Boise State carries flag again for non-BCS programs
It's time for another referendum on Boise State and all non-Bowl Championship Series schools that dare challenge the elites that run college football.
The fifth-ranked Broncos play No. 19 Georgia in Atlanta on Saturday, and the game would be a tough atmosphere for even top Southeastern Conference teams.
Should Georgia win, the many doubters will re-emerge to question the validity of Boise State's place on the national stage and, by extension, others outside the BCS sphere.
Never mind previous statement-making victories such as Boise State's over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, Texas Christian's over Wisconsin in last season's Rose Bowl, or Utah's over Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl.
With TCU joining the Big East Conference next year, and Utah getting ready to begin its first season in the Pac-12, Boise State soon will be nearly alone fighting to improve the system for teams in the five non-BCS leagues.
For his part, Broncos coach Chris Petersen said he doesn't pay attention to the repetitive referendum that games such as Georgia create "because we don't ever go down that path."
"This is a really good team," Petersen said of Georgia. "We're not trying to play for some other conference or some other deal. I know some people like to bring that up, but that's not our deal."
Georgia presents enough of a challenge on its own, and Boise State will face the Bulldogs after losing two wide receivers and four defensive players to the NFL.
"They're bigger and faster than we are," Petersen said, "and they're bigger and faster than what we normally see."
AROUND THE MWC
UNLV coach Bobby Hauck knows the challenge in facing the massive offensive line of 11th-ranked Wisconsin on Thursday, and for now his young offensive front can't compare. But, Hauck said, "I think that's what our group is going to look like in a couple of years." ... TCU expects to open the season playing seven incoming freshmen, including three wide receivers and two defensive tackles. ... Tarean Austin beat out B.R. Holbrook to become New Mexico's starting quarterback.
RANKING THE TEAMS
(Records are from 2010.)
1. No. 5 Boise State (12-1) vs. No. 19 Georgia (6-7) at Atlanta. The Broncos saw the importance of a kicker last season when Kyle Brotzman missed two field goals at UNR. The battle for his replacement hasn't been settled.
2. No. 14 TCU (13-0) at Baylor (7-6), Friday. Quarterback Casey Pachall has the daunting task of following Andy Dalton.
3. Air Force (9-4) vs. South Dakota (4-7). Quarterback Tim Jefferson can tie the school record with 21 career victories.
4. San Diego State (9-4) vs. Cal Poly (7-4). Cal Poly won the past two meetings.
5. Colorado State (3-9) at New Mexico (1-11). Pete Thomas was the only major-college incoming freshman quarterback to start every game last season.
6. Wyoming (3-9) vs. Weber State (6-5). Brett Smith is the Cowboys' second incoming freshman starting quarterback in three seasons.
7. UNLV (2-11) at No. 11 Wisconsin (11-2), Thursday. The Rebels have lost nine consecutive road games, by an average score of 45-11.
8. New Mexico (1-11) vs. Colorado State (3-9). The Lobos haven't won a season opener since beating UNLV six years ago.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Boise State vs. Georgia at Atlanta. The Broncos don't like it, but this is another game in which they will be judged harshly should they lose. But if Boise State wins, it has a legitimate shot to play for the national championship.
TRENDING
Five teams are going with a freshman or sophomore at quarterback. It's little coincidence the veterans play for three of the Mountain West's top four teams. TCU is the only school in the league's top half that will start a young quarterback, but the Horned Frogs won't ask Pachall to win games by himself.
ON THE HORIZON
Air Force hosts TCU on Sept. 10, so the Falcons might not show much against South Dakota. A victory over the Horned Frogs would vault Air Force into strong contention for the conference title.
