The Boise State Broncos, the Best Mountain West team in college football is on pace to make the college football championship behind their superstar Ashton Jeanty.
The Broncos, historically known for their upsets and dynamic offense, are aiming to break into the expanded playoff format. With a solid record this season and key performances from their star players like Ashton Jeanty, Boise State has the potential to make a significant run on the national stage.
Jeanty is a projected first-round pick in next year’s NFL draft; through five games, he has 95 carries for 1,031 yards and 16 touchdowns averaging 10.9 yards per carry. He is on pace for 2,500 yards and 38 touchdowns on the season, which would have him top 5 all-time rushing yards and second for rushing touchdowns in a season. With his ability to read gaps and break tackles he currently is the favorite to win the Heisman trophy.
The Boise State Broncos have been off to a hot start with their only loss coming against the Oregon Ducks who are currently ranked third in the country as of week six.
The new 12-team college football playoff field will include the five highest-ranked conference champions, which will receive automatic bids. The seven highest-ranked teams remaining will round out the 12-team format. These rankings for the playoffs begin on Tuesday, Nov. 5 and continue through the sixth and final reveal on Sunday, Dec. 8. The top four teams will receive a first-round bye to the quarterfinals.
The CFP format used from 2014 to 2023 was a four-team single-elimination tournament, with participants determined and seeded by the selection committee.
The committee decided to change the playoff format because the new CFP allows for eight more teams to have a shot at winning a national championship following conference championship weekend, as the old format saw only the four highest-ranked teams at the end of the season compete in two semifinal games.
This way, schools like the Boise State Broncos are given the opportunity to upset higher ranking opponents, making them a dark horse in the playoffs. Currently sitting at 5-1 with their only loss against the number two team in the nation, the Oregon Ducks, 37-34. They are currently ranked as the number 15 team in the nation, and first in the Mountain West.
With the new 12-team playoff system, the Broncos finally have an opportunity as they compete for a playoff spot. This season, they’re navigating a competitive schedule, relying on both veteran leadership and up-and-coming talent Jeanty to make their playoff push.
Senior Nasheen Gibbs believes that the Boise State will make the playoffs but will lose is the first round.
“I believe Boise State will make the Playoffs, because not only they have the best running back in the country in Ashton Jeanty, but I think that other playoffs team have much more polished teams all around, which is why they won’t make a deep playoff run.”
Senior Peter Mahon believes that Jeanty will single handedly bring them to the playoffs, even though the Broncos have a weak defense.
“The Broncos look very strong this year,” he said, “although on the defensive side of the ball they’ve had some trouble stopping the run, they have an explosive start on offense led by the running back.”
Junior right tackle for the Williston Varsity Football Team, Dean Ruksnaitis thinks the Boise State Broncos won’t make it past the first round.
“Because of how competitive college football is today, I don’t think one person is enough to win them the championship, teams like Texas with an all-around team will beat them because of their depth at each position.”
