Over the next few weeks we're going to be taking a look at a few of the Pac-12 nonconference opponents a bit more closely in a series we'll call "Better know a noncon" in which we look at the most compelling storylines to follow for each team this offseason.
We've already looked at Michigan State and Texas A&M, two opponents that will prove to give the Pac-12 some interesting early-season storylines. Today we check out Boise State, better known as the school that Chris Petersen helped build. Petersen's Washington Huskies host Boise State on Sept. 4 in the season opener for both.
ON THE FIELD
Boise State was very good last season.
Pac-12 fans will remember (probably pretty well) how the Broncos took care of business against Arizona in the VIZIO Fiesta Bowl. And if you remember that, then consider that FOXSports.com is predicting that Boise State will be even better in 2015. There's a new offensive coordinator in town, but with nine returning offensive starters they should be in good hands.
The two big question marks are at quarterback and tailback. After spring it seemed like the Broncos had their answer at quarterback with Ryan Finley. But now Finley -- heir apparent to Grant Hedrick -- is facing two misdemeanor charges stemming from an April arrest; his pretrial hearing has been pushed back to July 10. Though there haven't been any public announcements (and we probably shouldn't expect anything anytime soon), if he is suspended the Broncos will be turning to a much younger, even less experienced QB.
Fortunately for the Boise State offense, it will be working with Marcus Henry, "the best center in football you probably have never heard of," according to ESPN.com's Alex Scarbrough.
As far as the defense goes, "The goal is to regain the conference's top spot in defense, a perch the Broncos have occupied frequently during their run of 10 top-25 seasons in 13 years," according to the Athlon preview on FOXSports.com.
USA Today's Paul Myerberg recently stopped by Boise to chat with the coaches who never take an offseason. It's a longer piece but definitely worth a look considering teams like Boise State are in such a difficult spot with the College Football Playoff.
OFF THE FIELD
If you're hoping to check this game out in person, you're two weeks too late; Boise State-Washington single-game tickets as were sold out by June 3. Washington will receive 3,500 tickets, which if they're able to sell completely will take up about 10 percent of the Broncos' stadium.
Boise State pulled in $5.3 million from the Mountain West Conference this past season and added another $4.1 million from the Broncos' appearance in the Fiesta Bowl. Per the Idaho Statesman, Boise State also brought in more than $2 million in TV bonus money.