Air Force vs. Boise State: How Will Broncos' Struggles Impact BCS Position?

The disadvantage of having an underwhelming strength of schedule in college football is that losses can destroy you, and if you don't destroy your opponents it will hurt you.

No. 5 Boise State has gained a lot of supporters throughout the years, specifically in the last two seasons when they've lost just once.

But Boise State was leading by merely a touchdown against unranked Air Force on Saturday in the fourth quarter, and was struggling to pull away from a team many expected them to blow out of the water.

Given No. 6 Wisconsin plays No. 16 Michigan State on Saturday (and will probably win), there's a chance Wisconsin could jump ahead of Boise State by the end of this week.

Sure, it doesn't seem fair that a win could actually be punished, but so is the nature of the BCS and the Broncos know the story by now.

Strength of schedule is a part of the system and part of the reason why it's nearly impossible for a program not in an automatic-qualifying conference to reach the BCS championship game.

The truth is, the Broncos cannot afford to have a down game against an unranked opponent. They've gone 6-0 thus far, but it's because of their win against then-No. 19 Georgia on Sept. 5 that has them No. 5 in the AP poll. Without that victory, they would probably be out of the top 10.

That's why Boise State will never win in the BCS discussion unless they go undefeated, and even then it's been proven they have an outside chance of making the title game.

It's a reality of college football that continues to create tension throughout the landscape. But it is a reality, and the Broncos know better than anyone that dreams can be dashed suddenly.