When I read and hear Boise State saying that they want to live up to undefeated Fiesta Bowl winning seasons, I wonder if that is the right message to be sending. While it is innocent enough to be nostalgic, I don’t see the benefit in chasing ghosts. This should not be the Boise State Ghostbusters.
I think they have enough work ahead of them just to be competitive in big games, let alone win them. The teams of yesteryear won big games at home, on the road and against BCS teams. Since the 2011 season, Boise State only has two stand out wins to me. The Vegas bowl win over a 7-6 Washington team, which featured the MVP of the game from the losing Huskies. And, a 7-6 win at home over an 8-5 BYU team. Boise State never scored offensively and got 5 BYU turnovers. WOW.
Last season, Boise State was defeated 38-6 by Washington. In the second half, Boise State trailed BYU 31-6 and Oregon State 38-6. They lost 5 games total including their 2nd in a row to San Diego State. OUCH.
The 2014 Boise State team will line up the same QB and RB versus Ole Miss that ended the season in the Hawaii Bowl. They return 75% of all the WR touchdown production in Miller, SWR and Ware. 2 of the 5 starting o- lineman are back and 3 of 4 tight ends. And, 8 starters on defense and 21 of 27 players listed on the defensive depth chart vs Oregon State will line up in Atlanta.
It’s the same team.
And, it is hard to argue that they will line up anybody better at DE, DT or WR then the seniors from last years’ team. I think the TE’s will be an upgrade. And, the better younger players should make their biggest career improvements.So, let’s be realistic.
Winning a watered down MWC championship would be great. Being competitive versus Ole Miss and BYU seems more realistic. Winning any way possible at home versus Colorado St, Louisiana, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State is good enough. Any dominating or narrow win on the road is a real accomplishment. That’s it. Wins should be celebrated. No more “who cares if we beat Toledo on the road 40-15 or Wyoming 36-14 at home?” attitudes.
This team has to earn their own stripes and not worry about the past. The fan base should focus on what is not was. And, the future looks like more of the same. This team will be back next year for the most part only minus Hedrick, Miller and probably Ajayi. Get used to it.
