Boise No. 1 little guy? Not so fast
People have short memories.
It has only been one season since the University of Utah beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, a team that was ranked No. 1 through a large part of the 2008 season. But in noting Boise State’s addition to the Mountain West, this week, ESPN.com’s Mark Schlabach called the Broncos “college football’s most feared underdog.”
That may be true for the moment. Boise has already been ranked as high as No. 4 nationally in some preseason polls. At the same time, BSU’s Fiesta Bowl win over TCU constituted a game against another non-automatic qualifier. That doesn’t necessarily scare Florida or Ohio State.
Meanwhile, TCU, BYU and Utah have all taken their turns in the national spotlight, though BYU has never played in a BCS bowl and this year’s appearance was TCU’s first. Utah has played in two BCS bowls, having defeated Pitt (2005) and Alabama (2009). Which is really the most feared underdog?
Considering BYU’s long history, TCU’s athleticism and Utah’s recent BCS success, I’d say it’s about even. But now that Boise State is in the MWC, they’ll finally be able to clear that up .
The Hawaiis, East Carolina’s and Houstons can fight over the scraps.