Does Boise State's BCS invite shatter the paradigm?

[TripletDaddy]

Up until this point, the popular thought was that for a non-BCS school to bust the BCS, it would have to fulfill the following:

1. Go undefeated in alleged "sub-par" conference play
2. Schedule and win against notable OOC opponents

I have definitely been of this mindset and until this season I believed it to be the winning formula.

However, this year, Boise State seems to have found a better business model.

1. Go undefeated in unquestionably "sub-par" conference play
2. Schedule and beat, at most, one notable OOC conference opponent
3. RUTS to improve media perception

Now that the BCS has shown a willingness to invite undefeated non BCS teams even if they don't play a strong OOC schedule, what is the point of scheduling tough OOC opponents? Hawaii got in without it. Boise State did beat Oregon this year (very good win), but that was literally the only good win on the entire schedule.

Is the new model to schedule down and RUTS?

It would seem to be a reasonable conclusion.

[il Padrino Ute]

It doesn't hurt BSU that the WAC has a contract with ESPN to televise games during the middle of the week. Teams pimped by ESPN get more recognition.

[TripletDaddy]

It doesn't hurt BSU that the WAC has a contract with ESPN to televise games during the middle of the week. Teams pimped by ESPN get more recognition.

This is another point.

I actually credit BSU for shattering that paradigm, as well.

BSU is the school that decided to fully embrace off-day football scheduling. Friday night is essentially BSU football night on national TV. Thursday night games are now highlight games and BSU was also early in on this (not by choice, of course, but they made the most of it).

I agree that BSU's exposure has helped it tremendously. However, ultimately BSU still has to go undefeated each season to get into the dance. So it would seem that this year is the year in which the scheduling philosophies should finally change. Scheduling down is the new scheduling up. Be proud of pummeling through a weak conference. The BCS seems to be more concerned with the loss column than the SOS.

[YOhio]

You could be on to something. Here are Boise's OOC opponents for the next few years:

2010-
Toledo -Home
Wyoming- Away
Oregon State- Home
Virginia Tech -Away

2011-
Wyoming - Home
Toledo - Away
Tulsa- Home
Utah- Home

2012
Miami (Oh) -Home
Oregon State - Away
BYU - Home
Utah - Away

2013-
BYU - Away
Utah - Home

[SeattleUte]

Up until this point, the popular thought was that for a non-BCS school to bust the BCS, it would have to fulfill the following:

1. Go undefeated in alleged "sub-par" conference play
2. Schedule and win against notable OOC opponents

I have definitely been of this mindset and until this season I believed it to be the winning formula.

However, this year, Boise State seems to have found a better business model.

1. Go undefeated in unquestionably "sub-par" conference play
2. Schedule and beat, at most, one notable OOC conference opponent
3. RUTS to improve media perception

Now that the BCS has shown a willingness to invite undefeated non BCS teams even if they don't play a strong OOC schedule, what is the point of scheduling tough OOC opponents? Hawaii got in without it. Boise State did beat Oregon this year (very good win), but that was literally the only good win on the entire schedule.

Is the new model to schedule down and RUTS?

It would seem to be a reasonable conclusion.

I think this was a down year for the Big 12, and in a sense the Pac 10. Only one BCS team from either league, but from the Pac 10 more because of balance. Boise lucked out because a spot opened up from lack of BCS teams. Did the Big East and ACC also only send one team each?

If TCU crushes Boise people will reconsider inviting a team with Boise's formula. But I think you all have jinxed TCU with your absurd adulation and BSU will pull off a big upset.

[il Padrino Ute]

This is another point.

I actually credit BSU for shattering that paradigm, as well.

BSU is the school that decided to fully embrace off-day football scheduling. Friday night is essentially BSU football night on national TV. Thursday night games are now highlight games and BSU was also early in on this (not by choice, of course, but they made the most of it).

I agree that BSU's exposure has helped it tremendously. However, ultimately BSU still has to go undefeated each season to get into the dance. So it would seem that this year is the year in which the scheduling philosophies should finally change. Scheduling down is the new scheduling up. Be proud of pummeling through a weak conference. The BCS seems to be more concerned with the loss column than the SOS.

I agree that BSU has definitely made itself a name by consistently pounding the crap out of it's competition. It's softer competition has been why it is (a quick google search) 108-23 this decade. The Broncos have definitely found something that works.