Game Day Primer / Sat, Nov 7
AWAY TEAM
7–1
HOME TEAM
3–5
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01 / Why this game matters
has already rushed for 1,049 yards. Colorado State is allowing 261.1 rushing yards a game. That is the matchup that jumps off the page, but Boise State just survived Texas State 46-45, so nobody should confuse a favorable statistic with a comfortable Saturday. The Broncos need to turn their advantage into control before the Rams can make this another scoring race.
02 / Know these people
Dylan Riley / The runner at the center of the game plan
Boise State · Running Back (RB)
Dylan Riley, RB, Boise State: Rushing Yards 165 CAR, 1,049 YDS, 9 TD. He has 165 carries and nine rushing touchdowns. Watch the first defender who reaches him: if contact keeps coming beyond the line, Boise can keep the same question coming.
RJ Vick / The receiver who can challenge Boise’s secondary
Colorado State · Wide Receiver (WR)
RJ Vick, WR, Colorado State: Receiving Yards 29 REC, 425 YDS, 4 TD. His 425 receiving yards give Colorado State a target against a defense allowing 260.8 passing yards per game.
03 / Watch for this
Watch whether has to dodge a defender before reaching the line. That can leave simpler passing choices, rather than forcing Boise to choose between running and throwing.
04 / Sound smart
How long should Boise keep feeding before trying a big play-action shot?
The central storyline
has already rushed for 1,049 yards. Colorado State is allowing 261.1 rushing yards a game. That is the matchup that jumps off the page, but Boise State just survived Texas State 46-45, so nobody should confuse a favorable statistic with a comfortable Saturday. The Broncos need to turn their advantage into control before the Rams can make this another scoring race.
A read on both sides
Boise State
Team vibe
Boise State is 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the Pac-12. In its last three games, it beat Fresno State 38-31, beat Washington State 31-10, beat Texas State 46-45. ESPN’s season averages: Points Per Game: 35.9; Total Yards: 449.3; Yards Passing: 226.5; Yards Rushing: 222.8. Points Allowed Per Game: 23.6; Yards Allowed: 360.3; Pass Yards Allowed: 260.8; Rush Yards Allowed: 99.5. Those full-season numbers describe the team’s production through 8 games; they are not a forecast of Saturday’s score.
Colorado State
Team vibe
Colorado State is 3-5 overall and 1-3 in the Pac-12. In its last three games, it lost to Texas State 27-66, beat San Diego State 56-49, lost to Utah State 14-31. ESPN’s season averages: Points Per Game: 35.5; Total Yards: 435.5; Yards Passing: 270.9; Yards Rushing: 164.6. Points Allowed Per Game: 42.4; Yards Allowed: 526.4; Pass Yards Allowed: 265.3; Rush Yards Allowed: 261.1. Those full-season numbers describe the team’s production through 8 games; they are not a forecast of Saturday’s score.
Current storylines
Teach Me What to Notice
On screen
Look for: Watch whether has to dodge a defender before reaching the line.
If you see it: If the first tackle attempt comes several yards downfield, Colorado State will have to devote more help to the run.
Here's what it means: That can leave simpler passing choices, rather than forcing Boise to choose between running and throwing.
On screen
Look for: Watch whether the Rams can complete a pass beyond the first-down marker without abandoning ’s running threat.
If you see it: If Boise’s defenders can crowd every underneath route, the Rams may accumulate catches without sustaining drives.
Here's what it means: Boise’s pass defense allows far more yardage than its run defense; Colorado State needs to turn that opening into meaningful gains.
The central storyline
has already rushed for 1,049 yards. Colorado State is allowing 261.1 rushing yards a game. That is the matchup that jumps off the page, but Boise State just survived Texas State 46-45, so nobody should confuse a favorable statistic with a comfortable Saturday. The Broncos need to turn their advantage into control before the Rams can make this another scoring race.
A read on both sides
Boise State
Team vibe
Boise State is 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the Pac-12. In its last three games, it beat Fresno State 38-31, beat Washington State 31-10, beat Texas State 46-45. ESPN’s season averages: Points Per Game: 35.9; Total Yards: 449.3; Yards Passing: 226.5; Yards Rushing: 222.8. Points Allowed Per Game: 23.6; Yards Allowed: 360.3; Pass Yards Allowed: 260.8; Rush Yards Allowed: 99.5. Those full-season numbers describe the team’s production through 8 games; they are not a forecast of Saturday’s score.
Colorado State
Team vibe
Colorado State is 3-5 overall and 1-3 in the Pac-12. In its last three games, it lost to Texas State 27-66, beat San Diego State 56-49, lost to Utah State 14-31. ESPN’s season averages: Points Per Game: 35.5; Total Yards: 435.5; Yards Passing: 270.9; Yards Rushing: 164.6. Points Allowed Per Game: 42.4; Yards Allowed: 526.4; Pass Yards Allowed: 265.3; Rush Yards Allowed: 261.1. Those full-season numbers describe the team’s production through 8 games; they are not a forecast of Saturday’s score.
Current storylines
Teach Me What to Notice
On screen
Look for: Watch whether has to dodge a defender before reaching the line.
If you see it: If the first tackle attempt comes several yards downfield, Colorado State will have to devote more help to the run.
Here's what it means: That can leave simpler passing choices, rather than forcing Boise to choose between running and throwing.
On screen
Look for: Watch whether the Rams can complete a pass beyond the first-down marker without abandoning ’s running threat.
If you see it: If Boise’s defenders can crowd every underneath route, the Rams may accumulate catches without sustaining drives.
Here's what it means: Boise’s pass defense allows far more yardage than its run defense; Colorado State needs to turn that opening into meaningful gains.
Players & Coaches
Players & Coaches
Boise State · Running Back (RB)
Dylan Riley, RB, Boise State: Rushing Yards 165 CAR, 1,049 YDS, 9 TD. He has 165 carries and nine rushing touchdowns. Watch the first defender who reaches him: if contact keeps coming beyond the line, Boise can keep the same question coming.
Players & Coaches
Colorado State · Wide Receiver (WR)
RJ Vick, WR, Colorado State: Receiving Yards 29 REC, 425 YDS, 4 TD. His 425 receiving yards give Colorado State a target against a defense allowing 260.8 passing yards per game.
Players & Coaches
Boise State · Quarterback (QB)
Maddux Madsen, QB, Boise State: Passing Yards 148/222, 1,681 YDS, 15 TD, 1 INT. Fifteen touchdown passes and one interception make patience a strength. He can take the throw the run defense creates without forcing a highlight.
Players & Coaches
Colorado State · Running Back (RB)
Mel Brown, RB, Colorado State: Rushing Yards 52 CAR, 454 YDS, 3 TD. He has 454 rushing yards on 52 carries, but Boise allows just 99.5 rushing yards a game. His ability to find useful gains would change the Rams’ options.
The Stakes
Boise State enters 4-0 and Colorado State 1-3 in the Pac-12. A win adds one conference victory and the opponent takes another conference loss; neither result by itself guarantees a championship-game berth. The ranked team's playoff case also depends on the rest of its schedule and the committee’s evaluation, not its AP number alone.
Why it matters
Watch whether the Rams can complete a pass beyond the first-down marker without abandoning ’s running threat. Boise’s pass defense allows far more yardage than its run defense; Colorado State needs to turn that opening into meaningful gains.
Why it matters
This is ’s matchup until Colorado State proves otherwise. Boise should not need to chase difficult throws when its running game can test the Rams on every series. The danger is allowing Colorado State to answer each long drive with a quick score. I’m watching whether Boise can finish a possession and then actually get the ball back.
Why it matters
Boise State can leave with its 8th win, while Colorado State is seeking win No. 4. The loser must absorb another defeat with fewer November opportunities left to improve its record.
History & Context
History & Context
Colorado State’s official preview recalls its last home meeting with Boise State: a winning Hail Mary to tight end Dallin Holker as time expired. Boise won the following meeting 49-21 last season.
Conversation Starters
Conversation Starters
How long should Boise keep feeding before trying a big play-action shot?
Conversation Starters
Can Colorado State’s passing game make this another high-scoring finish?
Conversation Starters
Would you rather shorten the game or increase the number of possessions if you were coaching the Rams?