Q&A with a Boise fan

by JazzyUte on Dec 21, 2010 2:54 PM MST in Las Vegas Bowl

The fine folk over at OBNUG were gracious enough to answer some questions I had about their Broncos and the upcoming bowl game tomorrow.

This should give you a better idea of their mentality entering a game their team is heavily favored to win.

Yesterday, I answered some of their questions and you can read what I put here.

You can read Kevan's answers to my questions after the jump...

1. How utterly destroyed were you after the Nevada loss?

Only sorta utterly. In the moments immediately after the missed FG in regulation, I was beside myself. Overtime felt like a dream, I was so out of it. But as I had more time to think about it, I realized that Boise State was going to have to lose some time, and for this to be the way it went down, well, at least they lost with flair. Afterward I equated it to a Madden game where the computer just decides you're losing and that's all there is to it. I never get too upset at Madden games like that. I just hit the reset button and start over.

2. Since the 2003 season ended, Boise State is 0-4 in non-BCS bowl games. Is this a concern and why the discrepancy recently?

A lot of Bronco fans believe it has to do with injuries/personnel late in the season. Boise State is either banged up or suspending folks by late December. I buy that for the most part, but I'd be lying if I didn't think there was some hidden motivational flaw in this team when it comes to bowls that aren't Fiestas.

My No. 1 reason for the discrepancy is that there isn't one. Boise State's bowl losses are just as close as their bowl wins. Bowl season football is all about good teams playing good teams, and when that happens, games often can go either way. The Broncos were in position to win all four of them, and they just happened to go the wrong way. A bounce here, a made FG there, and Boise State has a six- or eight- or ten-game bowl winning streak.

3. What is the biggest offensive and defensive weakness on your team?

Well, if the past two games are any indication, the run defense for the Broncos is now a weakness. Before those two weeks, I would have said pretty confidently that the Broncos are most susceptible to the short passing game, which can be made a whole lot worse with missed tackles.

On offense, the Broncos struggle with drops, which is weird because you always hear about how great their receiving corps is.

4. How excited are you guys for the move to the WAC 2.0 next year?

I stopped being excited in July.

Seriously though, playing San Diego State, Air Force, TCU (once), and all those new teams will be fun for a few years. Then I'll be done and we can move on to the Big XII.

5. With Utah not actually expected to even take the field Wednesday, how does Chris Petersen keep the Broncos grounded heading into the game?

I think the Broncos can find plenty of motivation on finishing the year strong and sending the seniors out in style. Plus, they are playing for a Top Ten finish and momentum going into 2011. Getting up for this game shouldn't be a problem for the Broncos.

Thanks to Kevan for the interview and here's to a good game tomorrow night (with a Ute victory, of course).

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The more I read OBNUG, the more I want Utah to win

Which is saying something, because I always really, really want Utah to win.

I keep accidentally eating my pets. Maybe I should get something less appetizing, like a cat instead of a Twinkie.

Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com

by CrimsonUte on Dec 21, 2010 4:02 PM MST reply actions

They are a bit overconfident as of late...

…let’s hope that is also true of their players. I don’t like that we’re getting in fights with them though, even if they started it. Don’t need them motivated beyond the scope of the game.

by Middy_U on Dec 21, 2010 4:36 PM MST up reply actions

That's fair

I just realized that I am one of the few obnuggers who sees this being a one-possession game.

We want to build a university our football team can be proud of. -- Dr. George Lynn Cross

by marktgarten on Dec 21, 2010 5:13 PM MST up reply actions

I can see the other side...

TCU thrashed us at home. No reason to think you’re any worse than TCU. You did beat them last year with a team that is pretty much the same.

…our assumption is that Utah has scraped whatever they thought would work vs. TCU and will come to this with a solid gameplan.

I can still see it going sideways quick…but like any fan, I’m cautiously optimistic about our chances. Just like TCU, we’ll know within the first quarter what kind of game this is going to be.

by Middy_U on Dec 21, 2010 5:46 PM MST up reply actions

Utah certainly has the potential to get blown out

The team has shown it twice this season. I’m just irked by the supreme overconfidence of some Boise State fans.

I shouldn’t take exception to it, though. Having recently lived in Boise for a few years, I know there are some Bronco fans who think their team has never lost and that they win every game by 40 points. These people live in their own reality and crown Boise State national champions every year. I also know a Utah win wouldn’t silence them for long – in 2008 they were only quiet for about a month after losing to TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl before their goldfish memories erased the entire event and they hopped onto Salt Lake newspaper websites to boast that their team was better than the Utah team that beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

Having said all that, I have the utmost respect for Boise State’s coaches and players, and I know firsthand that there are many, many Bronco fans who are classy, fabulous supporters of their team. It’s not their fault they have morons as fellow fans.

I keep accidentally eating my pets. Maybe I should get something less appetizing, like a cat instead of a Twinkie.

Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com

by CrimsonUte on Dec 22, 2010 8:41 AM MST up reply actions

Having recently lived in Boise for a few years, I know there are some Bronco fans who think their team has never lost and that they win every game by 40 points

To be fair, they are 60-5 in the last five seasons and their average margin of victory is something like 29 points a game, so those Bronco fans aren’t far off.

I suppose you can lump me in that group of over-confident Bronco fans, but it isn’t without good reason. They’re either winning by 4 TDs and losing by a FG. And 92% of the time it’s the 4TDs.

For all my own rhetoric, I think Utah is a formidable opponent. I just think my Broncos are much much more formidable.

Here’s to a good game. May the best team win. Feel free to rub my nose in it should Boise State lose. I can take what I give out.

GO BRONCOS!!

Championships should be earned on the field, not in newspapers or computers.

by Mikrino on Dec 22, 2010 11:35 AM MST up reply actions

*or losing by a FG

Championships should be earned on the field, not in newspapers or computers.

by Mikrino on Dec 22, 2010 11:36 AM MST up reply actions

It's an impressive feat, no doubt

But you have to acknowledge that Utah is much more like Oregon State, TCU, Nevada, Oregon, Virginia Tech, etc. than, say, San Jose State, New Mexico State, Miami-Ohio, Idaho State, etc. The difference between the two groups? Boise State played relatively close games with all of the first group in recent years and destroyed the second group.

2010
Virginia Tech W 33-30
Oregon State W 37-24
Nevada L 34-31

2009
Oregon W 19-8
Nevada W 44-33
TCU W 17-10

2008
Oregon W37-32
Nevada W41-34
TCU L17-16

So when I see Bronco fans posting predictions like 50-17, 49-14, 54-20, 52-14, and 52-17 I get a little irritated.

I keep accidentally eating my pets. Maybe I should get something less appetizing, like a cat instead of a Twinkie.

Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com

by CrimsonUte on Dec 22, 2010 12:12 PM MST up reply actions

I believe my prediction was 50-17.

2010

Oregon State was nowhere near a close game. It was much futher apart than the 13-point final score.

Va. Tech and Nevada I’ll agree on. Va. Tech did lead late in the game and of course, we lost to Nevada. All three of these teams are ranked opponents too.

2009

Oregon got obliterated in that game plain and simple. If not fumbling their snaps and red-zone meltdowns, Broncos win 40-8. This is not an exaggeration. The Duck were held to 152 total yards, 6 first downs (none until the 3rd Qtr) and negative rushing yards. That game was lopsided

Nevada was also not near as close as the final 11-point win. Look up any box score, the Wolf Pack were never in that game.

TCU has been the only team to really, I do mean really, hang with the Broncos in the last three seasons. Both games were tough hard-fought games with only small wrinkles giving one team an edge over the other.

Both Nevada and Oregon in 2008 became close in garbage time. Oregon trailed 37-13 in the 4th and I believe Nevada trailed 41-17 or 41-24 in the final frame. Again, not near as close as the final score would seem.

Last, none of these games have anything to do with today’s matchup, or mine, or anyone’s score prediction, or should I say guess. The plain and simple truth is this; Boise State has only lost 2 games in three years by a combined total of 4 points, to two ranked teams. Utah lost two games a month ago where the average margin of victory was 32.5 points. They followed that with narrow wins over average teams. Boise State followed their first loss in 25 games with a 36-point demolition of another Utah team, one that also beat BYU more convincingly that the Utes. That’s relevant now. Which is why the oddsmakers have it at Boise State (+16.5), and also why you do see those score predictions.

Food for thought; Boise State has not lost to a Utah team since 1997 (Utah State). Boise State is 14-1 all-time against teams in the MWC.

Allow me to quote myself;

For all my own rhetoric, I think Utah is a formidable opponent. I just think my Broncos are much much more formidable.

I understand your irritation, I just don’t hold the same opinion. =]

I’d much rather watch another version of the Va. Tech game, than a replay of the Utah State one.

Here’s to hoping that is what we get. Until then… GO BRONCOS!

Championships should be earned on the field, not in newspapers or computers.

by Mikrino on Dec 22, 2010 1:48 PM MST up reply actions

I really hope we win this game...

I hope we play like we played against Iowa State after a week off.. not like we played when we had everything on the line and an entire stadium of black-clad fans who had been there since 5:00 AM for Game Day. Boise State is arguably a better team than TCU, so I’m really worried. But, I’ll cheer for them until the end.

I still maintain my only stipulation for a successful Utah season is a victory over the lord’s university – so I’m happy this season…

Go Utes!

by Mike Roylance on Dec 21, 2010 4:57 PM MST reply actions

"Victory over the Lord's university"

Then losing to Notre Dame this season would be a failure, right?

by Big Easy Halofan on Dec 22, 2010 10:59 AM MST up reply actions

That game was a definite failure

But Utah did beat the “Notre Dame of the West.” ;)

I keep accidentally eating my pets. Maybe I should get something less appetizing, like a cat instead of a Twinkie.

Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com

by CrimsonUte on Dec 22, 2010 11:17 AM MST up reply actions

I got my tickets and I'm headed out first thing tomorrow

Wish me luck boys(more importantly, wish our team luck) I’m pumped for the game. We have a huge uphill battle but If we can make it a good game (or better yet, get a win) I’ll consider it money well spent.

I’m 2-0 in the games I’ve gone too and I REALLY hope I can go 3-0 after tomorrow.
GO UTES!!!!!

Fear the MUSS!!

by GambitUte on Dec 21, 2010 9:08 PM MST reply actions

final score 26 -3.

On february 5th 2011 at UFC 126 Jon "Bones" Jones will show the world that their was no need for the MMA community to hype this man because this guy is a beast with many skills and i personally will feel Ryan "Darth" Bader's pain after this fight. SB Nation's public enemy #1.

by wolfmanshowlforever on Jan 4, 2011 1:57 AM MST reply actions