Can anyone out there beat Boise State?

by Ralph D. Russo
| September 8, 2010 9:00 PM

Boise State has 11 games left and very likely will be big favorites in each one. While it looks as if Boise State has a smooth road to its third consecutive perfect regular season and maybe even a spot in the BCS national championship game, nothing's guaranteed.

Here are six games the Broncos could lose and why:

At Wyoming, Sept. 18. The Cowboys won a bowl game last season, their first under coach Dave Christensen. He could be a coach on the rise and he has some intriguing young players, such as quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels. Boise State has a week off after beating Virginia Tech, but maybe a road trip to Laramie leaves the Broncos less-than-focused.

Oregon State, Sept. 25. The Broncos just don't lose at home, 63-2 since 2000. But the Beavers are the most talented team left on Boise State's schedule, a well-coached group that has challenged for the Pac-10 title the past two seasons. An offense with brothers Jacquizz and James Rodgers can cause problems for any defense.

Hawaii, Nov. 6. The Warriors' run-n-shoot offense looked good against Southern California in the opener and Hawaii quarterback Bryant Moniz has some similarities to Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor, who had a good game against Boise State. Maybe the Warriors can get some mild fall whether in Idaho.

At Idaho, Nov. 12. OK, this is probably a stretch, considering Boise State has won nine straight Governor's Trophy games, the last six by almost 40 points a game. But it is a rivalry and there is no team anywhere that would like to ruin the Broncos' season more than the Vandals.

Fresno State, Nov. 19. The Bulldogs started the season with an impressive victory against Cincinnati and have played the Broncos tough at times over the past few years - though usually not on the blue turf. Boise State tends to push around most WAC teams, but the Bulldogs are the one team in the league that might be able to match the Broncs strength up front.

At Nevada, Nov. 26. If you're one of those fans who really wants to see Boise State fail, this is your best shot. The Wolf Pack and their quirky, high-powered offense, with quarterback Colin Kaepernick making plays with his arm and legs, pushed the Broncos in Boise State last season, but lost 44-33. The year before, Boise State beat Nevada 41-34. The year before that, it was Boise State 69-67 in four overtimes. Maybe this is the season the Wolf Pack break through.