No. 22 Boise State is stepping into the Pac-12 for the first time Saturday, and the debut comes with a familiar face across the field. The Broncos host Utah State on the blue turf in what marks the start of a new chapter for Boise State, which was ranked No. 22 this week.
Boise State enters at 3-1 after wrapping up nonconference play and has not lost to Utah State since 2015. The Aggies, longtime conference rivals, are also joining the Pac-12 this year, giving this opener an old look inside a new league.
The Broncos’ offense has been driven by quarterback Maddux Madsen, who has thrown nine touchdowns without an interception. Super Bowl-winning coach and CBS college football analyst Doug Pederson pointed to Madsen’s poise and efficiency as a big reason Boise State has stayed on track.
"He's taking care of the football and not putting the team in harm's way. He's playing ahead of the chains. He's keeping them in third and manageable situations they're staying on the field along with the run game,” Pederson said.
Boise State’s ground game has been just as important. Running back Dylan Riley has piled up 592 rushing yards, which ranks third in the nation. Pederson said that kind of production changes everything for the Broncos’ attack.
"He's around a hundred and just under 150 yards a game and they they've got to continue to do that. That's kind of been there their staple I think is just run the ball because that's what opens up as we know it opens up the play-action past game It opens up the screen game And I think that's where Maddox really thrives is when is when that running your running game is hitting on all cylinders,” Pederson said.
Utah State comes in at 1-3 and has had trouble protecting the football, with 11 turnovers, tied for the most in the country. The Aggies are averaging 13 points per game.
For Boise State, a win would land as more than just another conference victory. It would be the program’s first-ever Pac-12 win and would also extend its streak to 27 straight conference opener victories.
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