College Football bowl season begins today. In the late game, Boise State will face Washington.
And if you’re looking for a team riding pure momentum into the postseason, look no further than Spencer Danielson’s Broncos.
Fresh off securing their third consecutive Mountain West championship—a “three-peat” as Danielson emphatically called it—Boise State finds itself in a radically different headspace than it was just a month ago. Remember when they were left for dead after that brutal home loss to Fresno State? When fans booed them off the blue turf?
Danielson remembers. Vividly.
From Danger to Dangerous
The Boise State head coach got emotional during his LA Bowl presser, reflecting on how far this team has come.
“We were in danger and then we became really, really dangerous. That’s a testament to our players, our coaches,” Danielson said. “Seeing the joy on their face during the game, after the game is what makes it so worth it for me because I love these kids.”
That Fresno State morning-after? Danielson was on the elliptical at 4 a.m.—yes, he clarified it wasn’t a treadmill—processing the pain, praying for answers, refusing to be reactionary. It was his birthday, and he’d completely forgotten about it.
The work paid off. Three straight conference titles later, Boise State isn’t just showing up to LA,they’re hunting.
Washington Brings the Heat
Make no mistake, the Huskies present a massive challenge. Danielson didn’t sugarcoat it—Washington’s quarterback is “electric,” both running backs are NFL-caliber, and their defense features cornerbacks over 6’3″ who can lock down in man coverage.
“They’re one of the better teams in the country,” Danielson admitted, praising Coach Jedd Fisch’s program across all three phases.
But here’s the thing: Boise State doesn’t travel to games like this hoping to “try their best.” This program was built on beating teams exactly like Washington, and Danielson made that crystal clear.
“We don’t go into these games to try our best. We’re working our tail off to find a way to go win this football game,” he said. “I believe in our team. I believe in who our team is.”
Quick Turnaround, Football Guys Only
The LA Bowl’s rapid turnaround,just days after the Mountain West title game,means there’s no time for opt-outs or overthinking. It’s game 14, and the Broncos are staying in rhythm.
Danielson’s message to his team was simple: this is for football guys who love playing football. Anyone who doesn’t want to be there can step aside. The guys who do? They’re going to war Saturday night.
And they’ll be doing it with their head coach who rocks a brother-themed chest tattoo from when he was 18, leads shirtless pregame greetings in ski masks, and gets up at 4 a.m. to make sure he’s the best version of himself for his players.
Bronco Nation better be ready. This team didn’t survive being left for dead just to roll over in LA. Not even close.
