I give up: Boise belongs in the elite
I'm a traditionalist in college football. I think the fact that you can generally count on Alabama, PSU. OSU, Michigan (ahem) Florida et. al to be elite teams year after year is one of the 2 or 3 best things about college football, something that makes it special and different than most sports. I would have no problem if the same ten teams finished every season in the top ten, with another team coming in every year or so just to spice things up. Don't get me wrong, I love upsets, they are fun to watch, but you need an elite hierarchy to make the upsets even more memorable.
Because of this, Boise has always confounded me. I have responded to their success with disdain, bringing forth arguments like "The WAC is a lesser conference than even the MAC," "they send less players to the NFL every year than the MAC or Conference USA," and "Boise snuck up on an overconfident Oklahoma." Now, all of these arguments are true- even Chris Peterson admitted that they snuck up on OK in a recent interview. The fact that they are ranked in the top five this year to me is simply ludicrous, because I've been one that has honestly believed that in the B10 they would be no better than mid-pack every year.
But tonight I am forced to admit they belong. Even though it is only halftime, and VA Tech could come back and win, it is pretty clear that BSU is extremely well coached, hard hitting, and look anything but overmatched out there. Now, VA Tech, while good, is not a top 5-6 team, and lost many of last year's starters on defense, but that is precisely the point- once BSU could not sneak up on a good team, IME they would be overmatched against a good BCS school. But clearly they are not. Welcome to the BCS level Boise, I was wrong about you.*
*I retract this post in the event VA Tech wins 42-20.
September 6th, 2010 at 9:53 PM ^
I too have given up on the thought that BSU will be caught out as frauds. I am actually traveling to Boise to see them play Toledo in October. Short trip from Oregon; looks like they will be fun to see in person. Hats of to you Peterson, you can coach damn well.
September 6th, 2010 at 9:55 PM ^
just turns out to be so-so.
Difficult to judge teams this early, but they have built a solid respectable program that seems to be able to reload instead of be a flash and rebuild program.
September 6th, 2010 at 9:56 PM ^
to see what Boise would do with a major conference schedule week to week instead of what they have now.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:33 PM ^
I know that BSU has been able to go out and surprise some big-time programs, ie OK. With that being said, it is very easy to get pumped up for one big game every year. I think Utah is about to find out what I am talking about. Any descent coach out there can get his team pumped once per year if all of the rest of the games that year are easy ones. Put BSU in a real confrence like the B11 (or even the PAC10 which would be reasonably acceptable) and think you would have a dfferent outcome. To the OP I understand where you are coming from, but with all due respect to you, I am still not sold on them. I want to see them go through a tough schedule before I give them props.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:45 PM ^
So basically if you're not a BCS team don't bother to show up? Because that's the sense I'm getting from this post. If when they play the big boys and beat them, it doesn't matter because they didn't play the lesser big boys? You honestly think that any Big Ten team outside of OSU could beat Boise this year? Or let me put it this way, next week Boise @ Michigan, who would you pick? Because unless it's Michigan(a team expected to roughly be a middle of the pack Big Ten team this year), then you're invalidating your own argument.
September 6th, 2010 at 9:58 PM ^
Boise's main advantage is that they only play 1-2 big games a year and can run the table in their conference easily. I agree, they're legit, but the fact that they can focus on those few big games and then be scot-free afterward will keep them out of the NC picture. I think they'd contend for championships in the ACC or Big East and be a dark horse for the Big Ten or SEC (think Iowa or Georgia). Once they join the MWC, they might have a better shot, especially if the C-USA/MWC championship game happens.
September 6th, 2010 at 10:50 PM ^
I said it last year and I'll say it again this year...this team would run through the Big East untouched and most likely win the ACC as well. I'm not going to say they deserve a shot at the national championship due to their schedule, however it would have been awfully fun to watch them go head to head with Bama last year.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:00 PM ^
in the Big Ten or SEC they would end up with a record anywhere from 9-3 to 11-1 and contend, but until they join a major conference all they can do is beat whomever is on their schedule. There are a lot of teams that would not want to schedule them as an out of conference game right now. That alone tells me that they're doing something right.
September 6th, 2010 at 10:56 PM ^
you could say this about Michigan and Ohio State ...
Boise's main advantage is that they only play 1-2 big games a year and can run the table in their conference easily.
Big 2, little 8 days. Same for Nebraska and OU in the old Big 8 days. Scholarship reductions and the subsequent parity has made BCS conferences much tougher than they once were. Boise is legit, but yes, I too would like them to have to play a tough conference schedule. E.g., play UNC, Ga Tech, and FSU three weeks in a row like Va Tech will do later this year, 2 of those 3 on the road.
September 6th, 2010 at 10:00 PM ^
If VT can't come back tonight, it's because they started stupid, (those back-to-back penalties by #18 -- on the same f_cking play!). Their D had Boise State stopped, forced the punt, then blew it. Of course, the Broncos scored on the drive.
VT has a lot to play for, and there's another 30 minutes to go. They're only trailing by 6, as I write this. Lots of football to play.
Boise is a good program, but like everyone else, they need to join a new conference. They should be in the Pac-12, MWC at a minimum. The WAC is just, well, whack.
September 6th, 2010 at 10:01 PM ^
If VT can't come back tonight, it's because they started stupid, (those back-to-back penalties by #18 -- on the same f_cking play!). Their D had Boise State stopped, forced the punt, then blew it. Of course, the Broncos scored on the drive.
VT has a lot to play for, and there's another 30 minutes to go. They're only trailing by 6, as I write this. Lots of football to play.
Boise is a good program, but like everyone else, they need to join a new conference. They should be in the Pac-12, MWC at a minimum. The WAC is just, well, whack.
September 6th, 2010 at 10:42 PM ^
I saw Boise State last year when they traveled to Bowling Green. They are a freaking event, up there with 'Strasmas' and things like that. When they come to town EVERYONE comes out to see them and they all cheer for them.
Boise State filled a niche that was previously not filled. They were the underdog that consistantly outplayed bigger teams with consistantly lesser ranked players.
Simply amazing. I love it.
September 6th, 2010 at 10:44 PM ^
This is one heck of a game. Boise State practically begs the big name teams to play them in non conference games but nobody wants to.
September 6th, 2010 at 10:45 PM ^
that doesn't make them elite, since when was VT elite? That makes BS NC's?
I guess if VT wins over mighty BS VT should be NC's?
How about "Purdue beats VT they are NC?
Don't get the love, they are good but not great.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:39 PM ^
Programs more accomplished(not necessarily record wise) than Boise the past 5 years:
Florda, Alabama, Texas, Ohio State, LSU(?), USC and...? They've certainly been better than either of our respective programs the past 5 years. They deserver to be mentionedwith the top programs in the country
September 6th, 2010 at 10:44 PM ^
BSU is an example why a playoff would be so well received. Imagine watching Boise go on a playoff run through a couple perennial power schools. The country would love that kind of cinderella story.
September 6th, 2010 at 10:44 PM ^
Boise St belongs in the Pac 10. Down the road, when there are 4 super conferences, Boise will be a player in the Pac-10. Imagine if Boise played USC instead of Va Tech.
September 6th, 2010 at 10:45 PM ^
This isn't anything new. That program has been solid for the better part of this decade now. I mean if we're saying "oh they run the table because they're in the WAC", well if you put a program like Georgia in the WAC they'd run the table too. Put a program like Boise in the SEC and they'd have a couple great years, a couple good years, always be in a bowl game, just like Iowa, Georgia, etc. as somebody mentioned above.
September 6th, 2010 at 10:49 PM ^
but for one team a win means a possible MNC game, the other faces significantly more challenging road to get there. Doesn't seem right.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:41 PM ^
I do not believe for one second that a 12-0 Boise belongs in the MNC game. I'm saying I give up on my previous feeling they don't belong in the same sentence as elite teams, but I maintain that they have no business in the Title game, simply because of their conference. As long as they play in the WAC or even MWC, I think a BCS bowl should be their ceiling.
September 6th, 2010 at 10:48 PM ^
Boise State has been elite for a while now. Two BCS Bowl wins in the last five years is incredible.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:42 PM ^
TCU is not elite, and by the admission of Boise's own coach, OK did not take them seriously. Now they are elite, not before.
September 6th, 2010 at 10:51 PM ^
That's exactly what the Big Ten was through most of the '70s, the era of the Big Two and the Little Eight.
September 6th, 2010 at 10:54 PM ^
However, this is the 2000's with a lot of parody now....I mean as much as we all hate the SEC they have to go through each other just to play for a national title. it just doesn't seem right that if Boise St beats whats been an average to decent Va Tech team they will probably play for a MNC.....yet wont face another ranked foe all year long. That's just really goofy for me.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:01 PM ^
...it's the 2010's
September 6th, 2010 at 11:05 PM ^
parity
September 6th, 2010 at 11:45 PM ^
You know, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, that sort of thing.
September 7th, 2010 at 2:23 AM ^
I think they are more political satire, think Weird Al in terms of parody, or the Scary Movie series etc.
September 6th, 2010 at 10:52 PM ^
Their a solid teram no doubt and can beat anyone, but that schedule of theirs is so poor.
I mean compare VT and oregon st. to someone on our schedule. I would have to say. Iowa maybe and MSU. Then its teams similar to eastern mich and ect
September 6th, 2010 at 10:52 PM ^
Forget for a moment the 1 or two big games they play every year. They don't ever have to deal with weeks of playing teams like Purdue, Wisconsin, Georgia, Texas Tech, Georgia Tech, or Texas A&M. And many, many more. Big Conference schools who more or less specialize in ruining the perfect records of the BCS teams that Boise State wishes to compare itself to.
With any luck, Virginia Tech will pull this out and mercifully end the Boise State discussion for a year.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:00 PM ^
September 6th, 2010 at 11:44 PM ^
I knew you were old but now I know that you are an old grumpy fuck. Drink bleach.
September 7th, 2010 at 2:06 AM ^
Er, um, wow.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:42 PM ^
This deserves its own thread.
September 7th, 2010 at 2:30 AM ^
Holy fucking shit that was hilarious. Thank You sir.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:02 PM ^
I like Boise State. I think they've done a hell of a job getting players to play and defeating "big time programs" when they've faced them. That said, I want them to lose tonight.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:09 PM ^
No doubt they look good but would like to see them 2-3 more good teams before signing on to the hype.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:15 PM ^
Maybe they should win this game before we place them among the elite
September 6th, 2010 at 11:17 PM ^
Why should we wait? Take a list at the other schools that have two BCS Bowl wins in the last 5 years. I guess "elite" is subjective, but I don't see why they're not there before this game even started.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:30 PM ^
garbage late hit call and yet picked up the flag on a obvious block in the back....nice job big 10 crew.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:48 PM ^
i would have been furious if i were a va tech fan during that drive.
that late hit was such bs. the guy kept running like he didn't step out.
September 7th, 2010 at 6:10 AM ^
you didn't hear the whistle.
September 7th, 2010 at 6:24 AM ^
I slow mo'd it and saw that VT player fall flat on his face. It removes the debate when you watch it frame-by-frame.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:38 PM ^
I think Boise St. is a top 10 team, but there is no way they could go undefeated if they had to play physical SEC or B10 teams week in and week out.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:42 PM ^
Every time they get to play on the national stage they find a way to win. Don't see why it's fair to fault the kids for going out and beating everyone on their schedule. Obviously if two BCS teams go undefeated, Boise is out. However I just don't get the argument that says a one loss BCS team deserves a shot over an undefeated Boise team.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:39 PM ^
Awesome. Beat a slightly inflated team out of the gate, go on past a soon to be unranked Oregon State team, blast through a bunch of tomato cans and punch your ticket to Arizona.
Sure they're good, they can play, but they just don't play the schedule. Especially not this year. Can't dispute that.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:42 PM ^
Since O5 they've lost at Oregon State, Georgia, Washington, Hawaii. The one exception is at Oregon.
Elite teams actually win on the road against good teams. Check that, they actually play good teams on the road. And while this was near Virginia and had a majority Va Tech crowd, there's a difference between playing on campus and off of it.
September 6th, 2010 at 11:53 PM ^
Sure let's dismiss them beating the Pac-10 champ on the road. That doesn't "count" as a good team. Let's ignore they held them to 8 points(the same offense that put up 50 on USC). Let's also discount this being a 90% Va Tech crowd because it's off-campus. They still had to travel WAY farther than the Hokies. If on the difficulty scale, 10 was winning a true road game, this was a 9 so I think it counts. You also fail to point out that it went from blowout loss(UGA) to closer loss(Washington) to wins(Oregon, Va Tech). In other words, the program is progressing and starting to win these games more consistently. Do they deserve a chance at the MNC? Not if there are two BCS conference champs that are unbeaten. Otherwise, let them have their chance and settle the debate once and for all.
September 7th, 2010 at 12:03 AM ^
Oregon wasn't the Pac Ten champ. USC was.