While Boise State looked in danger of falling on Saturday night, they held on to keep Colorado State from completing its furious comeback. The Broncos jumped out to a 28-3 lead by early in the fourth quarter, but then seemed to relax as they allowed the Rams to score 20 straight in the final frame. The offense gave the ball back to Colorado State with 21 seconds remaining, but the game ended with the Rams unable to work enough lateral magic to finish the upset. Jeremy McNichols was key to the victory effort, as he carried the ball 40 times for 217 yards and two touchdowns as well as catching four passes for 47 yards. Brett Rypien finished the game 16-of-24 for 207 yards and a passing touchdown.
More from Saturday Blitz
- Michigan State vs. Maryland: Location, time, prediction, and more
- ACC Power Rankings: Can #4 FSU overthrow Clemson at Death Valley East?
- Most heartwarming social media reactions to Nick Chubb’s injury
- Ranking college football’s top 10 quarterbacks after Week 3
- Things are going to get much darker for the Houston Cougars
Boise State has the name recognition to sway pollsters toward their side. They moved up to 14th in this week’s AP Top 25, and will almost certainly leapfrog Houston if it looks like the Cougars have no shot at winning the AAC as the season moves into November. No Group of Five school has more history in New Year’s Six bowl games, with the Broncos currently three for three in Fiesta Bowls and longing to play in another of the historic contests. If they get through October undefeated, they should reach December in the same shape. The toughest remaining contests for Boise State are next week’s Thursday night showdown at home versus BYU and the October 29 game in Laramie against MWC Mountain co-leader Wyoming. The regular season finale at Air Force is the last possible roadblock for this team, with the trio of San Jose State, Hawaii, and UNLV serving as Boise’s other November opponents.