No. 21 Boise State heads into Saturday evening’s Pac-12 matchup at Washington State looking every bit like the heavy favorite, and the numbers behind this one point in the same direction.
The Broncos are 5-1 after opening the season with a seven-point loss at Oregon as a 25.5-point underdog. Since then, they’ve stacked up five straight wins and have been laying at least 8.5 points in every one of those victories. Washington State, meanwhile, has managed just one win all season, and that came as a 38.5-point favorite against Duquesne.
Boise State also handled this matchup comfortably last season, rolling past the Cougars 45-24 at home in 2024.
At the center of Boise State’s surge is Maddux Madsen, a fifth-year senior in his third season as the starting quarterback. He’s thrown for 1,296 yards and 13 touchdowns without an interception through six games, production that has pushed him to third in the nation in QBR at 88.4.
Madsen has been especially sharp lately, throwing multiple touchdown passes in four straight games and in five of Boise State’s six outings this year. He’s also regularly clearing the 200-yard passing mark while adding some production with his legs. Against Washington State two years ago, though, he had a quieter night, going 12 of 21 for 184 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Boise State is coming off a bye week and looking to rebound against the spread after missing in back-to-back games at Fresno State and against Utah State. The Broncos won those games by seven and 19 points, even though they were favored by 9.5 and 19.5, respectively.
Washington State has had its own issues against comparable opponents. The Cougars lost 17-16 at Utah State as 4.5-point road underdogs earlier this month, then fell 26-6 at home to Fresno State as 2.5-point favorites.
Last week, they gave up 48 points at Oregon State, and they allowed 34 to Arizona on Sept. 26.
The spread is tempting here, but Boise State’s offense may be the cleaner angle. The Broncos have scored at least 32 points in all five wins this season, and they’ve topped 37 points in four of those games. With Washington State giving up big numbers recently, Boise State’s team total stands out.
In Other News...
Washington State Faces A Brutal Test In Boise State Upset Bid
Homecoming brings a familiar but still notable opponent back to Pullman, with Boise State visiting for the first meeting between the programs since 2017 and their first as Pac-12 foes. Washington State badly needs a lift after four straight losses, and the stakes are simple enough: keep bowl hopes within reach while trying to handle a Boise State team that has looked sharp and brings one of the nations most productive rushing attacks into a tough road setting.
The Cougars also arrive with plenty of uncertainty on offense after making a quarterback change, and the timing is rough with injuries thinning out the wide receiver group. Even with the reset under center, the challenge against Boise State is more than just finding rhythm through the air. Washington State will have to find answers against a physical opponent that has been winning in the trenches and forcing others to play on its terms. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Faces A Dangerous Test In Its Biggest Defensive Weakness
Washington State got a promising first look at Owen Eshelman in his first career start against Oregon State, even if the result was a 48-30 loss. The redshirt freshman completed 32 of 49 passes for 289 yards with two touchdowns and added 136 rushing yards and a score, giving the Cougars a dual-threat option who instantly changed the shape of their offense.
Now Boise State has to prepare for a second-start version of a quarterback who already showed he can stress a defense in multiple ways. Spencer Danielson has already pointed to the issues his team has to clean up, emphasizing tackling and basic fundamentals over any major schematic overhaul, which makes this matchup a particularly tricky one for a Broncos defense trying to steady itself. [Read more 🡒]
Washington State May Have Found A Breakout Weapon Fans Missed
Branden Ganashamoorthy has become one of the more intriguing developments in Washington States passing game this season, turning into a reliable target after arriving in Pullman with a very different athletic path than most receivers. The route to this point was gradual, but his rise through the depth chart has given the Cougars another playmaker to lean on when the offense needs someone to separate and finish plays.
His breakout moment came against Oregon State, when he was heavily involved from start to finish and delivered the kind of production that can change how defenses prepare for Washington State. For a player who once looked like a long shot to become a major part of the passing attack, Ganashamoorthys ascent has added an unexpected wrinkle to the Cougars offense, and it is fair to wonder how much more room there is for it to grow. [Read more 🡒]