2026 Week 2 Preview: Memphis Tigers @ Boise State Broncos
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Game notes
- Time and date: Saturday, September 12 at 6:00 p.m. ET
- Network: USA Network
- Location: Albertsons Stadium — Boise, ID
- Spread: Boise State (-8.5)
- Over/under: 54.5
- All-time series: Memphis leads, 1-0
- Last meeting: Memphis 35, Boise State 32 — September 30, 2023
- Current streak: Memphis, 1 (2025)
Setting the scene
Not many non-conference matchups have more significant stakes than Saturday evening’s showdown on the blue turf in Boise.
Both the Boise State Broncos (0-1, 0-0 Pac-12) and Memphis Tigers (2-0, 0-0 American) are on the fringe of the AP Poll. Their winning percentages are polar opposites, but the Broncos and Tigers each have impressive entries on their résumé early in the season.
Boise State went toe-to-toe with a popular National Championship contender in Oregon in a hostile road environment, having an opportunity a game-tying (or game-winning) possession down seven in the final two minutes. Meanwhile, Memphis is one of three 2-0 teams in the FBS, earning a statement road victory over Mountain West contender UNLV in Week 0 before handling Arkansas State in front of a crowd exceeding 45,000.
Right now, the Broncos and Tigers are projected frontrunners for their conferences. A College Football Playoff bid might come down to the top team in the Pac-12 vs. the top team in the American Conference. What better way to decide it than on the field? A blue one, in this case.
Memphis Tigers outlook
This is Memphis’ second high-stakes road game of the season, and it’s only Week 2.
Memphis opened the Charles Huff era with the task of upending preseason Mountain West favorite UNLV on the road, and the Tigers completed the mission. They shut out a dynamic Rebel offense for the final 25 minutes of action, while the defensive line dominated with four sacks in the fourth quarter. That gave Memphis a leg up over the Mountain West. Now it needs one over the Pac-12.
The Tigers took care of business in Week 2, although they faced moments of adversity while hosting Arkansas State. The defense allowed 325 passing yards and a handful of explosive plays, allowing the Red Wolves to be within four points in the late third quarter. But once again, Memphis proved its mettle as a fourth quarter team, and its defense allowed zero points in the final frame for a second consecutive week.
Memphis fans discovered the true potential of running back Jaylin Carter, who could be the program’s next great talent, following the likes of DeAngelo Williams and Darrell Henderson. Carter broke free for a 36-yard touchdown in the opener, but his follow-up act was truly one to behold. He totaled 183 rushing yards and tied a school record with four rushing touchdowns against Arkansas State to earn the conference’s Offensive Player of the Week award. However, the run game is more than just the electrifying Southern Miss transfer. Cincinnati transfer Manny Covey 103 rushing yards in last week’s victory, showing the impressive depth of the room — as well as the run blocking skills of an offensive line led by five transfers.
If the run maintains its efficiency, that will shoulder a load off of quarterback Marcus Stokes. The Division II transfer enjoyed a strong outing at UNLV. Last week, he was efficient by completing 12-of-15 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, but he also tossed two interceptions to the Red Wolves — misfires that were forgivable last week but will be very costly at Boise State. Stokes can attack with his mobility too, giving the Tigers another option in a dyanmic rushing attack currently averaging 265 yards per game.
Memphis’ defensive line overwhelmed UNLV at the line of scrimmage in Week 1, and the unit’s success translated to Week 2. The defensive end duo of J’Mond Tapp and Elijah Kinsler has been lethal thus far. Kinsler leads the FBS with 3.5 sacks, while Tapp isn’t far behind, tied for fifth at 2.5 sacks. Defensive tackle Taylor Burton, one of the few incumbents on the team, has been dominant on the interior, allowing the Tigers to own the highest sack total in the FBS right now.
The run defense has also been incredibly sharp through two outings, but the coverage could use serious work. Memphis surrendered 325 passing yards to Arkansas State at home. Yet, the Red Wolves only turned that prodcution into 24 points due to an onslaught of interceptions. Memphis intercepted Arkansas State four times, with Oklahoma State transfer Dylan Smith recording two picks in the victory.
Boise State Broncos outlook
Boise State completed the rare feat of increasing its share of votes in the AP Poll after a loss.
The Broncos gave their all against Oregon, holding a 10-point lead until the waning seconds of the first half, and competing in a tied 27-27 ballgame with roughly eight minutes to go. Boise State was significantly out-gained by the Ducks, 497-274, yet never lost sight of the upset opportunity. That can be attributed to the Broncos’ exceptionally clean play on the road. They never turned it over and only committed three penalties — winning both of those battles against the Ducks.
Boise State is renowned for “The Stable,” a collection of running backs which has produced NFL talent like Ashton Jeanty, Jay Ajayi, Doug Martin, George Holani, and others. This year, The Stable is led by the same running back duo that combined for over 1,900 rushing yards in 2025 — Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines. It wasn’t the most productive opener for the duo, combining for only 89 rushing yards on an NFL-caliber Ducks’ front, but they excelled in short-yardage situations. Also, Gaines showcased his ability in an open field on a screen pass, shedding multiple Oregon tacklers for a 38-yard touchdown.
In a surprising twist of events, Boise State’s offense was more productive through the air in Week 1. Making his 27th start as a Bronco, Maddux Madsen looked like a veteran quarterback. He fired for 181 passing yards and three scores, showing tremendous poise on a fourth down touchdown delivery in the late third quarter. Madsen’s efficiency (58.3 completion rate in 2025) must improve going forward, but Saturday was a strong start to his senior campaign, especially when factoring in the caliber of the opposing defense. And he already has a new favorite target, hitting true freshman Rasean Jones four times for a team-high 76 yards.
The No. 1 question for Boise State involves how its offensive line fares against Memphis’ defensive line, which is another formidable unit, just like Oregon’s. The Ducks applied consistent pressure throughout the game and logged three sacks against a line that returned three starters from 2025. However, the play of Division II transfer left tackle Tyler Ethridge was a positive takeaway, as he thrived against a challenging assignment, helping Boise State established a double-digit first half lead.
The reigning Mountain West champions bring six defensive starters from 2025 into the Pac-12. The headliners of the unit remain the defensive end duo of Jayden Virgin-Morgan and Max Stege. Virgin-Morgan, a two-time all-conference selection with 34 starts as a Bronco, enters this matchup with 16 career sacks and 31 tackles for loss, while Stege adds four and 12.5, respectively.
Boise State’s defense held its own at the line of scrimmage. But as the game progressed, the unit allowed more explosive plays. Oregon utilized a 40-yard run to set up its first go-ahead touchdown drive in the late third quarter. Then in the fourth, Oregon notched its final go-ahead touchdown on a 62-yard pass, which could have been a 20-25 yarder with sound tackling. Seven of Memphis’ nine touchdowns this year are from more than 10 yards out, and four exceed 30 yards, so Boise State must be on alert for explosives once again.
Prediction
These American and Pac-12 contenders are built rather similarly. Their primary strengths include a running back duo and a defensive end duo. Also, both teams are strong defensively at the line of scrimmage but are susceptible to allowing explosive plays in the secondary.
Memphis’ defense showed some concerns against Arkansas State, although the Red Wolves run a much more pass-happy offense than the Broncos. The Tigers didn’t force a single three-and-out last week and relied heavily on turnovers to produce stops. Still, through two games, the unit has earned a reputation of saving its best for fourth quarters, which will be essential in a game likely needing all 60 minutes to determine a victor.
Boise State will be the best defense Memphis has faced to date. The Tigers didn’t face much pressure from Arkansas State or UNLV, and they will be tested much more at the line of scrimmage by Jayden Virgin-Morgan, Max Stege, and a veteran Bronco defense.
Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson has a 14-1 record at Albertsons Stadium. His only loss transpired last November against Fresno State when Maddux Madsen left the game in the first quarter due to injury. The Broncos defend the blue turf and emerge in a close one, significantly impacting the College Football Playoff prospects for the Pac-12 and American alike.
Prediction: Boise State 31, Memphis 23
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