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If you like Bronco football, you're going to love this coming September and October. The Broncos 2015 football schedule was released today and among other things, it features NINE straight weeks of precious Bronco football to start the slate. The home slate isn't as tantalizing as last season, and some familiar foes don't appear on the schedule, but there's enough "newness" there that this season should be an interesting one, to say the least. Here's a quick overview:
| Sept. 4 | Friday | Washington | Albertsons Stadium |
| Sept. 12 | Saturday | @ BYU | Provo, UT |
| Sept. 18 | Friday | Idaho State | Albertsons Stadium |
| Sept. 25 | Friday | @ Virginia | Charlottesville, VA |
| Oct. 3 | Saturday | Hawaii | Albertsons Stadium |
| Oct. 10 | Saturday | @ Colorado State | Fort Collins, CO |
| Oct. 17 | Saturday | @ Utah State | Logan, UT |
| Oct. 24 | Saturday | Wyoming | Albertsons Stadium |
| Oct. 31 | Saturday | @ UNLV | Las Vegas, NV |
| Nov. 7 | Saturday | BYE | |
| Nov. 14 | Saturday | New Mexico | Albertsons Stadium |
| Nov. 21 | Saturday | Air Force | Albertsons Stadium |
| Nov. 28 | Saturday | @ San José State | San José, CA |
| Dec. 5 | Saturday | MW Championship | TBD (Boise) |
Takeaways
Boise State begins their season at home for the first time since 2009. You might recall the 2009 tilt against Oregon—"The Punch Bowl" as it's come to be known. This season, an equally weighty game kicks things off when Chris Petersen brings his new main squeeze to town. Ex-coach returns home for first time with Pac-12 foe that drubbed us at their place two seasons ago? There will be blood.
In week 3, Boise State will play against an in-state institution for the first time since 2010 and against the Bengals of Pocatello for the first time since 2008. The Bengals are an improved squad, but not much threat to knock off the Broncos. Still, for those that are nostalgic about the 70s and 80s...this is the matchup for you.
In week 5, the Broncos will become reacquainted with Hawaii...a team that's been off the schedule for the last two seasons. Unfortunately for Warrior fans, Colt Brennan is not walking through that door.
Boise State's schedule features a key stretch in weeks 6 and 7, as the Broncos take on arguably the top 2 teams (after Boise State) in the division back-to-back. Colorado State almost made the title game last season, but will be without Garret Grayson (and Dee Hart, but..."16 yards"), so we'll see if they can push the Broncos again. Utah State STILL has Chuckie Keeton...a quarterback the Broncos have still never faced (and still might not). Utah State's defense has been good the last few years and getting the Broncos in Logan could help push them to put up a more competitive game.
Back-to-back "revenge" games AND back-to-back triple-option games come to Albertsons Stadium November 14th and 21st as the Broncos first tangle with a Lobos team that LOST to Boise State last season, but thoroughly embarrassed the squad nonetheless *cough* 500 rushing yards *cough*. Then, the Broncos get the Air Force Falcons...the only conference opponent to knock them off in 2014...I, for one, would like that memory flushed. Indulge me, Broncos.
Right before the championship game on December 5th, the Broncos get the San José Spartans back on the menu...their first such tussle since the WAC days (2010). The Broncos have never lost to San José...but not for lack of trying. Will the Spartans newfound (and inexplicable) recruiting success translate to a competitive game? I'm dying to find out.
Your turn
What do you think of the Broncos' 2015 slate? And I checked..."BYE" is an open date, not "Brigham Young East" (although ti would be sweet to beat BYU twice in one season).