Bronco Football Selected for Sports Illustrated Cover; Ranked No. 3 in Preseason Poll

BroncoSports: Bronco Football Selected for Sports Illustrated Cover; Ranked No. 3 in Preseason Poll

Boise State joins Alabama, Ohio State and Texas as the four teams to grace their respective region's cover for this year's college football preview issue. Seniors Ryan Winterswyk (defensive end), Brandyn Thompson (cornerback) and Jeron Johnson (safety) all appear on the cover.

The decision to select the Broncos came on the heels of their No. 3 national ranking by SI to start the 2010 season. Boise State trailed only No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Ohio State in the poll. In the team preview, SI.com staff writer Stewart Mandell writes: "With Boise State coming off its second undefeated season in four years, the college football world can no longer say it doesn't see the Broncos coming".

Mandell identifies junior quarterback Kellen Moore, senior wide receiver Austin Pettis and junior defensive tackle Billy Winn as Boise State's three players to watch to start the season. Moore was also recognized by SI as one of 10 Heisman Trophy contenders heading into the fall.

The praise didn't stop there for the Broncos, however, with the Boise State defensive unit also being featured by senior writer Austin Murphy in his article "Offense Takes a Hit". In the article, which talks about the outstanding defensive presence as Boise State, Alabama, Ohio State, Texas and TCU, Murphy writes "Alabama, Ohio State, Boise State and Texas all do defense a little differently, but the best teams all do it extremely well."

The Broncos, who ranked No. 5 in the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll, are currently in the middle of their annual fall camp preparing for the rapidly approaching season opener against No. 6 Virginia Tech. Boise State will meet the Hokies on Sept. 6 (Monday) at Fed Ex Field in Landover, M.D. The game is scheduled to air on ESPN at 8 p.m. (EST).