Boise State Being Overlooked in Big 12 By This Tiny University

In college athletics, conference expansion is everything right now and Boise State fans are eager to play in a larger conference--no matter where it's at or who is in it. The teams with the best chances of playing in major bowl games, landing major recruits, and getting major television exposure all belong to these larger "Power 5" conferences.

For years, even at their height, Boise State has taken heat for not having a difficult schedule and dancing right into a great record at the end of the season. Of course, losing in these conferences is no good for the same reasons--major programs and critics can say "you lose to WHO!?".

Now would be a great time for Boise State football to be in the Top 25 ranking conversation--unfortunately, that isn't the case.  The football team is fighting to be relevant in the Mountain West while Fresno State and Wyoming shine. So many conferences have realigned this year--the 'Pac-2', if you will, that consists of Oregon State and Washington State is up in limbo. Both teams are ranked--and their stock in football is at an all time high. A ranked Boise State sure would group them together nicely.

The Big 12 conference expansion rumors are beginning to bubble agains this week and despite the losses--confident fans and boosters in Boise say it's time for the Big 12 to give them a look.

Boise State fans may not like, however, that this small university is passing them up in the Big 12 spotlight

Do the Zags deserve to be "upgraded" before the Broncos? 

Television power is a big thing that often, Boise State hears it doesn't have enough of--but check out the insights on Gonzaga...

Only time will tell--but these conversations do feel more real than anything happening here in Boise. The Zags have played for two national championships over the last few years and the women's basketball team has seen just as much success.

Unlike Boise State, who still can't stack an impressive non-conference schedule, you will see Gonzaga agreeing to matchups against perennial powers like the University of Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, and Baylor.

These aren't just speculations--ESPN recently reported on the meeting between Gonzaga and the Big 12, stating that the Pac-12 and Big East are also interested. All three of these conferences are places Boise State would love to end up. Imagine a world where programs like Kansas, Baylor, BYU, and Texas Tech are regularly in the Pacific Northwest and skipping right over Boise...to go to Spokane?

By the way, Gonzaga has 1/3 of Boise State's enrollment.

Time to step it up, Boise--or you'll be left in the wind while Gonzaga becomes "the little guy" moving up to the big time conference.  Then again--maybe Boise State is better off in the Mountain West after all.