2008 record: 12-1, 8-0 (1st in WAC)  
2008 bowl: Lost to TCU 17-16 in Poinsettia
2008 final AP/coaches' ranking: 11/13
Coach: Chris Petersen (35-4, 4th year)
Offensive coordinator: Bryan Harsin (4th year)
Defensive coordinator: Justin Wilcox (4th year)
Returning offensive starters: 6
Returning defensive starters: 5
Location: Boise, Idaho
Stadium: Bronco Stadium (Blue AstroPlay; 30,000)
Last league title: 2008
2009 schedule: [view]
2009 roster: [view]
2008 statistics: [view]

Offensive: Boise State is settling in for the Kellen Moore era, anticipated to be a long and prosperous period for the program. Moore, the sophomore quarterback, completed 69.4 percent of his passes last season for 268.2 yards per game and 25 touchdowns. One year older and probably one year better, Moore will be throwing to some different targets after the skill positions underwent a minor makeover. Junior wide receivers Austin Pettis and Titus Young are expected to have prominent roles. For the first time in recent memory, there’s no Ian Johnson in the backfield. But junior Jeremy Avery, MVP of the Hawaii Bowl in 2007, has rushed for 1,286 yards on 214 career carries. The offensive line has three returning starters and six players with starting experience, but it was haunted by injuries. 

Defensive: It’s always good to have a standout secondary in the pass-happy WAC. Boise State happens to possess one of the nation’s best units. Senior cornerback Kyle Wilson, a potential All-American who considered entering the NFL draft, is the biggest star in a group that includes junior cornerback Brandyn Thompson and junior safety Jeron Johnson. Boise State now employs a hybrid-style defense, employing two linebackers and three safeties most of the time, so mix-and-match possibilities abound. Up front, the defensive line features junior Ryan Winterswyk (11.5 sacks) and sophomore Byron Hout at the ends. 

Specialists: Boise State has one of the best in junior place-kicker/punter Kyle Brotzman. He has an unconventional rollout style as a punter (but averages 45.8 yards per kick). In two seasons, he has converted 33 of 44 field-goal attempts and is perfect on 106 extra-point tries. Senior Kyle Wilson is one of the nation’s top punt-return men. Last season, he averaged 14.2 yards with three touchdowns.

Coaching: Chris Petersen has mastered the Us vs. Them mentality, constantly pushing Boise State to prove itself. Last season was perfect in nearly every way, except for the finish (17-16 bowl-game loss against TCU), so Petersen’s emphasis is in finishing the job.

Heisman Hopefuls: After an outstanding freshman season, Moore is on the national map. It may take a confluence of unlikely circumstances to earn the trip to New York, but he shouldn’t be a stranger to the preseason conversation.

Game of the year Sept. 3 vs. Oregon Here’s a big chance for the Broncos. It’s a BCS-buster’s delight — a prime-time opportunity for big-time attention. Boise State won last season at Oregon, 37-32.

Overview: The Broncos have an experienced lineup (despite, incredibly, having just five seniors on the roster) and all signs point to another surge for the Top 10. Boise State has a high-flying offensive reputation, but its defense (17 touchdowns allowed) was the real story of 2008. If the defense can maintain that standard, Boise State could go unbeaten.

Next up: No. 16 North Carolina

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