Boise State has a way of ruining dreams in the Mountain West. If you’re a UNLV fan, you know this pain all too well. For the last few years, the road to a conference title hasn’t just gone through Boise—it has literally ended there, usually on that famous blue turf with a bunch of Broncos celebrating while the Rebels walk off into a freezing Idaho night.
It’s been a lopsided affair lately. Honestly, calling it a "rivalry" feels a bit generous when you look at the recent record books. The UNLV football vs Boise State Broncos football series has turned into a massive psychological hurdle for the program in Las Vegas. Even with a coaching change to Dan Mullen in 2025 and the resurgence under Barry Odom in 2024, the outcome remains stubbornly the same.
The Mountain West Championship Groundhog Day
The 2025 Mountain West Championship was supposed to be the turning point. It wasn't. For the third consecutive year, these two teams met with a trophy on the line. And for the third consecutive year, Boise State walked away with the win, this time a 38-21 victory on December 5, 2025.
Think about that for a second.
Most teams struggle to make one title game. UNLV has made three in a row. That’s an incredible achievement for a program that was a "doormat" (Spencer Danielson’s words, not mine) just a few years ago. But losing all three to the same team? That's the kind of thing that keeps coaches up at night.
A Quick Look at the Recent Damage
- December 5, 2025: Boise State wins 38-21 (Championship Game)
- October 18, 2025: Boise State wins 56-31 (Regular Season)
- December 6, 2024: Boise State wins 21-7 (Championship Game)
- October 25, 2024: Boise State wins 29-24 (Regular Season)
The October 2025 meeting was particularly brutal. Maddux Madsen, the Broncos' quarterback, basically played a perfect game, throwing four touchdowns. Dylan Riley, stepping into the massive shoes left by Ashton Jeanty, shredded the Rebels for 201 rushing yards. It was a 56-31 blowout that proved Boise State didn't need a Heisman finalist like Jeanty to dominate the Rebels.
Why UNLV Struggles Against the Broncos
You've got to wonder what it is. Is it a talent gap? Or is it something more? Under Barry Odom in 2024, UNLV had one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Hajj-Malik Williams was a nightmare to defend. Ricky White was catching everything in sight. Yet, when they faced Boise State in the 2024 title game, they were held to just 7 points—the lowest score in the history of the Mountain West Championship.
Seven points.
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Boise State’s defense, led by guys like Seyi Oladipo, seems to have a specific blueprint for the Rebels. They sit in those lanes, they frustrate the run, and they force mistakes. In that 2024 game, Boise State notched six sacks. They didn't just win; they bullied them.
The Coaching Chess Match: Odom, Mullen, and Danielson
The coaching carousel added a weird layer to this. After Barry Odom built the foundation, UNLV brought in Dan Mullen for the 2025 season. Mullen is an offensive genius, a guy who coached Dak Prescott and Tim Tebow. You’d think he’d be the one to finally crack the code.
On the other side, Spencer Danielson has been a rock for Boise State. He’s the first coach in program history to win back-to-back Mountain West titles in his first two years. He talks about "discipline" and "the standard," and frankly, his team plays like it.
The contrast is fascinating. UNLV relies on flash and explosive plays. Boise State relies on a methodical, crushing weight. In 2025, Anthony Colandrea took over at QB for UNLV and put up huge numbers—over 3,400 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. But even his dual-threat ability wasn't enough to overcome the Broncos' defensive structure in the big moments.
Series History: A Long Memory
If you want to find the last time UNLV beat Boise State, you have to go all the way back to 1976.
Yes, really.
The Broncos have won 10 straight games in the series. They lead the all-time series 13-3. When Boise State moves to the Pac-12 in 2026, they will leave the Mountain West having never lost a conference game to UNLV. That’s a stat that’s going to haunt the Rebel record books for a long time.
What’s Next for the Rebels?
With Boise State bolting for a new-look Pac-12 in 2026 along with several other Mountain West mainstays, the landscape is shifting. UNLV is staying put for now, joined by newcomers like UTEP and Northern Illinois.
The "Big Bad" of the conference is leaving. This should be UNLV's time to finally grab that elusive championship. But there's a hollow feeling to it if you never beat the king before he leaves the throne.
Actionable Insights for UNLV Moving Forward
If the Rebels want to dominate the "new" Mountain West, they have to fix a few specific things that Boise State exposed:
- Red Zone Efficiency: In the 2024 championship, UNLV got inside the 10-yard line and came away with zero points on a crucial drive. You can't leave points on the field against elite teams.
- Line of Scrimmage Depth: Boise State’s ability to rotate defensive linemen and maintain a pass rush for four quarters is what ultimately broke UNLV in 2024 and 2025.
- The "Blue Turf" Mental Block: UNLV has to find a way to win high-stakes games away from Allegiant Stadium. Their road record has improved, but they still struggle when the lights are brightest in hostile territory.
The rivalry is pausing for now as the Broncos head to the Pac-12. For UNLV, the 2026 season represents a fresh start, but the memory of those three straight championship losses to Boise State will remain the benchmark for how far this program still needs to go.
To stay ahead of the next season, keep an eye on UNLV's recruiting in the portal this spring. They’ve already added over 70 new players in the last cycle; another massive haul is likely as they try to solidify their status as the new kings of the Mountain West. Reach out to the Rebel Athletic Fund or check the updated 2026 schedule releases to see how the post-Boise era begins.