Boise State has basically made it a tradition. Start with a bang. Sometimes it’s a good bang. Sometimes it’s a bad bang. But people pay attention to bangs.
Over the past 15 seasons (since 2009), the Broncos have opened their season against a Power-5 squad every year but four (not including the COVID-altered 2020 season). In those games — all but two of which have been away from Boise — the Broncos are 5-4.
WINS:
— 2009 vs. #16 Oregon
— 2010 vs. #10 Virginia Tech in Landover, Maryland.
— 2011 vs. #19 Georgia in Atlanta.
— 2015 vs. Washington
— 2019 at Florida State
LOSSES:
— 2012 at #13 Michigan State
— 2013 at Washington
— 2014 vs. #18 Ole Miss in Atlanta
— 2022 at Oregon State
No one can say Boise State has dodged competition. Which is interesting. Now on their third coach in the past decade, the Broncos have not shifted philosophies. They have not opted for the season-opening cupcake to get the rust off but, instead, take all summer to prepare for — oftentimes — their toughest opponent.
“I’ve always been in the mindset and the mode of, you’re preparing to be your best in the first week,” said Boise State coach Andy Avalos. “And the opponent, whether it’s the number-whatever-ranked team in the nation or whoever they are, you have to prepare to be your best because you only get so much time.
“Obviously,” Avalos continued, “coming out of the gates — we’ve played in kickoff classics traditionally — we’re opening up on the road in their home stadium on national TV (ABC). That’s a great opportunity for us.”
It’s a chance for Avalos to finally start a season on the right foot. Heading into year three as the head coach of his alma mater, Avalos has yet to win a season opener. The Broncos blew a 17-point lead at UCF in his head-coaching debut and, last season, starter Hank Bachmeier was benched in the second quarter as Boise State lost by three scores at Oregon State.
In other words: A great opportunity doesn’t always turn into something great.
That’s the fear for Boise State next Saturday when it travels to play #10 Washington in Seattle, only the tenth time in school history the Broncos will face a top-10 team (Boise State is 6-3 in those games).
And the Huskies return nearly everyone from what was the best passing offense in the nation last season.
That includes offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who Alabama was trying to lure away. And quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who threw for over 4,600 yards (No. 2 in the country). And their top three receivers from last season: Rome Odunze (1,145 yards, 7 TDs), Jalen McMillan (1,098 yards, 9 TDs) and Ja’Lynn Polk (694 yards, 6 TDs).
“They were a very, very efficient offense last year,” Avalos said. “They have a quarterback coming back who is an elite player in the nation. They have some offensive linemen — specifically some tackles — who are very good players and have experience. And they’ve got one of the best wide receiver corps in the nation.”
Luckily, Boise State has some time to delve into UW prep. The Broncos are using what Avalos called a “bonus week” to prepare for the Huskies, something Boise State has often done in the past. Basically, fall camp ended a few days ago and they are spending two weeks preparing for the No. 10 team in America.
The Broncos’ top focus over the next week and a half: Find a way to get pressure on Penix.
“The pass game is always on rhythm,” Avalos said of Washington. “They didn’t give up very many sacks last season. So, naturally, when you’re talking about stopping a good pass game, that’s one of the first objectives: You’ve gotta disrupt the timing.”
Boise State’s defensive front — now without Scott Matlock and George Tarlas — is arguably the biggest concern for the Broncos heading into week one, and it won’t have a tougher challenge than the Huskies. Last season, Penix was sacked just five times — including a combined three times in Washington’s two losses.
If the Broncos can’t get Penix to the ground, there is a very slim chance they leave Seattle 1-0.
OTHER NOTES:
— Avalos announced Wednesday that redshirt freshman Maddux Madsen will be the backup quarterback behind Taylen Green. Freshman CJ Tiller, who will likely redshirt this year, will be the third-stringer.
— Classes started on Monday for Boise State, so this is the first week this season the Broncos are juggling both a full class load and football.
