September 10, 2026

Article By Josh Fife

WHAT. A. GAME.

Boise State shot their shot Bronco Fam, and came up just short against a talented Oregon team. In week 1 at Eugene, the Broncos fell to the Ducks 34-27. They even had an opportunity on a final 2-minute drive to tie the game. Or, if you were like the watch party we were having, there were instant dreams of a 2-point conversion to win against a top ranked team floating through our heads. (Don’t lie…you know it did.)

However, with a couple of miscues, some dropped passes,  a run game that couldn’t find an explosive play, and some missed opportunities, the Broncos fell to 0-1 and now face a VERY determined Memphis team. Let’s dive into this weekend’s game.

Memphis comes into Boise with a 2-0 record, having beaten UNLV in Vegas, as well as Arkansas State at home. Winning in Vegas isn’t always an “easy” thing. Just remember, we DID lose to UNLV in Vegas. I mean…yes, it was 1976. But, the most recent game we played in Vegas, we SQUEAKED out the W by a score of 29-24. Last year, the Rebs lost only one game at home to a highly improved New Mexico squad. And the year prior, they only lost two games at home – one of them to BSU, the other in overtime to the Orangemen of Syracuse.

So, Memphis going to Vegas and winning should NOT be seen as a “soft” win, regardless of how you feel about UNLV. And, their win against Arkansas State should come as no surprise. So, what are some takeaways for BSU fans? Let’s look at The 3 Big Things.

The Three Big Things

 1. Memphis’s Physicality

If any consensus has come from the Tigers’ first two games, it’s that they play PHYS-I-CAL. Their size isn’t alarming when you look at it. Their starting 4 defensive linemen average just 6’2” and 267 pounds. (For comparison’s sake, the Oregon team we just faced averages 6’4” and 316 pounds on the D-Line). But don’t let it fool you. This Memphis defensive line is built for speed, and it will take quickness, agility and intellect from our offensive line to handle a fearless Memphis front four on defense. Add in defensive ends J’Mond Tapp and Elijah Kinsler who have the ability to get at a QB, Boise State will have its hands more than full this Saturday.

2. Jaylin Carter : Circled, Highlighted, and Underlined on the Scouting Report

Um, so, I mean…8.2 yards per carry? Got it, it was UNLV and Arkansas State. But 8.2 yards PER CARRY? Yes, Jaylin Carter is the culture-establisher kind of running back with those numbers. His first 2 games? 15 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Rebs, and 19 carries for 183 yards and 4 touchdowns against Arkansas State. (Not to mention their other running back, Manny Covey, who had 15 carries for 103 yards against ASU). Simply put, this team can RUN. And we know a little something about running backs who dominated. Our front four on defense? A tad bigger than the Memphis D-Line, averaging 6’3” and 289 pounds. But the Memphis O-Line? They average 6’4” and 306 pounds. No, size isn’t everything, but Memphis is doing something right to be getting their main man 8.2 yards per carry. Calling JVM and Max Stege! This will be a big game for them to prove their stuff.

3. Can Boise State Continue Exposing Memphis’s Secondary

If there’s anywhere that Memphis may be a little leaky, it could be their passing defense. Against UNLV, the Tigers gave up 291 yards and 2 touchdowns. And the Red Wolves put up 325 yards and 1 touchdown against Memphis. Granted, Memphis had 4 picks against Arkansas State, but 3 of those 4 came on the first possession and final two possessions of the game. If BSU can establish a run game early, Memphis will be forced to play two mindsets on defense. And with a Gaines/Riley backfield, and the passing game (albeit one game) looking solid, the Broncos could have a heyday if they play their cards right.

These are simply three big things – not ALL big things – against Memphis. Memphis’s quarterback Marcus Stokes has been VERY efficient in his first two games, showing QB Ratings of 86.2 and 87. He only needed 15 passes to rack up 188 yards with two touchdowns against Arkansas State. Two of his three incompletions were interceptions, so BSU’s secondary could be poised for a day, again, if they play their cards right.

And then, there’s the whole “CFP” implications thing. Everybody across America knows it. A win for BSU here puts them in the driver’s seat. A loss means a 10-game span of playing catch up, if it could even happen, and they’d need a ton of help. I’m choosing to NOT focus on that right now. Bronco Fam, we’ve been here too many times to get caught up in the early-season-hype. Too many reminders in the past of “big game importance”. We’ve been on both sides of that coin – big wins, big losses. I don’t really care right now.

The care should be 100% on a 1-0 mentality. There is ZERO doubt the coaching staff will have these players focused on THIS week only. On THIS Memphis team only. On getting better in all aspects THIS week.

And ours should be too. Focus on losing your ever-loving-mind by screaming and hollering if you’re at the game Saturday. And if you’re not, scream and holler in your living room, or a watch party, or at the radio if you’re driving, or at your phone screen if for some reason you’re relegated to watching it play-by-play there. Be LOUD.

In his presser earlier this week, Memphis coach Charles Huff said, “They (BSU) are going to line up and bludgeon you for sixty minutes if you let them.” Later, he then said, “I’ve never been to Boise, but I assume the game-day atmosphere, because of their commitment to the city, the community’s going to be phenomenal. It’s their first home game, it’s going to be a challenge, it’s going to be the toughest game we play all year just because of where the game falls. Obviously, earlier in the season, and the later you get in the season, you deal with injuries and guys who develop and you get more guys, so there may be a better team that we play down the road, but as of today, this will be the best team we play.”

As fans, we can’t control schematics. We can’t control player decisions or player movements or player ideas. But you better believe we can affect it. Regardless of outcome, I hope after their final game of the year, Memphis is thinking, “Dear God that Boise State crowd was loud and obnoxious.”

Make ‘em remember their trip to The Blue, Bronco Fam! It’s the home opener for the 40^th anniversary of The Blue. The history, the story lines, the memories – it’s all there. So many of us remember so many incredible moments in that stadium, whether you were there or whether you watched it live on television. But this Saturday, we MUST show up and let the competition know…this is OUR house. There’s a reason P4 teams don’t schedule a game here. Make ‘em remember Boise. Be LOUD when they’re on offense. Be LOUD when our boys make the plays. Be THAT fanbase that yet another new team to The Blue leaves going, “Holy crap…we’re never coming back here.”

Memphis is up next. Bring the noise Bronco Fam! Let’s get it done. Go Broncos!