Tuesday, October 21, 2008.

Not that there are lots of warts. But the people who calculate the spreads have gone over it every which way, and they've installed Boise State as just a seven-point favorite Friday night over a team that's never beaten the Broncos. They've seen a BSU offense that could be vulnerable against a San Jose State defense that ranks first in the WAC and 13th in the nation. And they have long enough memories to clue in on the monstrously close calls the Broncos had at Spartan Stadium during their undefeated regular seasons in 2004 and 2006. "This will be the biggest game we've played, without question," said coach Chris Petersen yesterday. He wasn't just saying that because it's the next one.

Even Petersen was a little surprised yesterday when Boise State kicker Kyle Brotzman earned his second straight WAC Player of the Week award on special teams after uncharacteristically missing two field goals. But the conference took note of Brotzman's punting, as he averaged 60 yards a punt on three boots. The Meridian sophomore also kicked his 90th consecutive extra point. No such surprise with the naming of Brandyn Thompson as WAC Defensive Player of the Week. Thompson's three interceptions took the air out of Hawaii's sails last Friday--they were all game-changing plays. He now has four picks on the season. His first came at Oregon, helping stave off the Ducks' fourth quarter rally in the Broncos' win at Autzen Stadium.

There's a lot of buzz around about the ESPN crew saying Bronco Stadium didn't seem to be as loud last Friday, despite a record crowd of 32,342. That was said during the first half, and that thought actually ran through my mind while there. But I feel it was out the window in the third quarter, when the throng was energized by the interceptions from Thompson and Jeron Johnson that set up BSU touchdowns. The noise rose appreciably on defensive downs, reaching its normal high decibels. Maybe fans were believing the 25-point spread at the outset. Or maybe they were disappointed in Hawaii's performance of the "ha'a", the pre-game war dance that has replaced the "haka" the Warriors executed two years ago on the blue turf. They did the haka much better.

If the BCS thing doesn't materialize for Boise State this year, what would happen if, come December 1, the Broncos have a choice between the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl and the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego? There's a scenario that could produce that decision. The WAC yesterday announced a two-year agreement with the Poinsettia Bowl to send a team to that game if the Pac-10 is unable to provide a seventh bowl-eligible squad. The WAC representative would play the second selection from the Mountain West, which could be BYU. Would the Broncos abandon the blue turf the way they did a year ago for the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl? That's not a conversation that needs to take place--unless the imperfect storm develops.

According to Scout.com, Boise State has its 14th commitment for the 2009 recruiting class, and he's a local--by way of Amsterdam. Geraldo Hiwat, the Capital High wide receiver who has 26 catches in the five games he's played for the Eagles, has accepted a scholarship offer from the Broncos. The 6-3 senior is one of five Dutch players competing in high school football here this year, with the other four competing for Boise High. Hiwat follows in the footsteps of Cedric Febis, who came from Holland to play American football for Bishop Kelly and is now a backup cornerback for the Broncos.

Anyone still dissing Boise State athletic director Gene Bleymaier's decision to ink a home-and-home series with Tulsa? Next year's game in the Golden Hurricane's house could be the non-BCS game of the year in the regular season. Tulsa burst into the rankings Sunday at 19th in the Coaches Poll and 22nd in AP after trouncing UTEP, 77-28. This Golden Hurricane offense is something to behold, leading the nation in total offense and scoring with a staggering 624 yards and 56 points a game. Quarterback David Johnson has already thrown 31 touchdown passes, and backup Jacob Bower out of Mountain View High can't wait to play the Broncos next year. Consensus among BCS watchers is that Tulsa, because of a soft schedule, won't be able to work its way into the Top 12. But--624 yards a game?

Now this from Mike Sorenson of the Deseret News in Salt Lake City: "The Mountain West Conference needs to grab that undefeated, nationally-ranked, blue-jersey-wearing school that is piling up points every week and also has a chance of cracking the BCS. That's right, the MWC needs to snatch up the University of Tulsa as fast as it can. You thought I was talking about Boise State?" Sorenson points to the Golden Hurricane's fan-pleasing offense (791 yards against UTEP), their larger TV market (No. 61 versus Boise at No. 112), and their proximity to Dallas-Fort Worth, giving TCU a travel partner. Never mind that this football success at Tulsa is a relatively recent phenomenon. And Tulsa is outside the consciousness of Mountain West fans.

There are some serious frequent flier miles being racked up between Glenns Ferry and Green Bay this season. Proof can be found in this week's issue of Sports Illustrated. The Packers' Lambeau Field has been named the NFL's top stadium by SI.com readers, and the story's accompanied by a photo in the magazine. And readily visible are six fans in the stands side-by-side in Korey Hall jerseys. Hall has returned to the Packers' starting lineup after missing three games with a knee injury. He had one reception from Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay's 34-14 win over the Colts Sunday, executing a beautiful hurdle to gain 11 yards. Hall also recovered a Packers fumble to save a drive, and his blocking in the running game was outstanding.

Prevailing talk in big league circles says Garret Anderson's days with the Angels are over. Anderson is the former Boise Hawk with the longest continuous run of major league services, having just finished his 15th year. But the Angels are faced with a $14 million option on him for 2009. Somebody should be interested in Anderson, though. At the age of 36, he still hit .293 this season with 15 homers and 84 runs batted in. Anderson goes back to the first year of the Hawks' affiliation with the Angels in 1990, also the first of manager Tom Kotchman's 11 seasons.

This Day In Sports...October 21, 2000:

Boise State opens the final season of Big West play with a 59-0 annihilation of North Texas, the Broncos' first shutout in 13 years. BSU outgained the Mean Green 583 yards to 162, with freshman tailback David Mikell rushing for 122 yards and three touchdowns--and freshman quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie throwing the first of his 82 career touchdown passes. The Broncos would go unbeaten in the Big West on their way to a second straight title and Humanitarian Bowl championship.

(Tom Scott hosts the Scott Slant segment Sunday nights at 10:30PM on KTVB's Sunday Sports Extra and anchors five sports segments each weekday on 1350 KTIK/The Ticket. He also handles color commentary on KTVB's telecasts of Boise State football.)

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