As Told By A.S.

Author: Andrew Schlegel

Why isn't it possible for a team with a perfect season like Boise State to have a shot at the national title?

Strength of schedule is about the only variable that separates Boise State from the top teams, and it is still not much to build an argument around. The Broncos beat Oregon State (who beat USC) in addition to Hawaii, Utah and San Jose State, three more teams that won bowl games this season.

The Broncos came into the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl with a perfect 12-0 record, accompanying the number one Buckeyes as the only other undefeated team in the nation. They faced off against Oklahoma and won 43-42 in overtime to improve to 13-0.

This may, as Auburn learned in 2004, prove to be an unlucky number.

In one of the most exciting games of the season, Boise State proved to be as good as any team in the country, coming up big in the crucial moments of their most important game. They deserve to play the best team in the country.

Boise State began the Fiesta Bowl with two touchdown drives, coming out to a 14-0 lead. Even after the Sooners crawled back to within four points, the Broncos restored their lead to 18, showing that they deserve more respect for their perfect season.

Down 35-28 with under a minute left in the fourth quarter, Boise State employed a stunning 50-yard "hook-and-lateral" play on fourth-and-18 for a touchdown to force overtime.

In OT, the Sooners started by scoring off a 25-yard touchdown run, but the Broncos responded with another fourth down touchdown pass, this time from their second-string running back.

Instead of going for the extra point, like the Sooners, the Broncos put the game on the line and went for the win with the two-point conversion.

The Broncos' quarterback, Jared Zabransky, looked at three wide receivers to his right, then, with his best Statue of Liberty impression, handed the ball behind his back to his tailback Ian Johnson, who raced untouched into the end zone.

Not only was the game high-scoring, but the Broncos executed plays that are almost never used, to perfection. They showed that they are a quality football team.

After this huge win, the Boise State players believe that they should be playing Ohio State for the national championship. And with Senior Jared Zabransky at quarterback, who, in his last college game, was named the offensive MVP after completing 19 of 29 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns, it is a tough argument to refute.