Lemme see if I’ve got this right — Boise State no longer wants to send its football teams to places where fans of the opposing school are mean to their players and visiting fans.

That’s the excuse for not wanting to continue its rivalry with Idaho — or at least to have to play every other year in Moscow — once BSU departs for the Mountain West Conference after this season.

Boise State football coach Chris Petersen usually says the politically correct thing, especially when talking about the Broncos and the Vandals — and especially when talking to the media up north. But when asked Monday at the WAC media days about continuing the series with Idaho, Petersen said, “Why would we (go to Moscow)? I don’t think our fans even like to go up there. Most of Idaho’s fans are in Boise anyway.’’

Then Boise State president Bob Kustra chimed in.

“I frankly don’t care whether we ever play ‘em again as long as it goes,’’ Kustra told the Idaho Statesman newspaper of Boise. “I don’t see any reason to do it in Boise, but if somebody sees a reason to do it in Boise, fine.

“I guess (Idaho football) coach (Robb) Akey would argue that if he upsets Boise State, then that’s a really big deal, but why is that to Boise State’s advantage?’’

C’MON, Boise State. Is it really that bad up here? If so, you are in for a real treat when you join the Mountain West Conference in 2011.

Utah will be walking through the “out” door to the Pac-10 at the same time you’re walking through the “in” door, so that’s one tough game each season you won’t have to play.

But there’s still BYU and TCU on the schedule every year. And whether their teams are any good or not, fans of Wyoming and New Mexico in particular get pretty excited before home games, and will be eagerly awaiting your visits to Laramie and Albuquerque.

REPORTEDLY, WHAT really bugs Kustra is when outsiders make fun of his school’s academics. He understands rival fans insult each other’s teams all the time, but when they start picking on something he actually has some influence on, well ... that’s why he doesn’t want any part of Vandal fans he refers to as “nasty” and “inebriated,” and says that’s why he and his wife no longer travel to Boise State’s games when they’re in Moscow.

“For me, this is not about football,” Kustra said. “For me, this is a cultural issue. It’s about fans having to learn how to treat other fans and universities. What bothers me more than anything else, is that the fans are not about denigrating our athletic program. ... What bothers me personally is the denigration of our academic programming. That’s what I simply can’t tolerate.”

Kustra was particularly peeved by a recent anti-BSU article in The Argonaut, the University of Idaho’s student newspaper, entitled “Who do we hate?”

M. Duane Nellis, president of the University of Idaho, said he was “disappointed” in Kustra’s comments as well as the Argonaut’s story, and hoped the rivalry could continue.

WAC commissioner Karl Benson met with Kustra the other day about his comments, but would not say what, if any, action was taken.

No word yet from the mayor of Boise. The mayor of Moscow has offered to host Kustra and his wife if they come up for the game. Even Idaho Governor Butch Otter felt compelled to weigh in on the matter.

“As a football fan and an Idahoan, I’d like to see the series continue,” Otter said in a statement. “As Governor, I have no authority, no role and no interest in micromanaging our universities’ football programs. That’s why we hire university presidents, athletic directors and coaches. I have every confidence that they’ll work things out.”

SADLY, CONTINUING the series for tradition’s sake is no longer a strong argument. Not when you look at Nebraska leaving the Big 12 and Oklahoma for the Big 10, the Rose Bowl not necessarily pitting the Pac-10 and Big 10 champions anymore.

Boise State has beaten Idaho 11 straight times, and like Akey has said, it’s Idaho’s job to make the game a rivalry again. And when strength of schedule means so much under the current BCS game, beating bad Idaho teams isn’t helping the Broncos reach their goal of playing in a national title game.

So if they don’t want to play the Vandals because it hurts their BCS hopes, fine. But if BSU wants to replace Idaho on the schedule with, say, Mid-American Conference teams, that excuse doesn’t fly either.

If Boise State wants to be considered one of the country’s elite teams — and it has put itself in position to do exactly that — do what the other elite teams do when they go on the road — show up, kick butt, don’t complain, go home.

If Kustra doesn’t like people bad-mouthing academics at his school, well, make the academics better. Academic figures can be twisted any way you want, but perception is usually reality.

SO IF Vandal fans put on their best behavior when Boise State visits Moscow on Nov. 12, will that change the Broncos’ mind? Perhaps coach Akey could host a barbecue for both teams the night before the game.

On game day, instead of dueling tailgate parties outside the Kibbie Dome, supporters of both teams could gather on Idaho’s practice field for a group hug and a sing-a-long.

When the game starts, Boise State could start by leaving its sledgehammer on the bus, and not having one of its players run out to midfield just before the game and slam the hammer into the Vandals’ “I” logo, like a Bronco did before the 2008 game.

Players from both teams could help each other up after tackles, and apologize after personal fouls and other penalties. After the game, players could exchange jerseys, like they do in that other sport of football.

And if that doesn’t help, well, hopefully Boise State will find a way to get excited about playing Toledo, or Bowling Green, or Miami of Ohio in future years, instead of the Vandals.

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via e-mail at mnelke@cdapress.com.