No. 23 Boise State is still sitting on top of the Pac-12 power rankings as the conference heads into a rivalry week that puts the Broncos squarely in the spotlight.
The next stop is Valley Children’s Stadium, where Boise State and Fresno State will meet Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. on The CW. Fresno State has had the upper hand lately, winning three straight in the series, including a 30-7 road win on The Blue last season.
Boise State kept its hold on the top spot by beating Utah State 37-18 at home on Saturday, Oct. 3.
The Broncos have now won four in a row since opening the year with a loss to No. 13 Oregon, and Dylan Riley continues to drive the offense.
He leads the nation in rushing with 108 carries for 685 yards and five touchdowns.
Fresno State enters the matchup after handling Washington State 26-6 on the road Saturday, Oct. 3. Manaki Watanabe knocked through four field goals, and the Bulldogs held Washington State to just 182 yards of total offense in the win on the Palouse.
Behind those two, Oregon State is hanging tight near the top of the league race after a 56-26 road win at Colorado State on Saturday, Oct. 3.
The Beavers piled up 650 yards of offense, and Braden Atkinson kept his grip on the nation’s passing lead by going 31 of 34 for 427 yards and five touchdowns. Three of those scores went to freshman receiver Jesse Legree.
Oregon State is set to host San Diego State on Saturday at 4 p.m. on USA Network.
Texas State sits fourth after a 31-29 road loss to San Diego State on Saturday, Oct. 3. The Bobcats were outscored but still out-gained the Aztecs 565-239 in a strange night at Snapdragon Stadium.
Utah State falls in behind Texas State after its 37-18 loss at Boise State. The Aggies were in the game for stretches, but a pick-six and a string of costly penalties swung things the Broncos’ way. Utah State visits Washington State on Friday at 7 p.m. on The CW.
Colorado State comes next after getting blasted 56-26 at home by Oregon State. The Rams can score, but head coach Jim Mora made a change in the first quarter by pulling the plug on defensive coordinator Tyson Summers’ play-calling.
San Diego State moves up after its comeback win over Texas State. The shorthanded Aztecs deserve credit for rallying, though bigger questions still surround the team’s offensive and defensive schemes.
Washington State rounds out the rankings after a 26-6 home loss to Fresno State. The Cougars are still searching for answers, and with Caden Pinnick at quarterback, the outlook in the Pac-12 is bleak.
In Other News...
Boise State Faces A Huge Fresno State Test With Offense In Doubt
Boise State heads into Saturdays meeting with Fresno State carrying more uncertainty on offense than it usually likes this late in the season. The Broncos may be without four key pieces, with starting running back Dylan Riley and leading receiver Rasean Jones both leaving the previous game hurt, while starting receiver Cam Bates and second running back Sire Gaines did not play last week.
That puts a lot of pressure on the next wave of skill players if those four remain unavailable. Harry Stewart III and Juelz Goff are expected to be ready for bigger roles if needed, but Boise States ability to keep its offense on schedule against a dangerous Fresno State test could hinge on who is actually able to suit up. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Heads Into Fresno With Rivalry Pressure Building
Boise State heads into Fresno carrying more than just a road test. The Broncos have dropped the last three meetings in the rivalry, and head coach Spencer Danielson made clear this week that the recent run has added some edge to a matchup that already comes with plenty of history. With an 8:30 p.m. kickoff set for Valley Childrens Stadium, the trip brings the kind of late-night atmosphere and pressure that tends to sharpen the stakes even before the first snap.
Danielson pointed to the need for better defensive consistency as Boise State tries to change the recent pattern. He also gave Fresno State its due, calling it a strong program backed by a passionate fan base, which is part of what makes this matchup feel bigger than a standard conference game. For Boise State, it is a chance to steady itself in a rivalry that has tilted the wrong way lately, and to do it in one of the more difficult settings on the schedule. [Read more 🡒]