From Boomer Sooner to the Smurf Turf, Fiesta matchup is a contrast

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Big-time bowl games are a birthright to the Oklahoma Sooners. If "Boomer Sooner" isn't echoing through a stadium in early January, it's been a bad year in Norman.<br/> <br/>Boise

Friday, December 29th 2006, 7:39 pm

By: News On 6

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Big-time bowl games are a birthright to the Oklahoma Sooners. If "Boomer Sooner" isn't echoing through a stadium in early January, it's been a bad year in Norman.

Boise State, however, still is trying to gain notice for something other than its "Smurf Turf," the Broncos' blue football field.

Monday night's Fiesta Bowl pits a powerhouse program against a pretender in a game that could show if the have-nots are worthy of a share of the big stage.

9th-ranked Boise State is 12-0 and one of two unbeaten teams in major college football, along with #1 Ohio State, but the Broncos had to win an uphill fight to make it to a Bowl Championship Series game.

The addition of a separate national championship game created two new BCS berths, and the Broncos earned one by finishing #8 in the BCS rankings.

The 7th-ranked Sooners are 11-2 and are saying all the right things about having healthy respect for Boise State.