I meant to post this earlier this week.  I hope everyone enjoyed their turkey as much as I did yesterday.  I have been in a food induced coma until just a while ago.  Now time to post a few thoughts and start digging into leftovers.

This week's highest ranked un-profiled team is the Boise State Broncos.  Boise State is a perennial BCS top 25 member and, despite a #6 ranking, is unlikely to receive a BCS bowl invite.

If Boise State does garner an invite they would become the second team from an at large conference to attend two BCS bowls.

BCS Race:

Boise State will receive an automatic qualification if they beat Nevada and TCU loses to New Mexico.  Both are heavy favorites, TCU even more so.

Boise State has many obstacles between them and an at-large spot.  With the six automatic qualifying conference champions and TCU taking seven of the ten BCS spots, they have some room to play.

The loser of the SEC Championship Game will get a second BCS bowl, possibly an automatic qualification for being in the top 4.  The Big 10 has three teams that have completed their season and are BCS eligible.  A second Big 10 team will likely be selected before Boise State.  This leaves a single spot for Boise State to hope for.

If Texas loses the Big 12 championship game they will be selected over Boise State.  Oklahoma State is also a strong candidate for Fiesta Bowl consideration so Boise State would like to see Oklahoma upset them this weekend.  The Big 12 and their Fiesta Bowl tie-in is the biggest threat to Boise State's BCS hopes in 2009.

If Clemson wins the ACC Georgia Tech could become a serious threat to Boise State's Selection.  Virginia Tech is already BCS eligible and might be an appealing choice for the Sugar Bowl.

I don't see Boise State being left out for Oregon and I don't see any other PAC 10 team realistically becoming BCS eligible without going to the Rose Bowl.

I also don't see the Big East runner up being a challenger for Boise State thanks in large part to recent BCS bowl attendance statistics.

A look at whether Boise State is good enough for the big stage next:

Offense:

Boise State is #9 in total offense at 455.91 yards per game.  They are #1 in scoring offense at 44.36 points per game.  In the Red Zone they are tied at #29 with an 86% scoring rate.

Boise State is #26 in passing with 264.36 yards per game and #19 in rushing with 191.55 yards per game.

QB Kellen Moore is #1 in passing efficiency at 168.80.  He is #25 in passing with 19.55 completions per game and #18 in passing yards with 253.73 per game.  He is #29 in total offense with 253.55 yards per game.  He is #3 in points responsible for with 18.91 per game.

RB Jeremy Avery is #38 in rushing yards per game at 91.55

WR Austin Pettis has #33 at 5.64 receptions per game and #32 in yards per game with 77.27. He is also #34 with 8 points per game.

WR Titus Young is #35 at 5.45 receptions per game and #37 in yards per game with 73.45. He also is #31 in all purpose running with 139.82 yards per game.

Defense:

Boise State is #15 in total defense allowing 301.91 yards per game and #18 in score defense at 17.27 points per game.  In the redzone they are tied at #19, allowing opponents to score 75% or the time.

They are #21 in pass defense with 186.91 yards per game and #29 against the run allowing 115 yards per game.

DB Jeron Johnson is tied at #32 with .32 interceptions per game.

DB Ryan Winterswyk is tied at #41 with .64 sacks per game.

DL Byron Hout is tied at #42 with 0.20 fumble recoveries per game.

Other:

K Kyle Brotzman is #13 in scoring with 8.91 points per game.  He is #27 in field goals with 1.45 per game.

DB Kyle Wilson is #24 in punt returns averaging 10.61 yards per return.

WR Titus Young is #22 in kickoff return yards at 27.09 yards per return.

Prospectus:

Presuming they beat Nevada tonight Boise State will be BCS eligible.  They will likely be left out for a lower ranked at-large selection for the second year in a row. 

They will need one more year to tie Kansas State's record of three straight years from 1998-2000.

Boise State is 0-2 when BCS eligible but not selected for the BCS.  Fixing this should be the focus of this years campaign.