2012 Boise State Broncos football team

The 2012 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Broncos were led by head coach Chris Petersen and played their home games at Bronco Stadium. This season was Boise State's second in the Mountain West Conference. They finished the season 11–2, 7–1 in Mountain West play to share the conference championship with Fresno State and San Diego State. They were invited to and were champions of the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas for the third consecutive year, this year defeating Washington 28–26.

Preseason

Award watch lists Listed in the order that they were released.

Outland Trophy – Sr. G Joe Kellogg

Lombardi Award – Sr. G Joe Kellogg

Fred Biletnikoff Award – So. WR Matt Miller

Doak Walker Award – Sr. RB D.J. Harper

Lott Trophy – Sr. LB J.C. Percy

Mountain West media days At the Mountain West media days, held at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Broncos were picked as the overwhelming favorites to win the conference title, receiving 27 of a possible 30 first place votes. This was the fifth straight year that Boise State was picked as the preseason champion of their conference. So. WR Matt Miller and Sr. OL Joe Kellog were selected to the all-conference first team offense. Sr. DL Mike Atkinson and Sr. DB Jamar Taylor were selected to the all-conference first team defense. Sr. WR Mitch Burroughs was selected as the returner of the year and as the special teams player of the year.

Media poll Boise State – 296 (27) Nevada – 244 Fresno State – 231 (2) Wyoming – 213 San Diego State – 173 (1) Air Force – 170 Hawaii – 116 Colorado State – 111 UNLV – 63 New Mexico – 33

Preseason polls On August 2, Boise State was ranked #22 in preseason Coaches' poll. Their opening season opponent, Michigan State, debuted at #13. This will mark the fourth straight season that Boise State will start the season against a ranked opponent from a BCS conference (they won the previous three).

On August 18, Boise State was ranked #24 in the preseason AP poll.

Schedule

Denotes the largest crowd in Bronco Stadium history. Previous high was 34,196 vs Air Force in 2011. This record stood until October 12, 2019 (36,902).

Game summaries

At Michigan State