Boise State Vs. Oregon State: Broncos Pass Another Test, Earn Chance To Take More

Once more, Boise State proved to be the better of two good teams. If this sounds familiar, it should.

Oregon State lost this game, and lost James Rodgers, probably to a concussion, but they were beaten by a better team on the road. It’s the second such loss for the Beavers to a brawny “BCS buster” this year, and there’s little shame in losing close games in those environments. Should Rodgers recover, this is still a team that could, with a break or two, compete for a Pac-10 title.

But this night — and, increasingly, this season — belongs to Boise State, the team with the blue turf and the sometimes goofy offense and the quarterback who throws floaters that never land in defenders’ arms. It’s Boise State, with the surprisingly tough defense, holding the Beavers’ electric Rodgers brothers in check and holding Oregon State to 237 yards, that will be the story of this college football season. It’s these Broncos, given a chance to start nearer to the mountaintop than ever in the polls, given a chance to just maybe break the final glass barrier for non-BCS schools if the number in the L column remains a zero all season, that might just win a national championship.

This week was Boise State’s biggest week ever. Next week will be, too. Until these Broncos lose, every week will be.

For these Broncos, this may or may not be their year, the one that is magical and rhapsodized relentlessly and ends with that crystal football held high. But we’ll make it their year, and pay attention to every detail. Now, finally, we will do that.