Boise State’s place in the AP Poll picture took a hit in Week 2, even after the Broncos pulled out a home win over Memphis on Saturday.
The Broncos moved from 86 votes last week to 57 in the new poll released Sunday, a drop that left them third among teams outside the top 25. Washington sat far ahead of that group with 172 votes, while Florida had 83.
That vote loss came despite a finish that looked nothing like a team fading into the background. Boise State trailed Memphis 17-3 in the second quarter before ripping off a 35-3 run to close the game and win 38-20.
The Broncos leaned hard on the ground game, piling up 357 rushing yards on 47 carries. Dylan Riley turned in the biggest individual day, going for a career-high 206 yards on 19 attempts.
Special teams also swung the game. Boen Phelps blocked a field goal, and Cam Bates brought back a punt 72 yards for a touchdown. Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson pointed to those plays after the game.
“(Phelps) had a big-time play on special teams,” Broncos head coach Spencer Danielson said in his postgame press conference. “Proud of (special teams coach Stacy Collins).
Our special teams have consistently gotten better. … Got a blocked field goal, had a punt return for a touchdown, so a lot of things that I’m excited about.”
Boise State is now 1-1 overall and 0-0 in the Pac-12. The Broncos will host South Dakota at 8 p.m. Mountain time on Saturday before heading to Western Michigan.
Their resume also took a hit because of what happened elsewhere. Oregon, which beat Boise State 34-27 in Week 1 at Autzen Stadium, was stunned 39-31 by Oklahoma State. The Ducks had entered the season No. 2 in the preseason AP Poll before falling to No. 21 after the loss.
At the top of the Week 2 poll, Texas moved into No. 1, with Georgia, Notre Dame, Indiana and Miami right behind it.
Other Group of 6 teams also picked up votes in the latest poll: Western Michigan with 35, Tulsa with 18, James Madison with six and North Dakota State with three.
Others receiving votes: Washington 172, Florida 83, Boise State 57, Oklahoma State 36, Western Michigan 35, Tulsa 18, Mississippi State 17, South Carolina 15, Virginia Tech 11, UCLA 9, James Madison 6, Arizona 5, North Dakota State 3, Pittsburgh 1, Kansas State 1
In Other News...
Boise States AP Snub Says A Lot About How Voters See Them
Boise State did what it was supposed to do against Memphis, winning 38-20 and giving itself a clean late-season resume point. Even so, the Broncos were left on the outside of the Associated Press Top 25 this week, a reminder that at this stage of the season style points only go so far when voters are sorting through a crowded middle tier.
The Broncos remain the highest-ranked Group of Six team just outside the poll and also narrowly missed the USA Today Coaches Poll, but the path back in is still narrow. Other results around the country, along with how Memphis is being viewed, continue to shape Boise States standing, which leaves the Broncos needing both more wins and a little help if they want the voters to finally move them up. [Read more 🡒]
Boise States Latest Poll Snub Says Plenty About This Team
Boise State did enough in its Week 2 win over Memphis to look like a team deserving more attention, yet the Broncos were still stuck on the outside of the Coaches Poll after a 38-20 home victory. The performance itself made the case: Boise State controlled the game on the ground and showed the kind of physical edge that usually gets noticed this time of year.
The Broncos piled up 357 rushing yards, with junior tailback Dylan Riley breaking out for a career-high 206. Memphis coach Charles Huff even praised Boise State after the game, which only sharpens the question around how this team is being viewed nationally and how long it can keep making that kind of statement without breaking into the rankings. [Read more 🡒]
Spencer Danielson Sends Clear Message As Boise State Loses Composure
Spencer Danielson made his frustration clear in the first half of Boise States non-conference game against Memphis, and it came after a stretch in which the Broncos felt they were fighting more than one opponent. Multiple pass interference calls went against Boise State as Memphis quarterback Marcus Stokes pushed the ball downfield, while tight end Hunter Tipton added a touchdown for the Tigers. Even with the officiating drawing Danielsons attention, Boise States offense answered with two quick touchdowns before halftime and kept the game tight.
Still, the Broncos could not quite steady themselves before the break. Memphis slipped in a last-second field goal to take a 20-17 lead into halftime, leaving Boise State with both a narrow deficit and a growing sense of irritation over how the first half had been called. For Danielson, the larger concern was not just the score, but the way his teams composure seemed to fray as the game moved toward halftime. [Read more 🡒]