Boise State stands to lose exposure in MWC

Boise State didn’t surprise many observers when it made the move from Western Athletic Conference to the Mountain West Conference. But the MWC isn’t especially excited to have the Broncos, especially those who are sad to see Utah jump ship for the Pac 10. The trepidation is mutual however, Boise State could lose a great deal of its national exposure through the move, now that it will be unable to play its famed Friday night games under the lights on the blue turf televised on ESPN. These things happen when the big fish in a puddle jumps to be a small fish in a relatively small pond. - Las Vegas Review-Journal

Boise State joins Mountain West Conference

It’s a few days late but Boise State will become the 10th member of the Mountain West Conference. WAC commissioner Karl Benson told CBSSports.com Friday morning that the deal had been consummated. The Mountain West announced the deal a few minutes later. Mountain West presidents reportedly were ready to invite Boise at their league meetings on Monday until the possibility of grabbing Colorado became an option. When CU announced it was headed to the Pac-10 on Thursday that opened up the spot for Boise. The Broncos bring a 26-1 record the past two seasons that will count toward the MWC’s fight to become a BCS league. There are two more seasons to run on a four-year evaluation period. All conferences will be evaluated on average finish in the BCS and conference strength among other factors. The MWC believes it is close to what would be temporary BCS automatic qualifier status in 2012 and 2013. The MWC might not be done. Depending on how expansion shakes out, the league could be interested in taking in Big 12 castoffs that don’t make the cut in the Pac-10 or Big Ten. – CBSSports.com

Boise State move to the MWC could be worth millions

The Boise State athletic department could collect $2.6 million per year in additional revenue by joining the Mountain West Conference - more than double what the Broncos netted from their appearance in the 2010 Fiesta Bowl. The Mountain West earns more money from TV, the Bowl Championship Series, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and its own conference basketball tournament than the Western Athletic Conference, Boise State’s current home. The Mountain West presidents are expected to consider adding Boise State during their meetings Sunday through Tuesday in Jackson, Wyo. Expansion likely will be addressed Monday. – Idaho Statesman

Boise State to the Mountain West?

The Mountain West Conference presidents meet next month, and there’s at least a decent chance that they will formally invite Boise State — if not immediately after the gathering, then before July 1. Here’s why: If the MWC wants Boise State’s performance in the 2008-10 seasons to be included in the formula that determines whether the MWC receives an automatic BCS bid for the next cycle of games — and it sure as heck does — then the Broncos must be a member of the MWC in 2011. And for them to be a member in 2011, they must be invited by July 1, 2010. – San Jose Mercury News

Boise State’s Chris Peterson gets new deal

Boise State football coach Chris Petersen will receive a five-year contract worth more than $8 million if the State Board of Education approves the deal Thursday. Boise State announced the new contract Jan. 1 at the Fiesta Bowl, but didn’t release any details. Those details were released Monday as part of the State Board’s agenda for this week’s meeting in Moscow. The contract ends the practice of giving Petersen automatic raises based on the number of wins. Instead, his compensation is spelled out on a yearly basis except for possible bonuses. Also, Petersen will receive one-year extensions, at $50,000 more than the last existing contract year, each time the Broncos win eight games. That means he could have a perpetual five-year contract. The buyout runs through early 2015 and is for $650,000. – Idaho Statesman

Cal defensive coordinator heads to Boise State

Cal defensive coordinator Bob Gregory, in a surprising move, left the Bears on Wednesday to become a defensive assistant at Boise State. Gregory, 46, was one of coach Jeff Tedford’s original hires at Cal, in 2002. His departure came two weeks after Cal brought aboard a recruiting class ranked as high as No. 10 in the nation, including highly regarded defensive players. “This was Coach Gregory’s decision all the way to make what he feels is the best move for his family,” Tedford said in a statement. “I admire Bob as a professional and a friend.” Tedford’s reference to Gregory making the decision was noteworthy, given the likely public perception he was forced out. It’s curious to note Gregory was named a “defensive assistant” at Boise State and not defensive coordinator. – San Francisco Chronicle

Idaho AD refuses to board Boise St.-themed plane

The Boise State vs. Idaho rivalry has taken to some not-so-friendly skies. University of Idaho Athletic Director Rob Spear says he declined to board a Horizon Air flight after learning the airplane was painted in Boise State’s blue and orange colors. Spear was traveling to Boise on Saturday for fundraising events. He requested another flight and then drove about 90 miles north to fly from the Spokane, Wash., airport to Boise. Boise State and Horizon Air unveiled the plane, which sports the team logo on its tail, as an ode to the Broncos earlier this month. Spear says he’ll board the plane after Horizon Air paints an airplane for the Vandals, whose football team will try to beat the No. 6 Broncos this Saturday for the first time since 1998. – Idaho

Oregon coach Chip Kelly to reinstatement of LeGarette Blount?

University of Oregon football coach Chip Kelly has called a press conference for 11 a.m. Friday to discuss the possible reinstatement of LeGarette Blount to full participation with the Ducks’ football team. Blount, a senior running back, was suspended from play for the rest of the season after punching a Boise State player and attempting to go into the stands to confront hecklers after Oregon lost to the Broncos 19-8 on Sept. 3. – Statesman Journal

Paul Wulff Feeling Heat at Washington State

Paul Wulff, Washington State. Washington State has never competed for national titles, but in 2008, it got downright macabre. Wulff is only in his second season, but is not the losses themselves, but how they’ve lost. In year one, they gave up at least 39 points EIGHT times. Pac-10 contenders outscored them 257-45 . . .at Pullman. The One that could always be counted on is the Cougars being pesky in the Paloose. And try this one on for size. In four seasons under Bill Doba, the Cougars never surrendered 60 points. In 2008, four teams lit them up for that number, and two others scored 50+. The first two games of 2009 don’t give much hope. The Cougars opened with two home games and gave up 39 and 38 points. Should Wulff survive this year, he may be forced to make CO-Defensive Coordinators Chris Ball and Jody Sears walk the plank. Some Wulff advocates say it’s hard to recruit there, but that’s always been the case. Of course, Chris Petersen at Boise State isn’t making it any easier. - AC

Al Groh on Short Leash at Virginia

Now here comes TCU, which despite what we’ve seen from Boise State and BYU, could be the best non-BCS team. This game is a beatdown if there ever was one, right? These are also the type of games Groh’s teams have won in the past, including upsets of West Virginia (2002), Virginia Tech (2003), Florida State (2005) and Georgia Tech (2008). Lose Saturday, and the Cavs may not win again until October—and by that time, Richmond coach and former UVa defensive coordinator Mike London, will be the clear favorite for the job. – Sporting News