Boise State Football

Yes, it is way too early to start talking about a Mountain West Conference title game featuring a rematch between the Boise State Broncos and Fresno State Bulldogs.

No, it won't stop the provocative speculation by those who like saying things out loud that make most people shake their heads while saying, "way too early, too many games left."

Still, with just two regular season games remaining for both of these teams, it might be fun to dive into a day dream produced by imagination and with a working title that reads; "What If."

What if Boise State gets another shot at Fresno State in the MWC title game, and a BCS bowl berth is on the line for the Bulldogs?

How big would that game be for each team and the conference?

A few things still need to happen of course, for this dream to become reality. But, when looking at the pieces of the puzzle that need to fall into place, it seems like level one Tetris.

Taking Care of Business

For both of these teams the bottom line is simply taking care of business on the field. The Broncos face San Diego State and New Mexico in the last two weeks of the season, while Fresno State has New Mexico and San Jose State respectively.

For a potential title game to be truly provocative it must have high stakes.

Those stakes would certainly be high if the Bulldogs beat their last two opponents going into the MWC title game. If that were to happen, the championship game in Bulldog Stadium wouldn't just be for the first ever MWC title game victory for either team, it would also be for the very first BCS bowl game berth for Fresno State.

That should add some tension.

Mountain Division	Conference	Overall
West Division	Conference	Overall
Boise State	5-1	7-3
Utah State	5-1	6-4
Colorado State	4-2	6-5
Wyoming	2-4	4-6
New Mexico	1-5	3-7
Air Force	0-6	2-8
Fresno State	6-0	9-0
San Diego State	5-1	6-4
San Jose State	4-3	5-5
UNLV	3-3	5-5
Nevada	3-5	4-7
Hawaii	0-7	0-10

Of course, Boise State would love to play spoiler, but they have a daunting task ahead of them next Saturday. The Broncos travel to San Diego State to take on the Aztecs. This is by far the biggest challenge left on their regular season schedule.

This is the same Aztecs team that lost to Fresno State in overtime back in late October, but would have won the game if their last-second field goal in regulation wasn't blocked.

This is the same team that played spoiler themselves last season when they upset the Broncos in Bronco Stadium to crush the BCS dreams of last year's Boise State squad.

To even have a shot at busting the BCS dreams of the Bulldogs, the Broncos must find a way over the San Diego hurdle.

Finish Strong and Avoid Distraction

If Boise State does get past the Aztecs, it will face the Lobos of New Mexico on senior day in Bronco Stadium.

Here is where some things start to get dicey.

Senior Joe Southwick, who has been out with a broken ankle, will most likely return for that game. As a senior, Southwick will probably get the start. However, there are many out there in Bronco Land who are dreading the quarterback controversy that might be coming.

If Grant Hedrick continues to play well, and he leads the Broncos past San Diego, there will probably be an outcry of fans who will want him to remain the quarterback finishing the season and potentially heading into the MWC title game.

Brian Murphy of the Idaho Statesman has already began to discuss this topic in a recent article, and nearly every fan who responded online about that article wants Hedrick to stay.

This could be a huge distraction for the coaching staff and the players. Although highly unlikely that head coach Chris Petersen lets it become a huge issue, it could still cause some waves on "The Blue."

However, if there is a quarterback controversy going into the championship, it could be the kind of distraction that keeps the team from focusing on the Bulldogs.

Another way to look at it however, is that Petersen may have the best of both worlds. If both quarterbacks can be utilized, it might actually throw a dynamic into the mix that the Bulldogs would have a hard time preparing for.

If Boise State, in this scenario, goes into the title game unified, prepared, playing at a high level and with the extra dynamic of two quarterbacks ready to go, it could cause some problems for the Bulldogs as they prepare for the game.

The Game

For those still shaking their heads, simply stop so you can focus on the last part of this article.

Let's say the Bulldogs beat New Mexico, and they beat San Jose State, which is their toughest test left in the regular season. If that happens, they will be playing for the MWC title and a BCS bowl berth on December 7.

Let's say the Broncos beat San Diego State and New Mexico to advance to play the Bulldogs once again in Bulldog Stadium, but this time for the title.

How would Boise State be able to do any better against Fresno State than they did the first time when they took it to the wire only to lose 41-40 in a heart breaker?

Simple answer really.

The Broncos just need to play like they have been lately on offense, and like they did against Wyoming on defense.

Better Defense

Yes, it was Wyoming and not Fresno State. However, the way the Boise State defense tackled, played aggressive coverage, did some unpredictable and creative blitzing and pressured the quarterback all game long was impressive.

Against the Bulldogs the first game, the Boise State defense was lit up for 522 yards, but 460 of them were in the air.

Derek Carr went 39-of-60 for 460 yards and four touchdowns against the Broncos. He took advantage of a young defensive secondary that was playing way too soft of coverage, and a defensive line that was only able to force one sack on the night.

Fast forward to late in the season, and it looks like the Boise State defense is beginning to look more like last season's defense rather than the one that started this year.

It did help that the Wyoming game came after a bye week, as the Broncos needed to get some guys healthy. Still, even with a couple of guys out, the young players on the defense are stepping up in a big way.

If they play this kind of defense in the last two games and in the MWC title game, should they make it, the rematch will look nothing like the original.

Offense Without Turnovers

Against Fresno State the first time, Boise rolled up 561 yards of offense and 40 points. However, that effort still fell short.

One of the big reasons was because of the turnovers in that game by the Broncos. Usually, a team can overcome two turnovers. However, not when they are as crucial as the two Boise State had in Fresno.

In the middle of the second quarter the Broncos were driving. The score was 17-16 Fresno. However, it looked like Boise was going to take the lead. Joe Southwick was leading the offense on a six-play, 34-yard drive when it happened.

From 1st-and-10 at the Fresno State 29, Southwick threw a costly pick. The Bulldogs then took over, and proceeded to roll 71 yards on 10 plays to make it a 24-16 game.

The second ill-timed turnover came in the third quarter as Boise State was getting back into the game.

Boise State had a 4th-and-1 at the Fresno 15. Jay Ajayi took the hand off and gained the first down, but then lost the ball.

The Bulldogs picked it up and ran it back to the 21. Derek Carr then took his offense on a 68-yard drive in 10 plays and finished it with a Colin McGuire 28-yard field goal to go up 34-19.

Without these two very costly turnovers, this game would have looked much different. 

To have a shot to bust the Bulldogs BCS dreams, Boise State must hang on to the ball and continue to play smart, efficient offense.

Dominoes

If all of the dominoes fall into place, and Fresno State and Boise State meet in the inaugural Mountain West Conference championship game, it will be electric.

If a BCS berth is on the line for the Bulldogs, the game should get some national attention, and the atmosphere will be bowl-like in Fresno.

Boise State will certainly have a load of fans there, as the MWC title game most likely allows for more tickets for visiting fans than a regular Fresno State home game would.

If the Broncos remain consistent on offense, don't turn the ball over, and play defense like they did against Wyoming, the BCS bubble in the Central Valley might be burst in early December.

Boise State has gotten better in many areas over the season, and a rematch might even favor them. It is difficult to beat the same team twice in the same season, and especially if that team has had several games to mature its young lineup.

Still, the Bulldogs are a great team with a potent offense. So, it could be another high-scoring offensive slug fest that comes down to the team that makes the fewest mistakes.

 Bittersweet

If this scenario does play out, and if Boise State upsets Fresno State and knocks them out of a BCS game on the way to a MWC title, even some of the most loyal fans of the Broncos will no doubt feel for the Bulldogs.

Broncos fans have experienced that pain, and they know it isn't fun.

It would be exciting for those same Boise State fans to see their team rebound from a tough early season to win a title and go into the bowl game and next season with serious momentum.

Of course, none of this happens unless both of these two teams win out. If Fresno loses a game, they will still play for the title, but it won't have the same luster.

And, if Boise State loses one game, they may not play in the title game at all. Instead it might be Utah State.

So, while it's fun to dream, as the pessimists were screaming when they began to read this breakdown, "there is a lot of football still left to play."

Still, the "What If" game would be something to see, and it would be just what the Mountain West Conference needs in its first ever title game.

One cannot dodge the fact that it has been a trying year for the Boise State Broncos football team.

The team currently sits at 7-3 overall and leads the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference by way of a tiebreaker with Utah State, whom the Broncos beat 34-23 in October.

But it has to be tiring for fans of the team to regularly read articles about why head coach Chris Petersen would be better off bolting for greener pastures each week USC or Texas loses a game.

Despite the Broncos’ down year being a perfect excuse for those arguing Petersen should test the waters elsewhere, no one has really taken a look at the other side of the coin.

Perhaps this is just the type of season that invigorates Petersen and keeps him in Boise if he even was entertaining the idea of leaving.

This is the first time that a Petersen-coached Broncos team has lost more than two games during the regular season. Some of the struggles can be attributed to injuries, such as the one that has sidelined senior quarterback Joe Southwick since the Nevada game. Other issues would have been present regardless, such as the youth in the defensive secondary contributing to a porous pass defense.

Either way, it points out what hadn’t really been evident until now: Petersen isn’t capable of turning water into wine.

Thanks to his 84-8 record at Boise State heading into the 2013 campaign, two Fiesta Bowl victories and five seasons with at least a share of a conference championship, it's almost gotten to the point where people simply expected Petersen to win.

This season has changed that thinking.

Winning games in the Mountain West Conference isn’t “easy.” It may be easier than winning games in the SEC, on average, but since Petersen took over the program at the end of 2005, Boise State has ranked no better than No. 53 in recruiting, according to Rivals.com.

According to those numbers, the Broncos don’t rank all that much higher than the next closest MWC school on a year-to-year basis. Boise State has simply managed to rank far more consistently than its conference foes.

So when you lose your starting quarterback, a running back that was arguably your No. 1 recruit from the Class of 2013 and must replace both cornerbacks in the defensive secondary, you’re going to have a difficult year, especially when the competition you play has roughly the same caliber athletes as you do.

Boise State isn’t immune from the cycles that bigger programs go through, sometimes suffering through “growing pains” and “rebuilding years."

It’s just that Petersen and his staff have done an exceptional job at weathering the storms that have rolled in.

Finally, one of those storms was a little too strong, but what is the result of the damage to date?

A 7-3 record with a chance to spoil a potential BCS buster’s season in the inaugural Mountain West Conference title game.

Larger programs would love to say that they still had a good chance at playing in their conference title game during an “off year,” and that’s why Petersen is such a hot commodity when the coaching carousel begins moving.

On the other hand, though, this season is proof that Petersen can’t simply put on a headset and turn a team into a 12-game winner.

If the thought of a playoff actually increasing Petersen’s chances to play for the national title that has eluded him isn’t enough to get him to stay in Boise, perhaps the notion that only the right situation for a particular coach breeds success will.

Petersen takes 2- and 3-star recruits and turns them into all-conference athletes. He operates in an environment where only the willing—the ones with a chip on their shoulder—will join him in a quest to shock the big boys.

Boise State has the new facilities. It is on national television on a weekly basis, but it still isn’t moving up the recruiting rankings at record pace, and it likely never will.

The Broncos have essentially picked themselves up by the bootstraps and elevated themselves from “underdog” status to a team that consistently has the goal of making it to a major postseason destination.

The attitude of an underdog still works for the Broncos, though. It works for Coach Petersen.

It isn’t something that would work at USC or Texas or anywhere else that can offer Petersen the big contract and heralded recruits, though.

Petersen probably knows this, and, as with any job, cultural fit is as important as yearly pay, benefits or any other factor.

Boise State is a unique place, and it fits Petersen well. The 2013 season is a reminder that everything he’s done there hasn’t been easy.

No, now isn’t the time to leave. In fact, there hasn’t been a clearer sign to stay.

Did you know that for the first time in the Chris Petersen era, Boise State has been locked out of the AP Top 25 for the entire regular season?

After coming in at No. 19 in the preseason, the Broncos lost their opener to Washington 38-6 and dropped out of the rankings for good.

What’s kept them out of the mix are two additional losses, a 41-40 defeat at No. 14 Fresno State and a 37-20 turnover-fueled loss at BYU.

The three-loss record matches Petersen’s worst season at Boise, a 10-3 run in 2007 which included losses to Washington, Hawaii and East Carolina.

Since the third loss in 2007 came in the Hawaii Bowl, 2013 is the first time a Petersen-coached team has lost three regular season games.

The next question is obvious: If Petersen has aspirations to ever move beyond Boise, is it time for him to go now, before the possibility of losing more momentum? 

In other words, will he still be the hot prospect in coaching if he is “the guy who won two Fiesta Bowls, but never broke through again?”

Though it’s a compelling argument that a three-loss season might be the single-biggest sign that Petersen needs to go, consider the other reasons why the time has come for him to flee the blue turf.

The State of the Mountain West

Before delving into the recent changes to the Mountain West conference, it’s important to remember that Boise State didn’t join up until 2011.

The first five years of the Petersen era were spent in the WAC, an altogether easier race to win.

Since 2011, the Mountain West has added five football members and split into two divisions. While it has lost BYU, Utah and TCU, it still represents the stiffest challenge of the non-BCS leagues.

The change with the most impact is the addition of the conference championship game this season.

In the new format, teams like Boise can’t just win the most games and capture the title, now it will have to play an additional game against a quality opponent to get to a BCS bowl (or a playoff game).

All in all, Boise’s level of schedule difficulty has increased over the Petersen era, making a clear case that it’s been progressively harder to produce similar results as time goes on.

Take a look at this:

Season	Conference	Strength of Schedule	Final Record
2006	WAC	91	13-0
2007	WAC	107	10-3
2008	WAC	92	12-1
2009	WAC	88	14-0
2010	WAC	78	12-1
2011	MWC	70	12-1
2012	MWC	81	11-2
2013	MWC	83	6-3

 The End of the BCS Era

In what many would argue is a reason for Petersen to stay at Boise, the end of the BCS era gives him another reason to cut and run.

Despite the talk of the advantages offered by the new playoff’s plan to include the highest-ranked champion from the “group of five” (American Athletic, C-USA, MAC, MWC and Sun Belt), in reality it offers non-BCS schools an even tougher battle to the top.

First, you’ve got a selection committee which will be sympathetic to a one-loss SEC team over an undefeated team from the MWC. Since a committee of humans will make the call, what was the relative “fairness” of the computer rankings (which didn’t consider TV income) will be gone.

This puts the championship aspirations of teams like Boise at a much higher risk than say, Florida.

Next, with the two-team per conference limit gone, the flood gates are open for a strong conference like the SEC to receive multiple bids, reducing opportunities for a “group of five” team.

Again, do you select 12-1 Florida or 13-0 Boise State?

The reality is, approximately 60 teams will be duking it out for the one guaranteed “golden ticket.”

The Apex, It’s Been Reached

With a 90-11 record (the No. 1 in winning percentage among active FBS coaches), two BCS wins and five conference titles, does Petersen have anything left to prove at Boise?

The obvious answer is a national title, but given the changes to the format, is that realistic?

Though the playoff system is touted as equalizing the playing field, in reality while it does offer BCS teams better odds of winning the big enchilada, for the little guy, not so much.

Think about it, now that the BCS is gone, what will teams like Boise State have to gripe about? What injustice can they claim has been done?

“Oh, we fixed all that…we’ve got a playoff now.” And, who cares if it’s all smoke and mirrors?

The other angle here is how Petersen’s success will be perceived now that’s he achieved the apex at Boise.

“So, Petersen can win 10 games every season at Boise State, so what? That’s old news.”

The natural result is that if he stays—and can’t win a national title—he fades into obscurity.

Is the “Chip” Mentality at Boise Gone?

One of the keys to Petersen’s wild success at Boise has been his ability to take talented kids who have been overlooked by the “big boys” and combine them into a winning product.

To do this he’s leveraged the “chip on your shoulder” mentality and transformed it into a band of undersized, overachieving kids who refuse to quit.

Here’s how he explained the approach in a 2007 interview with ESPN’s Jim Rome.

We’ve had some excellent, excellent football players here, and we want to get the same type of guys, with that same mentality, the guys who will put a chip on their shoulder and try to prove to the world that they can play with most people…

We’re looking for the blue collar type guy that loves football, that’s very tough, that’s not afraid to lay it on the line and will compete with the best of them.

It’s a hell of a plan, really.

But, has prosperity (90 wins since 2007) cost Boise the essence of its “little guy” mindset?

Have new facilities, more media attention, higher expectations and a national wave of opinion that the Broncos do deserve a shot, come at the cost of the culture of the team?

And furthermore, can a guy like Petersen keep a train on track that is destined to go off the rails?

Can he halt the natural consequences of success? 

Or instead, is it just another reason—perhaps the biggest of all—that it’s time for him to move on?

  

Will He Go?

Though it’s clear there are a lot of good reasons for him to go, the real question is obvious: Will Petersen actually leave Boise State?

Rather than formulating our own answer to this, let’s listen to the reason Petersen gives for not going.  Here’s what he said in an interview with ESPN’s Outside the Line’s Steve Delsohn.

I’ve never been one that’s been real excited about, you know, moving and chasing. You know, it’s all fun and games when they’re talking about other jobs being open until it’s your life that they’re talking about, and moving your family. You know it’s not just the coach moving, I mean, your family’s got so much at stake in the place that they live as well.

Petersen made this statement in 2010. Almost four years later, his kids are older, nearing the end of their high school educations and closer to leaving the nest.

Have his personal reasons for not leaving Boise—perhaps what’s been driving his insistence to stay—changed enough to make his exit realistic?

For an insider’s perspective, check out what CBS’s Bruce Feldman had to say in September about Petersen’s temperature: “A source close to Petersen told me in the past month that the coach has said he’s looking for a change.”

To wrap it up, keep in mind that Petersen just turned 49.  Will he spend 15 to 20 more seasons—or his entire head coaching career—at Boise State?

Maybe it’s not so much that Petersen hasn’t accepted another offer yet, maybe the right offer—at the right time—hasn’t come down the pipe yet.

With the USC job already open and roles at Texas, Florida and Nebraska in limbo, perhaps that offer, and his move, is just around the corner.

Statistics courtesy of Sports Reference/College Football, College Football Data Warehouse and ESPN.  Cosgrove Computer Rankings courtesy of College Football Poll.

Boise State football recruiting has had quite the roller coaster ride this fall. After assembling what looked to be another fine class of recruits, the Broncos received a harsh reminder of the word "verbal" in verbal commitment. 

Since late August, the Broncos have had four recruits decommit from their promises to play for the Blue and Orange.

The latest, tight end Dimitri Flowers, is now committed to Oklahoma. The Broncos also lost wide receiver Shay Fields, who is now going to play for USC, as well as defensive tackle Hawkins Mann, now committed to San Diego State, and running back Squally Canada, who is still running around recruiting circles but is certain that he doesn't want to be a Bronco.

There are now ten current verbal commitments in the Broncos 2014 recruiting class. That list includes Kekoa Nawahine, a local wide receiver that the Idaho Press-Tribune reports as newly committed to Boise State. 

Even with the four lost commits, this is still a fine class for the Broncos, but some work needs to be done in order for this class to fulfill all of the needs this team has going into next season.

Key Needs

The defensive line is a probably the biggest need for Boise State right now, but some bigger, more physical defensive secondary players are certainly needed as well.

A couple of big guys up front on offense and some physical wide receivers wouldn't hurt. The Broncos always take at least one quarterback, and to keep the classes even, a running back would be wise.

With 14 seniors on the roster and with three scholarships returning after NCAA penalties, Boise State should have at least 17 players in its 2014 class. If you add to that the handful of players that leave for various reasons, then that number could climb as high as perhaps 19 or 20.

With that in mind, it seems the Broncos coaching staff has a lot of work to do by signing day.

Most Important Commits 

Name	Stars	Position	Height	Weight
Jalen Greene	4	QB	6'3"	195
Drew Sample	3	TE	6'4"	234
Greg Gaines	3	DT	6'1"	292
Jaylen Johnson	3	SDE	6'3"	232
Brandon Lewis	3	CB	5'11"	182
Ryan Griswold	2	OT	6'4"	250

Boise State spent the offseason changing its offense to a more uptempo spread-type offense that could really benefit from the talents of a dual-threat quarterback. 

Jalen Greene is that outstanding dual-threat quarterback, and he simply knows how to win. It may take him a year or two to acclimate, but he has a serious upside. Don't be surprised if he competes for playing time early in his career.

The Broncos could also use another tight end. They have been hindered by injuries in that position, and with senior Gabe Linehan leaving, they will need a fresh face. Drew Sample should fill that need.

Another offensive lineman on the roster wouldn't hurt either, and Ryan Griswold, although not highly rated, is a typical Boise State recruit that will no doubt become something special as a Bronco.

On the other side of the ball, defensive tackle Greg Gaines, stud end Jaylen Johnson and cornerback Brandon Lewis will help the Broncos fill some serious needs on a struggling defense this season.

  

Most Important Targets 

Name	Stars	Position	Height	Weight
Kalen Ballage	4	ATH	6'2"	215
Jaeden Graham	3	S	6'3"	210
Louis Vecchio	3	SDE	6'4"	232
David Hartmeier	2	OC	6'3"	262

Kalen Ballage is an outstanding player who could play running back, wide receiver or both for the Broncos. He is also a very good high school linebacker.

The problem with all of that, for Boise State anyway, is that he isn't a secret any longer. According to 247Sports, Ballage has offers from Nebraska, Michigan, Michigan State, Oregon and Boise State.

His talents are certainly more fitted toward Oregon or Boise State, and it will probably come down to those two schools for him. He would certainly find more playing time early at Boise State, but that may not be enough to sway him. Still, it would be an incredible grab if he does choose to become a Bronco.

Jaeden Graham is a strong, physical safety out of Englewood, Colo. He would be a great addition to the Boise State secondary, and at 6'3" and 210 pounds, he has a physical presence that the Broncos desperately need back there.

David Hartmeier looks to be highly underrated, and with his physical ability, he should be a solid recruit up front for Boise State.

Louis Vecchio could play stud end or even tight end in college. He is big and physical, and he is fast and athletic. Boise State could use a player like him, but they are going to get competition from teams like Colorado and Cal. 

Overall, the Broncos seem to be putting together a decent recruiting class, but there are still a lot of unknowns. 

The Oklahoma Sooners became the beneficiary of a commitment switch on Wednesday. Athlete Dimitri Flowers decommitted from Boise State to create a verbal pact with coach Bob Stoops' squad, according to Scout.com writer Bob Przybylo.

The 6'2", 215-pound Churchill High School standout received a scholarship offer from Oklahoma on Saturday. He couldn't make it through the week without accepting it.

“OU has always been one of those schools," Flowers told Przybylo. "Ever since the beginning in my sophomore year. I thought they had just moved on.”

The late offer added to a list that also includes Colorado, Houston and Nevada. Flowers initially committed to Boise State in June.

The Broncos' recruiting class total drops to nine players with the loss. It ranks 82nd in the nation, according to 247Sports.

The 3-star prospect joins an Oklahoma class that now features 15 commits. The Sooners' 2014 recruiting haul is currently ranked 30th nationally.

Flowers is viewed as a player who can fill a variety of roles at the next level. Based on his conversations with Oklahoma coaches, it seems he's slated for a future in the offensive backfield.

“My versatility is my strength,” Flowers told Przybylo. “They told me I’m going to be used exactly the way Trey Millard has been used. I feel like I’m a good fit for this one."

Millard, the Sooners' senior fullback and a team captain, was lost for the season in late October after suffering a knee injury. His collegiate career is over, opening the door for Flowers to claim early playing time.

Oklahoma often implements its fullbacks into the short-range passing game. Flowers' blocking abilities will certainly be tested.

He is expected to graduate high school in December and enroll early in Norman, according to the Dallas Morning News. If all goes according to plan, Flowers will be on the field when the Sooners open spring practice.

The Boise State Broncos (6-3, 4-1 MWC) are in the midst of the type of season the team hasn't experienced in quite some time.

In fact, the last time Boise State lost three regular-season games was in 2005 under then head coach Dan Hawkins. That team also went on to lose in the MPC Computers Bowl against Boston College for an overall record of 9-4.

Head coach Chris Petersen took over in 2006 for Hawkins, and his team proceeded to go undefeated in the regular season. They would then go on to beat Oklahoma in the famous Fiesta Bowl overtime thriller and finished a perfect 13-0.

In 2007 the Broncos lost two regular-season games, but finished with three total losses on the season after suffering defeat in the Hawaii Bowl against East Carolina. It was, until this year, Chris Petersen's worst record as a head coach.

Which brings us to 2013. It is hard to believe that it has been six years since Boise State had three losses and eight seasons since three losses occurred in the regular season.

Many teams would love to have that kind of history, but that is no consolation for Boise State fans, players or coaches. It is the refusal to accept such standards that has led the program to become recognized as a perennial power in college football.

With just three games left on the 2013 schedule, there are still some questions to be answered for Boise State, but there are also some very important things to play for.

With injuries mounting and more and more young players in the mix, the Broncos have been on a roller coaster ride most of the season. 

It is a ride that could finish with a smile, or the type of journey best left in the rear view mirror of experience. It is really up to them.

 Worst-case scenario

In the worst-case scenario the Broncos would have to lose one or more of their last three regular-season games. If that were to happen they would most likely be out of contention for a Mountain West Conference title game appearance, and it would be the worst record for Petersen in his eight seasons at the helm.

The final three games are home against Wyoming, at San Diego State and home against New Mexico. All of those games are winnable, but all pose a threat to a Boise State team dealing with youth and injuries.

If the Broncos lose two of their final three, the MWC title game is certainly gone, and they would back into a lower-level bowl game.

Wyoming at home is a game Petersen and his team should win. The crowd should help, and the team hasn't lost at home all season.

At San Diego State is a real challenge for the Broncos. They have a defense that matches up well against the Broncos, and they are a team that seems to play to the level of competition. After all, they did take Fresno State to overtime recently. However, if you watched the game, San Diego State was a blocked field goal away from the upset in regulation.

New Mexico is another home game for Boise State, but the triple-option can be tricky. Still, option or not, Boise State should handle the Lobos in Boise.

Of the three final games, the San Diego State game seems to be the biggest hill to climb. To insure a spot in the MWC title game, the Broncos must win all three. If they don't, it could be an even more disappointing season for Bronco Nation.

 Best-case scenario

In the best-case scenario, the Broncos win out. If they do that, they will most likely face Fresno State in a rematch from earlier this season for the MWC title. 

It will be the first time the Mountain West has held a title game, and the national stage would be an incredible atmosphere.

The game would be in Fresno, should the Bulldogs win out, but you can bet a large contingent of Boise State fans would make the trek to the Central Valley for this one. It would no doubt be a bowl game kind of atmosphere, and it could garner even more attention if Fresno is in contention for a BCS bowl game.

The Broncos could then play the role of spoiler and finish the season 10-3 and most likely ranked in the Top 25.

They would then make their way to the Las Vegas Bowl to play a Pac-12 school, and as long as we are on best-case scenarios, if they win that game they would finish 11-3 overall.

If the Broncos finish 11-3 with the young team they currently have, they will certainly be in a great position going into the 2014 season.