Sep 262 min read

Undefeated Wazzu Set to Take on Ranked Boise State

Wazzu takes the field — © James Snook-Imagn Images

At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sept. 28, the Washington State Cougars (4-0) will meet the No. 25 Boise State Broncos (2-1) at Albertson's Stadium in Boise, Idaho.

Wazzu and the Oregon State Beavers (3-1), the only remaining teams in the Pac-12 Conference, have entered into an interim scheduling partnership with the Mountain West Conference, and this clash with Boise State is WSU's second game this season against an MWC opponent. The first was a dramatic double overtime win over the San José State Spartans (3-1).

Big Game

Although Boise State suffered a heartbreaking 37-34 loss to the No. 8 Oregon Ducks (3-0) in Week 2, the Broncos are the betting favorite to represent the Group of 5 in the College Football Playoff. A loss to Wazzu would imperil BSU's chances of making it to the CFP.

The stakes of this game are also high for Washington State. Following the mass exodus from the Pac-12, the Cougars are focused on proving they are still one of the nation's "power" teams. Avoiding losses to teams not in the Power Four is critical to the advancement of that goal.

Wazzu, Boise State Key Players

Boise State junior running back Ashton Jeanty is a leading Heisman Trophy contender. In just three games, the Broncos star has rushed for 586 yards and 9 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 10.5 yards per carry. In Week 1, he was named the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week. The rushing attack spearheaded by Jeanty has been complemented well this season by a strong passing game, highlighted by wide receiver Cameron Camper, who has hauled in 10 receptions for 221 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Boise State vs. Wazzu - RB Ashton Jeanty — © Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard/USA TODAY NETWORK

Wazzu's dynamic dual-threat quarterback John Mateer has thrown for 1,102 yards and 11 touchdowns in the team's four games this season. He is also the Cougars' leading rusher with 425 yards and 5 more touchdowns. Mateer's favorite target in the passing game is wide receiver Kyle Williams, who has 322 receiving yards and 4 TD receptions.

Washington State's leading tackler, linebacker Kyle Thornton, will be tasked with guiding the Cougars' effort to keep Boise State's Jeanty from running wild on the blue turf at Albertson's Stadium.