In this edition of ‘Who To Root For’, we look at Boise State Vs Arizona in the VIZIO Fiesta Bowl. Though this may be the least exhilarating of the New Year’s Six bowl games, it does have some intrigue in regards to West Coast football. First off, there is Pac-12 representative Arizona in the second highest bowl behind Oregon and then there is one of the best teams not on a Power 5 Conference, Boise State. Could this be a dud of a bowl game or one of he fiercest battles surrounding New Year’s Day?
Boise State Football
UCLA Bruins
Boise State has had to go up against a lot in the last decade since they have become relevant in college football. Though their former coach Chris Petersen left the mighty Mountain West team for the Pac-12, they have not skipped a beat after his exit. The Broncos have gone 11-2 this season, wrecking every team in their conference. While that is good to show Mountain West superiority, it does not say much for them getting an invite to one of the six biggest bowl games this season.
Boise State had the 76th toughest strength of schedule this season and really played no one of note. Sure they have a good win over BYU under their belt, but they also lost big to the best team they faced all season in Mississippi and stumbled against Air Force. Not much of a resume. The only reason the Broncos are in one of the top six bowls is because their conference has a tie-in with the major bowls and because they were the best of the “Group of Five” (mid-major conferences), they got the invite. Well that does not seem to go along with what the College Football Playoff committee was trying to do this season.
Boise State is clearly not one of the top twelve teams in the nation, their #20 ranking that the committee gave them proves that. Still, it could make for an interesting match-up, especially against a team that has has been an anomaly themselves.
Dec 6, 2014; Boise, ID, USA; Boise State Broncos celebrate their victory over the Fresno State Bulldogs to claim the Mountain West football championship at Albertsons Stadium. Boise State defeats Fresno State 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Football
Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez (left) celebrates as he leaves the field with cheerleader daughter Raquel Rodriguez following the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the 88th annual territorial cup at Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats defeated the Sun Devils 42-35 to win the Pac-12 south title. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
So does one root for College Football’s darlings in Boise State or do you #BackThePac with Arizona? Head coach Rich Rodriguez, in his third year, got the Wildcats to their first 10-win season since 1998. The Wildcats have done some incredible things this season, but they have also sloppy along the way. Sure, they were the only team to beat Oregon this season, but the also got smacked around by UCLA and USC. To add, they had several near-losses to UTSA, Nevada, Cal, Washington and Arizona State. Not exactly impressive, but at the end of the game, all that matters is the “W”.
Though Bruin fans can relish in the fact that UCLA beat a team playing in the New Year’s Six, it still stings a bit knowing that Arizona took over the South Division after the Bruins lost to Stanford. That sting goes deeper after Oregon throttled the Wildcats 51-13 in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Why? With a very bad loss in a Championship Game, there was hope UCLA might look more favorable in the committee’s eyes and get the invite to the Fiesta Bowl. No such luck and now UCLA is outside looking in.
So…