Boise State's Title Hopes Derailed For the Second Year in a Row ... By a Kicker

Boise 35, TCU 36. In Idaho. A stunner, for sure, and not just because TCU won it with a minute left when Gary Patterson elected to go for a 2-point conversion after pulling within 35-34. Then Boise State drove down the field – aided by a terrible pass interference call on 4th down – only to have their kicker shank a field goal wide right from 38 yards out. Boise State and Alabama’s undefeated seasons ended primarily thanks to horrible kickers.

[UPDATE: It has been pointed out that Kellen Moore, the terrific Boise State QB, has lost three games in his career … by a total of five points. In those three losses, Broncos’ kickers have missed five field goals.]

Last year, Boise was on track to possibly play its way into the National title game … when its kicker bricked a chip-shot field goal against Nevada that would have won the game in regulation. Said kicker then missed again in overtime.

And then there were three (teams that mattered): LSU, Stanford and Oklahoma State.