Boise

Boise State seems poised to pull of an incredibly start to their 2010 season with a come from behind triumph 33-30 over Virginia Tech.

Boise is not a BCS school (BCS schools are automatically eligible for the BCS bowls if they win their respective conferences (such as the SEC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 10, ACC, Big East). Boise, out in the WAC, doesn't get much respect.

Since their conference tends to be kind of weak - compared to the larger conferences - they try to play a very difficult non-conference schedule, hence opening up against the number ten team in the land, Virginia Tech (Boise is ranked third). Now, the real pressure comes for Boise because - as a non-BCS school - losing this game would mean they were already out of the national title hunt.

But now they could run the table and have a shot at the national title, maybe. After all, they beat a strong Oregon team last year in their opener and went undefeated but finished second overall to Alabama.

I've been a sucker for Boise ever since I saw them play on their home field, which happens to have blue turf. It's the home of the Humanitarian Bowl. So I was always intrigued by that.

Then on the last night of my father's life, New Year's Day 2007, they played the greatest college football game ever, when they upset Oklahoma in the hook-and-ladder and statue of liberty game. We all gathered in the waiting room while Dad rested and watched the game. Dad would have been right there with us had he been able to.

So I've always had a soft spot for Boise.

Now, they might be able to actually prove themselves that they're legit enough to earn a national championship.