John Hightower
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass against Clemson during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: A familiar top 10 looking to 2020

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 14, 2020 02:22 PM EST

Clemson running back Travis Etienne (9) escapes the tackle attempt by Virginia cornerback Heskin Smith (23) and Virginia linebacker Jordan Mack (4) during the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. Etienne scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
No. 1 LSU locks up playoff spot, routing No. 4 Georgia

By The Associated Press Dec. 07, 2019 08:37 PM EST

Hawaii running back Miles Reed, center, breaks away from the Boise State defense on a 25 yard run during the first half of an NCAA college football game for the Mountain West Championship Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
No. 19 Boise State tops Hawaii 31-10 for Mountain West title

Jason Chatraw Dec. 07, 2019 07:32 PM EST

CORRECTS BOISE STATE PLAYER WITH BALL TO SONATANE LUI, INSTEAD OF SCALE IGIEHON - Boise State nose tackle Sonatane Lui, center, runs with the ball for a touchdown after a New Mexico fumble, surrounded by Boise State linebacker Curtis Weaver, right, and defensive tackle Chase Hatada, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
No. 19 Boise State hosts Hawaii in Mountain West title game

By The Associated Press Dec. 05, 2019 03:35 PM EST

Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir (2) runs into the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown against Utah State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (AP Photo/Eli Lucero)
No. 20 Boise State runs over Utah State for 56-21 win

By John Coon Nov. 24, 2019 02:26 AM EST

Utah State wide receiver Siaosi Mariner (80) runs down the field for an 80 yard touchdown reception as Wyoming cornerback Tyler Hall (9) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP)
Boise State looking to clinch divisional title vs Utah State

By The Associated Press Nov. 21, 2019 05:57 PM EST

San Jose State wide receiver Isaiah Hamilton catches a pass for a touchdown against Boise State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Holani's 4 TDs lead No. 21 Boise St. past San Jose St. 52-42

By Josh Dubow Nov. 03, 2019 01:27 AM EDT

Boise State running back Robert Mahone carries against Hawaii during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
QB questions face No. 14 Boise State at BYU

By Tim Booth Oct. 18, 2019 03:28 PM EDT

Boise State quarterback Chase Cord (10) calls signals at the line of scrimmage duirng the team's NCAA college football game against Hawaii, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
No. 14 Boise State heads out of conference to face BYU

By The Associated Press Oct. 17, 2019 03:02 PM EDT

Boise State running back Robert Mahone carries against Hawaii during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
No. 14 Boise State loses Bachmeier, beats Hawaii 59-37

By Jason Chatraw Oct. 13, 2019 02:24 AM EDT

Hawaii wide receiver Cedric Byrd II (6) reacts after scoring a touchdown against Nevada in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Tom R. Smedes)
Hawaii has chance to make noise facing No. 14 Boise State

By Tim Booth Oct. 11, 2019 02:45 PM EDT

From left, Boise State Broncos' Benton Wickersham, Sonatane Lui and Scale Igiehon (90) tackle UNLV quarterback Kenyon Oblad during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Bachmeier leads No. 16 Boise State past UNLV 38-13

By Adam Soboleski Oct. 06, 2019 02:37 AM EDT

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (9) passes under pressure from Utah State defensive end Tipa Galeai (10) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
No. 10 Florida beats No. 7 Auburn 24-13 at Swamp

By The Associated Press Oct. 05, 2019 05:16 PM EDT

Boise State wide receiver CT Thomas (6) dives in to the end zone for a touchdown as Air Force defensive back Jeremy Fejedelem (2) tries to bring him down in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Big 2nd half leads No. 20 Boise State past Air Force 30-19

By Tim Booth Sep. 21, 2019 12:15 AM EDT

Boise State quarterback Hank Bachmeier (19) looks for a receiver during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Portland State, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Hightower, Bachmeier lead No. 22 Boise St past Portland St

By Jason Chatraw Sep. 15, 2019 02:01 AM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, file photograph, Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin throws passes to receivers in front of quarterback Brett Rypien before an NCAA college football game against Air Force at Air Force Academy, Colo. This season, the Broncos don’t have reliable quarterback Brett Rypien. He’s with another rendition of the Broncos after signing as an undrafted free agent with Denver. For a change, coach Bryan Harsin is breaking in a new QB. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Boise State starts new chapter with same expectations

By Tim Booth Aug. 14, 2019 05:44 PM EDT

Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa throws during the first half the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Clemson, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP Top 25 Heat Check: Wrapping up 2018 with eye toward 2019

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 08, 2019 12:30 PM EST

Boise State wide receiver John Hightower (16) rolls in for a touchdown after pulling in a pass in front of Air Force linebacker Grant Donaldson in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Rypien slices Air Force in Boise State's 48-38 win

By Dennis Georgatos Oct. 27, 2018 10:58 PM EDT