BCS Rankings: Boise St. Easily Belongs in BCS Picture After Houston Embarrasment

One thing is abundantly clear. After Houston's 21-point loss at the hands of Southern Mississippi in the Conference USA championship game, they don't belong in the BCS. Their strength of schedule wasn't very good. More importantly, they didn't just lose, they were embarrassed. 

But who belongs in that spot? That answer is rather simple. The Boise State Broncos. There are a few reasons for this.

They've Proven They Belong

While personnel changes every year, Boise State has consistently shown that it can play on the big stage. They are 2-0 in BCS games. 

In the regular season, the Broncos have also done enough in recent years. In 2010, they opened the season by beating Virginia Tech in what was basically a road game. The Hokies made a BCS game that season. 

If you're looking for something more recent, they handily beat Georgia in the Georgia Dome to open the 2011 season. This is the same Georgia team that outplayed No. 1 LSU for an entire half of football in the SEC Championship Game. Yes, the Bulldogs did eventually lose, but they are clearly a strong team.

They weren't that strong against Boise State.

Their 1 Loss Isn't That Bad

Losing to TCU isn't anything to be ashamed of. It was a bad loss because it was at home, but Boise was in great position to win at the end. There's no excuse for not winning, but LSU is the only undefeated team in the country. Every other team that Boise is battling for a position with has at least one blemish.

As it stands, TCU isn't far from being in this discussion in their own right. They did beat Boise State, but their losses to SMU and Baylor push them below Boise.

They're a Draw

The BCS wants teams that will generate ratings. Boise State is that team now. People know Kellen Moore. People know Chris Petersen.

Even though he's not with the team anymore, Ian Johnson's Statue of Liberty play and subsequent proposal to his girlfriend is a lasting image. 

These things are important for the people trying to decide who goes and who doesn't. 

On the field, Boise State has the edge over any at-large team that they'll be battling with. When other factors are considered, they give nothing up. 

This season has defied a lot of things that we've seen. In the past, we've seen non BCS conference teams make a BCS bowl, but only those who have gone undefeated.

Boise State's not undefeated, but this is the year to change that trend. Boise State belongs in a BCS game.