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Then comes the respectful qualifier.
"I guess the best way to say it is they'd do well in our conference," Riley said. "I don't think their season would be the same competition-wise at all if they were in the Pac-10 or the Big 12 or whatever conference, but I think they can win any certain game at any time."
Translation: They're good, but the Broncos aren't running the table in the Pac-10 the way they have done in the WAC three of the last four seasons.
There's something else fueling the pro-Boise State faction: a passionate dislike for the BCS.
"As one that doesn't naturally root for the underdog, I'd like to see Boise State get a shot," said Brian Jones, a former Texas linebacker and CBS College Sports analyst. "That's why I am a big proponent of a playoff, because then we can find out on the field."
Ultimately, though, the anti-Boise State contingent is more likely to get its way again this season.
Boise State started the season behind Alabama and Ohio State in the AP and coaches' polls and has already been passed by Oregon. The AP poll has no bearing on the BCS. The coaches' poll does, along with the Harris poll, which makes its first appearances of the season Sunday. Rarely does the Harris poll look dramatically different from the other two.
The first BCS standings, which also includes computer ratings, arrive on Oct. 17. The computers always spit out low marks for Boise State's schedule.
It seems pretty clear that an unbeaten record again won't be enough for Boise State. The Broncos will need the teams in front of them to lose and probably a bunch of the teams behind them, too.
If the Broncos are the only unbeaten team at the end of the regular season or one of two with perfect records, they might finally get their big chance.
Or not.
The most controversial BCS question lying ahead this season is this: Does Boise State deserve a spot in the BCS title game ahead of a team with one loss from one of the traditional power conferences.
Alabama coach Nick Saban has already weighed in on this, saying teams should be rewarded for playing tough competition.
The mere thought of Alabama losing one game to, say, South Carolina, then being left out of the national title game for Boise State, is enough to enrage most Tide fans.
Then again, the thought of Alabama, Ohio State or Oregon losing a game, but still reaching the national title game ahead of an unbeaten Boise State team has Broncos fans boiling.
This is certain: No matter what happens to Boise State, there's going to be some very upset college football fans.
[Associated Press;
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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