September 29, 2025

Article By Nick Wade

The roar of 32,904 at Albertsons Stadium last Saturday was still echoing across Boise when fans and analysts alike began looking ahead. Boise State had just authored one of its most complete performances in years, dismantling Appalachian State 47–14, and the conversation immediately turned to the monumental challenge that now looms. For the first time this season, the Broncos will step onto the national stage against a top-tier opponent, facing off with the blue-blood Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend.  It is matchup that carries weight not only for the Brocos’ current campaign but also for the trajectory of their program.  At 3-1, with momentum on their backs, Boise State has an opportunity to shock the college football world.  But to do so, they must be sharper, more precise, and more disciplined than ever before.

Last week’s victory over Appalachian State was nothing short of commanding. Maddux Madsen orchestrated the offense with a veteran’s touch, throwing for 321 yards and four touchdowns. Latrell Caples rediscovered his form, snagging two scores, while Ben Ford and Quinton Brown each added fireworks of their own. The defense was opportunistic, turning AJ Swann’s misfires into points with interception returns by Bo Phelps and A’Marion McCoy. It was the kind of game where everything clicked, the kind of game that builds belief.  But belief alone will not be enough against Notre Dame.

The Irish enter this showdown at 2–2 but carry the reputation of being one of college football’s most talent-rich institutions. Their dismantling of Arkansas last week, a 56–13 statement, was a reminder of just how devastating their collection of four and five-star talent can be when it plays to its potential. Quarterback CJ Carr is still developing into his role as a first-year starter, but his pedigree, poise, and production are undeniable. With nine touchdowns just two interceptions and 1,091 yards already, he is the kind of player who thrives when surrounded by elite playmakers.  And Notre Dame has no shortage of those.  Malachi Fields, Jordan Faison, and Eli Raridon form a dangerous trio of receivers, capable of stretching the field and exposing the smallest lapse in coverage.  Yet the true centerpiece of the offense is running back Jeremiyah Love, widely considered the best in the nation.  His blend of speed, vision, and power has produced 341 yards and five touchdowns in four games against elite programs, and if Boise State fails to contain him, their chances of pulling an upset dwindle considerably.

On defense, Notre Dame is equally imposing. Jalen Strohman is a safety with NFL tools who reads the field with intelligence, while defensive lineman Boubacar Traore brings relentless pressure from the trenches. Christian Gray anchors the secondary with ball-hawking instincts and has already made a game-changing interception this season. For Boise State, this is not just another game. This is David against Goliath. This is the kind of game that can define a season and etch names into program history.

To win, the Broncos will have to execute with precision on every snap. Penalties and turnovers, the subtle lapses that have haunted them in earlier weeks, must be eliminated. The offensive line, which has quietly been the foundation of Boise State’s success, must assert itself once again. Behind their physicality, Sire Gaines has emerged as a reliable chain-mover, Dylan Riley has become a weapon of versatility, and Malik Sherrod has provided explosive plays in limited touches. Riley has become the story of the season.  His historic five-touchdown performance against Air Force validated that his role needed to be elevated, and even in games where his raw statistics do not leap off the page, his presence tilts defenses and creates opportunities for others.  Against Notre Dame, Boise State will need to continue to utilize Dylan Riley in tandem with Sire Gaines for that one-two punch, grinding out yards, softening the Irish front, and setting up play action opportunities that give Maddux Madsen clean looks downfield.

The passing game cannot afford to stagnate. Madsen has shown remarkable command of the offense, completing 65 percent of his throws for 1,129 yards with eight touchdowns through four games. His chemistry with Chris Marshall, who has emerged as a big-play threat, and with Caples, who looks like his old self again, will be vital. Ben Ford has proven himself as a breakout performer, and Matt Lauter’s reliability at tight end provides a steady safety valve. Against Notre Dame, the Broncos will need to expand that entire arsenal, spreading the field and forcing the Irish to defend every blade of grass.  Coach Potter cannot shy away from creativity.  Two-back sets, trick plays, misdirection, anything that tilts the odds even slightly in Boise State’s favor should be considered.  This is the week to empty the playbook.

Defensively, the challenge is steep but not insurmountable. Boise State’s front line has been cohesive, physical, and increasingly dominant. Jayden Virgin-Morgan has been solid off the edge, piling up nearly twenty tackles and 1.5 sacks while setting the tone with his motor. Braxton Feely has lived in opposing backfields, his 3.5 sacks a testament to his quickness and strength, while Marco Notarainni has been the steady leader in the middle with 29 tackles. Together, they must bottle up Jeremiyah Love at or near the line of scrimmage.  If Love is allowed to build momentum and reach the second level, Boise State will spend all game chasing.  Buck Benefield’s presence in the open field is crucial.  His 33 tackles and one interception only tell part of the story; he has been the glue, cleaning up breakdowns and stabilizing a defense that has had its share of shaky moments.  Against Notre Dame, there is no room for shaky moments.  Every tackle must be crisp, every assignment followed to the letter.

The secondary, to its credit, surprised everyone against Appalachian State. Phelps and McCoy turned defense into offense, and for once, the Broncos looked disciplined, sharp, and opportunistic on the back end. But the task in South Bend is exponentially harder. Fields, Faison, and Raridon each present different challenges, and CJ Carr is far less likely than AJ Swann to give defenders chances at easy interceptions. Boise State’s corners must rise to the occasion. I continue to believe that more press coverage, more physicality at the line, is the way forward.  Jaden Mickey, if he is cleared after being carted off last week, is Boise State’s best disruptor at the line of scrimmage, and his availability could be a swing factor.  Zion Washington has been steady with 25 tackles, so his stickiness in true man coverage will be a prerequisite.  A’Marion McCoy and Jeremiah Erby will have to prove their mettle in one-on-one island situations, and if depth becomes necessary, young talents like Trey Tolmaire, Ja’Bree Bickham, and Taj Crutchfield should not be left on the sideline.  Bickham’s combination of size and athleticism is too tantalizing to ignore.  This is the kind of matchup where raw ability must be given a chance.

There is another element that cannot be ignored: special teams. Boise State’s kicking game while progressing in the right direction still remains unproven in pressure situations, and if this contest is close late, the margin for error shrinks. That is why the Broncos must aim not for a narrow escape but for a commanding performance in all phases. Winning the turnover battle is non-negotiable. Staying ahead of the chains, controlling the tempo, and forcing Notre Dame to adjust are all essential. If the Broncos can make CJ Carr throw under duress, if they can rattle him just enough, the upset becomes possible.

What makes this game so compelling is not just the talent disparity on paper, but the intangible spirit Boise State has carried since its ascension into the national conversation nearly two decades ago. Time and again, the Broncos have thrived in the role of underdog. Time and again, they have seized moments others deemed impossible. This game in South Bend carries that same aura. It is not just about chasing another win; it is about reminding the college football world that the Broncos belong on the bigger stage.

Boise State’s offense has been evolving every week, and if Madsen continues his upward trajectory, supported by Riley, Gaines, Marshall, Caples, Ford, and Lauter, the Irish defense could be forced into uncomfortable situations. The Broncos’ defensive front is battle-tested and hungry. The secondary, though maligned early, has shown flashes of resilience. The question is whether all of it can come together in a single, flawless performance on the road against a roster full of blue-chip talent.

I believe the path is there. It is narrow, but it is clear. Boise State must be physical, creative, disciplined, and opportunistic. They must play with both freedom and control, embracing the moment without letting it overwhelm them. And above all, they must believe.

The stage is set. The Irish are ranked twenty first, respected, and ready. The Broncos are confident, prepared, and hungry. Saturday in South Bend will tell us everything we need to know. For Boise State, it is a chance at history. For Notre Dame, it is a test of pride. And for fans of college football everywhere, it promises to be one of the most fascinating clashes of the young season.