Boise State running back Ian Johnson is still not happy about his lack of playing time in the Broncos' Hawaii Bowl loss to East Carolina. Johnson, who suffered a high ankle sprain in the week leading up to the game, had four carries for 11 yards in the 41-38 loss.

"I don't suit up if I can't play," Johnson told the media in Salt Lake City at the WAC Football Kickoff. "My number was never called. I told them at the beginning of the game I was ready. I try not show that much emotion. If they feel the best way to go is with someone else, I can be a little angry. I was asked if I was ready to go. I responded with, 'Yes, I'm 100 percent. They said, 'We'll call you when we need you.' "

Coaches felt that an injured Johnson was not their best option in the game.

The Broncos rushed for 98 yards on 24 carries in the game. Freshman tailback Jeremy Avery rushed for 69 yards on 10 carries to lead the team.

I'm sure coach Chris Petersen would rather not have to rehash the Hawaii Bowl, but it's a good sign that Johnson is still so fired up about it. His motivation level seems to be off the charts.

Which doesn't mean anything if he doesn't stay healthy.

• Petersen's take on the Hawaii Bowl loss: "I felt like we didn’t put our best foot forward for four quarters," he said.

Still think bowl games don't matter.

Fresno State is getting lots of preseason love — and could be ranked in the first AP and coaches' polls — in large part because of its victory against Georgia Tech in the Humanitarian Bowl.

Boise State won't be ranked in the first polls — and the loss to ECU has a lot to do with that.

Yes, the Bulldogs bring back 10 starters on offense. And yes, the Broncos have question marks at quarterback and offensive line. But those bowl games are playing a big, big role.

• Petersen on the QB race: "It's still pretty open."

Taylor Tharp's emergence last fall and his very good season (at least in most games) has made the Broncos more likely to wait and see where the QB race takes them. Had Tharp flopped, the Broncos would probably have named a starter by now, figuring they need the time to work with that No. 1 guy. But Tharp proved they could wait and still get good production out of the position.

And the deciding factor in determining a starter?

"Sometimes it comes down to practices, sometimes it comes down to scrimmages and sometimes it comes down to a gut feel. It's come down to all of that stuff since I've been at Boise State," Petersen said.