Breaking down Oregon State's 2026 opponents, starting with Boise State University
(Photo: 247Sports)
With Fall Camp about to kickoff, it's time to get started looking ahead to Oregon State's opponents for the 2026 season. Throughout the next few weeks at BeaverBlitz, we are previewing every one of Oregon State's 2026 matchups. Today, we continue the series by taking a look at the Boise State Broncos, who the Beavers will face on November 14 in Boise on the Smurf Turf.
Make sure to stick with and follow the BeaverBlitz team on Twitter for updates, as Angie Machado,Davis Doan, Cass Smith, and Spencer Newell will keep you informed on everything Oregon State.
2025 RESULTS
9-5 overall, 6-2 MWC
LA Bowl vs Washington: 38-10 loss
SERIES HISTORY
Series Length: 11 games Overall:
Oregon State leads 6-5
In Boise: Boise State leads 4-1
Current Streak: Boise State W1
Last Matchup (11/29/24): Boise State 34, Oregon State 18 (in Boise)
COACHING MATCHUP
Boise State - Spencer Danielson
Career record: 24-8 (Entering 3rd full year overall)
Career bowl record: 0-3 in Bowls
Boise State record: 24-8
Boise State bowl record: 0-3
Oregon State - JaMarcus Shephard
Career record: 0-0 (1st year)
Career bowl record: 0-0
Oregon State record: 0-0 (1st year)
Oregon State bowl record: 0-0
KEY LOSSES
Ty Benefield (Photo: Ty Benefield (IG))
S Ty Benefield: Benefield leaves a massive hole in the secondary after earning First-Team All-Mountain West honors in 2025. He started all 14 games at safety, leading the Broncos with 107 total tackles (70 solo), while providing elite coverage range and diagnostic run support down in the box. His departure to LSU via the transfer portal leaves Boise State searching for a new secondary anchor and defensive leader.
OL Kage Casey: Casey was a bedrock piece of Boise State's offensive line, starting 41 consecutive games at left tackle and leading the team in total snaps. The 6-foot-6, 310-pound lineman excelled at protecting the quarterback's blindside—allowing just six sacks in his entire career—and earned consecutive First-Team All-Mountain West honors. His departure to the NFL as a 4th-round draft pick by the Denver Broncos leaves the offense searching for a proven edge protector.
WR Chris Marshall: Marshall provided rare vertical speed and elite athleticism to Boise State's perimeter passing attack. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver was an impact downfield weapon, averaging nearly 20 yards per reception and pulling down 574 yards last season to consistently keep opposing safeties out of the box. Replacing his unique physical mismatch capability will be a key focus for the Broncos' offense following his transfer to Arkansas.
KEY RETURNEES
(Photo: Michael Hickey, Getty)
QB Maddux Madsen: Madsen returns as the clear centerpiece of the Broncos' offense, carrying massive experience with 25 career starts under his belt. The 5-foot-10, 207-pound redshirt senior is a multi-year leader who earned Mountain West Championship Offensive MVP honors. Despite an completely overhauled wide receiver corps, his elite operational knowledge, veteran composure, and proven playmaking ability are expected to keep the Boise State offense highly explosive.
RB Dylan Riley: Riley returns to headline the Boise State backfield after a massive breakout sophomore campaign where he racked up 1,274 yards of total offense and 12 touchdowns to earn second-team all-conference honors. The dynamic running back stands as one of the most explosive and invaluable home-run threats on the roster. Paired alongside fellow returnee Sire Gaines, his ability to create huge chunk plays in space will be the driving force behind the team's physical identity.
EDGE Jayden Virgin-Morgan: Virgin-Morgan returns as the definitive anchor and primary disruptor for the Broncos' defensive front. The redshirt senior edge rusher has been an absolute nightmare for opposing offensive coordinators, wrecking game plans by racking up 16.0 sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons. His presence up front ensures Boise State maintains a highly dangerous, elite pass rush as they transition into the Pac-12.
KEY NEWCOMERS
WR Terrious Favors: Favors enters the program as one of the most anticipated weapons of the incoming true freshman class. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound electric wide receiver out of Carver High School in Atlanta possesses rare dynamic speed and high-pointing traits that made him a priority target on the national recruiting trail. Stepping into an offense needing perimeter depth, his explosive vertical separation and open-field elusiveness give the Broncos a distinct, high-ceiling threat capable of competing for early touches in the passing game.
OL Kole Cronin: Cronin brings prototypical frame size and elite raw power to the Broncos' upfront unit as an incoming freshman offensive tackle. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 263 pounds out of Bishop Manogue High School in Reno, Nevada, he locked in a highly decorated prep career anchored by immense athletic quickness. While the jump to major college football requires physical adjustments, his long levers and physical growth potential slate him as a foundational, future cornerstone piece along the offensive line.
RB Keilan Chavies: Chavies continues the program's highly productive talent pipeline out of the state of Texas. Arriving from Hutto High School, the 5-foot-9, 183-pound true freshman back is coming off a stellar senior campaign where he racked up 1,125 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground, while adding 453 yards and 5 scores as a dynamic receiver out of the backfield. His multi-dimensional elite skill set, balance, and vision provide high-upside depth behind the established veteran ball-carriers.
BIGGEST STRENGTH
(Photo: Loren Orr, Getty)
Run Game
The offensive backfield is Boise State's biggest strength entering the 2026 season. The unit is led by redshirt senior Maddux Madsen, a highly experienced quarterback and the leader of an offense that looks to build upon its explosive identity. Alongside Madsen, returning running back Dylan Riley and dual-threat weapon Sire Gaines provide elite production, dynamic speed, and exceptional depth in the backfield. With a highly physical, multi-dimensional group at the skill positions, the Broncos have the ability to control the tempo of the game and stress opposing defenses. If the offensive backfield plays to its potential, it will give Boise State a strong foundation as it begins its first season in the Pac-12.
BIGGEST WEAKNESS
Maddux Madsen (Photo: © Brian Losness , USA TODAY Sports)
WR room
The wide receiver corps is Boise State's biggest weakness entering the 2026 season. The unit must completely replace its top four pass-catchers from a year ago, including explosive downfield weapon Chris Marshall and veteran production leader Latrell Caples. Alongside these departures, the room enters the season lacking proven high-volume starters at the FBS level to keep defenses honest on the perimeter. With a heavily retooled, inexperienced group tasked with developing instant vertical chemistry with quarterback Maddux Madsen, the Broncos face massive questions regarding who will emerge as a true, consistent target downfield. If the wide receiver corps fails to play to its potential, it will significantly hinder Boise State's offensive balance as it begins its first season in the Pac-12.
ONE BURNING QUESTION
Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson (Photo: Chris Coduto, Getty)
Can the WR group be a threat?
Can an unproven wide receiver corps generate enough downfield threat to prevent Pac-12 defenses from stacking the box against the Broncos' elite running game? With Boise State replacing its top four pass-catchers, opposing defensive coordinators will hyper-focus on neutralizing Maddux Madsen and Dylan Riley. New perimeter targets must quickly step up to stretch the field, because if the passing game cannot command deep safety respect, the entire offensive engine risks being choked out at the line of scrimmage.
EARLY SCORE PREDICTION
Davis Doan: 28-17 Boise State
Angie Machado: 33-17 Boise State
Spencer Newell: 35-21 Boise State
Cass Smith: 31-24 Boise State
This article originates on BeaverBlitz.com.