Boise State Football: Weak Schedule Dooms Broncos' BCS Title Hopes

The debate ends with Boise State deserving a shot at this year’s BCS title game before the season even gets underway. The perennial mid-major powerhouse has another ho-hum schedule that does not deserve consideration among the college football elite.

The conference situations being what they are, Boise State of the Mountain West, does not have enough clout amongst the six BCS automatic berth leagues. Every year, however, the Broncos run the table and fans complain about them getting snubbed.   

The Broncos were rated No. 22 in the USA Today Preseason Poll faceoff with only one other team in the top 25 this season. Boise State visits No. 13 Michigan State in East Lansing to open the season.

Compare that to No. 1-ranked LSU. The Tigers take on five teams ranked in the top 25, three of which are in the top 10 (No. 2 Alabama, No. 9 South Carolina and No.10 Arkansas). Reigning National Champion Alabama plays four teams in the top 25, including a non-conference tilt with No. 8 Michigan.

Even taking the SEC aside, there are other teams, formerly of Boise State’s stature, that would have more reason to argue for a BCS berth. TCU, who joined the Big 12 this year, has an inherently tougher schedule now. The No. 17 Horned Frogs take on the likes of No. 4 Oklahoma, No. 15 Texas, No.19 Oklahoma State and No. 21 Kansas State as part of its conference calendar. They also battle No. 11 West Virginia out of conference.

The move from the WAC to the Mountain West still does not make Boise State a viable candidate for the BCS National Championship. Until they get into a stronger conference or schedule a grueling non-conference agenda, the Broncos will remain on the outside looking in.

A playoff system can’t come soon enough. Until then, the debate rages on.