Burke will like that.

When did we join the SEC and who did we beat out for that 9 spot is what I need to know.

come on ppl look at those great destinations!  Alabama, New Mexico, Idaho, and Michigan; I mean how can you beat that. :) 

I'd love to see us play any bowl game against texas a&m. Doesn't matter where it is I'll be there. Could you imagine a halftime show with the 110 and the texas aggie band. I doubt there could be a better show from the two best bands representing their styles.

http://thesportsjury.com/20101112496/cfb/11-bowl-projections

This guy projects us out in Boise playing the Broncos on the blue turf. What do you guys think about a road game against a top 5 team?

For budget reasons, the university does not want us going to Boise.

If you're near a major TV market (e.g., NIU), sportswriters will wave your flag.  If you're in a major TV market (e.g., Temps), they will kiss it, run it up the highest pole and salute it. 

From bcsfootball.org
3. The champion of Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference, the Mountain West Conference, the Sun Belt Conference, or the Western Athletic Conference will earn an automatic berth in a BCS bowl game if either:

• A. Such team is ranked in the top 12 of the final BCS Standings, or,
• B. Such team is ranked in the top 16 of the final BCS Standings and its ranking in the final BCS Standings is higher than that of a champion of a conference that has an annual automatic berth in one of the BCS bowls.

It seems to me all Boise State has to do to get a BCS bowl is win the WAC and finish in the top 16 (considering not team from the Big East is going to be in the top 16) in the BCS, which should go hand-in-hand and basically be automatic.

And to be fair to Wes, a rule of the type that he mentioned does exist, but it does not apply to non-BCS conference schools:

Interesingly, that rule above was not spelled out in the past that it only applies to automatic qualifier teams. Taking the current BCS standings the teams would be; BCS Title game (Oregon vs. Auburn), Rose (TCU vs. Wisconsin), Sugar (LSU vs. Ohio State), Fiesta (Nebraska vs. Stanford), Orange (Pittsburgh vs. Virginia Tech). Stanford #6 would likely get the nod over Boise State #4 and definitely over Oklahoma State #10. Stanford has Cal and Oregon State remaining, if they trip up in one of those games they'll be out and Boise State will be in. If Oregon State is the one to beat Stanford and that will give Boise a double bonus, one for Stanford falling behind them in the computer polls and one for the Oregon State victory looking better on the resume. Another thing to consider about Boise State is that part of the reason they lag TCU in the computers is because they've played less games so far and have 2 of the stronger teams in the WAC yet on the schedule, Nevada and Fresno State. Virginia Tech is also on the rise in the computer polls and projected to win out. I would say the odds of Boise State simply passing TCU are at least 50% with the 2 schools so close in the computer polls right now, and I'd give Boise another 25% chance on top of that if they finish behind TCU just because the Broncos are so high up there in the polls. Boise doesn't make a BCS game, they'll be going to the game in San Franscico as the WAC champion. Nevada can beat Boise and win the WAC sending Boise to the Humanitarian Bowl but Boise would then not be ranked #4 in the country. What I'm saying then is the idea of OHIO matching up with a #3 or #4 ticked off Boise team on their home turf for a bowl game is not possible. A one loss ranked #10 Boise State team in Boise would be possible but not a #3 Boise State in Boise for a variety of reasons. The odds are better actually for OHIO to play a #3/#4 ranked TCU team in the Las Vegas bowl since the PAC-10 won't be able to fill that bowl slot if they place 2 schools in the BCS. Again with TCU I think Stanford is the major threat to taking that last BCS bowl spot and Stanford is potentially vulnerable with Cal and Oregon State left on the schedule.

Being in Mobile was probably great, but the cost and the weird travel path to get there was a downside.  Just like Detroit is nice for cost and easy ability to get to, but its Detroit.  Idaho and New Mexico are probably nice places but they bring high cost of travel.

I did read that part. I just misunderstood it, I guess. I took it to mean that if two teams from say, the Mount West, met the crieteria, the second team did not automatically qualify. I didn't understand that all of the other conferences were grouped together as one in that statement, but it figures.