“I love this place,” Texas State head coach G.J. Kinne told reporters Tuesday, shutting down speculation that he might leave for the vacant head coaching position at Baylor. While Kinne’s name has surfaced as a potential replacement for the fired Dave Aranda, the Bobcats coach is strictly focused on a daunting Halloween clash against No. 20 Boise State this Saturday at 8 p.m. Mountain time.
The stakes for Texas State (4-3, 2-1) are high. They are riding the momentum of two straight home wins in Pac-12 play, but they now face a Boise State squad (6-1, 3-0) that has long served as the standard at this level of football. For Kinne, the game is a tall task that will test whether his team can match the physicality of a top-20 opponent on the road.
The Battle for Physicality on the Blue Turf
Kinne isn’t underestimating the environment at Albertsons Stadium. He pointed to Boise State’s culture and disciplined approach as the primary hurdles, noting that the Broncos’ defensive line looked particularly dominant in their recent 31-10 victory over Washington State. Kinne highlighted the experience of the Boise State quarterback—the “heart and soul” of the team—and a receiving corps bolstered by draft picks at running back.
The contrast in styles is where the game will be won or lost. Texas State is known for a flashy, high-scoring offense that has averaged 35 points per season since Kinne took over in 2022. However, that brilliance has often been offset by “dumbfounding” losses. Texas State's narrow 20-17 win over Utah State last week suggests the team is developing the grit and discipline required to compete with a program like Boise State, which has claimed the Mountain West title seven times in the last 15 years.
“It’s going to be a tall task, there’s no question about that,” Kinne said regarding the need to match Boise State’s physicality. “But we’re definitely going to be up for the challenge. Our guys will be ready.”
This matchup also carries a personal thread. Kinne, a former quarterback at Tulsa, shares a professional history with Boise State defensive coordinator Erik Chinander; both were with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013. Kinne’s respect for the program goes back even further, to his high school years when he watched Boise State’s Fiesta Bowl upset of Oklahoma. He played against the Broncos twice during his college career, citing former quarterback Kellen Moore—who will be honored with a statue unveiling this Saturday—as a benchmark for precision and execution.
Baylor Coaching Rumors Surround Kinne and Danielson
The timing of this game is complicated by the chaos at Baylor. Following Dave Aranda’s firing on Sunday, both Kinne and Boise State’s Spencer Danielson have been linked to the job. While Danielson has already dismissed the rumors, Kinne’s response reflects a coach who is used to the spotlight. This is the fourth year Kinne has dealt with outside interest; in 2025, after a 4-1 start, rumors linked him to the Oklahoma State vacancy before a five-game losing streak cooled that particular fire.
The “so what” of these rumors extends beyond the coach’s office. Since arriving as a 34-year-old after a 12-2 run at Incarnate Word, Kinne has led the Bobcats to three bowl wins and a consistent winning record. If Texas State can pull off an upset or finish the season on a strong run, the pressure from programs like Baylor is likely to intensify.
However, Kinne isn’t the only local name in the mix. Jeff Traylor has UTSA off to a 7-1 start, making him another name to watch for the Bears.
For now, the narrative remains centered on the immediate threat. Kinne’s warning to his players was blunt: focus on the task at hand, or they will be dismantled. The Bobcats must now prove they can translate their home-field success into a hostile environment on the blue turf, facing a team that doesn’t just rely on talent, but on a rigorous, everyday process of discipline.
The result on Saturday will help determine if Texas State is maturing as a program.
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