Question by Vicarious Cynic: Should Boise State be allowed to have Blue Turf? Doesn’t their home record indicate a significant advantage?
First off – I’m an Oregon Alum – stating my bias.
Second – I’m a college football fan, and I don’t understand why Boise State is allowed to have a turf color that is Blue. Seems like a significant factor in the game. What if Miami went with Orange Turf? Or Ohio State wanted to use a Burgundy ball? Blue turf? Fine for the practice field – should not be allowed come game time.
Nuts – I know the rules allow them to, I’m really asking if that rule allows them to have an unfair competitive advantage.
Best answer:
Answer by froggy_logic
miami can have an orange feild if they want
ncaa would have an issue with a maroon ball for ohio st.
boise’s blue turf is not why their home record is so great. it has to do with the weak teams boise plays in and out of conferece every year and boise is in a non bcs conf. most bcs schools do not go to non bcs teams to play. Oregon is the only bcs school BSU has beaten i can remember?
BSU is still living off the fiesta bowl 4 years ago when they used 50 gimmick plays to beat oklahoma… but who hasn’t beaten OU in a bowl game?? bsu has beaten oregon twice and OU in the last 4 years. they are the most over hyped team west of notre dame
What do you think? Answer below!
If USC is allowed to pay players then sure, BSU should be able to have a blue field.
I am so glad the Ducks destroyed USC tonight.
Sure. The NCAA has never imposed any rules that state schools cannot install and play on colored (other than green) in their home stadiums.
Any other team in college football could install colored turf if they so desired. In fact, a second NCAA team, Div. II University of New Haven, plays on blue turf as well.
Now I’ve always hated Boise largely in part due to their Smurf Turf, as well as their arrogant, redneck fans. As a Montana fan growing up, I’ve always despised Boise State since their days in the Big Sky Conference, and remember watching my Grizzlies go down and get spanked in Boise on that infernal blue mat every two years.
And as a fellow Oregon alum and fan, I can tell you that my hatred for Boise and their Smurf Turf has not abated over the years. But as much as I despise Boise, they have the right to play on whatever color of field they choose, and I respect it, even though I can’t stand it and hate them for it.
EDIT: Just as you said, the rules allow them to have the blue turf, which means that any other team could put colored turf in their stadium if they so desired. It is an advantage for Boise to have blue turf, but it isn’t an unfair advantage, as Boise is beholden to the same rules as other schools when it comes to the turf color. As obnoxious as their blue carpet is, you have to credit BSU for having the audacity to install it and keep it despite the controversty.
At one time, Boise State did contemplate changing to a green field turf to replace their classic light blue astroturf from the 80′s.
Boise State’s other school color is orange, so they could match Miami and that would actually make future NCAA Football console games look more interesting to play.
If Ohio State needed a burgundy ball, then they’re better off kicking around buckeye nuts!
The only rule that specifies a color on the field is regarding the lines, which must be white. There is no rule regarding the color of the turf. If there was, Oregon might not be allowed to have their two-toned field. The NCAA is very in tune to things that create an advantage. If the blue turf really created an unfair advantage, then the rule would have been changed.
Ironically, the Chairman of the NCAA Football Rules Committee is your AD, Mike Bellotti.
As for Ohio State playing with a burgundy ball, rules specify the ball be made of leather and be a natural tan color. Having different ball colors would be an advantage for a team (particualry if the ball blended with their jersey colors).