Looking Ahead: BOISE STATE BRONCOS
2006 RECAP: With a 13-0 record and a No. 5 ranking, Boise State became the darlings of the college football postseason ? for good reason. The Broncos only made their first-ever Bowl Championship Series appearance and used a hook-and-ladder and a "statue of liberty" to beat Oklahoma 43-42 in overtime in the Fiesta Bowl. The team averaged 40 points a game, converted 44 percent of their third-down opportunities and mixed up its offense to perfection.
Tailback Ian Johnson earned first-team All-America (from SI.com and CBS SportsLine.com) after leading the nation in scoring (12.67 ppg), touchdowns (25) and was third in the country in rushing (142.83 ypg).
2007 OUTLOOK: The coaching staff implemented a "Fiesta Bowl ban" during winter conditioning. Players could not wear any Fiesta Bowl gear to workouts in an attempt to put the euphoria behind them and focus on the new season.
New, indeed.
Coach Chris Petersen's team loses 15 starters, namely quarterback Jared Zabransky and his top three receivers. This is no small loss as Zabransky, a senior leader, threw for 1,587 yards on 191 of 288 passing. He threw for 23 touchdowns and only interceptions and also rushed for six touchdowns.
Still, the Broncos return four of five starting offensive lineman, namely left tackle Ryan Clady, already tabbed by The Sporting News as a preseason All-American. The unit is also ranked fourth-best in the nation by Athlon Sports.
With those hogs back, Ian Johnson projects for a big season after his 100-yard, touchdown performance at the Fiesta Bowl ? that also included an on-field proposal to girlfriend/cheerleader Chrissy Popadics. Ian Johnson will enter the season third in the nation among active players in career rushing touchdowns (26) and will be a Heisman Trophy candidate. (He finished eighth in the voting last year.)
Bush Hamdan and Taylor Tharp are the leaders to replace Zabransky. However, 2007 could be a rebuilding year for Petersen with 15 starters gone. The second-year coach must fill the vacancies not only at quarterback, but also at tight end, wide receiver and kicker that have all been vacated by All-WAC first-teamers. Three-time All-WAC and defending defensive player of the year middle linebacker Korey Hall, All-WAC defensive tackle Andrew Browning and fellow tackle Dennis Ellis all have to be replaced.
Their replacements will have to overachieve to take some pressure off an offense that is used to putting up huge numbers ? but may not be as equipped to do that again.
PEEK AT PERSONNEL: While defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox attempts to plug holes through the middle of his defense, there are some wicked players on the edges. Senior end Nick Schlekeway is 6-4, 242 pounds and had 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two fumble recoveries last year. But free safety Marty Tadman is the man of whom to be weary. He has 12 career interceptions; three returned for touchdowns ? two of those picks and one of the scores came in the Fiesta Bowl.
WHAT THE HUSKIES CAN EXPECT: Boise State has a lot of holes to fill, but it is a team that expects to win. The Broncos have dominated their conference for the better part of the decade and are the nation's winningest team since '99. They will likely come to Seattle on a 14-game winning streak looking for their first-ever win at the home of a BCS conference team.
The Huskies are still a team trying to remember how to win and that kind of aura versus one of such confidence will prove challenging for Washington.
I consider this a "compass" game for the Huskies, much like last season's Fresno State game. If the Huskies win ? or even if they play a strong game and remain competitive ? they will find a belief in themselves that will propel them to other wins. They will do it against a team searching for its identity, but one that whole-heartedly believes in itself and from where it comes.
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