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Posts tagged Boise State Broncos
How Bronco Nation Can Become a Better Fan Base
Jan 4th
The 2010 season has come to a close. Things didn’t go quite as plan, but the year was certianly full of fun and excitement. As the program starts to grow and move to the MWC, I believe Bronco Nation needs to become a better fan base. Here are some of my suggestions to make that happen.
Don’t boo the other team
When the opposing team enters the field of play I hear people booing. I often wonder if somehow I have been transported to WWE event. I know that there are certain teams that Bronco Nation loves to hate. Yes I am talking to you Idaho, but when Toledo comes to town and Bronco Nation starts to boo them, I simply think, boy our fans need to grow up a bit. Remember at the end of the day the players on the opposing team are college students for whom you have never met and will likely never meet.
Arrive on Time
Yes I am talking to the fan who decides to join the live action 10 minutes after it has started. I am in game mode and have little patience for your weak excuse for not arriving in time to watch the Broncos take the field of play. I typically miss a play or two of the action while you stroll your body across the row, adjust your seat or blanket and say hi to all your fellow “Bronco Nation” friends.
You paid for the ticket stay a while
The cheapest ticket as a season ticket holder was $33.50 in the North End Zone. Most Bronco home games end in a blow out, but for at least $33.50, stay for the whole game. There is plenty of time to head out to the concessions at half time and to take care of your bathroom business. There is no need to get up 2 minutes before the end of the half to be the rush. Most Bronco Fans know that most of the exciting action happens right before the end of half whether it is on the Defensive or Offensive side of the ball. I wonder would you do the same at a movie?
Here’s your sign
Now this may just be a student thing, but really, could we stop with the immature signs already. Signs during the Oregon State game in 2010 read “shave those beavers.” There is nothing more impressive then the Bronco Faithful holding up a sign like that for a National TV audience. Of course this issue may resolve itself next year due to the lack of exposure of the blue on ESPN.
Become more of a Fanatic
Bronco Nation rose to new heights this year with the addition of some new fanatics. The muscle hamster was out in full force along with several other costume toting fanatics. What we need to see more of, is face paint, costumes and original ideas. The Pimp Daddy is already taken, so you may need to find a new idea. I would like to see blue version of the Incredible Hulk this year or even Kellen Moore Superman costumes. Yes think outside the box.
Butts in the seats
Bronco Stadium needs to sell out each and every game. Additionally, those with tickets need to make sure they get to the games or give them to someone who can. None of the above suggestions mean much unless Bronco Stadium is filled to capacity cheering on the Broncos.
These are just some examples that I thought of this year, but if you have more please comment and let your voice be heard. Go Broncos!!
College Football Examiner Las Vegas Bowl Interview
Dec 20th
Kevin McGuire from the College Football Examiner Podcast interviewed me today as part of his preview of the Las Vegas Bowl. We talked a variety of topics including a quick review the 2010 season, what to expect at the Las Vegas Bowl, and the future of the program. I did the interview with my iPhone using the Skype App and I must say it sounds much better than I thought it would. Let me know how I did representing Bronco Nation and the Broncos. Go Broncos
Here is the link to the show, scroll towards the bottom. Also I recommend if you are a college football fan the show is worth a subscription as well check that out here.
Even Google Doesn’t Forget
Nov 19th
With rumors of Boise State and Georgia negotiating to play in the Georgia Dome next year, a look on Google News reminds Bronco fans of that one night in Georgia.
The BNP – This Podcast is Not Live
Sep 3rd
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (26.4MB)
JT, Tyler and Travis gather to break down the Battle in the Capital and do their best to provide live score updates from Thursday’s Game.
- What can the Broncos do to confuse Virgina Tech’s offense.
- Is Tyrod Taylor all that?
- Is specail teams the key to victory
- Will the Boise State Defense survive the weather conditions
- What do the guys look forward to this College Football Season
- This and much more.
The show is brought to you by The Blue and Orange Store and by the iOS App Bronco DB
If you wish to leave an audio comment, drop me a line at 208-991-2672 or send an email comment to questions@bronconationpodcast.com and follow the Bronco Nation Podcast on Twitter.
Is Boise State deserving of its Pre-Season Rankings
Aug 24th
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (2.4MB)
It would appear that media, fans and the like are up in arms over Boise State’s Preseason Coaches and AP ranking of #5 and #3 respectively. I am of the thought, like so many, that Boise State should not be ranked this high; however my reason for saying so is much different.
Media and Fans of College Football Argument against Boise State’s Ranking
The most obvious and most often used argument against Boise State’s ranking is the schedule they play. The Broncos are, for the last season, members of the Western Athletic Conference, where they play the likes of Utah State, San Jose State and New Mexico State.
WAC teams are seen as teams BCS teams schedule at the beginning of the season as a tune up in week 1 or 2. Most often these games end up being very lopsided in favor of the BCS team. To get a sense of how these games have gone, Coach Robb Akey was quoted as saying in response to what went well against the Arizona Wildcats “the plane home didn’t crash.”
Granted it is not always gloom and doom when the WAC ventures out into non-conference BCS play. Pat Hill and the Fresno State Bulldogs often play one of the toughest schedules in the WAC and play BCS teams hard, coming away with victories. Most recently the Broncos have had success against tough BCS opponents most notably with wins versus Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl and back to back victories over the University of Oregon in 2008 & 2009.
On the flip side many will argue that if you put Boise State into the SEC or Pac Ten, success would not come so easy. Granted if the 2010 version of the Boise State Broncos were playing in a BCS conference, the road would be much more difficult. However, remember if Boise State were in, say the Pac Ten, they would certainly have access to Pac Ten money and Pac-Ten talent. Boise State Football does what it does with its portion of a 28 million dollar athletic budget of an Idaho State run school. Image what Chris Petersen and company could do with a 75 million dollar athletic budget.
My argument against Boise State’s ranking
Polls in general are plagued with bias. Take Craig James’ vote. Mr. James votes seam out of place, he Texas Tech and has Miami unranked and Texas A&M at 22nd, not to mention Georgia at number 7, versus an overall ranking of 23.
Voters either don’t care or wait until the last moment. Joe Giglio, of the Raleigh News & Observer, in this year’s preseason AP poll has Boise State ranked #1. Yes, Boise State received 1 vote to be the number 1 team in all the land. However, consider on the same ballet, Giglio had Nebraska, Pittsburgh and Miami ranked 3, 4 & 5 respectively. One shouldn’t take too much stock in Mr. Giglio’s votes.
The bottom line is simple, the preseason poll means nothing. After the first month of the season Boise State could have a record of 3-0, 2-1, 1-2 or 0-3. The Broncos could be ranked lower with 3 wins or out of the top 25 with 1 loss. I have seen it happen every year and will see happen again this year, whether it is the Broncos or another team.
Where should the Broncos be ranked?
The Broncos have been very successful since joining, Division 1 football. At home on the Blue Turf of Bronco Stadium, Boise State is dominating.
The last time the Broncos lost a home game on the Blue was to the Pac Ten’s Washington State Cougars. The 2001 Cougars, under Mike Price, finished ranked in the top 10 that year and went on to play in the Rose Bowl the following year.
Since joining the Western Athletic Conference the Broncos have only 3 losses against WAC teams. The Broncos have been WAC Champions 7 out of 9 years.
The Broncos average margin of victory versus WAC opponents during the same time period is 29 points. Under Coach Petersen the number has fallen off by 1 point, but Bronco Fans won’t hold that against him as one should expect the other WAC teams to step up some time.
The Bronco’s bowl record is 6-4 since joining Division 1 football. In the 4 losses the Broncos have lost by only a margin of 3.5 points. In every loss the Broncos had a chance pull off a win.
Here are some other items of note regarding the Broncos success. Coach Pete is also 4-1 against BCS teams. Former Broncos Ryan Clady and Kyle Wilson are both 1st round picks over the last 3 years
What does this all mean?
Consider the following; if a BCS team were to have joined the WAC in 2001 and play 9 seasons, I would argue that the same BCS team would be hard pressed to top what the Broncos have done over the same period.
Preseason rankings are also based on the respect the media and coaches have for teams. The Broncos return 21 of the 22 starters from the 2010 Fiesta Bowl Team. Given the resume of success, it would appear the Broncos ranking is based on respect, a respect often reserved for College Football’s elite and most storied programs.
Coach Pete may have summed it up best when asked if the Broncos deserved their 2010 preseason Ranking, “Instead of proving everybody wrong, now we (Boise State) want to prove everybody right.” The Boise State Broncos begin their quest to prove everybody right Sept 6, 2010. Go Broncos!!
If you wish to leave an audio comment, drop me a line at 208-991-2672 or send an email comment to questions@bronconationpodcast.com and follow the Bronco Nation Podcast on Twitter.
