Coach: Cris Peterson (fourth season)
2008 record: 12-1
2008 bowl: Lost to TCU 17-16 in Poinsettia Bowl
Returning starters: 12 (6 offensive, 6 defensive)
2009 Schedule
Sept. 3 Oregon
Sept. 12 Miami (Ohio)
Sept. 18 at Fresno State
Sept. 26 at Bowling Green
Oct. 3 UC Davis
Oct. 14 at Tulsa
Oct. 24 at Hawaii
Oct. 31 San Jose State
Nov. 6 at Louisiana Tech
Nov. 14 Idaho
Nov. 20 at Utah State
Nov. 27 Nevada
Dec. 5 New Mexico State
MORE FROM MOORE?
Coming off a spectacular freshman season, left-handed quarterback Kellen Moore should be even better as a sophomore. He threw for 3,486 yards and 25 touchdowns to help the Broncos to within two points of an unbeaten season. His best friend could turn out to be right tackle Nate Porter, whose responsibility is to cover the quarterback's blind side. If Moore can stay upright, look for the Broncos to make another bid for an unbeaten season.
BIG D IN BOISE
A year ago, Boise State had the Western Athletic Conference's No. 1-rated defense - and the No. 3-ranked scoring defense in the country - but the Broncos lost all but two starters from their front seven. Junior defensive end Ryan Winterswyk returns after recording 40 tackles last season, including 4 1/2 sacks, and forcing two fumbles. The secondary returns nearly intact, including four defensive backs who accounted for 17 of Boise State's 22 interceptions last season.
WINNING FORMULA
Beginning with a 64-2 home record over the past decade - the best mark in the nation over that span - the past 10 seasons have been remarkably successful for the Broncos. Need more numbers? Boise State's Western Athletic Conference record is 70-5 (.933), also the best conference mark in the nation during that span. The decade has included 108 victories, three unbeaten regular seasons, and a Fiesta Bowl triumph over Oklahoma.
FAR FROM PERFECT
Boise State's BCS title hopes may be slight, but they will most certainly vanish if the Broncos fail to go unbeaten.
The Broncos have a tough home opener against non-conference opponent Oregon, which Boise State handled 37-32 last season in Eugene. Other possible roadblocks to a perfect regular season could come against tough road opponents Bowling Green, Tulsa and Louisiana Tech.
ONE BRONCO TO WATCH
Boise State's most-promising NFL prospect appears to be cornerback/punt returner Kyle Wilson. The school has had just one player taken in the first round of the NFL draft - offensive tackle Ryan Clady was selected by Denver as the 12th overall pick in 2008.
Wilson has been projected by ESPN to be a first-rounder in 2010. An All-WAC defender, he led the team with five picks last season and returned 33 punts for 470 yards and three touchdowns.
