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I stumbled across an interesting article on Yahoo! Sports this weekend. Now, apparently, frequent BCS crasher Boise State is looking for a quality opponent in 2011. I find this interesting because... say, the Buckeyes are looking for an opponent in 2011. I'm not sure what quality of opponent they are looking for. If you read my previous commentary on the Buckeyes’ scheduling, you know I don't hold a lot of faith in Ohio State actually scheduling somebody outside of the Sun Belt or MAC for its date on October 15, 2011.

"BCS crasher Boise State is looking for a quality opponent in 2011. Say, the BUCKEYES are looking for an opponent in 2011...."

However, this article by Dan Wetzel gives me hope. And I think, Buckeye Nation, that you know why. But first, a little background....

Boise State athletics director Gene Bleymaier really, really wants a quality opponent for his Boise State University Broncos in 2011. Apparently, he has made a sweet offer: he will bring Boise State on a road game to any stadium to play a marquee team in 2011. What does he want in return?

Nothing. The marquee team the Broncos play in 2011 does not even have to play on the Broncos’ infamous blue field in return. Why is he doing this? Well, why would any non-BCS school that manages go undefeated in the regular season do such a thing?

Here’s why: Look at Boise State now. Look at the unbeaten Utah team from 2008. Look at Boise State's unbeaten team from 2006. Look at Marshall's unbeaten team from 1999. What did all the teams have in common? They were all unbeaten, and they all missed a shot at the title game. Why was that?

Boise State's AD will send the Broncos to any stadium to play a marquee team in 2011. That team does not even have to play on the Broncos’ infamous blue field in return.

Well, that's the other thing they all have in common: As far as college football is concerned, those teams have the street cred of Barney the Dinosaur.

None of those teams played anybody. So, Boise State wants to fix that. Why isn't anybody taking it? It's a good question. Let's face it, Boise State has to pray everyone above them loses, and probably ask for a couple more miracles in between, just to get into a title game this year.

Now, do I think Boise State deserves be playing for a national championship this year? Hell, no. The Broncos have as much of an argument as TCU in the mighty Mountain West Conference, and Cincinnati in the Big East. The only reason Cincinnati is a threat to create the most boring National Championship Game in the history of the BCS, is that they are in a BCS conference (technically, anyway).

So, how can our Buckeyes help? Well, I am suggesting that OSU Athletics Director Gene Smith give Mr. Bleymaier a call. Here is why:

1)      Buckeye fans, you all know as well as I do that you will never take Boise State seriously until they start playing some BCS teams in non-conference play. Boise State probably has maybe one decent non-conference team on its schedule so far for 2011, and that is Utah (the others are Wyoming and Tulsa at home, and a road game at Toledo). Utah is not in a BCS conference, so you probably won't respect Boise State if they beat them either.

2)      You know no one is going to take Ohio State seriously until they beat some good teams in non-conference play.

3)      Ohio State needs another marquee opponent for 2011. We all know the University of Miami is not going to cut it for OSU’s strength of schedule unless the Big 10 shows improvement on the national stage. While it is true that Boise State is not a member of a legitimate conference, you have to admit they have had strong performances in BCS bowls. Boise State is more than a good (if untested) football team in a bad conference. Boise State is a brand, and a game against the Broncos would be good attention, and would get the Buckeyes another nationally-televised game. You won't get that with a third MAC team, Alabama-Birmingham or Youngstown State.

4)      Ohio State can prove two very important things. By taking on Boise State, the Buckeyes can prove to the world that Boise State cannot hang with the BCS (if OSU wins). Plus, the OSU Athletics Department can prove to the rest of college football (and to their student-athletes on the field) that they are willing to put faith in their players’ talents by scheduling non-gimme teams outside of the Big Ten.

“If coaches had their druthers, they’d play sisters of the poor 11 times.” -- Boise State AD Gene Bleymaier

You don't see the University of Florida calling Boise State back, even with powerhouses like Florida Atlantic, UAB, and Furman on their schedule (you could argue SEC is tough enough to present problems, though). You don’t see Alabama racing to the phone, either (though at least having Penn State helps their strength of schedule, since Georgia Southern doesn’t). Cincinnati could jump on it (to counterweight Albany and Akron, and maybe Tennessee will be better by then).

These are just a few of this year's contenders who are apparently not interested in scheduling Boise State. Why not? Well, Wetzel mentions a few possibilities, one of them being fear, another of them being snobbery by BCS conferences. Basically, keeping them out of the mix for weak scheduling, but not giving the Broncos the opportunity to prove themselves.

In Wetzel's article, Bleymaier actually goes so far to say he thinks athletics directors consult with the coaches on scheduling, and the coaches balk at substantial games. “If coaches had their druthers, they’d play sisters of the poor 11 times,” he said.

Coach Tressel, are you going to let Gene Bleymaier say that about you? We all know Jim Tressel sometimes finds himself defending the (lack of) toughness on OSU’s schedule. He really shouldn't. Buckeye fans know better.

"If you’re not going to put a BCS team in that spot anyway... why not Boise State?"

Dr. Smith, I want to see this game. I really think a lot of Buckeye fans want to see this game. If you’re not going to put a BCS team in that spot anyway (and my money says you won't)... why not Boise State?

I’ll make it really easy. Here is Gene Bleymaier's bio and phone number from the Broncos website. Show college football that the Buckeyes are not afraid. Please make this happen.

Random Notes in College Football
Speaking of the threat presented by the University of Cincinnati in the BCS: After a close call against UConn, the Bearcats got leapfrogged (pardon the pun) by TCU. Can the Big East’s clout fall any farther? Really? I would be so mad if I were Cincy right now – passed by a team with an even less legitimate claim to a National Title shot than UC. If it’s any comfort, Bearcats fans, Utah should put all the TCU talk to rest this week.

Man, did the Northwestern Wildcats ever do the Buckeyes a favor! The Buckeyes can clinch at least a share of the Big Ten title with a win over Iowa on Saturday. Then, fans can start booking for the Buckeyes’ first trip to Pasadena since 1997.

Join the crusade to get Boise State on the Buckeyes’ schedule and share your thoughts below. Or, just share your thoughts below.

Tags: alabama crimson tide, bcs, boise state broncos, bowl championship series, buckeyes, cincinnati bearcats, cupcakes, florida gators, gene smith, jim tressel, ohio state football, scheduling, tcu horned frogs