Greetings!  Long time lurker, first time poster.  Hang on to your hats, here we go.

I'd like the OBNUG city's (we're way bigger than just a community) thoughts on the following line of logic.  Utah's success, failure, or plunge into mediocrity in 2011 will have a direct effect on how the world views Boise State.  Not to look too far ahead, but in 2011, they will be the first school in recent memory to upgrade into an AQ conference from a non-AQ conference.  In 2011, the Broncos will be upgrading to the MWC as possible defending national champions.  Riddle me this:

If Utah lays an egg in the 12-Pac, or even has a .500 record at the end of 2011, will it spell disaster for the Broncos? 

Here's my thinking--the pundits will have a feast on a sub-par performance out of the Utes.  "We've been saying all along that the Utahs, Boise States, TCUs, BYUs, ad nauseum of the world can't compete in the _______ Conference week in and week out.  Utah has just proven this theory to be true."

Will this have a negative effect on how Boise State is voted in 2011?  Will it solely depend on Boise State's and the rest of the MWC's performance in 2011?  What if Utah posts a respectable 10-2 or 9-3 in their first year?  Then would the opposite be true. . .

If Utah has a winning season (and therefore is bowl-eligible), will it help the Broncos more now that they are in an AQ Conference?  Should we be rooting for the Utes, not only to help our strength of schedule (we play them Oct. 1 at home), but to help avoid the possible ramifications of the Mark Mays and Craig James' and U of I bloggers (oh wait, those don't exist) of the world casting votes for Boise State with Utah's performance in the back of their collective pea-sized minds?

Bottom line, will the Broncos ranking, even if in small part, be at Utah's mercy in 2011?

Oh, so many questions.  That's where you come in.  Tell me your thoughts, voice your opinion!