BOISE -- The Western Athletic Conference is using a Boise public relations firm to help push the Broncos into a big-money BCS Bowl game.
WAC Commissioner Karl Benson says Boise State is a top 10 team and he thinks they deserve a place in the BCS.
"They dominated the WAC and have made a name for themselves nationally," said Benson.
The Boise PR firm is Scott Peyron & Associates.
The firm will help promote the team as a legitimate participant in a BCS Bowl should they end the season undefeated.
Benson wouldn't say how much they're paying the firm, but did say the money is coming out of the WAC's operating budget for marketing.
"(This is) an attempt to show the media that Boise State, if they win out and maintain their current poll positions, they'd be worthy in one of the BCS games," said Benson.
Currently the Broncos are ranked 7th and Texas Christian University (TCU) is ranked 6th in the BCS poll.
You probably remember last season, the Broncos were undefeated and ranked number 9 in the BCS rankings, but since Utah was ranked ahead of them, Utah earned the BCS bowl spot.
If both TCU and BSU remain undefeated only the highest-ranked team is guaranteed a BCS berth and the other would be available for an at-large bid according to BCS rules.
"(We want) to show what Boise State has accomplished over the course of the last six years. It certainly would warrant selection in the at-large pool," said Benson.
Doug Cole with Scott Peyron & Associates says their job will be to keep in touch with local and nation media outlets.
Cole says they'll be providing statistics and helping to tell the story the WAC wants heard.
Cole and Benson say in no way are the lobbying pollsters.
They say they're simply bringing attention to how Boise State has dominated this season and in the past.
"In the last six years, again speculating that they would go undefeated this year, it would be the fourth time Boise State has gone undefeated, which is what no other school in the country can claim," said Benson.
Benson says Boise State has drawn national interest and they've cemented their creditability not only on the field but with a strong fan following and high television ratings.
The WAC did do something similar in 2007 to help Hawaii gain a bowl bid.
Hawaii went undefeated that year and they ended up being selected by the Sugar Bowl.
BSU athletic director Gene Bleymaier and BSU head football coach Chris Petersen were not available to comment.
