KTRV Fox 12 The Real Work Begins for Bronco Football
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Boise, Idaho -- The Broncos finally know for sure who their Fiesta Bowl opponent will be, and the team wasted no time getting to work in preparation for one of the biggest games in Boise State University history.
"We are getting ready to play a pretty big and important football game and we can't practice all the time. We will have our meetings as scheduled and practice two and a half hours a day," said BSU assistant football coach Jeff Choate.
Even though the team and coaches are getting prepared for the big game, this time of year poses some challenges. Not only is it finals week next week, but Christmas break is right around the corner.
"Coach (Chris) Petersen wanted the guys to hit the books and get caught up on school work the next couple of weeks here, and we'll just practice Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week and give them all next week off for finals," said Choate.
In three weeks, the team will begin its journey to Phoenix. They leave just one day after Christmas then they have a week until the actual game. During that time the team will encounter plenty of distractions.
"They will have bowl activities, but we will still go through our full two and a half hour practice. We'll still watch tape, so their days are still fairly full with football," said BSU offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin.
All that practice will prepare the Broncos to meet one of college football's greatest teams, the seven-time national champion the Oklahoma Sooners. Oklahoma goes into this game ranked seventh in the country and the Broncos are not too far behind at ninth.
"The film is coming in, they are obviously talented. Their size to speed ratio is better than anybody we have seen this year, so it will take a lot of work," said BSU defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox.
There's no question the game will be a challenge for the BSU, but its one they aren't afraid of.
"Our guys are excited and they always rise to the challenge in big games, and I don't expect that to be any different in this game," said Harsin.
