Game Day Preview: No. 21 Boise State goes on the road to face San Jose State

Broncos look to get back on track vs. San Jose State

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Boise State is done with the byes

Boise State entered the second bye week on a down note after suffering their first loss of the season. However, the Broncos still stand at 6-1 and are ranked in both major polls. While the Broncos and head coach Bryan Harsin have not made an official statement yet, the expectation is that starting quarterback Hank Bachmeier, will return to the field after a 1 game injury absence.

While Boise State did tumble a bit in the rankings after their loss and the path to a big money New Year’s Six bowl game has become more challenging, the primary goal of securing a spot in the conference championship game remains very attainable for the Broncos. Winning this game on the road against the Spartans will push Boise State to 4-0 in the conference with 4 more conference games remaining.

San Jose State is returning home after a tough win on the road against Army and is set to celebrate their homecoming this weekend. Boise State on the other hand is rested and angry after spending the last 2 weeks thinking about their only loss of the year and will look to take some frustration out against the Spartans.

Date: November 2, 2019

Where: CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, CA

When: 8:30 PM, MST

Spread: Boise State -17

ESPN FPI Win Predictor: Boise State 90% win probability

Weather: Sunny with a high of 78°F and no chance of rain and slight wind. Sunset at 7:08 PM, MST

How to Watch: CBS Sports Network

Stream: FuboTV – Get a seven-day free trial

Head to Head Record: Boise State 13-0

Previous Meeting: Boise State 45, San Jose State 31 on November 6, 2016 in Boise, ID

WAC Conference Titles: Boise State 8, San Jose State 0

MWC Division Titles: Boise State 3, San Jose State 0

MWC Conference Titles: Boise State 3, San Jose State 0

Big game at home this weekend vs #21 Boise State got us feeling like..#SpartanUp pic.twitter.com/v6OfrQ6SRs — San José State Football (@SanJoseStateFB) October 29, 2019

Spartan/Bronco History Rewind

The first time Boise State and San Jose State faced off was in 1978, a 30-15 Bronco victory on a green natural grass field in Boise. However, they would soon become conference foes in the Western Athletic Conference in 2001. Boise State had joined the WAC after stops in the Big Sky and Big West whereas San Jose State had been a long time member of the Big West (and its predecessor the Pacific Coast Athletic Association) from 1969 to 1996 when they joined the WAC themselves. Boise State owns a 10-0 record against San Jose during their time as WAC opponents but a thrilling double overtime contest took place in San Jose during the 2004 season when the Broncos escaped with a 56-49 victory.

Boise State joined the Mountain West Conference in 2011 and San Jose State would follow in 2013. The Broncos are 2-0 against the Spartans as MWC opponents.

San Jose State Season Rewind

The Spartans had finished with 3 wins in 2017 and 2018, combined… but head coach Brent Brennan has taken a major step forward in his third year and now has the Spartans standing at 4-4 and eyeing a potential bowl game. San Jose State has been to only eight bowl games in their 70 year football history in division 1 and have not been to the post season since 2015.

While Brennan has done a good job on the sidelines, quarterback Josh Love deserves a tremendous amount of credit for leading the Spartans on the field this year. The senior signal caller has put up gaudy stats and is firmly in the conversation for a spot on the Mountain West all-conference team.

San Jose State has notched impressive road victories against Army and SEC opponent Arkansas but have faltered against conference opponents such as Air Force, Nevada, and San Diego State. A home victory versus a ranked Boise State team would give the Spartans instant credibility as a legitimate force in the conference.