Boise State Football: 5 Things That Will Keep Coach Chris Petersen Up at Night

The head coaching job at the FBS level has to be an adventure, to say the least. It is a life full of blame and credit, the spotlight and the limelight, and everything else in between.

The roller-coaster ride a coach signs up for is often one he didn't count on or expect. Still, most of the coaches who go along for the ride wouldn't trade it for the world.

However, there are times when it has to be a particularly taxing affair—those issues, players, events or games that make a coach's hair turn gray and causes his morning coffee to be replaced with liquid antacid.

Boise State head coach Chris Petersen is a very cool, calm and collected individual on the outside, but even he has to have those restless nights when he struggles with the stress of it all.

Let's look at five possible situations that could keep him up at night.

Whom to Start?

One possible sleep interruption is the decision on whom to start at quarterback for the Broncos in 2012.

Do you start the experienced junior Joe Southwick? After all, he is the most veteran of the quarterbacks and knows the playbook the best.

Or do you instead start Nick Patti as a true freshman, expecting to get four solid years out of this incredible Florida athlete?

On one hand, Southwick did have a great spring game and seemed ready to command the offense. On the other hand, Patti looked very impressive with the limited amount of the playbook he currently understands.

So who is it?

Do you risk setting aside a player who has done all the right things just waiting for his chance when Kellen Moore graduated?

Or do you burn a couple of years of Patti's eligibility while he waits and learns behind Southwick?

In the end, you know Coach Petersen will make the best decision for the team, but you can't say he won't lose a little sleep in the process.

Kick a Field Goal?

So what will the Broncos do on fourth down in "field goal range" in 2012?

Will Coach Petersen just decide to forgo the field goal all together? Instead, will he make it his offense's new strategy to absolutely go for it on fourth down inside the 35?

Not only that, but what will Petersen do the next time a game is on the line and a field goal might win it for the Broncos?

Will he send out the kicking unit?

Does he only send it out if the team's on the left hash mark so that any kick that may go way right still has a chance?

Who knows?

However, if you think Petersen hasn't lost sleep over past kicks or the thought of future ones, you haven't followed Bronco football.

In the end, you have to believe Boise State will not be giving up on field goals any time soon, though you might look for situations when the Broncos opt to go for it rather than rely on the foot of their kicker.

Big East or Not Big East?

That is the question.

With all the struggles Boise State seems to be having in landing a conference for its Olympic sports, what will happen to the Big East deal for football?

The Big East brings better competition, better bowls, better exposure and way more money.

However, what will happen if that is all taken away because BSU can't place its other sports elsewhere?

The Big West is an option, but it may cost travel subsidies for the Broncos. It would be well worth it, though, because the Big West is a great fit for Boise State's Olympic sports, but it still seems like a long shot.

What will happen? How will it all turn out?

Big East or not Big East? That is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of Big East fortune, or to take arms against a sea of Mountain West troubles?

Coach Petersen probably loses a little sleep over this one. After all, there is little that can be done if the WAC falls apart and the Big West won't take the Broncos.

The Opener

The opening game against Michigan State will certainly have the butterflies flying around Boise State.

Coach Petersen, along with the rest of Bronco Nation, will lose sleep over this one. It will be one of the most mysterious and intriguing opening games in Bronco history.

Will the new guys pan out? Will they play to their potential? Will Michigan State be ready? Will the Broncos be ready?

Chris Petersen will probably have a few nights of tossing and turning come the week of Aug. 31, 2012. However, those fears, doubts, hopes and expectations will come to a head at 6 p.m. MDT on opening night in East Lansing.

Will it be a nightmare? Will it be a dream come true? Only time will tell. Until then, it means a few sleepless nights.

Stay Healthy, D.J.

The Broncos are going to be thin at running back this season, but their starter is a great one.

D.J. Harper is back for his sixth year of eligibility, and he will be the go-to guy. Drew Wright is his backup, but Harper will be the one the Broncos look to for most of the work.

Look for Petersen to do all he can to protect Harper from injuries late in games they control. Also, look for the Broncos to have a couple of guys step up to give Harper some relief.

In the end, Petersen will certainly be concerned about keeping his star running back healthy. There may be a few nights along the way that he finds it difficult to fall asleep.

However, you have to believe the sleepless nights are all part of the job. Coach Petersen doesn't seemed bothered by losing a little sleep. In fact, it appears he might enjoy it.

The 2012 season will be just like every other season. It will have its share of ups and downs and highs and lows.

The coach, the players and the fans of the Broncos wouldn't have it any other way. It is all part of what makes college football the incredible fascinating obsession it has become.

Is it fall yet?