Music to listen to: Private Idaho by The B-52’s
If I was an athlete who was from Idaho, this would be my “walk out” song because you know you like the B-52’s, don’t hate. Also, it would throw people off with thoughts of whether I like or dislike my own home state and why would a Black man be using the B-52’s for his music, it would be classic. Also, RIP Rick Wilson.
State of Boise State Program: Pound-for-pound, Chris Peterson may be the best coach in college football outside of Nick Saban. Outside of Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech, no coach has developed the talent of his lesser regarded roster, talent-wise, from freshman year to upperclassmen seasons better than Peterson. The good news for Boise is that there are probably players on the roster that aren’t familiar to the majority of college football fans that will be NFL-level talents in a few years. The bad news is that the 2012 campaign may be a transitional one before the team returns to top-10 national status.
What I like: For all of the talk about Kellen Moore, Titus Young Doug Martin and the rest of the high-scoring offense, the offensive line has been one of the most productive units for the Broncos over the years. This season, the O-line returns three starters and will be blocking for productive running back D.J. Harper who brings experience to the running back position. The offense will also have the benefit of returning numerous skill position players such as receives Matt Miller and Mitch Burroughs.
What I don’t like: The Broncos face major changes in 2012, mainly replacing quarterback Kellen Moore. Junior Joe Southwick looks like the main candidate to fill this post for the Broncos. Filling the void of a three-year starter at quarterback will be difficult, especially with an opening game at Michigan State which boasts one of the top defenses in the entire nation.
Boise State must also replace the top five defensive lineman from last season and need improved play from the back seven to make strides towards another ten-win season.
Also, the kicking situation must be rectified. The Broncos have been two missed field goals away from being undefeated for the past three years.
Uniform/Mascot Grade: C-
You either love the blue uniforms or you don’t and by indications on my grade, you can tell where my thoughts lie. I’m also not a fan of the blue turf or mascots with oversized horses heads.
Schedule:
8/31 at Michigan State
9/15 Miami (Ohio)
9/22 BYU
9/29 at New Mexico
10/6 at Southern Miss
10/13 Fresno State
10/20 UNLV
10/27 at Wyoming
11/3 San Diego State
11/10 at Hawaii
11/17 Colorado State
11/24 at Nevada
The two toughest games on the schedule are the bookend contests. Its going to be tough for the Broncos to head into Michigan State in a true road game and win the opener. Some are making the comparison of this game to last season’s contest against Georgia. However, the Broncos were more experienced last year and the contest was in the Georgia Dome. While it was a mostly Georgia crowd (I was there!), there were still plenty of Boise State supporters in the stands. Nevada has been a nemesis for the Broncos over the years and the season-ender in Reno could be a tricky one.
Current/Former Co-ed I would like to attend a Box Social with:
I’ve been a fan of Tera Patrick’s work for years (yes, I’m saying that with a straight face) and she’s a legitimate Bronco. Just don’t Google search pictures of her at work if your bosses frown on adult content.
Final thoughts: While the Broncos won’t be national title contenders like the past three seasons, the team should be respectable, especially since the talent level brought in should be improved since years ago. You’re never going to see five-star recruits flocking to Boise like other schools but the development of Peterson will make them strong. The quarterback situation is less of a concern to me than the replacement of players on both lines. That may cost the Broncos to lose a game that’s not expected but with the schedule, its tough to see less than 10 wins for the squad.
Prediction: 10-2, 7-1 Mountain West
The Sports Inquirer 
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