Boise State Football: 3 Reasons the Mountain West Is Hurting the Broncos

When Boise State was added to the Mountain West Conference, Boise State President Bob Kustra said that "Charlie Brown finally kicked the football."  I guess that was a way to say that Boise State had somehow arrived.  Well, they arrived, all right, but exactly where? 

After years of literally begging the Mountain West to let the Broncos into their conference, commissioner Craig Thompson let the University know that they would finally take them in June 2010.  Of course, this was only after Utah was exiting the conference, and BYU was thinking about it. 

If Broncos fans remember, Boise State actively lobbied the Mountain West for entrance, only to be passed over for TCU in 2003, and only to be ignored for the next several years. 

When the Mountain West finally asked Boise State to come aboard in 2010, it seemed to me that it was because they had no other choice. 

This is like being asked to prom because everyone else is busy that night.  Sure, you might be going to the prom, but don't expect a goodnight kiss. 

Since entering the Mountain West, Boise State has experienced many things.  Few of them have been positive.  I have tried to find something good to say, but I really can't at this time.  I can, however, come up with a few things that are actually hurting Boise State, especially their football program. 

Take a look at what I have come up with, and let me know what you all think. 

Reason 3: Change Your Clothes and Shut Up!

When people get married, they usually go on a honeymoon.  Well, joining a conference in college sports is like a marriage, and you would expect some kind of honeymoon, right? 

Well, that really didn't happen in the case of Boise State.  What was one of the first things to come up after joining the Mountain West?  You guys cheat!

Coaches from other Mountain West schools said that the Boise State blue uniforms were an "unfair advantage", and commissioner Craig Thompson agreed.  They demanded that Boise State stop wearing their blue uniforms for Mountain West home games.

Are you kidding me?  Seriously?  If you have ever been to a Boise State game you know this is ridiculous.  They say that the players "blend in" to the iconic Blue Turf.  Well, think about it, folks.  If they "blend in," how does the Boise State quarterback keep making completions?

I guess they must have special blue man training for Kellen and the boys.  Seriously, think about this.  How many teams in college football wear green uniforms?  Should those teams stop wearing them because of their green fields?

The Mountain West did try to cover themselves on this saying that it was only when watching game film that the opposing coaches had a hard time seeing the Broncos blue on blue.  I see this as damage control, and if you have ever broken down football film from above you know that this kind of excuse is simply silly. 

Maybe they don't stand out like hot pink on black, but coaches that make six figures a year should be able to know the difference between turf and a person. The person is the blue stuff that moves. 

Not only that, but we also learned that the Mountain West wants quieter stadiums.  The Mountain West has banned all noise makers for Mountain West games. 

Hey while you're at it, commissioner, why don't you officially take away our birthdays?  What happens if a baby cries?  Is that baby considered a noise maker?  I know I sound sarcastic, but come on.  What is next?  Banning Boise State's color coordination of fans?  Wait, I better not give them any ideas. 

I know these are somewhat small things, but that is exactly my point.  Why in the world would the Mountain West make rules like this?  This takes away from the traditions that many fans have come to enjoy. 

One last note on a somewhat related subject... that new purple Mountain West logo isn't helping, either.

Reason 2: Competition

I just don't get it.  Why would the Commissioner of the Mountain West pursue a "federation" with Conference USA?  Why wouldn't the Commissioner instead try to add teams like Houston, Tulsa, and SMU to the Mountain West Conference?  It would certainly help build a conference for the future and give some more credibility to become an A.Q. Conference. 

Are schools in the Mountain West opposed to adding other teams?  After all, I don't want to put this squarely on the shoulders of the commissioner.  But, what is the reason? 

If they were to add the three schools I mentioned to the Mountain West and maybe get TCU to stick around, considering what is going on in the Big East, it would certainly put the MWC in a good position for at the very least a BCS A.Q. waiver. 

Think about it: Boise State, TCU, Air Force, Nevada, Hawaii, Fresno State, SMU, Tulsa, Houston, San Diego State... all of these schools have decent to excellent football programs.  Of course add to that Colorado State, UNLV, New Mexico, and Wyoming, and you have 14 Teams, two divisions, and a championship game every year in Las Vegas.

If TCU doesn't come back, you could always add another school out of the WAC or Conference USA. You could even beat others to the punch and add two more after that to hit that new magical target number of 16. 

When Boise State left the WAC to step up to the Mountain West, they expected a higher level of competition.  However, after Utah, BYU, and TCU all decided to leave home, suddenly the Mountain West became much like the old WAC. 

If the Commissioner, school presidents, coaches, and whoever else is involved don't build this conference now, they are going to find themselves with nowhere to sit when the music stops.   

Reason 1: TV, TV, TV

I was one of these who took a "wait and see" approach to the Broncos new television situation.  The Mountain Network has some decent programming, and I have come to enjoy a few of their shows.  But, the lack of playing on ESPN is going to be a problem. 

Commissioner Thompson of the Mountain West thinks the television deal the Mountain West has is great.  I have to disagree.

Current Mountain West TV Deal Pros: More games on Saturday, and money

Current Mountain West TV Deal Cons: More games on Saturday, less exposure, less support, and less money

Let me explain...  The only thing I ever hear positive about the current MWC television deal is that the teams can play more games on Saturday and it means guaranteed money for each school.  Well, at first this sounds good.  More attendance, fewer strange kickoff times, a regular check in the mail, etc. 

But I don't think this is helping the conference.  If you take into consideration the number of college football games going on each Saturday it seems many of the Mountain West games simply sink into the morass of the college football universe. 

Some games on Saturday I understand, but every game?  Does it really have to be that way?  Is that really what is best for the conference or the Broncos?

When Boise State played consistently on ESPN, people watched.  The fans knew exactly what channel they could tune in to see them play even if it was a Thursday night.  Now, the typical conversation in Boise is, "Hey what channel does BSU play on this Saturday?" Answer, "Umm, I don't know for sure, Channel 600-something.  I will search the guide."  

Seriously, this is a conversation I heard several times last week.  If BSU fans are having a hard time tuning in, who else is watching?  Now, I realize BSU fans will learn the three different, or is it four, I don't know... BSU fans will learn which channels their beloved Broncos will play on, but that doesn't mean everyone else will.  

Not only that, but in the recent past, Boise State fans have been some of the best educated college football fans around.  This is due in part because when BSU does play on a Friday night, the fans watch every other big game on Saturday. 

It has become a ritual for Bronco fans to watch their team on Thursday or Friday night and then enjoy watching everyone else and listening to what all the talking heads have to say on Saturday. 

The other side effect of not playing on ESPN is that the Broncos really don't get talked about or hyped at all on ESPN any more.  If you have noticed there is almost nothing said about them this season.  This is a serious problem.

If the Broncos want to make it to the National Championship Game, they have to get covered.  This could be the year for the Broncos to take a shot at it.  I just think it will be nearly impossible without ESPN and their coverage. 

Like it or not, ESPN helped to build the Broncos football program, and I think it now could be the very thing that could hold it back. 

Why couldn't Commissioner Thompson spearhead a deal with ESPN?  Is it because the MWC will get less money from the World Wide Leader than what they get in their current deal? 

Well, I think even with less money up front it would pay bigger dividends when it is all said and done.  The unmeasurable amounts of revenue it would create by repeated exposure, analyst hype, more coverage, and more visible games on television, would far surpass that of the current TV contract. 

Of course, that is just my opinion.  I could be wrong. 

Let me know what you think.