Pac-12 Series: 2026 Boise State Season Preview

Broncos Nation is elated that the Blue & Orange is now part of an eight-team reorganized PAC-12. What also has the fan base ready for the season is a realistic path to the top of the conference in their first year of play. Boise State has seven returning starters on offense, with three returning pieces (quarterback Maddux Madsen and running backs Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines) to shoulder the load until the receiving corps gets acclimated to the system. 

The defense brought in only one new face through the portal, so many 2025 backups are being counted on to step up in 2026. With what looks like the two toughest opponents (at Oregon, then home for Memphis), the Broncos have a chance to finish at the top of the PAC-12 heap.   

Team Snapshot

Conference: PAC 12
Head Coach: Spencer Danielson

2025 Record: 9-5 Overall, 6-2 Mountain West
Key Games: Oregon, Memphis, San Diego State, Utah State

Season Outlook

The Broncos have seven starters returning to campus but will depend heavily on the trio of quarterback Maddux Madsen and running backs Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines. Three offensive line starters (center Jason Steele, right guard Roger Carreon, right tackle Daylon Metoyer) will be leaned on to establish a “ground and pound” rushing attack until all the new parts of the passing game evolve. Wide receiver Cameron Bates is expected to be the main cog, but his speed will also help with jet sweeps. Tight end Matt Wagner at 6’5” is a big target who can catch the pigskin.

Only four defensive players return to the 4-2-5 scheme. The front four need to improve their sack numbers (55 in 2024 dropped to 27 in 2025), and defensive ends Jayden Virgin-Morgan and Max Stege should help increase production. The only linebacker with experience is Boen Phelps, and the secondary will start safety Derek Ganter and former Notre Dame nickel Jaden Mickey.                                                                          

2026 Prediction: Projected Record: 10-2 Overall, 7-1 PAC 12

One of the new members of the resurrected PAC-12, the Broncos are an odds-on favorite to finish at the top of the mountain when the season concludes. Quarterback Maddux Madsen (176-of-302, 2,734 yards, 18 TDs) begins his third season as the starter for the Broncos and will need to build on his production from previous years. Running backs Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines combined for 1,977 yards rushing last year and should improve on that effort this year with a focus on the ground game. 

The biggest challenge will be the opening two contests, after which Boise State should be favored in the rest of their games. If that transpires, Boise has a legitimate shot at being the representative of the Group of 6 to the CFP.

Top NFL Prospects

Maddux Madsen, QB, 5’10”, 210 lbs., SR

Madsen is one of a small sample size of players who have played their entire career in one program, which is especially rare for upper-level talent quarterbacks. He’s made his way onto numerous preseason awards watch lists. While the Lehi, UT, native is undersized, he will have to impress scouts with these gameday performances and at the NFL Combine to have a shot at the next level.

Jayden Virgin-Morgan, DE, 6’3”, 257 lbs., GR

The San Diego, CA, product led the Broncos in tackles for loss (13) and sacks (6) in 2025. He’s proven to be durable, starting all 14 contests last season for the second straight year, and he checks all the measurable boxes to make it to the next level of competition. With another good campaign, he could be a 6th- or 7th-round selection.