Boise State Won’t Play Arkansas in 2012, Why?
Boise State hasn’t played for a BCS national championship in part because of kickers and scheduling. There’s nothing Chris Petersen can do for his kickers in the clutch but he is capable of influencing Broncos opponents.
So it comes as a bit of a surprise that athletic director Mark Coyle told the Idaho Statesman “You’re going to hear all types of names, all types of games, but that (an Arkansas game) is not on our radar.”
The Razorbacks, with the changes to SEC schedules, need a non-conference opponent. Their rivalry with Texas A&M, now a fellow SEC West foe, likely moves to a home-and-home setup rather than clashing at Cowboys Stadium.
Bobby Petrino and the Arkansas staff obviously want to keep a game in Arlington for recruiting purposes.
Make it a high-profile one and both teams attract more attention, more recruits and more money.
So why is Boise State (looking for a 13th game as part of an NCAA exception for playing Hawaii) already nixing a potentially massive September tilt with Arkansas before an offer is made?
Perhaps the depth chart gives credence to the decision. The Broncos waved goodbye to a senior class in 2011 that finished their college careers 50-3.
Gone are Kellen Moore and his NCAA quarterback wins record. Gone is Doug Martin, his 1299 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns.
Returning?
Just six starters, which according to Phil Steele ranks 123rd, or dead last, in college football in 2012.
But this is Boise State, the former little guy crashing BCS bowls and desperately seeking a shot at the crystal football. Chris Petersen has seen players graduate only to watch their successors perform more successfully.
Is it money?
The Broncos received $1.4 million to open in Atlanta last season and lay a curb-stomping on Georgia. In 2014, Boise State again invades the Georgia Dome to face Ole Miss and benefit to the tune of $1.1 million.
If Jerry Jones and his fellow Razorback alums offer seven figures, how does the Broncos athletic department refuse?
Coyle mentions a home game as the likely alternative but the revenue and cache won’t eclipse a matchup with Arkansas at Cowboys Stadium.
The prevailing notion then?
Tyler Wilson is under center again for the Razorbacks. Bobby Petrino’s offense, perhaps elevated by the addition of freakish wideout Dorial Green-Beckham has explosive potential.
And taking a shellacking on national television, with a less experienced roster may dent the progress the Broncos will try to build.
But foregoing a game with Arkansas doesn’t seem like a Boise State or a Chris Petersen move.
Boise has accepted and performed in enough early season challenges to table the scared talk.
However, shelving this clash won’t change that mindset in Fayetteville.
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While I like the time in the schedule where this game would be played and think this would be a very taught game for a young Boise State squad I believe the reasons have to do more with another away game on the schedule, takes away the opportunity to get a espn home game show casing the Blue Turf.
Considering the amount of early travel by the Boise fan base and the need to retain there reputation of traveling well the last thing Boise State needs is to have it’s fan base chose between a trip to East Lansing where they can make a strong showing in the stands for the national media, trust me when I say Bronco Nation intends to send a message in East Lansing by showing up in droves in the very same state in which they feel they were put out by Michigans invite and poor showing of attendance at the Sugar bowl.
Weather the pick up a home in home deal with this extra game. Add in the the travel to Southern Miss I believe this is just to much travel to ask of not only a young team but the fan base as well.
Boise doesn’t fear the game I’m sure if Arkansas was willing to head up to Boise for the game it would be a go. No doubt Boise would be heavy under dogs in the game but what I think they are really trying to do is pick up another home game to reward the fan base and get another opportunity to show off the Blue Turf in a Nationally televised game on espn.
I have to agree with DarthProphet the fact that there will be a lot of travel in an economy that is tough is the main reason and I think BSU is looking for a game at home or even closer I think if we could get a Pac 12 team they would jump on it, Pac 12 home or away would be great I think a USC would be a great game but I don’t ever see USC ever playing us due to they don’t want to get beat by a non AQ school names BSU. GO BIG BLUE GO BSU!!
They Scared….
What I love is that ya’ll think that this is the first time BSU
anyways you think that this is the first time there was a possible challenge between these teams?… the last time it was Arkansas that backed out… that was the year they went undefeated… ain’t it funny how how it only makes news when someone from another team leaks the info. Chris Petersen has gone after several high ranked teams only to be turned down… even after trying to schedule the game on THEIR campus. So to reply to your BS comment about being scared… (NOT) My problem is why doesn’t he call out all the teams that have turned the Broncos down???
We are 2-0 against the Boise Smurfs, I was really looking forward to another matchup with these guys. If we did a 2 game series, in 2013 they would catch us breaking in a some new players and a new quarterback, so that would be a closer game. I think most of Razorback nation would welcome a home and home as well. But Jerry’s Death Star is the killer venue. Come on Boise come full circle to the team that gave you your first real shot (2000 38-31 Arkansas) but maybe this result is what’s scaring you: 2002 (9-4) Arkansas 41-14 (12-1) Boise St.
Lol bringing something up from 10 years ago? Wow you’re really stretching to make yourself feel better aren’t you. How cute!
Georgia also beat the crap out of BSU in 2005 or whatever, and then BSU played them again after BSU got good… and we all know how that turned out.
but THIS time Boise St would lose to a BCS school right? mmhmmm, just like every other game was going to be “the one” BSU finally loses against BCS teams after we got good.
calm down guy.
Arkansas had 8 wins over BCS schools in 2011, to 2 for Boise.
Arkansas hasn’t lost to a non-BCS school since…damn, I’m not sure. The Las Vegas bowl a decade ago? Boise loses to one nearly ever year.
Arkansas has more wins over BCS schools in their worst years than Boise does in their best.
In other words, quit bragging about beating BCS schools. It may make you think you’re a legitimate top 10 team to win 1-2 games a year against non-rent-a-wins, but it’s just sad to those of us who play real schedules.
Uhhh……pretty sure you dont play shit!
By the way can you guy’s just go ahead and send that SEC or Big 12 invite over BSU is ready to play a “real” schedule. No! Okay well then maybe a Pac 12 or Big 12 will work.
I sware the next time i hear a BSU needs to play a “real” schedule i am going to f’n lose it! You think Pete and the Broncos want to play in shit conferences? By the way try giving Peterson an SEC budget, SEC recruiting, with Mountain West Brains. BSU would do just fine.
im arkansas born & bred and naturally my 2 favorite teams are the hogs and whoever is playing the tennessee volunqueers. after that its big blue all the way and all my fellow hog fans better believe BSU don’t fear NOBODY.their biggest problem is getting most of the big boys to agree to play them. all of them talk big but most won’t sign on the bottom line because they don’t want no part of saying they lost to lowly boise state.if you want a comical example dig up the interview with the ol’ ball coach spurrier from a couple of years ago. he talks down about boise playing with the elite schools, but when asked would s. carolina agree to meet them on a neutral field he turned into the largest crawfish around. also ask dem sooners if they want any more. they done had their SMURFAGEDDON! another hog and bronco matchup would be a great game though.
I don’t want to believe that a Chris Peterson team would back down from any challenge due to it’s inability to compete on the field and I sure can’t believe with a scheduling change this early that trips couldn’t be arrange by their fan base. With the huge payout that comes with this game, I can’t believe it would be related to a problem for Bosie over it’s traveling expenses….. The truth is, Boise is back to its old self.. and that is being nothing more than a second tear team. It will remain at that level until they decide they want to take that next step by playing good teams year in and year out just like all the top tear teams do. Sometimes a good lose is better than a cupcake win.