Boise State and Washington collide at SoFi Stadium tonight, and bowl season starts with a bang. I am on site in Inglewood where the Bucked Up LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk has the lights bright, the music loud, and two proud programs ready to swing. Boise State arrives with a championship in hand and a long bowl streak on the line. Washington counters with Big Ten muscle and a coach who has steadied the ship. The stage is big, the stakes feel bigger.
Kickoff: Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, 5:00 p.m. PT at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Broadcast: ABC.
The Broncos are fresh off a 38 to 21 win over UNLV in the Mountain West title game. Quarterback Maddux Madsen lit up the night with touch and command, piling up yards and touchdowns when it mattered most. Boise State has made a habit of December games, and this marks a reported 28th straight bowl trip. That streak speaks to structure and belief, not luck. The Broncos bring balance, physical tackling, and a locker room that expects to finish seasons with wins.
Washington steps into the LA Bowl for the first time, but this program knows postseason life. This is the Huskies’ 44th bowl appearance. Under Jedd Fisch, Washington sits at 8 and 4 and looks organized, efficient, and confident. The Huskies will try to own the line of scrimmage and squeeze the pocket. They want to control the tempo, then let their athletes create space. In the red zone, they trust their plan. Expect smart calls and constant pressure.
This matchup carries history. It is meeting number seven between these teams and the third time they have faced each other in a bowl. Boise State edged Washington 28 to 26 in the 2012 Las Vegas Bowl. Washington flipped the script with a 38 to 7 rout in 2019. These programs have traded punches for more than a decade, and the fan bases know the scars and the sparks. There is also a cultural bridge here. Chris Petersen built a legacy at Boise State, then later led Washington. His imprint still echoes, in standards if not in schemes.
SoFi changes the feel of a bowl. It is indoors, the turf is fast, and the sightlines amplifiy speed. Boise fans traveled in numbers, as they do, and they bring that blue collar edge. Washington fans arrive with swagger and a drumbeat cadence that fills a corner of the lower bowl. The whole thing feels like a showcase for West Coast football, energy included.
Boise State’s X factor is rhythm on early downs. If Madsen stays on schedule, the playbook opens and the Broncos hit their stride. Washington’s edge is length on defense and discipline on third down. If the Huskies collapse routes and rush in waves, they tilt the field. On special teams, hidden yards will be gold. Pinning teams inside the 15 could swing momentum in a heartbeat.
Here is what will decide it, possession by possession:
- Quarterback poise under pressure and clean mechanics
- Winning third down on both sides of the ball
- Special teams field position and one field goal under stress
- Turnover margin, especially near midfield
The first mistake under the lights often becomes the story. Ball security and punt coverage will decide tense stretches.
This game also nudges the offseason. A Boise win stamps the program’s endurance and strengthens a strong recruiting pitch. It says, we finish what we start. A Washington win confirms Jedd Fisch’s build and sets a loud tone in the Big Ten conversation. It says, we travel and we handle business. Oddsmakers lean toward Washington in some markets, and major sportsbooks rolled out promos around this one, but the gap on the field looks thin. These rosters want to prove something, and the film from tonight will live in meeting rooms all winter.
The whistle is close now. The bands tune up. The captains are ready at midfield. Bowl season is open, and Boise State against Washington has the right mix of history, talent, and urgency. Keep your eye on the opening five drives. That is where this story usually picks a direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When and where is the game?
A: Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, 5:00 p.m. PT at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
Q: How can I watch?
A: The game is on ABC. Check your local listings for channel details.
Q: What are the teams’ records?
A: Boise State is 9 and 4 and the Mountain West champion. Washington is 8 and 4.
Q: What is the series history?
A: This is the seventh meeting. They split two prior bowl games, Boise in 2012 and Washington in 2019.
Q: What are the key factors tonight?
A: Quarterback play, third down defense, special teams field position, and turnovers.
In short, this feels like a statement game on a national stage. Boise State brings momentum, Washington brings pedigree, and both bring belief. One program heads into winter with a trophy in hand and a louder voice in recruiting rooms. The other heads home with hard answers. The clock is running. Game on.
