GLENDALE, Ariz. — There were two Boise States on the field on New Year’s Eve.
**The Conference Champion and the Underdog**
One was a conference champion living out a dream season. A team carried to the College Football Playoff on the back of star running back Ashton Jeanty, and a storied program atop the Group of 5 conferences once more.
The other Boise State was an outmanned G5 roster putting forth a valiant but futile effort against a better and more talented Penn State squad.
A Disappointing but Memorable Loss
Both versions coexisted in No. 3 Boise State’s 31-14 loss to No. 6 Penn State in the Playoff quarterfinals at the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday night. The first deserves to be celebrated. The latter provided Big Ten runner-up Penn State a seemingly easier path to the semifinals than Big Ten champion and No. 1 seed Oregon or SEC champion and No. 2 seed Georgia, and will further fuel the narrative that an imperfectly expanded Playoff needs to adjust its seeding format as soon as possible.
The Discussion on Seeding Format
For fans of the Group of 5, this outcome underscores a crucial flaw in the system. The fault in this Playoff formula, with byes going to the four highest-ranked conference champions, was obvious well before the teams were splashed across ESPN on Selection Sunday, including ninth-ranked Boise State jumping all the way to the No. 3 seed courtesy of a Mountain West championship. It created a bracket where No. 1 Oregon is set to face sixth-ranked Ohio State, which is seeded eighth, and No. 2 Georgia meets fifth-ranked Notre Dame, which is seeded seventh, on New Year’s Day.
A Legacy of Excellence
For the Broncos, a disappointing and frustrating performance won’t diminish a magical run. No, Jeanty did not break Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record, coming up 27 yards shy in his lowest rushing output of the season. No, the sport’s preeminent underdog couldn’t pull off yet another Fiesta Bowl upset, on the same field that hosted the program’s defining victories. But 2024 will go down as one of the most memorable seasons in the history of Boise State football.
The Coach’s Take
“I’m so proud of this team. It didn’t go our way tonight, but they re-established the standard in Boise to be a light on the hill, to the country, that had been lost for a little bit,” said head coach Spencer Danielson. “That’s a legacy that can never be taken from them.”
Conclusion
For the College Football Playoff, this loss will only add fuel to the debate about its seeding format. The top-ranked conference champions might not always be the best teams, and the current system leaves room for controversy and debate. However, the real takeaway is that Boise State had an incredible season, and their legacy will live on. The team will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the future, and their underdog story will be remembered for years to come.
FAQs
Q: What was the final score of the game?
A: No. 3 Boise State 14, No. 6 Penn State 31
Q: Who was the star running back for Boise State?
A: Ashton Jeanty
Q: What was the outcome of the game for Boise State?
A: A disappointing loss in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals
Q: What does this mean for the College Football Playoff’s seeding format?
A: It highlights a potential flaw in the system, with the top-ranked conference champions not always being the best teams, and the current system leaving room for controversy and debate.