I used the term myth intentionally because unlike calling Alabama's championship a MNC, I do think the term myth is appropriate in regards to the Boise State hype. Unlike Alabama, Boise State hasn't been beating legit teams. They've been playing teams that are FBS teams by only the narrowest of definitions. Homecoming foes, teams that exist in part because of the scholarship limits and homecoming paydays. If there is a myth in college football, it's that beating a team from the WAC, Sun Belt or MAC actually means something...
I was putting together a reply to a post (about Boise State playing SEC teams) and I decided it had enough relevant information (especially given a loudmouthed and good for little else congressman's demand Boise State be invited to the White House) to make it a topic:
The last time Boise State played a SEC team they got destroyed (by Georgia). I don't think the SEC got scared, Boise State got scared of playing the SEC. If they were still playing SEC teams they'd never be in a BCS game because they typically get blown out by SEC schools and have yet to beat one (and they haven't even played the very best SEC schools).
Let me give a example. Do you really think a Ole Miss wouldn't be willing to face Boise State in Mississippi? Arkansas wouldn't host them? Auburn? I think any of those teams play them at home because if they win they are given huge bonus points with the people buying into the Boise State hype.
I don't think people appreciate the results...
2000 - Boise State lost to Arkansas and Washington State on the road. Those were the only BCS teams Boise State played that year and their only losses.
2001 - Boise State lost to South Carolina, Washington State, Rice and Louisiana Tech. They did not beat a single BCS school.
2002 - Boise State's only loss was to Arkansas (41-14). Their sole victory against a BCS school was Iowa State, who lost 5 out of their last 7.
2003 - Boise State's only loss was to Oregon State, which was their only BCS opponent.
2004 - Boise State beat their only BCS opponent (Oregon State at Boise) and lost to Louisville in their bowl game.
2005 - Boise State got blow out by Georgia, they also lost against their two other BCS opponents (Oregon State and Boston College) and went 9-4 in what was their toughest season ever.
2005 was the last time they played a SEC team. Does anyone really think it was the SEC that got scared? From 2000 to 2005 Boise State went 2-9 against BCS schools. They had 13 losses during that period of time. If that doesn't show you how pathetic their conference and non-BCS out of conference is I'm not sure what does. Just to reiterate, Boise State from 2000-2005 suffered 13 losses and went 2-9 against BCS schools. By my count they were 61-4 against non-BCS schools. That's a .158 winning percentage against BCS schools and a .928 winning percentage against non-BCS schools.
They stopped scheduling SEC schools and stopped playing as many games on the road and surprise they started faring a little better. Clearly though it wasn't the SEC that wimped out, Boise State just became afraid of scheduling legit teams on the road. 2-9 isn't impressive in the least and since then Boise State hasn't even pretended to put a legit schedule together.
I have long contended (and Saban himself has said this) that the more tough games a year you have, the harder it is to get up for them. A team like Boise State does well given they have some talented players, and camouflaged field and a good coach and only a game or two a year they have to take seriously. On the other hand, when Boise State had to play against a SEC team, they always lost.
Boise State has repeatedly schedule UC Davis and North Texas as their out of conference foes. That's another part of their myth... that they are trying to schedule better teams they other teams are just afraid. Sure, other teams don't want to go play on turf that's colored to match Boise State's uniform. Who would? On the other hand, when Boise State goes on the road to play BCS schools they routinely get beat. Which is why they've pretty much stopped that practice.
I was putting together a reply to a post (about Boise State playing SEC teams) and I decided it had enough relevant information (especially given a loudmouthed and good for little else congressman's demand Boise State be invited to the White House) to make it a topic:
The last time Boise State played a SEC team they got destroyed (by Georgia). I don't think the SEC got scared, Boise State got scared of playing the SEC. If they were still playing SEC teams they'd never be in a BCS game because they typically get blown out by SEC schools and have yet to beat one (and they haven't even played the very best SEC schools).
Let me give a example. Do you really think a Ole Miss wouldn't be willing to face Boise State in Mississippi? Arkansas wouldn't host them? Auburn? I think any of those teams play them at home because if they win they are given huge bonus points with the people buying into the Boise State hype.
I don't think people appreciate the results...
2000 - Boise State lost to Arkansas and Washington State on the road. Those were the only BCS teams Boise State played that year and their only losses.
2001 - Boise State lost to South Carolina, Washington State, Rice and Louisiana Tech. They did not beat a single BCS school.
2002 - Boise State's only loss was to Arkansas (41-14). Their sole victory against a BCS school was Iowa State, who lost 5 out of their last 7.
2003 - Boise State's only loss was to Oregon State, which was their only BCS opponent.
2004 - Boise State beat their only BCS opponent (Oregon State at Boise) and lost to Louisville in their bowl game.
2005 - Boise State got blow out by Georgia, they also lost against their two other BCS opponents (Oregon State and Boston College) and went 9-4 in what was their toughest season ever.
2005 was the last time they played a SEC team. Does anyone really think it was the SEC that got scared? From 2000 to 2005 Boise State went 2-9 against BCS schools. They had 13 losses during that period of time. If that doesn't show you how pathetic their conference and non-BCS out of conference is I'm not sure what does. Just to reiterate, Boise State from 2000-2005 suffered 13 losses and went 2-9 against BCS schools. By my count they were 61-4 against non-BCS schools. That's a .158 winning percentage against BCS schools and a .928 winning percentage against non-BCS schools.
They stopped scheduling SEC schools and stopped playing as many games on the road and surprise they started faring a little better. Clearly though it wasn't the SEC that wimped out, Boise State just became afraid of scheduling legit teams on the road. 2-9 isn't impressive in the least and since then Boise State hasn't even pretended to put a legit schedule together.
I have long contended (and Saban himself has said this) that the more tough games a year you have, the harder it is to get up for them. A team like Boise State does well given they have some talented players, and camouflaged field and a good coach and only a game or two a year they have to take seriously. On the other hand, when Boise State had to play against a SEC team, they always lost.
Boise State has repeatedly schedule UC Davis and North Texas as their out of conference foes. That's another part of their myth... that they are trying to schedule better teams they other teams are just afraid. Sure, other teams don't want to go play on turf that's colored to match Boise State's uniform. Who would? On the other hand, when Boise State goes on the road to play BCS schools they routinely get beat. Which is why they've pretty much stopped that practice.
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