Honestly, if you’d told a UNLV fan three years ago that their biggest game of the season would be a slugfest in Boise with a Playoff spot on the line, they’d have asked what you were drinking. But here we are. The Boise State vs UNLV matchup has morphed from a lopsided historical footnote into the most high-stakes drama in Group of Five football. It’s gritty. It’s loud. And lately, it’s been the Ashton Jeanty show.
The 2024 Season: A Two-Act Play in the Desert and the Blue
You can’t talk about this series without looking at the absolute gauntlet of 2024. These teams didn't just play; they collided. Twice.
The first meeting in late October at Allegiant Stadium was a literal bar fight. Boise State escaped with a 29-24 win, but the score didn't tell the whole story. UNLV's defense, revitalized under Barry Odom, actually made the Heisman frontrunner look human—for a while. Ashton Jeanty was held to 128 yards, which is "quiet" by his ridiculous standards.
Then came the rematch. The big one. The Mountain West Championship on the Blue Turf.
That Friday Night in Boise
December 6, 2024. The stakes? A spot in the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. The outcome was a 21-7 defensive masterclass by the Broncos. While the score suggests a comfortable win, it was anything but. UNLV’s defense loaded the box with eight or nine guys, daring Maddux Madsen to beat them. He did just enough, but the backbreaker was—who else?—Jeanty.
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His 75-yard touchdown gallop in the second quarter was pure filth. He didn't just run; he evaporated through the line. That play tied him with LaDainian Tomlinson for the most 70-plus yard TD runs in a single season. By the time the clock hit zero, Jeanty had 209 yards on 32 carries and Boise State was headed to the CFP.
Breaking Down the "Barry Odom Effect" at UNLV
Why does this matchup suddenly matter so much? Basically, it’s Barry Odom. Before he showed up, the Rebels were, well, a mess. They had seven wins total in the three years before he took over. In 2024, they won 10 games for the first time in four decades.
Odom brought a SEC-style defensive physicalness to Las Vegas. It’s why the Boise State vs UNLV games have become so much more violent and low-scoring than the track meets of years past.
- Turnaround stats: Odom’s Rebels went 10-2 in true road games over two seasons.
- National Respect: UNLV hit a program-high No. 19 ranking in 2024.
- The Problem: They just can't get past the Broncos. Boise State has won eight straight in the series dating back to 2015.
The Legend of Ashton Jeanty
Let's be real: Jeanty is the reason people outside of Idaho and Nevada are tuning into this. During that Championship game, he surpassed the 44-year-old school record held by Cedric Minter to become Boise State’s all-time leading rusher.
He finished the 2024 campaign with 2,497 rushing yards. That puts him fourth all-time in FBS history for a single season, trailing only legends like Barry Sanders and Melvin Gordon. When you watch him against UNLV, you see why he’s a Sunday player. He absorbs contact like a sponge and then explodes. UNLV’s Kylin James had a monster 86-yard run of his own in that title game, but the Broncos' Seyi Oladipo chased him down at the 5-yard line. That’s the difference between these two programs right now—Boise State makes the "hustle" plays that save championships.
Is This Actually a Rivalry?
If you ask a Boise State fan, they'll probably shrug. They’ve historically dominated this series, leading 13-3 all-time. In fact, UNLV hasn't beaten Boise State since 1976. That’s a long time to wait for a "W."
But players like Maddux Madsen say it feels like a rivalry. Why? Because the games are getting tighter. The margin of victory in their 2024 regular-season meeting was just five points. That’s the smallest margin in the history of their matchups.
What’s Next for Boise State vs UNLV?
Things are getting complicated. With Boise State set to depart for the rebuilt Pac-12 in the summer of 2026, the window for these high-stakes Mountain West battles is closing.
UNLV is left in a weird spot. They’ve proven they can compete with the big boys, but they haven't quite knocked the king off the throne. If you’re looking to follow this matchup or place a bet on future games, keep an eye on these factors:
- Transfer Portal Stability: Can UNLV keep their talent now that Odom has left for Purdue?
- The Madsen Evolution: Maddux Madsen proved he can win without Jeanty doing 100% of the work. His development as a passer will dictate if Boise State remains a CFP threat.
- Defensive Identity: Boise State’s defense racked up 51 sacks in 2024—a program record. Watch if that aggressive front-seven style continues under Spencer Danielson.
If you want to catch the next chapter, check the schedules for late 2025. It might be the last time we see these two face off as conference foes for a very long time. Keep your eyes on the injury reports, specifically regarding the offensive lines, as that’s where these games have been won and lost lately.
The era of Boise State dominance isn't over, but UNLV finally made them sweat. And in college football, that’s how the best stories start.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the O-Line: In the last three matchups, the team that averaged more than 4.5 yards per carry won every single time.
- Home Field Advantage: Boise State hasn't lost to UNLV at Albertsons Stadium... ever. If the game is on the Blue, bet on the Broncos.
- Follow the Coaching Carousel: With Barry Odom moving to Purdue, UNLV's defensive identity is in flux. Watch their early-season defensive EPA (Expected Points Added) to see if they maintain that "Rebel Way" toughness.