Mailbag: The next Boise State is ...

Lively banter in the mailbag today. Many thanks to all who submitted questions and comments. Shall we begin?

Brandon Kanute of Hayden, Ala., writes: What makes a non-AQ school be a non-AQ school and do they have any say-so in this? I would think that all schools such as Boise and any other non-AQ schools would want to have a better shot at a great bowl or better chance of producing a Heisman. I just can't understand why, because everyone around the nation makes it seem like they are not deserving.

Andrea Adelson writes: It is all about conference affiliation, Brandon. Sure, Boise State would love a chance to join the Pac-12 or Big 12 or Big Ten, but the leagues are the ones that do the inviting. And the leagues decide who they want based on several factors, including who expands the geographic footprint and TV landscape (i.e., TV dollars). The schools are mere pawns in all of this, because it is the leagues, commissioners and to an extent university presidents who control who is labeled what.

Dan Hunt in Seattle writes: Ouch. My alma mater, the University of Idaho, has been for years and remains an all-sports member of the WAC.

Adelson writes: My humblest apologies for my embarrassing goof in my post on the new Mountain West membership.

Eric Fry in Hattiesburg, Miss., writes: Take a gander at this: my Southern Miss Golden Eagles went 8-4 this year, handing Central Florida their lone conference loss. Our four losses came to South Carolina (of course), UAB by one point in double OT, East Carolina by 1 point, and a 6 point shoot-out loss to Tulsa; we are 3 plays away from being 11-1. How long do you think it will take Southern Miss to join the ranks of respectable non-AQ teams not named Boise State, Utah or TCU, such as Central Florida and Nevada?

Adelson writes: First off, you have to stop by saying (of course) when you mention your games against top AQ opponents. Boise State, Utah and TCU have been known to win those games. So the first step is to win those games. The second step is to win those close games. Woulda, shoulda, coulda is all well and good, but the reality is Southern Miss is 8-4. The Golden Eagles are close, and I think will be in contention for the East next season, but establishing a series of undefeated or one-loss seasons is a must.

Aaron in Tampa writes: Adding Hawaii as a football-only member was a great move for the MWC, but I think their hopes of AQ status in the BCS for 2013 are shot. Even before losing BYU and Utah the conference was likely going to have to appeal to the Presidential Oversight Committee because of the weakness of the lower half of the members. Though TCU's numbers could still get the MWC before the committee, no unbiased panel would consider TCU's performance as an appropriate basis for awarding AQ status to the conference sans TCU. Given projected membership, I give the MWC 10 years before it's knocking on the door again.

Adelson writes: I tend to agree with you. I am not confident in the MWC getting AQ status for 2013 and 2014. But after this current cycle is up past 2014, it will be interesting to see how everyone is evaluated. Given the future state of the league, even 10 years may be optimistic.

Tony Nyborg of Mannford, Okla., writes: Do you think Tulsa has a chance of beating Hawaii on Hawaii's field? Who is the underdog, and by how much?

Adelson writes: Hawaii is a 10-point favorite. And, yes, Tulsa definitely has a chance. Interestingly, the over/under for this game is 73 -- second-highest behind the national championship game between Auburn and Oregon. You will have to tune in next week for my pick to win the game.

Preston in St. Paul, Minn., writes: Who is less qualified to lead their team: Al Golden or Derek Dooley? Both came from mediocre non-automatic qualifying teams - landing a gig at one of the most sought after coaching positions in college football. Personally, I think Dooley is less qualified considering how little he did at LA Tech.

Adelson writes: The fact that you are even calling Temple mediocre means Golden is more qualified. That program was beyond bad before he took over. It was absolutely dreadful. To have back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1978-79 speaks volumes to me about what he was able to do there. Don't forget, Temple beat Connecticut this year; Tennessee did not beat a team with a winning record.

Patrick in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, writes: What are Boise State's chances of another season like this one come next year? I know some key seniors are leaving, but do they have what it takes to be a BCS contender again?

Adelson writes: It's a good question, and one I have not thought too much about yet because the 2010 season is still going on. They do lose several key seniors, but several excellent players return, including Kellen Moore, and everyone on the D-line except Ryan Winterswyk. The secondary takes a hit, and so does the receiving corps. I also think playing in the Mountain West is going to be more difficult, though TCU loses a bunch of seniors as well. Let's talk in the spring.

Harrison in Orlando writes: How do you feel the recent hirings at Florida and Miami will affect UCF’s recruiting?

Adelson writes: I’m not sure if the hirings will affect UCF all that much, to be honest. I think those programs sell themselves first of all. Second, Al Golden and Will Muschamp are fantastic recruiters. UCF is just not in the same ballpark as FSU, UF and Miami right now but if the Knights continue to win and continue to be ranked in the Top 25, then perhaps they can pry away some of the best players in the state.

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