Boise State vs. Wyoming: Head Coach Suspension Not Enough Motivation for Upset

As Boise State prepares to take on Wyoming this weekend, the Broncos' rise to BCS relevancy isn't the only storyline to follow. On Monday, Wyoming suspended its head coach, Dave Christensen, for his actions following the team's loss to Air Force the previous week.

Wyoming is overmatched in this upcoming game. Boise State is ranked No. 21 in the BCS, winning six consecutive games after its early season loss at the hands of LeVeon Bell and Michigan State.

Still, since the game is at War Memorial Stadium, there's always going to be more emphasis on what it's going to take to pull off the upset.

In a three-game losing streak that's included a tough one to swallow at the hands of the Air Force Falcons and only a 14-point performance against Fresno State, the motivation is certainly there to knock off Mountain West conference foe Boise State in Laramie.

Throw in the suspension of coach Christensen, who was seemingly arguing with Air Force coaches after the game to protect his players, and Wyoming has to be on upset watch, right?

Wrong.

Boise State is playing dominant defensive football right now. They are sixth in the country in points allowed, they've played inspired football on the defensive side of the ball.

With the exception of the second half against New Mexico and Michigan State, we would have been talking about Boise State with Notre Dame as potential BCS busters.

As it is, the one loss and lack of domination in the game against New Mexico has hurt any chance Boise State had of making a dramatic splash in the BCS picture.

Wyoming, although an up-and-coming team on offense with two QBs that have been impressive, have much work to still accomplish. Brett Smith and Jason Thompson run the two-QB system that Christensen employs, and have managed to keep the team in games, for the most part.

But Boise State is on a mission, and the team has managed to take the target on its back and turn it into a positive thing. Here's what senior Chris Potter had to say about the team's early struggles, per the Idaho Press-Tribune:

"

People (for) some reason viewed that this is the year to beat the Broncos, senior receiver Chris Potter said. We’ve really taken it to heart. We have had the mindset that maybe teams can, if the Broncos beat themselves. We focus on ourselves and at the task at hand.

"

That kind of focus spells trouble for the Cowboys. At 81st in the FBS in points scored, how will they be able to put points on the board against this defense?

All signs point to Wyoming coming out of the tunnel strong. However, all signs also point to Boise State recognizing their chances to overwhelm voters are now fewer and farther between than ever before this season. 

With a renewed sense of purpose, back in the BCS standings and just starting to hit their stride with Joe Southwick at QB, this should be the blowout-type win we've all become accustomed to seeing the Broncos enjoy.

Boise State is 6-0 all time against the Cowboys, and there's not enough to suggest they change that this weekend, even if the loss of Christensen is a motivating factor in practice and preparation.

Follow @DowntownEG