Two undefeated teams. The first team to earn an at-large selection from a conference without an automatic qualification. The third meeting in bowls in six years between the Boise St. Broncos and TCU Horned Frogs.

The first quarter was a defensive battle that set the tone for the entire game. A Boise St. pick 6 and a latter missed Boise St. field goal added emphasis to this recurring theme.

Defense and interceptions would define the remainder of this game.

Boise St. would start the second quarter with a drive down to score the first offensive points of the game, a 40 yard field goal. TCU would gain some momentum going into the half with a solid drive of their own and a touchdown on a 30 yard TD pass from Andy Dalton to Curtis Clay, cutting the lead to 10-7.

TCU slowly gained field position in the third, leading to a game tying field goal with four minutes left in the third.

TCU's first drive of the third quarter ended with an interception that would lead to an 80 yard Boise St. drive, ending with a two yard touchdown rush and a 17-10 lead. A couple of quick possessions later (including one where TCU was in field goal range and turning the ball over on downs) and TCU found themselves with the ball and 1:16 left on the clock. They began moving the ball down the field and looked like they were on the verge of ting the game when the third Dalton interception of the night sealed Boise St.'s second Fiesta Bowl win.

This game is also the MWC's first BCS loss and their only bowl loss of this year. Boise St. also became the second team to finish undefeated with 14 wins.

The real questions now are the political fallout from this game. The media was all ready to hype up TCU as an alternative to the BCS champion and Boise St. has ruined that parade. Florida cleared Cincinnati out of the way so Boise St. remains the only hope for those desiring a split title. I don't expect Boise St. to have the votes in the AP poll to rival the BCS champion, especially if that champion is Alabama. The real question will be whether they get more than the 16 first place votes Utah received last year.

One idea I have been harboring is whether the winner of this game should fly a national championship banner anyways. I am certain that TCU would not fly such a banner, but Boise St. harbors far more resentment towards the BCS and their blue field proves they really don't care what anyone else thinks. "If you don't like our championship flag, come to our field and prove us wrong." Boise State is the winningest program of this century stuck in a conference where they are unable to prove their strength, what more do they have to do?

I know of some in the south who claim a few of Alabama's national championships are of this variety, but I digress.

This win also adds pressure for the MWC to expand to include Bosie St. this summer. The MWC would be a significant increase in conference competitiveness for Boise St. and Boise St. would significantly help the MWC's numbers for an automatic qualification in 2012 and 2013. Announcing an expansion this summer would allow Boise St. to fulfill their WAC commitments in time for 2011, the latest possible date to allow them to help for the evaluation for 2012 and 2013.

Regardless, this game is another excellent mark in the Boise St. trophy box and future media guides. The Bronco Nation should stand proud of their team.