2010 Fiesta Bowl: Low-Scoring Outcome Does Not Mean It Was a Sloppy Game

By upsetting TCU 17-10 for its second BCS bowl victory in four years, I assumed the Boise State bashing would cease and the Broncos would finally be given the respect as a nationally-acclaimed program.

But in almost as big of a shock as last night's victory was the arrogance put forth by many college football fans after the game.

I thought that this win erased Boise State's labeling as an underdog or a "Cinderella" team, and they would be given the national recognition they deserve.

After the jubilation in Bronco Nation came to an end, I decided to browse the Internet to see the positive accolades awarded to the Broncos.

Rather than being praised for grinding out the upset, they were still getting bashed for winning a sloppy game neither team deserve to win.

Many sources concluded this game was proof non-AQ teams do not deserve to be invited to the national championship—or even in the top five. They felt this sloppy showcase of the two best mid-majors showed that the little guys are not worthy of playing with the big boys.

This arrogance has to end now.

First off, Boise State and TCU are "big boys." Both teams are worthy of being in the top five, along with Texas, Alabama, and Florida.

Just because neither team does not play in one of the "big six" conferences does not mean they cannot be categorized with the BCS powerhouses. The country needs to start judging the team in the conference, not the conference the team plays in.

Boise State and TCU are two of the best teams in college football this year, and I just can't believe such arrogance is blinding so many people from realizing this.

Also, the 2010 Fiesta Bowl was not a sloppy game by any means. It was two of the nation's best coaches and most complete teams battling it out.

I know many fans are used to seeing Boise State pile up 50 points per game, but TCU had the nation's best defense.

Kellen Moore, statistically the best quarterback in 2009, had an off night, which supports the statement of TCU having the best defense in the country.

Although it was tied for the lowest-scoring game this bowl season, that does not mean it wasn't a well-played game.

Boise State's first game of the season vs. Oregon was a sloppy game. Both teams weren't converting because of their inability to execute.

In the Fiesta Bowl, neither offense was very productive because of the tenacious defenses of both teams.

You can't blame BSU's offense for struggling. It faced the best D-lineman in the nation in Jerry Hughes (who was lined up against a freshman backup) and TCU's unique 4-2-5 package.

Although the top-ranked defense handled the top-ranked offense except for one fourth quarter scoring drive, it was Boise State's defense that won the game.

The Broncos' defense surrendered only 10 points to the nation's fourth-ranked offense, and gave up a combined 18 points vs. the Ducks and Horned Frogs.

Although mid-majors are known for monstrous offenses (see Hawaii, Houston, and Tulsa, as well), the stout defenses controlled this well-played, low-scoring battle, and made it evident that the line between the David's and Goliath's are getting ever less clearer.