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Boise State appears in control in WAC race

Nov 8, 2008 - 11:19 AM Utah State (2-7) at (10) Boise State (8-0), 2:00 pm EST

BOISE, Idaho (Ticker) -- Boise State is gathering momentum in a bid for its sixth Western Athletic Conference title in seven years.

Coming off a 49-0 victory over New Mexico State, the 10th-ranked Broncos look to move one step closer Saturday when they host Utah State.

Boise State, of course, has loftier goals as it is seeking a second appearance in a BCS bowl game in three years following its classic 43-42 double-overtime victory over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.

Boise State (8-0, 4-0 WAC) and fellow unbeaten Utah are the two non-BCS members battling for a spot in one of the five such games. The Utes are eighth in the latest BCS standings and the Broncos 10th.

Either team has to finish in the top 12 in the final rankings to be eligible, but only one will be picked even if both Utah and Boise State finish unbeaten. The BCS berth would likely go to the higher-ranked team.

The way the Broncos are playing, there may be nobody in the WAC capable of beating them.

Last week, Boise State registered six sacks and its first shutout of the season, limiting New Mexico State to only 150 yards. The Broncos have held six of their opponents this season under 10 points.

Freshman Kellen Moore passed for 246 yards and three touchdowns and Ian Johnson rushed for 61 yards and a score.

Johnson, the hero in the win over Boise State two years ago, rushed for his 52nd career touchdown, leaving him two shy of LaDainian Tomlinson for second on the all-time WAC list.

Utah State (2-7, 2-3) may be overmatched on Boise's blue turf, where the Broncos have won 17 straight.games - the second-longest active home winning streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Still, the Aggies did snap a four-game losing streak last week with a 30-14 victory over Hawaii. Utah State quarterback Diondre Borel passed for two touchdowns and accounted for more than 300 yards of total offense.

Last season, Boise State posted a 52-0 win at Utah State, which ended a 16-game losing streak the following week against New Mexico State.