On the drive home this evening, I listen to the local sports radio station. Since Bobby Petrino was fired and JLS was brought in as the "interim" head coach, the discussion has been about who the Hogs can get next season. The popular choices are 1) Gary Patterson, 2) Kirby Smart, and 3) Chris Petersen. The local radio personality (Bo Mattingly) was talking to another personality (https://twitter.com/#!/DanWolken) about the issue. During the conversation, they centered on the development of Boise State as a program. They said that since Boise State recently had 6 players drafted into the NFL--it is no longer a 'scheme or gimmick school' but an actual, solid football program. Naturally, this made me think about the recent NFL draft debates that we've been having...and...I think that they're right.

Boise State got a ton of respect by winning big games on the brightest stages. However, folks in the SEC didn't buy it. They then continued to win big games...and people started to heap praise on Chris Petersen. After this last draft, now people down here are thinking that Boise plays "big boy" football. It's a very interesting adaptation, because if there's one program that all SEC teams hate (besides Ohio State) it's Boise.

Anyway--just a random thought. Getting players drafted into the NFL is evidence that you've got a big boy program. You have to have the other things first (winning big games on big stages)--hence the reason that Idaho and other schools like unto them aren't in consideration.