Boise State Football: 7 Things Holding the Broncos Back from a BCS Bid

The Boise St. Broncos are in a serious rebuilding year, but that probably doesn't scare coach Chris Petersen. You can expect him to have his team ready and able to compete at an extremely high level.

However, it is still unclear what conference the Broncos will be in for the 2012 season. Rumors are swirling that Boise State may still move to the Big East, and that will dramatically affect the checklist for a BCS appearance.

If the Broncos remain in the Mountain West they will need to be perfect to get a nod. They keep learning that lesson the hard way.

But, if Boise State is in the Big East all they have to do is win the conference. A Big East champion gets an automatic bid, and that could happen even if they lose two, three or even four games.

Let's take a look at the seven things that could hinder the Broncos from BCS glory once again.

1. A Quarterback

This will be an intriguing spring in Boise, Idaho. The quarterback competition will heat up along with the weather.

Junior Joe Southwick, sophomore Grant Hedrick, redshirt freshman Jimmy Laughrea and newcomer Nick Patti will battle it out for the chance at leading the Bronco offense into 2012.

Whoever wins this spot will have a tremendous amount of pressure placed on them to produce results.

Could lightning strike twice? Remember it wasn't but four years ago the Broncos were being written off because they didn't have a clear leader at quarterback. Well, four years and 50 wins later we all know how Kellen Moore turned out.

Can anyone compare to Moore? Can anyone top Moore?

Probably not, but they don't have to. The Broncos have a lot of talented players on that roster, and you can bet Coach Pete will have them tuned up in time for the big race.

2. A Solid Defense

The rebuilding process for the Broncos on defense will be a challenge.

Eight starters from last year's amazing squad are gone and new faces will have to step up to make magic happen.

It will be more than nerve-racking for Bronco fans over the course of the next six months. You can rest assured those same fans will be watching the spring game with more than casual interest.

If the new members of the team can step up and returning players can prove themselves worthy, the Broncos will be just fine. If not, a BCS bid may be out of reach.

3. Inexperienced Starters

Last year freshman Matt Miller came out of nowhere to become an incredible asset for the Broncos. Well, Boise State will need a few more Matt Millers next season.

Seven starters on offense are gone as are eight starters on defense.

However, there are 26 seniors on the 2012 roster. Most people probably don't realize that fact, but it is true. But, many of those 26 have limited or no time as starters.

Look for those elder players to step up and take command. If they can show the kind of senior leadership that is desperately needed on a young team and if they can raise their level of game, the Broncos will have surprising success.

If not, it could be a long year.

4. Competition

Even if the Broncos are a great team once again, they may be hindered by their schedule.

They open at Michigan State, but the Spartans are in a serious rebuilding year of their own. After that they face Southern Miss, Miami Ohio and BYU. The Cougars should be decent, but none of those teams will win any "style" points.

However, this is where knowing the conference the Broncos will be in is important. If Boise State remains in the Mountain West it will face teams like Nevada, Hawaii, Fresno State, Colorado State, Wyoming, etc. It will impossible with that resume to impress any serious college football critics or fans.

But, if Boise State is playing in the Big East it will be playing teams like Pitt, Rutgers, Cincinnati, Louisville and the like. Not only that, but the Broncos will not have to go undefeated to make a BCS game.

Last year West Virginia earned a spot with two conference losses and three losses overall. If the Broncos are in the Big East it will increase their chances at a BCS bid.

5. Attention

Here is another angle that depends on the conference.

If the Broncos stay in the Mountain West they will be playing in a conference and on television stations with little attention.

If Boise State goes to the Big East they will be back on ESPN and they will certainly get their views.

Every Bronco fan knows what the television deal in the Mountain West meant for their team last season, and many believe the faster BSU can escape that contract the better.

The Big East brings the competition and exposure for BSU. If they end up staying in the MWC one more year, it could seriously hinder a chance at a BCS bid.

6. Lack of Dominant Running Game

The running game was great for Boise State last year. However, Doug Martin is gone, and it will be hard to fill his cleats.

Proof of that is the fact that the only game Mr. Martin missed last year is the only game the Broncos lost. That, of course, was the TCU game.

D.J. Harper did play great in Martin's place, but it still wasn't enough for the win.

BSU will need D.J. to have a great year and for at least one or two other young backs to step up.

One thing that will help is that fullback Dan Paul will be back healthy. Boise State missed him last season, and his ability to lead the way should help add a few yards on the season.

The running game will be crucial to establishing the Bronco offense in 2012.

With a new quarterback, the ability to move the ball on the ground will take some pressure off of him and allow the passing game to develop.

If this doesn't happen, the weight of the offense might be too much on the shoulders of the new QB.

7. Looking Back

Boise State doesn't have time to look back. Kellen Moore and the rest of that stellar senior class are gone from the scene. Many of them will be playing on Sundays next season.

However, the current Boise State team doesn't have the luxury to rest on what has been done in the past. They must build their own legacy.

Coach Petersen will no doubt push this team to earn their own greatness.

If each player can dig deep and play at a higher level than they have ever achieved, collectively this BSU team could shock the nation.

It will take discipline, heart, blood, sweat and tears. It will take determination, grit, sacrifice and struggle. In the end it will be up to the 2012 team to determine their own destiny and outcome.

If they can push through and overcome, they will rise to BCS glory.