San Jose State quarterback Chevan Cordeiro (2) looks to pass the ball against Oregon State in the third quarter of their game at San Jose State University in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE — San Jose State is hoping to do something Saturday that it hasn’t done in school history: beat Boise State on the road.
The Spartans are off to a 1-4 start, but there are signs this might be SJSU’s best chance yet to finally get the best of the Broncos on their blue turf.
The Spartans are coming off a bye week and Boise State hasn’t looked like the team that has dominated the Mountain West for the last decade after rising from the WAC. The Broncos have started their season 2-3 and most recently lost to Memphis by blowing a 17-point lead.
“I’m feeling really good going into Boise,” said SJSU receiver Nick Nash. “I just feel like the bye gave us a lot of energy and we’re certainly hungry for a win.”
The Spartans are 1-13 all-time against the Broncos with their only win coming in 2020 when they beat Boise State 34-20 in the Mountain West Championship in Las Vegas.
SJSU comes into Saturday’s game as a 9.5-point underdog, but coach Brent Brennan has pulled off road upsets before.
Back in 2019, the Spartans marched into Razorback Stadium and defeated Arkansas 31-24 to earn their first-ever win over an SEC opponent. Later that season, the Spartans defeated Army on the road as 10-point underdogs.
“We have to show that we’re not gonna back down,” said safety Tre Jenkins about facing Boise State.
SJSU has not played a road game at Boise State in Brent Brennan’s seven-year run, as the 2020 game was canceled over a Broncos COVID outbreak. The Spartans played in Boise against a different opponent nine months ago, though: They lost to Eastern Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Albertsons Stadium.
“It’s supposed to be 70 degrees when we go up there and last time it felt like 17 degrees,” Brennan said. “At least it’s not the first time most of our team will see the blue turf, so that’s a positive.”
Saturday’s game could have serious bowl game implications. A loss to the Broncos means the Spartans would have to win five of their next six games — two of which are against San Diego State and No. 24 Fresno State — to reach bowl eligibility.
Even with the high stakes, SJSU is not looking at this game differently than any other game on the schedule.
When asked if a win Saturday could help turn the season around, Brennan said, “I don’t think we necessarily think of it that way. I think in college football you have to be a week-to-week guy. Every week is super important and then you get ready for the next one.”
Playing against two QBs
In Boise State’s loss to Memphis last weekend, Broncos head coach Andy Avalos pulled the reigning Mountain West Freshman of the Year, quarterback Taylen Green, in the fourth quarter. Freshman Maddux Madsen played on the Broncos’ third drive of the game, which was planned, but relieved Green for good after Boise State went down 28-17 in the fourth quarter.
Avalos has yet to announce a starter for Saturday, and the quarterback controversy in Boise has complicated SJSU’s preparation this week.
“You have to prepare for both of them because they’re both really good,” Brennan said. “I would anticipate we will see both.”
Green and Madsen have different play styles that can change what Boise State’s offense looks like. Green is a more dual-threat quarterback while Madsen resembles more of a pocket passer.
“They both are very efficient in what they do,” said SJSU defensive coordinator Derrick Odum. “(Green) is really athletic and can hurt you with the extended plays. (Madsen) is a really accurate passer.”
Opportunities through the air
The Spartans’ passing game could be the team’s biggest strength against Boise State.
The Broncos have the eighth-worst passing defense in the country, allowing 289.2 yards per game and nearly 10 yards per pass.
Nash and other SJSU pass catchers should be primed for a big day if they are able to create separation on the outside.
“I feel good about where we are as a wide receiver group,” Nash said. “I feel like we’ve been putting in a lot of work and hopefully we can go out and show it.”
With starting tight end Sam Olson unlikely to play in Saturday’s game with a knee injury, tight ends Dominick Mazotti and Skylar Loving-Black are slated to be quarterback Chevan Cordeiro’s targets over the middle.
Stopping the run
The Spartans’ biggest weakness this season has been stopping opposing rushers as they are the fourth-worst defense in the country against the run.
It doesn’t get any easier on Saturday when the defense will be tasked with slowing Broncos sophomore Ashton Jeanty.
The 5-foot-9 running back is averaging 97 rushing yards per game and is tied for second in the nation with eight rushing touchdowns. Jeanty is also a threat in the passing game, catching 23 passes for 338 yards and four touchdowns.
“Boise has a back who’s top-two in the country in all-purpose yards and he’s really tough to bring down,” Odum said about Jeanty. “And so it’s another huge challenge for us defensively this week.”
Game notes
— Saturday’s game will be broadcast on CBS Sports with Rich Waltz, Aaron Taylor and Tiffany Blackmon on the call. Taylor, a graduate of De La Salle High School and a Super Bowl Champion with the Green Bay Packers, is Mazotti’s godfather. This will be the first game Taylor calls with Mazotti on the field.
— SJSU’s 1-4 start is its worst through five games since 2018. The Spartans’ opponents so far this season are 20-5, making their schedule the second-toughest in the nation. have had the second-toughest schedule in terms of opponent record: SJSU’s opponents are 20-5 this season.
— Cordeiro is currently seventh on the all-time Mountain West passing touchdowns list with 74. He will have a chance to surpass former Wyoming quarterback Brett Smith, who had 76.
Originally published at Nathan Canilao