The Broncos opened the season eyeing the playoff conversation, but a stretch of inconsistent play has reshaped their path.
A 30-7 home loss to Fresno State on Oct. 30 dropped the Broncos’ record to 6-3 overall and ended any realistic chance of reaching the College Football Playoff. The defeat, their lowest offensive output under head coach Spencer Danielson, forced the team to shift its focus toward finishing strong in the Mountain West.
Through nine games, the Broncos have averaged over 32 points per game, but their offense has struggled to find consistency. What began as an explosive attack early in the season has stalled at key moments, especially in big games.
The local media didn’t hold back after the Broncos poor performance against Fresno State.
“This will go down as historically one of the worst home losses on The Blue in program history,” said Bronco Nation News reporter B.J. Rains. “Points, yards, passing yards, margin of loss, all are among the worst ever.”
Boise State managed only 193 total yards against Fresno State, with starting quarterback Maddux Madsen leaving in the first half with a lower-leg injury. Backup Max Cutforth stepped in but couldn’t generate the same rhythm, leaving the offense stranded through the final stretch of the season.
The loss also damaged Boise State’s playoff hopes. Earlier in the 2024 season, the Broncos climbed into both the AP Top 25 and Coaches polls. This year, no Mountain West team has reached either ranking, making the conference look weak compared to the dominant Power Five teams.
Boise State is no longer in the playoff picture under the 12-team format, which rewards only the top conference champions. With three losses and no ranked opponents left, the Broncos now turn their focus to the Mountain West race and a strong bowl appearance.
Even without playoff implications, Boise State still controls its fate in the conference race.
The Broncos sit at 4-1 in Mountain West play, trailing only behind San Diego State, which holds a 7-1 overall record and a 4-1 mark in conference games. Their upcoming matchup against the Aztecs on Nov. 15 is crucial in determining whether Boise State will host the conference championship at Albertsons Stadium.
Winning out would likely secure the Broncos a spot in that game, while another loss could push them out of contention entirely. Even with their season at a critical point, the student section has remained unwavering in its support.
“We are looking forward to potentially playing in, and hosting the Mountain West Championship game again,” said Kaylee Rank, vice president of The Corral. “The CFP is great and the goal, but we just love to watch the team play more.”
The group emphasized staying focused on enjoying the remaining games rather than dwelling on playoff possibilities.
For Bronco Nation, this season has become a chance to celebrate the program’s culture.
“Boise State has the opportunity to showcase what the program is built on — a blue-collar work ethic, resilience, and being true underdogs,“ said Aleia Peterson during a Corral leadership meeting. “We have sold out the student section for every game this year so far, even with the North End Zone construction, bad weather and abnormal kickoff times. We are looking forward to continuing showing up and being loud for the last few games.”
National bowl projections reflect cautious optimism. ESPN and other outlets list Boise State in potential matchups such as the First Responder Bowl in Dallas, the Hawai’i Bowl in Honolulu or the Arizona Bowl in Tucson. Analysts agree that the Broncos remain on track for a respectable postseason game, possibly against a Power Four opponent, as long as they can win out.
With the Mountain West championship still within reach and a bowl berth secured, the Broncos have plenty left to play for. How they respond to adversity in these final weeks could build momentum as they transition into the Pac-12 in 2026.
