BCS Rankings Week 12: Boise State Broncos Disrespected Yet Again

When the BCS Rankings were released last night, the Boise State Broncos were in fourth place yet again, behind the Oregon Ducks, Auburn Tigers and TCU Horned Frogs. Despite a week when the Broncos won by a score of 52-14, Oregon only won by two points and TCU squeaked out a five point victory. Yet, Boise State didn't manage to leapfrog anyone in the standings. So, did the BCS disrespect the Broncos?

TCU Statistics

All year, Boise State has been punished for their strength of schedule (or lack thereof), but, TCU has had an even easier schedule and hasn't been punished for it.

TeamRankings.com ranks Boise State as having the 61st toughest schedule. TCU checks in at 69th. But, the Horned Frogs biggest win was against then No. 5 Utah, a team that now appears to have been overrated.

Utah started off the year with an overtime win over then-No. 15 Pittsburgh, but now the Panthers sit at 5-4, so that win doesn't look as good as it once did. Then, the Utes didn't play anyone decent until they were destroyed by TCU.

Then, on Saturday, Utah played another stinker of a game at Notre Dame, managing only a field goal in a 28-3 loss to a previously 4-5 team. Next week, the San Diego State team that only lost to TCU by five points plays Utah. Look for Utah to lose their third straight game and drop from the BCS rankings all together.

So, in the matter of two weeks, Utah has dropped from No. 5 in the BCS to No. 23, devaluing TCU's win substantially.

Boise State Statistics

Meanwhile, Boise State's biggest win was against Virginia Tech, a team that has won eight straight games and is cruising through the ACC.

After losing their opener to Boise State and then getting stunned by James Madison, the Hokies have regained their composure and have climbed back to 16th in the BCS standings.

The next biggest win for the Broncos was against Oregon State, a team TCU also beat this year. But, Boise State won their game by more. Isn't that about as good a judge of both teams' talent levels as there could possibly be without a head to head matchup?

Some point to TCU's defense as the reason they are ahead of Boise State in the rankings. Yes, the Horned Frogs have the nation's best defense, but guess who's number two. Yep, that would be Boise State, the team that also boasts the nation's second-best offense. TCU only has the seventh-best offense.

What Should Happen

TCU has an off week this week and then plays a 1-9 New Mexico team to close out their season. So, the Horned Frogs will almost certainly finish with an unblemished 12-0 record.

Meanwhile, the Broncos have three games left, one against a tough Fresno State team, one on the road against No. 18 Nevada and one against Utah State to close the season. If the Broncos beat Fresno State this week, they should jump TCU in the standings.

Then, if they manage to beat Nevada on the road, they should maintain their spot ahead of TCU. Then, they'll be waiting to see if Oregon slips up against Arizona or if Alabama takes down Auburn.

If the BCS has any positive value, it would put an undefeated Boise State team in the championship game over any potential one-loss team.