Boise State has tough road to BCS title game

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By Doug Harris, Staff Writer 1:12 AM Thursday, October 15, 2009

I think our congressmen have more important matters than to stick their noses into the BCS system, but I’m hoping those legislators try to initiate some real changes — not to make sure more Mountain West or WAC schools join the party, but to keep unworthy teams from those conferences out.

Fifth-ranked Boise State flattened Oregon at home to start the season — a nice win — but it hasn’t exactly faced a gauntlet of killer foes since then, beating Miami University, Fresno State, Bowling Green and UC Davis going into the Wednesday night, Oct. 14, trip to Tulsa. The Broncos’ remaining games are against Hawaii, San Jose State, Louisiana Tech, Idaho, Utah State, Nevada and New Mexico State.

How many schools from BCS conferences could go undefeated against that lineup? Better yet, what would Boise’s record be if it had to go home and away all year in the Pac-10, Big 12 or SEC? Does anyone think they’d get by with fewer than three losses?

But the Broncos could play for the national crown if they remain unbeaten and three teams ranked ahead of them lose, which is entirely possible since either Florida or Alabama will end up with an SEC defeat and Texas and Virginia Tech both have to survive rivalry games and a league championship.

College football fans may dread the thought of seeing Ohio State back in the national title game, but the outcry would be even worse if Boise State sneaks in without having to play anybody.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or

dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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As a Utah alumni, I heard the same criticisms of Utah making it to a BCS game last year against highly regarded Alabama. At the game, Alabama fans were upset that they were relegated to playing an inferior MWC team with a weaker schedule. Even at halftime, after being thoroughly outplayed, Alabama fans seemed confident that they would win. Only after the final whistle did Utah finally get their respect. Would Boise St win a BCS title game? Maybe not, but I think they deserve a shot.

MG
6:46 AM, 10/25/2009

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Reason,
I like how you rattle off a few wins against the bottom teams in the Mtn West, (largely due to the best season Idaho has had in forever) yet you failed to mention that the MWC has still won more games against the WAC this season than they have lost - SDSU over NM St., Colorado St over Nevada, UNLV over Hawaii, and of course BYU and Utah over everyone they played from the WAC.

While Boise may be a solid team - top to bottom is MWC over WAC all day long.

Keith
11:55 AM, 10/22/2009

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Actually, Utah has BSU scheduled for 2011-2013. Google "Utah future football schedule." BSU's record against MWC means nothing. Utah's record against BYU is 53-33-4. Does that mean anything? No. We're talking about this season and beyond. BSU would not go undefeated against TCU, BYU and Utah. Your conference is a joke. Your one defining win was against an OU team that started a converted WR that season. At least Utah dominated a Bama team that had been #1 five weeks in a row w/o any trick plays.

BSU is a joke
5:10 PM, 10/20/2009

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Interesting point. Completely ignorant, but interesting nonetheless. I hope this guy doesn't start championing Cincinnati. Because they also played Miami OH and Fresno State. And Boise State beat both similar opponents more handily than the Bearcats. It's funny how all the criticism comes out once a new team reaches the top 5. And be placed above USC, preposterous! That flies in the face of tradition and nostalgia! Too bad tradition and nostalgia don't win football games for you.

Mike
9:06 AM, 10/20/2009

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I'll bet Doug Harris has only watched Boise play once this year, if that, and that would be the Tulsa game last week. Of course, this article is completely expected from the kind of sports department that forced their hall of fame Reds beat writer into retirement, and is nothing but a mouthpiece for the Mediocre 10 conference. Is Boise a BCS title caliber team? Probably not, but it should be settled on the field and not in the world of public opinion.

Dan
8:43 AM, 10/20/2009

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