Boise State Football: Broncos Remaining in Mountain West in 2012

Boise State will be joining the Big East soon, just not in time for the 2012 season.

According to USA Today, the Broncos have decided to make their planned move out of the Mountain West Conference as previously scheduled, in 2013.

The school's athletic department had considered an early jump to the Big East to help bolster the conference's college football ranks (now that West Virginia will leave it with just seven teams for the upcoming season). However, the logistical issues associated with finding new affiliations for its non-revenue sports, combined with the considerable financial hit Boise State would take in an early move out of the MWC, made the delay more likely.

Said university president Dr. Bob Kustra of the matter:

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"While we have had several discussions with the Big East and the WAC in moving our sports into those two leagues a year earlier than previously stated, the University feels there were too many obstacles to overcome to make the move at this time. While there certainly would have been advantages in making the move a year early, it became clear that it would not be fiscally responsible, as all of the expenses associated with early entry into the two conferences would not be covered."

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The Broncos have long angled for inclusion among the "big boys" of the BCS. They've won the Fiesta Bowl twice since 2007 and spent time as legitimate national title contenders during each of the last two seasons.

Whether Chris Petersen's squad can hang with top-level competition from game to game remains to be seen. For now, the Smurf Turfers will have to remain content with beating up on the Mountain West for at least one more season.

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