Boise State heads into Saturday’s trip to Colorado State with a playoff spot in sight and a quarterback situation that suddenly adds some tension to the week.
The No. 25 Broncos were included in the first College Football Playoff bracket this week, landing at No. 12 as the highest-ranked Group of 6 team.
That placement projects a first-round road game at No. 5 Alabama, with the final rankings and bracket set for Dec.
But before any of that becomes real, Boise State has to get through Fort Collins - and coach Spencer Danielson hasn’t forgotten what happened there in 2023. The Broncos are a 17.5-point favorite, yet the memory of the Rams erasing a 20-point deficit with a tipped Hail Mary as time expired still hangs over this matchup.
Colorado State brings a dangerous passing game, led by quarterback Hauss Hejny, even though the Rams also give up an FBS-worst 42.4 points per game. That combination makes them a tricky opponent, especially with Boise State dealing with uncertainty under center.
Fifth-year starter Maddux Madsen is listed as “questionable” after suffering an apparent left knee injury in the fourth quarter against Texas State. Danielson said the decision on Madsen will come right up to kickoff. If he can’t play, senior Max Cutforth will get the start after throwing three touchdowns in relief last Saturday, with freshman Cash Herrera next in line.
The bigger picture for Boise State is still very much alive. The Broncos’ route to the playoff runs through their final four regular-season games and the Pac-12 title game.
Oregon State stands out as the toughest challenge and could determine championship game hosting rights. San Diego State, which beat Boise State 17-7 last year, and a flex game that has not yet been announced complete the regular-season slate.
Even with the ranking, the committee made clear it respects what Boise State has done. CFP chair Hunter Yuracheck pointed to the Broncos’ road wins at Memphis, Fresno State and Western Michigan, along with the close season-opening loss at Oregon when the Ducks were at full strength, saying the committee has “a great deal of respect” for Boise State.
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Boise States Playoff Push Just Hit A Huge Twist At Quarterback
Boise States playoff push is heading into a tricky stretch with a different face under center. The No. 25 Broncos, sitting at 7-1, are getting ready for a Pac-12 Conference matchup with Colorado State, and the offense now has to adjust around backup quarterback Max Cutforth as the team works through Maddux Madsens knee injury.
The timing matters because Boise State has built its season on balance, and Colorado State has had trouble holding up defensively. The Rams are leaning on running back Dylan Riley to keep them in games, while coach Jim Mora Jr. has already acknowledged the challenge of dealing with the Broncos offense. For Boise State, the bigger question is how smoothly the attack can keep moving with the quarterback situation suddenly in flux. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Suddenly Has More Riding On Colorado State Than Fans Realize
The first College Football Playoff rankings have already sharpened the stakes for a weekend that was loaded before a single snap was played, and Boise State is right in the middle of it. The Broncos meeting with Colorado State now carries more weight than a routine Mountain West game, because the committees opening look put a spotlight on where the contenders stand and how much movement is still possible with so many Top 25 matchups on deck.
For Boise State, the attention is especially pointed because its place in the Group of 6 conversation is no longer just about winning games, but about how convincingly it can keep winning them. The Broncos also have to navigate uncertainty around Maddux Madsen, whose status for the Colorado State game remains unclear, adding another layer to a matchup that already matters well beyond the conference standings. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Finally Gets The Early Test Fans Have Been Waiting For
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Leon Rice has already pointed to Butlers strong start and the challenge it presents, and the timing makes the game even more interesting for Boise State. The Broncos are still in the opening stretch of the 2026-27 season, but this is the first chance to see how their early momentum holds up when the opponent can push back, test their execution and force them into a real game. [Read more 🡒]