Boise State Football: Busting the Myths of the Broncos

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The Boise State Broncos have been a good football team for a long time, but this is the first season they have spent considerable time in the top 10. This has caused much consternation among those who love them as well as those who don't.

With all of this new found attention, all sorts of claims have circulated concerning Boise State, and some of them have gotten out of hand.

Fortunately, since the Broncos have not been at home since Oct. 3, team mascot Buster Bronco has transformed into Myth-Buster Bronco and has had plenty of time to tackle the biggest issues surrounding the Boise State football team.

Myth No. 1: Boise State Would Not Be This Successful in a BCS Conference

This is a half-truth. Boise State would struggle more in a BCS conference if they had the same resources they have now.

But if they were in a BCS conference they would not have the same resources. Imagine what they could do with all the BCS money they would get by being a part of that conference.

They would be able to put into action all of those plans to expand the stadium and update their facilities. They would be able to get better recruits by selling the idea that they actually have a fair shot at playing in the national championship.

If Boise State was in a BCS conference, they would be successful because they would finally be on the same playing field.

Myth No. 2: Boise State Has an Unfair Advantage Because of Their Field Color

Buster has spent plenty of time on the blue to know how to handle this one.

This myth is perpetuated by fans who have a hard time picking out the Boise State players on TV. It doesn't hold water with anyone who has actually been down on the field.

When you are standing on the field, like the players do, you don't see the players against the background of the field, but against the background of the stands.

Myth No. 3: Boise State Fans Are Still Hanging on to the Fiesta Bowl

The 2007 Fiesta Bowl is usually brought up by someone trying to show how long ago it was and how it doesn't matter anymore. And then everyone jumps on that and screams, "That was 2006! This is 2009! Let it go!"

Trust Buster on this one. Boise State fans are not still talking about the Fiesta Bowl. If they are irrationally clinging to anything, it is the Oregon game, which was this season.

Which leads nicely into the next myth...

Myth No. 4: Boise State Would Not Be Able to Beat Oregon Today; the Ducks Are a Completely Different Team Now

Buster loves this one. It's what gives him that big, goofy grin. How can anybody think that Oregon has a monopoly on improvement?

For those who didn't see the Boise State-Oregon game, Buster can tell you that the Broncos didn't play their best game either. There were way too many turnovers and points left on the field.

Also, think what you want about LeGarrette Blount, he's a terrific running back, and the only team who had to face him was Boise State.

If the two met today, it would be another great game, but Buster knows the Broncos would still come out on top.

Myth No. 5: Boise State, If Undefeated, Should Play in This Year's National Championship

As hard as it is for Buster to admit, the Broncos just haven't shown enough to qualify for this year's title game. And it boils down to the strength of schedule argument.

The Oregon win was a good one, and proved that Boise State belongs with the nation's elite. But they were counting on the rest of the WAC stepping up to help with their strength of schedule.

Well, we've all seen how that turned out. A couple of the bottom dwellers have improved, but other teams in the conference need to start winning out of conference to help the national perception of the conference.

If the answer to this myth makes you question Buster's loyalty, stay tuned for the next and final myth...

Myth No. 6: Boise State Will Never Play for the National Championship

With a much improved out of conference lineup next year and all but two starters returning, the Broncos will be in a comfortable position to make a run at the 2011 title game .

Whether they make it next year or not, the climate of college football is changing, and it will not be long before a team from outside the automatic qualifying conferences plays for the crystal ball.

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