Boise State offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin reiterated this morning that he would like to narrow the quarterback competition after the Broncos’ first scrimmage (Saturday) and pick a starter after the second scrimmage (Aug. 17).

Despite the best efforts of some reporters to get Harsin to install junior Bush Hamdan as the clear-cut leader, the offensive coordinator resisted.

Harsin might have a future in politics after walking that line delicately today.

It’s tough, however, not to be impressed with Hamdan. He excelled at the throws that garner attention from reporters and observers at practice — the deep balls. He threw several perfect strikes Tuesday, including a beautiful 40-yard post pattern to Vinny Perretta.

The coaches, on the other hand, study every throw and have a much better understanding of where the quarterbacks are.

That said, I’d be stunned if Hamdan is not the starter for the Broncos’ season opener against Weber State on Aug. 30. I wrote this spring that Hamdan should get the nod and I have seen — and heard — nothing to change that opinion.

While the quarterbacks must deal with the competition on the field, they also have obstacles off the field. Don’t think those factors aren’t at play as well.

“It’s tough, maybe even more so on our families at times. Do they come to games? What do you tell them?” Hamdan said.

“But if I focus on that stuff, that stuff is going to get me playing bad ball again. Like I said, spring was good time for me. I didn’t feel like I played great, I felt like I played better. All I worried about was each play. I didn’t worry about any of that other stuff.

“People back home want to know this and that. Just come out here, execute play by play and before you know it you’re putting together good drives and leading the team to good success.”

Harsin, who competed for the starting quarterback job in the fall of 1999 at Boise State, knows about the pressures from the outside. That’s why he urges his players to focus on what happens at practice and in team meetings.

“It’s hard not to get caught up into it. It takes a lot of discipline to know who you should talk to and not talk to. What’s going on out here is the truth,” he said.

Hamdan, for his part, is saying all the right things.

“I need to be ready for Weber State,” he said. “Everything I do, everything I even think about needs to get me closer to being able to lead this team against Weber State.”

Contact e-mail sports columnist Brian Murphy.