For the 2024 football season, the Boise State Broncos football team hopes to deliver on dreams of their own.
An expanded college football playoff arrives in 2024 and the Broncos are on track to seek out an appearance. Accompanied by a formidable schedule and the talent to succeed, Boise State aims to capitalize on being a Group of Five team to crash the party.
A lot needs to be settled before those dreams take hold. The first days of fall practice are in the books, with one scrimmage already taking place. The pieces are in place to repeat as Mountain West Conference champs. Question marks are present but minimal, with the team ready to ride the legs of a Heisman-hopeful to success in 2024.
Keeping the cart behind the horse
Fresh off a resounding end to the 2023 season (discounting a bowl game loss to UCLA) and a newly minted head coach (with no interim tag), 2024 offers plenty of hype.
But one must be mindful to let things play out, letting the hype build at a steady pace with each game and each victory.
Head coach Spencer Danielson took over last season when Andy Avalos and the Broncos parted ways. With two wins to close the regular season and a 44-20 victory over UNLV in the Mountain West title game, Danielson did enough to earn the position.
Now, he has a chance to bring the same type of energy and excitement in 2024, with less chaos. Well, a little chaos (the good kind) would be nice as Boise State pursues their dreams.
Road games to open the season present immediate barricades to navigate, with trips to face Georgia Southern (8/31) and then a top-10 ranked Oregon Ducks squad on 9/7. Other key road games include against UNLV (10/25) and a trip to Laramie to face Wyoming (11/23).
Highlights at home include games with Washington State (9/28) and Oregon State (11/29). Boise State also gets home dates this season with Nevada (11/9) and San Diego State (11/1).
Danielson will lead this charge on the sideline, with one of the top players in the country in running back Ashton Jeanty leading the charge between the hash marks.
To have the junior running back again wearing blue and orange in 2024 is nothing short of spectacular. While I will let the Heisman hype speak for itself, it is another superstar turn on the field I am looking forward to.
Jeanty proved last season what a special player he is. In 2023, Jeanty finished with 1347 rushing yards, 43 receptions for 569 yards, and 19 total touchdowns.
Expectations are high for Jeanty, with preseason accolades rolling in left and right. With depth at the position to help keep Jeanty fresh, the highlight reel should be spectacular. A repeat performance, if not expanded on, is on the table for Jeanty, with consistency at quarterback, a talented group of receivers, and an experienced offensive line to back him up.
Transfers at the wide receiver and tight end position are areas to keep an eye on. So, too, is the secondary on the defensive side. A mixture of returning players and new faces should make this one of the best units in the Mountain West.
The Broncos have a defense ready to rumble. Along with a deep secondary, Andew Simpson (linebacker) and Ahmed Hassanein (defensive end) looking to replicate stellar '23 seasons.
Of course, the huge question lingers as Boise State plows their way through fall camp: Who will be the starting quarterback in 2024?
Malachi Nelson and Maddux Madsen
One of the more heralded transfers in recent memory for the Boise State Broncos is quarterback Malachi Nelson. Arriving as a decorated recruit from USC, Nelson (by some) was immediately anointed this season's starting quarterback.
Returnee Maddux Madsen is going to have something to say about that.
Before a knee injury ended Madsen's season in late-2023, the redshirt sophomore played in nine games. Thrills and spills were among his game action, but Madsen showed definite signs of brilliance, throwing for 1191 yards.
Madsen tossed nine touchdowns and three interceptions, while also rushing for 120 yards.
Nelson arrives with much fanfare but has seen little gametime action.
Both have their positive attributes, and I feel comfortable with whoever ends up winning the job. Part of that is due to the acumen and expertise of offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, choosing who will ultimately give the Broncos their best chance at winning.
A lot can happen in the coming three weeks prior to the opening game with Georgia Southern. But for now, in these hot and smoky days of early August, the hope is high. A time where dreams can be envisioned, with hopes they are soon molded into reality.
Until then, we can let the Eurythmics guide the way by serenading us with Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These).
photo credit: Jason Haskins
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