Why Boise State will never be considered for the Playoff, and that’s ok

Share Facebook

Twitter

The 2014 season started as one to forget. For many, the Air Force defeat was the last straw. “You can dock this season as another 8-5 season.” “Maybe the golden age of Boise State Football is really over.”

And then things quickly took a turn back to the old Bronco Football roots.

Those were many of the cries from Bronco fans. But what started as a disaster turned into something magical once again as the Broncos earned their third Fiesta Bowl victory.

But are Boise State and their fans ok with not ever making one of the four spots in the College Football Playoff? Most fans would be split on the idea, and for the University, the current situation cannot get any sweeter.

Never Considered

Just when you were happy the BCS-era was finished, the old strength of schedule argument still remains the same. Last year, the Broncos’ schedule was ranked tied for 74th among all schools. Not necessarily a good argument or case for your team to be in the playoff picture. The year prior? 91st.

If Boise State is indeed undefeated at the end of this season, and has beaten the likes of a Washington and Virginia, is that enough to make the committee think? Never, not even for a second.

The Mountain West Conference doesn’t help them either. It’s the same old song and dance for the Broncos year-in and year-out when they are knocking at the door of the big-bowl games.

Never considered. David left out of the party, but when he gets his chance he usually takes his sling shot out, and nails Goliath right in the teeth. That’s what the Broncos have been known to do. So what can Boise State do to be considered among the four-team playoff?

The only logical answer would be to schedule more difficult teams. And they’ve done that:

Washington (2015), Virginia (2015,2017), Washington State (2016, 2017), Oregon State (2016, 2022, 2023), Oklahoma State (2018, 2021), Florida State (2019, 2020), Cincinnati (2019, 2020), Michigan State (2022, 2023).

But even that won’t be enough, the Broncos are favored in every conference game they play in. Any SEC team, even with 2-losses would be considered over an undefeated Bronco team. Sound familiar? Back to where we started.

Could they ever be considered? It would have to take another 2-4 year span where the Broncos are running the table and beat their future Big 5 opponents consistently. But even in the BCS system, Boise State was shoved aside as they went 50-3, defeating all BCS opponents during the Kellen Moore era and never got the chance at a big bowl game against a big-time opponent.

No offense, TCU.

We may never see it, but if the Broncos are considered at all, who wouldn’t love to see Boise State go toe-to-toe with Alabama, or even a rematch against the Oklahoma Sooners. But that’s OK.

It’s OK

As the BCS shut out the Broncos due to missed field goals, or more than a one loss season, the new system allows Non-Power schools for the opportunity to play in a New Years Eve Bowl game.

To refresh your memory, being the one Non-Power team to win their conference as well as being the highest ranked among Non-Powers will land you a spot in one of the big bowls. Every year.

The Broncos are a monopoly within the Non-Power group. With the departure of Utah and TCU to bigger conferences, what other school in the Non-Power group has the brand and the following Boise State has? No one, not even close.

With Boise State favored to win all their conference games and championship every season, the boys in blue are sitting mighty pretty to land that big bowl spot every season, IF they take care of business. After the two ugly losses to Ole Miss and Air Force, did any Bronco fan see that team beating a Top 10 opponent? Probably not.

That’s what makes it great.

A system that is almost tailored just for the Broncos. No one will argue which Non-Power conference is better, it will always be the Mountain West, and it’s hard to change strength of conference perception among fans or coaches. Most people would place a 1-loss Boise State team over any undefeated Non-Power team from a different conference.

Why not schedule some marquee opponents, run the Mountain West Conference, and end your season at a big bowl game? Not only that, but cash in every time you play too. Would Boise State take an offer to join the PAC 12? In a heart beat.

It’s OK that the Broncos will most likely not be considered for the playoff. If the system is working for now, embrace that the move from the MWC to Pac 12 may be in the future, but make the most of the system, because it doesn’t benefit every school like it does Boise State, every season.

Comments