVB Channel 7, KTVB.COM, KTVB+ on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV, and the KTVB mobile app.
One hour before game time, Tust and Frederick return for an exclusive show live from The Blue inside Albertsons Stadium on KTVB's YouTube channel, KTVB.COM, KTVB+ and the KTVB mobile app. Tune in at 7 p.m. MT Saturday for an up-close look at players taking the field and warmups.
Both editions of Bronco Roundup will break down matchup storylines, players and trends to watch, the path to victory and comments from coaches and program leaders. Saturday's show includes last-minute injury updates, sideline interviews, uniform reveals and more – surrounded by a sell-out crowd.
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+ for Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV and the KTVB mobile app.
Bronco Nation can expect to hear from head coach Spencer Danielson and select players. All interviews are posted online following the press conference. Post-game coverage continues on KTVB.COM with a game recap, photo gallery, extended highlights, key takeaways and more.
Series History Cougs in Control
History | Sept. 27, 1997 – Sept. 9, 2017:
- Overall: Washington State leads 5-1
- In Boise: Washington State leads 2-1
- In Pullman: Washington State leads 3-0
- Current streak: Washington State – 1
- Longest win streak: Washington State – 4 (1997-2001)
- Most points scored: Boise State – 44 (2017) | Washington State – 58 (1997)
- Least points scored: Boise State – 0 (1997) | Washington State – 28 (2016)
Boise State's all-time record against Washington State:
- Sept. 9, 2017: Loss – 47-44 | 3OT (Pullman)
- Sept. 10, 2016: Win – 31-28 (Boise)
- Sept. 8, 2001: Loss – 41-20 (Boise)
- Oct. 7, 2000: Loss – 42-35 (Pullman)
- Sept. 12, 1998: Loss – 33-21 (Boise)
- Sept. 27, 1997: Loss – 58-0 (Pullman)
Odds and Predictions TD Difference
ESPN's Matchup Predictor, generated using ESPN Analytics, gives Boise State a 61.7% chance of handing Washington State its first loss of the season at Albertsons Stadium. The Broncos opened as a 7-point favorite on ESPN Bet, with an initial over/under of 64.5.
DraftKings, Caesars, bet365, BetRivers and Bally Sports have the same 7-point spread as ESPN Bet as of Thursday afternoon, according to VegasInsider. FanDuel and BetMGM have Boise State by 7.5 on Saturday night at home.
Team Stats FBS Ranks
Team: Stat Per Game | FBS Rank:
TOTAL OFFENSE
- Boise State: 543.0 YPG | No. 6
- Washington State: 515.3 YPG | No. 10
SCORING OFFENSE
- Boise State: 48.7 PPG | No. 7
- Washington State: 46.3 PPG | No. 13
RUSHING OFFENSE
- Boise State: 311.3 YPG | No. 3
- Washington State: 224.5 YPG | No. 22
PASSING OFFENSE
- Washington State: 290.8 YPG | No. 22
- Boise State: 231.7 YPG | No. 67
PASSING EFFICIENCY
- Washington State: 161.21 | No. 30
- Boise State: 133.21 | No. 81
TOTAL DEFENSE
- Boise State: 363.3 YPG | No. 81
- Washington State: 470.8 YPG | No. 127
SCORING DEFENSE
- Washington State: 29.3 PPG | No. 100
- Boise State: 32.0 PPG | No. 110
RUSHING DEFENSE
- Boise State: 131.7 YPG | No. 67
- Washington State: 151.3 YPG | No. 83
PASSING DEFENSE
- Boise State: 231.7 YPG | No. 90
- Washington State: 319.5 YPG | No. 132
PASS EFFICIENCY DEFENSE
- Washington State: 132.09 | No. 81
- Boise State: 143.49 | No. 103
Individual Stats Players to Watch
PASSING
- Maddux Madsen: 52-of-89 (58.43%), 616 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INTs
- John Mateer: 63-of-116 (54.31%), 1,102 yards, 11 TDs, 4 INTs
RUSHING
- Ashton Jeanty: 56 carries, 586 yards (10.5 avg.), 9 TDs
- John Mateer: 57 carries, 425 yards (7.5 avg.), 5 TDs
RECEIVING
- Cameron Camper: 10 receptions, 221 yards (22.10 avg.), 3 TDs
- Kyle Williams: 16 receptions, 322 yards (20.13 avg.), 4 TDs
TACKLES
- Ty Benefield: 21.0 total tackles (15 solo, 6 assisted)
- Kyle Thornton: 23.0 total tackles (16 solo, 7 assisted)
TACKLES FOR LOSS
- Ty Benefield: 3.5 TFLs (5 yards)
- Andrew Edson: 5.0 TFLs (26 yards)
SACKS
- Ahmed Hassanein and Andrew Simpson: 2 sacks each
- Andrew Edson and Raam Stevenson: 2 sacks each
INTERCEPTIONS
- N/A: 0 INTs (Boise State)
- Ethan O'Connor: 2 INTs