No. 21 Boise State takes its five-game winning streak to Pullman, WA on Saturday, October 24, 2026, when it meets Washington State in a CFB Week 8 regular-season matchup at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. ET on FUSA Network.
The game lines up two teams going in opposite directions. Boise State is 5-1 and has built its ranking on production at both tempo and efficiency, while Washington State is 1-6, has lost four straight and is still looking for a first conference win at 0-3.
The numbers explain why Boise State is carrying the higher profile. The Broncos average 35.0 points and 450.5 yards per game, rank 9th nationally in rushing at 234.5 yards per game and have given up only 134 points total. They also have been clean in the passing game, with no interceptions on the season among teams with at least 150 passing attempts, and have turned in 14 sacks and five interceptions through six contests while allowing 22.3 points per game.
Madsen has been at the center of that run. Through six games, he has thrown for 1,296 yards and 13 touchdowns without an interception while completing 66.2 percent of his passes. That steadiness gives Boise State a clear edge in a matchup that is already tilted by the season-long numbers.
Washington State enters with far less margin for error. The Cougars have been outscored 190 to 141, average 20.1 points per game and are converting only 29.8 percent of their third downs. They are averaging 307.5 yards per game, but that total has not kept pace with the mistakes, including a turnover margin of minus-7 and only three interceptions all season.
The gap is also obvious in the run game. Washington State is averaging 130 rushing yards per game, with Eshelman leading the team with 289 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Pinnick leads the passing attack with 952 yards and has added 194 on the ground. Boise State has been far more productive on the ground and far harder to slow once it gets rolling, which leaves Washington State needing a cleaner, sharper night just to keep the game competitive.
That is the pressure point heading into Saturday. Washington State is home, but the form is against it, and Boise State arrives with momentum, balance and the kind of defensive numbers that usually travel well. The next answer comes at 6:00 p.m. ET, when the Cougars find out whether they can finally protect the ball and force Boise State out of its rhythm.
