After Virginia Tech and Oregon State, what is Boise State's toughest game in 2010?
by Kevan Lee on Feb 16, 2010 8:05 AM PST
in Boise State football
46 comments
Hype over the Broncos' Season of Destiny has been mostly focused on the Labor Day clash with Virginia Tech and the home visit of Oregon State. After those two games, what tough ones do the Broncos have left?
Join me after the jump for a discussion of what games might be BSU's toughest non-BCS matchups, and leave your thoughts and vote in the poll to share your opinion. Is it Nevada? Fresno? Idaho 2.0? Let's discuss.
Boise State's 2010 schedule
The Broncos' non-conference schedule is set in stone with a September 18 date at Wyoming and an October 9 game against Toledo. The WAC schedule will be announced later this spring (last year's came out on April 1). Home-and-away games seen below are alternated from last year's schedule.
- @ Wyoming
- vs. Toledo
- vs. Fresno State
- vs. Hawaii
- vs. Utah State
- vs. Louisiana Tech
- @ Idaho
- @ Nevada
- @ San Jose State
- @ New Mexico State
The easy ones
@ San Jose State
@ New Mexico State
Two years ago, a trip to San Jose would have been trouble for the Broncos. Not anymore. For whatever reason, the Spartans are on the slow, steady FCS decline and there are few indications that this trip to Sparta will be tough (unless they play it at 9:00 a.m. on a Saturday, which they are likely to do).
I don't even know where to begin with New Mexico State. What's the over/under on how many people show up to this one? 5,000? 6,000 on a free tapas night?
Boise State kind of lucked out by scoring two if its four conference away games against these two. The fix is in, right Fresno fans?
Ah, the excitement of double-jointed necks. (via www.utrockets.com)
The tougher ones
vs. Hawaii
vs. Louisiana Tech
vs. Toledo
Hawaii is a tough one to pick because the warriors almost always find a way to be competitive over the course of the season but not necessarily against the Broncos and not maybe ever against the Broncos in Boise. I'd be much more likely to label this one competitive if it were played on the islands.
LaTech is breaking in a new head coach, and even the last one had his troubles bringing the Bulldogs to Boise. The good news for LT is that there is an 80 percent chance that Taylor Bennett will not be their starting QB in this one.
The only thing I know about Toledo is that they took Fresno State to double overtime in a 55-54 loss a couple years ago. Boise State is not Fresno State. Thank GOODNESS.
Note to future QBs: This is not the proper form for throwing a football. (via images.athlonsports.com)
The competitive ones
@ Wyoming
@ Idaho
@ Nevada
vs. Fresno State
vs. Utah State
Wyoming is a Mountain West team, so by college football law, I am required to label them no worse than "feisty." But hey, they beat Fresno State in a bowl game last year. (Note: Boise State is not Fresno State. Thank GOODNESS.)
The Vandals will either build on the success of last season with another bowl-eligible year, or they will fall flat on their face. Personally, I am going with the face falling, but I know there are plenty of people who think the Vandal resurgence is for real. These people were also fans of Crystal Pepsi.
Mmm, soda water. (via www.colourlovers.com)
A road trip to Nevada will always make the list for Bronco "Games to Watch" so long as Chris Ault is there and Nevada continues to run up the score against bad defenses. The game will be Colin Kaepernick's last chance to beat the Broncos during his Nevada career, so there's that added motivation. Fourth time's a charm?
Fresno State was annihilated by the Broncos the last time the two teams met in Boise. Perhaps with the confidence of last year's shootout and the infusion of new talent and a member of the Carr family, the Bulldogs might put up more of a fight. And if not, we'll at least be treated to the Pat Hill face.
Were it not for the Vandals, USU would have been the WAC's surprise team last year as they found a way to become relevant again in the conference. Conventional wisdom would say that the Aggies don't belong in this group of competitive games. I beg to differ. Diondre Borel will be a better quarterback than Colin Kaepernick by the time his career is over. I have already ghostwritten a Graham Watson article stating such.
My ranking of Boise State's toughest games in 2010
I'll go in reverse order to create suspense and to stick it to the Nintento DS Brain Age quiz that said I was 46 years old (no offense, 46-year-old readers):
10. New Mexico State
9. San Jose State
8. Hawaii
7. Louisiana Tech
6. Toledo
5. Idaho
4. Fresno State
3. Wyoming
2. Nevada
1. Utah State
That's right, friends. Get ready for seven months worth of "Boise State CANNOT afford to overlook Utah State" stories from me. They're happening. I've already written the rough drafts.
Of course, picking Utah State is going way out on a limb, but if all the cards fall right (cards including run defense and pass protection), I could be on to something. The more likely pick is obviously going to be Nevada and Fresno State, but I have a feeling that Wyoming will be a tougher draw than people think, too.
Your turn
After Virginia Tech and Oregon State, what will be Boise State's toughest game this season? Is Wyoming all it's cracked up to be? Will Kaepernick's last stand be anything to worry about? Am I insane in thinking Utah State is good? Share your thoughts in the comments, and vote in the poll.
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I do agree that utah st will be way better than last year...
…i just think that having them on the blue will be too much. basically, i’m saying any away game i’d be nervous about. so nevada and, to a lesser extent, dUI. Home games BSU automatically gets +21 points (kidding….kinda…).
and i liked what borel did last year and agree that he will only get better. unless (heaven forbid) he gets hurt (and i honestly don’t want him to get hurt, anything to help the wac become more competitive is a good thing).
ugh. when is cfb going to come back???? :(
Dr. William Block: You gotta lose the arm, Joe.
Joe: Lose the arm? What do you mean, lose the arm? My arm?
going to Nevada will be tough, yet fun
it is always a good road trip, and i always have a lot of respect for Nevada’s program, team. and fans (i hate everything Fresno State).
- after Nevada i would put Wyoming, it can be tough to go into Laramie and come out with a “W” (but not always as last season shows)
I am picking Wyoming
I understand the USU choice but didn’t I just read last week that Robert Turbin was having ACL surgery, That has to hurt their offensive capability.
Wyoming showed considerable improvement under Dave Christianson’s first season as HC and playing them in Wyoming, in my opinion, poses the biggest challenge outside of the BCS schools. I wouldn’t be surprised if Wyoming were in the top three of the MWC next season.
Right on Turbin
I considered that, too. If he missed the season that is a very different team.
"Islanders fan, huh? Team of the future, I'd say." - Roger Johnson
The WAC should make it tradition ...
to release the schedule on April 1 as a way to acknowledge that the schedule is a joke! (har dee har har)
I picked Wyoming. I think they are headed in the right direction.
by D_Summit on Feb 16, 2010 9:04 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Hey, I am 46!!
Wyoming will be the toughest after the AQ teams.
BSU don't need smoke and mirrors to get the job done, they got orange pants.
Laramie is tough-cold windy lots of fans.
We beat them there in ‘06 17-10; Scandrick’s pick saved us. They wer elooking to score.
tvmunson
'twas Quinton Jones with the pick 6
Wyoming will be the 2nd toughest challenge. Getting to Laramie will be the biggest.
Obviously you're not a golfer...
I meant Scandrick's pick on the final drive; Wyo was looking good and I think we ran out the clock
Quinton’s wa sin 1st half
tvmunson
Wyoming.
They showed a lot of imrpovement last year under a new coach. Everybody on Earth picked Fresno to win that bowl game. I think they will build on that win and actually be competitive next season. Not only that, but I wouldn’t past them to knock off Utah, BYU or TCU in the process. Yep, I said it here first.
Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)
they also will run that spread offense you like so much.
their coach comes from the big 12 and he has a qb that is similar to what texas tech has. small but quick and accurate.
I'm all about covering the spread and moneylines. I was building a house, I don't deserve this, deserves have nothing to do with it. Bang. "Unforgiven" I drink your milkshake. I drink it up! "There Will BE Blood"
by wolfmanshowlforever on Feb 16, 2010 2:09 PM PST up reply actions
Trap games I seem to write the same column every week
I dont’ think there is as much difference in Div I as there used to be(see “Violence of the Lambs”) We are the season changing epic-making Movie-of-the-Week “Remember the Titans” game for almost everyone on our schedule(VT & OS the exceptions).
tvmunson
BSU will have a bullseye on their backs
for nearly every team they play next year. It would certainly mean a signature win for the season for any team on the schedule to beat BSU and would be a defining moment for many of the programs.
at least for the last five or six years.
Doesn’t Pat Hill still list his single win over Boise State in 2005 at the top of his resume? They have a BSU football helmet signed by the 2005 team in their ‘corridor of mediocrity’ that the team passes through on the way to the field. I don’t think they have helmets for the yearly losses to NMS and San Jose—space is an issue.
How much bigger can the bulls eye get?
On a related note, Pat Hill finally removed the conference championship that he won as a player in the 7th grade from his bio (one more championship than he as won at FSU). ‘That team was mostly 8th graders from a bigger school. Our team can beat anybody anywhere.’
Note—that team promptly lost their next game to the San Jose Girls School for the blind in a colossal meltdown in the California State JR High championships.
by ElPepeGrande on Feb 17, 2010 9:09 AM PST up reply actions
I hear that next year's Nike uniforms
will incorporate a bullseye on the back.
Which will look goofy, but better than any combo that Oregon rolls out with.
by ElPepeGrande on Feb 17, 2010 9:10 AM PST up reply actions
It just occured to me
how similar this schedule is to 2006. Oregon St. at home. Wyoming on the road. Replace Sac State with Toledo and Utah with VaTech.
So if the pattern holds, our closest game will be @ San Jose St. Besides our bowl game of course, which will again be in Glendale.
Interesting.
I also see another similarity: The dates will be different, just as our trip to Glendale will be (Approx. a week later).
Oh, thought of more: We will win that close bowl game (probably in OT but im not making any promises), someone will be getting married soon (does Pettis have a gf?), and we will all declare we are the best team in the nation.
Old enough to know better, too young to care.
Replacing Sac State with Toledo and Utah with VaTech
That’s a pretty good upgrade.
"Islanders fan, huh? Team of the future, I'd say." - Roger Johnson
rec'd
Perhaps Gene really is working on the schedule?
by ElPepeGrande on Feb 17, 2010 9:10 AM PST up reply actions
Kap's throwing form?
No wonder he can’t hit receivers. That ball in his hand looks like a brown rugby ball. :) No points on it. It that a child proof ball they use in Reno?
BSU don't need smoke and mirrors to get the job done, they got orange pants.
by Belexes on Feb 16, 2010 10:07 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
It's one of those-
“Is that photoshop’d? Nah… wait, is it? It’s gotta be!” -moments
"Everyone counted us out. I don't know why they keep doing that." -- Kyle Wilson
I think Wyoming will be the toughest...
I heard they pump in crowd noises there. Then Nevada would be next. USU is on the blue this year and I have more confidence when Boise is at home (I will still have pregame jitters, just not as much as a road game).
I love the colors Orange and Blue. Go Broncos!!! Go Titans!!! BAD WORD Gators!!!
that "pump in the crowd noises" thing is something that bsu gets accused of
who was making that accusation again?! i can’t remember.
Dr. William Block: You gotta lose the arm, Joe.
Joe: Lose the arm? What do you mean, lose the arm? My arm?
I carelessly voted for Fresno State
So my real answer is Nevada, with Wyoming being a very close second. It’s been a nice rivalry with Nevada for the last few seasons and since we’re playing them in Reno it could be another close game.
We also play Wyoming on the road. And for some reason BSU struggles to put up points against Wyoming’s defense. The good part is, Wyoming can’t score on Boise State either.
"Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon... with nail polish."
Too much Wyoming love!
They beat FRESNO in a BOWL game! = NOT IMPRESSIVE.
I think it’s safe to say that TCU had/has a much better defense, we win by 17+
I give a slight edge to Fresno over Nevada, but neither w/in 10pts.
by jahkass on Feb 16, 2010 11:19 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
well
its certainly more impressive than Fresno losing to Wyoming ;)
by killtacular on Feb 16, 2010 10:44 PM PST up reply actions
So the question to ask is....
Which is more impressive
-Wyoming beating Fresno
-Idaho beating Bowling Green
?????
Me picky Wyoming.
Not because they’re trendy, but because they have a defense. Utah State, Frenso, Nevada have no such thing. Throw up all the offense you want, if Boise wants a scare, they’ll have a defense.
"Everyone counted us out. I don't know why they keep doing that." -- Kyle Wilson
i chose idaho
yeah, yeah. i know what you’re saying….but i actually liked crystal pepsi (it’s like first generation zima without the alcohol content). i HATE idaho but i’m just scared enough to know that a game up there will be tough for the broncos next year. that is, unless, the van-dolts stumble hard coming out of the gate and then it’s a no-brainer. here’s how i see it, vandals+good start=old school brawl like early bsu v. hawaii on the island or vandal+bad start=bronco walk and akey fighting for his J.O.B.
Noel.Diggity.....NO DOUBT!
Good or Bad
I’d like to see Akey go back to Wazzu. I hate him for being a Vandal, but like him as a coach.
"Everyone counted us out. I don't know why they keep doing that." -- Kyle Wilson
I choose Idaho as well...
It’ll be my second trip up to that hellish land they call the palouse. I think this game could be similar to 2006 (since this seems to be the theme of the post today), which i believe was pretty close. But lets be honest, is anyone that nervous we’ll lose any game besides Oregon State and VaTech? Sure Akey will have all of the 16,000+ vandal fans pumped up with beer, yelling obscenities, and declaring this is THEIR year. But i’m pretty sure that doesn’t translate into wins or even a justifiable reason to live in the palouse.
Nevada is my pick....
Though, Wyoming would be a very close second.
Kolin Kapernick (think i spelled it right) will be a senior. But at the same time, they have lost quite a few good players. Via Taua returns, but they loose much of their line (I think).
Wyoming will be tough, especially in Laramie. The problem they face is that we bring such a good defense and all of the #1 offense back…including a great O-line. Maybe this will be the game that Tyrone Crawford makes a huge impact and hassles their QB so much that they can’t get into any type of rythem.
….BTW…who here is planned on going to D.C. for the VT game?
by USMC_Broncofan on Feb 17, 2010 12:33 AM PST reply actions
I think @ Wyoming will be tougher than vs. Utah State
I’ll lean on Coach Pete’s preparation acumen to overcome both Wyoming and Utah State. I lean on the “Blue Collar Mentality” to overcome the two BCS foes. Kellen Moore to take care of Nevada’s whatshisname. And Bronco Nation and our boys in Blue to take care of the rest.
What I really admire about Boise State is we don’t think anybody’s a cupcake. We really do take one game at a time.
GO BRONCOS!!
hell, I wish that brain age quiz would say I'm 46!!! Is there an age limit for OBNUG membership?
I would agree with your high regard for U-State, except that they’ve lost their stud RB Turbin for all of next season (ACL). I don’t see Nevada being a big problem. It seems that they’re as many Bronco as Wolfpack fans in attendance when the game is played in Reno. I definitely think Wyoming could be a trap game. They always play well at home, and have developed a good QB to run their offense.
40 years ago you could pencil in wins pre-season
No more. There are over 1 million high school players and roughly 2,400 slots on Div I teams(avg 20 new scholarships per team per season much lower this year). Lots of quality players; few places to play = much more level playing field (“Violence of the Lambs”). The team that upsets us will be one of the teams that comes in loose but confident, ready to paly with nothing to prove. Pretty much describes the WAC, and why we need to get to an AQ with all deliberate speed(Brown v Board of Education)
tvmunson
This whole thread has unintended comedy....
So glad we are looking at the third toughest game. It is hard to take the rest of the list too seriously.
Wyoming is getting votes because they live in the middle of nowhere, are tough to travel to, and the wind blows a lot. This is the same logic Idaho State could use if they didn’t play in a dome. Wyoming is a tough road game, but they have two 7 win seasons in the past 8 years (six losing seasons in the past 8 years) and their most impressive victories last year are….not great.
Pat Hill has taken pants-crapping to an art form. Losing 2 games a year in the WAC to team not named Boise State is not impressive. Nor is signing a contract extension and losing to Wyoming in a bowl game in New Mexico by giving up 18 unanswered points in the final 5 minutes of regulation and overtimes. And now that he lost his NFL-caliber receivers, he is switching to a spread offense? How many horrible losses do you need before you reevaluate your schemes?
Based on history, how can this be successful? If the government can’t accurately give away free flu shots, do you really think this is the group to define a new healthcare system? Bad judgment breeds bad judgment and Pat Hill is the poster boy. If you don’t believe me—read the Fresno Bee. The locals think I am soft on Patty FuManchu.
Reno has lost the last (wow—what is the streak at? 10 years?? I don’t have a press guide in front of me) bunch of games with the broncs. The highlights include scoring 67 points and losing, and watering their home field so that it freezes, and then getting hammered by an irritated visiting team from Boise. Chris Ault is a ‘hall of fame’ coach…..can this be reviewed? Does winning games in the 70s and 80s, and then falling asleep in 1995 get you booted? Will Ault promise to ‘get beat by less than two touchdowns at home’ when the broncos head for Reno?
Coach Pete and staff deserve tons of credit from keeping the teams focused on beating teams in empty stadiums that haven’t won many games in the past decade. I agree that these teams to have talented players, but results are results.
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Broncos Football Schedule
@
Virginia Tech
|
Mon 09/06 | W 33 - 30 |
|
@
Wyoming
|
Sat 09/18 | 5:00 PM PDT |
|
Oregon St.
|
Sat 09/25 | TBA |
| @ New Mexico St. | Sat 10/02 | 5:00 PM PDT |
| Toledo | Sat 10/09 | 5:00 PM PDT |
| @ San Jose St. | Sat 10/16 | 5:00 PM PDT |
| Louisiana Tech | Tue 10/26 | 5:00 PM PDT |
| Hawaii | Sat 11/06 | 11:00 AM PDT |
| @ Idaho | Fri 11/12 | 6:00 PM PST |
| Fresno St. | Fri 11/19 | 6:30 PM PST |
| @ Nevada | Fri 11/26 | 7:15 PM PST |
| Utah State | Sat 12/04 | 12:00 PM PST |
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