Boise State in BCS title game?

It’s a distinct possiblility given the Broncos’ preseason ranking and the schedule they have for the 2010 season.

ESPN’s College Football Live Preseason Poll is out and Boise State is ranked No. 3.

If Boise State can somehow get past Virginia Tech in the season opener — make no mistake about it, this will be as big a non-conference game as BSU has had since they got manhandled at Georgia a few years back — the Broncos have a very legitimate chance to run the table and land in the BCS Championship game.

The other games on BSU’s schedule include Oregon State and Toledo on the blue turf and a trip to Wyoming. The Beavers pose a threat, but Boise State hasn’t lost at home in about a million games, so don’t count on a loss there.

The WAC, however, really needs a team or four to step it up and crack the Top 25 this season in order for the league as a whole to gain any sense of similar legitimacy.

Nevada and Fresno State are distinct possibilities, but can’t stumble in their non-conference games.

The Bulldogs have a pretty tough schedule with non-conference games at Ole Miss while Cincinnati and Illinois visit Fresno.

Nevada and it’s high-powered offense travels to BYU and UNLV while hosting Cal and Colorado State.

Someone, maybe Utah State, Louisiana Tech or Hawaii, needs to break through with a solid season for the conference’s sake, however.

A bowl game isn’t out of reach for either of those schools. But an 8-win season instead of a bowl-eligible 6-6 campaign would do wonders to help the WAC take a step forward.