Everyone wants a do over, a chance to right the ship and right the wrongs of the past. Boise State is in that exact position, and it’s all thanks to a new team identity.

Before the Oklahoma State game in September I wrote a piece describing how a team takes on the persona and attitude of its head coach. My point was the Broncos under head coach Bryan Harsin were reactionary and inconsistent, mimicking his attitude and personality. This has led to in-season ups and downs during his five years at Boise State.

After falling to OSU then dropping a game to San Diego State a couple of weeks later (a total embarrassment, by the way), the Broncos were 3-2 and that inconsistency monster had reared its ugly head, doing its best to jack up another season.

I sat on my couch in an angry stupor, wondering why I do this to myself every year, getting so emotionally involved in a team that every game, every quarter, every snap, feels like I’m riding some wonky rollercoaster Six Flags rejected with prejudice.

But then something happened. Not with me, but with Boise State. The offense found a rhythm and an identity, Zak Hill began to trust himself as the play caller, and Andy Avalos once again performed his wizardry by duct-taping together a defensive lineup that somehow remains as dominant as ever even with the who’s who list of starters out with injuries.

Has it been pretty every week? Absolutely not. It’s had its moments. But there’s something beautiful about Alexander Mattison cracking skulls on a run up the middle and then leaping over a defender like a roided-up gazelle. And don’t even get me started about Scale Igiehon. That man is not out there to make friends. Watch his tape. He doesn’t look anything like a true freshman.

And that was the key; Boise State stopped trying to be a finesse team and started stealing lunch money like playground bullies. Watch the hell out.

It took a few weeks of game play, but the offensive line finally gelled. The nasty identity worked its way to that position group. Those guys are getting it done. And who can’t think of nasty when you look at center Garrett Larson and his rat tail mullet? Or Brett Rypien taking a cheap shot to the chin then getting up and tossing a dime to an open receiver?

Over two weeks ago Fresno State got slapped around on the Blue Turf. (How do you trigger a Fresno fan? Mention the word, “Physical” around them.)

Utah State had the same experience just a few days ago. Utah State fans before the game made references online that this was their year, that they had their team of destiny. Their best team, possibly ever, a project years in the making. They survived Colorado State with the aid or a miracle (albeit referee induced) come from behind win that snatched success from the jaws of heartbreaking failure at the hands of the Rams. Their confidence was at an alltime high before the game. And then the Aggies lined up across from the Broncos on the Blue and their project crumbled around them and they became desperate.

Harsin has his team playing its grittiest football. I didn’t say its best football, but its grittiest, which at times feels like its best. The two are not mutually exclusive.

Harsin is now 2-0 against ranked teams in November. By the way, Chris Petersen was 0-3 in the same situation at Boise State.

It feels like the Broncos will find a way to win, no matter how sketchy of a situation they find themselves in. With everything on the line Saturday night, Boise State out-physicalled, out-focused and out-worked the Aggies. The win set up a rematch with a bitter rival from Central California.

What does round two with the Bulldogs hold for us? Much of the same, in my opinion. This game will not be a blow out. Fresno State’s style makes sure of that. Once again, it will come down to which team is the most physical (there’s that word again!).

If you thought there was a lot on the line last Saturday against Utah State, this weekend could mean so much more. Depending on the result of the UCF/Memphis AAC title game, the Broncos could be battling the Bulldogs for a spot in a NY6 bowl game. How’s that for pressure?

Boise State has a chance to prove itself once again. The OSU and SDSU losses no longer mean a thing. Those games are like the former rivalry with Idaho; we don’t even think about them anymore. Once again, it’s time to put up or shut up. Harsin has a chance to rewrite history Saturday evening.

Let’s get nasty.