They are no longer the little football team that could. That flavor-of-the-month stuff? Forget about it.
No, Boise State, much like the Utah Utes a few years earlier, is a BCS-busting, win-streak riding juggernaut that — while playing in virtual obscurity — has shed pretty much all pretenses of being lightweights in the world of college football.
At least, that's what the Broncos hope is true.
"We all know how hard we worked last year," running back Ian Johnson told the Idaho Statesman. "The only reason we were as good as we were last year was because we worked 5 percent harder than we did the year before. We all have to understand you can't sit back and ride the wave."
Yet, the Broncos are still fighting for respect — even within the WAC, to a degree.
Despite having more wins than any other college football team since the end of the 1999 season, despite riding the longest win streak in the country and despite returning one of the NCAA's most exciting running backs, Boise State was picked to finish second in its own conference.
And that suits head coach Chris Peterson just fine. After all, dwelling on past victories — even if just a few months old — will get a team beat.
"Don't get me wrong," Petersen said. "We totally enjoyed last season, loved our experience, we were so happy to compete in the Fiesta Bowl. We'll remember those for a lifetime. But that was last season. It's time to move on."
Moving on means facing Weber State on Thursday night on Boise's famous blue turf.
The Wildcats are no strangers to Boise State. For a few decades, the Broncos were one of the Big Sky's premier programs. The two schools have played 29 times, with the Wildcats winning only seven.
The last meeting between the Broncos and Wildcats was back in 1997 and ended with a 24-7 home win for Boise State.
That year was the last losing season for the Broncos, who have posted six 10-win seasons and five consecutive WAC titles since then.
That recent history is all Weber State coach Ron McBride needs to stress the challenge his team will face in the season opener.
"Boise State might be the best football team I've ever coached against," McBride said. "I know they don't have as much history as you see with some of the teams out there, but right now, they're as good a program as you'll find in the country."
Johnson is on Heisman Award watch lists, scored 25 touchdowns in 2006, rushed for 1,713 yards and — oh, yeah — got the girl after leading Boise State past Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.
Though just a junior, Johnson is clearly the focal point of the talented Broncos. He's being asked to shoulder a little more of the load now that BSU is playing without quarterback Jared Zabransky.
Senior Taylor Tharp has been tabbed as the new starter in the pocket after waiting his turn.
"Anybody that thinks Boise State is just some flash-in-the-pan team is going to be surprised," McBride said. "These guys can play with anyone out there. I think they showed that last year against Oklahoma."
Weber State quarterback Jimmy Barnes is excited to begin his Wildcat career against such a high-caliber opponent.
"You can't ask for anything more than this," said Barnes, who has two of his former high school receivers playing for the Broncos. "We know we're going to have to play our best possible game. But that's what's great about it. We're going to be challenged right from the first snap and, as a football player, you can't ask for anything better than that."
On the air
Weber State at No. 24 Boise State
Thursday, 7 p.m.
Bronco Stadium
TV: None
Radio: 1430AM
E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com