BOISE, Idaho -- Although Boise State hasn't lost this
season, Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson
believes the Broncos are still paying for their last defeat.
A 27-21 loss to Boston College in last year's MPC Computers Bowl
cost Boise State a Top 25 ranking earlier this season, according to
Benson, and has hampered its climb in the BCS standings since then.
The Broncos, ranked No. 14 in the Associated Press college
football poll, are one of five undefeated Division I-A teams
remaining and are trying to become the first WAC team to land a BCS
berth. Also ranked No. 14 in the BCS standings, they need to move
up to at least No. 12 to automatically qualify for a BCS game.
The game against Boston College wasn't decided until Boise State
quarterback Jared Zabransky was intercepted in the end zone in the
final minute.
"If that last pass had been completed and they beat Boston
College -- they would have finished the last season as a Top 20
team," Benson said during his weekly conference call on Monday.
"And more than likely that would have put them in the Top 25
(starting this season.)"
Boise State coach Chris Petersen said he didn't know how the
loss to Boston College -- when he was an assistant coach -- might be
affecting this year's BCS standings.
"No idea on that," he said. "It's a new year. I have not even
thought about that one."
The Broncos started this season unranked, and didn't enter the
Top 25 -- at No. 25 -- until after their third game. Since the first
BCS standings came out Oct. 15, the Broncos have won three games
and moved up just one spot.
"Unfortunately, when you start outside the Top 25, you have a
lot of real estate to make up and gain ground on the Top 25 teams
in front of you," Benson said.
The Broncos (9-0, 5-0 WAC) have three conference games
remaining: Saturday at San Jose State, at home Nov. 18 against Utah
State, and at Nevada on Nov. 25.
"I'm still confident that if they win out they would reach the
No. 12 ranking, and that would assure them a guaranteed spot,"
Benson said.
The Broncos could also qualify for one of the big money BCS
games by being ranked in the Top 16 and having a better BCS average
than the conference champion from one of the six leagues that get
an automatic BCS berth.
If the season ended today, Boise State would be in because it
ranks in the Top 16 and has a better BCS average than every
Atlantic Coast Conference team.
Benson also said he was encouraged with the most recent BCS
standings, released Sunday, which showed a widening gap between
Boise State and the top ACC team, No. 18 Georgia Tech.
He also acknowledged Boise State's wins over Oregon State,
ranked No. 24 in the BCS standings, and WAC-foe Hawaii are helping.
"I think that Boise State is getting recognition for the Oregon
State win, and the Hawaii win," Benson said. "I think it all
bodes well for Boise State."
Petersen, as is his custom, avoided discussing BCS scenarios.
"I'm not paying attention to that," he said. "I'll pay
attention to that in three more weeks."