Time has come for TCU, Boise State to shout out loud: We’re damn good!

It’s a nice concept, that humility creates confidence and wisdom. But it doesn’t get the football programs at Boise State and Texas Christian any closer to playing for a Bowl Championship Series title.

For that, coaches and players at the two best programs from nonautomatic qualifying leagues need to push out their chests and open their mouths.

They need to brag more.

I know. Most coaches would rather e-mail their game plans to opponents than have to stoop to the level of stumping for their teams. It’s usually the correct route to travel, allowing your team’s play on the field to define its worth.

It’s not the correct route anymore. Hasn’t been for some time.

Honesty isn’t a football coach’s greatest strength, one of the things they most have in common with politicians. But the truth needs to be heard now, because the time has long passed for those at Boise State and TCU to emphatically point out their deserved placement.

We’ve seen this horror movie before, and just as Freddy will always drag a slashed-up Tina across the ceiling and the shark will always use Quint as its own personal chew toy, the BCS system will always discover ways to keep those considered unworthy out of its championship.

Point being, what would be the harm of coaches and players from leagues such as the Western Athletic and Mountain West conferences calling out the system?

How could it possibly hurt them any more?

“I know exactly what you’re talking about,” said Brigham Young coach Bronco Mendenhall, whose team in recent seasons has found itself trying to earn a perfect record while wondering how hard to champion the cause. “I found it very difficult to go out and self-promote. Like most, I believe actions speak louder than words.

“Still, it’s a necessary but essential part of it, and right now, coaches from nonautomatic qualifying conferences are having to step outside in some instances to make sure their teams and players get the amount of attention they need and deserve. When we have a perfect system, that part will go away.”

It’s not a fair fight today, and the more a Chris Petersen from Boise State or a Gary Patterson from TCU refuses to engage in the argument, the stronger those on the side of downgrading nonautomatic qualifiers become when suggesting the Broncos or Horned Frogs shouldn’t be selected for the championship game ahead of a one-loss team from a BCS league.

I’m convinced some of the talking heads at ESPN and other national media services don’t even believe the garbage they preach, because it’s inconceivable to me that some who have played and coached at the highest levels of football can watch Boise State and TCU and not believe they are every bit as good as anyone else.

But they talk about Boise State’s schedule in the WAC and don’t mention Oregon has played one legitimate opponent (Stanford) or that Auburn has played just three road games and needed overtime to beat Clemson at home.

They rip the Broncos for allowing 20 points to Louisiana Tech but don’t mention Auburn allowed 26 to Arkansas State and 24 to Chattanooga.

They question TCU’s athleticism and yet forget the part about the Horned Frogs having allowed three touchdowns over more than 371 minutes and seven games.

You can sway an argument any way you choose, and sooner or later, opinions are going to be perceived as fact, and those who vote in polls that determine BCS standings are going to fall in line behind the talking heads.

If no one is disputing things on the other side, the horror movie continues.

“I think the Mountain West has spoken for itself, which is what we wanted and have now accomplished,” said Patterson, whose team ends the regular season with games against San Diego State and New Mexico. “Whether some want to admit it, they know who Utah is and who TCU is and who Boise State out of our conference is. Sometimes, you achieve without recognition and like it that way, simply knowing that people know.

“I think there is only one time you (politic for your team), and that’s in three weeks and only if we can win our next two ballgames. It’s going to be a moot issue if we can’t win these two games. I’ve seen strange things happen, so we don’t need to be part of the strange part of it.”

They should. It might be too late in three weeks.

TCU and Boise State should be as strange as possible right now, bragging at every turn.

Seriously. What’s the downside?

Las Vegas Review-Journal sports columnist Ed Graney can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4618. He can be heard from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday and Thursday on “Monsters of the Midday,” Fox Sports Radio 920 AM.