App State and Boise State are arguably the two best G5 programs in the country. If stats are any indication then there really is no argument, for App State and Boise State rank first and second in wins by Group of Five schools over the last decade. For App State fans, this has been a dream in the making for at least 10 years. While App has its own rich traditions that have propelled it to greatness, the way Boise State seamlessly transitioned into FBS was a springboard and blueprint on how App could do the same.
Blue Ridge Meet Blue Turf
These two powerhouse programs are slated to meet, first in Boise at Albertsons Stadium on September 27, 2025, and then in Boone at “The Rock” on September 4, 2027. While both stadiums are set in the picturesque mountains, only one, The Rock, was voted (again) as the best G5 venue in the nation. This poll was conducted by the fans who follow the College Football Campus Tour Twitter page. Second place went to Boise State’s Albertsons Stadium who garnered 46.8% of the vote compared to App’s 53.2%.
Tucked up against a foothill and with Howard’s Knob rising 1,000 feet over the newly built $50 million North End Zone building, it’s no wonder that Kidd Brewer Stadium (affectionately known as “The Rock” to App Nation), is one of the “must experience” stadiums for an all-around All-American game day atmosphere. The Rock almost always exceeds its 30,000 seating capacity. For the 2023 season, the Mountaineers attracted an average crowd of 34,734. App also owns the Sun Belt single-season attendance record three years running, and the Mountaineers were number one in the FBS in percentage of stadium capacity filled with 115%.
Boise State is no slouch in the attendance arena either. Last season the Broncos had an average home attendance of 35,867 at Albertsons Stadium (36,387 capacity), which sits 2,700 feet above sea level, compared to 3,333 for The Rock.
App State & Boise State Even Matchup
While both stadiums are worthy of praise, so are their football programs. Since App State joined the FBS ranks in 2014, they have accumulated 95 wins, which is tied for sixth nationally behind perennial powerhouses Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia, and Oklahoma. Again, Boise State is right behind App State with 94 victories in the same span.
In addition to closing in on 100 victories, both teams boast post-season achievements including eight conference titles and 10 bowl victories (Boise State had two bowl games canceled) while going a combined 170-62. Needless to say, this game will be full of fireworks.
The 2025 and 2027 games will be the first FBS meetings between App State and Boise State. The two actually played in the quarterfinal round of FCS playoffs in 1994, when current Mountaineers head coach Shawn Clark started at left guard as a true freshman in a 17-14 win for the Boise State Broncos.
App State is Familiar with the Wild West
It might be a 2,260-mile trip from Boone to Boise, but the Mountaineers are quite familiar with the state, having played and beaten former Sun Belt member Idaho (2015, 2017). App State’s most recent foray in a Mountain West venue was at Wyoming last season, where the Mountaineers lost a heartbreaker 22-19.
In addition to the game at Boise State, the Mountaineers’ 2025 non-conference schedule is currently slated to include a season-opening game against Charlotte in Bank of America Stadium, plus home games against Eastern Kentucky and Toledo.
The 2027 non-conference schedule currently includes the home game against Boise State, a road game at South Carolina, and a road game against Charlotte.
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