Boise State

[1992heritage]

Boise State has to win on the road against BCS opponents. Oregon is on their schedule. They will never gain National respect until they get over this hump.

[Spence]

I think they have a real shot of beating Oregon, especially early in the season.

[Derek]

I half agree with you on this....They did beat Oklahoma...although I have thought Ok. was overrated in the last 5 years or so. They were a major BCS team.

[donovan]

I think every Mid Major team must go undefeated to get a chance to play in a better bowl...Undefeated will not put you in a BCS bowl...but the one time, it did Boise.

Boise State does respect their own program. That is all that matters in any program and in life.

They have a tough road for them. Oregon will be tough, but BSU can play in that arena. Fresno State may be tough...just depends on how the program shapes up. I look for them to do well.

For sake of discussion....if Boise State went undefeated...which I am not convinced they will...but if they did, they could get a BCS bowl bid because of past performance....not necessarily fair..but that is how it works. BYU if the go undefeated could contend..because they were NC once.

[Spence]

I think Fresno State has the best chance at the BCS this year, but I do think that Boise State can win the Oregon game.

[BYUfan1]

I think Fresno State has the best chance at the BCS this year, but I do think that Boise State can win the Oregon game.

BYU has a better chance at the BCS than Fresno State not only because they are better than Fresno State but BYU has a better chance to go undefeated. We were talking about Boise State playing Oregon, Fresno State has to play at Rutgers and home versus Wisconsin. Within the conference, the Bulldogs have to play Boise State on the road. BYU's toughest games are probably against TCU and Utah.

[..fanatic]

I think Fresno State has the best chance at the BCS this year, but I do think that Boise State can win the Oregon game.

Until Fresno State actually wins the WAC, which they haven't done since BSU entered the picture in 2001, I'll keep my money on the Broncos in that conference. As far as respect goes, they've already earned it by consistently winning against competition they equate to. It's difficult to image Boise State ever getting to a point where they would regularly beat elite BCS schools. But if they can get occasional at-large BCS bowl bids and win those games like they did against Oklahoma, they'll earn more respect. I think Boise State is one of those schools that very few "big boys" want to play because there isn't much to gain by winning and there's an increased possibility of losing. Interesting stat: BSU is 5-3 in bowl games with no bowl losses by more than 6 points. On the down side, Oklahoma is the only team they've defeated in a bowl game in the last four tries.

[Eric]

I think Fresno State has the best chance at the BCS this year, but I do think that Boise State can win the Oregon game.

Until Fresno State actually wins the WAC, which they haven't done since BSU entered the picture in 2001, I'll keep my money on the Broncos in that conference. As far as respect goes, they've already earned it by consistently winning against competition they equate to. It's difficult to image Boise State ever getting to a point where they would regularly beat elite BCS schools. But if they can get occasional at-large BCS bowl bids and win those games like they did against Oklahoma, they'll earn more respect. I think Boise State is one of those schools that very few "big boys" want to play because there isn't much to gain by winning and there's an increased possibility of losing. Interesting stat: BSU is 5-3 in bowl games with no bowl losses by more than 6 points. On the down side, Oklahoma is the only team they've defeated in a bowl game in the last four tries.

True, but they did lose an evenly-matched 2003 Liberty Bowl and a 2004 MPC Computers Bowl game to Boston College in a down year. I thought the fact that they kept it close against BC that season was impressive. Last year's Hawaii Bowl though was a huge disappointment.

But still, I think this is Fresno's year to win the WAC. I think the schedule sets up well enough even though they have to topple Boise State at Boise. They're going to lose to Wisconsin, UCLA, and Louisiana Tech this year. I don't think this team is BCS material anyway with Tom Brandstater behind center.

[donovan]

Boise is starting a Freshman this year, Kellen Moore. He was a gatorade player of the year in Washington....not quite Jack Daniels player of the year...but....He was equal to everyone else and that being said, you can hope for four good years out of him....You will see a lot of running this year, with Ian Johnson...that works..maybe...Defense is going to be the key...now there is a real revelation....I think just an OK year.....but unknowns can surprise you.

[Spence]

No matter who you are talking about it almost always comes down to defense. If they don't score, chances are good you will win.