Winning feels different on the Blue. It’s not just the smurf-turf or the high-altitude air in Idaho; it’s the relentless weight of expectation. If you've ever stood on the sidelines at Albertsons Stadium, you know the vibe. Fans don't just hope for a winning season. They expect a conference title and a New Year’s Six—now College Football Playoff—conversation.
Looking at the Boise State ranking football landscape in early 2026, the picture is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. The Broncos just wrapped up a 2025 campaign that was, honestly, a roller coaster. They finished 9-5. For most programs, nine wins and a Mountain West Championship trophy is a dream year. In Boise? It’s a "good start" with some glaring asterisks.
The Current State of the Broncos Ranking
The final tallies for the 2025 season have settled. Boise State entered the postseason after a gritty 38-21 win over UNLV in the Mountain West title game, but the LA Bowl was a different story. That 38-10 loss to Washington on December 13th stung. It knocked them out of the fringe Top 25 consideration in the major polls.
Right now, as we sit in January 2026, the Broncos are effectively unranked in the final AP and Coaches polls. They are hovering in that "receiving votes" purgatory. Most national analysts, including those at College Football News, have their "formula rank" somewhere around the 47th to 50th spot nationally.
✨ Don't miss: Why Cumberland Valley Boys Basketball Dominates the Mid-Penn (and What’s Next)
Why the 9-5 Record is Deceiving
Context matters. You can’t just look at the record and assume the magic is gone. Boise State played a brutal schedule in 2025. They opened with a tough loss at South Florida and had to travel to South Bend to face a ranked Notre Dame squad.
- The Highs: Smashing UNLV twice, once in the regular season (56-31) and once for the ring.
- The Lows: That late-season slump with back-to-back losses to Fresno State and San Diego State.
- The Stats: They finished the year with a top-40 national defense, particularly standing out in the secondary where they ranked 15th in passing yards allowed.
Coach Spencer Danielson has basically spent the last month telling anyone who will listen that the 2026 version of this team has to be better at the fundamentals. Tackling was an issue. In their five losses, they were a combined -14 in the turnover margin. You aren't winning high-level football games when you give the ball away like holiday fruitcake.
The Post-Ashton Jeanty Era
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the superstar who isn't in the room anymore. Ashton Jeanty. He was the heartbeat of the offense, a human highlight reel who decided to take his talents to the NFL. The Las Vegas Raiders snagged him with the 6th overall pick in the 2025 Draft.
🔗 Read more: What Channel is Champions League on: Where to Watch Every Game in 2026
Replacing a guy who puts up video game numbers isn't a "next man up" situation. It’s a total identity shift. In 2025, the offense leaned on Maddux Madsen and a committee of backs like Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines. It worked well enough to average nearly 30 points a game, but it lacked that "break a tackle and go 80 yards" fear factor that Jeanty provided.
The 2026 Coaching Overhaul
Spencer Danielson isn't sitting still. He just finalized his 2026 staff, and it’s clear he’s looking for a spark. Promoting Frank Maile to defensive line coach was a smart move; the guy is a technician. Bringing in Alvis Whitted to handle the wideouts and the passing game coordinator role is the real wild card. Whitted spent years in the NFL and has coached at some massive Power Four programs. He’s here to make sure the Boise State ranking football trajectory heads back toward the Top 20.
Looking Ahead: Can They Crack the Top 25?
Early projections for the 2026 season are cautiously optimistic. 247Sports and On3 are tracking some solid recruiting wins, including offensive tackle Hall Schmidt through the portal. The Broncos are also deep into the mix for some high-profile 2026 recruits like wideout Chris Marshall.
💡 You might also like: Eastern Conference Finals 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
The schedule isn't getting any easier, though. To climb back into the national rankings, they have to dominate the Mountain West from day one. There is no room for "participation trophy" losses to San Diego State or Fresno State.
What Needs to Change
If you're a betting person, keep an eye on the turnover battle. Danielson is obsessed with it. In their 2025 wins, they were disciplined. In the losses? Chaos.
The secondary is also going through a massive face-lift. Losing A'Marion McCoy and Jeremiah Earby to graduation leaves a void. Jaden Mickey is the lone returning starter back there. If the new guys don't gel by September, that 15th-ranked pass defense is going to plummet, and the ranking will go with it.
Actionable Steps for Bronco Fans
If you're tracking the team's progress toward the 2026 season, don't just look at the scoreboard. Watch the portal. Boise State is no longer just a "developmental" program; they are active shoppers.
- Monitor the Quarterback Competition: Maddux Madsen has the experience, but keep an eye on the incoming transfers. The staff wants more verticality in the passing game.
- Watch the Turnover Margin: During the Spring Game and early season non-conference matchups, this is the #1 indicator of whether they've fixed the 2025 "loss bug."
- Check the SOS (Strength of Schedule): Their ranking will live or die by how they handle the Power Four opponents on the slate. Winning the Mountain West is the floor; beating a Big Ten or SEC team is the elevator to the Top 25.
The road back to the top of the Group of Five isn't paved with blue turf; it's paved with discipline. The talent is there, the coaching staff is set, and the expectations are as high as ever.