Boise State University is known for doing things its own way, tradition be damned. The playing surface at Bronco Stadium is coated in a blue material called "Smurf Turf," making it the only colored football field in the country. Maybe that stubborn pride explains why the school's football team, a rising mid-major conference champion with a chip on its shoulder, defied common wisdom, finished last season undefeated and captured the Fiesta Bowl crown with an overtime win for the ages. It's fitting the Idaho institution is represented by tough-talking mascot Buster Bronco, a reminder of the school's past when it was literally in the middle of cattle country and students rode horses to class. A lot has changed since then, but that frontier spirit still survives. Playboy.com broke it down with Buster and talked about one-upping mascot rivals, gator wrestling and why many girls want to take a ride.

Playboy.com: Since the BCS precludes the Boise State football team from going head-to-head with Florida, how do you feel about a Gator-Bronco mascot matchup to determine the national title?

Buster: Why not? Bring on the Gator! Though I've always been a little afraid of reptiles. They freak everyone out.

Playboy.com: How do you think you would do?

Buster: I'd hold my own. I'd need to get a good whack in before it got to my hind legs, but I could make it happen.

Playboy.com: What's exciting about Boise, besides the school?

Buster: There are plenty of things for a bronco to do. There are trails everywhere in the mountains and everybody seems to have extra hay. It's really a bronco dream come true.

Playboy.com: Did Idaho icon Napoleon Dynamite ever come to a football game?

Buster: A bunch of look-alikes did, but nobody who can dance like that boy. If he shows up, he's down on the sidelines for sure.

Playboy.com: What do you do to get the crowd hyped up at football games?

Buster: Our crowd just needs to take one look at a styling Bronco named Buster and they get hyped up. I usually hang pretty close to the cheerleaders as well.

Playboy.com: What's your pre-game ritual?

Buster: I spend a lot of time grazing. I need to have that energy. Then I usually hit the players' pre-game meal, work my way to the officials' room for a little snack and then find the media buffet right before kick-off.

Playboy.com: What was your best moment as a mascot?

Buster: One of our big rivals is the Fresno State Bulldogs, and once we had an all-out brawl at the WAC Basketball Tournament. I got a pretty good kick in on the bulldog and he hasn't bothered me since. I did have to serve a one-game suspension for my actions, though.

Playboy.com: Do you get stained playing on the "Smurf Turf"?

Buster: Blue stains don't matter to me. That's our school color.

Playboy.com: Do you have any trademark moves?

Buster: The one-horse snag. It usually happens after an exciting play. I climb the fence to get into the crowd and end up snagging myself on the fence and toppling into the student section. First time it happened was an accident. Not anymore.

Playboy.com: Who is your biggest mascot rival? Have you ever gotten into a fight?

Buster: My biggest mascot rival is probably Joe Vandal from the University of Idaho. He always tries to jump on me and ride me around. But Boise State has gotten the last laugh in football and basketball for so many years running now, that it's not even worth fighting anymore.

Playboy.com: Do ladies love the Bronco?

Buster: You know what ladies say about horses.