You’d think a series where one team has won 13 out of 14 times would be boring. Honestly, it shouldn't even be a "rivalry" on paper. But if you actually watch Boise State vs Colorado State football, you know the box score usually lies.
There’s this weird energy when these two meet. It's not just about the blue turf or the Fort Collins wind. It’s about a Colorado State program that, for over a decade, has been trying to prove it belongs in the same breath as the Boise State machine. Most people look at the lopsided record and assume the Broncos just steamroll the Rams every year.
That is a mistake.
Think back to 2023. Boise State was cruising. Then, a wild fourth-quarter collapse happened, and the Rams snatched a 31-30 victory. It was their first win against Boise since the Broncos joined the Mountain West. One win in 14 tries. Yet, that single game changed the entire "vibe" of this matchup. It proved that if Boise State sleeps for even a quarter, the Rams are capable of ruining their season.
The 2025 Reality Check
The most recent meeting on November 22, 2025, felt like a return to the old ways, but with a few modern twists. Boise State won 49-21. It looks like a blowout because it was. However, the context matters more than the final tally. Boise was coming off a rare two-game losing streak. They were angry.
Max Cutforth, the backup quarterback making just his second start, played like a seasoned pro. He didn't throw for 400 yards, but he didn't need to. He stayed efficient, going 22-of-34 for 239 yards. He basically just stayed out of the way of the running game.
And man, that running game.
Boise State’s identity has always been about "the stable." In this game, it was Sire Gaines and Malik Sherrod. Gaines looked like he was shot out of a cannon, racking up 149 yards and two scores. The Broncos finished with 279 rushing yards as a team. Colorado State simply couldn't hold the line.
The Rams, on the other hand, were a mess of potential and frustration. Freshmen quarterback Darius Curry threw for nearly 300 yards, which is impressive for a kid in that environment. But those three interceptions? They were killers. You can't turn the ball over four times against Boise State and expect to keep your dignity.
Why this matchup is changing forever
We are currently in a weird transition period for Western college football. This isn't just about another Saturday in the Mountain West anymore.
By July 2026, the landscape shifts. Boise State and Colorado State are both packing their bags for the Pac-12. This long-standing Mountain West staple is about to become a "Power Conference" matchup. That changes the recruiting. It changes the TV money. It changes the stakes.
Honestly, the move to the Pac-12 might be the best thing to happen to this series. For years, Boise State has been the "big brother" in the Mountain West. Now, both teams are moving to a rebuilt house together. It levels the playing field, at least mentally.
The Coaching Carousel and Hall of Fame Shadows
It’s impossible to talk about Boise State football right now without mentioning Chris Petersen. Just a few days ago, on January 14, 2026, he was officially named to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Why does that matter for a game against Colorado State?
Because Petersen is the one who built the standard that CSU has been chasing. He went 92-12 in Boise. That kind of winning isn't normal. Every Colorado State coach since 2011—from Jim McElwain to Mike Bobo to the current staff—has had to measure themselves against that "Bronco Standard."
Jim Mora, who recently took the reins at Colorado State, is trying to install a new culture. He’s been busy bringing in a fresh staff to stop the bleeding. The Rams finished the 2025 season 2-10. That hurts. Especially when your rival is winning their third straight Mountain West title.
What the Stats Actually Tell Us
If you’re looking at Boise State vs Colorado State football for betting or just to sound smart at the bar, look at the trenches.
- Rushing Dominance: In almost every Boise win, they outgain CSU on the ground by at least 100 yards.
- The Turnover Margin: In 2025, Boise forced 16 turnovers while CSU allowed 15. That’s a massive gap in discipline.
- Third Down Efficiency: Boise State historically stays on the field. CSU historically gets off of it too quickly.
But stats don't account for the "weirdness." Like the 2017 game that went to overtime with a 59-52 score. Or the 2023 one-point heartbreaker. The Rams often play Boise State tighter than they play anyone else on their schedule. It's a "Super Bowl" mentality for the guys in Fort Collins.
Misconceptions about the "Blue Turf Advantage"
People love to talk about the blue turf. "The Rams can't see the ball!" or "It's a psychological trick!"
Give me a break.
The turf is just carpet. The reason Boise State is 7-0 at home against CSU isn't the color of the grass. It’s the depth of the roster. Boise State has consistently recruited better "Plan B" players than CSU has had "Plan A" starters.
However, the gap is closing. With the transfer portal, talent moves fast. Boise State is currently losing guys like offensive lineman Mason Randolph to the NFL draft and the American Bowl. They are reloading through the portal with names like safety Taebron Bennie-Powell from Notre Dame.
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Colorado State is doing the same. They are desperate to find a defense that doesn't surrender 49 points in a season finale.
Survival Guide for the Next Matchup
If you’re heading to the next game or watching from home, watch the first ten minutes. Boise State likes to script their opening drives to suck the soul out of the opponent. In 2025, they went 79 yards in 14 plays right out of the gate.
If CSU stops that first drive, we have a game. If they don't, grab a beer and settle in for a long afternoon.
Also, keep an eye on the freshman quarterback development. Darius Curry has the arm. He just needs the brains (and maybe a better offensive line). If he stays at CSU through the Pac-12 transition, he could be the guy who finally makes this a 50/50 rivalry.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Monitor the Portal: Check the "Transfer Portal Tracker" daily. Both schools are essentially rebuilding their rosters for the 2026 Pac-12 debut. A single 4-star defensive tackle moving from a Big 10 school to CSU could flip the script on Boise's rushing attack.
- Follow the Coordinators: With Jim Mora bringing in new coordinators at CSU, watch their early-season schemes. If they move to a high-tempo spread, it might neutralize Boise's size advantage.
- Respect the History, but Ignore the Streak: Betting on a 13-1 series lead is tempting, but the 2026 version of these teams will look nothing like the 2011 versions. New conference, new rules, new era.
The move to the Pac-12 is the reset button Colorado State has been praying for. For Boise State, it's a chance to prove they aren't just "big fish in a small pond." Either way, the next time these two meet, the Mountain West patches will be gone, but the bad blood will still be there.
Watch the injury reports for Boise's backfield. If Sire Gaines or the next "portal star" is out, the Broncos' offense becomes 40% less terrifying. On the flip side, watch CSU's turnover margin in their first three games of 2026. If it’s positive, they might finally be ready to take down the Broncos again.