10-27-2009

The Broncos are back at home on the blue turf this weekend in a conference game against San Jose State.

On paper, the game looks like a bloodletting with the Spartans averaging a paltry 16 points per game to the Broncos 40-plus average. The Broncos surley won't overlook the Spartans, but it's hard not to get excited when a team comes together like the Broncos have been lately.

Ignore the marginal victory over UC-Davis a few weeks ago, and the Broncos still show the signature flash and flair of their BCS-busting days. But don't even mention the BCS to head coach Chris Petersen for another five weeks. "There's still a lot of football to play," Pete said in his weekly press conference. When asked if he would lobby for his team if it came down to it at the end of the season, he replied with a smile on his face, "I'm not Mack Brown. And this isn't Texas." Period.

Petersen believes his team is good, but won't rely on a national poll to define just how good.

But if the Broncos want to play in a big-time bowl game come January, they will have to make a better impression of what kind of a team they really can be. A big win over San Jose State won't define them. But a sweep of their remaining WAC schedule, including games against Nevada (3-0 WAC) and Idaho (3-1 WAC), can only bolster their already reputable definition.

Kickoff for Saturday's game is set for 1 p.m. MDT at Bronco Stadium.