No. 3 Boise State Broncos
12-1 (7-0 Mountain West regular season)
What’s next: First-round bye; vs. winner of No. 6 Penn State, No. 11 SMU, Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, Ariz., Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. ET
Head coach: Spencer Danielson (one-plus seasons, 15-2 overall)
About Danielson: The 36-year-old was an assistant coach for the Broncos and became interim coach last season when Andy Avalos was fired after a 5-5 start. Danielson impressed everybody while winning two regular-season games and the Mountain West championship game. He was named the new head coach in early December, and the team went to the LA Bowl, losing to UCLA. He was Mountain West Coach of the Year this season.
Resume
Boise State defeated a good Washington State squad 45-24 on a night in which Ashton Jeanty rushed for 259 yards and four touchdowns. The lone loss rates as a great one as the Broncos took now-No. 1 Oregon to the end of the contest before the Ducks kicked a winning field goal on the final play for a 37-34 win.
Postseason history
The Broncos will be making their first appearance in the College Football Playoff era. But they also own one of the most impressive upsets in major bowl history — that 43-42 overtime win over Oklahoma in the 2006 season Fiesta Bowl that ended with the Statue of Liberty play and star running back Ian Johnson proposing to his cheerleader girlfriend after scoring the winning points.
The road to Atlanta
Yes, Boise State has some history at the Fiesta Bowl and won’t mind heading to Phoenix for the quarterfinals. Either Penn State or SMU will advance from a first-round matchup Dec. 21 to play the Broncos.
Names to know
RB Ashton Jeanty
Has put together one of the top running backs in season history with 2,497 yards — fourth-most in FBS history — to stand just 131 behind all-time leader Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State. The Heisman Trophy candidate has 29 rushing touchdowns, including 10 of 50 or more yards, making him a home-run hitter in the mold of college legends such as Marshall Faulk (San Diego State) and LaDainian Tomlinson (TCU).
“In regards to the Heisman, I ask all voters to please just watch the film, watch the stats. That will show you that he’s the best football player in the country,” Danielson on Jeanty.
QB Maddux Madsen
The presence of Jeanty means he doesn’t have to carry a team, which is perfect for his brand of efficient football — 2,714 yards, 22 touchdowns, three interceptions.
DE Ahmed Hassanein
Ranks second on the Broncos in tackles for loss (12.5) and sacks (8.5). Has been a force over the past two seasons with 21 sacks.
S Seyi Oladipo
He was the Defensive MVP of the Mountain West Conference title game in which the Broncos won 21-7. His sprint to chase down UNLV’s Kylin James to tackle him at the Boise State 5-yard line after 86 yards was huge as the Rebels ended up not scoring on the possession.
TE Matt Lauter
Has a team-best six touchdown receptions while ranking second on the squad with 43 receptions and 523 yards. He’s more athletic than he looks.
–Field Level Media
