WHAT IF? A question applicable to every situation known to mankind. WHAT IF this happened? WHAT IF this didn’t happen? WHAT IF this event transpired a little differently? Regardless of the specifics of the question, pondering WHAT IF scenarios are useful in the fact that they demonstrate how singular moments can change the trajectory of history forever. And for Boise State football fans such as myself, a question that constantly gets asked is WHAT IF Boise State made two game-winning kicks in the 2010 and 2011 seasons?
If you hopped in a time machine to go back to 2010 you would be in the middle of the golden age for Boise State football. With the all-time winningest quarterback in college football, Kellen Moore at the helm, Boise State was a perennial powerhouse and a team who was very much in the hunt for a national title. Coming fresh off a Fiesta Bowl win over TCU in 2009 and an 8-0 start to the 2010 season, the Broncos looked like a force that was here to stay in the world of college football. But disaster struck on the frigid Nevada evening of November 26, 2010, when the record-setting Kyle Brotzman missed a potential game-winning kick at the end of regulation. Boise State would go on to lose 34-31 in a game that shattered the heart of Boise.
Following this, Boise strung off 10 in a row and established itself yet again as a legitimate contender for a national title or at least a BCS bowl game. That is until once again a disaster-ridden November night and yes, another missed game-winning kick derailed the Bronco’s undefeated season and hopes for a BCS bowl and national title.
From atop the lofty seat of a Power 5 program and the shortsighted, white-collar viewpoints of some presidents from major conferences, this time in college football may not attract much attention. But the events that happened during this time and what could have happened have changed college football forever.
So WHAT IF? WHAT IF on those cold November nights, Kyle Brotzman’s kick sailed through the uprights And WHAT IF the kick the following year split the goalposts against TCU? Well, the world of college football and its history would look drastically different than it does today.
BOISE STATE GOES TO THREE STRAIGHT BCS BOWLS
The most obvious result of those two kicks going in would be that Boise State would have made BCS bowls in two straight years, and likely a national title the following year. Further, being the powerhouse that they were, three straight wins in those big games are possible. Following the win in the Fiesta Bowl against TCU the previous year, the 2010-2011 season would have seen Boise State go on to play the #4 ranked Wisconsin Badgers in the 97th edition of the Rose Bowl. Despite Wisconsin being advertised as a bruising Big 10 power, Boise State was a far superior team than the Badgers. Similar in defensive strength to the Horned Frogs who stifled the Badgers; and with an offense that was far better than TCU’s, Boise State would have certainly prevailed in this matchup. The combination of Kellen Moore, Doug Martin, and the weapons of Austin Pettis and Titus Young would have overwhelmed the Badger defense. Moreover, Boise State’s run-stopping defense would have forced Wisconsin to become a pass-heavy team, far from their precedent forte. So too, Boise State’s well-known ability to play David in the face of Goliath would have proved certain once again. Overall, Boise State would have made the ‘Big 10 power’ look like a circus act, embarrassing automatic qualifier conferences everywhere.
Following a handling of the Big 10’s best, Boise State would have entered the 2011-2012 season on a 27-game win streak and certainly ranked in at least the top 3 nationally. And IF Dan Goodale’s 39-yarder against TCU stayed true, the 2011-2012 national title would have been Boise State vs. LSU. With the Broncos going undefeated for a third straight year (39 wins in a row), to not give them a shot at the national title would have been utter larceny. Though I am sure some conniving proponents of the status quo would argue for an Alabama vs. LSU matchup due to Boise State’s ‘weak schedule,’ Alabama already had their chance at LSU. And they lost in a high-octane and wildly exciting game. Kidding, of course, this ‘game of the century’ didn’t even feature a touchdown and ended 9-6 in overtime, enough bore to put anyone to sleep.
Besides the fact, the undaunting Broncos of Boise would have EARNED themselves a shot to be named the best team in the country. In a game of this magnitude Boise State’s undeniable skillset as a team, underdog persona, and pressure on the LSU tigers to not lose to the ‘lowly’ Broncos would have made this game very interesting.
BOISE STATE IS A POWER 5 PROGRAM
The years following Boise State’s three straight big-time bowl appearances and national title debut would have been marked by progressive change for the program. A leap to a power five conference would have been the formality that cemented the Bronco’s legacy as consistent contenders for high-profile bowl games and national titles.
In this situation, a number of opportunities present themselves. Though unlikely, Boise State could have been the saviors of the Big East football conference and perhaps could have kept them alive until today. Also, acceptance to the Big-12 may have been possible. But, in terms of geographics and overall logistics the likely destination for the Broncos would have been the newly formed PAC-12. This conference restructure would likely include BYU’s induction into the PAC-12 as well, making it the PAC-14. Reasons for this exist in the fact that the PAC-14 would need another team to balance out the northern and southern halves of the conference at 7 teams each. BYU is a good option here because regionally they fit well into the PAC-14. But more importantly, they have huge rivalries with Both Utah and Boise State.
PAC-14 CONFERENCE STRUCTURE:
- North: Washington, Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State, Boise State, Utah, BYU
- South: Arizona, Arizona State, UCLA, USC, California, Stanford, Colorado
For Boise State, admittance into the newly formed PAC-14 would have sparked many rivalries with sure adversaries. Just think about it, every year would include 4 high-profile conference games with Washington, Oregon, Utah, and BYU. With each of these teams competing to win the PAC-14 title every year, sell-out crowds would become the norm for not only Boise State but all the PAC-14 North. So too, with this strengthening of the PAC-14, the conference would gain more respect on a national level and have much more pull within the college football world.
Along with this, the want to play on the blue turf for a locally and nationally loved team would have skyrocketed. Leading to the best recruiting classes Boise State has seen in history. Although there could have been a few stumbles when moving to the PAC-14 (i.e. TCU’s movement to the Big 12), the strength of recruiting classes and the aura surrounding Boise State would have resulted in sustained success.
COACH PETE RETIRES IN BOISE
To complement the record-breaking recruiting classes, coach Chris Petersen likely spends the rest of his tenure in Boise, Idaho. Coach Pete’s undeniable ability to transform players and win ball games could have led to multiple PAC-14 titles, big-time bowl games, and a storybook run for the former David in the shadow of Goliath. So too, with the birth of a Power 5 school in Idaho, the city of Boise would see unrecognizable growth and national notoriety. The inflow of money from new TV deals, playing bigger schools, and monetization of the blue-collar Boise brand would propel the university and city to previously unattainable heights.
BACK TO REALITY
Sadly, these amazing possibilities for Boise State and the college football world remain fiction for now. And even more anguishing for Bronco fans is the realization that two singular moments perhaps stunted what could have been one of the greatest runs college football has ever seen. TCU’s recent birth in the 2023 national title all but provides evidence of what could have been if two kicks would have split the uprights for the Boise State Broncos. In light of this vast realization, the quality of teams and accomplishments of the 2009-2012 Broncos is a rich and treasured part of college football that still prides Idahoans today. But more importantly, this time in history and these Bronco teams provide hope for the underdog in any endeavor.
What could have been! A few very convincing Boise State rosters but that 2010 Wisconsin Badger team was no pushover! Although that BSU front seven was very good, Montee Ball and James White would have been just fine running behind that staggering lineman group. The kind of situations Boise State used to put themselves in also makes you think about what the CFP will do once it is expanded. We will get to see some of these dominant group of five schools matchup against CFB powerhouses, should be exciting! Good read!