Boise State Broncos closed out the 2025 campaign with a 9‑5 record, a stark contrast to the 12‑2 run that had earned them a College Football Playoff berth the previous year. The team still managed to clinch its third straight Mountain West championship, but the finish was marked by a series of self‑inflicted errors that left the program at a crossroads as it prepares to join the Pac‑12.
Spring drills signal a new focus
Coach Spencer Danielson, who guided the Broncos through the transition, pointed to a lack of attention to detail as the chief culprit. In 14 games the team accumulated 6.9 penalties per game, ranking 99th nationally, and turned the ball over 15 times in the five defeats while forcing only a single takeaway. Danielson said the staff has been drilling fundamentals during spring practice, hoping to restore the edge that defined their earlier successes.
At the heart of the offensive concerns is quarterback Maddux Madsen, who will enter his third season as the full‑time starter. Despite a slippage in performance during an injury‑ravaged 2025, Madsen’s career numbers — 61 % completion rate, 6,586 yards, 61 total touchdowns and 18 interceptions — still offer a foundation. The receiving corps, however, remains unproven, and the offensive line is still a work in progress, leaving the downfield passing game virtually nonexistent, with just three completions of 50 yards or more all season.
Running back Ashton Jeanty, a key weapon in the backfield, is expected to keep the ground attack strong, but the team will need to lean on the development of younger linemen and the emergence of playmakers like Dylan Riley. Offensive coordinator Nate Potter and defensive coordinator Erik Chinander both returned, providing continuity as the Broncos aim to tighten discipline and improve turnover margins.
The offseason has been busy, with 18 players exiting via the transfer portal and 19 newcomers arriving from Division I, II, III and junior‑college programs. The influx brings fresh talent, but also a learning curve as the squad integrates new faces into a system that still relies heavily on its core identity.
Fall camp is slated to open on Monday, marking the first step toward a 2026 season that could determine whether Boise State can translate its recent championship pedigree into sustained Pac‑12 competitiveness. For now, the Broncos are focused on fixing the details that slipped away in 2025 and building a more resilient, disciplined unit.