I love Boise State football. Any opportunity to watch my Broncos is a cherished moment in time.

But for some reason, watching them play has been less than enjoyable during the past couple games—and I think I figured out why.

Studies have shown that rainy weather is linked to depression, and in Boise State’s last two games the rain has poured almost incessantly.

However, the reason for my disappointment during these games has nothing to do with the weather.

It has everything to do with that little number next to the team’s name on the scoreboard.

It’s been widely publicized that this is the highest the Broncos have ever been ranked during the regular season. The only other time in school history they were in the top five was at the end of the 2006 season after their first BCS bowl game.

So is it really any wonder that I, and many other Bronco fans, don’t know how to react?

There are some fans clamoring for Boise State to be in the national championship, while most would be satisfied with another BCS bowl appearance.

Every week brings debate and speculation over whether or not they deserve to be in the top five, or even the top 10. Every week the Broncos aren’t expected to just win—they are expected to annihilate the opposition.

This week’s game against Tulsa was a great game with both teams battling hard to the end. It was the kind of game you love to watch. It was the kind of game that reminds you why you love college football.

But instead of enjoying the close game, I found myself worrying about the negative implications it would have on Boise State’s standing in the polls. Instead of relishing the win, I was disappointed by the insufficient margin of victory.

And so I would like to thank Boise State head coach Chris Petersen for helping me see the light, for bringing me back to the perspective I once had, when he answered a question about the BCS after Wednesday’s game.

“All we’re trying to do is win one game at a time,” Petersen said. “I’m not looking at that clock. And there’s not a player on this team looking, going, ‘Boy, this isn’t enough points.’ It’s enough points if it’s one more than the opponent has and we just really believe at the end of the season that if we play our best and do what we want to do then it will work out how it should.”

And that’s how I’m going to approach the rest of the season.

As the Broncos start conference play next week, pundits around the country are going to continue to bash the Broncos for their schedule and voice their opinions about why they don’t belong to be ranked among the elite.

I’m okay with that. They can keep their elite.

I’m done worrying about rankings, done worrying about the BCS, and done worrying about all those who say Boise State doesn’t belong.

From now on I’m just going to watch my beloved Broncos play and enjoy every win and every hard-fought game. Wherever they end up at the end of the season and go for their bowl game is fine with Coach Pete, and that means it's fine with me.

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