Boise Blues

One of the elements fueling the rise of Boise State football to prominence has been their frequent appearances on ESPN, based on their and the WAC's willingness to play games on any day of the week to suit the television schedule. But now that the Broncos are a top 3 program, is this still helping them?

I wonder. There is certainly an element of desperation to playing games on a Tuesday (they beat La Tech 49-20 last night). Or, to be honest, any day other than Saturday and maybe Thursday (but do not make it a habit). Boise has five more games this season and three of them are to be played on a Friday night, all to be aired on ESPN. Being on ESPN a majority of the season is a definite plus but playing on Friday nights hurts.

Of course, Boise is leaving the WAC after this season and it is the WAC's low-level status that is fueling these scheduling decisions. The Mountain West, which will include Boise starting in 2011, plays a great majority of their games on Saturday, but they do not have a deal with ESPN. Instead Boise fans will have to find their games on Versus or CBS College Sports. Boise will be on ESPN in the future when they play on the road against a team from a conference that has an ESPN contract--like Mississippi next September. So being on television will not be the problem (and they'll make close to $1 million a year more than they do under the current WAC contract). But fans will definitely have to work more to see their games and I bet the regular college football viewer will tune in for Boise's games against TCU (if they stay) or Air Force, but not the lesser lights. There is too much competition on a Saturday.

The other problem facing Boise as they search for more respect is that ridiculous blue field. What once was a way for the team to stand out is now a reason to point fingers at them for getting an unfair advantage by wearing blue uniforms. But more importantly they do not look like a national power when playing at home. I have a hard time watching a full game when they play at home and I assume a great many traditionalists do not even bother. Although Boise playing a great majority of their games on Saturday will be a reality beginning next season, the blue turf is here to stay.