Boise State’s Danielson Calls Western Michigan ‘Undefeated’ Ahead of Week 4 Matchup

Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson is not mincing words about Western Michigan, the team his Broncos will face this weekend. Speaking with reporters ahead of the game, Danielson went out of his way to praise a Western Michigan squad whose record says 1–1 — but whose Week 1 finish against Michigan remains one of the most debated endings of the young college football season.

Western Michigan appeared to have beaten the Wolverines in Ann Arbor after a Hail Mary pass fell incomplete in the back of the end zone with the clock showing all zeroes. Officials instead put one second back on the clock, and Michigan scored on the ensuing play to escape with a win. The FBS oversight committee later acknowledged that clock rules were not properly enforced, but the result stands as an official Western Michigan loss.

Danielson, who said he reviewed the film of that finish, made his position clear.

“They’re an undefeated football team. Period. End of story,” Danielson said. “You watch that game; they absolutely beat Michigan, at Michigan. And that’s not hype. That is what happened.” He also credited Western Michigan’s defense, which held Michigan to six points.

There is a strategic layer to the compliments as well. Boise State is among the top Group of Six programs and is a candidate for the College Football Playoff bid reserved for the best non-power conference champion. Facing a Western Michigan team perceived as having beaten a Big Ten opponent — even if the official record disagrees — could strengthen the Broncos’ résumé in the eyes of the selection committee, which is free to evaluate games on its own terms.

The Week 1 finish also drew scrutiny toward the broadcast side. The game aired on NBC, part of Comcast’s sports portfolio, and commentators were quick to flag the clock discrepancy in real time, fueling a week of discussion about officiating and broadcast standards. Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA), which trades at $22.93, up 0.61% from its previous close of $22.79, carries a market capitalization of roughly $92.53 billion and operates NBC’s sports media assets within its Media segment. How its announcers and production crews handle contentious moments like the Michigan–Western Michigan ending remains part of the broader conversation around officiating transparency in college football.

For Western Michigan, Danielson’s comments may offer some consolation. For Boise State, Saturday’s game now carries added weight — against an opponent its coach insists has yet to lose.

What to watch

• Final score and margin in Saturday’s Boise State–Western Michigan matchup, and how it affects both teams’ résumés.
• Any further commentary from the FBS oversight committee on clock-management procedures following the Michigan game.
• Boise State’s standing in Group of Six rankings as playoff positioning develops.
• Western Michigan’s remaining nonconference schedule and its path in MAC play.

Source: original release