Consistent Broncos nab spot in preseason poll
Boise State has been about as consistent as almost any BCS team over the past deca
de. Whether it's over their conference foes or BCS teams, the Broncos have averaged almost 11 wins per season over the past decade. And it's this continued dominance that has earned Boise State the No. 16 spot in the 2009 Southern Fans' College Preseason Poll.While Boise continues to get the benefit of the doubt amongst voters, the Bronc
os have yet to reach higher than No. 9 during the poll's two-year existence. This respect probably comes from the amazing numbers the Broncos have generated (over the past decade, BSU is 64-2 at home; holds the nation's highest winning percentage; is the highest scoring team in the nation; and holds the best conference winning percentage), but outside the win over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, where every break and trick-play went the Broncos way, Boise just hasn't shown up in big games. Last season, trying to cap another undefeated season, Boise State fell to TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl; in 2007, dropped another bowl game to underdog East Carolina to close the season in the Hawaii Bowl; and in 2005, were routed by Georgia to open the season in what was supposed to be a statement game for the Broncos.So will Boise State be able to climb high in this season's poll? Well, first they'll have to go unbeaten. But the bigger question is the schedule - only the first game of the year (hosting Oregon) - is against a BCS team. Given the lack of big name opponents, especially later in the season, there's little chance for the Broncos to gain the big wins needed to rise high in the rankings. Unless the WAC as a whole has a big season, Boise State's perception in this poll could be doomed even before their opening kickoff.
Final 2008 Ranking: 11
CFN 2009 Preview | ESPN Boise State Page | CBS Boise State Page
Part of a two week long look into the 2009 Preseason Southern Fans' College Football Poll. New releases each day, culminating in the No. 1 team on September 2.
