Boise State Broncos head coach Spencer Danielson delivered a strong statement about why his team deserves a spot and a bye in the expanded version of the College Football Playoff.
Boise State Head Coach Defends Team’s Deserving of a First-Round Bye in College Football Playoff
Boise State has had a magical season.
A 12-1 record, a Mountain West championship, and a runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting have all been things the Broncos can put their name to in 2024. A third seed and a bye in the expanded College Football Playoff has followed.
That’s where the contention begins for many college football fans and pundits around the country. The question is: Are the Boise State Broncos deserving of a bye in the CFP?
What does the @BroncoSportsFB head coach have to say to those who think the Mountain West champs didn’t deserve a bye week in the #CFBPlayoff: pic.twitter.com/FsZli7dpV1
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) December 20, 2024
Broncos head coach Spencer Danielson sure think so.
“We’ve done everything to earn the right to get the first-round bye, and I’m proud of our team for doing that,” claimed Danielson in an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show.
“We’ve been in playoff football since this season started. With the expanded College Football Playoff, everybody has an opportunity. Everybody has a chance to compete for a national championship. It’s on you to go do it. It’s on you to earn the right to do it. And our team has done that.”
As Danielson explained, his team wouldn’t have the opportunity to reach the playoff without the expanded format. The Broncos finished ninth in the CFP Rankings — but due to the top four conference winners being awarded a bye, Boise State vaulted all the way up to the No. 3 seed.
Whether the playoff format is flawed or not, Danielson’s team did exactly what they needed to do within the new format to lock in a bye week.
Amid the debate, it can be forgotten that the Broncos have a more than formidable squad.
FOLLOW ALONG: Track Every Transfer Portal Entrant in our CFN Transfer Portal Tracker now!
The defense hasn’t allowed more than 25 points since Oct. 5, a span of eight games. Star running back Ashton Jeanty is one of, if not the best, players in the nation. He’s a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the football.
While quarterback Maddux Madsen isn’t the biggest name, he’s played largely mistake-free football all season. He’s scored 27 total touchdowns with only three interceptions.
Their only loss was to the No. 1 Oregon Ducks, 37-34, on a last-second field goal.
Danielson mentioned that, saying “Our one loss is to Oregon and we learned a lot from that game. We grew from it. Every week after — win, find a way, compete.”
If the Broncos want to continue that trend, they’ll have to go through the Penn State Nittany Lions, who dismantled the SMU Mustangs 38-10 in the first round. The quarterfinal matchup will take place at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona on December 31.
After nearly a month off and facing the heavily favored Nittany Lions, the Broncos will be under pressure to show the nation they were deserving of a spot and a bye in the College Football Playoff.
Danielson certainly believes they’ll be up to the task.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.