Boise State football, in a couple of days, will play the most important game in school history. Considering the opportunity, I’m not sure that’s even debatable.
First, how did the Broncos get here?
The path is beyond inspiring.
Boise State football hit rock bottom Dec. 30, 1996 – the day beloved head coach Pokey Allen died after a very public battle with cancer.
Through a series of coaches, players, victories and stepping-stone success stories, it took the Broncos 3,655 methodical days to reach the top – a Fiesta Bowl victory that shocked the college football world and changed everything for a small blue-collar program in Idaho.
Rock bottom happened again Nov. 12, 2023 – the day beloved former player Andy Avalos was fired. He lost the locker room, forcing Boise State to remove a head coach midseason for the first time in program history.
That day, Boise State made a shocking statement to start over.
That day was 385 days ago.
Today, Boise State is making an even bigger statement.
The Broncos’ brand is charging hard, back toward the top, with a Heisman Trophy candidate, a soldout stadium, record fundraising, and they’re hanging with billion-dollar bluebloods for the right to chase a national championship.
As a No. 4 national seed.
Maybe even a No. 3.
Are you serious?
The path is beyond inspiring, unprecedented, because 385 days ago, the future of Boise State football was beyond cloudy. Again, no debate necessary.
The interim head coach was young and unproven.
The locker room was fragile.
The fan base was on edge.
Even when Spencer Danielson was promoted to permanent head coach, there was a cautious feeling of uncertainty. There were questions about the future of this program all over the place.
What’s to become of Boise State football?
What’s happening with all the massive changes in college football?
How can Boise State football join the party?
Answer: Boise State has become the life of the party, which continues Friday night when UNLV comes to town for the Mountain West Championship Game.
Winner lands a spot in the first 12-team national championship tournament.
Loser plays a mediocre team in the now meaningless LA Bowl.
The Friday night opportunity is massive, the biggest in school history, and it’s happening because of one man: Danielson and his power to preach a positive message.
The young, unproven coach with a fragile roster and a worrisome future in the changing waters of college football has blown away all negative thoughts, all concerns, and the Broncos have once again become a heartwarming, loveable, threatening national brand.
After 385 days.
Incredible run by an incredible man who has an incredible bond with a roster of 110-plus players who don’t always show incredible talent.
Danielson, doing more with less, has won 14 of 16 games.
He has a chance to win back-to-back Mountain West titles for the first time in school history.
His team wins with leadership and class. There is no flag-planting nonsense in the Broncos’ DNA.
He’s a no-filter, look-you-in-the-eye, all-communication kind of coach.
The magical result is a team on the same page. The athletic department is full-on with its support. The community is united.
Without a doubt, these past 385 days have changed everything for Boise State football, and it’s been beautiful to watch.
We’ll all be watching Friday night. With the opportunity of a lifetime, kickoff can’t get here soon enough.
JEANTY & HIS HEISMAN CAMPAIGN
Near the end of Boise State’s victory over Oregon State, I posted on X that running back star Ashton Jeanty was having another monster game (career-high 37 carries, 226 yards, TD), but, “sadly, the Heisman race is over.’’
Colorado’s Travis Hunter, after his own big game Friday (three receiving TDs, one interception), suddenly emerged as a massive betting favorite. It’s an insurmountable cushion, in my opinion, though I’ve said several times that final votes will be closer than current odds.
The post was a prediction of results, not an indication of my own vote, which is due Dec. 9. I’m not allowed to divulge my vote until after the Dec. 14 ceremony.
Over the weekend, I continued to think about Jeanty and his chances to win the Heisman, especially now that Hunter won’t play another game until after voting ends.
Specifically, what if Jeanty breaks Barry Sanders’ single-season record of 2,628 yards by rushing for 341 yards in the Mountain West Championship Game?
That would be a powerful statement, especially after struggling against UNLV in the regular season (injury issues, season-low 3.9-yards per carry).
Winning the Heisman would be life-changing, program changing, but Jeanty doesn’t need a trophy to validate his football skill or what he’s meant to Boise State football and our community.
This week, here’s hoping we don’t focus on the angst of a popularity contest.
Here’s hoping the brightest light shines on the man himself – an all-time legacy player who, sadly, is down to his final game on The Blue.
Mike Prater is the Bronco Nation News columnist who co-hosts Idaho Sports Talk (KTIK 95.3 FM on Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m.) and the Boise State football postgame show (KBOI 670 AM). He is on Twitter @MikeFPrater and can be reached at mikefprater@gmail.com
