I subscribe to the adage of controlling what you can control. In other words, worry about yourself and not what others are doing or think about you. It’s a matter of personal discipline and self-control. People who spend time focusing on the shortcomings and doings of others, and comparing them to their own, are stressed out and generally unhappy. This idea has become a mantra by which I try to live, and I have found more satisfaction in it than just about anything else.

That said, suck it, UCF.

After a few years of listening to Knight fans claim a fake national championship, brag about who they’ve beaten, disparage other G5 programs who were on the same page as them, and be obnoxious A-holes, it was nice to see them get knocked down a few pegs after losing to a subpar Pitt team on Saturday. That will silence the UCF squawk box for a couple of weeks.

The schadenfreude is strong.

Moving on…

Meanwhile, Boise State took down a strong Air Force team 30-19 Friday night on national TV. It was another solid defensive effort from the Broncos, and, watch out now, but Hank Bachmeier and the offense are starting to figure a few things out. It was a good weekend for Boise State and its fans.

Things are falling into place. A New Years 6 bowl game is in sight (likely the Cotton Bowl, played in an indoor stadium, which means inclement weather can’t cancel it!). Ranked 15th and 16th in the major polls, the highest G5 program, Boise State is in the driver’s seat.

That said, there is still a lot of football to play and absolutely anything can and likely will happen. It’s only September and I promise this season has some twists and turns in store. May we enjoy every moment of the journey. BSU is 4-0 right now, and few people expected the Broncos to be perfect at this juncture of the season. Enjoy it.

Like I said earlier, Boise State has to focus on itself at this point. There are some weaknesses the Broncos have shown through four games. *cough cough punting cough cough* The desire to get better and not settle or get complacent must compel the individual players to improve.

I coach a seventh-grade middle school team and that is the message I am constantly harping on. The reality is teams don’t get better during games. How players spend their time at practice is crucial. That’s where improvements are made. The result of Friday’s affair on The Blue against Air Force was already decided before the teams took the field, based on what was done in practice. Boise State showed grit and mental toughness.

See what I mean when I say worry about yourself? Going through the motions in practice because you just won a game is a surefire way to come up short in your next one. Being the head coach of a college football team is all about encouraging players to learn and get better, but not in a pushy, know-it-all way.

And you may have noticed Bryan Harsin on the sideline through four games. He seems different than in his previous five seasons. He’s calmer, more pensive, and less of a micro-manager. He’s maximizing what he gets from his players without having his handprints on everything. He is figuring it out, growing, and truly becoming a leader, not just a guy people are afraid to piss off. This season is as much about the Broncos chasing a NY6 bowl game as it is Harsin bettering his coaching style.

If all the pieces come together, this year could be special.

But I digress. Boise State has a bye week, an extra seven days where everyone can get better. Then it’s onto UNLV (I will be in Vegas at the game, by the way). The Rebels aren’t likely to provide much of a challenge for the Broncos, and they know it. I guarantee they are focused on themselves and correcting the small details. It will be interesting to see what changes and tweaks are made.

It’s been a few years, but Boise State finds itself in a familiar place once again; carrying the G5 flag.