A Critical Factor in Tonight's Boise State at Oregon Game No One Is Talking About

The Boise State Broncos have been one of the toughest outs in college football for two decades. They've beaten Oklahoma and TCU in New Year's Six Bowls. They've dumped the Ducks three times, gone undefeated twice. Since 2000 they've won 14 conference championships, the winningest team in the West over that time, with 12 11-win seasons.

But this season the schedule requires head coach Spencer Danielson and his team to accomplish something that is very difficult to do. They have to be road warriors on a scale that is nearly impossible.

Week one they traveled to Statesboro, Georgia to play a day game against the Georgia Southern Eagles. That required a 10-hour plane ride to Augusta followed by an hour bus trip to the Stadium.

Now, a week later, they're playing three time zones to the West in Eugene, Oregon.

It's an hour plane ride from Boise to Eugene, which isn't in itself difficult. But it's a shock to the system to play daytime in Georgia one week, then play a 7:00 P.M. Pacific contest a week later.

Night games are particularly difficult for the visitors. The team flies in the day before and has all day to sit around, attend meetings and wait for the game before a frenzied, well-lubricated crowd.

The Broncos are a solid team with a great running back. They have a long history of being well-coached and resilient. Logistically, however, this is a tough ask for any sports team, about as arduous as a two-week road trip can be.