Boise State-Idaho: Broncos Don't Need Akey's 'Homage'

Robb Akey didn't expect to make any friends in Boise when he assumed his current position as the University of Idaho's head coach, as he made abundantly clear in a press conference on Monday.

"My goal is that on Saturday night that I will be the least popular individual with every administrator within the WAC conference because we have taken the BCS hopes away from our conference," Akey told reporters.

Don't worry Mr. Akey, no matter what happens on Saturday you will still be the least popular person in Boise.

It is understandable that Akey wants to stir up a rivalry that is slowly dying from Boise State's domination of the series, but he needs to understand these ancient words of wisdom:

Be careful what you wish for.

Akey went on to say, "As a matter of fact, it was suggested by some people that maybe we just treat this like a bye week and don’t even bother to play the game because we can’t touch them. But we’re going to be there. Kickoff is 1:30 (local time) so we’re going to make sure we get there by 11:30 so we make sure they can’t start without us. We’re going to pin our ears back, we’re going to get after it and we’re going to have a great time with this ballgame."

In case you are like many people who heard or saw this quote and didn't quite understand what he is getting at, Coach Akey is implying that the Broncos and the rest of the college football world have already declared this a Bronco victory. He is assuming Boise State coach Chris Petersen might be overlooking the Vandals.

As unlikely as it might be, Coach Akey, isn't that what you would want? Wouldn't you rather play a Bronco team that is looking forward to what is looking to be a very interesting showdown with Nevada? Couldn't you just let the sleeping dog lie?

Nope, you had to add fuel to a fire of hate that will never be extinguished. Once again, be careful what you wish for.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Boise State-Idaho rivalry, it might be hard to understand why the Broncos are so eager to play the perennial doormat of the WAC.

Well, it wasn't too long ago that the roles were reversed and it was Idaho running up the score on Boise State, occasionally using fake punts to do so. The Vandals won 12 in a row during the 80s and 90s, and now that streak is the only thing Vandal fans can really hang on to.

Now the Broncos have won 10 in a row and are three wins away from taking even the streak away. So when Idaho started out the season 7-1, their fans started thinking this year they might have a chance of keeping their own streak safe.

The funny thing about Idaho fans is that they get extremely excited over the littlest things, you should have seen them after they scored a touchdown against Boise last year. No doubt they are beyond delirious with the Vandals qualifying for a bowl for the first time since 2000 under coach Tom Cable, who is about as classy as the Vandals.

Which is why it will be all the more sweet to crush their little hopes on Saturday afternoon.

Sorry Coach Akey, you got the Broncos' attention. For one week they get to set their national aspiration's aside and remind you who is the big dog in the state of Idaho.

Akey seemed to sense he was treading on thin ice when he said, "I know I’m not supposed to not to say that because I’m supposed to pay homage to Boise State."

Boise State does not need nor want your homage, but you will respect them after they personally deliver loss number 11 on Saturday.

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