Why Won't the Nebraska Cornhuskers Play the Boise State Broncos in 2011?

Last year, Utah went 13-0 yet didn't get the chance to play for the BCS title. At a Congressional subcommittee hearing this year, University of Nebraska chancellor and the BCS's Harvey Perlman were asked what the Ute's could have done differently.

"They could have played the schedule Nebraska did," Perlman said in response.

Would the Broncos join the Big 12? "Yeah, of course we would," Bleymaier said, "and if we were in that league we'd be playing that schedule."

If the Big 12 would take in Boise State, I guess the problem is solved. But they are not about to invite BSU into the Big 12. Nor will the Pac 10, Big 10, SEC, or any other BCS conference.

So what are Boise State, Utah, TCU, BYU, and all the other non-BCS conference schools to do? Try to schedule games with teams in those elite conferences?

That is exactly what they are trying to do. Here is where the problem begins.

Both Boise State and Nebraska have open dates on Sept. 3, 2011. According to Boise State athletic director Gene Bleymaier, the Broncos will "play anybody anywhere" and they are willing to do so by playing one away game. No home and home deal. Too good to be true? Apparently not.

Even ESPN has gotten involved to help put together a meaningful BCS opponent with national television exposure!

With both BSU and Nebraska having the very same open date in 2011, does it not make sense that these two schools would have talked?

Bleymaier and WAC commissioner Karl Benson have both said that a number of BCS conference schools have turned down the Broncos. They aren't naming names, probably for understandable reasons.

Why wouldn't Nebraska agree to fill its 2011 schedule hole by playing Boise State in Lincoln? Surely, they aren't afraid of getting beat, are they? Nebraska should easily be able to afford to pay the Broncos a fair guarantee, right?

So why would a member of a major BCS conference not want to play Boise State?

If Nebraska agreed to play the Broncos and they beat them, would the so-called "experts" then say, "Well, you were supposed to beat them?" But what if BSU went into Lincoln and beat the Cornhuskers?

With a loss to Boise State, would Nebraska take a hit in the ratings because they would have lost to a team that "doesn't play anybody?" By beating the Broncos, would it result in little effect in the polls? Is it almost a no-win deal for the Cornhuskers?

I think not. This isn't 15 years ago, when a loss to a Boise State, TCU, Utah, etc., would kill you in the ratings and put a great big blemish on your record. This is 2009!

Is there really any college football fan that doesn't know how good Boise State, TCU, Utah, and BYU are today? Would it not excite the fans to have a top, quality opponent come into their stadium and play their favorite "elite" BCS school?

Here is another thought to ponder. If TCU and BSU "don’t play anybody," why on earth are they ranked No. 4 and No. 6, respectively, in the BCS poll?

Since the BCS came up with its grand idea, more and more of the BCS conference schools are scheduling cream puffs, cupcakes, and weak sisters for their non-conference games.

The Bowl Championship Series actually discourages the dangerous but exciting out-of-league scheduling that college football fans used to enjoy. Losing a non-conference game can hurt the ratings, and it's the ratings that generally get the BCS bowl invites.

If you are a BCS conference member and didn't win the conference championship, then you are not receiving an automatic bid. That's when the ratings come into play. A loss in non-conference play can kill you.

Is this the reason for the "big boys" not wanting to schedule the "little guys"?

Is the lack-of-scheduling issue some sort of conspiracy against the "little guys"? Does the BCS want to be able to keep saying, "But you don't play anybody"?

The one thing we know is that Boise State has an open date on Sept. 3, 2011. They'll play anybody, anywhere. They are willing to do a one-away game deal. No home and home. Are there any BCS conference schools that will take them up on the offer?

How will the Boise States and TCUs of the college football world ever get over the "but you don't play anybody" image if the major BCS conference members won't play them? Perhaps the BCS just doesn't want them playing their "elite" programs?

Gee, I wonder why?