Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
By KEITH RIDLER Associated Press Writer
BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Boise State's first four opponents have posted a combined three wins, but the next foe looks far tougher.
On Saturday the Broncos will face Utah (3-1). The challenge of facing the Utes in Salt Lake City is of far more concern to Boise State coach Chris Petersen than a national ranking at this point.
The Broncos (4-0) moved up to No. 22 in this week's Associated Press poll after holding off Hawaii 41-34 at home on Saturday and now face their second Mountain West Conference team on the road this season.
"If you asked me going in, 'Who is the best team on the schedule?' it would have been Utah," Petersen said Monday.
"Our whole focus isn't on a great ranking, but playing a great Utah team."
Boise State escaped Wyoming with a 17-10 win on Sept. 16. The Broncos are 10-0 against Mountain West teams since 1996.
Only one of Boise State's previous opponents this season has a winning record -- and Oregon State's two wins have come against Division I-AA Eastern Washington and Idaho.
Boise State is facing increasingly better opponents, culminating with Utah, Petersen said.
"I think that it's been good that we've gotten a new challenge each week," he said.
Neither team is in a Bowl Championship Series conference, but a high enough national ranking at the end of the regular season could earn either a berth in a BCS game.
"We haven't gotten so caught up in that BCS bowl situation," Petersen said. "For us it's so early. But our players definitely know about Utah."
After Utah, the Broncos have a relatively favorable conference schedule, with their biggest hurdle a Nov. 1 matchup with Fresno State at home, where the Broncos have lost only twice in their last 50 games.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-09-25-06 1942MDT
