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In Memphis’ Week 0 opener against UNLV, the Tigers’ defensive line grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.
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The first half was back and forth. UNLV quarterback Jackson Arnold enjoyed the best opening 30 minutes of his career, and Memphis newcomer Marcus Stokes played stride for stride with Arnold. Memphis held a three-point lead entering the final frame, and it was truly anyone’s ballgame.
But in the fourth quarter, we saw the power of a fearsome defensive line. Memphis stars Elijah Kinsler and J’Mond Tapp dominated the last 15 minutes of the ballgame, holding the Runnin’ Rebels scoreless, capping a six-sack and 11 1/2-tackle-for-loss team performance in the Tigers’ 27-21 win.
A week later, Boise State, the Group of 6 College Football Playoff frontrunner entering the season, went toe-to-toe with No. 2 Oregon in Autzen Stadium. Boise State led at halftime. Quarterback Maddux Madsen finished the game with three touchdown passes. The offensive line held up against one of the defensive lines in college football, allowing just three sacks across four quarters.
The Broncos came up short, 34-27, but it was the type of performance that reaffirmed belief Boise State’s CFP potential.
This Saturday’s slate is loaded. Oklahoma travels to Michigan, and Texas hosts Ohio State in one of the most-anticipated games of the regular season. But don’t sleep on the Memphis-Boise State matchup. It could be an early-season College Football Playoff spot decider.
Memphis-Boise State Features a Battle of Productive Quarterbacks
On one side of this quarterback battle stands Memphis’ Marcus Stokes. A season ago, Stokes lit up the Division II level playing for West Florida. During the 2025 season, he was the Gulf Conference Offensive Player of the Year, tallying 3,297 passing yards and 30 touchdown passes. He also chipped in 350 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
So far this season, he appears to be a perfect match for what Memphis offensive coordinator Kevin Decker wants to do.
Through two games, Stokes boasts 411 passing yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. He’s completing 65.9% of his passes and is averaging 15.2 yards per completion.
He’s done a nice job pushing the ball downfield and creating big plays for the Tigers offense. He hasn’t been asked to carry the team yet, but perhaps that time will come later in the season.
The conversation with Boise State’s offense starts with quarterback Maddux Madsen.
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Madsen is in his third year as the full-time starter. Throughout his career, he’s thrown for 6,767 yards and 53 touchdowns. He averages 13 yards per completion and has completed 60.5% of his passes.
Unlike Stokes, Madsen is not the same type of dual-threat player, and he doesn’t often create explosive plays. But he’s an excellent leader and a steady hand for a team that’s been in the Group of 6 College Football Playoff conversation the past few seasons.
Saturday should provide a good test for both players. Stokes and Madsen bring different skills to the table, and it should make for a fun chess match when Memphis (2-0) and Boise State (0-1) square off at 6 p.m. ET on USA Network.
Why This Game Could Be Decided in the Trenches
Outside of the quarterback position, the tipping point in this matchup could be whether Memphis’ defensive line can get home against an experienced Boise State offensive line.
Through two games this season, Kinsler and Tapp have combined for 20 tackles and six sacks. Against UNLV, these two players changed the complexion of the game in the fourth quarter.
If Kinsler and Tapp can make their presence felt early and often, Memphis might have a chance to pull off the upset as an 8.5-point underdog. If the Broncos’ offensive line, which features a trio of returning starters, can contain that duo, Boise State should have a good chance of extending drives on critical downs.
On paper, these two teams don’t look alike. But that’s what makes this matchup so fascinating.
It’s only Week 2, but this game has real stakes and could tip the scales for which Group of 6 team makes a College Football Playoff appearance in 2026.
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This story was originally published September 11, 2026 at 5:05 AM.