2006 record: 13-0, 8-0 (1st in WAC)
2006 bowl: Beat Oklahoma 43-42 in OT in Fiesta
2006 final AP/coaches' ranking: 5/6
Coach: Chris Peterson (13-0, 1 year, 6 at school)
Offensive coordinator: Bryan Harsin (2nd year, 7th at school)
Defensive coordinator: Justin Wilcox (2nd year, 4th at school)
Returning offensive starters: 5
Returning defensive starters: 7
Location: Boise, Idaho
Stadium: Bronco (artificial, 30,000)
Last league title: 2006
2007 schedule: [view]
2006 statistics: [view]

Offensive: It’s not often that a school like Boise State can produce the two most memorable plays of the college football season. But faster than you can say hook-and-ladder and Statue of Liberty, the Broncos entered America’s consciousness with a Fiesta Bowl upset of Oklahoma. Even though quarterback Jared Zabransky has moved on, the Broncos still have junior running back Ian Johnson (1,713 yards, 25 touchdowns). He’ll need to step it up — if that’s possible — until the quarterback position is resolved (senior Taylor Tharp and junior Bush Hamdan are the likely candidates) and the receiving corps receives an injection of new talent. There are few questions on the offensive line, where junior left tackle Ryan Clady is considered a top NFL prospect.

Defensive: Although not known for defense, the Broncos have their share of all-conference talents, particularly in the secondary, where senior safety Marty Tadman and sophomore cornerback Kyle Wilson are the standouts. Up front, there are a pair of offense-wreckers at defensive end in senior Nick Schlekeway and sophomore Mike T. Williams.

Specialists: The Broncos might use freshman Kyle Brotzman as the place-kicker and punter. They took a step back in overall special teams play last season, and Petersen wants that area shored up.

Game of the year Nov. 29, vs. Missouri at Kansas City It can’t possibly match last season’s scenario as a winner-take-all battle for the Big 12 North. But it’s bound to mean something, and Kansas wants revenge for having its unbeaten year spoiled by the Tigers.

Coaching: Chris Petersen’s star is rising. No doubt, he’ll be on the short list for larger schools each year. But he already knows you can be extremely happy at Boise State — hey, whatever happened to Dan Hawkins? — and he still hasn’t lost his first game.

Heisman Hopefuls: Johnson is definitely on the radar. But it still might take a minor miracle for him to win an invitation to New York — again showing the difference between BCS schools and the rest of the teams.

Overview: We hate clichés, but an obvious one is in order. What can Boise State do for an encore? How do you improve on the feel-good story of college football, an unheralded team that will probably be remembered more than the national champion. 

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