Still, the Broncos are 12-1, won the Mountain West title and live to be the underdog. They even designed a T-shirt around it. "I don't think any of our guys will be afraid of the challenge," Boise State offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said.

The Boise State defense gave up nearly 30 points a game in their first five games, but in their final eight games they have only allowed 17 points per game as the defense improved through out the year.