Boise State enters compete month with championship Aspirations

Boise State football coach Spencer Danielson has a specific name for the final stretch of the college football season: “Compete Month.” As the Broncos prepare to face Colorado State this Saturday, the team finds itself in a position to secure both a spot in the Pac-12 championship game and the right to host it, provided they navigate the next two weeks of conference play successfully. The Idaho Press reported that the team enters this critical period with a 7-1 overall record and an unblemished 4-0 mark in the Pac-12.

The stakes extend beyond the conference title. Ranked No. 25 in the initial College Football Playoff (CFP) poll released this week, the Broncos are currently the front-runners to represent the Group of Six in the playoff field. For a program that has historically relied on late-season performance to climb the rankings, the pressure to avoid what Danielson calls “micro quits” is high.

“Championships are won in November, and it is not just for players; it’s for staff, it’s for coaches, it is for me, it is for our players,” Danielson said. “Sometimes, there’s micro quits that can show up in November where it’s like ‘I’m just kind of in my routine.’ But you can get casual, even with your routine.”

The transition into November has proven to be a defining characteristic of recent Boise State seasons. In 2023, Danielson stepped into the interim head coach role with only two regular-season games remaining, successfully rallying the team to a Mountain West title appearance. The 2024 season saw the team grind through tight fourth-quarter victories to maintain an unbeaten conference record, while last year required a shift to quarterback Max Cutforth after starter Maddux Madsen suffered an injury early in the month.

The Road Ahead Without Madsen

History is repeating itself on the depth chart. After taking a hit to his knee during last week’s 46-45 comeback victory against North Texas, Maddux Madsen has been ruled out for the upcoming game against Colorado State. ESPN’s Pete Thamel first reported the status of the quarterback, who is expected to return for the matchup against Oregon State next week.

Max Cutforth, who stepped in against North Texas with the Broncos trailing 39-28, is set to lead the offense on Saturday. His performance last week—passing for 131 yards and three touchdowns—was instrumental in securing the win that gave the Broncos sole possession of first place in the Pac-12 following Oregon State’s loss to Fresno State.

Boise State enters compete month with championship Aspirations

The physical toll of the season is a reality the players are actively managing as they head into the final weeks. Linebacker Boen Phelps noted that the motivation varies across the college football landscape at this time of year, with some programs playing for postseason spots while others focus on simply finishing the schedule.

“It’s getting to the point in the season where it’s long, everybody’s body is a little hurt,” Phelps said. “We got to go; we got to compete. A lot of teams are playing for the CFP, and that’s a team like us. Some teams, they’re not really playing for anything; they’re just trying to get through. It‘s that time we really got to go.”

Balancing the Schedule and the Playoff Picture

The Broncos have four games remaining in November, though the immediate focus is on the next three, which will dictate the participants in the Pac-12 championship game. A flex game scheduled for Nov. 28 will not impact the conference standings but remains a potential factor in the team’s quest to return to the College Football Playoff for the second time in three years.

Maintaining focus while managing fatigue is the central challenge for the coaching staff and the roster. Edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan emphasized that the mental strain of the season is just as significant as the physical wear and tear. As the program looks to replicate its past successes in the final month of the regular season, the ability to stay “locked in” during these weeks will determine whether Boise State can capitalize on its current trajectory.