As I was logging into my Facebook account here in Minnesota for the holidays, I got a request to join a group that said "BSU still rocks."
Wait ... still?
Was losing in the Poinsettia Bowl to the No. 11 team in the nation that disheartening, Bronco fans? Are people are starting to secede from the Bronco Nation?
Winning 12 games is an extreme rarity in college football, and especially while doing it with such a young team.
Just think, Kellen Moore will be a year wiser and still have three more seasons under center. Playmakers like Austin Pettis and Jeremy Childs should return. Jeron Johnson's solid tackling and big hits will be back. Byron Hout, Ryan Winterswyk, Shea McClellin and Jarrell Root will be annoying quarterbacks for another year.
Sure, losing Ian Johnson will be difficult, as will losing great defenders like Kyle Gingg and Ellis Powers. However, the Boise State coaching staff is smarter than I could ever hope to be and just always find an answer.
WAC teams like Hawaii and Nevada should provide a challenge, as will nonconference games against Tulsa and Oregon, but next year's schedule looks to be even more manageable than the 2008 slate.
I wouldn't be surprised in the least if on this day next year we're writing from somewhere warm awaiting another BCS game.
