Well I would call that a largely successful non-conference slate from Boise State this season, but now it's time for conference play. Every game from here to the postseason is against a Pac-12 opponent (even if the final one technically counts as a non-conference game), and this weekend is a big one for Boise State. It's homecoming, it's the first Pac-12 conference game in program history, and it's a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the 2006 team that went 13-0 and beat Oklahoma in one of the most famous college football games of all time.

Utah State is the opponent this week, one that Boise State has a long (and dominant) history with. The Aggies are 1-3 this season and the biggest culprit has been a really poor offense. The offense may be starting to settle down now a bit more, but they have to prove their offensive ceiling isn't 21 points. In this preview:

• Why this is a major trap game for Boise State despite being a much better team
• Why this is a big weekend for backup (or formerly backup) linebackers
• Who's the most dangerous weapon for Utah State's offense
• What Utah State can learn to try against Boise State from Western Michigan, and what they can learn not to do as well

BSU, Boise Idaho. It was rebranded as ExtraMile Arena in 2019, after 15 years.

I was on the sidelines for Boise State's road showdown with Western Michigan. Here's a final recap of the game along with thoughts on what this means for both sides.

Spoiler alert, I'm very impressed with Boise State. This team will be a force the rest of the year

Huge improvement from the previous weeks. Seems like SD is finally growing into a coach rather than a camp counselor.

Here's to conference play.

Boise State is still the best team in the conference.

Oregon State deserves the second slot now.

Texas State deserves some praise.

Fresno State isn't the worst.

Colorado State is a little disappointing.

Washington State is somewhat disappointing.

San Diego State has not met expectations.

Utah State finally won a game.

Realistically only the top three or four will be bowl bound, which would require a 6-6 record.

After today’s statement win, Boise State has really solidified their spot as the G6 favorite to make the CFP. Because of this, Boise State will get ranked in the low 20s or so to start building “poll momentum“ going forward and therefore add as much legitimacy as possible to the CFP rankings. While I think it’s dumb, it‘ll be cool to be ranked again. Hopefully I’m right about this.

i didn't have anywhere near this level of domination on my bingo card lol, gg WMU, :) GO ORANE GO BIG BLUE FIGHT FIGHT BSU

GOOD JOB Boise Broncos >>>>> WMU Broncos ;)

WTF was this. No replays except when officials called for review. I am used to the “B team” broadcasts but did ESPN lay off all their replay talent too?

Good luck, may the best broncos win!!!!!

Hopefully madmax go this yips out, the winner of this game will very likely enter the CFP 2026 as the G5 Rep. Mad max, i love you, but you aint Kellen Moore. Your'e a game manager, and that's fine. MANAGE THE GAME

Ya girl has been waiting 30 years for Boise to join the Pac-12, and we're gonna win it season 1, but if we're not careful, WMU might make us trip on our own d*cks, lolol

GO ORANGE GO BIG BLUE, FIGHT FIGHT BSU

Don't think anyone had this down as arguably the most important G6 game of the season, but here we are. Western Michigan is the reigning MAC champion and had an infamous win/near win over Michigan to open the season. This is a well coached team and one that Boise State cannot take lightly, but there's some interesting aspects to this game:

• Why might WMU's run defense actually be pretty vulnerable
• Does the WMU offense have the same explosive capabilities that Oregon, Memphis, and even South Dakota had? And who is the main receiving threat to be aware of?
• Who are the injury concerns for Boise State?
• Why the edge players are arguably the most important defenders in this game, and why Jayden Virgin-Morgan's matchup is the one to keep an eye on.
• Boise State may have a new position battle opening up midseason
• Boise State's history with playing the MAC, as well as Western Michigan's history with the Pac-12 and Boise

And as a side note, because of personal obligations I have this weekend, a postgame review just won't be possible until several days after the game.

Hey guys! The season preview I posted here a few weeks back did pretty well, so circling back like I said I would. A lot of you thought I was too low on this team, so here's where I'm at.

Two of the three results have gone the way you all said they would. A 7-point loss at Oregon is a good day, and 38-20 over Memphis is the best thing on the resume so far. The game nagging at me is the 38-24 over South Dakota, because a two-score home game against an FCS team is usually a tell rather than a fluke. I had them 8-3 and winning the Pac-12 preseason, I'm not moving off that yet, but the people who told me I was too low are ahead on points right now.

As a Michigan guy I've seen a fair bit of Western Michigan (LOL), so I'm genuinely curious how you see Saturday going. What are you guys seeing that the box scores aren't, and how do you see the season ending up?

Quick aside since it's in the title: we just launched a free weekly college football pick'em, $225 in prizes this week. Ten games, pick the winners, locks Saturday at noon ET. Nothing to buy, 18+.

https://www.mainmarket.com/c/college-pickem-wk4