Boise State Football: 10 Ways You Know You're a Bronco Fan

The Boise State Broncos galloped onto the Division I-A prairie in 1996 as a member of the Big West. All they did was win two league titles in three years and stampeded into the WAC in 2001.

In the WAC, the Broncos won four league championships in the first five years of competition. Then, in 2006, Chris Petersen stepped in.

In the Petersen era, Boise State has had three perfect regular seasons. Two of those seasons ended in Fiesta Bowl victories, and the Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma in 2007 is recognized as one of the best college football games ever played.

In the 2009 season, the Broncos were the second team in major college football history to finish 14-0, and since 2006, the Broncos are an amazing 73-6 with no sign of slowing down.

In 2011, BSU made the leap to the Mountain West and finished the season 12-1. However, the Mountain West would prove to be just another stop on the journey upward.

For Bronco fans, the future looks bright, and with the move to the Big East in 2013, the sky is the limit.

True Boise State fans are excited for the next logical step in their team's evolution. However, as the success continues, so will the bandwagon fans who year after year jump on board.

Over time, it becomes nearly impossible to discern the loyal and dedicated fan from the Johnny-come-lately. As a way to assist in identification we have decided to list 10 key factors that will make it easy to spot.

Here are 10 ways you know you are a Bronco fan.

10. You Are Tired of Hearing About Your Coach Leaving Every Year

If you are a true Bronco fan you are tired of hearing that your coach is leaving this year—for sure.

At the end of every season since 2006, there have been multiple rumors swirling about the eminent departure of Chris Petersen. Various reports have had him going so many different places it's hard to remember them all.

This last season was no different. Rumors had him going to Arizona, Penn State and UCLA.

Needless to say, it does tire out a true Bronco fan to hear all the rumors. However, those same Bronco fans are glad Petersen is still in Boise.

9. When Somone Yells Boise...

...You yell state!

The battle cry heard echoing through Bronco Stadium can't be missed. One side yells Boise, while the other side responds with state!

It has become a tradition at bowl games as well but not just in the stadium. Parking lots across the land can hear the resounding call from the Bronco faithful as they tailgate and make their way to the game.

If someone calls out Boise! A true Bronco fan will answer state!

8. You Despise the BCS

Bronco fans are certainly one of the most vocal groups demanding BCS change.

Last season, it was clear that Boise State was a great choice to play Michigan in the Sugar Bowl. Instead, those same Sugar Bowl officials chose Virginia Tech, a team that lost two games during the regular season. 

However, being overlooked is nothing new for the Broncos and their fans. In 2008, Boise State went undefeated in the regular season only to be left out of the BCS completely.

Even the usually reserved Bronco head coach Chris Petersen let out frustration at the system after being left out last season.

BCS is a bad word in Bronco land, and any true fan spits after they say it. OK, that last part was made up, but it is a much despised topic for the faithful.

7. Zee Isn't the Last Letter in the Alphabet

Any true Bronco fan knows who Zee is. The adorable and highly trained Pudelpointer retrieves the tee at every Boise State home game.

Every time the Broncos complete a kickoff, Zee hustles out on the field and retrieves the tee. He is a product of excellent training via Zamzows, and every true Bronco fans knows what a "Zamzows" is.

This dog even has his own Facebook page.

Zee is a star, and true Bronco fans love the way he shines.

6. You Know That Boise State Has More Than One Mascot

Bronco Girl may not be the "official" mascot of the Boise State Broncos, but she is awesome anyway.

Any real Bronco fan has petted her horse, or at the very least, tried to.

Bronco Girl is an impressive site as she leads the team onto the field. It is an exciting moment for every BSU fan when it happens, and it tends to send goose bumps rising.

She has become legendary, and yes, she has a Facebook page as well.

5. You Know That "Buster" Isn't Just What the Broncos Do to the BCS

The honor of being the official mascot of the Boise State Broncos goes to Buster. Buster Bronco can be seen at every home game harassing someone.

No one's hair is safe when Buster is on the loose. He has been known to mess up even the finest of styles. Kids love him, and his perm a-grin is contagious.

He is the best entertainment in the stadium when the Broncos are up by five touchdowns late, and BSU fans are glad to have him.

4. You Have Tuned out the Cannon

The sound of a cannon is usually a crowd stopper. That is not always so for the BSU faithful.

Many times at home games, the repeated sound of the cannon fades into the background noise. The sheer repetition of its explosion makes this noise much like any other that is often repeated.

The cannon is only sounded following a BSU touchdown, however, that can happen seven, eight, nine or even more times during a contest.

For the true Bronco fan, the cannon sound is nothing special. However, no true Bronco fan would ever want it to go away. 

3. You Are Tired of Hearing About Strength of Schedule

The true Bronco fan is tired of hearing about "Strength of Schedule." It's not that they shy away from the argument, it's just that they have heard it way too many times.

Every BSU fan has answered in the following way; "We can only play who is on our schedule."

Boise State fans know that they are limited because of conference schedules, and they can only play who they are scheduled to play.

Every year, the Broncos try to schedule good games against BCS conference opponents, but even when they win those games, it's never enough for haters. 

True Boise State fans realize that few major conference teams are willing to play home-at-home with the Broncos, and the double standard drives them nuts. 

2. You Are Tired of Hearing That Boise State Needs to Join a Better Conference

If you are a true Bronco fan for years, you have endured ignorant people proclaiming that "Boise State should just join a better conference."

As if you just run down to the store and buy one. It is not as if the Broncos wouldn't join the Pac-12 or Big 12 in a heartbeat, it's just that those opportunities have never come.

BSU fans know that if their team could have joined either one of those conferences, it would have long ago been a done deal.

As it stands, the only BCS conference to come calling has been the Big East. What did the Broncos do? They jumped at the chance to step up.

Now, they are being criticized for joining the lowest-ranked BCS conference.

Diehard BSU fans know that there is no pleasing a jealous group of bitter fans who only wish their team had the class and winning percentage that the Broncos do.

1. You Love the Color Blue

As a true Bronco fan, you take great pleasure in hearing the critics whine about your blue field. Perhaps, they hate it because it reminds them of the dramatic success of the Broncos.

You, as a Boise State fan, love "The Blue," and you wouldn't have it any other way.

With the expansion of Bronco Stadium getting ready to start, true Boise State fans are glad that more seats are being added. However, they are probably even more glad that the blue turf isn't going anywhere.

The blue turf at Bronco Stadium has become a college football icon. Boise State fans are proud of it, and probably happy that it makes so many others angry.