The debate begins: Does Boise belong in BCS title game?
We can argue. We will argue. Heck, we’re arguing already. But the way has been cleared for Boise State to play for the BCS title.
The Broncos did what they needed to do to make their case. They traveled cross-country and beat a good Virginia Tech team on a neutral field that wasn’t all that neutral. They came from behind to win at the end, and now the burden of proof is on the BCS — the voters in the two human polls and the computers — to keep Boise out of Glendale, Ariz.
We’re going to hear about strength of schedule. We’re going to hear that Boise has only one real chance to lose — against Oregon State on Sept. 25 — the rest of the way. But an undefeated Boise would be awfully hard to deny no matter what else happens anywhere else in college football. And if a place in the title game comes down to an once-beaten Alabama or a once-beaten Iowa against a never-beaten-for-two-years Boise … well, that’s the decision the BCS dreads.
Because if Boise is the choice then a lot of BCS-level programs will scream, “Put them in our league(s) and have them play our schedule and see how long they stay undefeated.” But if Boise isn’t the choice, the BCS knows full well what’s coming.
A full-blown Congressional investigation. Impassioned demands for a playoff grid from everyone who loves an underdog. (And really, who doesn’t love an underdog?) Perhaps even the end of the BCS as we know it, which would be an altogether good thing for everyone except the Broncos.
Say what you will about Boise State and its blue field and its modest conference. But there’s nothing modest about what the Broncos did Monday night in our nation’s capital. A ton of football remains to be played in 2010, but no single game stands to cast the giant shadow of this Boise victory. And if you’re asking me if I think an undefeated Boise State deserves a shot at the BCS title, the answer is …
Absolutely.
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265 comments Add your comment
HugoStiglitz
September 7th, 2010
3:46 am
100%, absolutely yes. If they go undefeated and get held out of the game then college football really is the sham that we thought it was and congress should do something about it. Keeping them out again would be them basically telling alot of FBS schools that you have no chance to win a championship no matter what you do or how good you are. You are playing games for no reason.
76-DAWG
September 7th, 2010
3:54 am
That’s an insult to every team that has to bust their rear end every week for the entire season to even suggest BS belong in the title game.None of the teams that BS have left on their schedule will probably end up with a winning season.Virgina Tech will lose 3 to 5 games if their QB doesn’t start playing with intelligence instead of just instinct .Also I give Virgina Tech a D- or F as far as how poorly this team was coached. But if the idiots insist on BS taking up one of the national title spots it better be the SEC champion. If the SEC champion plays BS , BS will loss by 3 to 4 touchdowns. If BS play’s Ohio State, BS will loss by 10 to 18 points.It will be the same crap Georgia had to put up with when so many were thinking Hawaii could stay on the field with a good SEC team.
BCS-pwnd
September 7th, 2010
4:30 am
I think there is one point that people are missing. Boise State gets 2-3 start recruits. They don’t have the MILLIONS, again MILLIONS of dollars within their budget like SEC or BIG 10 schools. The issue here is about money. BSU has shown that they can play big schools, but they can also play with the kids that big schools didn’t even think about recruiting. They play with kids from the same recruiting groups as all the other WAC teams; however, they play the big games in the end. They beat the parody of their conference in terms of quality and they beat the schools who should “technically” win. If Peterson had the resources that an SEC, BIG10, or PAC10 team had EVERY SINGLE YEAR imagine what they could do then? In the end I think the Feds (I can’t believe I am saying this) need to break up the cartel… I mean University Presidents club and allow teams AND conferences a chance to play for the big time. Although I do love tradition I would rather see kids have a chance at going all the way including the kids that Bama (who get their butts handed to them two years ago by a non-BCS Utah) didn’t want anything to do with.
BCS-pwnd
September 7th, 2010
4:32 am
One other thing. I am sick of hearing about kids who work hard in the BCS. It’s about parody – BSU kids work hard too.
Conyers Big10 Fan
September 7th, 2010
4:51 am
Mark: Why are you awarding the Big10 championship to Ohio State
before any games are played? A couple of other good teams play in the
Big10 (as you well know) Iowa/Wisconsin??
76-DAWG
September 7th, 2010
5:02 am
The only way Teams like BSU will get the respect of the SEC teams is if a playoff system settles it. Then it doesn’t matter if you have an easy schedule or not The winner of an 8 team playoff will have to beat 3 top 8 teams . The average SEC team will still have to play 5 or 6 top 20 teams every year including the 3 playoff games if they go all the way to the title game. But, our conference want it that way . That why so many SEC players go to the PRO leagues. But if BSU won all 3 of their playoff games that would be enough to satisfy most that BSU deserved a national title. My guess is that BSU would get eliminated in the 1st round 90% of the time and the other 10 % in the 2nd round.
Ben
September 7th, 2010
6:16 am
Boise State would play anyone in the country. It’s not their fault that other teams are scared. There are plenty of teams around the country that could have adjusted their schedules to fit in Boise State, but they know they’ll lose. And they don’t want to break up the monopoly of the BCS conferences. If Boise State goes undefeated and doesn’t get in the championship game, then the BCS should be investigate, because it’s promoting a monopoly, which in this country is illegal.
Your Facebook Friend
September 7th, 2010
6:20 am
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KB
September 7th, 2010
6:38 am
Great game last night – very impressed with BSU.
But don’t they have several more games (some might say a whole season even) to win before we can have this conversation? Sure it’s a cupcake schedule but anything can happen. Let’s not put the cart before the horse.
bob
September 7th, 2010
6:46 am
They deserve to pay for the championship. Come on everybody, they beat an ACC team on a neutral field on week 1. Now everyone else can battle it out for 3 months for the other spot in the game. Besides they only get 4 months to recover from the physical beating that most BCS conference members take on a weekly basis.
Sadly, I am not kidding. Great system !
Dawg_Mike
September 7th, 2010
6:48 am
All the debate doesnt matter now. Boise will be playing TCU ( again ) for the BS National Championship in Glendale. Go ahead and book it.
By the way, the arena football league called VT last night- they want their uniforms back.
louisville slugger
September 7th, 2010
7:01 am
My dream scenario: BSU and TCU end up 1-2 in the BCS standings. If the AQ conferences get shut out of the title game, a playoff will happen sooner than we think!!
Another observation: when VT and GT play, whatever the over-under number is, it won’t be enough – bet the over. VT’s defense is undisciplined, and GT will rip it apart. GT’s defense gives up too many plays, and VT will rip it apart…
-Frankly Speaking-
September 7th, 2010
7:02 am
`
VIirginia Tech is a cupcake.
Marcus
September 7th, 2010
7:04 am
Too early to tell. Heck, we haven’t even digested all of our Labor Day BBQ yet. That said, it speaks to our flaws and selfishness that we profess to be a land of opportunity, yet when a team in sports does what we espouse as values (hard work, dedication, effort, to climb the ladder of success that WE designed) then voting, bias, and elitism uses voting and/or collusion to exclude the entity who labored through to meet the demands WE made of them.
There is a lot of football to be played, but I do hope they make the title game.
Abdullah the Bitcher
September 7th, 2010
7:07 am
Some people say Boise State being in the BCS Title game proves a playoff is needed. Others say them not being in the BCS Title game proves a playoff system is needed.
I don’t know which it is, but I do know Boise State is one hell of a football program, and have shown more often than not when paired up against a strong team they can win. If they do in fact go undefeated in 2010, they deserve the chance to finally – after four consecutive unbeaten regular seasons – show what they can do against the big dogs in the game for all the marbles.
Further, if they win that title, and the powers-that-be scramble and put a playoff system in place by 2011 in a state of panic, I hope Boise State wins that one, too. Then maybe we could talk about how good this program is instead of finding reasons to debunk their success.
Butts Wagner
September 7th, 2010
7:09 am
The only opinion I have is that if Boise goes undefeated and gets left out of national champ game for a 1 loss team, I don’t want Congress getting involved.
Don't Like B.S.
September 7th, 2010
7:13 am
I don’t think Boise State should be criticized for its Conference schedule, it is what it is. Where I think they should be “hammered” in the polls is their non-conference schedule cream puffs of Toledo and Wyoming. If Boise State wants to play with the Big Boys for a national championship, they need to play more top 25 programs which they could do. If you are a Bama or Ohio State, scheduling Toledo is OK. If you are Boise State, its not.
Clay
September 7th, 2010
7:17 am
Not based on this skinny 2 point win over an ACC school; but, since the only team Boise has left on their schedule is Oregon St, they will play for the title.
Beast from the East
September 7th, 2010
7:17 am
It’s a little early to say yes or no. VT could end up being 7-5. Does that make the win impressive? If VT goes 12-1, then yes, it was impressive. Lots of football still to be played. Let’s not put them in the BCSCG game just yet. There are about 25 other teams that would like to have their say, as well. Some much more deserving if they finish unbeaten.
dogfish
September 7th, 2010
7:23 am
I hate the BCS and love to see it not work. Maybe Bosie can play TCU for the NT.
We need a playoff, period.
SuperB
September 7th, 2010
7:23 am
Why do the SEC teams and other top conferences have to play 5-6 top teams a year to be considered– and teams like Boise and TCU only have to get by one or two teams– to play in the big game? Maybe Georgia (or Alabama or Florida, etc.) should go independent and play Virginia Tech or Oregon State, then demand to be in the BCS title game!
crabapplejoe
September 7th, 2010
7:30 am
Nope, its gonna be Jacksonville State vs. Boise State for the NC…….Jacksonville State owns the SEC….LMAO at the “SEC hype”.
suwaneedawg
September 7th, 2010
7:32 am
Boise State is just reason #377 as to why there should be a playoff system. At the end of the year if you have an Ohio State, Alabama, and throw in a Florida and lets sday Oregon with no losses or one defeat, how do you put Boise in Arizona? After last night who do they play and how do they match the schedules of the four teams I mentioned? I think Boise State could play with any of the 4 teams on this post but, their schedule says they won’t get there. A PLAYOFF SYSTEM would fix everything.
St. Clarkston
September 7th, 2010
7:40 am
I was very impressed with Boise. Solid passing game and a quick defense. The fact remains however, they are playing two reasonably tough games and ten louisiana Lafayette’s.
Charlie Bama
September 7th, 2010
7:44 am
First of all, VaTech, STOP signing up for these Nat TV showcase season opener games–your record in these scenarios is abysmal! Beamer may be a good coach on some levels, but in the ever important ‘ready to play’ category of preparedness, nope. Never even close.
Second of all, two-thirds of the SEC (and maybe even Auburn or the Orange Killbillies) could be undefeated with Boise State’s schedule. We all know that. Hanah Montana U? Why-Oh-Ming? Seriously? Who’s next, the staff at PETA? Com’on! Why in the heck do they use a computer anyway? it’s to inject objectivity–and that rejects Boise State as a contender.
jumbeauxtiger
September 7th, 2010
7:46 am
Whether you like them or not you have to admit that was a big win for Boise St last night. Tough loss for Va Tech.
There is way too much football left to play for us to assume that the Broncos will go undefeated.
However if they do run the table, and as much as I disagree because of their schedule, they will end up in the title game if there is only one other undefeated BCS conference school.
Granted, they do have a weak schedule and likely would not have the record they have if they played in the Big 10 or SEC. Yet, you have to tip your hat to them because they do win.
DawgNation
September 7th, 2010
7:50 am
No way. I am sorry as I do like the Broncos and follow them but it is called strength of schedule and they have never had that. I love seeing them beat BCS teams and humble some programs but to be able to do that week in and week out I don’t see it happening. This years team is by far the most complete team but not a BCS champion caliper team. This year I don’t think any BCS conference champion will be undefeated so If the Broncos run the table it will be fun hearing all the moaning from the BCS, but in the end strength of schedule will override a perfect record. The best I can see for them is a final ranking of 2nd. Here is a thought. With all the realignments going on why not petition to enter the Pac 10 or Big 12 ?
DawgNation
September 7th, 2010
7:53 am
Before the English majors jump, caliber team .
jumbeauxtiger
September 7th, 2010
7:53 am
Whether you like them or not, that was a big win for Boise St last night. Tough loss for Va Tech.
There is a too much football left to assume the Broncos will run the table.
However if they do go unbeaten, and if there is only one undefeated BCS conference school, I believe they will be in the title game.
I think it is fair to assume that they would not have the success they have had if they were in the Big 10 or SEC. Yet, you have to give them kudos as they do win.
Boozerdawg
September 7th, 2010
7:54 am
We need a playoff system like me and my UGA buddies use on the weekends, last drunk left standing wins and is crowned the CHAMP. We dont need any stupid computer rankings or votes to figure out who wins.
Brad
September 7th, 2010
7:55 am
Absolutely they deserve a chance. Everyone can speculate on nineteen different scenarios, but until it’s done on the field, all arguments are moot. And Boise is more than doing it on the field. The naysayers can all ‘predict’ what would happen if they played in the SEC (and I am a big SEC fan), but for instance, who would have predicted several years ago that Alabama would lose to UL Monroe? Sure, the Tide is the best thing going now, but unless that game took place on the field, ULM would never have gotten the chance to prove it. And there lies the crux of the matter, Boise deserves the chance to prove they belong. If there’s ever been the perfect time to graduate past all of the speculating, it’s now. Boise has earned their chance, and the playoff system is the only and best way to crown an undisputed champion. Let’s do it on the field. Any other way is just hot air.
gadawgs
September 7th, 2010
8:00 am
No they do not. I echo alot of the sentiments here. Put Boise in the SEC and they would lose 3-4 games per year. Likewise, put AL, FL, GA, LSU, AU etc….in their conference and the SEC teams would go undeated every year. Yes, Boise is a very good team that can get up to play one tough game per year. Let them play FL, GA, SC, TN, AL or LSU on consecutive weeks and see where they are after that stretch. That’s the typ of schedule SEC teams play every year. Not to mention atleast one out of conference BCS game per year like GT, Miami, FSU, Penn State etc… Trust me Boise would not only lose they would get the crap beat out of them (physically and on the scoreboard). All of the Boise people keep saying that the big boys keep ducking them but that is not true. As many posters have pointed out GA played Boise in 05′ and beat them down. I know you say well that was five years ago but let me remind you that Boise was undeafeted the previous year and all of the experts were predicting an upset. GA would not be able to hang with that high powered offense that scores 50 – 60 per game. Well I believe we held them to 13 and that was with our second and third teams playing the majority of the second half. Until Boise plays an SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, heck even a PAC 10 schedule they do not deserve to be there.
Habersham Dawg
September 7th, 2010
8:02 am
If Boise goes undefeated the rest of the way, they deserve their shot, even if it means my Dawgs are left out.
Sec Fact Finder( the real one)
September 7th, 2010
8:03 am
West Coast Football…are you that much misinformed to say Alabama does not travel outside the south and UGA does? Look at every SEC school..They all travel outside….next year the game is at Happy Valley..UGA has played twice west of the mississippi while UF has gone 3 times in the past 5 yrs. Alabama did go to Hawaii, and home and home with Oklahoma,and neutral field games verse VT, Clemson….but Boise St. needs to get off the blue rug and play the big boys…
But to make it simple for you…when you are the big league..the SEC ..others come to you….
Gen Neyland
September 7th, 2010
8:04 am
Boise St’s only delimma, as I see after last night, it is meeting the balance of criteria to get to the BCSNCG. I’ll say BS has a good squad. Maybe pretty near a great squad. They might be worthy of being in a BCS game by seasons end but when the blivet shakes out, SOS shoots them out of the water…
kc15aa
September 7th, 2010
8:06 am
If they are ranked number 3 and have won all their games then they deserve a shot if the number 1 or number 2 team loses. The title winner last year did not blow everyone out and required a last second field goal block to beat Tennessee. I see all these comments about who has the best conference, but lets get away from having a paper champion and let them win it on the field. We are in the 21st century lets catch up with the times and realize the only way to have a true champion is to institute a playoff system. Also I guess if Boise loss there would be those saying see told you so. But if I remember Virginia Tech is not a push over and comes to play hard.
Jason
September 7th, 2010
8:07 am
Mark, I think you missed the real possiblility of an even larger event occuring at the end of the season. Boise St. is going to push to get into a bigger conference if they are denied while being undefeated for two years. And some conference (Pac-10?) will be likely to take them. The whole Armaggedon of college football as we know it will be touched off, and it will ruin the out of conference matchups and natural rivalries that we see in college football.
BANKS
September 7th, 2010
8:09 am
WOW, they beat the 3rd or 4th best team in the Atlantic Cupcake Conference! They would be a .500 team in the SEC.
Beano
September 7th, 2010
8:10 am
No way – it’s gotta be the dawgs. Did you see them against Fartknocker U? Now that’s a real team and proves Murray is going to win 4 Heisman’s. I don’t know how you can overlook such a smashing victory while wasting your time on such nonsense as Vt and Boise.
juice sourcer
September 7th, 2010
8:11 am
ugakev If they showed you nothing then you are an idoit….run the table and they are in…no doubt about it…actually I hope they run the table and don’t get in….then the whole BCS will be blown up and we get a damn playoff.
10-1 Lead After 3
September 7th, 2010
8:11 am
If VPI ends up going 12-1 then Boise State’ll probably play for the championship. But if VPI ends up 8-4, which is much more likely, then BSU didn’t really show much.
kc15aa
September 7th, 2010
8:13 am
Oh wow Georgia plays Arizona State and Oklahoma state what a challenge. Oh Hawaii wow those are big names. They are ranked at 3 and if they win out and someone stumbles they deserve a shot. If you do not like it push for a playoff. Oh I guess it is okay to leave out the little guys and the so called power conferences reap all the benefits. Why not play it on the field like all the other sports are you all afraid your conferences may be exposed. Everyone is referring to getting up for one game. I do not see any teams laying down telling Boise just roll all over us. Get a playoff system because there are teams out there that may slip but can string together a good run to win “on the field.”
juice sourcer
September 7th, 2010
8:13 am
Multiple idiots here….including Beano and Banks…that was one heck of a college football game and your comments are just plain stupid.
Atticus
September 7th, 2010
8:14 am
NO WAY. Play 5 or 6 BCS conference games, play 2-3 difficult ones on the road and then it would be different. Boise is a very good team and possibly WOULD be a top 10 team but until they go on the road and play back-to back difficult games….forget it.
Boise Dawg
September 7th, 2010
8:16 am
First I am so glad they won… proves the 2005 loss to Georgia means squat today. Also proves to all the haters out there that said Va Tech was going to blow them out that BSU is for real.
Do they belong in the BCS Championship game? Why do we need to even have the debate. It all depends on how the season goes for everyone including BSU. Even if they beat OSU in a few weeks, I wouldn’t assume they are going to run the table. I’ll admit the WAC is a weak conference, but both Fresno State and Nevada will have something to say. Nevada has come very close to beating Boise the past two seasons and they have to play in them in Reno this year. Also, Utah St. had a shot at beating Oklahoma, so you can’t discount the entire conference.
Long season to go and as Coach Peterson said… this was just 1 win. I didn’t think they necessarily looked like a National Title contender last night… both teams made a lot of mistakes. I thought Boise would need to be perfect to win, but they also proved they can win when things aren’t always going there way and they did’t need “trick” plays to do it.
southern bell
September 7th, 2010
8:18 am
No, they beat an ok Virginia Tech team who couldn’t play defense or kick a field goal when it was needed the most. They play one other good team during the entire season unlike most other schools who play a tough conference schedule and have to win a tough conference championship game in order to go to the National Championship game.
Black Coffee & Bourbon
September 7th, 2010
8:20 am
No. They play in the WAC and their schedule is a joke. A 12-1 ACC Champ or SEC Champ is much more deserving based upon the road they’ve hoed than Boise and their cupcake laden season.
GA Jacket
September 7th, 2010
8:20 am
Boy, All of you people are so funny. This team just traveled all the way across country and beat a good football team in a hostile environment. But you people who are so stuck up on these so called power conferences forget you line up team against team and let the best team win. I get so tried of all of these so call experts saying this team does not deserve a shot even if they go undefeated. This is what is killing collage football. If they had their way the only teams that would ever play for this fake National Championship are USC, Texas, Notre Dame, Florida, and Ohio State.
I have always said the BCS should be called the Bull**** Championship Series
Get Wild
September 7th, 2010
8:21 am
Boise will lose to one of the cupcakes this year….
Larry
September 7th, 2010
8:28 am
Yes! Let’s see what happens when Alabama tears them a new one… That should shut them up for at least the next ten years…