Most would say Boise State is the poster child for the Mountain West Conference. Most are surprised to know Boise State has yet to win a Mountain West championship outright. After total domination in the WAC, going 75-5 over 10 years, the Broncos have come close in the handful of years since the conference change. After a somewhat shocking exit of head coach Chris Petersen, Boise State had to look back to a former coordinator to take over the program. It'll be very interesting to see how the shift affects their on-field play. Almost unbeatable at home, you figure their best chance to lose is out on the road. A visit to Reno, Nevada may be a sleeper pick for an upset on October 4th. 

Key Games: The Broncos have to be on the shortlist of teams in the running for the top Non-Power 5 slot in one of the new "premier" bowl games with the exit of the BCS. The first step in reaching that game is a long trip to Atlanta the first week of the season to face an Ole Miss team that won't take Boise lightly. If the Broncos are able to pull the upset over a true top 20 team in the Rebels, Boise would easily be in driver's seat for the Non-Power 5 spot. 

The first goal for the Broncos should be a conference championship and the two most important games in conference are home games against Fresno State and Utah State. If they are able to win these games, hosting the championship game would give them an immense advantage over any visiting team on the smurf turf.