2026 MAC Football Week 4 Game Preview: Boise State Broncos at Western Michigan Broncos

Setting the scene

There are only two Broncos in Division I FBS college football. They have never met before.

Perhaps the timing of the first-ever matchup between Western Michigan and Boise State couldn't have been more perfect. Both Broncos have impressed from the jump. Boise State went toe-to-toe with Oregon on the road in the opener, before upending Memphis by 18 seven days later. Meanwhile, Western Michigan technically defeated Michigan in the Big House, 12-7, had the proper officiating protocols been followed.

Those early non-conference data points suddenly increase the stakes of this Week 4 matchup in Kalamazoo. Whichever team emerges in this Bronco battle will have an inside track to the College Football Playoff, considering the CFP changed the rules and will admit the highest-ranked team among the aggregate of the American, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, Pac-12, and Sun Belt.

This is a chance for the MAC frontrunner to prove itself against the Pac-12 frontrunner, and vice versa. If these reigning conference champions hoist another trophy come December, this September result will have heavy bearing on the 12-team bracket.

Game notes

• Time and date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time
• Location: Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan
• TV options: The game will be on ESPN2, part of the ESPN family of networks. A valid cable subscription is required for viewing.
• Streaming options: The game will be available for streaming on the ESPN App, ESPN Unlimited, or on applicable cable/satellite services. A valid subscription is required for viewing on any platform. Other streaming carriers include Sling, DirecTV Stream, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, or YouTube TV.
• Spread: Boise State is a seven-point favorite, with an over/under of 50.5.
• All-time series: First-ever meeting

Boise State Broncos outlook

Boise State (2-1, 0-0 Pac-12) endured a grind of a September schedule, facing national semifinalist Oregon and American contender Memphis, before concluding the month with reigning MAC champion Western Michigan.

However, the Broncos had a near-scare last Saturday against their easiest opponent of the season. Boise State was tied with FCS South Dakota in the fourth quarter, and with under two minutes remaining, it had to fend off a fourth down attempt in the red zone to preserve the victory. That performance may have been an anomaly, considering Boise State played Oregon to the finish line — never trailing by more than one score — and stormed back from a 17-3 hole to defeat Memphis, 38-20.

Like all virtually Boise State teams in the 21st century, this one is defined by stardom at the running back position. Dylan Riley currently ranks third in the FBS in rushing yards with 454, and he's averaging 7.3 per attempt. Riley has been the master of breakaway runs the past two weeks, sprinting past Memphis for 206 yards, before piling 198 on South Dakota — scoring from 70+ yards out in both victories. The junior isn't the only star in "The Stable", either. Sire Gaines provides support with 45 rushes for 234 yards, and he's been an effective receiver as well.

Outside of Riley's two 70-yard touchdowns, Boise State has been more methodical in the run game this year, picking up chunks 5-10-yard chunks here and there. But that's enough firepower on the ground to allow Maddux Madsen to open up the passing game. The third-year starter is showing improved efficiency, connecting on 61.4 percent of attempts (after finishing at 58.3 percent last year) with six touchdowns to zero interceptions. Madsen's pass protection has also been extremely clean since the Oregon game, only taking one sack over a two-week span.

Another positive development in the passing game has been the play of Rasean Jones. The true freshman is already the established WR1 at Boise State, and his 15 receptions and 232 receiving yards are more than double of anyone else on the team. Jones also gets involved on jet sweeps, and he's already taken three carries for 27 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Akeem Wright and tight end Matt Wagner are the other weapons Madsen will target when the offense isn't running with Riley or Gaines.

While Boise State's offense has rattled off several explosive runs, explosive plays have been the kryptonite of the defense. The Broncos have allowed 14 gains of 30+ yards, 12 gains of 40+ yards, and 7 gains of 50+ yards — the most such plays surrendered in the FBS for all three categories.

The overwhelming majority of these explosives were through the air, and Boise State currently exhibits the third-to-last ranked passing defense in the FBS at 335 yards allowed per game. South Dakota wasn't efficient, going 12-of-27 against the Broncos, but it connected on the big ones. Meanwhile, Memphis only needed 17 completions to generate 384 yards, while Oregon managed 378 on 28 completions.

Travis Anderson is the leader of this secondary. The free safety is responsible for all three Boise State interceptions in 2026, and he ranks second on the team in 18 tackles. Another name to watch in the defensive backfield is cornerback Sherrod Smith, whose three pass breakups are first on the team.

However, Boise State will need its run defense more for this Western Michigan matchup. The Broncos can set the edge with the star defensive end tandem of Jayden Virgin-Morgan and Max Stege, who combine for 2.0 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss. Outside linebacker Boen Phelps has also been a disruptive presence at the line of scrimmage with 3.5 tackles for loss on the country's 32nd-ranked run defense.

Western Michigan Broncos outlook

Western Michigan (2-1*, 0-0 MAC) remains in the spotlight after an unforeseen September. The FBS Oversight Committee admitted the Broncos were robbed against Michigan, however, the result was not overturned. But counting that Michigan game as a win — like Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson did in his game week press conference — Western Michigan has now won 13 of its last 14 games under head coach Lance Taylor.

The Week 1 controversy took an emotional toll on the team, but Western Michigan has channeled that frustration into positive energy. The Broncos have not trailed for a single second since the "Bail Mary" in Ann Arbor, making quick work of FCS foe Monmouth, before outlasting Rice on the road in a war of attrition.

Western Michigan won't deviate too heavily from its signature style which has turned the program into a regular winner — even if it's not aesthetically pleasing or pretty on the scoreboard. The Broncos want to run through an opponent, consuming time of possession and out-physicaling them through a veteran offensive line, quarterback Broc Lowry, and a handful of running backs.

Lowry, who is 13-1 since taking over as the starter (counting Michigan as a win), is the master of QB powers. Last season, he produced 80+ rushing yards in eight consecutive games, finishing the year with 963 yards and 14 touchdowns as a runner. Lowry hasn't exceeded 40 rushing yards yet this year, but he's shown improvement as a passer.

Western Michigan never made him pass 20 times in a game during its five-game win streak to end 2025. However, Lowry has attempted 20 in all three outings this year, and he's been efficient with the increased volume. He has completed 43-of-61 passes (70.5 percent), delivering four touchdowns and zero interceptions along the way. The Broncos are also attacking more vertically through the air. Last week before halftime, Lowry connected on a 34-yard end zone shot to Aveion Chenault. Chenault will be the primary target in obvious passing situations, considering his 216 receiving yards nearly triple that of the next closest Bronco (Baylin Brooks with 80).

Jalen Buckley is the other featured star in the offense. The two-time 1,000-yard rusher was known for his breakaway runs last December, which won him MVP honors of the MAC Championship and Myrtle Beach Bowl. Buckley finally broke his first long run last Saturday at Rice, and his 66-yard scamper ignited the offense for the remainder of the night. His 207 rushing yards and four touchdowns lead the team, and Ofa Mataele will spot him some carries in this ground-based offense.

Despite losing defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary to the Los Angeles Chargers and All-American defensive end Nadame Tucker to the Cleveland Browns, Western Michigan's revamped front has held its own. It will be tested to the limits by a dynamic Boise State rushing attack, but last week, the unit held Rice's running backs in check. Containing quarterback mobility was the greater issue. Western Michigan is still looking for the next Tucker on the defensive line, and each week, somebody new emerges for a great performance — like North Carolina transfer Austin Alexander in Week 2 and Houston transfer Zavian Tibbs in Week 3.

The Broncos are only allowing 188 yards per game through the air, fueled by a secondary that returned four starters from last year's championship squad. No defensive back has logged an interception yet, but the group has been disruptive. Free safety Joey Pope has a team-high four pass breakups, while corners Josh Franklin and Jarvarius Sims have been sound in coverage on the boundaries.

If this game is close, Western Michigan can rely on kicker Dieter Kelly to bring it home. Kelly scored all 12 of the team's points in the Michigan game, including attempts from 45 and 52 yards out, and he remains 100 percent on the season.

Prediction

The Broncos will run wild in the stable. Western Michigan and Boise State both operate best when they're in the groove in the running game, and both teams deploy extremely physical offensive lines.

Boise State will handle its ground game through its running backs, while Western Michigan primarily turns to the quarterback-running back combo of Broc Lowry and Jalen Buckley, so the styles are slightly different.

Kalamazoo will be rocking, perhaps drawing its biggest crowd of the 2020s decade, and that will favor Western Michigan as Boise State makes the long trip. However, possessing an effective run-stopping defensive line is paramount in this matchup, and Boise State's Jayden Virgin-Morgan and Max Stege will be the difference makers giving the blue and orange Broncos a close victory over the brown and gold Broncos.

Prediction: Boise State 28, Western Michigan 21