Pre-Season Rankings Revisited
I thought it would be fun to do a little research and revisit Boise State’s Pre-Season rankings. So I went and found a few of the National Magazine and Website articles to find if their predictions were close or not so much. I’ll let the reader judge who had the best predictions and the worst.
Collegefootballnews.com
#61. Boise State 2007 Record: 10-3
“The defensive front will undergo a bit of an overhaul, but the offense could be impressive if the line can retool in a hurry. QB Michael Coughlin will likely be the new man at the helm, but Bush Hamdan and Nick Lomax will battle for the right to hand off to Ian Johnson.”
CBSsportsline.com (The number #3 ranking isn’t overall, but 3rd best team in the WAC)
#3. Boise State:
“The Broncos have dominated the conference in the 2000s, but should see a slight dropoff this season. Ian Johnson returns for his senior season and should see lots of work with a new quarterback. Bush Hamdan is expected to replace Taylor Tharp and should have a solid receiving corps with Austin Pettis and Titus Young returning. Jeremy Childs (82 catches) also returns, but will be suspended for the opener for academic issues. Seven starters return to a solid defense.”
Lindy’s College Football Magazine
#28. Boise State:
Primary Strengths- “The Broncos have cracked the Top 25 during each of the past six seasons, so roster turnover means little. This team is loaded at the offensive skill positions except for the quarterback. The defense has tow terrific ends, depth at linebacker and a young but experienced secondary.
Potential Problems: How far the Broncos go this season will rest largely on the play of the new quarterback and revamped offensive line. The defense took a step backward last season, uncharacteristically breaking down against the run.”
SI.com
#37. Boise State: A few teams to note that were ranked higher in their preseason ranking: Colorado, Rutgers, North Carolina, Miss. St., Fresno State, Arizona State, Maryland, and Tulsa.
Sporting News Magazine
Sporting News Magazine
#33. Boise State:
Burning question: Can Boise State continue to hover around the top 25 in a year that features so many new faces? Let's just say Boise State's second-team unit the past few years could have won games in the WAC. So assuming the offensive line matures quickly, the Broncos should have no problem competing for a WAC title again.
Top player: As tempting as it is to go with one of BSU's talented receivers or even cornerback Kyle Wilson, it's impossible not to say running back Ian Johnson. He's an All-American candidate and scoring machine. Thing is, he has some competition for carries in the backfield with Jeremy Avery and D.J. Harper.
Keep an eye on: Quarterback Kellen Moore. He is Boise State's QB of the future. It'll be interesting to see whether he winds up its QB of the present, too.
Must step up: The offensive line. Four new starters determine whether or not Boise State continues its abuse of scoreboard lights.
Game to watch: Nov. 28 vs. Fresno State. This should determine the WAC title and it's on the blue. Boise State has owned Fresno over the years.
This is just a few of the preseason rankings for 2008. Very few places had Boise State even ranked in their top 25 to start out the season. There were a few that did and they were: Phil Steele’s College Football Preview, Collegefootballpoll.com, and Nationchamps.net.