Point/Counterpoint: Is Southern Miss the biggest obstacle to an undefeated season for Boise State?

Mike Prater: With all due respect to Southern Miss, the obvious answer is no. Boise State's road trip to Hattiesburg will be a battle for three reasons: Southern Miss, with individual talent all over the roster, might be the best 2-3 team in the country. The Broncos always struggle in the South. And the point spread is too high. Still, I have no doubt that the Broncos win this game. I can't say the same for WAC games against San Jose State, Nevada and Fresno State.

Brian Murphy: This is the biggest obstacle - and that's because of the unknowns. You think the Broncos will struggle on the road at San Jose State for the third straight time? The coaching staff will have that one figured out. A loss to Fresno State on the blue with a BCS berth, or at least undefeated regular season, on the line? Don't think so. Nevada could give the Broncos trouble, but BSU knows what to expect. Against Southern Miss, with the travel and the Golden Eagles' unfamiliar personnel in the humidity of the South, there's just no telling what is going to happen.

MP: Unknowns? Not with this Boise State coaching staff, which doesn't believe in the unknown. You know as well as I do that coaches have prepared for everything. I don't believe in the humidity argument either - it'll be around 70 percent - which won't affect well-conditioned and well-prepared college football players.

BM: OK, will you buy the spread offense argument? The Broncos struggle against the spread when opponents can run and pass. Oregon doesn't count; the Ducks were one-dimensional. Southern Miss can put up points in a hurry with its offense and will be the toughest test the Broncos defense has faced so far.

MP: Southern Miss is averaging 31 points a game - against weak competition. That will not intimidate Boise State's defense. Don't get me wrong, Murph, the Golden Eagles (No. 88 in the Sagarin ratings) are pesky. But road trips to San Jose State (No. 78, Sagarin) are scary because of great coaching, solid athletes and a lame environment. And quarterback Colin Kaepernick at Nevada (No. 58, Sagarin) is one of the most dangerous players in college football.

BM: Given the unfamiliar environment, unfamiliar opponent and explosive offense, this could be one of the Broncos' toughest tests. Perhaps, because of the dominance of the WAC, I'm discounting some of the challenges that remain in league, but it really feels that this might be the toughest one left.