Perhaps it's a generation gathered at a diner, talking of a Division 1-AA championship and the years of being competitive in that subdivision. Or it's a generation conversing about the struggles and early years of rejuvenation in the late 1990s. And it's even perhaps a generation shouting behind a keyboard, raised on a nearly unrepeatable stretch when Boise State was the darling and giant slayer of college football. (For the record, I am part of that middle generation onward.)
A 3-3 start to the 2023 season for the Broncos has many looking back to the golden years, of which I'm referring to 2006-2014, for the sake of this post. An era with Fiesta Bowl victories galore. Undefeated seasons. Rose Bowl dreams (oh so close). NFL draft picks and the all-time leader in wins with quarterback Kellen Moore.
High hopes of kicking off a new era in recapturing those glory days, has been dashed in 2023, in terms of a big bowl game or playoff crasher. A good football team resides in the Boise State locker room, with players and coaches that maybe took the first steps in the second half against San Jose State in leaving their mark and identity on this program.
Coaching and expectations
Andy Avalos is only the third head coach for the Boise State Broncos since 2006, which is pretty solid to think about. Avalos hasn't enjoyed quite the rosy start his two predecessors did but there is also a heavy transfer portal, NIL deals, and tougher non-conference schedules to consider.
Now in year three, another slow start did little to stem those ready to move on. Living up to a higher standard for the "little school that could" comes with the position. Yes, there is disappointment the titles simply aren't rolling in like they used to. But, unless a coach is winless in their first two seasons, or can't crack .500 in three, or they lose control of a program, then they should get at least four years to make things work. That's how long it can take for their recruits to really take hold in some cases.
With the resources of the Boise State athletic department and football program, titles and higher win percentages are of course expected to be maintained. One thing to be considered is the quality of play in non-conference (and even conference) opponents has improved over the years, making it that much harder to gather those 10-win seasons consistently.
That is not to say that's all a team should strive for but the fact that the Broncos keep putting together winning seasons should be commended.
Granted, Boise State entered this season with grand hopes of navigating this difficult gauntlet with a perfect record intact. There was an energy swirling in camp, especially after the fantastic close to the 2022 season.
It was never going to be easy, and the three non-conference losses proved exactly that. A loss to a top-ten ranked Washington Huskies team, who boasts the top offense in the nation. Close losses to UCF, who is also 3-3 (0-3 in their first Big 12 conference games), and a Memphis team whose only loss was to the 5-1 Missouri Tigers.
Both winnable games and very tough losses; games in which season-long struggles were on display.
Boise State Broncos defense struggles
Halfway through the 2023 season, the major problem on this side of the ball, for all eyes to see, has been the secondary (and accompanying schemes). Against Washington (5-0), I gave them a pass the high-flying, magical ways of Heisman frontrunner Michael Penix Jr. (1999 passing yards, 16 TD, 2 INT).
But since, quarterbacks, both good and bad, have found ways to scorch the Boise State defense.
Replacing NFL selections JL Skinner, Tyreque Jones, and Caleb Biggers in the secondary was always going to be a tall task. But there was plenty of field experience coming back, notably with players who had contributed the last two seasons.
Hopefully, we'll see more of that second half passion and talent that was on display with the comeback against the Spartans last Saturday.
Of course, this isn't the first time it seemed like the defense had things figured out. A bend-but-don't break effort, with a handful of interceptions as well, helped keep Boise State in the game against UCF. And the first half effort (most of it) against Memphis made it seem like that game was about to be a lock.
Up front on the line and the linebacker corps, production has been steady. In the back half of the season, stepping up one more notch would go a long way in keeping some of the pressure off an improving offense.
Offense: Boise State mixing things up
The Boise State Broncos on offense, even with uncertainty and inconsistency, has actually been putting up points. After only scoring 35 points in their first two games, has averaged 35.8 in their last four.
They aren't doing this with the thundering ground game envisioned back in August. George Holani hasn't played since the season-opener thanks to an injury, forcing Ashton Jeanty to carry the load.
Not that Jeanty hasn't risen to the occasion.
Fumbles aside, the sophomore has had an outstanding season, rushing for 656 yards and eight touchdowns. He also has 354 receiving yards and four touchdowns through the air.
Offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan may have leaned a little too much into the passing game in those early losses but has found a better balance since. I never thought Hamdan and Avalos, even with the return of Holani, Jeanty, and quarterback Taylen Green, would stick with the run-heavy attack Dirk Koetter implemented last season. I think they had to adjust due to Holani's injury and may have initially overcompensated with too many pass plays.
That's getting figured out now, with the team trying to make a two-quarterback system work. One game in and it seemed to do the trick, with freshman Maddux Madsen doing outstanding things in earning his playing time.
And while there has been some disappointment among the receivers, Eric McAlister is not. He showed brief flashes last season and all he's done through six games is lead the Broncos in receptions and receiving yards.
Despite the sad fact of sitting at .500 through six games, the Boise State Broncos have a lot bubbling in terms of good things. The next step is at Colorado State on Saturday evening. Building off that momentum from last week's game against San Jose State is a must. Capture that style, energy, and productivity, and the Broncos will be well on their way. And hopefully, into the future, a generation will point to that half as the moment the career of Avalos really took off and a new era was ushered in.
photo credit: Flickr
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