BCS Buster: Five Reasons We Don't Want Boise State in BCS National Championship

Sure, they're a great story. 

We have grown to love the blue turf, sideline marriage proposals, dramatic come from behind Statue of Liberty victories, and the cute little small conference school we call Boise State.  But after their impressive season-opening victory against major conference opponent, Virginia Tech, we've all become a little wary of a Boise State Bronco appearance in the BCS title game in January. 

Here are five reasons college football fans will be rooting for a Boise loss in the weeks to come. 

Reason No. 1: Schedule

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 04: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Boise State Broncos celebrates after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs 17-10 during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 4, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo b

The most popular argument for why college football fans have abandoned the once-Cinderella darlings of college football is the "strength of schedule" argument.  And while it's not necessarily my favorite reason, it is certainly legitimate. 

For the remainder of the season, the Broncos will play mostly opponents from a very mediocre (even for a minor conference) WAC.  Of the 11 remaining teams on their schedule, only three had a winning record in 2009.  Oregon State looks to pose the only potential threat.  But don't hold your breath. 

It's hard for me to imagine a team with this schedule getting a championship bid over a team that faces eight SEC or Big 12 opponents.  But, much to our dismay, if Boise State runs the table, look for that very thing to happen.

Reason No. 2: Tradition

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 04: Winston Venable #17 of the Boise State Broncos reacts after making a stop on fourth down against the TCU Horned Frogs in the fourth quarter during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 4, 201

Like it or not, most college football fans are traditionalists.  We don't like our traditions to be messed with.  And no matter what team you pull for, there is something about Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Texas being in a BCS title game that satisfies our lust for deep tradition. 

And while David and Goliath is a great Biblical story, the thought of a small conference team like Boise State or TCU stepping into that spotlight is a little threatening to our traditions. 

Reason No. 3: End of the Season Drama

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 04: Winston Venable #17 of the Boise State Broncos reacts in the third quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 4, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by J

There's nothing like December when teams are competing in conference and getting ready for conference championships.  There's a competitive drama like no other.  Boise State minimizes the end of the season suspense when they are likely to get a championship bid over a one-loss SEC or Big 12 team regardless of the conference championship outcomes.   

Reason No. 4: Mushy

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 04: Michael Ames #54 of the Boise State Broncos kisses a cheerleader after the Broncos 17-10 victory against the TCU Horned Frogs during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 4, 2010 in Glendale,

Boise State is a cute story.  Who likes cute??  Cute is for puppies and girls. 

College football fans don't want cute.  We want tough.  We want blood.  We want dirty, and what we don't want is to see our football players kissing their girlfriends and proposing to their fiances on the sidelines of big games! 

Save cute for the WAC and the MAC.  You want to run with the big boys?  Act like a man! 

Reason No. 5: We Have No Way of Knowing If They Belong

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 04: A fan holds up a sign before the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl between the Boise State Broncos and the TCU Horned Frogs at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 4, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

I've heard it said that a team like Boise State has no right to be playing for a national title because they don't play anyone.  And although this goes back to the schedule argument, I think it's safe to say that the statement could be right. 

But it's not Boise State's fault.  It's the fault of the NCAA. 

And until there is a playoff in place where a team like Boise State has to make their way through three or four of the best that college football has to offer, we will always face the reality that minor conference schools could creep their way into the title game.  We don't know if Boise State, TCU, Utah, etc. belong in this game or not.  One win against a Virginia Tech or Oregon State doesn't settle it. 

But for now, we might want to get ready for the reality that we could be watching a TCU-Boise State BCS National Championship.