Boise State heads into its Pac-12 opener with momentum and a number that makes the matchup look lopsided on paper.
The No. 22 Broncos have won three straight since dropping their season opener at No.
15 Oregon, and they’re back at Albertsons Stadium on Saturday to face Utah State. DraftKings Sportsbook had Boise State installed as a 20.5-point favorite Monday morning, down from an opening line of 21.
The Broncos are 3-1 overall and have looked sharper with each week. Their latest win, a 32-7 rout of Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, was their most complete showing of 2026 so far.
Boise State held the Broncos to 223 total yards while Dylan Riley handled the ground game with 28 carries for 138 yards and a touchdown. Maddux Madsen added efficiency through the air, going 16 of 23 for 204 yards and three scores without a turnover.
Utah State arrives at 1-3 and finally broke through last week with a 21-10 home win over Troy. Before that, the Aggies had stumbled out of the gate with a home loss to FCS Idaho State and road defeats at Washington and No. 13 Utah.
The numbers have not been kind to Utah State this season. The Aggies have turned the ball over 11 times, tied with Sacramento State for the most in FBS, and quarterback Grady Brosterhous has completed 56 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and six interceptions.
Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. Mountain time Saturday, and the game will air nationally on CBS Sports Network.
On the betting board, Boise State is also listed at -1600 on the moneyline, while Utah State sits at +900. The over/under is 51.5 points.
Boise State has covered three of its four games this season, while Utah State is 2-2 against the spread.
Saturday’s Pac-12 slate includes four intraconference games in Week 5:
• Oregon State (-5.5) at Colorado State, 4 p.m. (USA Network)
• Utah State at Boise State (-20.5), 5:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
• Fresno State at Washington State (-2.5), 7:30 p.m. (USA Network)
• Texas State (-4) at San Diego State, 8:30 p.m. (The CW)
In Other News...
Boise State Just Sent A Clear Message Before Pac-12 Play
Boise States trip to Western Michigan offered the kind of complete performance coaches usually point to when the calendar starts turning toward league play. The Broncos left with a 32-7 win built on efficiency and control, with quarterback Maddux Madsen throwing three touchdown passes without an interception and Dylan Riley powering the run game with 138 yards and a score.
What stood out just as much was how thoroughly Boise State handled things on the other side of the ball. The Broncos owned time of possession and held Western Michigan to 223 total yards and seven points, the sort of road showing that can travel well as Pac-12 play approaches and the margin for error gets thinner. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Is Turning Its Pac-12 Home Opener Into A Throwback Moment
Before Boise State begins Pac-12 conference play at home against Utah State, the program is leaning into a piece of its own history. Coach Spencer Danielson helped set the tone at a recent press conference by wearing a special hoodie honoring the 20th anniversary of the Broncos undefeated 2007 team, the group that capped that unforgettable run with a Fiesta Bowl win.
The milestone celebration will carry into Albertsons Stadium, where several members of that 2007 team are set to be on hand, including Jared Zabransky and Ian Johnson. For a fan base that still takes pride in that era, it gives this home opener a little extra meaning beyond the standings and the conference debut. [Read more 🡒]