The Boise State Broncos have been one of the best non-Power Five programs for the past 15 years, but that’s not good enough for the ACC.
A report surfaced last week that stated that the ACC would now consider the BYU Cougars a non-conference Power Five opponent despite the school’s independent status.
While the Broncos have been just as good -- if not better than the Cougars -- on the field, their status won’t be be considered to fulfill the requirement.By the way, cleaning up my email, I did ask the ACC if Boise State would get the BYU exception to P5 scheduling rule. I was told no.
— Bronco Beat (@IDS_BroncoBeat) February 6, 2015
Originally, the ACC wasn’t going to count BYU. It then realized that would be a mistake since at least one program scheduled the Cougars for a future date. Who’s to say the same won’t happen for Boise State?
After all, two programs already scheduled three games against the Broncos in the coming years.
In the first four years of the ACC’s schedule rule requiring a P5 opponent, Boise State plays Virginia ('17) and Florida State ('19-20)
— Bronco Beat (@IDS_BroncoBeat) February 6, 2015
The biggest difference in this scenario is Boise State is affiliated with the Mountain Conference, while the ACC reached agreements with two independents in the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and BYU. Boise State obviously doesn’t bring the same national appeal or flexibility with its scheduling.