Memo to Jeramiah Dickey and Spencer Danielson: Boise State needs to rethink the way it fills out its schedule.
Saturday night was a reminder that FCS games can bring a lot more anxiety than value. Boise State, now 3-0, had to survive a serious scare before pulling away from South Dakota 38-24 at Albertsons Stadium. The game was tied 24-24 late in the fourth quarter until Dylan Riley broke it open with touchdown runs of 2 and 83 yards.
That kind of finish is exactly why the Broncos’ current nonconference setup feels outdated. Boise State has been working from a formula of one Power Four opponent, two Group of Six teams and one FCS opponent. That approach had held up so far, but the South Dakota game made the downside impossible to ignore.
The Broncos won’t face a P4 opponent in 2027, which is a mistake. They do have three FCS games on future schedules - Western Illinois in 2027, Idaho State in 2030 and Idaho in 2031.
Western Illinois was added to plug a scheduling hole, while Idaho State and Idaho make sense from a local-interest standpoint. Still, the case against loading up on FCS opponents is getting stronger.
A better fit now would be one P4 opponent and three G6 opponents, including one Mountain West team. That would help the strength of schedule, and Boise State should be capable of handling most MW teams most of the time. It would also send a clear message for a program that likes to stand apart.
South Dakota showed why the risk is real. The Coyotes had the better quarterback and pushed Boise State all the way into the fourth quarter. They also scored 10 straight points in the second half to turn a 24-14 game into a 24-24 tie before Riley took over and finished with 198 yards.
There were plenty of warning signs for the Broncos along the way:
- Another slow start, with South Dakota jumping out 7-0 before Boise State rallied to lead 21-14 at halftime.
- Riley’s first turnover of the season, a first-quarter fumble.
- Very little pressure from the defensive line, which managed just two sacks and three quarterback hurries.
- More explosive plays allowed in the secondary, with South Dakota hitting gains of 40, 46, 29 and 59 yards for a touchdown.
On the positive side, Travis Anderson picked off his second and third interceptions of the season, with the final one sealing the win, and Kyle Hall looked active and mostly impressive in his first start.
- Rasean Jones, one of the team’s top two players, caught the first six passes of the game but finished with only eight.
More Jones, please.
- Boos from the home crowd, first when Boise State ran out the clock at the end of the first half and again early in the fourth after failing to convert on fourth down deep in South Dakota territory.
- Cam Bates’ muffed punt late in the game, which gave the Coyotes life and turned a close finish into a real scare.
Anderson’s interception created a chance. Riley then rescued the Broncos from what would have been a major embarrassment with that 83-yard touchdown run with 93 seconds left.
Boise State still hasn’t lost to an FCS opponent on the blue since 1997, when Cal State Northridge handed the Broncos a loss that was later forfeited, a result the article says was on Houston Nutt. Thirty seasons later, the lesson is simple: there’s no reason to keep taking that kind of risk.
No more FCS games, please.
In Other News...
Boise State Just Lost An Early QB Commit Now Fans Wait
Boise States quarterback board took a hit when Zeke Thomas, a three-star prospect from Willamette High School in Oregon, officially backed off his commitment. Thomas made the move public on social media and was careful to thank the Broncos coaching staff, a sign that the split appears to be more about the recruiting process than any hard feelings.
For Boise State, the timing matters because early quarterback pledges are often the kind of commitment staffs like to hold onto as they build a class around them. Thomas is already looking at other possibilities, including Oregon State, where he has recently taken unofficial visits, and the Broncos now have to regroup while watching where one of their top early targets lands next. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Faces One Early-Season Risk Fans Know Too Well
Boise State opens at Albertsons Stadium with South Dakota coming in as a sizable underdog, and the matchup has the kind of early-season profile that can lull a favorite into trouble if it is not careful. Spencer Danielson has already done the part coaches like to do this time of year, pointing out that the Coyotes are well-coached and talented enough to demand full attention, even if the Broncos are expected to win comfortably.
The history here is thin, with the schools having met only once before back in 1973, but the broader backdrop is more familiar to Boise State fans. The Broncos have built a long winning streak against FCS opponents, and this one becomes less about the spread than about avoiding the sort of opening-week slip that can linger well beyond September. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Faces An Upset Threat Fans Really Can't Ignore
Boise State is getting a rare kind of early-season warning sign with South Dakota coming to town, and the matchup has the feel of one of those games that can sneak up on a favorite if it gets too comfortable. The Coyotes arrive undefeated and ranked 10th in the FCS, which alone is enough to command attention, but the bigger concern for the Broncos is the style they bring. Coach Spencer Danielson and senior defensive back Roman Tillmon have both pointed to South Dakotas two-quarterback system and a running game that can make an opponent work for every stop.
For Boise State, the backdrop adds to the pressure. The Broncos have not lost to an FCS opponent since 1997, a streak that does not get much public discussion until a game like this puts it in the spotlight. A win would keep that line intact and avoid an awkward early-season conversation, but South Dakotas balance gives this one a little more bite than a typical nonconference tuneup. [Read more 🡒]