Is Boise State’s Loss, WSU’s Gain?

Hello followers. A happy hump day to you all.

Well, in the midst of Apple Cup week, we at the WSUFB decided to take a quick detour from Apple Cup memories (and mammaries) and take a bit of a long view.

Want to check out why I think that BSU’s heartbreaking loss last weekend boons well for WSU?

Then read on.

Followers, it doesn’t take a genius to chart the fortunes of WSU football since Boise State rose to national prominence. And while there is certainly no perfect correlation between BSU’s rise and WSU’s general demise, its also difficult to argue that Boise’s recent success hasn’t impacted our fortunes on the gridiron.

In short, in 2003 when we were finishing off our improbable three year run in the top 10 in Nation, Boise State (and to a certain extent Oregon State) were not really a part of the national college football consciousness.

But since that time, both schools have ascended to the national stage — and none more so that the Smurf Turf Broncos.

What has always been bothersome about Boise’s rise has not been that they’ve been good or even GREAT — but HOW they’ve become good. Put simply, Boise has risen to prominence by offering what should be to Cougar Fans a very familiar formula:

1) Recruit two star and three star kids from California and the Northwest and turn them into four or five star players.
2) Develop an innovative offensive system that allows the team to play with anyone by outscoring, and at times “razzle-dazzle”, them.
3) Build a defense around ruff-and-tumble defensive line play that is stiff against the run and provides consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Of course, at the heart of that formula is one Mr. Chris Petersen — who easily is one of the best coaches in all of college football.

And, for years now, Mr. Petersen has consistently eschewed offers from Pac-10 notables like UCLA and Washington to “stay put” in the great state of potatoes.

Personally, I’ve always really liked Boise State. And, at the heart of my admiration for the Smurfs has been Chris Petersen’s Mark Few-esque commitment to staying with the underdog, and within, being committed to shocking the world over and over and over again when the national pundits proclaim that the really “aren’t that good.”

And, while the national media has continued to question Petersen’s commitment to Boise State, his tendency to reject offers from more notable institutions always made sense to me. I mean, why make a change when you’re already consistently ranked in the top 7 or 10 in the country?

Moreover, until recently, I always figured that the NCAA would get it right and move toward a playoff system–which would give BSU a real chance to become the Gonzaga of College Football. But, even a playoff system didn’t come to fruition, the opportunity of switching to a more powerful/competitive conference seemed to represent a strong magnet for Petersen to stay in place. And, as we know, that opportunity finally presented itself this past off-season.

When rumors first came about that BSU was moving to the Mountain West, I thought “good for them.” With Fresno State, Nevada, and Boise State joining the ranks of BYU, Utah, and TCU, I thought that the Mountain West represented a solid “little guy” conference that could compete nationally against the Super Conferences that were sure to come — like the now defunct Pac-16.

Of course, the Pac-16 never happened. As a consequence, Utah bolted to become a part of the Pac-12. BYU bolted to become a part of, well, the Notre Dame independents. And yesterday, TCU made it official and left the MWC to join the Big Least conference.

And so, what seemed to be such a “hot” move for the SMURFS a few months ago, has turned into a massive sh&t sandwich. Instead of joining a powerful “mid-major conference”, the new Mountain West has quickly become THE OLD WAC. And for Smurf Nation, so much for respect…

On top of that, Boise State’s ONE chance to really, really break into the national scene effectively ended on Friday night. Because whether Boise fans want to admit it or not, THIS WAS THE YEAR for them to make the biggest statement of all.

Because, face it Boise fans, the ONLY reason why you were in the national title conversation THIS YEAR is because you won all your games LAST YEAR (and in so doing also beat this year’s #1 team, Oregon, in 2009).

So, instead of playing having another opportunity to shine in the BCS spotlight, the Smurfs are now headed to either San Francisco or right back to the Smurf Turf to take on a MAC power like Ohio University.

In sum, it sure made sense a few days, weeks, and months ago that Petersen would stay in Boise given that (a) He had already built a proven winner; (b) He thought he could get an opportunity to play for a National Championship at Boise State; and (c) He would, in the short term, have nowhere to go but “down” in the winning column somewhere else.

But, as he now looks forward to Utah State, a LAME Mountain West Conference, and a toilet bowl conclusion to what would be a glorious 12-1 season anywhere else, you have to wonder if he views the future of Boise State football as infinitely more limited than what he ever imagined just a few short days ago.

And because of that, I think he bolts sometime in the next two weeks take job XXX at location YYY.

And if his chosen destination is somewhere besides Palo Alto, us Cougars will undoubtedly reap the benefits of having one less regional competitor for the types of recruits that have made us a contender in years past.

And I for one, will not shed a tear to see Chris Petersen and hopefully Jim Harbaugh get as far away from the West Coast as humanly possible over the next few weeks.

Go Cougs!