Boise State Preview
By Bruce Marshall
The Gold Sheet
It's not really going to be a one-game season at Boise State this fall. Although talking to some of Bronco supporters might lead one to believe otherwise. You see, the hype and anticipation for the Thursday, September 3 home opener against the Oregon Ducks began almost as soon as last season ended, following a one-point loss vs. TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl. That's because any chance Boise has of crashing the upcoming BCS party (as the Broncos did as an unbeaten team in '06 and almost did again a year ago) simply has to include a win over the Ducks, the most challenging non-conference entity on this fall's slate, which also includes a potentially-tricky trip to Tulsa, a pair of MAC also-rans breaking in new coaches, Miami-Ohio and Bowling Green, plus lower-division UC Davis. Beating the latter four teams and the rest of the WAC entries will likely not be enough to gain the attention of the BCS. But, throw in a triumph over the respected Ducks, and things could be different, although it's worth noting that a similar win at Oregon last September, along with an undefeated mark in the rest of their regular-season games, still wasn't enough to get the Broncos invited to the BCS.
We don't like being preoccupied with the BCS, especially since that trip to Tulsa is another potential banana peel, but so it goes these days in Boise, where talk beyond the WAC has become standard operating procedure for the Bronco program, which has notched three unbeaten regular-season campaigns since 2004. Not to mention owning the nation's best marks over the past ten years in overall record (104-20), conference record (70-5), and home record (64-2), as well as being the highest-scoring college team this decade, tallying 41.2 ppg since 2000. It's all a far cry from days not long ago when the late Pokey Allen and Houston Nutt (yes, that Houston Nutt) were coaching on the blue carpet and nobody south of the Snake River paid much attention. Now, with BSU poised to win its seventh WAC crown in eight years, we suppose it's inevitable the chatter could drift to the BCS once more.
Still, don't expect 2009 to be a completely smooth ride for the Broncos. That's because Boise is an uncommonly young team; only five seniors are on the entire roster, with S Kyle Wilson & FB Richie Brockel the only sr. starters. And HC Chris Petersen has legitimate concerns about an OL that started 11 different combinations in 13 games last season and had trouble helping the Broncos establish a ground attack in the toughest games of '08 (close wins over Nevada and aforementioned Oregon, plus the 17-16 bowl loss to TCU). Moreover, spring injuries to RG Kevin Sapien & RT Nate Potter, two of the returning starters up front, further impeded any continuity being established along the OL before fall camp. But we're nitpicking, because Boise still scored 37 ppg with similar concerns in '08 and returns plenty of established firepower, including savvy RS soph southpaw QB Kellen Moore, who demonstrated poise almost instantly in his maiden voyage last fall en route to passing for 3486 yards and 25 TDs. Slashing RBs Jeremy Avery (5.5 ypc LY) & D.J. Harper can fill the gap left by the graduated Ian Johnson, while wideouts Austin Pettis (9 TDs LY) & Titus Young are established downfield threats who can more than compensate for top '08 wideout Jeremy Childs' early departure for the NFL.
Lost somewhere in hubbub regarding the potent "O" has been an underrated Bronco stop unit that ranked 3rd in scoring defense (just 12.62 ppg) in '08 and returns its entire 2ndary, led by the aforementioned CB Wilson & S Jeron Johnson. WAC sources suggest to not be alarmed by the rebuilding needed on the front seven where all-WAC jr. DE Ryan Winterswyk is the only returning starter. Lots of capable talent saw action LY and is ready to step into the breach; watch soph DTs Charles Baker & 320-lb. Michael Atkinson (scouts say he's a potential monster), plus LB Hunter White, all "movers" in spring.
Summary...We'll resist temptation to merely fast-forward to December and see where Boise fits into this year's BCS equation, because those hopes could be effectively dashed before Labor Day if the Broncos can't beat Oregon in the opener, not to mention underrated Tulsa in October. And romping to another unbeaten mark won't be easy, with several new faces being asked to contribute on "D" and the OL still seeking continuity. But the pieces are certainly in place for another WAC crown, and BSU can take its chances from there regarding the BCS.