Ahead of Saturday’s Los Angeles Bowl game, I caught up with Mountain West Connection’s Aiden Petterson to get the scoop on the Broncos ahead of Saturday night’s showdown at SoFi Stadium!
multiple sclerosis: This is Spencer Danielson’s second full season as head of the Broncos football program. He finished the season with a 9-4 record as the Broncos captured their third consecutive MWC title. What do you think of the work Danielson does?
Associated Press: You have to give him credit for retaining key players who will make an impact next season. The most obvious example is Ashton Jeanty not entering the transfer portal before his College Football Playoff appearance last year. Danielson has been a member of the Boise State staff since 2017, working his way up from graduate assistant to defensive ends coach before eventually earning the title of defensive coordinator in 2021.
As the week goes on, he’s certainly genuine, even if some of his clichés grow tiresome after a lackluster performance. I also think we have to remind ourselves that this is his first time as a big-time college football coach and there will be bumps and bruises along the way.
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multiple sclerosis: This is the Broncos’ first season since 2022 without Ashton Jeanty or Dirk Koetter. Nate Porter has filled the OC role well, and the Broncos’ offense is averaging 31.4 points per game. How is his approach different from Kurt’s? Who is Maddux Madsen’s primary weapon on offense?
Associated Press: Nate Potter is growing as a play-caller, but has growing pains. Early in the season, the offense relies heavily on the run between the tackles. However, there was little action to keep the defense honest, allowing them to grind on Boise State’s stable of running backs Dylan Riley, Cere Gaines and Malik Sherrod. Dirk Koetter places a strong emphasis on developing an offensive game plan centered around his players’ strengths. Porter began branching out during October and November, but a leg injury to quarterback Maddux Madsen forced him back to regular duty. On top of that, this offense is much more efficient when facing third-and-average or better players. Change the long-range situation – not so much. As for who Madsen could bring to the table on the outside, there isn’t a proven top dog in the receiving room. Many expected former five-star recruit Chris Marshall to have a breakout year, but that didn’t happen. Ben Ford had a surprising season, but a season-ending injury cut his season short. The three receivers who continue to be Madsen’s favorites are slot receivers Latrell Caples (46 catches, 547 yards, three touchdowns), Chase Penry (27 catches, 363 yards, one touchdown) and Cameron Bates (18 catches, 307 yards, one touchdown). However, keep an eye on Boise State’s tight end duo, which includes Matt Lauter (32 catches, 293 yards, 1 touchdown) and Matt Wagner (22 catches, 239 yards, 1 touchdown). There’s also a true freshman named Quinton Brown who’s been playing more games recently and had a crucial 66-yard touchdown in the Broncos’ win over Utah State.
multiple sclerosis: Erik Chinander and Tyler Stockton coordinate the defense, with linebacker Ty Benefield leading the team with 98 tackles. What is the schematic role of this defense? Who are the other playmakers the Huskies need to watch out for?
Associated Press: The Broncos are known for burying bodies in the paint and limiting opposing rushing attacks. Typically, they will employ a four-man formation while ensuring they maintain an advantage against opposing tackles. Defensive coordinator Eric Chinand likes to show pressure before kickoffs, and when he feels it,
He will give it his all. However, they will simulate the aforementioned pressure and then fall back to zone concepts when defending the chain. Boise State’s frontfield has been plagued by opposing speedy wide receivers in recent years, but according to Pro Football Focus, they have four times in 2025 that will score above 80 points in pass coverage. From a player perspective, the defensive line is led by EDGE Jayden Virgin-Morgan (52 tackles and 4 sacks) and DL Braxton Fely (22 tackles and 5.5 sacks). The latter is a monster in the Broncos’ frontcourt and an absolute run-stuffer. Moving to the secondary, DB Ty Benefield (98 tackles, 2 interceptions) was a tough Swiss Army Knife, while the combined effort of Jeremiah Earby and A’Marion McCoy racked up 8 interceptions. However, McCoy missed the remainder of the year with a knee injury, paving the way for youngster Sherrod Smith to step into the spotlight. Notre Dame transfer Jaden Michie has also been a nice addition to an improved defensive line.
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multiple sclerosis: With the season coming to an end and this being the Broncos’ last in the Mountain West, are fans excited about playing in the newly reloaded PAC 12? What are Boise State’s prospects next year and beyond as a member of the conference?
Associated Press: I certainly think you’re enthusiastic about this move, even if the much-coveted Pac-12 invitation comes from a different situation than it did a decade ago. Boise State has been part of the Mountain West for nearly 15 years, and it really feels like their relationship with the conference has come to an end. Former commissioner Craig Thompson struck a media “sweetheart” deal with Boise State that gave the Broncos an additional $1.8 million per year in bonuses, but other members became increasingly dismissive of the money as time went on. The flagship program will always be viewed in a unique way, but with conference adjustments that never seem to end, it feels like a life raft worth riding, especially with the Gonzaga Bulldogs joining every non-football sport. Frankly, it’s an opportunity to join a conference of like-minded schools that are willing to spend money and stay competitive year after year. In football, I like the Broncos’ chances to win their first Pac-12 title in 2026. San Diego State is 9-3, Fresno State is 8-4, Utah State is 6-6 and Colorado State is 2-10. Add in Texas State’s 6-6 record, Washington State’s 6-6 record, and Oregon State’s 2-10 record, and we feel like the opportunity is ripe. Beyond next year, the Broncos should be able to maintain their recent recruiting highs, as they finish the cycle with the highest-rated class in school history, ranked No. 51 nationally, ahead of Arkansas, Kentucky, UCLA, Wisconsin and California. Boise State, barring some unforeseen collapse, should consistently finish in the top three in the conference standings, rack up ten wins and become the talk of the college
Football playoff bid.
multiple sclerosis: It’s score prediction time! What will the score be in the other half of the Huskies v. Huskies game?
The Broncos, this time in the City of Angels?
Associated Press: My heart wants blue and orange, but my mind says otherwise. There’s no one specific stat or player that makes me think Washington has a huge advantage, but it’s actually Boise State’s recent lack of P4 wins that makes me hesitant to take a step of faith. The Broncos’ last win over a “top” school was against Florida State in 2019, when Hank Bachmeier started his first game in Tallahassee as a true freshman. Bachmeier eventually transferred to Louisiana Tech and then finished his college career at Wake Forest. Since winning at Doak Campbell Stadium, the Broncos have lost to Washington (2019 Las Vegas Bowl), Oklahoma State (2021), Oregon State (2022), Washington (2023), UCLA (2023 Los Angeles Bowl), Oregon (2024), Penn State (2024 CFP Quarterfinals) and Notre Dame (2025).
I need to see it to believe it.
Washington 28 – Boise State 17
Thanks Aiden and good luck to the Broncos in this game and the new PAC 12!
