Boise State Football: Why the Broncos Will Be a BCS Team in 2011

The Boise State Broncos. The perennial "mid-major" constantly crashing the BCS party. The team that plays on "smurf turf". Many college football fans have associated this team with being one of the usual suspects in the top 10 of the polls. However, last season didn't work out how many fans expected it to.

A heartbreaking loss to Nevada on a last-second field goal late in the season derailed the Broncos dreams of playing for a national title.

After that game, many college football fans assumed that BSU would fall out of the spotlight never to return. Unfortunately for them, they're wrong.

With 6 starters returning on offense and 7 on defense, the Broncos certainly should not be taken lightly.

Kellen Moore will once again lead the crafty offensive attack designed by Chris Petersen and Co. The graduation of star receivers Titus Young and Austin Pettis will hurt, but the coaching staff has always done an excellent job of effectively filling spots left open because of graduation or players leaving early. Moore will continue to find ways to stay alive in the pocket, and hit his receivers down the field.

The offensive line will remain mostly intact, losing only two starters: tackle Matt Slater and guard Will Lawrence. This line will continue to pave the way for bruising running back Doug Martin.

The defense will once again be a solid group. The secondary is the only area of concern for Boise State, which loses defensive backs Winston Venable, Brandyn Thompson, and Jeron Johnson. The coaching staff must do an excellent job of preparing the new starters to step in and shut down opposing passing games.

The defensive line might be the strongest unit on this team. They will sorely miss the departure of defensive end Ryan Winterswyk, but return defensive tackle Billy Winn, nose tackle Chase Baker, and defensive end Shea McClellin. Senior Jarrell Root is expected to take Winterswyk's spot.

Besides the amount of talent returning, Boise also faces a relatively light schedule with the move to the Mountain West Conference. The two toughest matchups for the Broncos are a "neutral-site" game against Georgia at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, and a home game against the Horned Frogs of TCU.

If Boise is able to run the table and win the MWC title, they should be placed in a BCS bowl game.

Boise State fans will have to wait and see if the coaching staff will once again do a terrific job of developing the players into their system.