Boise State coach Spencer Danielson didn’t hedge when he talked about Western Michigan. He treated the Broncos like a team sitting at 3-0, because that’s how he believes they should be viewed.
That stance lands in the middle of a strange early-season college football debate. Michigan is officially 3-0, but the finish against Western Michigan has left plenty of people convinced the result should have gone the other way.
Yahoo Sports reported that the NCAA said it cannot overturn the outcome, even while acknowledging, “The committee agreed that the instant replay protocols were not followed in the contest's second-to-last play. Had the protocols been followed, the outcome of the game would have been different."
Danielson, for his part, isn’t interested in brushing that off.
As Boise State gets ready to face Western Michigan on Saturday, Danielson said the film confirmed what a lot of fans were already saying. He described the Broncos’ defense as “stingy” and made it clear he sees them as unbeaten through three games.
“We I went back to study this? Unbelievable,” Danielson started.
“They’re an undefeated football team. Period.
End of story. You watch that game… they absolutely beat Michigan at Michigan and that is not hype, that is what happened.
To coach Taylor and his staff, I tip my cap to them because that defense held Michigan to 12 points or 13 points. Six points, excuse me.
Unbelievable.”
The math correction only added to the moment. Michigan ended up with 13 points on the scoreboard, but Danielson’s point was plain: in his view, the late touchdown never should have been part of the discussion in the first place.
Boise State has its own tightrope walk going on, too. The Broncos are “seven minutes short of being undefeated themselves,” after opening against Oregon, a team ranked No. 2 at the time.
Boise State came up just short in that one, then bounced back with a 38-24 win over South Dakota. Oregon, meanwhile, was exposed the following week in a 39-31 loss to unranked Oklahoma State.
Now Danielson’s team heads into a Week 4 matchup with Western Michigan before Boise State begins its first conference schedule in the rebuilt Pac-12. The Broncos and Western Michigan meet in Kalamazoo, with kickoff set for 3:30pm EST on ESPN2.
In Other News...
Boise State Takes First Step Toward A Stadium Change Fans Will Feel
Boise State has taken the first formal step toward a potential redevelopment around Albertsons Stadium, with the university announcing plans to explore a project on the east side of the venue and portions of south campus. The idea is still in the exploratory phase, but the scope is broad enough to reshape how the area around the stadium functions on game days and beyond.
The university is set to release a Request for Proposals to find a development advisor to help guide the process as part of its 10-Year Campus Master Plan. If the project moves forward, it could bring a mix of hotel, conference, event, retail, dining, housing and parking options to one of the most visible parts of campus, leaving fans to watch not only what gets built, but how much the stadium experience changes with it. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Suddenly Faces A Backfield Test Without Sire Gaines
Boise State heads into its matchup with Western Michigan already dealing with a backfield wrinkle, as running back Sire Gaines will not play after hurting his wrist in the previous game. The Broncos had listed him as questionable on the official injury report, a sign the staff was at least holding out hope, but now the offense will have to adjust without one of its backs on the field.
The injury report also marked reserve linebacker Sam Brooks as out, while offensive guard Roger Carreon and edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan are expected to start. Western Michigan has its own availability questions to sort through, with six players out, including starting safety Micah Davis, and star wide receiver Aveion Chenault listed as questionable, but Boise States immediate concern is how it pieces together the run game without Gaines. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Just Gave Fans Real Hope About This Team
Boise State went on the road and handled Western Michigan with the kind of efficiency that tends to travel well, leaving with a 32-7 non-conference win that offered a clear early-season boost. Running back Dylan Riley and quarterback Maddux Madsen helped set the tone on offense, while the defense kept Western Michigan from ever finding a rhythm.
For the Broncos, the bigger picture matters just as much as the final score. A win like this can move the needle in the College Football Playoff conversation, and it also gives Boise State some momentum as Pac-12 play arrives next. The challenge now is turning one convincing road performance into something more lasting once the schedule stiffens. [Read more 🡒]