Boise State faces test against Virginia Tech

LANDOVER, Md. - No. 3 Boise State has in many ways never played a more important game than it will Monday night, when the Broncos face No. 10 Virginia Tech at FedEx Field.

For all Boise State has accomplished in the last decade - more wins than any major college team and two BCS victories - never before have the Broncos been a serious national championship contender.

That changes if Boise State beats the Hokies at the home of the Washington Redskins, a far from neutral field, far away from their home blue turf.

With a win, the Broncos take a giant first step toward becoming the first team from a conference without an automatic bid to the Bowl Championship Series to reach the BCS title game.

Of course, Boise State coach Chris Petersen wants nothing do with that subject - even though it's been topic No. 1 for Broncos fans since the clock struck 0:00 on their 17-10 Fiesta Bowl victory against TCU in January.

"In terms of a national title, so many things have to happen, even when you're in a BCS conference, let alone where we're sitting now," he said. "So we don't even go there. We just worry about the things we control. My mindset never wavers from that."

That's fine for Petersen, but it's almost impossible to look at the Broncos' schedule and not see grand possibilities if they start 1-0.

Boise State's remaining nonconference slate is at Wyoming and home against Oregon State and Toledo. The last time the Broncos lost a regular-season game on their home blue turf was 2001. As for their Western Athletic Conference opponents, well, the Broncos have lost one conference game in the last four seasons.

So from all angles, the Hokies look like the tallest hurdle between the Broncos and a third consecutive perfect regular season.

Virginia Tech has been one of the nation's best programs for more than a decade and once again the Hokies are one of the favorites in the Atlantic Coast Conference. With mobile quarterback Tyrod Taylor and star tailback Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech's offense should be dynamic.

Boise State's defense, which played its best against the best last season, will be tested.

The Hokies are rebuilding on defense, but defensive coordinator Bud Foster's crew is rarely a pushover.

On the strength of the TCU victory and 20 returning starters, Boise State begins this season with its best preseason rankings.

There's no need to convince Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer about Boise State's credentials.

"I'm nervous about this game," Beamer said, noting Boise State's experience advantage.

Kellen Moore can make opponents uneasy. The junior threw 39 touchdown passes and only three interceptions last year.