Oregon State heads into Saturday’s road trip to face 24th-ranked Boise State with plenty on the line in its biggest game of the 2026 season. The Beavers are trying to shake off back-to-back losses, and a College Gameday setting gives them a chance to get their season moving again. It’s a steep climb, though, and Shephard’s group will need a sharp performance to have any shot at the upset.
The first order of business is slowing Boise State through the air. That’s easier said than done against a Broncos offense loaded with pass-catching talent, but Oregon State’s best path to survival starts there.
Baker, OR native Rasean Jones has been excellent for Boise State over the past two weeks, and he’s been giving opposing secondaries fits. Whether it’s Trey Glasper, Isaiah Houi or TJ Crandall matched up across from him, that corner has to play the game of his life.
There’s more to worry about than Jones, too. Coach Macintyre also has to find a way to keep standout tight end Matt Wagner from slipping into the flat and piling up yards after the catch.
Boise State can hurt defenses in a lot of different ways, and Dylan Riley gives them one of the best backs in the country. Oregon State’s best chance to keep Riley in check is to make Boise’s passing game less effective.
That puts pressure on the Beavers to be much better on defense than they were against Texas State, when they repeatedly ended up in second-and-long. With an offensive line that has been struggling, Newberry and Hatcher need to create yards for themselves, make defenders miss at the line of scrimmage and help manufacture running lanes.
Boise State does have quality defenders, but it has shown some vulnerability against the run. Last Saturday against Colorado State, the Broncos allowed 207 rushing yards.
Field position could swing the whole thing. Against an offense that is ridiculously efficient, Oregon State needs to win that battle on Saturday afternoon. If the Beavers can force Boise State to start deep in its own territory, especially inside its own ten, that changes the pressure on the Broncos and opens the door to turnovers.
AJ Winsor has done a good job this season, but he needs help from the offense to get the most out of his punts. Oregon State has to avoid three-and-outs and move the ball enough to keep Winsor punting from around midfield instead of buried in his own end. If that happens, he’ll have a much better chance to pin Boise State near its goal line.
In Other News...
Boise State Is Suddenly Facing A Very Different Oregon State Setup
Boise States trip against Oregon State has taken on a much different look in a hurry, and the betting market has reflected it. What opened as a relatively modest spread has ballooned into Boise State being favored by 16.5 points, a sharp shift driven by recent results and the changing health picture on both sidelines.
The biggest swing for the Beavers comes at quarterback, where Braden Atkinson is sidelined with a hand injury and Maalik Murphy is expected to make the start. Boise State, meanwhile, is still projected to have Maddux Madsen available, which only adds to the challenge Oregon State faces as it tries to steady itself and keep the game competitive against a team that now looks far more imposing than it did just a short time ago. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon State Walks Into A Boise Atmosphere Built Against Them
Boise spent Saturday morning wrapped in the kind of national spotlight that can turn a home game into a full-on event. ESPNs College GameDay was in town for the first time since 2010, and the pregame show leaned heavily toward the Broncos, with the entire panel backing Boise State over Oregon State. For the Beavers, it added another layer to a road test already carrying plenty of attention, with kickoff set for 4 p.m. Mountain time at Albertsons Stadium and the game slated to air on USA Network.
Boise State coach Spencer Danielson talked about what it meant for the program to host College GameDay, a sign of how far the Broncos have climbed back into the national conversation. Oregon State, meanwhile, walked into an atmosphere built to celebrate the other sideline, with the crowd, the broadcast and the buildup all pointing in one direction before the first snap. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Gets A Timely Boost Before A Huge Oregon State Test
Boise State got a welcome dose of stability heading into a pivotal Pac-12 matchup with Oregon State, with quarterback Maddux Madsen, running back Sire Gaines and safety Travis Anderson all expected to be available. For a Broncos team staring at a major test, having key pieces on offense and defense in the mix matters, especially with head coach Spencer Danielson sounding confident in Madsens recovery and readiness.
Oregon State, meanwhile, is dealing with a significant change under center after losing starter Braden Atkinson to a hand injury. Maalik Murphy is expected to take over in his place, adding another layer of intrigue to a game that already carried real weight for both sides and now features one team getting healthier at just the right time. [Read more 🡒]