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It would appear that media, fans and the like are up in arms over Boise State’s Preseason Coaches and AP ranking of #5 and #3 respectively. I am of the thought, like so many, that Boise State should not be ranked this high; however my reason for saying so is much different.
Media and Fans of College Football Argument against Boise State’s Ranking
The most obvious and most often used argument against Boise State’s ranking is the schedule they play. The Broncos are, for the last season, members of the Western Athletic Conference, where they play the likes of Utah State, San Jose State and New Mexico State.
WAC teams are seen as teams BCS teams schedule at the beginning of the season as a tune up in week 1 or 2. Most often these games end up being very lopsided in favor of the BCS team. To get a sense of how these games have gone, Coach Robb Akey was quoted as saying in response to what went well against the Arizona Wildcats “the plane home didn’t crash.”
Granted it is not always gloom and doom when the WAC ventures out into non-conference BCS play. Pat Hill and the Fresno State Bulldogs often play one of the toughest schedules in the WAC and play BCS teams hard, coming away with victories. Most recently the Broncos have had success against tough BCS opponents most notably with wins versus Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl and back to back victories over the University of Oregon in 2008 & 2009.
On the flip side many will argue that if you put Boise State into the SEC or Pac Ten, success would not come so easy. Granted if the 2010 version of the Boise State Broncos were playing in a BCS conference, the road would be much more difficult. However, remember if Boise State were in, say the Pac Ten, they would certainly have access to Pac Ten money and Pac-Ten talent. Boise State Football does what it does with its portion of a 28 million dollar athletic budget of an Idaho State run school. Image what Chris Petersen and company could do with a 75 million dollar athletic budget.
My argument against Boise State’s ranking
Polls in general are plagued with bias. Take Craig James’ vote. Mr. James votes seam out of place, he Texas Tech and has Miami unranked and Texas A&M at 22nd, not to mention Georgia at number 7, versus an overall ranking of 23.
Voters either don’t care or wait until the last moment. Joe Giglio, of the Raleigh News & Observer, in this year’s preseason AP poll has Boise State ranked #1. Yes, Boise State received 1 vote to be the number 1 team in all the land. However, consider on the same ballet, Giglio had Nebraska, Pittsburgh and Miami ranked 3, 4 & 5 respectively. One shouldn’t take too much stock in Mr. Giglio’s votes.
The bottom line is simple, the preseason poll means nothing. After the first month of the season Boise State could have a record of 3-0, 2-1, 1-2 or 0-3. The Broncos could be ranked lower with 3 wins or out of the top 25 with 1 loss. I have seen it happen every year and will see happen again this year, whether it is the Broncos or another team.
Where should the Broncos be ranked?
The Broncos have been very successful since joining, Division 1 football. At home on the Blue Turf of Bronco Stadium, Boise State is dominating.
The last time the Broncos lost a home game on the Blue was to the Pac Ten’s Washington State Cougars. The 2001 Cougars, under Mike Price, finished ranked in the top 10 that year and went on to play in the Rose Bowl the following year.
Since joining the Western Athletic Conference the Broncos have only 3 losses against WAC teams. The Broncos have been WAC Champions 7 out of 9 years.
The Broncos average margin of victory versus WAC opponents during the same time period is 29 points. Under Coach Petersen the number has fallen off by 1 point, but Bronco Fans won’t hold that against him as one should expect the other WAC teams to step up some time.
The Bronco’s bowl record is 6-4 since joining Division 1 football. In the 4 losses the Broncos have lost by only a margin of 3.5 points. In every loss the Broncos had a chance pull off a win.
Here are some other items of note regarding the Broncos success. Coach Pete is also 4-1 against BCS teams. Former Broncos Ryan Clady and Kyle Wilson are both 1st round picks over the last 3 years
What does this all mean?
Consider the following; if a BCS team were to have joined the WAC in 2001 and play 9 seasons, I would argue that the same BCS team would be hard pressed to top what the Broncos have done over the same period.
Preseason rankings are also based on the respect the media and coaches have for teams. The Broncos return 21 of the 22 starters from the 2010 Fiesta Bowl Team. Given the resume of success, it would appear the Broncos ranking is based on respect, a respect often reserved for College Football’s elite and most storied programs.
Coach Pete may have summed it up best when asked if the Broncos deserved their 2010 preseason Ranking, “Instead of proving everybody wrong, now we (Boise State) want to prove everybody right.” The Boise State Broncos begin their quest to prove everybody right Sept 6, 2010. Go Broncos!!
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JT, Buck and Tyler Break down the Boise State Bronco’s 2010 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Victory and the extra curricular activities.
The guys would like to first thank the Boise State Broncos for their hard work and dedication, while providing Bronco Nation such great memories. Additionally, the BNP would like to thank Kevan, Drew and Nick for letting us have a little corner of OBNUG. Also thanks to Crissie Fields, for here help this year in gathering audio comments. Thanks to special guests Travis Hawkes from the Blue and Orange Store, J Bates and Troy Oppie from KBCI and Logan Hopkins from the Redwave Podcast. Most importantly thanks to you Bronco Nation, for listening this year. GO BRONCOS!!!!
If you wish to leave an audio comment, drop me a line at 208-991-2672 or send an email comment to questions@bronconationpodcast.com and follow the Bronco Nation Podcast on Twitter.
The guys were stood up by SpitbloodTCU, but pressed on with the show. It may not be the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, but the 2010 version is just as important in the Broncos’ quest for a shot at a National Championship Game.
The Play by Play
The Vandal H-Bowl recap, Buck was down at the Stadium and provides a recap of the days events. 2:02 The guys relive the 2007 Fiesta Bowl for a moment.5:44
The Broncos play in Bowl game doesn’t necessarily match the final score. 14:35 Is TCU better than the Oregon Ducks?21:42
Buck is happy with his seat location for the game. 23:24 The Fiesta Bowl discussion and predictions.29:20
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JT, Buck and Tyler are back to talk about the latest Boise State to the Mountain West Conference.
Are you buying your share of Boise State? The Intern got the Bosses Approval.
Did the Boise State Special Teams get out played last week versus La Tech?
Kellen Moore proves he is human once again.
The WAC, and do you root for Utah and West Virginia? What was that Tyler?
Coach Akey’s Army makes camp in Boise.
If you wish to leave an audio comment, drop me a line at 208-991-2672 or send an email comment to questions@bronconationpodcast.com and follow the Bronco Nation Podcast on Twitter.
