Bleacher Report - Articles by Drew Morgan

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

Drew Morgan — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:58:14 -0500

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.

Why Boise State Should Be Ranked Ahead Of Oregon: Creature vs. Creature

Drew Morgan — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:15:59 -0500

Consider the Oregon Ducks resurrected.

Chip Kelly's first season as a head coach couldn't have started any worse. His Ducks got shown up by the Broncos on national TV and he was forced to dismiss his star running back for the rest of the season the following day.

And then Chip Kelly cemented his candidacy as National Coach Of The Year two months later on Halloween night as his Ducks dominated the mighty USC Trojans while the nation looked on in disbelief.

And then the debate began. Should the Ducks jump past the team that beat them in the polls?

Of course not.

While there is no doubt Oregon is a great team and much improved since the season opener, there is also no justification for placing them in front of the team that beat them and has yet to drop a game since.

Yet many people forget that the Broncos have gotten better since that game as well. Anyone who watched the game knows they looked very sloppy, leaving a bunch of points on the field, committing some bad penalties, and turning the ball over three times.

Yet they still found a way to beat a very good Oregon team who still had their bruising running back, and have only gotten better and more efficient as the season has progressed.

The Oregon camp will argue that their body of work is far better than Boise State's, which is true. Which begs the question, when does body of work outweigh the head-to-head result?

The results of head-to-head matchups obviously are not the only thing to take into consideration when ranking teams, or else Washington would be ranked ahead of USC.

But then Washington went on to lose four out of their next five games, proving their win over USC was indeed an upset.

On the other hand, Boise State is still undefeated. And while they admittedly have not played the best teams in the country, they have yet to lose. Which means that there exists no circular reasoning (Team A beat Team B who beat Team C...) that could prove any team's superiority to the Broncos.

So while there are plenty of opinions that many teams could beat Boise State, there is no on-field results that could support those opinions.

And so for now, the head-to-head result does outweigh Oregon's body of work until someone proves the Broncos are beatable.

Otherwise, what is the point of playing the game? If Oregon wins, everyone knows Boise State was overrated. If Boise State wins, it was a fluke and shouldn't have any bearing on the national picture.

Those demanding the Broncos play more BCS teams sure aren't giving them any incentive to do so.

In a sport where so much is decided on the hypothetical, shouldn't we take any chance we have to base rankings on the on-field product?

Check out Fletcher Johnson's article about why Oregon should be ranked ahead of Boise State.

Boise State Football: Busting the Myths of the Broncos

Drew Morgan — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:59:39 -0400

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.

An Attempt At An Unbiased Top 25

Drew Morgan — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:00:41 -0400

As I was sitting around last Sunday looking at the first BCS standings of the season, I had the following train of thought:

I wonder what goes into all these computer programs that rank the teams.

Hey, I'm in a computer methods class, I could make a program to rank all the teams.

No I couldn't, I've learned the basics of PowerPoint and Excel, these kind of programs are way too complicated for what I know how to do.

Well, maybe that would be a good thing. I could make a program that wasn't so complicated.

And so I went to work. At the sacrifice of the homework I was supposed to be doing for that class, I developed a spreadsheet to rank all of the teams in the FBS division.

So why do I think it's in the least bit accurate?

Because it only considers wins and losses. No polls, no past-year performances, no conference affiliations.

So here it is, the unadulterated top 25:

1	Iowa
2	Texas
3	Cincinnati
4	Alabama
5	Florida
6	TCU
7	Boise State
8	Pittsburgh
9	West Virginia
10	Oregon
11	Georgia Tech
12	Penn State
13	USC
14	Oklahoma State
15	LSU
16	Utah
17	Houston
18	Central Michigan
19	Ohio State
20	South Carolina
21	Arizona
22	South Florida
23	Miami (FL)
24	Virginia Tech
25	Kansas

As you can see, the formula favors undefeated teams, which I feel is reasonable. What separates the teams with the same record is a strength of schedule formula based on the win-loss record each team's opponents and each team's opponent's opponents.

Let me know what you think. Is this poll fair? Is it accurate?

WAC Football Preview and Predictions: Week Eight

Drew Morgan — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:42:17 -0400

This is an unusual week for the Western Athletic Conference in that all of this week’s games will be played on the day set apart for football—Saturday.

The conference championship picture is looking to get a little clearer after this week. Right now there are three teams without a conference loss, and two of them are playing each other.

All WAC teams are playing in-conference this week, while San Jose State will enjoy its week off and spend the extra time preparing for next week’s showdown with Boise State.

Boise State @ Hawaii

Saturday, 11:05 pm ET

Boise State returns to conference play on Saturday after another 10-day break. How sweet would it be to come back from an extended break just to take a trip to Hawaii? Life sure is tough on these college athletes.

Boise State will be looking to avenge its last trip to the islands, where the Warriors beat them 39-27 in 2007 and took away the conference championship—the only time since 2002 the Broncos did not claim the conference crown.

The Warriors are fighting to return to their 2007 form, but have been plagued by injuries of late, namely quarterback Greg Alexander and receiver Rodney Bradley. They are trying to avoid their longest winless streak since 2000, but they will have to do that hosting their highest-ranked opponent since USC came in 2005.

Hawaii has become a rival of sorts for the Broncos, but unfortunately will not be able to put up much of a fight this year.

Boise State 38, Hawaii 6

Fresno State @ New Mexico State

Saturday, 10:15 pm ET

After Fresno State lost three hard-fought games to start the season, they have rolled in their last two, scoring more than 40 points in each. Ryan Mathews is still leading the charge for the Bulldogs, averaging more than a touchdown per game and had his second 200-yard rushing campaign last week against San Jose State.

New Mexico State, a perennial bottom dweller in the WAC, has won some games they weren’t expected to this year, but still is a long ways from where they want to be. They haven’t beaten Fresno State since joining the conference, but the last three games were decided by less than a touchdown.

If the Aggies had played them during their tough out-of-conference schedule, the Bulldogs just might have been on upset alert. But not this week. The Bulldogs are playing too well to have a letdown and will take care of business in Las Cruces.

Fresno State 42, New Mexico State 14

Idaho @ Nevada

Saturday, 4:05 pm ET

Idaho is now bowl-eligible after beating Hawaii last week in Moscow, but they will face their toughest test yet when they travel to Reno on Saturday.

Everybody knows about Nevada’s firepower on offense, but Idaho has some stars quietly emerging out from under the Kibbie Dome. Quarterback Nathan Enderle has been playing lights out (with the exception of the San Jose State game) and running back DeMaundray Woolridge has already rushed for 12 touchdowns this year.

Both Idaho and Nevada are unbeaten in conference, so if either of these teams wants to challenge Boise State for the conference title, this game is a must-win.

Nevada 35, Idaho 31

Louisiana Tech @ Utah State

Saturday, 3:00 pm ET

Utah State is no doubt disappointed with its 1-5 start, but there has yet to be a game where the outcome was decided before the final quarter, and both of its losses to conference opponents have come by three points.

They will stay home this week to host Louisiana Tech after Nevada beat them on the road last week, 35-32. The Bulldogs looked good in their wins over New Mexico State and Hawaii, but not so good when they played Nevada.

Utah State is ready to break out, and this time will be on the winning side of a close game.

Utah State 31, Louisiana Tech 28

Boise State: Rain, Rain, Go Away...and Take Your Rankings with You

Drew Morgan — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:01:29 -0400

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.

WAC Football Preview and Predictions: Week Seven

Drew Morgan — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:15:00 -0400

Don’t look now, but it’s the other team from Idaho sitting on top of the WAC standings. With last week’s win over San Jose State, the Vandals are now 2-0 in conference and one game away from being bowl eligible.

If they do get to a bowl game, chances are it would be the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise. The last time the Vandals played in a bowl game was 11 years ago, a 42-35 victory over Southern Miss in the same bowl game.

WAC teams get one more week to figure out where they stand before defending conference champion Boise State returns from its out-of-conference schedule to join the fun.

Boise State @ Tulsa

Wednesday, 8:00 ET, ESPN

Boise State will travel to Oklahoma to take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane after a 10-day break following the most disappointing performance of the year.

Tulsa is 4-1 with their only loss coming as a shutout to Oklahoma. Their dynamic offense was second only to Oklahoma last season but has declined slightly with the loss of quarterback David Johnson.

However, while the offense has slipped some, the defense has more than made up for it. They are now ranked in the top 25 in scoring defense.

The Broncos come in with a new-found focus after being punished for only beating UC Davis by 18 points. They are determined to prove they belong among the top teams in the nation.

Boise State 45, Tulsa 7

San Jose State @ Fresno State

Saturday, 10:00 ET

San Jose State doesn’t have long to mull over the last minute loss to Idaho last week as they are scheduled to travel to Fresno on Saturday. Last year the Spartans lost to the Bulldogs 24-10 in their season finale.

Idaho quarterback Nathan Enderle (pictured above) kept trying to help San Jose State win last week, but they just couldn’t capitalize on the turnovers. They will need to do better this week if they hope to stay with the Bulldogs, who are coming off a 42-17 thrashing of Hawaii on the islands.

Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews, who has rushed for 528 yards and five touchdowns in his last three games, is licking his lips for this week’s game as the Spartans come in with the third worst rushing defense in the country.

Fresno State 42, San Jose State 10

Hawaii @ Idaho

Saturday, 5:00 ET

Hawaii will leave the sunny confines of the islands for the frigidity of Northern Idaho. Last year Hawaii defeated the Vandals 49-17.

As bad as Enderle looked last week, Idaho will be a lot more comfortable with him taking the snaps than Hawaii will be with sophomore Bryant Moniz. Moniz was declared the starter after Greg Alexander went down with an ACL injury and was less than impressive in his first full game. He completed less than half his throws and threw as many touchdowns as he did interceptions.

Everyone keeps saying each week is the week the magical run ends for Idaho, but it has yet to occur. This week doesn’t seem to be the one either as they play against a dismantled Warrior team who historically plays poorly on the road.

Idaho 27, Hawaii 19

New Mexico State @ Louisiana Tech

Saturday, 6:00 ET

New Mexico State picked up its second win over a Division I-A school last week when it knocked off Utah State at home. They will be looking to extend their winning streak to two wins in a row when they go to Ruston on Saturday.

However, Louisiana Tech on the road is a much different story than Utah State at home. Even though last year’s game against the Bulldogs was one of their closest, they still lost 35-31.

All signs point to Louisiana Tech being without star running back Daniel Porter, who injured his hamstring during the third quarter of last week’s game against Nevada. Porter is responsible for half of the Bulldogs’ touchdowns on the season, but even without him they should be able to end the Aggies' conference winning streak at one game.

Louisiana Tech 31, New Mexico State 14

Nevada @ Utah State

Saturday, 3:00 ET

San Jose State isn’t the only team trying to recover from a heartbreaking loss. The Utah State Aggies lost to perennial bottom-dweller New Mexico State on a last second field goal to keep them from their first FBS win and drop them to the bottom of the conference standings.

This week won’t get any easier, as they host a revitalized Nevada Wolf Pack team that destroyed them 44-17 last season.

The four-headed rushing attack of Nevada is going to prove too much for the Aggies, and they have yet to find an offense that could keep up with what their defense allows.

Nevada 49, Utah State 17

WAC Football Preview and Predictions: Week Six

Drew Morgan — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:28:27 -0400

Conference play in the Western Athletic Conference gets into full swing this week after some severe ups and downs in non-conference play.

The story of the season has been the Idaho Vandals, who are now 4-1 and have knocked off teams from the Mountain West and Mid-America conferences. The biggest disappointment for the WAC has been Nevada, who was expected to challenge for the conference title and even be a dark horse for a BCS bid. The Wolfpack is now 1-3 with their only win coming over in-state rival UNLV.

Defending conference champion Boise State stands idle this week and watches as the other eight teams battle it out to get a jump start in the conference race.

Fresno State @ Hawaii

Saturday, 11:05 PM ET

Last year the Bulldogs lost to the Warriors 32-29 in an overtime heartbreaker at home. They will be looking to avenge that loss late at night on the island as both teams look for their first conference win.

This will be a telling game for Fresno State, as they match up against like competition for the first time this season. They are only 1-3, but their three losses have all come against undefeated teams while their one win came against 1-AA UC-Davis. They played all of those three undefeated teams tough and have the firepower to match one of the most explosive offenses in the conference in recent years.

Speaking of Hawaii’s offense, it will be in serious trouble this week as starting quarterback Greg Alexander is sidelined for the year with a knee injury sustained in last week’s game against Louisiana Tech. It is a difficult offense to learn, so expect new starter Bryant Moniz to take some time before Hawaii returns to its high-scoring ways.

Fresno State 41, Hawaii 13

Idaho @ San Jose State

Saturday, 8:00 ET

The Spartans won a close game in Moscow last year 30-24, but San Jose State would be unwise to think that this is the same Vandal team coming to town this year. Idaho is looking for win number five, which would be the most for the team since 2000.

The Vandals have been riding the stellar play of quarterback Nathan Enderle through the first five games this season and will look to him again on the road against the Spartans. He has thrown for eight touchdowns and almost 1,300 yards already, and will look to add to those numbers against a San Jose team rated 114th in total defense.

Idaho 34, San Jose State 7

Louisiana Tech @ Nevada

Friday, 9:00 ET, ESPN

Nevada knocked off the Louisiana Tech 35-31 in Ruston last year to keep the Bulldogs from an outright second place finish in the conference. The game this year could prove to determine the second place team once again as both of these teams are as talented as anyone in the conference.

Nevada finally found the high-powered offense everyone was expecting before the season when they hosted UNLV last week. The potent rushing attack of Colin Kaepernick, Luke Lippincott, and Vai Taua has been relatively quiet this season, but then freshman Mike Ball came out of nowhere in last week’s game to rush for 184 yards and five touchdowns. That’s more trips to the endzone than all of the other three combined.

The Bulldogs stay at home after handily beating Hawaii ten days ago behind the strong legs of running back Daniel Porter. Playing in front of their own crowd with extra preparation time could prove too much for a Nevada team coming off a big win over their rival.

Louisiana Tech 27, Nevada 14

(Author's note: An observant reader noticed that I considered this game as though it was being played in Ruston when it is actually in Reno. Check the comments for my correction.)

Utah State @ New Mexico State

Saturday, 8:00 ET

Utah State and New Mexico State meet this week in the battle of the Aggies, and these two teams have more than the mascot in common. Both have new coaches at the helm and neither has been relevant in the conference race for years.

Both new coaches are looking to change that, and even though both teams have poor records to this point, 1-3 Utah State has played all of its opponents tough while 2-3 New Mexico State beat in-state rival New Mexico for the first time in seven years. This game will be an indicator of which perennial bottom dweller is on the way up.

New Mexico State is looking to avenge an embossing loss at the hands of Utah State in last year’s season finale when their only score came on a safety.

Utah State 24, New Mexico State 20

Boise State Drops In Polls After Rain Soaked Performance

Drew Morgan — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:05:06 -0400

Early in the second half of the game against UC-Davis, a quick scan of Bronco Stadium revealed that many of the fans couldn't endure to the final whistle.

The question is whether they left because of the inclement weather or the disappointing play of the home team.

Regardless, both those who left and those who stayed are hoping the performance was related to the conditions and that this game is not who the Broncos really are.

Boise State's performance wasn't terrible until you consider the competition. They did what they needed to do to get the win, but in today's game, that is not enough.

Because UC-Davis is a 1-AA team, the Broncos were leap-frogged by Virginia Tech in the polls despite the fact they won by a greater margin than the Hokies. Which must mean that Virginia Tech beat a much tougher team, right? No, they scraped by Duke, who lost to a 1-AA team on opening weekend.

So should we be worried about how the Broncos played this weekend? Do they still deserve to be a top ten team?

The blue and orange deep inside me wants to say that of course we are a top ten team, we should still be in the top five, and the only reason we didn't blow out the Aggies was because of the pouring rain.

Then the more reasonable fan inside me finds a voice and calmly states, "I'm glad that's over."

Let's be glad that we survived the weekend without reliving Michigan of 2007 and didn't suffer the drop in the polls experienced by Iowa in their encounter with Northern Iowa earlier this season.

And let's hope the Broncos learned they can never afford to take a game off because in all honesty, with their remaining schedule, the temptation will be there to do just that.

After going back and forth, I finally take a deep breath and realize that every team has at least one game where they under-perform each season, and it's fortunate the Broncos had that game on the weekend of their tune-up game and didn't affect the only stat that matters: wins.

So does the poor performance against a lower-tier merit a drop in the polls?

In a word, absolutely not.

Great teams win even when they are not playing their best, a fact which most people will agree to as far as the elite teams are concerned. But when a team like Boise State comes along, for some reason those same people forget that idea.

They say, "Well, looks like the Broncos aren't the team we thought they were after all."

I could understand the Broncos dropping if the teams behind them did something to deserve moving up, but I didn't see that happen this past weekend.

So who was directly behind the Broncos when they were ranked No. 5? That would be No. 6 Virginia Tech, No. 7 USC, and No. 8 Oklahoma.

Virginia Tech was discussed earlier, USC beat a California team already exposed by Oregon, and Oklahoma fell to Miami.

Boise State only fell one spot, but that was one too many. They are still a top five team and will prove that through the remainder of the season.

While it is tough to prove anything with their conference schedule, they will get a chance at the end of the year when they play in a BCS bowl against a top team that can't say no to playing the Broncos.

There's still a lot of football to be played, and any non-AQ team's dreams of BCS glory can come crashing down at any time, as was proven by Houston this weekend.

So what does Boise State head coach Chris Petersen think about his team's chances of making the BCS after this weekend's performance?

"I don't really know. I really don't care. I honestly don't care."

WAC Football Preview and Predictions: Week Five

Drew Morgan — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:12:47 -0400

After a short weekend and three midterms, I finally have time to get to this week’s Western Athletic Conference football preview.

One problem with covering the WAC is that they can play on any night of the week, so while Thursday is a very appropriate day to publish preview articles for other conferences, in the WAC you would already be a day late.

Consequently, this will be a preview-recap hybrid. Hopefully I can keep all the schedules straight in the future.

Louisiana Tech and Hawaii was the only conference game of the week, and Fresno State and San Jose State will both take the week off.

Out of the remaining teams, four will face foes from the Mountain West Conference. While the WAC is struggling to gain national credibility, it would also like to prove it is the best among the non-BCS conferences. Currently, the Mountain West is that conference, but four head-to-head wins, however unlikely, would dramatically help their cause.

Louisiana Tech 27, Hawaii 6

Both coming off a bye week, the Warriors and Bulldogs faced one another in a mid-week battle that marked the conference opener for each team.

Hawaii’s night went from bad to worse in the third quarter. While their usually explosive offense had failed to score a touchdown, the reason for that offense, quarterback Greg Alexander, went down with a knee injury.

Then in the fourth quarter, when the Warriors were finally going to get a touchdown, wide receiver Greg Salas fumbled in the end zone, where the Bulldogs recovered.

The story for Louisiana Tech was quite different; they ran the ball at will and controlled the line of scrimmage all night. In a conference full of dynamic running backs, Louisiana Tech’s Daniel Porter has emerged to give them all a run for their money, running for 160 yards and two touchdowns.

UC Davis @ Boise State

Saturday, 8:00 ET

Because the Broncos only have two teams with the Aggie mascot in their conference, they decided to invite the Aggies of UC Davis to come play on the Blue. Any chance of these Aggies catching the No. 5 Broncos off guard is gone since Boise State has a bye next week.

Bob Biggs has been coaching at UC-Davis for 17 years and was coaching there when Boise State coach Chris Petersen played there. Does the teacher still have some tricks up his sleeve for his former student? Maybe, but the student has since won the Paul Bryant Coach of the Year award, so I wouldn’t bet on it.

Fresno State beat UC Davis on opening weekend 51-0. You can bet Boise State won’t let the Bulldogs outdo them.

Boise State 58, UC Davis 0

Colorado State @ Idaho

Saturday, 10:30 ET, ESPNU

Before the season not many would think Idaho stood a chance in this game. But now the Vandals are 3-1 and playing at the formidable Kibbie Dome, where they are undefeated this year (1-0).

The Rams are coming off a loss to BYU but had taken down Colorado and Nevada previously. If the Vandals pull out the win, it will signify some significant changes in the conference.

Idaho 24, Colorado State 20

UNLV @ Nevada

Saturday, 4:05 ET

The Rebels will travel to Reno on Saturday for the 35th Battle for the Fremont Cannon. The Wolf Pack hold the edge in this rivalry 19-15 and have won the last four meetings.

Nevada started the season as the WAC’s hope to add more credibility to the conference but has done just the opposite, dropping the first three games of the season. Despite their winless record, they are favored in this game largely due to the potential they have on offense and home-field advantage.

Nevada 38, UNLV 27

New Mexico State @ San Diego State

Saturday, 8:00 ET

The Aggies are coming off a big win over in-state rival New Mexico, while the Aztecs limp in with a 1-3 record, their only win being Southern Utah. Despite all that, San Diego State is still heavily favored in this matchup.

San Diego State 21, New Mexico State 14

Utah State @ BYU

Friday, 9:00 ET

After losing to Utah in the season opener, the Aggies are looking to avoid losing to their other in-state rival when they travel to Provo to take on the Cougars on Friday night.

They will be facing a powerful offense in BYU, but if anyone knows how to slow it down, it’s Utah State coach Gary Andersen, who spent five seasons as the defensive coordinator at Utah.

BYU 38, Utah State 20

Why Boise State's No. 5 Ranking Is Too High

Drew Morgan — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:48:11 -0400

The Boise State Broncos jumped up to No. 5 in all of the major polls after destroying Bowling Green 49-14 on Saturday.

Okay, the Bowling Green game had nothing to do with it. However, the fact that No. 4 Ole Miss, No. 5 Penn State, and No. 6 Cal all lost to unranked teams sure did.

Even with all of the turmoil in the top 10 through the first quarter of the season, the Broncos should not be in the top five.

Why not?

Just look at their schedule. Oregon, Miami (the northern version), Fresno State, and Bowling Green don't exactly add up to quality lineup.

Or do they?

There's no excuse for Miami, and that's why the Broncos shut them out, and little for Bowling Green, although the Falcons did play tough against a ranked Missouri team.

Fresno State has a terrible record, but look at their losses. A double overtime loss to Wisconsin at Camp Randall and a fourth quarter loss on the road to No. 10 Cincinnati.

And of course we all know about Oregon's 42-3 throttling of then No. 6 California. The Ducks are now 3-1 and have the inside track to winning their conference.

So why should the Broncos be ranked lower? Their conference is weak. Sure they do fine in the WAC, but they couldn't compete like this week in and week out in a "real" conference.

Maybe we should look a little closer at that argument as well.

Joining an automatic qualifying conference would make the Broncos that much better. They would now get a larger piece of the BCS pie, meaning better facilities and maybe even the stadium expansion we've been dreaming of for so long.

Not to mention the number of recruits that would come because now they would have a fair shot at a national championship.

Put Boise State in a "real" conference, or in other words, level the playing field, and see what the Broncos can do.

So why don't the Broncos belong in the top five? Because they don't have the tradition and legacy of the other teams in the nation.

College football is almost 150 years old, and Boise State has been in division 1-A for a measly 13 years. They don't belong with the Alabamas, Notre Dames, and Michigans of the world.

Using the same logic, you could say the United States is irrelevant because it is only a couple hundred years old in a world with countries that have existed for thousands of years.

There is only one reason Boise State shouldn't be in the top five this early in the season.

It's not who they are.

Boise State is David, the Little Giants, Rudy, and Rocky all rolled into one.

They don't run off of blue-chip talent, they depend on blue-collar determination.

They play their best with a chip on their shoulder and the world looking on in doubt.

The last thing the Broncos need is to think they are one of the elites, the teams that can just show up and push over the little guys. They should know this as they have been the little guys refusing to be pushed over.

Boise State, learn from your fallen brethren in Provo, who reached as high as No. 7 before crashing down at the hands of Florida State.

Your destiny is in your hands, don't forget what got you to this point, and continue to play with the heart of a Bronco.

Boise State-Bowling Green: What To Watch For Against the Falcons

Drew Morgan — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:55:36 -0400

The Boise State Broncos will travel to Perry Stadium for the first time in school history to face the Bowling Green Falcons on Saturday.

Coming off a big win against conference rival Fresno State, the Broncos will look to keep their perfect season alive against a Bowling Green team that could present more of a challenge than it has in the past.

The Falcons are only 1-2, with their lone win coming at home against Troy. Both of their losses occurred by a single touchdown on the road against Missouri and Marshall.

Maybe the key to victory for this game would be for the Broncos to paint a giant "M" on their helmet.

Here are some things to look for in Saturday's matchup.

1. Will anyone notice D.J. Harper's absence?

With running back D.J. Harper done for the season, Doug Martin will return to his place in the offensive backfield. All signs indicate that he is just as capable as Harper and starter Jeremy Avery.

It will be interesting to see if the offensive game plan changes much to better accommodate Harper's running style.

2. Which defense will show up?

After dominating its first two opponents, the Bronco defense was exposed against Fresno State. Will it buckle down, keep its assignments, and make tackles to avoid another breakdown?

Expect the defense to learn from last week's mistakes and play with a new motivation. It shouldn't come as a surprise if the Broncos pitch another shutout on Saturday.

3. Will the Moore brothers ever connect?

Freshman wide receiver Kirby Moore burned his red-shirt during the Miami game and two games later has yet to get a reception.

A lot has been made of his relationship with older brother Kellen, and it would be nice to see these two start hooking up for some big plays.

Boise State Broncos: Why D.J. Harper's Injury Is a Blessing in Disguise

Drew Morgan — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:05:55 -0400

Although the Broncos pulled off a win in Fresno last Friday, many Bronco fans admitted it was painful to watch the vaunted defense give up more than 500 yards.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the most unpleasant experience of the night.

For that we have to go to the other side of the ball, when junior D.J. Harper went down very awkwardly.

And didn't get back up.

The star running back was later diagnosed with a torn ACL that will keep him off the field for the duration of the season.

Harper's loss will be noticeable, as he leads the team in rushing yards, yards per carry, and rushing touchdowns.

Despite all this, the Broncos will be better off in the long run because of his injury.

According to NCAA rules, Harper will qualify for a medical hardship waiver, or medical red-shirt, because he played in less than 30 percent of his teams games all during the first half of the season. Meaning that next year he will still be a junior with two years of eligibility remaining.

Which means the Broncos will be ridiculously deep at running back for an extra season. Here's a look at what the depth chart might look like for the next couple years.

2009:

Jeremy Avery (Jr.)

Doug Martin (So.)

Jarvis Hodge (Jr.)

2010:

Jeremy Avery (Sr.)

D.J. Harper (Jr.)

Doug Martin (Jr.)

Malcom Johnson

2011:

D.J. Harper (Sr.)

Doug Martin (Sr.)

Malcom Johnson (So.)

Doug Martin was playing on offense and defense, backing up Winston Venable at nickel-back, until Harper went down. It is possible that he will return to that role next year with Harper back and Malcom Johnson also on the roster as a red-shirt freshman.

Martin should be recognized for his character throughout the off-season and the many transitions the coaches have subjected him to. He has been moved all over the field and up and down the depth chart, never once complaining about his role. He plays with the heart of a Bronco and does his best to help his team wherever they need him.

In short, the Bronco running game will be just fine this season without D.J. Harper and they will get more mileage out of this great running back in the long run.

WAC Football Preview: Week Four

Drew Morgan — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:24:55 -0400

WAC teams did nothing to help the national perception of the conference by posting a 2-5 record against non-conference foes last weekend—not to mention one of those victories came against an FCS team.

So what does this mean for the WAC? It can only go up from here.

There are two more weeks of non-conference games before conference play starts up. If the WAC wants to improve its dismal reputation around the country and help out Boise State’s cause for a BCS bowl, they all need to step up and knock off some teams they aren’t supposed to and take care of the teams they are.

Boise State @ Bowling Green

Saturday, 7:00 ET

Boise State will face another team from Ohio on Saturday, traveling to Bowling Green to take on the Falcons.

There might be some concern of a hangover from the shootout victory over Fresno State last Friday, but there shouldn't be. The Bronco defense is looking to prove last week’s allowance of over 500 yards was a fluke and completely shut down whoever they play.

The Broncos will be without star running back D.J. Harper after an ACL tear suffered during the Fresno State game sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Doug Martin, who has spent time on both sides of the ball this season, will fill in for Harper and complement Jeremy Avery very well in the offensive backfield.

Boise State 49, Bowling Green 14

Fresno State @ Cincinnati

Saturday, 12:00 ET

The Bulldogs are much better than their 1-2 record indicates, and they will be looking to prove it Saturday in Cincinnati. The Bearcats are the top team in the Big East, and a win from Fresno State would go a long way to help the WAC’s reputation.

The Bulldogs will count on another huge game from running back Ryan Mathews and fewer mistakes from quarterback Ryan Colburn to pull off the upset. If their offense has another game like last week's, and if the defense plays up to its potential, they will win in a shootout.

Fresno State 34, Cincinnati 31

Idaho @ Northern Illinois

Saturday, 3:30 ET

Boise State’s win on Friday tied them with Idaho for first place in the conference, and Idaho is going to prove it belongs there when they travel to the Midwest with the Broncos to face a MAC team as well.

In the first week of the season, the Vandals proved they aren’t the worst in the conference, and last week they proved they wouldn’t be the worst in the Mountain West either. Saturday they have a chance to prove they wouldn’t be the worst in the MAC and possibly crack the top 100.

Idaho 27, Northern Illinois 20

Missouri @ Nevada

Friday, 9:00 ET, ESPN

Nevada supposed themselves to be the team to knock off Boise State this season and convinced a lot of outsiders that it could happen. After devastating losses to Notre Dame and Colorado State, the Wolfpack have one more chance to prove they are a contender this year when they host the Missouri Tigers on Friday night.

Missouri destroyed Nevada last year by a score of 69-17, but this year the Tigers are without quarterback Chase Daniel and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. Colin Kaepernick and company are hungry to back up the preseason hype in front of their own crowd for the home opener.

Nevada 42, Missouri 31

New Mexico State @ New Mexico

Saturday, 10:00 ET

The Aggies will travel to Albuquerque to face the Lobos in what will be the 100th meeting between the in-state rivals. New Mexico holds a significant edge in the all-time series (66-28-5) and has won the last six meetings.

This game will also be another indicator of which conference is stronger at the bottom between the WAC and Mountain West.

New Mexico 28, New Mexico State 14

Cal Poly @ San Jose State

Saturday, 8:00 ET

After a brutal start to the season that featured USC, Utah, and Stanford, the Spartans take a much-deserved break this week when they host FCS team Cal Poly.

The Spartans are much better than their winless record indicates, and they will have a chance to prove just that once they start conference play following next week’s bye week.

San Jose State 51, Cal Poly 10

Southern Utah @ Utah State

Saturday, 8:00 ET

Utah State is coming off a tough loss to Texas A&M in College Station and will play host to FCS Southern Utah on Saturday. The Thunderbirds will provide a good tune-up game before the Aggies travel to Provo the following week to face in-state rival Brigham Young.

Utah State 35, Southern Utah 3

Boise State Broncos: What We Learned From Fresno State

Drew Morgan — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:11:17 -0400

The top rivalry in the WAC took us back to the days when every conference game was a shootout, as Boise State outscored Fresno State 51-34 Friday night.

The Broncos jumped out to an early 24-3 lead before the Bulldogs came barking back to make it 24-17 at halftime. The teams traded scores for the rest of the game until Boise State finally pulled ahead for the closest 17-point win they have ever had.

After an impressive win over Oregon and not much of a challenge from Miami (OH), Boise State learned a lot about themselves in this hard-fought battle with the Bulldogs.

Here are five things we learned about the Broncos this weekend.

Newcomers welcome on defense

In a game where the defense was less than impressive, two of the newest Broncos turned some heads.

Junior college transfer Winston Venable took over the nickel-back position vacated by Ellis Powers during fall camp. But by the way he played Friday; it is now his position to vacate.

He started the game by returning an interception for a touchdown on Fresno State’s first drive of the game, and ended it by flying through the air to sack Ryan Colburn.

Sophomore Billy Winn wasn’t sure if he would have a starting spot on the defensive line coming into fall camp. Now it sounds ridiculous that anyone considered otherwise.

Winn was a force to be reckoned with, amassing 6 tackles and 2 sacks while wrecking havoc on the Bulldog offense all night.

Kellen Moore is mortal

If you just glanced at his stats, 181 yards and 3 touchdowns, you would think Moore played as excellent of a game as he did against Oregon where he accrued similar numbers. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case.

Moore didn’t have a terrible game by any means, he just wasn’t completing the throws he usually makes and seemed a little more tentative than usual. He also missed a chance to connect with little brother Kirby Moore.

There’s a lot of speculation for what caused Moore’s less than usual performance, ranging from the humidity to swine flu. Chances are he just had an off-night and will be back to his normal self next week.

Kyle Brotzman can make a field goal from the left hash

After missing two field goals from the left side against Oregon, Brotzman finally got the monkey off his back and made his first one from that side against Fresno. Hopefully this is a sign that the kicker is back to his old self.

The defense can’t afford to take a week off

After allowing a mere eight points to the powerful Oregon offense and shutting our Miami (OH), Boise State’s defense caught the attention of local media and bloggers who spent the week trying to come up with a nickname for the daunting unit. Some of the ideas were creative, but none were good, with the likes of Blu-nami and Blue Voodoo leading the charge.

Whether or not the players got involved in the selection process, they were definitely over-confident. After giving up over 500 yards to the Bulldogs, it is certain the defensive players will be sufficiently humbled during practice this week.

There is no shortage of running backs in Boise

While Fresno State running back Ryan Matthews stole the show on Friday, Boise State’s backs didn’t have a bad game either. D.J. Harper and Jeremy Avery make for a powerful duo in the backfield, with Doug Martin and Jarvis Hodge supplying able backup.

When Boise traveled to Fresno two years ago we saw the Avery and Harper coming out party as they carried the load for an injured Ian Johnson. There must be something they like about that town. Harper ran for 107 yards and a touchdown while Avery compiled 186 yards and graciously gave his touchdown to Titus Young when he fumbled the ball in the endzone.

Click here to see what the Bulldogs learned from this game.

Boise State Vs Fresno State: A Bronco's View Of The Friday Night Matchup

Drew Morgan — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:59:11 -0400

Game Preview

The annual meeting of Boise State and Fresno State is a smoldering rivalry that has been waiting to catch fire. However, in recent years, the game has been anything but close. Last season, in the season finale for both teams, the Broncos came away with a 51-point win.

Many factor the Bulldogs lack of competitiveness in this game to the brutal schedule to which they subject themselves year after year. Which is exactly why the game this season could be very different.

Generally these two teams meet late in the season in hopes that it ends up as a de facto conference championship. With this year’s game falling on week three, the Broncos will face a much healthier Bulldog team than they are accustomed to.

Boise State is coming off a dominating performance against the Oregon Ducks and an expected dismantling of the Miami (OH) Redhawks. The offense is hot and the defense has been a very pleasant surprise.

Fresno State rolled UC Davis in their season opener and suffered a heartbreaking loss at the hands of the Wisconsin Badgers last week. They have been relying on a strong running game and good defensive play for their first games of the season.

Boise State will win if…

They can win the trench battle

Fresno State relies heavily on a solid running game to control the pace of the game and put together scoring drives. If the Broncos can control the line of scrimmage they will force the Bulldogs to go to the air, which would create a huge advantage for Boise State.

Fresno State quarterback Ryan Colburn threw three interceptions in last week’s game against Wisconsin while the Boise State defense garnered four interceptions against Miami (OH). If Colburn is forced to pass often, expect to see many of his completions to the opposing team.

They get more production from the running game

While the Boise State offense has anything but struggled over the first two games, a stronger running game would make it near unstoppable.

Kellen Moore has the arm and the receivers to put up huge numbers on any defense, but if that defense is forced to play against the run and leave those receivers in man coverage…well, it could get ugly.

Boise State will lose if…

They continue to have turnover issues

The biggest concern for Bronco fans thus far in the season has been the inordinate amount of turnovers and fumbles, especially on the center-quarterback exchange.

Turnovers are the quickest way to slow down a powerful offense, and giving Fresno State the ball with good field position could put the Broncos in a hole that will be difficult to climb out of.

They don’t take Fresno State seriously

This is a very different Bulldog team than the one that came to Boise last year. The Broncos would be very foolish to overlook them and think this game is in the bag.

Fresno State always gets up for this game, and will be looking to punch Boise State in the mouth from the get-go. The Broncos can’t afford to be surprised by the Bulldogs and get behind early.

The X-Factor

For the determining factor in this game, look no further than the headsets on the sidelines. Fresno State head coach Pat Hill would love to silence the hometown critics with a win over Boise State.

He will have his hands full with one of the brightest coaches in America on the opposite sideline. It will be interesting to see how creative Hill is willing to get on his play calling in order to outdo Boise State head coach Chris Petersen.

Prediction

Very few defenses in the nation can stand up to the Boise State offense, and Fresno State is no exception. If they want to beat the Broncos, they are going to have to put up a ton of points in an effort to outscore them in a shootout. Unfortunately, that just won’t happen with the way Boise State’s defense is playing.

This rivalry will one day become more competitive, but not this year.

Boise State 38, Fresno State 10

For a Bulldog's take on the game, check out Todd Kaufmann's article.

WAC Football Preview: Week Three

Drew Morgan — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:40:07 -0400

The WAC provides plenty of action this week, with the game of the week being a conference matchup of the two best teams in the conference during the new millennium.

Also, WAC teams play three games against teams from the Mountain West. None of these games involve the top teams from either conference, so this week will be a good determiner of which conference is stronger throughout.

Boise State @ Fresno State

Friday, 9:00 ET, ESPN

WAC rivals meet on Friday night for what is always a highly anticipated game. Boise State will be traveling for the first time this season after blowing out an overmatched Miami (OH) team. Fresno State returns home after a tough double overtime loss to Wisconsin.

Generally the Bulldogs play the Broncos late in the season and are too beat up to put up much of a fight. With the game in week 3, the Broncos will take the Bulldogs best effort for the first time in years.

This game tends to play a huge role in deciding the conference champion, and this season looks to continue that trend.

Boise State 38, Fresno State 10

Hawaii @ UNLV

Saturday, 9:00 ET

Hawaii will stay on the mainland for the second week in a row to take on the UNLV Rebels. The Warriors are 2-0 and are coming off a win over Washington State. UNLV is coming off a heartbreaker of a loss at home to the Oregon State Beavers.

This game will be a good indicator of how the middle of the WAC compares to the middle of the Mountain West, as both teams are about the fourth or fifth best team in their respective conference.

UNLV 24, Hawaii 21

San Diego State @ Idaho

Saturday, 5:00 ET

In another matchup between the WAC and Mountain West, San Diego State travels up to Moscow to take on the Vandals. This will also be a good indicator of the two conferences, as each is near the bottom in each.

Idaho 21, San Diego State 17

Nicholls State @ Louisiana Tech

Saturday, 7:00 ET

Louisiana Tech, picked by many to be the dark horse team of the conference, has been less than stellar in their first two games, losing to Auburn and Navy. While neither of those losses were to terrible teams, they were games many thought they should win.

A game against FCS Nicholls State will provide a much needed rest before the Bulldogs get into conference play.

Louisiana Tech 31, Nicholls State 7

Nevada @ Colorado State

Saturday, 5:00 ET

Nevada spent the bye week recovering from the 35-0 pounding they took from Notre Dame in the season opener. They will face Colorado State in yet another matchup with the Mountain West.

The Rams are undefeated through their first two games, with a one touchdown win over in-state rival Colorado (possibly one of the worst teams from a BCS conference) and a one point win over FCS Weber State.

Nevada 38, Colorado State 21

UTEP @ New Mexico State

Saturday, 8:00 ET

New Mexico State is now 1-1 after a close victory over Prairie View A&M. While UTEP is not an incredibly formidable opponent, they don’t need to be.

UTEP 21, New Mexico State 6

San Jose State @ Stanford

Saturday, 9:00 ET

San Jose State played tough in last week’s loss to Utah, and they will face an equally talented team in Stanford. The Spartans could have the toughest OOC schedule in the WAC, and it is taking a toll on them.

Stanford 24, San Jose State 17

Utah State @ Texas A&M

Saturday, 7:00 ET

The Aggies will take on the Aggies in College Station this week as one of the worst teams in the WAC tries to take down one of the worst teams in the Big 12.

Utah State has had an extra week to prepare for this one, but that might not be enough against Texas A&M and the Twelfth Man.

Texas A&M 35, Utah State 7

Boise State Broncos: What We Learned from the Miami (OH) Game

Drew Morgan — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:09:34 -0400

The Broncos certainly did not succumb to a post-Oregon let-down, crushing the Miami Redhawks on Saturday 48-0.

The score, in and of itself, is not surprising or even newsworthy. The Broncos were expected to win without much difficulty.

However, when one looks beyond the score, there is much to be excited about for Bronco fans.

Here is a short list of things we learned about the Boise State football team from last weekend's game.

The passing attack is officially downright frightening

Tyler Shoemaker has officially arrived, making some ridiculous catches for 55 yards and a touchdown.

He adds a third dimension to a receiving corps already tough to defend, which includes Austin Pettis and Titus Young.

Also, in case you missed it, Kirby Moore made his college debut on Saturday. He didn't have any catches, but we are sure to see more of him during the season.

Kellen Moore didn't have a great game, but was still deadly accurate. It will be exciting to see what these brothers can do.

The defense is for real

Pitching a shutout is an accomplishment no matter who you are playing, and even though the Redhawks put up more of a fight than the Ducks, the Bronco defense held them to 194 total yards and 0 points.

The only thing that worked for Miami was the receiver screens; the Broncos never seemed to be able to stop them from gaining 5-10 yards.

Miami's Thomas Merriweather is a tough runner, but the defense held him to a mere 20 yards. Boise State will need a similar showing from their run defense next week against Fresno State.

The pass defense didn't look too shabby either, picking off four passes and coming up yards short of returning one for a touchdown.

Somebody find out who kidnapped Kyle Brotzman

The city of Boise is on alert for whoever kidnapped junior Kyle Brotzman and replaced him with a lead-footed clone.

After missing two field goals against Oregon, the fake Brotzman missed the first PAT of his career on Saturday.

The police are now profiling all those who had great sophomore seasons and huge letdowns during their junior year.

Zabransky, we want our kicker back!

Boise State Broncos-Miami Redhawks: Three Things To Look For

Drew Morgan — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:02:06 -0400

After last week's impressive win over the Oregon Ducks, Boise State will stay home to host the Miami Redhawks of the Mid-America Conference.

Miami is coming off a 42-0 loss to Kentucky on Saturday and a 2-10 record in 2008.

Needless to say, this game could get out of hand real quick. That is assuming, of course, that the Broncos stay focused and don't look ahead to next week's game against Fresno State.

From what I know about Coach Petersen, that won't be a problem.

But that doesn't mean there won't be things to watch for in this game. Here are a couple things to watch for and contemplate while the maintenance staff replaces the lights in the scoreboard.

1. Who is the number one running back?

While there is an "or" on the depth chart, there still has to be someone listed before the "or" and someone listed after.

On this week's depth chart, which matches last week's, it's Jeremy Avery listed just ahead of D.J. Harper.

However, it was Harper who had the better game last week, tallying the lone rushing touchdown of the game and almost doubling Avery in yards per carry.

Pay attention to see if the coaches favor one over the other as a hint of who will emerge as the full-time starter.

However both of these backs are incredibly talented, so it is likely that the "or" will remain on the depth chart for the duration of the season.

2. Is the offensive line for real?

The offensive line was dominant in the Oregon game, and the same unit is back for Miami.

Do you remember the last time the Broncos had the same starters on the offensive line for two games in a row?

While the Redhawks won't be the best indicator, this could be the start of something special along the offensive front.

3. Will Kyle Brotzman be okay?

There is no doubt Brotzman will get plenty of chances to practice his PATs in this game, assuming Coach Pete doesn't continue to go for two every time.

Hopefully there will be some opportunity for the Broncos to kick some field goals as well.

After missing two field goals in last week's game, Brotzman needs to get his confidence back up before he is needed in a tighter game.

WAC Football Preview: Week Two

Drew Morgan — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:24:43 -0400

The WAC is coming off a disappointing week, as two teams looking to bump up the conference’s reputation were shut down. Nevada got shut out by the Irish, and Louisiana Tech got trounced by Auburn.

This week the WAC has another chance to take down the big boys with three games against BCS teams, but the outlook is much slimmer.

There are no conference games this week, so the Vandals will remain comfortably in first place.

All games are on Saturday and all times are Eastern, none will be nationaly televised.

Miami (OH) @ Boise State, 8:00

The Redhawks will come to Bronco Stadium for the first ever meeting between the schools. They will be severely overmatched by the Broncos.

This game will be a good opportunity for Boise State to clean up some of that sloppy play we saw in the Oregon game, especially the snap when Kellen Moore goes under center.

Boise State 45, Miami (OH) 3

Fresno State @ Wisconsin, 12:00

After last week’s tune-up game, the Bulldogs begin their tough schedule at Camp Randall in Madison, Wisconsin. Fresno State will count on their strong running game to keep it close, but playing the Badgers at Randall is never an easy task.

The Badgers beat the Bulldogs last year in a 13-10 heartbreaker in Fresno, and you can bet Pat Hill and his boys are out for revenge.

Wisconsin 20, Fresno State 14

Hawaii @ Washington State, 7:00

Hawaii comes to the mainland trying to make another Pac-10 team a victim of the WAC. They shouldn’t have too much trouble with the Washington State Cougars, believed by many to be the weakest team in their conference.

Pay attention Greg Alexander, who is seeking to become the next in line of record-setting Hawaii quarterbacks.

Hawaii 27, Washington State 10

Idaho @ Washington, 3:30

Idaho is currently sitting atop the WAC standings and riding a one-game win streak, tying their longest win streak since 2006.

They will join Hawaii on a trip to the Apple State to face the Washington Huskies. After Washington’s 0-12 season, this seemed like a winnable game for the Vandals. Then the Huskies played LSU tough for four quarters and things got less hopeful.

Washington 35, Idaho 13

Louisiana Tech @ Navy, 3:30

Last week, Navy looked good in a tough loss to Ohio State, while Louisiana Tech was less than impressive against Auburn. Derek Dooley’s coaching ability will be put to the test against the Midshipmen triple-option attack.

Navy 24, Louisiana Tech 14

Prairie View @ New Mexico State, 8:00

New Mexico State is coming of a tough conference loss to Idaho, and is looking at being the worst in the WAC for the second year in a row. They need to take care of business against Prairie View A&M if they want to avoid being the worst in the nation.

New Mexico State 6, Prairie View 3

Utah @ San Jose State, 10:30

The Utes are looking to go 2-0 against WAC teams this season after beating Utah State last week. They travel to San Jose to take on the Spartans, who are coming off a huge loss to USC.

Utah 31, San Jose State 17

The Split Personalities of Max Hall

Drew Morgan — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 12:45:42 -0400

One of the most frustrating aspects of being a BYU fan is never knowing who is going to play quarterback on Saturday.

Senior Max Hall began his third year as the Cougar's starter last weekend, but this still doesn't mean we have had any idea who would show up under center the past couple seasons.

In the same season, we would see one Max Hall show up and throw for seven touchdowns in a game.

And then we would see another Max Hall show up and throw five interceptions and tack on an extra fumble.

Cougar fans have been on this roller coaster ride so many times that not a single one had any desire to stop by the Six Flags on the way to Jerry Jones' stadium for the Oklahoma game.

And then Max Hall took his schizophrenia to a whole new level.

No more did he save his ups and downs for different games, he pulled them all into the season opener.

Against the Sooners, he started off shaky, making some qustionable decisions and throwing to receivers that no one but him could see.

And then Hall decided he wasn't going to wait until next week to change his personality. And his timing couldn't have been better.

With his Cougars down by six in the fourth quarter, Hall orchestrated a masterpiece of a drive, going 78 yards in almost 9 minutes for the go-ahead touchdown.

Hall looked like the Heisman hopeful some have proclaimed him to be. Cougar fans now have to hope that he got all of personality changes out of his system.

If he plays the rest of the season the same way he finished the game against Oklahoma, it could be a magical season for BYU.

WAC Teams (and Princeton McCarty) Get Tripped Up: Week One Wrap-Up

Drew Morgan — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:59:44 -0400

The WAC had an opportunity to garner some respect around the nation this weekend with four games against BCS teams, three of them ranked. Unfortunately, only Boise State, who was technically favored in the game, pulled out a win.

Boise State 19, Oregon 8

Boise State’s defense stole the spotlight, holding the Ducks to 152 yards and not giving up a first down until halfway through the third quarter. Kellen Moore looked great, completing 66 percent of his passes for 197 yards and a touchdown.

This one could have been more lopsided without two shanked field goals by Kyle Brotzman and a couple inexplicable fumbles.

The Broncos are now on the inside track to a BCS bowl game.

Fresno State 51, UC Davis 0

As expected, the Bulldogs manhandled the Aggies to open the season. That’s right, not only does the WAC have two teams whose mascot is an Aggie, they have to schedule games against more Aggies.

The worst part for UC Davis is that they face Boise State next month. You can bet the Broncos won’t be outdone as far as beating up on 1-AA teams.

Hawaii 25, Central Arkansas 20

Central Arkansas proved more formidable than expected, and the Warriors’ performance was sloppier than normal, but Hawaii still managed to escape with a narrow win. Greg Alexander looked sharp passing for three touchdowns and over 300 yards.

Idaho 21, New Mexico State 6

Not only did the Vandals get a big win in the WAC pillow fight of the week, running back Princeton McCarty easily had the best play of the week.

From the Idaho 32, he busted through the line and tore down the field leaving Aggies in the dust. Unfortunately, he couldn’t quite get to the goal line as that tricky little five-yard line tripped him up, sending his face mask into the one-yard line.

Check out the video here.

Auburn 37, Louisiana Tech 13

Louisiana Tech looked like they could hang with the big boys for a little while, but Auburn turned out to be too much.

Notre Dame 35, Nevada 0

The Wolfpack traveled to South Bend with the conference counting on them to improve the nation’s perception of the WAC and laid a big, fat goose egg.

Colin Kaepernick had an average game, with 149 yards passing and 39 yards rushing. Unfortunately, the conference was counting on the outstanding version of Kaepernick showing up.

Nevada still has one more BCS opponent on their schedule in Missouri, so hope remains for the team and the conference.

USC 56, San Jose State 3

San Jose State pulled ahead early with a first quarter field goal, but that was the end of their success. USC ripped off 56 unanswered points and made the Spartans look just plain silly. Hopefully they will be able to recover in time for next week’s game.

Utah 35, Utah State 17

Gary Anderson spent his first game as Utah State’s head coach in Salt Lake City where he spent four years as the defensive coordinator. The Aggies put up a good fight and kept it close for the first half, but it’s hard to win any game when you give up over 500 yards.

Oregon Ducks-Boise State Broncos: Glad It's Over

Drew Morgan — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:00:41 -0400

After all of the build-up, speculation, and prognostication this game has garnered throughout the season, there is only one thing I can say.

Thanks heavens it's over.

Now both teams, and fan bases, can finally move on to the rest of the season.

Or can they.

The incident at the end of the game will leave a bad taste in the rivalry. And with 27 total points scored, no one really feels that good with the way their team played.

If Vegas had set the over/under at 30, how many of you would have bet your house, car, and dog on the over?

The worst part is, with all of the connections between Oregon and Boise State, this had the potential of being a good-mannered, respectful rivalry. With what's happened in the first two games, it doesn't look like that will ever be the case.

I was disgusted by the way the game ended. A Bronco unable to keep his mouth shut and a Duck unable to control his temper will be all that's remembered about this one.

Does anyone remember that Kellen Moore had another solid game with 197 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions?

Or how about the defensive line we were worried about completely shutting down the Oregon rushing attack?

I don't remember how many fumbles the Broncos had, how come no one is worried about that?

Nope, the only thing that will come out of this one is the immaturity of Bryon Hout and LeGarrette Blount.

Well, it's time to move on. Let's get on to next week so that this game, after eight months of anticipation, can finally be put to rest.

To most of the Oregon fans, I enjoyed debating with you and appreciated all of the insight you provided on your team. You are a classy bunch.

I will sincerely pull for Oregon for the remainder of the season. Mostly because it will help Boise State's cause but also because I have always respected their program.

Good luck with the rest of your season, Oregon. Let's hope we can meet again under more favorable circumstances.

Creature Vs. Creature: A Bronco's Take on Oregon-Boise State

Drew Morgan — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:29:43 -0400

Game Preview

The Oregon Ducks will visit the Boise State Broncos on Thursday night to finish off the second part of a home-and-home series. Although last year’s game was their first-ever meeting, a rivalry is already brewing between the two teams.

The Broncos were not supposed to stand a chance last year. They had never beaten a BCS team on the road and were going into Autzen stadium—one of the toughest places to play in the nation—with a freshman quarterback whose only experience was two home games against Idaho State and Bowling Green.

That was the day the nation was introduced to Kellen Moore. In one of the hottest places to play, Moore was cool as could be, throwing for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns as the Broncos upset the Ducks 37-32.

Boise State finished the season 12-1 with a tough loss to TCU in San Diego at the Poinsettia Bowl. They were one of the youngest teams in the nation and return most of last season’s players.

Oregon went on to a 10-3 record and an impressive 42-31 win over Oklahoma State in the Holiday Bowl, also in San Diego. Once they established Jeremiah Masoli as the starting quarterback, the offense became near unstoppable.

This will be Oregon coach Chip Kelly’s first game as a head coach after spending two years as the offensive coordinator. While some may consider this a disadvantage, remember that Boise State coach Chris Petersen led the Broncos to an undefeated season in his first season after stepping up from offensive coordinator to head coach.

Boise State will win if…

Boise State’s running game is effective

Boise State has a great pocket passing quarterback in Kellen Moore. A strong running game will force Oregon’s defense to stay honest and Moore will have wide-open receivers all night.

In order to do this, the offensive line must pull together. The Broncos had a tough time getting any kind of run game going against a decent team last year because there was no consistency up front.

Also, running backs Jeremy Avery and D.J. Harper need to carry the load they once shared with the now-graduated Ian Johnson. This shouldn’t be a problem. When Johnson was injured against Fresno State in 2007, Avery ran for 124 yards and three touchdowns while Harper added 153 yards and a touchdown of his own.

The interior defensive linemen are ready

Oregon is going to try and establish the running game with bruising running back LeGarrette Blount. The defensive line must withstand the rushing onslaught in to keep the Broncos in the game.

Boise State’s defensive tackles are young but showed a lot of promise in fall camp. They will line up against a young offensive line that is the biggest question mark for the Ducks.

If Boise State can stop—or at least slow down—Oregon’s running game, it will force Masoli to go to the air. Masoli doesn’t have a weak arm, but he is much more suited as a runner than a pocket passer.

Boise State will lose if…

Oregon can attack deep often

If Masoli demonstrates he has improved in the passing game, as some reports have indicated, it could spell trouble for the Boise State defense. They will have trouble defending a balanced attack as the secondary won’t be able to help out with the run defense.

They get behind early

If the Ducks jump to an early lead, they have the ability to eat up a lot of clock. They need to avoid turnovers and limit Oregon’s big plays in order to keep it close.

The X factor

The difference in this game will be how each team responds to the revenge factor.

It is no secret that last year’s game featured too many unsportsmanlike plays. It will be interesting to see if that carries over to this year.

Neither team can afford to give up the penalties associated with such plays, or to play out-of-control and make key mistakes. However, it would also be unwise to play timid for fear of the yellow flag.

Big hits and intensity are crucial to whoever wants to win this game. The team that wins will be the team that plays "thisclose" to out-of-control.

Prediction

All signs point to a close, hard-fought game. It could very well be that the team with the ball last wins.

While last year’s game saw Boise State jump out to an early lead before Oregon came roaring back, I see this one staying close throughout.

Boise State 34, Oregon 28

For the Oregon side of this "Creature vs. Creature" check out Jeff Kneis' piece.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/246979-creature-vs-creature-a-ducks-take-on-oregon-boise-state

WAC Football Preview: Week One

Drew Morgan — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:56:11 -0400

The first week of football season is finally upon us. This will be the first of weekly articles giving you the storylines and predictions you need for the upcoming week in WAC football.

The first week of the season features plenty of action against BCS opponents and an early conference game.

Oregon @ Boise State

Thursday 10:15 ET, ESPN

Boise State takes on Oregon in what could be the most important game all year for the Broncos. The Broncos beat the Ducks last year at Oregon 37-32. The Ducks come to Boise on Thursday seeking revenge for the loss and “embarrassment” they suffered last season.

Boise State 38, Oregon 24

UC Davis @ Fresno State

Saturday 10:00 ET

Fresno State faces off against in-state UC Davis in what shouldn’t be too much of a challenge.

Fresno State 45, UC Davis 14

Central Arkansas @ Hawaii

Saturday 1:05 AM ET (Friday Night)

Hawaii will stay home the first week to play Central Arkansas. While the Bears won’t put up much of a fight, at least they get to start the season in the islands.

Hawaii 42, Central Arkansas 7

Idaho @ New Mexico State

Saturday 8:00 ET

Idaho will face New Mexico State in the lone conference matchup of the week. This is actually a huge game for both teams, as the winner will be on the inside track to not finishing dead last in the conference. The Vandals won last year’s game in Moscow 20-14.

Idaho 24, New Mexico State 10

Louisiana Tech @ Auburn

Saturday 7:00 ET, ESPNU

Louisiana Tech will take on the Auburn Tigers of the mighty SEC. Coach Derek Dooley has something smoldering over there on the eastern edge of the conference. Don’t be surprised if this is the year it catches fire. An upset over a BCS team could be a big start to a big season for the Bulldogs.

Louisiana Tech 21, Auburn 17

Nevada @ Notre Dame

Saturday 3:30 ET, NBC

Nevada will take on Notre Dame in the first game of what could be a magical season for the Wolfpack. All the pieces are finally in place for a (dare we say?) BCS run. While Nevada doesn’t play a whole lot of defense, there aren’t a lot teams out there that can stop their offense. Tune in for a high-scoring affair in South Bend.

Nevada 45, Notre Dame 34

San Jose State @ USC

Saturday 3:30 ET

San Jose State also faces a BCS team this week in the USC Trojans. The Spartans have been getting better every year, but this game will be a little too much for their opener.

USC 49, San Jose State 10

Utah State @ Utah

Thursday 9:00 ET

Utah State will kick off the Battle for the Beehive Boot against Utah on Thursday night. The Aggies won the boot for its first four years, but only twice in the 24 years since. Last year’s game in Logan resulted in a lopsided 58-10 win for the Utes.

The rivalry could be renewed as Gary Anderson will lead the Aggies in his first season as head coach after spending four years as the defensive coordinator at Utah.

Utah 31, Utah State 14

Boise State Reveals 2009 Depth Chart

Drew Morgan — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:09:09 -0400

It's official.

The depth chart for the 2009 season has been posted at broncosports.com. Barring any extreme circumstance, these will be the starters next week against Oregon.

Here is a breakdown of the new Bronco lineup.

Offense

QB - Kellen Moore

RB - Jeremy Avery/D. J. Harper

FB - Richie Brockel

WR - Austin Pettis/Titus Young/Tyler Shoemaker

TE - Tommy Gallarda

LT - Matt Slater

LG - Will Lawrence

C - Thomas Byrd

RG - Kevin Sapien

RT - Michael Ames

Not a lot of surprises in the "skill" positions, but the offensive line makes up for that. Especially at right tackle.

Michael Ames is a red-shirt freshman and won the job over Nate Potter and Garrett Pendergast.

The offensive line, while getting bigger, is still small when compared with the other big teams. The Broncos' O-line averages 6'3" and 287 lbs.

They are big enough to dominate in the WAC, but in order to be with the big boys, they will need to rely on their athleticism and technique. The O-line will be an issue to keep an eye on all season.

Don't worry about the offensive backfield and receivers. They have enough talent to play with any team in the nation.

Defense

E - Ryan Winterswyk

T - Billy Winn

N - Chase Baker

E - Jarrell Root

LB - Derrell Acrey

LB - Aaron Tevis

N - Winston Venable

S - Jeron Johnson

S - George Iloka

CB - Kyle Wilson

CB - Brandyn Thompson

Not a lot of surprises here. Most of these positions were all but final during the spring.

The most notable decision comes at the nickleback position. JuCo transfer Winston Venable won the job over the transplanted runningback Doug Martin.

The defensive line is the biggest variable, but shouldn't be too much of a concern. Ryan Winterswyk will again lead a formidable group.

The secondary will once again be among the best in the nation.

Specialists

K/P - Kyle Brotzman

PR - Kyle Wilson

KR - Titus Young

Junior Kyle Brotzman will do all the kicking duties for the Broncos for the third year in a row.

Kyle Wilson and Titus Young are always dangerous on returns.

Heart Of A Bronco: Remembering Bush Hamdan

Drew Morgan — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:53:11 -0400

In one short season, Bronco Nation has fallen in love with Boise State QB Kellen Moore.

And who can blame them?

As a freshman, he led the Broncos into formidable Autzen Stadium and a win over the Oregon Ducks. He wrapped up an undefeated regular season and fought hard in a tough loss to TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl.

Most importantly, he has brought stability to the quarterback position, bringing the end to speculation that has been common during fall camps of late.

It almost makes us as fans forget about what the team was going through just last year, as the freshman Kellen Moore battled with senior Bush Hamdan for the starting job.

Hamdan had been a Bronco since 2004 when he red-shirted as Jared Zabransky began his career as the starting quarterback. He was recruited out of the D.C. area not only for his athletic ability but also because of his high character.

He played the role of backup quarterback for the next two seasons with minimal playing time.

Once Zabransky left after the magical 2006 season, there was a great void to be filled on the Boise State depth chart, with Hamdan and senior Taylor Tharp as the leading candidates to take the job.

After a long spring, longer summer, and dreadful fall camp, Coach Petersen announced that Taylor Tharp would fill the role of starting quarterback.

This was one of the tightest quarterback races ever in Boise State history, and even Petersen's announcement failed to end the discussions of who was really better. If not for a injury to Hamdan's hand during fall camp, the 2007 season could have been much different.

Even as many felt Hamdan was the better player, he took his place as the backup quarterback and supported his team, knowing he had another shot his senior year.

Enter the newest hero of the city of Boise, high school all-star from Washington Kellen Moore.

In a quarterback race that far surpassed the preceding season, Moore won the job over senior Bush Hamdan.

While I was excited for Moore and for stability at the quarterback position over more than a single season, I couldn't help but feel for Hamdan. After so many years of waiting and supporting and being a Bronco, I wanted him to have his shot.

Fortunately, he isn't as selfish as I am. Bush stepped up, took his spot as a backup, again, and worked as hard as he could to support his team.

I can't say for sure, but I doubt anyone cheered as loud as I did as he took the field as a starter in the Fresno State game.

And I'm sure only his heart sunk more than mine as he threw an interception on his opening drive. Moore returned to his spot, and led the Broncos to a 61-10 win over the Bulldogs.

Bush finished the season with the character that accompanied him throughout his career. He completed his degree in communications and is now working on a masters degree in athletic administration.

While Bush Hamdan will never be the hometown hero Kellen Moore already is, he is a great example of a true team player.

We all want our sons to be as great of a player as Kellen, I hope we can all be as great of a person as Bush.

Boise State AP No. 14: Highest Ever Preseason Rank for Non-BCS Team

Drew Morgan — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:19:04 -0400

With the release of the AP preseason poll this past weekend, Bronco fans have something more to be excited about.

Boise State is ranked 14, the highest preseason ranking ever for a non-BCS team during the BCS era.

So what does the ranking mean for this season?

If the Broncos go undefeated, they will be all but guaranteed a BCS bowl. Maybe a Fiesta Bowl rematch against Oklahoma? Or even a bid into the Rose Bowl as another first for a non-BCS team?

But what about the National Championship, could the Broncos high rank be a springboard into the biggest of them all?

Not likely. The schedule is just too weak. Their biggest game will be against the lone BCS team on their schedule, Oregon, on the first weekend of the season. Meaning that even if the Broncos win, the game will be far from the minds of the voters on the final week of the season.

However, the climb to the title game is not a sprint, but a marathon.

Boise State can take advantage of the high ranking by getting to and winning a BCS bowl, then returning next year with most of the team intact to an even higher preseason ranking.

That preseason ranking will have much more potential as that year's schedule is much more impressive.

(For a more in-depth look at the possibilities for 2010, check out this article)

All in all, the high preseason rank bodes well for the Broncos, but fans should be careful about getting too excited.

Last year, BYU set a similar record, being ranked 16 in the AP preseason poll, the highest ever for a non-BCS team at the time. The Cougars then underperformed and ended up 10-3, not a bad season but a far cry from the perfection they were looking for.

Let's hope the Broncos do not suffer a similar fate.

Things To Look for at Boise State's Second Scrimmage

Drew Morgan — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:49:02 -0400

Boise State will hold the second scrimmage of the fall this Friday at 7:30 PM at Bronco Stadium. It will be open to the public and admission is free.

Here are some things to pay attention for during the scrimmage.

Has the offensive line developed any chemistry?

Last year we endured a struggling offensive line seeking to find its identity in hopes that it would all pay off this year. The fans are hoping that with a year of experience under their extra large belts they will play better as a unit.

The first scrimmage was not an indicator that this happened, as the offense rushed for for a total of -4 yards. That is not a typo, that is a negative sign in front of the four.

The Broncos cannot afford to be one-dimensional against a high- caliber team like Oregon. Whether or not the offensive line comes together is critical in establishing a strong running game and creating a balanced offensive attack.

What kind of defense will the Broncos go with?

With the secondary being the strongest part of the defensive unit, it is likely that we will see more of the nickel package this year.

It is no secret that the Broncos are weak on the defensive line. Pay attention to the blitzes and other schemes from the backfield that defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox comes up with to make up for the holes up front.

Is the team ready mentally?

One of the biggest things to watch for is the general disposition of the team. It is important the team be loose and having fun not just in practice but during the game as well.

One thing I love about Boise State and Coach Petersen is the ability to be focused and dedicated while still having fun and remembering that it is just a game. Pay attention to how the team acts on the sidelines and between plays.

This will be our last chance to see the Broncos on the field before the season opener. If you are able to attend, please comment on the answers to these questions as well as anything else you observed.

The Quest For The Gameday Shirt

Drew Morgan — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:16:40 -0400

From pregame snacks to skipping over boundary lines, from tying shoes in the correct manner to what color sweatbands to wear, superstition abounds in every sport at every level.

Fans are no less guilty of this than the athletes.

Want proof? Go to any college town during a home game. You will find fans of all ages parked in the same place, eating the same pregame tailgate meal, and dressed from head to toe in their usual team apparel.

For years I have worn the same shirt for every BSU game, with the exception of the games when the publicity despots mandated a certain color for our section.

The shirt I speak of is a standard white t-shirt I got for free for attending the Boise State Football camp. It is two sizes too big and has multiple stains from various stadium meals.

This shirt has carried the Broncos to three undefeated regular seasons in recent years and been there as they established themselves as a perennial top-25 team.

However, as the Broncos dropped their fourth bowl game in five years, I began to wonder if it was time for a changing of the guard.

I opened my closet to see the candidates for the position of official gameday t-shirt, knowing that I could not just go out and buy something so important. It had to come from within.

I thought about my commemorative Fiesta Bowl t-shirt, thinking it would be a reminder we could actually win bowl games.

I tried to decide what color it should be, the bold orange, the constant blue, or a neutral gray or white.

I left this quest for a while determined to return once gameday was nearer.

And then, this week, I got my answer.

I walked up the hill to campus to take my two final exams for the summer term, followed close behind by an overshadowing cloud of doom. I knew today was not going to be a good day.

Then, with some kind of miracle, I got just enough points on the exams to pass both classes, and with the Boise State fight song in my heart, I cheerily walked home.

Then I realized it, I looked down to see the shirt I was wearing, and I just knew. The simple blue shirt you see pictured above would be the new gameday shirt.

So here's to superstition and the belief that anything the fan does wrong could cost their team the game.

I look forward to hearing about your favorite gameday superstitions.

You can call them traditions if it makes you feel better.