Game Day Guide: No. 17 Boise State meets UNLV in battle atop Mountain West
Boise State and UNLV collide Friday night in a conference championship rematch at Allegiant Stadium. Here's everything Bronco Nation needs to know ahead of kickoff.
KTVB
The stage is set for a pivotal Sin City showdown Friday night between No. 17 Boise State and UNLV – two Group of Five powers and Mountain West frontrunners.
Friday's matchup is highlighted by the expanded College Football Playoff, with the Broncos and Rebels battling for the bid guaranteed to the highest-ranked champion from a Group of Five conference.
Boise State (5-1, 2-0 MW) currently sits in the driver's seat as the 17th-ranked squad in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. UNLV (6-1, 2-0 MW) is receiving the third-most votes outside of the top 25 following its 33-25 win at Oregon State.
"On the road (UNLV) beat Houston, beat Kansas, beat Oregon State – I mean those are big," Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson said. "I'm shocked they're not ranked in the top 25. They deserve that, for sure, and they play hard."
The Broncos had an extra week to prepare for the rematch of last year's Mountain West title game with their second bye week of the season.
Boise State beat UNLV in the championship 44-20 at Allegiant Stadium – the host of Friday's highly-anticipated contest. Danielson became the first interim head coach in FBS history to win a conference title game and was named the full-time leader one day later.
“For a lot of our guys, we’ve been down there, we know what it feels like to win a game,” Danielson said. “On the flip side, I’m not in their locker room, but I know this is a big match for them too, knowing that they had a great season last year, us winning the championship last year is a testament to our players and I know they can’t wait to get another shot at us. We can’t wait to play them, either.”
Heisman favorite and star running back Ashton Jeanty enters the conference collision leading the county with 1,248 total rushing yards and 208.0 per game. UNLV touts the No. 20 rushing defense in the FBS, allowing just 104.4 ground yards per game.
Boise State leads the country with 4.83 sacks per game, but faces a tough test in UNLV quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams, who took over for Matthew Sluka after three games.
Williams leads the Rebels with 390 rushing yards and has completed 70.45% of his passes – with 10 touchdowns to two interceptions. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior totaled three scores in last week's win over the Beavers.
Turnovers will be telling Friday night in Las Vegas. UNLV ranks No. 3 in the nation with a plus-12 turnover margin, while Boise State sits at No. 61 through six games (plus-1). Defensive back Jalen Catalon and linebacker Jackson Woodard have each snagged four interceptions this season.
"They do a really nice job of taking the ball away," Boise State offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said. "They have some ball hawk guys in that secondary and at linebacker. I mean, they're legit. I mean, it's not like they're lucky. They've made the plays. They're very well coached on defense."
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. MT Friday, Oct. 25 on CBS Sports Network. Information on how to watch No. 17 Boise State's battle with UNLV is included in this article.
"We all know this is a big-time game," Danielson said. "It's a big-time opponent, it's in a big-time arena. It's on Friday night … When I watch their film, regardless of even the record, this is a really good football team and I know I'm not the only one saying that.
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. Rebels
No. 17 Boise State (5-1, 2-0 MW) at UNLV (6-1, 2-0 MW)
- Friday, Oct. 25
- Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. MT / 7:30 p.m. PT
- Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Allegiant Stadium - Las Vegas, Nevada
- Capacity: 65,000
- Weather: High of 88 | Low of 62 | Sunny to partly cloudy
How to Watch TV, Radio, Streaming
ON TV
No. 17 Boise State's conference showdown with UNLV will be televised on CBS Sports Network, with Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Robert Turbin (analyst) and Tiffany Blackmon (sideline) on the call. CBS Sports Network is available on the following channels:
- DirecTV: Channel 221
- Dish Network: Channel 158
- Sparklight: Channel 139 / 1139 HDTV
- Cox: Channel 234
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 162 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 Friday's game is available through a majority of popular platforms, including 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).
For more information on ways to watch CBS Sports Network outside of standard TV channels, click here and visit the website's "watch" dropdown.
Bronco Roundup Live in Las Vegas
BRONCO ROUNDUP GAME DAY SHOW
Gear up for kickoff with KTVB's Jay Tust and Brady Frederick on the official TV station for Bronco Nation! Friday night's exclusive pre-game show in Las Vegas will provide fans with an in-depth breakdown of the Mountain West matchup between the Broncos and Rebels.
The Bronco Roundup Game Day Show airs live at 7 p.m. MT Friday on KTVB Channel 7, KTVB.COM, KTVB+ on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV, and the KTVB mobile app.
Tune in for an hour-long preview with an up-close look at players taking the field, Boise State warmups, last-minute injury updates, sideline interviews, matchup storylines, comments from coaches and captains, and more. The show will showcase sights and sounds of Allegiant Stadium and the Sin City.
POST-GAME COVERAGE
KTVB will live stream Boise State's press conference immediately following Friday'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, an offensive player and a defensive player. 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 Broncos Rollin'
History | Sept. 16, 1972 – Dec. 2, 2023
- Overall: Boise State leads 9-3
- In Boise: Broncos lead 5-0
- In Las Vegas: Broncos lead 4-3
- Current streak: Boise State – 7
- Longest win streak: Boise State – 7 (1977-Present)
- Largest margin of victory: Boise State – 45-14 (1977) | UNLV – 31-26 (1976)
- Smallest margin of victory: Boise State – 34-21 (1975) | UNLV – 37-35 (1974)
Boise State's all-time record against UNLV:
- Dec. 2, 2023: Win – 44-20 (Las Vegas)
- Dec. 4, 2020: Canceled (Las Vegas)
- Oct. 5, 2019: Win – 38-13 (Las Vegas)
- Nov. 18, 2016: Win – 42-25 (Boise)
- Oct. 31, 2015: Win – 55-27 (Las Vegas)
- Oct. 20, 2012: Win – 32-7 (Boise)
- Nov. 5, 2011: Win – 48-21 (Las Vegas)
- Sept. 24, 1977: Win – 45-14 (Boise)
- Nov. 6, 1976: Loss – 31-26 (Las Vegas)
- Oct. 18, 1975: Win – 34-21 (Boise)
- Oct. 19, 1974: Loss – 37-35 (Las Vegas)
- Oct. 13, 1973: Loss – 24-19 (Las Vegas)
- Sept. 16, 1972: Win – 36-16 (Boise)
Odds and Predictions Field Goal Favorite
ESPN's Matchup Predictor, generated using ESPN Analytics, gives No. 17 Boise State a 62.0% chance of defeating UNLV and earning bowl eligibility Friday night. The Broncos are 3.5-point favorites on ESPN Bet as of Wednesday afternoon, with an over/under of 65.5.
BetMGM, bet365, and FanDuel have the same spread as ESPN Bet with two days until kickoff. The likes of BetMGM, bet365, Bally Sports, Caesars and DraftKings favor Boise State on the road by a field goal, according to VegasInsider.
Jay's Sports Bar Podcast Preview
On this week's edition of Jay's Sports Bar, KTVB Sports Director Jay Tust is joined by former Seattle Seahawks running back turned CBS Sports analyst Robert Turbin to break down Friday night's matchup between the Broncos and Rebels.
The latest episode also includes:
- Ashton Jeanty responds to Travis Hunter's Heisman talk
- The three biggest keys to a Bronco win in Las Vegas
- Comments from Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson, offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter and junior tight end Matt Lauter
Jay's Sports Bar is available on Apple Podcasts and all KTVB digital platforms – KTVB.COM, KTVB's YouTube channel, KTVB+ for Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV and the KTVB mobile app.
The Boise State football team hasn't lost to UNLV since 1976, and the closest the Rebels came to beating the Broncos in that span was a 17-point loss in 2016. This matchup feels different though, and it might even be the biggest Group of Five game of the season.
Boise State is 5-1 and the highest ranked team in the Group of Five, meaning they hold the inside track to qualifying for the first-ever expanded College Football Playoff this December. Meanwhile, UNLV – who is 6-1 – could swap places with the Broncos with a win.
Team Stats FBS Comparison
Team: Stat Per Game | FBS Rank:
TOTAL OFFENSE
- Boise State: 523.0 YPG | No. 4
- UNLV: 429.1 YPG | No. 41
SCORING OFFENSE
- Boise State: 46.8 PPG | No. 3
- UNLV: 43.6 PPG | No. 5
RUSHING OFFENSE
- Boise State: 289.8 YPG | No. 2
- UNLV: 251.4 YPG | No. 5
PASSING OFFENSE
- Boise State: 233.2 YPG | No. 68
- UNLV: 177.7 YPG | No. 115
PASSING EFFICIENCY
- UNLV: 170.72 | No. 8
- Boise State: 149.78 | No. 35
TOTAL DEFENSE
- Boise State: 382.0 YPG | No. 86
- UNLV: 383.1 YPG | No. 88
SCORING DEFENSE
- UNLV: 22.6 PPG | No. 56
- Boise State: 26.2 PPG | No. 83
RUSHING DEFENSE
- UNLV: 104.4 YPG | No. 20
- Boise State: 105.7 YPG | No. 23
PASSING DEFENSE
- Boise State: 276.3 YPG | No. 123
- UNLV: 278.7 YPG | No. 125
PASS EFFICENCY DEFENSE
- UNLV: 117.63 | No. 31
- Boise State: 147.94 | No. 116
Individual Stats Players to Watch
PASSING
- Maddux Madsen: 102-of-160 (63.75%), 1,273 yards, 12 TDs, 2 INTs
- Hajj-Malik Williams: 62-of-88 (70.45%), 838 yards, 10 TDs, 2 INTs
RUSHING
- Ashton Jeanty: 126 carries, 1,248 yards (9.9 avg.), 17 TDs
- Hajj-Malik Williams: 61 carries, 390 yards (6.4 avg.), 4 TDs
RECEIVING
- Cameron Camper: 25 receptions, 441 yards (17.64 avg.), 4 TDs
- Ricky White III: 46 receptions, 614 yards (13.35 avg.), 9 TDs
TACKLES
- Ty Benefield: 35.0 total tackles (26 solo, 9 assisted)
- Jackson Woodard: 63.0 total tackles (29 solo, 34 assisted)
TACKLES FOR LOSS
- Ahmed Hassanein and Andrew Simpson: 7.5 TFLs each
- Jackson Woodard: 8.5 TFLs (42 yards)
SACKS
- Ahmed Hassanein: 6.5 sacks (30 yards)
- Antonio Doyle Jr.: 4.0 sacks (28 yards)
INTERCEPTIONS
- Ty Benefield: 1 INT
- Jalen Catalon and Jackson Woodard: 4 INTs each