-
1 of 10
-
2 of 10
-
3 of 10
-
4 of 10
-
5 of 10
-
6 of 10
-
7 of 10
-
8 of 10
-
9 of 10
-
10 of 10
From the Blue to You: BSU and the BCS
Trent Lootens, Producer
Comments
Story
The Boise State Broncos are in a familiar position as they look up the college football polls to a team from the Mountain West Conference. This time it’s not Utah but Brigham Young in the BCS driver’s seat.
The Associated Press Top 25 ranked BYU at No. 7 two weeks into the college football season. BYU’s surge into the Top 10 came after a monumental upset win against then No. 3 Oklahoma in Arlington, Texas at Cowboy Stadium during week 1.
The twist to BYU’s huge victory came in the second quarter when reigning Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford was taken out of the game with a sprained shoulder injury sustained to his throwing arm.
Bradford would never return, and neither would Oklahoma’s offense due to Bradford’s backup being completely ineffective.
BYU won that game 14-13 on a late touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, executed by BYU senior quarterback Max Hall. The win catapulted BYU into the Top 10, ahead of preseason BCS busting favorite BSU.
Though BSU might still be sitting pretty in both the AP and USA Today Coaches Poll at No.10 respectively – the earliest BSU has ever made it to the Top 10 – they have to live with the fact that if BYU doesn’t lose, they will be left out of the BCS party again.
BSU has to finish undefeated to even have a chance of getting an at-large BCS bid. With BYU out in front by a significant margin in both polls and with a better strength of schedule than BSU, the Cougars are the overwhelming frontrunners to bust the BCS.
At this point, with a win at Oklahoma, a win this week at home in Provo, Utah. over Florida State, and possibly two more wins in home games against Utah and Texas Christian – both Top 25 teams – BYU could find itself playing for a National Championship.
That leaves the question of what would happen to BSU should BYU go undefeated and plays for the National Championship.
For BSU, they would need BYU to play for the National Championship if both teams do end up going undefeated because the BCS committee has already proven last year they will take a two-loss Ohio State team over a mid-major program if two mid-major teams go undefeated. Utah was invited over BSU to play in the Sugar Bowl, a game the Utes won over Alabama.
If both BSU and BYU go undefeated and BYU is not chosen to play in the National Championship game, it will be an easy decision for the committee – not a good sign for BSU due to the strength of schedule BYU possesses.
All BSU can do is win the remaining games on their schedule and hope realistically that BYU does lose along the way to ensure an invite from the BCS.
A lot of things have to fall BSU’s way before the end of the regular season or they could once again be at the mercy of the BCS committee.
Do you think the Broncos will make a BCS game?
- yes (50%, 2 Votes)
- to early to tell (50%, 2 Votes)
- no (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 4