For all of the anti-Boise State fans out there, last year was a blessing. While it looked like another undefeated season was inevitable for the Broncos after their opening night win over Virginia Tech; Nevada did the unthinkable and knocked them from the ranks of the unbeaten. While it would not have mattered anyways, as Boise would not have jumped Oregon or Auburn for a spot in the BCS National Championship game; at least we were spared another Boise State versus TCU BCS snoozer.
Unfortunately for the Boise hater out there; this season seems to be setting up exactly the same way. After the Broncos beat up on the Georgia Bulldogs in their season opener in the Georgia Dome; they are now 4-0. In their inaugural season in the Mountain West Conference, the Broncos are ranked #5 in the AP Top 25 Poll; and #6 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, a third of the way through this season. So basically, here we go again. I sure hope you’re ready for the Boise State – BCS National Championship debate to rage on for the next two months? Yippee!
In this blog I will lay out 11 reasons why Boise State should not play in this year’s National Championship game; and I will get to those reasons very soon, I promise. But before I do, there are two points that I need to make.
First off, you have to give Boise State credit. Every year for what seems like a decade now, Boise State has been faced with a one game season and they have won. Whether it was beating solid Oregon State teams, Oregon at home and at Autzen, Virginia Tech last season and Georgia this season; they give themselves one test every year and they win. And of course, who can forget the Oklahoma Fiesta Bowl game with the statue of liberty and hook and latter. My point is; Boise State has become a formidable team that everyone in the country should recognize. While they used to win with gimmicks and trick plays, they now win with talent and size. For them to beat good team after good team to open a season is something that should be respected. Whether or not they are deserving of a BCS Title game shot? That’s a whole different debate that we’ll get to in a minute.
The second point I want to make is the landscape around college football this season. Is there any one team that stands out and makes you say, “Wow!” While LSU has been very, very impressive with their suffocating defense, their offense is atrocious; and Alabama is the same. So my fear is that there won’t be many undefeated teams left come December. After LSU and Alabama, the other teams remaining undefeated are: Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, Stanford, Clemson, Texas, Michigan, Georgia Tech, Illinois and Kansas State. Do you see any of those teams remaining unbeaten? While the arguments can be made for Wisconsin, or Oklahoma – the rest of the field is extremely weak. I think this is the year we could again be faced with the ultimate question; ‘Does an undefeated Boise State team jump a one-loss BCS conference team?’ The answer my friends, is no. And here’s why:
I now present to you the 11 reasons why Boise State should not play in this seasons BCS National Championship game; and to those of you still wondering, it’s their schedule. After Georgia – who, let’s be honest, is an above average SEC team at BEST; their schedule is filled Pasty University and their sister school Baylor School for the Blind (no offense to the blind). So sit back, relax, and enjoy a dissection of Boise State’s 2011 Football schedule.
Here is an overall view of their schedule for the season, with a (*) by their conference games:
· W 35-21 @ Georgia 3-2 (2-1)
· W 40-15 @ Toledo 2-3 (1-0)
· W 41-21 Vs Tulsa 2-3 (1-0)
· W 30-10 Vs Nevada 1-3 (0-1)
· @ Fresno State 2-3 (1-0)
· @ *Colorado State 3-2 (1-0)
· Vs *Air Force 3-1 (0-1)
· @ *UNLV 1-3 (0-0)
· Vs *TCU 3-2 (1-0)
· @ *San Diego State 3-1 (0-0)
· Vs *Wyoming 3-1 (0-0)
· Vs *New Mexico 0-5 (0-1)
Quite a tough schedule, eh? I added up the numbers and was curious of their opponent’s records. In their 12 game schedule, the Broncos have 5 non-conference games, and 7 conference games. The overall record of all their opponents this season thus far is a stellar 26-29; their remaining opponents overall record is 18-18; their out of conference opponents record is 10-14; and their Mountain West conference opponents records overall are 16-13. Are you kidding me? While that may look bad, let’s dig a little deeper and make it look even worse.
I’ll throw the Georgia win out of my argument, because that is a solid win over a BCS conference opponent and they did it in Atlanta. Though Georgia is 3-2 on the year and their wins have come against Coastal Carolina, Ole Miss and Mississippi State – all below .500 teams.
So let’s start with Toledo, out of the powerful MAC Conference; who the Broncos beat 40-15. They are 2-3 on the season, their losses coming against Boise, Ohio State and Syracuse. Their wins? They came against New Hampshire (Chip Kelly shout out) and Temple. How about their stats – the Rockets rank 77th in the nation in Passing Yards, 43rd in Rushing Yards, 54th in points for and 73rd in points against.
Next up – Tulsa, out of the fearful Conference USA; who the Broncos beat 41-21. The Golden Hurricanes are 2-3 (1-0) on the year but have been stomped by Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Boise. In those three losses – they combined score was 147-68, ouch. Their two wins have come against Tulane and North Texas (I’m waiting for the applause….)
Their next game came against Nevada – hailing from Boise’s old stomping ground the WAC Conference; who the Broncos beat 30-10 (that’s it?) The Wolfpack are 1-3 (0-1) on the year, and have also been beat 69-20 by Oregon, and at Texas Tech. Their lone win was a dominant 17-14 shootout at San Jose State. And on average, Nevada defense is giving up a hair short of 40 points per game; impressive.
Those are wins thus far, now it’s on to their remaining schedule. This weekend, Boise will play at Fresno State. The Bulldogs are a Mountain West Conference foe, Boise’s first of the season; and they are 2-3 (0-1) so far this season. If the Broncos are looking for pointers on how to schedule their non conference games, they should take a look at Fresno. The Bulldogs have played at California, at Nebraska and against Ole Miss; while they lost all three – at least their playing some decent competition. Fresno’s wins came against North Dakota 27-22 (yikes) and at Idaho. As for their statistical rankings; they’re 61st in Passing Yards in the nation, 65th in Rushing Yards, 48th in points for and 83rd in points against. Basically, it should be a blow out for Boise. Embarrassingly, this may be one of the best shots at them stumbling this season.
After that road trip, Boise will head to Colorado State to take on the 3-2 (1-0) Rams. Their wins this season have come against New Mexico, Northern Colorado and Utah State; while they’ve lost to a dreadful Colorado squad and to San Jose State. As for their rankings, they don’t impress much. The Rams are 60th in the nation in Passing Yards, 103rd in Rushing Yards, 114th in points for (scoring a whopping 16 points per game) and 104th in points against. Chalk this one up as a Boise blow out.
The Broncos will then return home to face Air Force, who is actually a decent team. The Falcons are 3-1 (0-1) on the year; but none of their wins have been too impressive. They lost to TCU at home, and beat South Dakota, Tennessee State and Navy (like I said, not too impressive). Their overall statistical rankings aren’t as bad as some of Boise’s other opponents – but still not to stellar. Air Force currently ranks 118th in the nation in Passing yards, 2nd in Rushing Yards, 40th in points for and 28th in points against. Could be a decent game, but it is one that Boise should dominate.
Next up is a trip to Sin City and a game at UNLV. The Runnin’ Rebels are 1-3 (0-0) on the season; and things haven’t been pretty. In their losses to Wisconsin, Washington State and Southern Utah (what!?! Southern Utah?!?) they’ve been outscored 151-40; with their lone win coming against Hawaii. Their stats could possibly be worse; they rank 98th in the nation in Passing Yards, 109th in Rushing Yards, 110th in points for and 116th in points against; rough. Basically, if the Boise players can avoid partying on the strip until 8 Am the night before the game, anything less than a 40-point whipping would be disappointing.
Then comes the game everyone circled on their calendar when Boise joined the Mountain West conference; and what looked like a great game until they lost to Baylor and SMU – and it’s their game on the blue turf against TCU. The Horned Frogs have dominated the Mountain West Conference over the past few years, taking that crown from Utah; and they had a great win last year against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. Too bad Boise won’t be playing last seasons’ team… TCU is 3-2 (1-0) on the season, and this likely will be the game that decides the Mountain West Champion (hopefully, at least). The Horned Frogs have been ranked in the AP Top 25 Poll through this season, which was of course before they lost at home to SMU (whoops). Not sure why they were ranked in the first play though, as they really haven’t played anyone yet. After their loss to Baylor, TCU beat Air Force, Louisiana Monroe and wait for it… Portland State. While the chances may be slim, I know this is the game all Boise haters will become TCU fans for the day – in hopes they can dash the Broncos undefeated season. But as I said, the chances are slim. If you can’t beat SMU; good luck with Boise State.
The Broncos final three game stretch of the season starts at San Diego State; where they will play a 3-1 (0-0) Aztec team. SDSU does hold a somewhat impressive win over Washington State – but their others wins have come against Cal Poly and Army; with a loss at Michigan. The Aztecs should make a bowl game, but that doesn’t mean they have much of a shot at taking down Boise.
Then there’s a game at home against the Wyoming Cowboys. The Cowboys have three wonderful wins (sense the sarcasm?) against Weber State, Texas State and Bowling Green; combined with a drubbing at the hands of Nebraska. The 3-1 Cowboys don’t stand much of a chance at winning on the blue turf; let’s just put it that way.
Last and definitely least comes New Mexico, who are the Broncos 12th and final opponent of the season. Should they make it to 11-0, don’t be looking for an upset here. New Mexico is off to a great 0-5 start; and to be honest easily could go 0-12. Their losses, or should I say – their games this season, have come against Colorado State, Arkansas (52-3), Texas Tech (59-13), Sam Houston State and New Mexico. Simply, if they win one game this season – it’ll be a success.
So there you have it, the 11 reason why Boise State should not make it to the BCS National Championship game. They went undefeated in their one game season – and it appears, on paper at least; that the final 11 will fall right into place. Once again, we will be faced with the eternal question – should an undefeated Boise State team jump a one loss SEC, or Pac 12, or Big 10 or Big 12 opponent? The answer my friends, is no – and hopefully you understand why after having read this.
I leave you with one more parting point of wisdom; the Utah Utes. For years now, Utah has been lumped into the – are they actually good category, with the likes of Boise State, TCU and BYU. They’ve had to defend themselves in this very same argument I’m making against Boise State, that while they don’t play a tough BCS conference schedule and don’t face a solid opponent week in and week out; they’re still a tough, respectable team that could beat anybody – and compete in any conference. So what did they do about it? Why, the made the jump to a BCS conference of course! The Utes joined the Pac-10, helping make it the Pac-12 this off season – and they came in guns-a-blazing, ready to shed their ‘little brother’ persona and prove they can compete with the best; week in and week out.
So how’s that going for them? Well, they’ve played two Pac-12 conference games thus far and they’re 0-2. They lost a tough one at USC, then last weekend were embarrassed by a mediocre Washington team at home. Next up? They face #22 Arizona State; and still have tough trips to California and Arizona left on their schedule. And more importantly, they don’t even have to face the two Pac-12 juggernauts – Oregon and Stanford (lucky bastards!) What has started out 0-2 in conference play could easily turn into a 4, 5 or even 6 loss conference record and a struggle to make a bowl game. My point being – Utah bit off more than they could chew; and it’s been proven they can’t handle the rigors of playing in a BCS conference. TCU will do the same next season when they join the Big East – but come on, let’s be real; the Big East isn’t a BCS Conference (proof – Connecticut went to the Fiesta Bowl last season). So Boise State fans – before you claim you’re the real deal, that you’re team is worthy of a top 5 national ranking, that you can compete with anyone, anywhere, anytime; take a hint from Utah. It’s a little tougher than it looks.
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