I had a dream about Cactuses last night.
Just kidding, it was a nightmare about Boise State losing to Air Force for the 3rd-straight season. It wasn’t fun, and now we all sit at our computers trying to inhale as much information about who Boise State is going to play and what bowl they will be in until we find out this coming Sunday. I didn’t bring you here to talk about silly nightmares that come true and usually involve the triple option… NO! I came here to talk about THE OPPONENT! YES! WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? Well, Boise State has a very intriguing opportunity to play in the Cactus Bowl this year and it means they have options! Triple options! Haha, just kidding… I just cried a little on the inside… Let’s get started.
The Cactus Bowl has an automatic tie-in with the Big 12 and the PAC-12 and due to the PAC-12 making a fool out of themselves this year and being unable to fill the slot, the Broncos can step in. This could be a chance for Boise State to test ability on Big 12 teams who are used to playing against Bob Stoops. Which is fine, because Boise State beat him The odds are in their favor. On our list today I have 3 options: Kansas State, TCU, and Baylor.
KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANSAS STATE (7-4)
Coming from the most boring state on this list, Kansas State is most likely the best team out of the 3 and would provide an interesting challenge for Boise State. They crushed Baylor a couple weeks ago and absolutely dominated their in-state rivals. They are a team with a dual-threat QB which is something Boise State has struggled against plus they have 3 receivers over 350 yards receiving on the year. Their QB has more rushing yards than their running back. Yeah.
Taking a look at Kansas out of the box they have the tools to dismantle a currently confused Boise State offense and exhaust the defense. On the flip side Kansas has struggled to defend the running game which is Boise State’s strength this year. McWeapon and Mattison would pummel their D-Line into obliteration and thus ending the game.
TCU (6-5) :(
Why? I don’t know. I think football just has a way of making you want to have multiple heart attacks in a single game and that’s exactly what playing against TCU would do if they played Boise State.
The Horned Frogs and Broncos have a grueling history and have played each other 4 times. Tied at 2 wins each, this game would be a huge turning point in what seems to be an extended rivalry. The largest margin of victory was by the Broncos with a touchdown. The other 3 times have been decided by 3 points or less. It doesn’t even matter that TCU is 6-5 this year, they are an absolutely amazing football program and always have been. The last time the Broncos and Horned Frogs went head to head was in 2011 and the Broncos fell to a score of 36-35.
If there was a game I wanted to happen this year, it would be this one. Nothing but greatness could come out this game.
Bay...lor?! What is offense???!!!!
RAWR I’M A BEAR! Baylor and Boise State have never faced each other, so this would be a very interesting match-up. The Bears seem to be as confused as the Broncos this year. They can’t seem to get it going on offense and when they do click it seems to be just in time to pull past their opponent for a win. The defense hasn’t had much luck either and has been lost most of the year.
Their weak point is the passing game. Which is something Boise State can take advantage of barring the right play calls are made. No matter what would happen in this game, I think it would be a great match-up.
Disclaimer: I know what Baylor has been going through this year. My thoughts were purely based on how they have been playing as a football team. Best of luck to the program and figuring out its future!
Glad we could spend these few minutes discussing what would happen if a Bronco fought a Wildcat, Horned Frog or a Bear. No Broncos were injured in the making of this article.