BCS CHANCES

Boise State's victory at Utah State on Friday night did little to change the Bowl Championship Series picture, which is becoming quite clear - and dark - for the Broncos. If No. 4 TCU remains undefeated (and only 1-10 New Mexico stands in the Horned Frogs' way), then Boise State is competing with No. 11 Iowa or No. 13 Penn State and No. 12 Oklahoma State for two at-large spots in the BCS. It seems very likely that one of the Big Ten teams (probably Iowa) is going because of their ability to bring fans to bowl games, leaving Oklahoma State and Boise State. If Oklahoma State beats rival Oklahoma next week, the Fiesta Bowl will have to choose between the pair - pitting its relationship with the Big 12 against the attraction of an undefeated and higher-ranked Boise State team that served the Fiesta Bowl well. I'm betting on the relationship with the Big 12 (and the $4.5 million that would go to the conference if Oklahoma State gets picked) to win out. That means Boise State fans are big Oklahoma fans this weekend. If Oklahoma State loses, look for the Fiesta Bowl to match Iowa against the Broncos.

OFFENSE

Boise State put up 572 yards of total offense, even with quarterback Kellen Moore failing to complete 60 percent of his passes for the first time in his college career. Many of his throws were low percentage passes downfield as opposed to the short screen and quick pass game that Boise State typically utilizes. Moore completed 15-of-29 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown, not a bad "off" day. But it was the Broncos' running game that carried the night. Utah State tried to vary its defensive alignment to confuse the pass protection scheme, but in doing so left itself vulnerable to the run. Doug Martin and Jeremy Avery combined for 29 carries, 137 yards and six touchdowns in the win. Martin set a career high with 121 yards and Avery eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the season with his 116 in the game. Receiver Titus Young would have had a 100-yard game as well, if not for a penalty that wiped out an 80-yard touchdown run. Young had 102 yards receiving. Grade: A-

DEFENSE

Defensive end Shea McClellin had a diving interception to end Utah State's first possession and Ryan Winterswyk's fumble recovery in the second quarter helped fuel the rout. Utah State quarterback Diondre Borel did give the Broncos trouble with his scrambling, particularly his ability to extend plays with his feet and then find receivers downfield. As the game wore on, the Broncos did a better job containing Borel and catching him. Boise State finished with four sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Utah State used some zone-read option, something akin to what the Broncos are going to see this week against Nevada and elusive quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Stopping the Wolf Pack's No. 1-ranked rushing offense will present a slew of problems for Broncos defenders. Any additional practice they got against Utah State that helps prepare for Nevada is a bonus. Grade: A-

SPECIAL TEAMS

Utah State converted two fourth downs off fake punts. The second one led to a touchdown. Outside of that, it was a pretty uneventful game in the special teams department. Special teams have long been one of Boise State's greatest strengths and an advantage over most opponents, including Nevada. But the Wolf Pack dedicated a lot of time to getting better in the kicking game this off-season and the work had paid dividends. Nevada's special teams units are not the liability they have been in past years. Grade: C+

Brian Murphy