Meeting With the Enemy

Originally Published: Oct 5, 2009 3:19 PM CDT

Andrew Topps
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Tulsa coach Todd Graham is adhering to the old saying, “keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

Graham and his staff exchanged offensive ideas with Boise State’s coaching staff last season. The Golden Hurricane will host the sixth-ranked Broncos October 14 at 7 p.m. But neither knew those meetings during February 2008 would serve as an early scouting report for next Wednesday’s game.

“Naturally, we didn’t realize we’d be playing each other,” Graham said. “We naturally have a mutual respect for each other, and definitely have a lot of respect for what their programs done. We enjoyed spending a little time with them and talking a little football.”

The Golden Hurricane was supposed to play a two-game series with Texas Tech, but got out of it to play one game with Arkansas. As a result, TU used Boise to fill the hole on this year’s schedule.

Tulsa may be the last stumbling block for a Broncos team aiming for another BCS Bowl appearance. Aside from TU, Boise has just one team left on its schedule with a winning record.

The Broncos have had success against schools from Oklahoma. TU and Boise have played four times before while members of the Western Athletic Conference (2001-04). The last meeting came in Tulsa in 2004 as the No. 18 Broncos pulled out a 45-42 victory. The Broncos also beat OU 43-42 in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.