When University of Nevada, Reno Wolf Pack host the Boise State University Broncos on Friday, Oct. 25, 2025, the air at Mackay Stadium feels electric – and a little bittersweet. It could be the final rivalry between the two programs as conference mates before the Broncos jump to the Pac‑12 next season. The stakes? Pride, a fading tradition, and a chance for Nevada to snap a long losing streak against a ranked foe.
Background: A 54‑Year Rivalry
Since that first meeting in 1971, the Wolf Pack and Broncos have tangled across four conferences – the Big Sky, Big West, Western Athletic, and finally the Mountain West. As of 2025, Boise State leads the series 32‑14. The rivalry hasn’t always been annual; gaps appeared in 1978, 1992, 1995, 2000, 2015‑16 and 2019‑20, often because of shifting conference alignments.
Here’s the thing: 15 of the 46 matchups were decided by a touchdown or less, six went to overtime, and Nevada has actually put up 40 or more points on seven occasions, winning five of those shoot‑outs. Yet the 21st‑century narrative belongs to Boise State, which has won 17 of the last 19 meetings.
What’s at Stake This Season
Boise State arrives in Reno ranked in the top ten of the Mountain West and eyeing the conference championship in its final season as a Mountain West member. A win would cement a 2025 campaign that could be the last championship run before the Pac‑12 transition.
Meanwhile, Nevada’s recent history reads like a cautionary tale: 12 straight losses to FBS opponents since that 42‑30 upset of Oregon State on Sep. 18, 2021. The Wolf Pack have won just one of their last 13 games overall, and they haven’t beaten a Power Five program since that 2021 victory over the Broncos in Boise.
“We’re playing for more than a win,” said Jeff Choate, head football coach of the Wolf Pack. “It’s about preserving a regional rivalry that fans on both sides cherish.”
Homecoming Weekend and the Hall of Fame Induction
Coinciding with the game, Reno will celebrate Nevada Homecoming Weekend 2025Reno, Nevada. The highlight? The induction of the Virgil Green, a former tight end and captain of the 2010 Wolf Pack that stunned No. 3‑ranked Boise State 34‑31 in overtime.
Green, now the team’s tight ends coach, reflected on that night: “That game still shows up in my head when I talk about Nevada football. The discipline, the intensity – it set a benchmark for how we prepare each season.” He added that the 2010 squad will be honored at a ceremony on Oct. 24, giving the weekend a nostalgic punch.
And because the Broncos' quarterback Andy Avalos – actually the head coach – was present at a pre‑game press conference, the atmosphere was charged with mutual respect. “We love playing Nevada,” said Andy Avalos, Boise State head coach. “Even if we part ways after this year, the rivalry will always be a part of our story.”
Coaches’ Perspectives on Realignment
Choate’s comments on conference shuffling were candid. “My hope is we get this thing squared away and we stop splitting football on the West Coast,” he said. “It’s bad for the sport when historic rivalries get lost in the shuffle.”
Avalos nodded, noting the broader trend: the Pac‑12 is absorbing several Mountain West schools – Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Colorado State – as part of a massive realignment that also rattles the Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC. “Those decisions are above our pay grade,” Choate admitted, “but we’ll keep fighting for our regional matchups.”
Green, meanwhile, offered a more upbeat angle: “There are a few teams in the Mountain West with deep histories. I get excited every time we line up against them. Maybe we’ll find a new scheduling model that lets us keep playing each other.”
Looking Ahead: Can the Rivalry Survive?
The Mountain West’s divisional format means the Wolf Pack and Broncos only meet twice every four years, and the conference championship could have been the last guaranteed meeting before Boise’s departure. However, the schools could schedule non‑conference games, or a future Mountain West title clash could still bring them together.
Fans are already speculating. A poll conducted by the Reno Gazette on Oct. 20 showed 68% of respondents hope the rivalry stays on the calendar, even if it means a non‑conference agreement.
“If the schools can work something out, I think the fans will be the ones who benefit the most,” said sports analyst Maya Patel of the Mountain West Conference. “Rivalries are the lifeblood of college football, especially in the West where the distances are huge and the markets are competitive.”
Key Facts
- Game date: Oct. 25, 2025 at Mackay Stadium, Reno, Nevada.
- Series record: Boise State leads 32‑14 after 46 meetings.
- Boise State’s 2025 record: 8‑2, standing in the Mountain West top spot.
- Nevada’s recent slump: 12 straight losses to FBS opponents.
- Realignment: Broncos will join the Pac‑12 in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will Boise State's move to the Pac‑12 affect the Nevada rivalry?
If the Broncos join the Pac‑12, they will no longer share a conference schedule with Nevada. The schools could still meet in a non‑conference game, but such matchups are typically limited to one per season and require both athletic departments to agree on terms. A future Mountain West championship could also revive the rivalry if the teams land in the same division.
What is the historical significance of the 2010 Nevada win over Boise State?
The 2010 overtime upset (34‑31) ended Boise State’s 13‑game winning streak and vaulted Nevada into the national Top 20. It remains the highest‑ranked opponent Nevada has ever defeated and is celebrated annually, including this year’s Hall of Fame induction for the players who made it happen.
When was the last time Nevada beat a ranked opponent?
Nevada’s most recent victory over a ranked foe came on Sept. 18, 2021, when the Wolf Pack toppled No. 20 Oregon State 42‑30. Since then, the team has struggled to find consistency against Power Five programs.
What does the Mountain West schedule look like for the next four years?
Under the current divisional format, each team plays the opposite division twice every four‑year cycle. That means Nevada and Boise State will meet in 2027 and 2029 unless the conference revises its scheduling model. The conference also reserves a championship game slot that could pit the two teams together if they top their respective divisions.
Who are the key players to watch in Friday’s matchup?
For Nevada, senior quarterback Carson Strong (who led the 2021 win) will be under the spotlight, alongside running back Toa Taua, who’s been a consistent 1,000‑yard rusher. Boise State will lean on senior quarterback Jake Albright and their explosive receiving corps, especially wideout James Finley, who averages 95 receiving yards per game.
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