Saturday, November 29, 2008

BCS for BSU?


The Boise State Broncos made their case for a BCS bid last night by drubbing rival Fresno St. 61-10 on the blue turf in Boise. The win sealed the Broncos' second perfect regular season in three years by running their record to 12-0. But is an undefeated season enough to get the Broncos a BCS invite?

Probably not. Well, not if you play in a non-BCS conference such as the WAC.

The Broncos are currently ranked 9th in the BCS poll. The problem for BSU is that the University of Utah is also undefeated, also plays in a non-BCS conference, and is ranked 6th in the BCS. What are the chances that the BCS would select two non-BCS teams for BCS bowl games?

Highly unlikely.

And BSU fans would certainly cry foul play if the Broncos are snubbed by the BCS. But if the Broncos want to know why they are left out of the BCS party, they need look no further than their schedule.
The WAC conference is weak. Hawaii is down, Fresno St. had a bad year, and Nevada was inconsistent. And the bottom feeders of the WAC, Utah St., New Mexico St., and Idaho, are among the worst teams in major college football. So voters are forced to look at BSU's non-conference schedule. This year the Broncos played Idaho St., Bowling Green, Oregon, and Southern Mississippi, with Oregon being the only ranked team the Broncos faced all year. While BSU has no control over their conference foes, they do have the ability to strengthen their non-confernce schedule. And if the Broncos want BCS consideration, year in and year out, they have to start playing a tougher non-conference schedule. Sure, by playing, and beating, other mid-major schools, BSU increases their likelihood of going undeafeted. But BSU is an excellent program. And they need to start playing tougher competition, even if it puts a perfect season at risk.
The Broncos may feel like they are being cheated out of a BCS bowl by the BCS poll, or the coaches poll, or the AP poll. But perhaps they are cheating themselves by not challenging themselves.

No comments: