Following a loss to BYU after the offense sputtered in the second half the Boise State team seemed to be in disarray with no perfect fix in sight. Little did anyone realize that all it took was an Idaho State team at home to take a beating to potentially right the ship and get the Broncos back on track. Following the game the news was revealed that the Broncos had lost their startin quarterback, Ryan Finley, for the next eight weeks. Both backups played well in the game after their leader had fallen and questions now surround the team on who will run the Bronco offense.
Boise State heads on the road this week against a very pesky Virginia team with an unknown starter at the helm. Well someone knows, it’s just on the coaching staff and they aren’t willing to truly say. This week could have a much greater impact on the rest of the season and where the Broncos will end up come bowl season. Let me explain why this game may be truly a must win the Broncos.
First off Boise State is currently ranked 36th in the AP poll and 40th in the Coaches Poll. The Broncos are currently ranked as the second best team not from a Power Five conference. Toledo is ahead of the Broncos in the AP poll currently ranked 30th in that poll. Boise State has three marquee games this year playing what will probably be at best 6-6 teams in Washington and Virginia, and what could be the Hail Mary darling in BYU. If Boise State finishes those three games at 1-2 it may be hard to ever pass Toledo in the polls without a loss from the Rockets.
Toledo has a favorable schedule as they just finished their two toughest games 2-0 with wins against Iowa State and then #18 ranked Arkansas. If Toledo runs through their conference unblemished it’ll be tough for Boise State to upend them as the top Non Power 5 Conference team. An undefeated Toledo Rockets team would be far more favorable than a 11-2 Boise State team in the Playoff Committee’s eyes.
Boise State needs to keep an eye in the rear view mirror in case some other non power five team creeps up on them. A Western Kentucky upset of LSU could propel them into contention as would a Ball State victory against Northwestern. The Broncos this week will have a lot riding on this game with a new starter at quarterback, uncertainty as to which offense will show up, and possibly the location of the season ending Bowl Game being decided by this game.
Boise State heads on the road this week against a very pesky Virginia team with an unknown starter at the helm. Well someone knows, it’s just on the coaching staff and they aren’t willing to truly say. This week could have a much greater impact on the rest of the season and where the Broncos will end up come bowl season. Let me explain why this game may be truly a must win the Broncos.
First off Boise State is currently ranked 36th in the AP poll and 40th in the Coaches Poll. The Broncos are currently ranked as the second best team not from a Power Five conference. Toledo is ahead of the Broncos in the AP poll currently ranked 30th in that poll. Boise State has three marquee games this year playing what will probably be at best 6-6 teams in Washington and Virginia, and what could be the Hail Mary darling in BYU. If Boise State finishes those three games at 1-2 it may be hard to ever pass Toledo in the polls without a loss from the Rockets.
Toledo has a favorable schedule as they just finished their two toughest games 2-0 with wins against Iowa State and then #18 ranked Arkansas. If Toledo runs through their conference unblemished it’ll be tough for Boise State to upend them as the top Non Power 5 Conference team. An undefeated Toledo Rockets team would be far more favorable than a 11-2 Boise State team in the Playoff Committee’s eyes.
Boise State needs to keep an eye in the rear view mirror in case some other non power five team creeps up on them. A Western Kentucky upset of LSU could propel them into contention as would a Ball State victory against Northwestern. The Broncos this week will have a lot riding on this game with a new starter at quarterback, uncertainty as to which offense will show up, and possibly the location of the season ending Bowl Game being decided by this game.
