It’s easy to see why the Boise State football team is a trendy pick to reach its fourth major bowl game in 2018.
The Broncos return 10 starters on defense, a veteran offensive line and one of the most valuable assets in college football, a four-year starter at quarterback (Brett Rypien). They also have the pedigree (three Fiesta Bowl wins), they get respect from poll voters and other influencers and they have four opponents who received votes in the preseason polls.
In fact, a six-writer panel at Athlon Sports unanimously picked the Broncos this summer to be the highest-ranked champion from the Group of Five conferences when the College Football Playoff selection committee prepares its final rankings in December.