Should Boise State Have Respect For Any Mountain West Football Program
Irritation is More Apt Than Rival for Some of these Schools…
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Folks, it feels good to be a Boise State Bronco. Not only did I get to attend the Mountain West Football Championship Game in 2019 and see my alma mater play in our home stadium; but I got to rush onto our legendary Blue Field afterward to celebrate another conference championship after our blowout victory over the West Division champion. Three championship games in a row, all on the Blue Turf, with head coach Bryan Harsin hosting the championship trophy 2 of those times.
In these last three years, Boise State has held the title of Mountain West football champion more often than not and at the very least been the school that had to be beaten to claim that title. That’s the way it should be, it is the natural way of things when Boise State football is involved.
Later in the offseason, while Boise State fans were once again celebrating the best football recruiting class in the conference; the Broncos had to face another challenge from the conference. This time in the courtroom over compensation received for the television rights of home football games.
Once again Boise State was triumphant. This time the Broncos provided documents that showed Fox Sports was mostly interested in Boise State games when agreeing to a media rights contract with the Mountain West Conference and the original contract that showed that Boise State only agreed to return to the conference with a revenue distribution that would fairly compensate the Broncos for the far greater national interest in the Boise State football program than what the rest of the conference had to offer.
Once Boise State School President Marlene Tromp and Athletic Director Curt Apsey threatened the Mountain West with a fight, the Mountain West was quick to back down. Craig Thompson and the Mountain West at least had the common sense to not get into the ring with the undisputed Alpha of the conference.
In honor of both of these victories, I decided to look over the schools we face on the football field as conference opponents and rank them with how much I respect them while also examining whether any kind of rivalry exists. The term rival is generous as Boise State has ridden rough shed over most of these conference foes. Indeed, not one current school in the Mountain West has a winning record against Boise State. Instead you may view this as a ranking of schools that provide the biggest irritation to the mighty Broncos.
Honorable mention: Texas Christian University
Before we get to the list of current conference opponents; I felt it was fair to point out that Boise State has faced a 12th school as a Mountain West Conference football opponent. No. 5 Boise State faced Texas Christian in 2011 as conference opponents and the Hornfrogs were able to score a last second victory over the Broncos.
That would be the only time these 2 teams would face off as MWC opponents as TCU would head to the Big 12 Conference in 2012 for all sports. It was unfortunate for Boise State as BSU and TCU currently have a 2-2 record versus each other and many of these games featured both teams ranked. The Hornfrogs and Broncos are yet to meet again on the field since 2011 and no future matchups are scheduled. It would have been nice to have a true peer in the conference and team to respect. Texas Christian could have potentially been a great conference rival for Boise State.
11. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
MW Conference record versus Boise State: 0-5 (000%)
21st Century record versus Boise State: 0-5 (000%)
All Time record versus Boise State: 3-8 (27.3%)
Rebel Mountain West Conference Championships: 0
Most Disappointing Loss: Rebels 37, Broncos 35 on October 19, 1974 in Las Vegas, NV
Greatest Bronco Victory: #22 Broncos 32, Rebels 7 on October 20, 2012 in Boise, ID
Biggest Rebel Villain: Ron Meyer
Greatest Bronco Hero: Bryan Harsin
Before Ron Meyer gained infamy as the head coach of the Pony Express at Southern Methodist, he was the head coach at UNLV and scored 2 Rebel victories over Boise State. The Broncos and Rebels split 6 games in the 1970s with the home team winning every competition. The loss in 1974 was the only defeat of the regular season for the Broncos that season.
Boise State has crushed UNLV in the 5 meetings since 2011 as MWC opponents.
Rivalry Level: Non Existent. Boise State does have 4 great victories in Las Vegas in recent years; they just happen to be over Utah, Arizona State, Washington, and Oregon in the Las Vegas Bowl. Perhaps the new Rebel head coach can make the UNLV football team relevant but right now the Rebels are not even an irritant, they simply are a blank empty ‘Victory’ on the Boise State schedule when these 2 squads face each other.
Respect Level: Laugh Out Loud…
10. California State University, San Jose
MW Conference record versus Boise State: 0-3 (000%)
21st Century record versus Boise State: 0-13 (000%)
All Time record versus Boise State: 0-14 (000%)
Spartan Mountain West Conference Championships: 0
Most Disappointing Loss: Not Applicable
Greatest Bronco Victory: #3 Broncos 48, Spartans 0 on October 16, 2010 in San Jose, CA
Biggest Spartan Villain: Not Applicable
Greatest Bronco Hero: Kellen Moore
The Broncos have faced the Spartans as both conference members in the Mountain West and Western Athletic Conference. A few of these contests were close, many were blowouts, all of them have been Bronco victories. ‘A’ for effort for San Jose State in 2004 and 2006; the only times that the Spartans have kept the final score to a single digit loss.
Kellen Moore and the fellas tuned up the Spartans to a combined score of 126 to 23 between 2008 to 2011.
Rivalry Level: Nah. We have played a lot in the last 20 years and San Jose State made a few of the games in the Bay Area interesting. Ultimately though we beat the Spartans every time we play and take recruits from the Bay Area away from the Spartans with ease.
Respect Level: None, of course. It’s baffling why a school with a solid football history in a recruiting hotbed is so terrible.
9. University of New Mexico
MW Conference record versus Boise State: 1-7 (12.5%)
21st Century record versus Boise State: 1-8 (11.1%)
All Time record versus Boise State: 1-9 (10%)
Lobo Mountain West Conference Championships: 0
Most Disappointing Loss: Lobos 31, Broncos 24 on November 14, 2015 in Boise, ID
Greatest Bronco Victory: #7 Broncos 45, Lobos 0 on December 3, 2011 in Boise, ID
Biggest Lobos Villain: Bob Davie
Greatest Bronco Hero: Doug Martin
Yep, New Mexico got the Broncos on the Blue Turf in 2015 and then former Lobo head coach Bob Davie took a few awkward pictures to celebrate. It would be more fun to mock Davie for his football ineptitude at New Mexico if he also did not also rack up some unsavory off the field allegations during his tenure. This has not been a competitive football series (though in 2012 in Albuquerque the Lobos did build up a big lead before the Broncos came back to win).
Doug Martin rung up 135 all-purpose yards and 2 touchdowns on Senior Day versus the Lobos in 2011.
Rivalry Level: None. These 2 squads face each other every year as division opponents and the Lobos apparently may sneak a victory in once a decade. With former head coach Rocky Long back as their defensive coordinator perhaps the Lobos may be more of a serious opponent for the Broncos in the future.
Respect Level: None, are you kidding me? Somehow the Lobos football program found a way to become as disgraceful off the field as they have been on. The Lobos should at least entertain the idea of dropping the football program since they are terrible and redirecting the funds to try to revive a once relevant basketball program.
8. Colorado State University
MW Conference record versus Boise State: 0-9 (000%)
21st Century record versus Boise State: 0-9 (000%)
All Time record versus Boise State: 0-9 (000%)
Ram Mountain West Conference Championships: 3 (1999* 3 way split, 2000, and 2002)
Most Disappointing Loss to the Rams: Not Applicable
Greatest Bronco Victory: Broncos 59, Rams 52 on November 11, 2017 in Fort Collins, CO
Biggest Ram Villain: Not Applicable
Greatest Bronco Heroes: Cedric Wilson and Alexander Mattison
The victory for Colorado State fans should be being this high on this list. The Rams have 0 victories against Boise State. They have never beaten the Broncos on the football field.
Colorado State did participate in one of the greatest games in Boise State history when the 2 schools faced off in 2017. The Rams took a 28-3 lead in that contest over Boise State before the Broncos stormed back late in the game to force overtime and win the game behind the heroics of Mattison and Wilson. This was the only time that the Rams were tied or ahead at the end of regulation versus the Broncos.
Rivalry Level: Annoyance. Ram fans enjoy talking about their shiny football stadium and their proximity to Denver. What they do not like talking about is their performance on the football field.
Respect Level: Similar to San Jose State, Colorado State plays in a nice metropolis and has some natural advantages in their favor. Unfortunately, none of these advantages have translated to success in the last 15 years. The Rams are better than the Spartans, that’s the best I can do here.
7. University of Hawaii
MW Conference record versus Boise State: 0-5 (000%)
21st Century record versus Boise State: 1-14 (067%)
All Time record versus Boise State: 3-14 (17.6%)
Rainbow Warrior Mountain West Conference Championships: 0
Most Disappointing Loss: #15 Rainbow Warriors 39, #19 Broncos 27 on November 23, 2007 in Honolulu, HI
Greatest Bronco Victory: #19 Broncos 31, Rainbow Warriors 10 on December 7, 2019 in Boise, ID (Mountain West Championship Game)
Biggest Rainbow Warrior Villain: Colt Brennan
Greatest Bronco Hero: Bryan Harsin
Quite a few blowouts (in the Broncos direction) in this series including a 55-0 drubbing that Coach Harsin and company laid on Hawaii in 2015. Hawaii and Boise State had some memorable battles in the WAC but the Rainbow Warriors were only able to notch one victory behind the arm of Colt Brennan. While Hawaii did have a successful season in 2019 and won the West Division, they also lost 2 games to the Broncos on the Blue Turf.
Rivalry Level: Sure, whatever. I guess you can call this a rivalry if you want. Hawaii made it to the BCS by defeating Boise State in 2007 in between the Broncos 2006 Fiesta Bowl and 2009 Fiesta Bowl trips. Hawaii got humiliated by Georgia in the Sugar Bowl but for a brief moment one could say they reached Bronco football heights.
Respect Level: Finally, a school that I will honestly say has a respect level above 0. Losing Head Coach Nick Rolovich probably will send the Rainbow Warriors back to the shallow end of the pool but this is a school that can make a little bit of noise. Not enough noise to be taken too seriously but enough of a rumble to get the Broncos to glance over and acknowledge.
6. University of Nevada, Reno
MW Conference record versus Boise State: 0-5 (000%)
21st Century record versus Boise State: 1-15 (6.2%)
All Time record versus Boise State: 13-30 (30.2%)
Wolf Pack Mountain West Conference Championships: 0
Most Disappointing Loss to the Wolf Pack: #19 Wolf Pack 34, #4 Broncos 31 on November 26, 2010 in Reno, NV
Greatest Bronco Victory: Broncos 28, #10 Wolf Pack 27 on November 10, 1979 in Reno, NV
Biggest Wolf Pack Villain: Chris Ault
Greatest Bronco Hero: Jared Zabransky
Knocking off the Wolf Pack in 1977 snapped a 3 game losing streak to Nevada in a season that saw the Wolf Pack ranked in the 2A poll. Nevada and head coach Chris Ault did score a memorable victory against the Broncos in 2010… but the Wolf Pack has lost every other game versus Boise State this century.
Boise State did win 10 straight matchups from 1999 to 2009, 3 of those victories were behind the arm of Zabransky.
Rivalry Level: Hated Rival. Boise State has played Nevada more than any other school in their football history. While Boise State has dominated the matchup recently, Nevada has kept it competitive in the past. There is very little love between these 2 fanbases.
Respect Level: Rival yes, Respect no. What is there to respect, congrats you won a game at home in overtime on a missed field goal. You lose more often than not in most other games that matter and nearly all the time to Boise State. 1 for 16 this century… if I do another one of these 10 years down the road; Nevada might no longer be considered a rival at this rate.
4. University of Wyoming
MW Conference record versus Boise State: 1-8 (11.1%)
21st Century record versus Boise State: 1-13 (7.1%)
All Time record versus Boise State: 1-13 (7.1%)
Cowboy Mountain West Conference Championships: 0
Most Disappointing Loss to the Cowboys: Cowboys 30, #13 Broncos 28 on Ocobter 29, 2016 in Laramie, WY
Greatest Bronco Victory: #3 Broncos 51, Cowboys 6 on September 18, 2010 in Laramie, WY
Biggest Cowboy Villain: Craig Bohl
Greatest Bronco Hero: Austin Pettis
The Cowboys were able to knock Boise State off once in Laramie in 2016 and punch a ticket to the Mountain West Championship game. Wyoming lost that championship game and every subsequent game to Boise State.
Outside of that two-point Cowboy victory, every other contest featuring these 2 schools have been Bronco victories. One memorable moment included a 2010 drubbing in Laramie which featured Austin Pettis doing a front flip in celebration of a touchdown.
Rivalry Level: We are your rival, you are not ours. Craig Bohl is a good coach and the Cowboys are a tough team but without a conference championship and just 1 victory over the Broncos, it is hard to consider this a rivalry.
Respect Level: Sure, Wyoming and Coach Bowl are a ‘tough out’ if you will. They play hard and the Cowboys are a team that shouldn’t be overlooked. Whether that warrants real respect is debatable.
4. Utah State University
MW Conference record versus Boise State: 1-6 (14.3%)
21st Century record versus Boise State: 1-14 (6.7%)
All Time record versus Boise State: 5-19 (20.8%)
Aggie Mountain West Conference Championships: 0
Most Disappointing Loss to the Aggies: Aggies 52, #21 Broncos 26 on Ocotber 16, 2015 in Logan, UT
Greatest Bronco Victory: #23 Broncos 33, #21 Aggies 24 on November 24, 2018 in Boise, ID
Biggest Aggie Villain: Kent Myers
Greatest Bronco Hero: Alexander Mattison
Utah State fans like to celebrate their single recent glorious victory over Boise State. Like many other schools listed here, Utah State only boasts a single victory over Boise State this century. Kent Myers had 4 touchdowns in that game in a turnover filled disaster from Boise State.
The Aggies have kept a few games close outside of that contest but close contests have not equaled victories for the Aggies. Of note was when the Aggies came to Boise ranked with a conference championship game appearance on the line in 2018. Alexander Mattison had 200 yards and 3 touchdowns in that game and clinched the division for the Broncos nearly singlehandedly.
Rivalry Level: Wishful thinking. The Aggies cannot string together quality seasons in a row and generally get their teeth kicked in by their superiors up north. The Aggie faithful has been especially vocal in the last few seasons but that has only netted them a single Mountain Division championship. In 2019, the Broncos once again smashed the Aggies on their field with a final score of 56-21. We want this to be a rivalry. Please be better Utah State so it might be one.
Respect Level: You got me Aggies, I respect you guys a touch. Your team is generally bowl eligible and finished ranked a few times. This is not a real mutual respect, more an acknowledgment that Utah State is only a joke when compared to Boise State but the Aggies are better than most of the schools on this list.
3. Air Force Academy
MW Conference record versus Boise State: 3-5 (37.5%)
21st Century record versus Boise State: 3-5 (37.5%)
All Time record versus Boise State: 3-5 (37.5%)
Falcon Mountain West Conference Championships: 0
Most Disappointing Loss to the Falcons: Falcons 27, #19 Broncos 20 on November 25, 2016 in Colorado Springs, CO
Greatest Bronco Victory: #25 Broncos 44, Falcons 19 on November 18, 2017 in Boise, ID
Biggest Falcon Villain: Troy Calhoun
Greatest Bronco Hero: Andy Avalos
One of the only schools in the conference that legitimately has held its own against the Broncos, Air Force and head coach Troy Calhoun has stymied Boise State with their triple-option offense and a hard-working defense. Air Force won three games in a row at one point including a devastating 2016 loss in the last week of the regular season which kept the Broncos out of the Mountain West Conference Championship game.
Andy Avalos, the Bronco linebacker legend and former defensive coordinator, got the Boise State defense back on the right track and finally figured out the triple option and halted the 3 loss streak. Boise State is currently on a three-game winning streak of their own versus the Falcons.
Rivalry Level: Yes, this is a rivalry. Having a football rivalry versus a service academy is a bit unorthodox in terms of fan behavior on both sides but a rivalry nonetheless. While the Broncos did beat Air Force in 2019 and won the conference, Air Force also finished in the Top 25 and the 2020 matchup will be circled on both team’s calendars.
Respect Level: You have to respect Air Force because they are currently a good team and have been competitive. They also have beaten Boise State multiple times recently, this is not something that any other school outside the top 2 on this list can also claim. Boise State still has the edge in total victories but 2020’s matchup in week two should be another extremely tough and physical contest.
2. California State University, Fresno
MW Conference record versus Boise State: 3-5 (375%)
21st Century record versus Boise State: 4-15 (211%)
All Time record versus Boise State: 7-15 (318%)
Bulldog Mountain West Conference Championships: 3 (2012* 3 way split, 2013, and 2018)
Most Disappointing Loss to the Bulldogs: #25 Bulldogs 19, #22 Broncos 16 on December 1, 2018 in Boise, ID (Mountain West Championship Game)
Greatest Bronco Victory: Broncos 35, #8 Bulldogs 30 on Ocotber 19, 2001 in Fresno, CA
Biggest Bulldog Villain: Derek Carr
Greatest Bronco Hero: Ryan Dinwiddie
It would have been so sweet to sweep baby Carr after we humiliated his older brother in one of the greatest games in Boise State history. Derek Carr, however, was able to notch a victory his senior year after losing his first three tries versus the Broncos. Fresno State was also able to finally win on the Blue Turf when they claimed a conference championship in 2018. I can be nice when another team deserves it.
But let’s look at the numbers. Since Ryan Dinwiddie and company smacked David Carr and the 8th ranked Bulldogs in 2001, this has been mostly a one-way rivalry. Boise State beat Fresno State 51-0 in 2010. For an encore, they went down to Fresno the next year and won 57-7 in 2011. I can sit here a write about the time Boise State whooped Fresno State 61-10. 67-21 another year… the list goes on and on. 4 wins in 19 tries this century is a pretty dismal record no matter how you look at it.
Rivalry Level: Fierce Rivalry. Despite one team being the team that is generally doing the butt-kicking and the other team receiving those kicks, Fresno State has won a few games that have mattered. Boise State and Fresno State also play for a trophy, the Milk Can. Currently, that trophy is in Boise, Idaho.
Respect Level: Compared to the other dolts on this, sure I respect Fresno State. You won a championship in our stadium and that has bought you a level of respect.
We stole your dream of being a nationally relevant team in 2001 and the Bulldogs have bounced around between contender, mediocre, and embarrassment since then. There is no telling where Fresno State will be next year as they finished bowl ineligible in 2019 after winning the West Division the previous 2 years. Fresno State was supposed to be Boise State but only have 4 double-digit win seasons to their credit this century. The potential for the Bulldogs to be a team that I truly respect is there and the conference and this rivalry is better when Fresno State is good.
1. California State University, San Diego
MW Conference record versus Boise State: 3-3 (50.0%)
21st Century record versus Boise State: 3-3 (50.0%)
All Time record versus Boise State: 3-3 (50.0%)
Aztec Mountain West Conference Championships: 3 (2012* 3-way split, 2015, and 2016)
Most Disappointing Loss to the Aztecs: Aztecs 21, #19 Broncos 19 on November 3, 2012 in Boise, ID
Greatest Bronco Victory: Broncos 31, #19 Aztecs 14 on October 14, 2017 in San Diego, CA
Biggest Aztec Villain: Rocky Long
Greatest Bronco Hero: Avery Williams
When Boise State entered the Mountain West Conference, head coach Rocky Long immediately took aim at the Broncos. With Texas Christian, Utah, and Brigham Young no longer in the MWC; San Diego State was not planning to play second fiddle to the Broncos and immediately sent a message by upsetting the Broncos on the sacred Blue Turf in 2012. That proved to not be a ‘one off’ as San Diego State is the only school in the Mountain West to not have a losing record versus the Broncos since Boise State joined the conference.
Boise State did get some revenge in 2017. With the Aztecs rising as the two-time conference champions and the Broncos slipping and at 4-2 for the year, Avery Williams started the game off with a 53 yard punt return for a touchdown and Boise State scored an upset victory in San Diego and went on to win the Mountain West Conference in 2017. San Diego State has not been to the Mountain West Championship game since.
Rivalry Level: Rival, for sure. San Diego State is a top team in the Mountain West and have played Boise State tough. San Diego State and Boise State have won 5 of the last 6 conference championships and are cross division teams but are yet to meet in the conference championship game.
Respect Level: This is tricky. Yes, I do respect San Diego State’s football program. They are the class of the West Division and recruit well and put a consistent product on the field.
No, they are nowhere near the level that Boise State is as a football program. I suppose San Diego State wants to be Boise State and be at the top of the conference and they could get there… but I don’t see it happening. Bronco Alumni and Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin doubled down on his commitment to his Alma Matter with a stirring and defiant speech after securing another conference championship in 2019. Meanwhile Rocky Long has decided to leave the Aztecs and go back to his roots and serve as a defensive coordinator for New Mexico.
Ultimately, there is no other school in the conference that is remotely the peer of Boise State and this is not a debatable sentiment. The numbers simply are overwhelming in demonstration of Bronco dominance since Boise State joined the conference. As far as ‘respect’, I will concede a true level of respect for Air Force, Fresno State, and San Diego State. The other 9 schools in the conference have between 0 and 1 win versus Boise State in the last 20 years.
What this means for future television contract negotiations or conference realignment is still to be seen. As for the 2020 football season, Boise State will once again be the heavy favorite to win the conference championship.
