BCS Rankings: Why Boise State Should Be Playing in a BCS Bowl Game

Boise State, set to jump to No. 3 in the BCS standings, fell to Nevada in a 34-31 OT thriller, dropping them to No. 10 in the rankings and earning them a berth in the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas.

In related news, Boise State President Bob Kustra reportedly bashed the BCS for one of the computers making an error in its rankings, leading the Broncos to be incorrectly placed at No. 11 behind the LSU Tigers.

Clearly, Kustra's outburst was merited.

But moving on, Boise State should not be punished for one bad loss.

The Broncos clearly missed out on their shot for a national championship, but here are 10 reasons why they should be playing in a BCS bowl.

Kellen Moore

Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images

BOISE, ID - NOVEMBER 19: Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos calls the play against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Bronco Stadium on November 19, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

No longer a secret, Kellen Moore is going to the Heisman ceremony in New York, and deservedly so.

His 33:5 TD:INT ratio is incredible, and his 185.00 passer rating is second only to Cam Newton.

Defense

Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images

BOISE, ID - SEPTEMBER 25: Tight end Joe Halahuni #87 of the Oregon State Beavers is tackled by safety Jeron Johnson #23 of the Boise State Broncos at Bronco Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

The defense broke down in the loss to Nevada, but other than that, it has been incredible.

Boise's defense is fourth in the nation in points allowed at just 13.6 per game.

The Broncos have held opponents under 14 points eight times this season.

Virginia Tech

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 06: Quarterback #5 Tyrod Taylor of the Virginia Tech Hokies is tackled by defensive end #40 Tyrone Crawford, linebacker #33 Tommy Smith, and linebacker Aaron Tevis of the Boise State Broncos at FedExField on September 6, 2010 in

Virginia Tech is playing in a BCS bowl, but the Broncos aren't.

If you don't recall, Boise State beat the Hokies 33-30 in the season's opening week.

The ACC doesn't deserve its automatic bid this year.

Connecticut

Elsa/Getty Images

EAST HARTFORD, CT - NOVEMBER 27: Jordan Todman #23 of the Connecticut Huskies carries the ball around the Cincinnati Bearcats defense on November 27, 2010 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. The Huskies defeated the Bearcats 38-17. (Photo

Virginia Tech can at least make a case for why it deserves to play in a BCS game, but the Huskies can't.

Their quarterback has five touchdowns on the season, and they have four losses despite playing in the weak Big East.

Boise clearly deserves to be in over them.

Chris Petersen

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

HOLLYWOOD - JULY 11: Boise State football coach Chris Peterson accepts the award for 'Best Game' as he speaks in front of his players Jared Zabransky and Ian Johnson onstage during the 2007 ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre on July 11, 2007 in Hollywood,

Playing in the WAC and having a much smaller budget than the BCS powerhouses it competes against, Boise State is at a huge disadvantage.

But despite not being able to land top-rated recruits, Petersen somehow has his team ready to contend for a national title year after year.

This Was Their Year

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 04: Titus Young #4 of the Boise State Broncos looks on 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 Christian Petersen/Getty

With 19 seniors on their roster, the Broncos were ready to win this year.

They finally earned some respect by being ranked No. 3 in the preseason, but after this year's failure, who knows if they'll ever get the chance again?

Boise will be good enough to contend again next year, but there's never a guarantee that voters will give them due credit.

They Were Just a Kick Away

Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images

BOISE, ID - NOVEMBER 19: Kyle Brotzman #35 of the Boise State Broncos kicks an extra point against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Bronco Stadium on November 19, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. On his next kick Brotzman would break the Boise State all-time scoring r

The Broncos lost due to two missed field goals by their kicker, Kyle Brotzman, who should have easily made both.

Should Boise really go from the Rose Bowl to the Maaco Bowl just because of two missed field goals in one game?

Comments

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 06: Wide reciever Austin Pettis (bottom) of the Boise State Broncos is mobbed by teammates after the Broncos defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies 33-30 at FedExField on September 6, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burk

What do you think?

Does Boise deserve to play in a BCS bowl?

Voice your opinion in the comments.

Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud.