Boise State Entered Top 25 After Knoxville Dismissal
Actor Johnny Knoxville mocked the team's blue turf before Boise State defeated Western Michigan on the field.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Football
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Boise State earned a spot in the Top 25 AP Rankings following a weekend victory over Western Michigan. The win followed public criticism from actor Johnny Knoxville, who mocked the team's blue turf on ESPN College Gameday.
Why it matters
The team's placement in the national rankings underscores its rising competitive standing despite high-profile skepticism regarding the unique aesthetic of its home field. Boise State ultimately proved its doubters wrong on the field, securing a decisive result that forced a re-evaluation of its status in the sport.
Boise State entered the Top 25 AP Rankings following their performance over the weekend. This official ranking reflects the team's current standing among the top college football programs in the country.
The players
Johnny Knoxville
He is an actor and performer best known for his work on the Jackass franchise.
Boise State
This university athletic department competes in Division I college football and is known for its blue field.
Western Michigan
This is a public university that competes in the Mid-American Conference of college football.
ESPN
This international basic cable sports channel produces the weekly College Gameday broadcast.
The details
Johnny Knoxville appeared on ESPN College Gameday in full Tennessee gear and face paint to deliver his celebrity pick against Boise State. He explicitly cited the blue turf at Albertsons Stadium as his primary reason for dismissing the team, yet the Broncos secured a victory over Western Michigan regardless of his comments.
Timeline
Boise State defeated Western Michigan and entered the Top 25 over the weekend of September 26-27, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This win shifts the competitive narrative for the Broncos by validating their status as a legitimate Top 25 contender for the remainder of the season. The victory positions them to challenge traditional conference powerhouses as the playoff race intensifies in the coming weeks.
The jump into the Top 25 significantly improves the team's standing in national bowl game projections. This ranking also increases the stakes for every remaining game on the schedule as the Broncos look to maintain their status.
The takeaway
Success on the field serves as the ultimate response to outside criticism regarding team aesthetics or branding. Readers can look for continued momentum as the season progresses and the rankings solidify.
Further reading
For more on the latest team developments, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KIDO Talk Radio.
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