Why TCU and Boise State again?
You know, I don’t really get this bowl, why would the Fiesta Bowl take TCU and Boise State when they played last year. To me this does not make a lot of sense, but after some thought I did think about why they would do that.
Since the Fiesta Bowl is in Arizona, it makes sense to get the closest teams to ensure good ticket sales. TCU is of course in Texas, and Boise State is in Idaho, not too far from Arizona, so it makes sense to make this matchup.
A second idea is that these two teams are undefeated, and that alone ought to make for a good game, no doubt if you put these two undefeated teams together, it will draw a lot of attention. But outside of that, the rest of the logic makes no sense at all.
Folks, the BCS needed to make some attempt to show that they were willing to let the non BCS teams have some shot at an argument, but they completely dropped the ball on this one. Why would you put these two teams, who already played each other LAST YEAR, in the same bowl?
I personally felt that TCU got the shaft, because they deserve a better team than Boise State. Not spitting on BSU, because an undefeated team is a good one, but TCU has more of an argument than Boise State. I felt that TCU should play Florida, or maybe Cincinnati. For the Fiesta Bowl to put two non BCS teams together just did not make sense at all.
But again, it does make sense because of locale. Of the top 8 teams, these were the two closest to each other to get to Arizona. Many people seem to forget that after the National Championship is determined, the rest of the bowls have certain protocol and business goals they must meet…which of course means making money.
There are a lot of people split on how this should have been done, some think a playoff would have solved this but I am not really sure about this. I think there ought to be a Mountain West vs. WAC championship game anyway, and the winner ought to get strong consideration for a BCS Championship if they are undefeated. Does TCU deserve consideration… I think so. Does Boise State…I am not too sure. There is no question that of the undefeated left in the nation, that including Alabama, Texas, TCU, Cincinnati and Boist State, that BSU was the least of them….don’t tell me that warrants a playoffs.
And while we are on this, I saw some person talking about having a 16 team playoff…that is insane. Folks, when was the LAST TIME you saw a #16 ranked team that had a legit shot for a National Championship? That is foolish. I am not a big fan for playoffs, because nobody is considering the guidelines of such. Even now, we see that the playoff format isn’t satisfactory, since the NCAA is considering broadening the 65 teams in Basketball to 96...proving that a playoff format still does not solve the problem.
To me, IF you had to have a playoff, I think it should be of 4 teams… very rarely in the history of the NCAA was there in issue of some team ranked #8, #10 or #12 that had a legit shot at the National Title…so don’t start making that in issue.
So TCU and Boise State is in the top 6, to me if you want to determine the National Champs, round the corners of the conferences. ACC, Big 12, SEC all have conference championships, so do other conferences like Conference USA. Pac 10 does not have one, but they play everybody in the conference. Why not force all the other conferences to guarantee that they either have a conference championship, or if too small, to play every team in their own conference. This is not a problem for the Big East, but the Big 10 needs to conform.
And for non BCS conferences, we are really only talking about the Mountain West and the WAC…why not make them play a MWC/WAC championship for a shot for a National Championship, if both teams are undefeated? I mean, they were all in the same conference ANYWAY up until a few years ago when they broke apart.
So does this make sense for TCU to be playing Boise State…to me it does not answer the question about who the best teams are, and I think it is an injustice for two non BCS teams to have to play each other. I would have loved to see TCU vs. Florida or Cincinnati, and Boise State vs. the other. That would have pitted two non BCS teams against two BCS teams, to either prove of disprove the argument of playoffs.
I think the BCS dropped the ball here, but in reality, with business in mind, I think it was the best bowl they could give, considering location. Could Florida come across country to play in Arizona…I think so. Could Cincinnati…not really sure. But Idaho and Texas are closer, which explains why TCU and Boise State got the nod. This is something they need to fix before congress steps in…and it seems they have already done so.
As for me, I MIGHT watch the game, but I saw that last year, not really impressed to watch it unless I am just curious.
Showing posts with label Boise State. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boise State. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
2010 Sugar Bowl
2010 Sugar Bowl
It is still very early to determine who will be playing in the Sugar Bowl, but IF things hold its form, this is what we may be looking at:
If you are new to how this works, it is very complicated, but let’s try to make it as simple as possible.
The teams selected in the BCS Bowls are based off the BCS rankings, which were ONLY designed to determine the #1 and #2 teams…that is all. Don’t get fooled in thinking it was designed for anything else. Now, there are 5 BCS Bowls, starting with the National Championship game, then the other four bowls, Rose, Orange, Fiesta and Sugar.
Once the National Championship is determined, then the other major bowls get to pick who they want, depending on contractual obligations and ranking of selections. That gets a little complicated but I will touch on that in a sec.
This year, BCS will take place at the same local as the Rose Bowl, but it is NOT the Rose Bowl. IF the season ended today, Florida and Alabama would play in the National Championship…but that is a huge error.
We all know they MUST play each other in the SEC Championship, so there is no way they will both meet in the BCS Championships, right? One must lose, and the other moves on. For sake of argument, let’s say Florida wins. If they do, then the BCS Title game will likely be Florida vs. Texas.
So where does all the other teams fall, like Alabama, TCU, Cincinnati, Boise State, and others? Well, they fall based on the bowls they are contractually obligated to. For example, the Rose Bowl will take the best Pac-10 and Big 10 teams, which in this case would be Oregon (Pac 10) and Ohio State (Big 10). That is how it looks right now.
The other three have a rotating ranking system, and actually take turns each year on who picks first, second and third. This year the order is Orange, Fiesta and Sugar. That means the Orange Bowl gets to pick from the remaining teams, then Fiesta and finally Sugar.
So this year the Sugar Bowl is the last of the BCS bowl games to select who they wish to play in their bowl. This in theory says they should pick the #9 and #10 teams on the BCS standings, right? Wrong. That’s not how it works.
If we take a guess at who may be going where, we can assume at least at the moment that Florida plays Texas in the BCS Championship. That takes care of the SEC and Big 12 Conferences.
We assume that the Rose Bowl will take Oregon and Ohio State, taking care of the Pac-10 and Big 10 Conferences.
We believe the Orange Bowl, since it has the first selections of the remaining three bowls, will take Georgia Tech because they are contracted to take the ACC Champs, and will likely take Cincinnati for a great matchup.
That would take care of the ACC and Big East. So technically, all the major conferences are satisfied. But the BCS must also give a spot to the best non-BSC school, in this case, TCU.
Because the Fiesta Bowl picks next, they are normally obligated to take a Big 12 school, but with Texas in the BCS Title game, they are no longer bound to that. We think the Fiesta Bowl will take TCU and likely Alabama, and pass up on Boise State because BSU and TCU played in a bowl last year.
If this is the case, then the last of the major bowls would be the Sugar Bowl. They are normally contracted to have the SEC Champions, but with Florida in the BCS, they are no longer bound to that. They could select anyone they want…which brings in Boise State.
Ideally the Sugar Bowl would love to have Alabama, because it is closer for them, and it brings the SEC familiarity to the bowl game. But if Fiesta takes Alabama, then the Sugar Bowl has to consider who it wants…and most likely it would be Boise State. The question is if the fans can travel from Idaho to Louisiana…it is a bit further than Arizona.
The Sugar Bowl could take Boise State and one other team…how about LSU? That would be a great game, to have Boise State and LSU, or maybe Boise State plays Pittsburgh? But the assumption here is that Boise State is the lock, as I believe they should be, but is it more tempting to have LSU play Pittsburgh? Can Boise State draw in the east? That would be pretty interesting.
But if I had to put money on it, I would think the Sugar Bowl would take Boise State and SEC friend LSU.
It is still very early to determine who will be playing in the Sugar Bowl, but IF things hold its form, this is what we may be looking at:
If you are new to how this works, it is very complicated, but let’s try to make it as simple as possible.
The teams selected in the BCS Bowls are based off the BCS rankings, which were ONLY designed to determine the #1 and #2 teams…that is all. Don’t get fooled in thinking it was designed for anything else. Now, there are 5 BCS Bowls, starting with the National Championship game, then the other four bowls, Rose, Orange, Fiesta and Sugar.
Once the National Championship is determined, then the other major bowls get to pick who they want, depending on contractual obligations and ranking of selections. That gets a little complicated but I will touch on that in a sec.
This year, BCS will take place at the same local as the Rose Bowl, but it is NOT the Rose Bowl. IF the season ended today, Florida and Alabama would play in the National Championship…but that is a huge error.
We all know they MUST play each other in the SEC Championship, so there is no way they will both meet in the BCS Championships, right? One must lose, and the other moves on. For sake of argument, let’s say Florida wins. If they do, then the BCS Title game will likely be Florida vs. Texas.
So where does all the other teams fall, like Alabama, TCU, Cincinnati, Boise State, and others? Well, they fall based on the bowls they are contractually obligated to. For example, the Rose Bowl will take the best Pac-10 and Big 10 teams, which in this case would be Oregon (Pac 10) and Ohio State (Big 10). That is how it looks right now.
The other three have a rotating ranking system, and actually take turns each year on who picks first, second and third. This year the order is Orange, Fiesta and Sugar. That means the Orange Bowl gets to pick from the remaining teams, then Fiesta and finally Sugar.
So this year the Sugar Bowl is the last of the BCS bowl games to select who they wish to play in their bowl. This in theory says they should pick the #9 and #10 teams on the BCS standings, right? Wrong. That’s not how it works.
If we take a guess at who may be going where, we can assume at least at the moment that Florida plays Texas in the BCS Championship. That takes care of the SEC and Big 12 Conferences.
We assume that the Rose Bowl will take Oregon and Ohio State, taking care of the Pac-10 and Big 10 Conferences.
We believe the Orange Bowl, since it has the first selections of the remaining three bowls, will take Georgia Tech because they are contracted to take the ACC Champs, and will likely take Cincinnati for a great matchup.
That would take care of the ACC and Big East. So technically, all the major conferences are satisfied. But the BCS must also give a spot to the best non-BSC school, in this case, TCU.
Because the Fiesta Bowl picks next, they are normally obligated to take a Big 12 school, but with Texas in the BCS Title game, they are no longer bound to that. We think the Fiesta Bowl will take TCU and likely Alabama, and pass up on Boise State because BSU and TCU played in a bowl last year.
If this is the case, then the last of the major bowls would be the Sugar Bowl. They are normally contracted to have the SEC Champions, but with Florida in the BCS, they are no longer bound to that. They could select anyone they want…which brings in Boise State.
Ideally the Sugar Bowl would love to have Alabama, because it is closer for them, and it brings the SEC familiarity to the bowl game. But if Fiesta takes Alabama, then the Sugar Bowl has to consider who it wants…and most likely it would be Boise State. The question is if the fans can travel from Idaho to Louisiana…it is a bit further than Arizona.
The Sugar Bowl could take Boise State and one other team…how about LSU? That would be a great game, to have Boise State and LSU, or maybe Boise State plays Pittsburgh? But the assumption here is that Boise State is the lock, as I believe they should be, but is it more tempting to have LSU play Pittsburgh? Can Boise State draw in the east? That would be pretty interesting.
But if I had to put money on it, I would think the Sugar Bowl would take Boise State and SEC friend LSU.
Does EPSN Push Boise State/
Is ESPN Pushing for Boise State?
You know, I am as much a fan of the underdog as anybody else, my college is from the Southern Conference, and we have been underdogs for quite some time. And I understand in college football how so many like to pull for teams like TCU and Boise State because the could “crash” the BCS…but I gotta tell ya, some of this is getting down right stupid.
Why does ESPN and the guys there seem to feel that it is so righteous for Boise State to be in a National Championship? Again, I am not against BSU, but so often we try to force a situation without taking a hard look at the things around it.
Let’s get this straight right now folks, and we can debate this until eternity… Boise State is NOT the best team in college football…undefeated or not. They are also NOT the second best either. They are very good but NOT the best. It seems like it is getting to the point where Boise State is asking everybody to pity them, so they can either force a playoffs or be considered for the National Championship. But there are a lot of glaring problems with that.
First off, their schedule.
I said months ago and I say again, if you want to BE a champion, play a schedule like one. BSU can’t help the WAC schedule, but they CAN help games like UC Davis and Miami Ohio….BSU knew they needed to play a tougher schedule than that, and they choose not to. That’s their fault. Consider folks, TCU right now has a strong upper hand over Boise State for the Non-BCS team in the big bowls. And rightly so.
IF Boise State had scheduled maybe Colorado or some Big 12 team instead of UC Davis, and maybe Minnesota or Illinois instead of Miami OH, this would seem a stronger schedule. It is that strength of schedule that is hurting them. And don’t tell me that a perfect record is a worth a title shot alone…does ANYBODY remember Ball State from last year? Weren’t they like 12-0...what happened to them?
I thought so.
Second, the media keeps talking about “BCS Busters”. Technically that term isn’t accurate. The NCAA came up with 5 bowls, one being the National Championship, the other 4 available to the best of the BCS conferences, and a guaranteed slot for one of the other conferences that performs well. This means that there is a slot for a team like TCU and/or Boise State…meaning you are not BUSTING in anything. You have permission to enter IF you qualify. This year, at this very moment, TCU qualifies…and so does Boise State.
So IF these teams have qualified, they are not “Busting” in anything. Last night ESPN had the WAC Commissioner during the Boise State/Utah State game to try to get him to plead his case for Boise State. Personally I saw no need for him to do that, in my opinion, Boise State is CLEARLY in, if they are the #6 team in the nation. They WILL get a BCS bowl, but why was the guys for ESPN trying to create a controversy that they MIGHT not get in. This is foolishness and ignorance created by ESPN to stir the pot.
The WAC Commissioner made a point that Boise State ought to be considered because they demonstrated that the fans can travel, as in the case to the Fiesta Bowl… now folks, that was in Arizona, right? Check your maps and see how far Boise State is from Arizona….
That isn’t really saying so much, is it?
The selling point here seemed to be that Boise State can travel anywhere…I disagree. Remember folks, these bowls want teams that travel VERY well, or teams closer to the bowl. For that reason, I just can’t see Boise State in any circumstances going to the Orange Bowl…if I was a member of the Orange Bowl committee, I am just not convinced that they can travel in large numbers from Boise to Florida. Besides, I also think they deserve a better game than against Georgia Tech, you’d like to pit BSU against another undefeated team, right?
As it stands right now, before the games start, we can fairly assume that the Florida/Alabama winner will play Texas in the National Championship. Let’s just assume it will be Florida for the sake of argument. That means the National Championship is set, leaving the other 4 bowls.
We know the Rose Bowl will punk out and get their traditional teams, in this case the Pac 10 vs. Big 10. At this moment it looks like Oregon/Ohio State. So to this point, you have your SEC, Big 12, Big 10 and Pac 10 satisfied.
The Orange Bowl has a contractual commitment to the ACC, so Georgia Tech goes there. That makes 5 slots filled. This leaves the last 5 slots to Cincinnati as the Big East Champs, (at this point in time), TCU, Boise State, Alabama and one other team.
If it goes as I think it can, I think the Sugar Bowl will take Alabama, because it is closer to home. The Fiesta Bowl COULD take TCU and Boise State…but this could be a problem because they played last year… a repeat might not sell as well. So it might be hip for the Fiesta Bowl to take Cincinnati and TCU, and hope that Cincinnati can travel to the desert.
This could make a Sugar Bowl matchup with Alabama and Boise State, which would be interesting, leaving one slot open for the Orange Bowl. This brings in two other teams, LSU and Pittsburgh. Either could work, but if Pittsburgh loses to Cincinnati, then LSU could be the obvious choice, also being a little closer to Florida. After all the fans of LSU are familiar with Florida having played the Gators anyway….Pittsburgh could say the same about playing South Florida.
So in all this, not once has Boise State been excluded from the BCS Bowls. They are in at this moment, and squarely in. I think the Fiesta Bowl might not take them to play TCU because it is a show we have seen before, so Boise State COULD be snubbed from there to the Sugar Bowl…but I gotta tell ya, that sounds like a good bowl to me, an Alabama/Boise State game.
So all this yapping about ESPN trying to champion a cause…come on you guys, get off that. You don’t need to make a case for BSU, they are in the BCS. Stop creating the news, and just report it!
You know, I am as much a fan of the underdog as anybody else, my college is from the Southern Conference, and we have been underdogs for quite some time. And I understand in college football how so many like to pull for teams like TCU and Boise State because the could “crash” the BCS…but I gotta tell ya, some of this is getting down right stupid.
Why does ESPN and the guys there seem to feel that it is so righteous for Boise State to be in a National Championship? Again, I am not against BSU, but so often we try to force a situation without taking a hard look at the things around it.
Let’s get this straight right now folks, and we can debate this until eternity… Boise State is NOT the best team in college football…undefeated or not. They are also NOT the second best either. They are very good but NOT the best. It seems like it is getting to the point where Boise State is asking everybody to pity them, so they can either force a playoffs or be considered for the National Championship. But there are a lot of glaring problems with that.
First off, their schedule.
I said months ago and I say again, if you want to BE a champion, play a schedule like one. BSU can’t help the WAC schedule, but they CAN help games like UC Davis and Miami Ohio….BSU knew they needed to play a tougher schedule than that, and they choose not to. That’s their fault. Consider folks, TCU right now has a strong upper hand over Boise State for the Non-BCS team in the big bowls. And rightly so.
IF Boise State had scheduled maybe Colorado or some Big 12 team instead of UC Davis, and maybe Minnesota or Illinois instead of Miami OH, this would seem a stronger schedule. It is that strength of schedule that is hurting them. And don’t tell me that a perfect record is a worth a title shot alone…does ANYBODY remember Ball State from last year? Weren’t they like 12-0...what happened to them?
I thought so.
Second, the media keeps talking about “BCS Busters”. Technically that term isn’t accurate. The NCAA came up with 5 bowls, one being the National Championship, the other 4 available to the best of the BCS conferences, and a guaranteed slot for one of the other conferences that performs well. This means that there is a slot for a team like TCU and/or Boise State…meaning you are not BUSTING in anything. You have permission to enter IF you qualify. This year, at this very moment, TCU qualifies…and so does Boise State.
So IF these teams have qualified, they are not “Busting” in anything. Last night ESPN had the WAC Commissioner during the Boise State/Utah State game to try to get him to plead his case for Boise State. Personally I saw no need for him to do that, in my opinion, Boise State is CLEARLY in, if they are the #6 team in the nation. They WILL get a BCS bowl, but why was the guys for ESPN trying to create a controversy that they MIGHT not get in. This is foolishness and ignorance created by ESPN to stir the pot.
The WAC Commissioner made a point that Boise State ought to be considered because they demonstrated that the fans can travel, as in the case to the Fiesta Bowl… now folks, that was in Arizona, right? Check your maps and see how far Boise State is from Arizona….
That isn’t really saying so much, is it?
The selling point here seemed to be that Boise State can travel anywhere…I disagree. Remember folks, these bowls want teams that travel VERY well, or teams closer to the bowl. For that reason, I just can’t see Boise State in any circumstances going to the Orange Bowl…if I was a member of the Orange Bowl committee, I am just not convinced that they can travel in large numbers from Boise to Florida. Besides, I also think they deserve a better game than against Georgia Tech, you’d like to pit BSU against another undefeated team, right?
As it stands right now, before the games start, we can fairly assume that the Florida/Alabama winner will play Texas in the National Championship. Let’s just assume it will be Florida for the sake of argument. That means the National Championship is set, leaving the other 4 bowls.
We know the Rose Bowl will punk out and get their traditional teams, in this case the Pac 10 vs. Big 10. At this moment it looks like Oregon/Ohio State. So to this point, you have your SEC, Big 12, Big 10 and Pac 10 satisfied.
The Orange Bowl has a contractual commitment to the ACC, so Georgia Tech goes there. That makes 5 slots filled. This leaves the last 5 slots to Cincinnati as the Big East Champs, (at this point in time), TCU, Boise State, Alabama and one other team.
If it goes as I think it can, I think the Sugar Bowl will take Alabama, because it is closer to home. The Fiesta Bowl COULD take TCU and Boise State…but this could be a problem because they played last year… a repeat might not sell as well. So it might be hip for the Fiesta Bowl to take Cincinnati and TCU, and hope that Cincinnati can travel to the desert.
This could make a Sugar Bowl matchup with Alabama and Boise State, which would be interesting, leaving one slot open for the Orange Bowl. This brings in two other teams, LSU and Pittsburgh. Either could work, but if Pittsburgh loses to Cincinnati, then LSU could be the obvious choice, also being a little closer to Florida. After all the fans of LSU are familiar with Florida having played the Gators anyway….Pittsburgh could say the same about playing South Florida.
So in all this, not once has Boise State been excluded from the BCS Bowls. They are in at this moment, and squarely in. I think the Fiesta Bowl might not take them to play TCU because it is a show we have seen before, so Boise State COULD be snubbed from there to the Sugar Bowl…but I gotta tell ya, that sounds like a good bowl to me, an Alabama/Boise State game.
So all this yapping about ESPN trying to champion a cause…come on you guys, get off that. You don’t need to make a case for BSU, they are in the BCS. Stop creating the news, and just report it!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Is Boise State worth the ranking?
Where does Boise State rank now?
Ok, so there was that game last night where Boise State played Louisiana Tech… and won 45-35.
Are you impressed with Boise State?
Well, to me, I can’t say as much. Now don’t get me wrong, Boise State is a good team, no doubt about it. And they have won every game on their schedule, which includes a home game vs. Oregon. But where do they rank?
To me, Boise State should be ranked at LEAST below all undefeated teams in the nation, and I think there are at least 3 teams with one loss that should be ranked ahead of Boise State. Everybody likes to pull for the underdog, and with valid reasons, but the purpose of the top 25 is to put the best teams in line for a BCS Championship. Is Boise State one of those top two…not at all.
The strength of their schedule is severely lacking too. To struggle against a 3-6 team and win by 10 is laughable. That was last night’s game.
You spanked a 1-6 San Jose State team…big deal.
Scrubbed a 2-6 Hawaii team…ok, what else ya working on?
Tulsa was a nice team last year, but they are 4-4 now, and you beat them only by one touchdown.
Why did you play UC Davis?
Bowling Green is currently 4-5 and you beat them too.
But you did have a good win over Fresno State. They are 5-3 but have not been ranked anytime this year.
Miami OH is 1-9.…what’s up with that?
And of course, you started the season off beating Oregon.
Folks, I just cannot give the nod for a top 3 or top 5 team in Boise State if this is the level of competition they face. Only two teams at this moment have a winning record, and many of the others are bottom feeders. This does NOT make for a top 5 team, regardless of the record.
It’s funny because I hear media guys and gals talk about only the fact that they are undefeated…folks that does NOT determine your strength. Two of the last 4 games Boise State have are bottom feeders, but one could easily argue that Nevada and Idaho are benefiting from similar games. This does not make for a strong Boise State team, and last night showed that even against a losing team, they barely got the job done.
Is Boise State a top 10 team…of course they are. You cannot take away the fact that they are undefeated, AND that they beat Oregon. But folks, if Oregon wins out, and Boise State wins out, there is no argument that Oregon should be the better team.
The logic behind the idea that BSU beat Oregon is flawed because it’s not just the head on competition. If you use that same premise then Michigan ought to be ranked ahead of Notre Dame. Never mind that Michigan is 5-4, all that matters is that they beat Notre Dame, so they ought to be ranked higher, even if ND goes 10-2 and Michigan goes 5-7.
See how silly that sounds?
Oregon lost one game, but they have made up for it several times over by beating ranked foes. Boise State has not done so, in fact struggled against less than average teams. This does not make them a top 5 team, but I will not argue them being in the top 10. Now, if a lot of upsets happen today, they will , BY DEFAULT, slide up the rankings. But that does not mean they are better… remember Ole Miss…and Virginia Tech.
Certainly a BCS bowl is in the sights, but a national championship? Not really, not until they start playing higher caliber teams.
Ok, so there was that game last night where Boise State played Louisiana Tech… and won 45-35.
Are you impressed with Boise State?
Well, to me, I can’t say as much. Now don’t get me wrong, Boise State is a good team, no doubt about it. And they have won every game on their schedule, which includes a home game vs. Oregon. But where do they rank?
To me, Boise State should be ranked at LEAST below all undefeated teams in the nation, and I think there are at least 3 teams with one loss that should be ranked ahead of Boise State. Everybody likes to pull for the underdog, and with valid reasons, but the purpose of the top 25 is to put the best teams in line for a BCS Championship. Is Boise State one of those top two…not at all.
The strength of their schedule is severely lacking too. To struggle against a 3-6 team and win by 10 is laughable. That was last night’s game.
You spanked a 1-6 San Jose State team…big deal.
Scrubbed a 2-6 Hawaii team…ok, what else ya working on?
Tulsa was a nice team last year, but they are 4-4 now, and you beat them only by one touchdown.
Why did you play UC Davis?
Bowling Green is currently 4-5 and you beat them too.
But you did have a good win over Fresno State. They are 5-3 but have not been ranked anytime this year.
Miami OH is 1-9.…what’s up with that?
And of course, you started the season off beating Oregon.
Folks, I just cannot give the nod for a top 3 or top 5 team in Boise State if this is the level of competition they face. Only two teams at this moment have a winning record, and many of the others are bottom feeders. This does NOT make for a top 5 team, regardless of the record.
It’s funny because I hear media guys and gals talk about only the fact that they are undefeated…folks that does NOT determine your strength. Two of the last 4 games Boise State have are bottom feeders, but one could easily argue that Nevada and Idaho are benefiting from similar games. This does not make for a strong Boise State team, and last night showed that even against a losing team, they barely got the job done.
Is Boise State a top 10 team…of course they are. You cannot take away the fact that they are undefeated, AND that they beat Oregon. But folks, if Oregon wins out, and Boise State wins out, there is no argument that Oregon should be the better team.
The logic behind the idea that BSU beat Oregon is flawed because it’s not just the head on competition. If you use that same premise then Michigan ought to be ranked ahead of Notre Dame. Never mind that Michigan is 5-4, all that matters is that they beat Notre Dame, so they ought to be ranked higher, even if ND goes 10-2 and Michigan goes 5-7.
See how silly that sounds?
Oregon lost one game, but they have made up for it several times over by beating ranked foes. Boise State has not done so, in fact struggled against less than average teams. This does not make them a top 5 team, but I will not argue them being in the top 10. Now, if a lot of upsets happen today, they will , BY DEFAULT, slide up the rankings. But that does not mean they are better… remember Ole Miss…and Virginia Tech.
Certainly a BCS bowl is in the sights, but a national championship? Not really, not until they start playing higher caliber teams.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Is being undefeated enough for BCS?
Is being Undefeated enough?
You know, I was watching one of my favorite shows, “Around the Horn”, and there was a discussion with the panel about whether Boise State should be in the BCS Championship if they go undefeated. This on the heels of them barely beating Tulsa a couple of nights ago.
The discussion split the panel, in where two of the guys felt that it should not guarantee them into the BCS, and the other two felt that it should because if a team goes undefeated, they ought to be considered for a National Championship.
Pardon me, but I think the latter half of that is garbage.
The two columnists who think that can’t possibly be using logic. But it brings in the idea that simply winning all your games is enough to validate being one of the best teams in the nation.
Remind me how many games Ball State won last year…didn’t they go 12-0? They won every game in front of them, but let’s be brutally honest, do YOU really think they were a top 3, or top 5, or even top 10 team? Absolutely not.
Columnists Jackie Macmullen and Woody Paige (spelling may need checking), seem to agree that if Boise State goes undefeated, then they ought to have a shot at the BCS Championship. I could not disagree more.
This places a false sense of credibility ONLY on wins. For many people, the idea that wins is the ONLY factor is a major mistake, one that only the foolish would look at. The BCS National Championship is set aside for the BEST two teams in the nation… not the best looking records.
Woody and Jackie need to really study up on that.
You can have a pretty record and still not be in the top 10. Again, I bring to you Ball State, who beat everybody in their way last year, but because they came out of the Mid American Conference, few gave them real credit. In fact the realization of the truth actually had a very damaging effect on this team.
They found out that just because you have a perfect record does NOT guarantee you any conversation with the best in college football. In fact, once they realized the truth, it destroyed their faith in making a BCS, because they ended up not only losing in the conference championship game, not only in their post season bowl, not only their first game this year to a North Texas that was 1-11 this year…
They are currently 0-6.
It is a sad story about how crushing reality is when a team sees that perfection by records does not equate to greatness. To be sure, their record is indeed great, I give them all the credit in the world for finishing perfect in the regular season, but the rest of the nation will not do as much.
Such is the same for Boise State.
What has been proven is that being undefeated is not the only proof of greatness when it comes to a National Championship. Jackie and Woody seem to be totally ignorant on the fact that Boise State does not play a CHAMPIONSHIP level of competition. Because they don’t there is no way you can consider them for a BCS Championship simply based on the record.
Let me give you an example, and see if you agree:
Since Notre Dame is an Independent team, with no affiliations with any conference, they could set up their schedule thusly, with the team and last year’s record:
Army (3-9)
New Mexico State (2-9)
Idaho (2-10)
North Texas (1-11)
Mississippi State (4-8)
Washington State (2-11)
San Diego State (2-11)
Toledo (3-9)
Tulane (2-10)
Syracuse (3-9)
Iowa State (2-10)
Duke (4-8)
Now, what if Notre Dame beats all these teams and goes 12-0?
Would that make them one of the two best teams in the nation? After all, 5 of those wins would be from BCS Conferences, right? They would have beaten a team from every BCS conference except the Big 10.
I challenge you to believe that if a team played that type of schedule, and won every game, that they could possibly be considered a valid BCS contender. This is an argument that takes no account into the strength of schedule. Just winning your games is not enough to say that a perfect team deserves a BCS Title shot. There has to be credible wins to prove that you are indeed one of the best, not just because your record is nice and shiny, but that you BEAT quality opponents.
It’s like boxing, where lots of times you see guys with nice records like 15-0, with 14 knockouts, and you wonder why you never heard of them before. It’s because lots of times boxers like to build up a pretty record to get attention, but when it is time to prove it in the ring, often times they show that the record was based on soft competition.
Boise State does play a decent schedule, but don’t tell me that their perfect record is better than TCU, who has to play multiple ranked teams in a tougher conference than Boise State. Don’t tell me that the Broncos perfect record is better than Cincinnati, who comes out of a BCS conference, and beating multiple ranked teams.
It’s not enough to just win folks, you have to schedule the tough opponents so that your wins are credible. I believe that IF 8 out of the top 10 teams lose another game, and if Boise State continues to win, then they should get strong consideration for a BCS, but even then it’s not a lock. Do I believe they would be better than a Florida with one loss, or Alabama, or Texas (if they all lose during the season)?
Not at all.
Boise State is still in the mix, let’s not forget that, but as it stands now, their perfect record does not have a lot of strong competition, other than Oregon. That is a great win for the school, no doubt…but one good win does not make you great. And although they did beat Oklahoma…how long ago was that?
If you wanted to show that you were a true power, why didn’t they try to schedule Oklahoma during the regular season…I am sure the Sooners would have loved to have some “get back”. Or how about TCU, since they lost to them last year? There clearly have been opportunities for Boise State to step up and schedule tougher foes, but they have not. Until they do, they cannot be considered an “A” list team until they start beating them more regularly. Not once a year…but a few times a year.
So Boise State might go undefeated, and people will try to pull for the underdog…but remember why they are considered an underdog…it’s because they have not yet proven to be a BIG dog.
You know, I was watching one of my favorite shows, “Around the Horn”, and there was a discussion with the panel about whether Boise State should be in the BCS Championship if they go undefeated. This on the heels of them barely beating Tulsa a couple of nights ago.
The discussion split the panel, in where two of the guys felt that it should not guarantee them into the BCS, and the other two felt that it should because if a team goes undefeated, they ought to be considered for a National Championship.
Pardon me, but I think the latter half of that is garbage.
The two columnists who think that can’t possibly be using logic. But it brings in the idea that simply winning all your games is enough to validate being one of the best teams in the nation.
Remind me how many games Ball State won last year…didn’t they go 12-0? They won every game in front of them, but let’s be brutally honest, do YOU really think they were a top 3, or top 5, or even top 10 team? Absolutely not.
Columnists Jackie Macmullen and Woody Paige (spelling may need checking), seem to agree that if Boise State goes undefeated, then they ought to have a shot at the BCS Championship. I could not disagree more.
This places a false sense of credibility ONLY on wins. For many people, the idea that wins is the ONLY factor is a major mistake, one that only the foolish would look at. The BCS National Championship is set aside for the BEST two teams in the nation… not the best looking records.
Woody and Jackie need to really study up on that.
You can have a pretty record and still not be in the top 10. Again, I bring to you Ball State, who beat everybody in their way last year, but because they came out of the Mid American Conference, few gave them real credit. In fact the realization of the truth actually had a very damaging effect on this team.
They found out that just because you have a perfect record does NOT guarantee you any conversation with the best in college football. In fact, once they realized the truth, it destroyed their faith in making a BCS, because they ended up not only losing in the conference championship game, not only in their post season bowl, not only their first game this year to a North Texas that was 1-11 this year…
They are currently 0-6.
It is a sad story about how crushing reality is when a team sees that perfection by records does not equate to greatness. To be sure, their record is indeed great, I give them all the credit in the world for finishing perfect in the regular season, but the rest of the nation will not do as much.
Such is the same for Boise State.
What has been proven is that being undefeated is not the only proof of greatness when it comes to a National Championship. Jackie and Woody seem to be totally ignorant on the fact that Boise State does not play a CHAMPIONSHIP level of competition. Because they don’t there is no way you can consider them for a BCS Championship simply based on the record.
Let me give you an example, and see if you agree:
Since Notre Dame is an Independent team, with no affiliations with any conference, they could set up their schedule thusly, with the team and last year’s record:
Army (3-9)
New Mexico State (2-9)
Idaho (2-10)
North Texas (1-11)
Mississippi State (4-8)
Washington State (2-11)
San Diego State (2-11)
Toledo (3-9)
Tulane (2-10)
Syracuse (3-9)
Iowa State (2-10)
Duke (4-8)
Now, what if Notre Dame beats all these teams and goes 12-0?
Would that make them one of the two best teams in the nation? After all, 5 of those wins would be from BCS Conferences, right? They would have beaten a team from every BCS conference except the Big 10.
I challenge you to believe that if a team played that type of schedule, and won every game, that they could possibly be considered a valid BCS contender. This is an argument that takes no account into the strength of schedule. Just winning your games is not enough to say that a perfect team deserves a BCS Title shot. There has to be credible wins to prove that you are indeed one of the best, not just because your record is nice and shiny, but that you BEAT quality opponents.
It’s like boxing, where lots of times you see guys with nice records like 15-0, with 14 knockouts, and you wonder why you never heard of them before. It’s because lots of times boxers like to build up a pretty record to get attention, but when it is time to prove it in the ring, often times they show that the record was based on soft competition.
Boise State does play a decent schedule, but don’t tell me that their perfect record is better than TCU, who has to play multiple ranked teams in a tougher conference than Boise State. Don’t tell me that the Broncos perfect record is better than Cincinnati, who comes out of a BCS conference, and beating multiple ranked teams.
It’s not enough to just win folks, you have to schedule the tough opponents so that your wins are credible. I believe that IF 8 out of the top 10 teams lose another game, and if Boise State continues to win, then they should get strong consideration for a BCS, but even then it’s not a lock. Do I believe they would be better than a Florida with one loss, or Alabama, or Texas (if they all lose during the season)?
Not at all.
Boise State is still in the mix, let’s not forget that, but as it stands now, their perfect record does not have a lot of strong competition, other than Oregon. That is a great win for the school, no doubt…but one good win does not make you great. And although they did beat Oklahoma…how long ago was that?
If you wanted to show that you were a true power, why didn’t they try to schedule Oklahoma during the regular season…I am sure the Sooners would have loved to have some “get back”. Or how about TCU, since they lost to them last year? There clearly have been opportunities for Boise State to step up and schedule tougher foes, but they have not. Until they do, they cannot be considered an “A” list team until they start beating them more regularly. Not once a year…but a few times a year.
So Boise State might go undefeated, and people will try to pull for the underdog…but remember why they are considered an underdog…it’s because they have not yet proven to be a BIG dog.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Is Boise State worth a top 5 ranking?
Where should Boise State REALLY be ranked?
Is this REALLY the 5th best team in the nation?
And that’s what the top 25 is supposed to do, indicate the top teams, IN ORDER. That means whoever is the #1 team (in this case Florida at the moment) means they are the BEST team in the nation. There is debate about whether Texas or Alabama are the second best, and it dips a bit from there.
Last night on ESPN Boise State beat Tulsa 28-21. So the debate begins, is this really a top 5 team?
To me, to be a great team you have to have a schedule that indicates that you beat some quality teams. And lately many average non-BCS schools have been scheduling cupcakes out of the BCS conferences so they can say they “beat” teams out of the BCS conferences.
Folks, just because you beat Vanderbilt out of the SEC does not mean you get much more credibility for beating a BCS conference team. Just because you beat Duke from the ACC does not give you credibility for beating a BCS conference team. Now, you beat Virginia tech or LSU, THEN we are talking.
The heavy criticism on Boise State is that they shy away from doing what Fresno State commonly does…schedule anybody, anywhere at anytime. Last year the only real games on Boise State’s schedule was Oregon and Southern Miss, and to their credit they won both. But a perfect record out of the weak WAC does not make them a top 5 contender.
The same applies this year. Boise State, to their great credit, did beat Oregon…on their smurf turf, so that indeed is a quality win. Ok, fine…what have you done lately? The game last night was against a Tulsa team that is one of the best of the Conference USA, but Tulsa is still an average team. And does it look like they are pretty touchable this year? Lots of close games, even against average and below average opponents.
If you ask me if Boise State is better than USC, that answer is NO. If you asked me if they were better than Ohio State, I say NO. And the same if paired against Penn State, LSU, Iowa and Virginia Tech. Boise State does not play big time games week in and week out, but only schedule one big game a year. I mean, let’s be honest, they didn’t HAVE to schedule UC Davis or Miami Ohio, did they? The WAC conference schedule is weak enough, you didn’t bolster the schedule by putting them on.
Granted, the win over Oregon looks great now, but look at what happened after that game: Boise State goes on to play a sub par schedule, although still winning. Oregon goes on and knocks off top 20 Utah, and top 6 California…back to back.
To me, Oregon is the better team, at this point than Boise State. Why? Because the level of competition is far greater on Oregon’s side than Boise State. Yeah, I know Boise State beat Oregon, at home, but Oregon beat two ranked teams…at home.
I just can’t see Boise State as a top 5 team, they have not beaten enough teams to earn such a high mark. Top 10, maybe. There is no more quality games on their schedule, so the only way they are going to get respect is if more teams lose to give the Broncos some level of security. There are many one-loss teams that are better than Boise State, there might be a couple of 2 loss teams that can match up with Boise State.
But you can’t blame Boise State players…blame the AD. If you REALLY want to start an argument about Boise State and the BCS, schedule tougher teams. Drop UC Davis and pop in Missouri. Change Miami Oh for Wisconsin. Exchange Tulsa for Arkansas. These may not be the cream of the crop for their conferences, but they are no easy wins either. You do that, and sweep, then nobody can argue that Boise State deserves strong consideration for a BCS if they go perfect.
Or at least force more conversations for a playoff… which I am not in favor of.
Is this REALLY the 5th best team in the nation?
And that’s what the top 25 is supposed to do, indicate the top teams, IN ORDER. That means whoever is the #1 team (in this case Florida at the moment) means they are the BEST team in the nation. There is debate about whether Texas or Alabama are the second best, and it dips a bit from there.
Last night on ESPN Boise State beat Tulsa 28-21. So the debate begins, is this really a top 5 team?
To me, to be a great team you have to have a schedule that indicates that you beat some quality teams. And lately many average non-BCS schools have been scheduling cupcakes out of the BCS conferences so they can say they “beat” teams out of the BCS conferences.
Folks, just because you beat Vanderbilt out of the SEC does not mean you get much more credibility for beating a BCS conference team. Just because you beat Duke from the ACC does not give you credibility for beating a BCS conference team. Now, you beat Virginia tech or LSU, THEN we are talking.
The heavy criticism on Boise State is that they shy away from doing what Fresno State commonly does…schedule anybody, anywhere at anytime. Last year the only real games on Boise State’s schedule was Oregon and Southern Miss, and to their credit they won both. But a perfect record out of the weak WAC does not make them a top 5 contender.
The same applies this year. Boise State, to their great credit, did beat Oregon…on their smurf turf, so that indeed is a quality win. Ok, fine…what have you done lately? The game last night was against a Tulsa team that is one of the best of the Conference USA, but Tulsa is still an average team. And does it look like they are pretty touchable this year? Lots of close games, even against average and below average opponents.
If you ask me if Boise State is better than USC, that answer is NO. If you asked me if they were better than Ohio State, I say NO. And the same if paired against Penn State, LSU, Iowa and Virginia Tech. Boise State does not play big time games week in and week out, but only schedule one big game a year. I mean, let’s be honest, they didn’t HAVE to schedule UC Davis or Miami Ohio, did they? The WAC conference schedule is weak enough, you didn’t bolster the schedule by putting them on.
Granted, the win over Oregon looks great now, but look at what happened after that game: Boise State goes on to play a sub par schedule, although still winning. Oregon goes on and knocks off top 20 Utah, and top 6 California…back to back.
To me, Oregon is the better team, at this point than Boise State. Why? Because the level of competition is far greater on Oregon’s side than Boise State. Yeah, I know Boise State beat Oregon, at home, but Oregon beat two ranked teams…at home.
I just can’t see Boise State as a top 5 team, they have not beaten enough teams to earn such a high mark. Top 10, maybe. There is no more quality games on their schedule, so the only way they are going to get respect is if more teams lose to give the Broncos some level of security. There are many one-loss teams that are better than Boise State, there might be a couple of 2 loss teams that can match up with Boise State.
But you can’t blame Boise State players…blame the AD. If you REALLY want to start an argument about Boise State and the BCS, schedule tougher teams. Drop UC Davis and pop in Missouri. Change Miami Oh for Wisconsin. Exchange Tulsa for Arkansas. These may not be the cream of the crop for their conferences, but they are no easy wins either. You do that, and sweep, then nobody can argue that Boise State deserves strong consideration for a BCS if they go perfect.
Or at least force more conversations for a playoff… which I am not in favor of.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Boise State vs Fresno State 3rd quarter
Boise State vs. Fresno State: before the end
Speedblog
Ok, a quick blog to get something off my chest about this game.
Currently Boise State is in a dogfight with Fresno State, with 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, leading 34-24, but by the time I finish blogging this, the score could be much closer.
Before this final comes out, I want to spotlight a key play that could have turned this game into Fresno State’s favor…the kickoff.
In the third quarter, if you were watching the game, Fresno State kicks the ball off to Boise State, and the player catches it in the end zone…and proceeds to come out..
And runs 102 yards into the end zone! Touchdown….maybe not.
There was a block in the back by Boise State, but there was also a facemask against Fresno State. With both penalties offsetting, you had a re-kick. Now, this is where I think Fresno State dropped the ball:
If you just kicked the ball to a guy who ran 102 yards, guess what…he is DOG tired! With Fresno State having to re kick, the guys calling the game on ESPN suggested not to kick to this guy again…I strongly disagree.
You kick DIRECTLY to him, because he is extremely tired. This creates a better chance for maybe a turnover for Fresno State. But as I was watching this with my brother, they decided to kick away to him, to the other guy. I quickly said to him, “that’s a terrible idea, because that guy is fresh”.
And Boise State proceeds with that guy to get a HUGE gain on the kick return, setting up another score. And now with the score 34-27, that plays big time on how the results will come out.
It just didn’t make sense to me why you would kick AWAY from a dead tired player into the hands of a fresh one. Would it not have made sense to challenge that same guy who ran across the entire field to do it again. With him being that tired, your chances of a turnover is greater than with a guy that didn’t run full speed, across the length of the field.
But that’s something they may have to live with.
Mark my words, if Fresno State loses by less than one possession, they will regret that unwise decision. With under 2 minutes left in the third quarter, I still think it may be a matter of time before Fresno State sputters with the offense. Well, with a whole quarter to go, we will see.
End of third quarter, Boise State up 34-27...and that unwise decision on that kickoff makes the difference. The full result of that has yet to be determined….
Speedblog
Ok, a quick blog to get something off my chest about this game.
Currently Boise State is in a dogfight with Fresno State, with 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, leading 34-24, but by the time I finish blogging this, the score could be much closer.
Before this final comes out, I want to spotlight a key play that could have turned this game into Fresno State’s favor…the kickoff.
In the third quarter, if you were watching the game, Fresno State kicks the ball off to Boise State, and the player catches it in the end zone…and proceeds to come out..
And runs 102 yards into the end zone! Touchdown….maybe not.
There was a block in the back by Boise State, but there was also a facemask against Fresno State. With both penalties offsetting, you had a re-kick. Now, this is where I think Fresno State dropped the ball:
If you just kicked the ball to a guy who ran 102 yards, guess what…he is DOG tired! With Fresno State having to re kick, the guys calling the game on ESPN suggested not to kick to this guy again…I strongly disagree.
You kick DIRECTLY to him, because he is extremely tired. This creates a better chance for maybe a turnover for Fresno State. But as I was watching this with my brother, they decided to kick away to him, to the other guy. I quickly said to him, “that’s a terrible idea, because that guy is fresh”.
And Boise State proceeds with that guy to get a HUGE gain on the kick return, setting up another score. And now with the score 34-27, that plays big time on how the results will come out.
It just didn’t make sense to me why you would kick AWAY from a dead tired player into the hands of a fresh one. Would it not have made sense to challenge that same guy who ran across the entire field to do it again. With him being that tired, your chances of a turnover is greater than with a guy that didn’t run full speed, across the length of the field.
But that’s something they may have to live with.
Mark my words, if Fresno State loses by less than one possession, they will regret that unwise decision. With under 2 minutes left in the third quarter, I still think it may be a matter of time before Fresno State sputters with the offense. Well, with a whole quarter to go, we will see.
End of third quarter, Boise State up 34-27...and that unwise decision on that kickoff makes the difference. The full result of that has yet to be determined….
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Boise State vs Fresno State 2009
Boise State vs. Fresno State
Some feel that this is the last obstacle for Boise State, that a win here means an undefeated season.
And it might feel that way, because the conference of the WAC is not very competitive when it comes to the BCS standings. Yet in this conference you have a very good team in Boise State that demands to be recognized.
In a way, it reminds me of UNLV, back in the early 90’s and they had players like Larry Johnson, Greg Anthony and Stacy Augman playing for the Rebels, and how they came out of a very weak conference, but was as good as advertised.
Boise State reminds me much of that. But to get there, they have to get through Fresno State. On paper it looks like there is no match up, especially since Boise State knocked off Oregon to start the year, but let’s look anyway.
Fresno State finished 7-6 last year, and we can’t forget that before Boise State started making all this noise, Fresno State was doing it first…but that was eons ago. Some of the Bulldogs’ wins included Rutgers at the beginning of the year, and UCLA… kinda short list, isn’t it? Of the 7 games they won, Rutgers had a winning record as well as San Jose State…that’s it. None of their other wins were that credible.
Most of their losses came to decent teams, including a 61-10 beat down at the hands of Boise State. The amazing thing here about Fresno is that outside of that beating to Boise State and the 13-10 loss to Wisconsin, this team does score a LOT. It’s a track meet when you play them, but 3 of their losses came AT home…not very good. Add on a new quarterback and it could spell trouble, but with many offensive weapons returning, this could be a breath of fresh air. Playing at home can’t hurt either.
But Boise State just seems to be heads and shoulders above anybody else in the WAC. This team averages about 30+ a game, and as we all know, went 12-1 last year. They lose a very valuable back and a few receivers, so it will be interesting to see how they adjust. If you are going to look for any weaknesses, you may have to look for the closest games they had last year. Granted their schedule is weak, but in 2008 they beat Oregon away by 5 points. They beat Nevada away by 6 points and lost to TCU by 1 point. It just seems that the possible formula for Boise State to lose has to begin with them leaving that smurf turf.
The second key has to be to hope that Boise State already believes they are in the BCS Championship or bowl game…and they might forget about the Bulldogs. It’s going to take a mental slip of the team for Boise State to lose. I just can’t see any other way, even though the quality of players slipped this year after losing Ian Johnson, Jeremy Childs and Vinny Perretta. I didn’t say they dropped to the floor, I just said they slipped.
But when it comes down to it, Boise State has to beat Fresno State by at least 21 points to make voters believe in them. If not, they could slip a notch or two and lose respect. Boise State will have to crush every foe to even get close to HOPE for a BCS Bowl, and it begins with Fresno State. I have liked Fresno State’s guts, having the onions to challenge anybody anywhere, so they have my support (not that it weights much).
But unless Boise State slips, I can’t see them losing to Fresno State. A 61-10 beat down may not happen but winning by 21 points ought not be too hard. But IF Boise State comes in thinking they are high and mighty, don’t be too surprised if Fresno State hands them the big “L”. Boise State is now every WAC team’s championship game, and will get their very best every weekend…they better be ready.
Some feel that this is the last obstacle for Boise State, that a win here means an undefeated season.
And it might feel that way, because the conference of the WAC is not very competitive when it comes to the BCS standings. Yet in this conference you have a very good team in Boise State that demands to be recognized.
In a way, it reminds me of UNLV, back in the early 90’s and they had players like Larry Johnson, Greg Anthony and Stacy Augman playing for the Rebels, and how they came out of a very weak conference, but was as good as advertised.
Boise State reminds me much of that. But to get there, they have to get through Fresno State. On paper it looks like there is no match up, especially since Boise State knocked off Oregon to start the year, but let’s look anyway.
Fresno State finished 7-6 last year, and we can’t forget that before Boise State started making all this noise, Fresno State was doing it first…but that was eons ago. Some of the Bulldogs’ wins included Rutgers at the beginning of the year, and UCLA… kinda short list, isn’t it? Of the 7 games they won, Rutgers had a winning record as well as San Jose State…that’s it. None of their other wins were that credible.
Most of their losses came to decent teams, including a 61-10 beat down at the hands of Boise State. The amazing thing here about Fresno is that outside of that beating to Boise State and the 13-10 loss to Wisconsin, this team does score a LOT. It’s a track meet when you play them, but 3 of their losses came AT home…not very good. Add on a new quarterback and it could spell trouble, but with many offensive weapons returning, this could be a breath of fresh air. Playing at home can’t hurt either.
But Boise State just seems to be heads and shoulders above anybody else in the WAC. This team averages about 30+ a game, and as we all know, went 12-1 last year. They lose a very valuable back and a few receivers, so it will be interesting to see how they adjust. If you are going to look for any weaknesses, you may have to look for the closest games they had last year. Granted their schedule is weak, but in 2008 they beat Oregon away by 5 points. They beat Nevada away by 6 points and lost to TCU by 1 point. It just seems that the possible formula for Boise State to lose has to begin with them leaving that smurf turf.
The second key has to be to hope that Boise State already believes they are in the BCS Championship or bowl game…and they might forget about the Bulldogs. It’s going to take a mental slip of the team for Boise State to lose. I just can’t see any other way, even though the quality of players slipped this year after losing Ian Johnson, Jeremy Childs and Vinny Perretta. I didn’t say they dropped to the floor, I just said they slipped.
But when it comes down to it, Boise State has to beat Fresno State by at least 21 points to make voters believe in them. If not, they could slip a notch or two and lose respect. Boise State will have to crush every foe to even get close to HOPE for a BCS Bowl, and it begins with Fresno State. I have liked Fresno State’s guts, having the onions to challenge anybody anywhere, so they have my support (not that it weights much).
But unless Boise State slips, I can’t see them losing to Fresno State. A 61-10 beat down may not happen but winning by 21 points ought not be too hard. But IF Boise State comes in thinking they are high and mighty, don’t be too surprised if Fresno State hands them the big “L”. Boise State is now every WAC team’s championship game, and will get their very best every weekend…they better be ready.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Will Oregon Suspension Hold All Year?
Will Oregon hold suspension all year?
I was watching ESPN and saw that Oregon University has basically kicked their running back, LeGarrette Blount, from the team for the entire season. This after Blount punched a player from Boise State across the face like a vintage Mike Tyson bout.
So the question they talked about on the shows was, did he deserve to be suspended for an entire season? Let’s talk about that.
Before we do, let’s pull some facts on LeGarrette Blount:
In 2008 he was just outside the top 50 running backs in Division I, having rushed for just over 1000 yards, and 17 touchdowns. His 17 touchdowns puts him in the top 10 of all running backs last year. His 7.3 yards per carry puts him in the top 20 in that same position…in short, he was a pretty good running back.
The major problem for Blount’s suspension is that he is a senior, meaning this could very well be over for him. Now we know that the university has not taken his scholarship, but one has to wonder…what were his grades before this incident?
There are two ideas here about the incident, but before I continue, I think that maybe Boise State ought to consider some punishment for the player that instigated it. I know I wasn’t there, but I can imagine that to make Blount “snap” like that, the Boise State player had to have said something similar to what Blount was quoted to say about a certain butt kicking (in other words).
Everybody is saying that nothing could have excused Blount for what he did, and I can agree, but that does not mean that the instigator gets away scott-free. I think Boise State ought to take a look and make sure to keep their players in line too.
Now, the two ideas of thought here are these: does Blount deserve such a heavy penalty…and two, do you think Oregon will stick to it?
Both are tied together, because Oregon imposed this punishment before the Pac-10 and the NCAA stepped in…which just might have a different reason than you think.
First, did he deserve to be suspended…absolutely. Blount’s actions far exceeded the limits of fair play and good will, which was a direct slap in the face of the idea of having these athletes shake hands (and why it was never a good idea anyway).
But was the punishment TOO severe? As a senior, he does not have any other chances to show his wares, and as we mentioned earlier, his stats show that he was a pretty good running back.
I think one has to look not just at his play on the field, but what his academics looked like. If he was doing well in classes, making good grades, then there ought to be some consideration to allow him to play. Let’s not kid ourselves folks, most athletes play on college for the hopes of going to that next level…that being the NFL. Many football players put their eggs in one basket of that NFL dream, while not taking full opportunity of a college education. I don’t know what Blount’s grades were last year, and what his academic goals were, but even though he still has his scholarship, he ought to be given some haven that a person who makes a mistake can be given a second chance.
Personally, I felt that he should have been suspended at LEAST half a season, and given a chance to work back on the team if he showed that he was trying to change. I mean…he is a student. It just kinda seems too condemning to take a fellow student and give him an absolute judgment on a mistake he made. Is this the message that we want to send to our youth, that if you screw up, you are damned forever?
Again, I know what he did was very wrong, and I can’t argue too much with the suspension by Oregon U, but is it too harsh…or does it allow for a loophole?
Follow me here….
Because Oregon University itself set the punishment, it is every bit possible that Oregon University can REVERSE the punishment. I think maybe it might have been wise for Oregon to impose this punishment, and I don’t doubt that it is quite real, but if the NCAA or Pac-10 does not rule on it, then it also allows Oregon to repeal such a punishment IF…I say again..IF Blount can show some serious progress of change.
What this means is that he has to attend classes, not get in any trouble, maybe take an Anger Management Class, and off campus activities, then there is a possible loophole that Oregon could allow him back on the field. Remember, he is a senior, and has no more eligibility. Would Oregon allow him back if he did “the right things” or, if they needed him?
Oregon still has a chance to make some serious noise in the NCAA, but if things start to go downhill, would a desperate Oregon school reconsider their punishment? If the rich alumni start to put pressure on the school, would it, could it, reconsider bringing Blount back if it gives them hope?
It’s quite possible that Oregon would not consider this at all, and that would indeed be a good stand, but I wonder if they would change their minds if Oregon loses a few more games, knowing they have a pretty good running back that is no longer on the team. Consider their next few games: home vs. Purdue, Utah and California. If Oregon comes out of this 1-3, this could be a problem. If they lose to Purdue…that could be a MAJOR problem….
Would it encourage Oregon to change their minds? They won 10 games last year… they don’t need to go backwards, and we have not even talked about USC.
What it seems to come down to is the eternal fight of a university doing what may be right, against the pressures to do what is popular. A guy that fights ought to be disciplined, but if he is a key component to a team that might be able to win more games, would the university turn the other cheek and let him back in? To be sure, this is not an easy call, I would not want to end an athlete’s career, but there has to be a level of discipline for fighting. Personally I’d like to think that the university could give Blount a chance instead of making the decision so final. But maybe it isn’t final, we’d have to see how it goes.
I think if Blount does well in class, and does outside activities on and off campus, and still participates on the team practices…AND if Oregon has trouble in the first few games, I think he’ll be back. Maybe by the last 3 or 4 games, but he may be back, unless the NCAA and Pac-10 puts their stamp on his dismissal.
Just have to wait and see on this. Hate to see that with any team, and we all know football players play with high emotions, often on the edge, but with discipline there ought to be some mercy…let’s see if Oregon shows some.
I was watching ESPN and saw that Oregon University has basically kicked their running back, LeGarrette Blount, from the team for the entire season. This after Blount punched a player from Boise State across the face like a vintage Mike Tyson bout.
So the question they talked about on the shows was, did he deserve to be suspended for an entire season? Let’s talk about that.
Before we do, let’s pull some facts on LeGarrette Blount:
In 2008 he was just outside the top 50 running backs in Division I, having rushed for just over 1000 yards, and 17 touchdowns. His 17 touchdowns puts him in the top 10 of all running backs last year. His 7.3 yards per carry puts him in the top 20 in that same position…in short, he was a pretty good running back.
The major problem for Blount’s suspension is that he is a senior, meaning this could very well be over for him. Now we know that the university has not taken his scholarship, but one has to wonder…what were his grades before this incident?
There are two ideas here about the incident, but before I continue, I think that maybe Boise State ought to consider some punishment for the player that instigated it. I know I wasn’t there, but I can imagine that to make Blount “snap” like that, the Boise State player had to have said something similar to what Blount was quoted to say about a certain butt kicking (in other words).
Everybody is saying that nothing could have excused Blount for what he did, and I can agree, but that does not mean that the instigator gets away scott-free. I think Boise State ought to take a look and make sure to keep their players in line too.
Now, the two ideas of thought here are these: does Blount deserve such a heavy penalty…and two, do you think Oregon will stick to it?
Both are tied together, because Oregon imposed this punishment before the Pac-10 and the NCAA stepped in…which just might have a different reason than you think.
First, did he deserve to be suspended…absolutely. Blount’s actions far exceeded the limits of fair play and good will, which was a direct slap in the face of the idea of having these athletes shake hands (and why it was never a good idea anyway).
But was the punishment TOO severe? As a senior, he does not have any other chances to show his wares, and as we mentioned earlier, his stats show that he was a pretty good running back.
I think one has to look not just at his play on the field, but what his academics looked like. If he was doing well in classes, making good grades, then there ought to be some consideration to allow him to play. Let’s not kid ourselves folks, most athletes play on college for the hopes of going to that next level…that being the NFL. Many football players put their eggs in one basket of that NFL dream, while not taking full opportunity of a college education. I don’t know what Blount’s grades were last year, and what his academic goals were, but even though he still has his scholarship, he ought to be given some haven that a person who makes a mistake can be given a second chance.
Personally, I felt that he should have been suspended at LEAST half a season, and given a chance to work back on the team if he showed that he was trying to change. I mean…he is a student. It just kinda seems too condemning to take a fellow student and give him an absolute judgment on a mistake he made. Is this the message that we want to send to our youth, that if you screw up, you are damned forever?
Again, I know what he did was very wrong, and I can’t argue too much with the suspension by Oregon U, but is it too harsh…or does it allow for a loophole?
Follow me here….
Because Oregon University itself set the punishment, it is every bit possible that Oregon University can REVERSE the punishment. I think maybe it might have been wise for Oregon to impose this punishment, and I don’t doubt that it is quite real, but if the NCAA or Pac-10 does not rule on it, then it also allows Oregon to repeal such a punishment IF…I say again..IF Blount can show some serious progress of change.
What this means is that he has to attend classes, not get in any trouble, maybe take an Anger Management Class, and off campus activities, then there is a possible loophole that Oregon could allow him back on the field. Remember, he is a senior, and has no more eligibility. Would Oregon allow him back if he did “the right things” or, if they needed him?
Oregon still has a chance to make some serious noise in the NCAA, but if things start to go downhill, would a desperate Oregon school reconsider their punishment? If the rich alumni start to put pressure on the school, would it, could it, reconsider bringing Blount back if it gives them hope?
It’s quite possible that Oregon would not consider this at all, and that would indeed be a good stand, but I wonder if they would change their minds if Oregon loses a few more games, knowing they have a pretty good running back that is no longer on the team. Consider their next few games: home vs. Purdue, Utah and California. If Oregon comes out of this 1-3, this could be a problem. If they lose to Purdue…that could be a MAJOR problem….
Would it encourage Oregon to change their minds? They won 10 games last year… they don’t need to go backwards, and we have not even talked about USC.
What it seems to come down to is the eternal fight of a university doing what may be right, against the pressures to do what is popular. A guy that fights ought to be disciplined, but if he is a key component to a team that might be able to win more games, would the university turn the other cheek and let him back in? To be sure, this is not an easy call, I would not want to end an athlete’s career, but there has to be a level of discipline for fighting. Personally I’d like to think that the university could give Blount a chance instead of making the decision so final. But maybe it isn’t final, we’d have to see how it goes.
I think if Blount does well in class, and does outside activities on and off campus, and still participates on the team practices…AND if Oregon has trouble in the first few games, I think he’ll be back. Maybe by the last 3 or 4 games, but he may be back, unless the NCAA and Pac-10 puts their stamp on his dismissal.
Just have to wait and see on this. Hate to see that with any team, and we all know football players play with high emotions, often on the edge, but with discipline there ought to be some mercy…let’s see if Oregon shows some.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Oregon vs Boise State
Oregon vs. Boise State
WOW, a big time matchup already!
A lot of things will be answered in the first game of the college football season. It will tell us how strong Oregon will be in the Pac 10, and it will tell us if Boise State will become the proverbial “thorn in the side” for the entire season.
This is THE game to watch, even though I will be watching the South Carolina vs. NC State game (local game for us). But if this is on tv, you best believe I got my eyes on it.
One could wonder, which is better if you had to call it before the season started. I mean, Oregon finished 10-3 while Boise State finished 12-1. This one game is going to set the stage for a lot of action in the Pac 10 and the nation. So let’s take a look at these two powerhouses and try to figure out who just might be the winner tonight.
We’ll start with Boise State, since they have home field advantage. That alone is a major factor, since they don’t lose at home. The Smurf Turf has been pretty good to the Broncos ( I bet Denver wishes they were there), and this Boise State team has made a very good living off of it. Papa Smurf would be proud.
Boise State started off knocking off Idaho State, then Bowling Green before the big win at Oregon to go 3-0. To many, this was really the only obstacle to keep Boise State from going undefeated. Most thought that the only real chance of them being beaten was possibly by Fresno State. Many people saw the WAC as a sub-par conference, where only one great team can really make noise in the BCS. It seemed that only Nevada would give Boise State any run for their money as the Broncos stampeded through the conference.
But the party ended when they faced TCU, losing by 1 point, 17-16.
Is Boise State credible, or are they a good team coming out of a softer conference? This year’s schedule is not much different, but they do play Miami (OH), and they return the favor of playing Bowling Green away from the blue turf. IF Boise State defeats Oregon tonight, then we could very well be looking at a repeat performance, but the strength of schedule will weight the Broncos down as some will argue that a true champion faces tougher opponents. They play UC Davis…why? Miami (OH)? Why? They were 2-10 last year!
This makes a strong argument against Boise State because in order to really get in that BCS, you have to schedule tougher opponents. On big opponent a year won’t cut it. But this is the first game…anything is possible for now.
Oregon comes in with a strong record in the Pac-10, beating Washington, Utah State and Purdue by a combined total of over 135 points. The problem was, those foes weren’t very tough last year. It seemed that they were brought to reality in the game vs. Boise State, losing only by 5 points, 37-32...but losing nevertheless.
They would lose big to USC and once more to California before beating Oklahoma State in a bowl 42-31. Considering they lost to USC, Boise State and California, that isn’t such a bad trio to lose to, if you HAVE to lose.
This year Oregon has to play two teams from underdog conferences, and they better be ready for them. The Boise State game is just the first game of the season, they also face Utah shortly afterwards, then California after that. Consider folks, of the Ducks first 4 games, three are very strong opponents. They face Southern Cal much later, but the tone will be set by then. We will know much about the Oregon Ducks long before they face USC.
So, who has the advantage? Oregon claims to be a powerful offense, but with a QB with 13 interceptions last year, this will be interesting. And playing AT Boise State, this could be problematic. Oregon NEEDS this win like I need a slice of hot and steamy pizza with all the trimmings….
(pizza….)
But Boise State simply MUST have this win to stay in the picture. If they lose this game, and win all the others, it won’t matter. To them, THIS is the biggest game of the regular season. I might believe they are out to prove a point, and they could very well do that this year. But losing some valuable seniors might be the one flaw that might cost them that BCS shot….
Who do I have? I think Boise State, by the slimmest of margins, can win, by 2 points. We’ll see.
WOW, a big time matchup already!
A lot of things will be answered in the first game of the college football season. It will tell us how strong Oregon will be in the Pac 10, and it will tell us if Boise State will become the proverbial “thorn in the side” for the entire season.
This is THE game to watch, even though I will be watching the South Carolina vs. NC State game (local game for us). But if this is on tv, you best believe I got my eyes on it.
One could wonder, which is better if you had to call it before the season started. I mean, Oregon finished 10-3 while Boise State finished 12-1. This one game is going to set the stage for a lot of action in the Pac 10 and the nation. So let’s take a look at these two powerhouses and try to figure out who just might be the winner tonight.
We’ll start with Boise State, since they have home field advantage. That alone is a major factor, since they don’t lose at home. The Smurf Turf has been pretty good to the Broncos ( I bet Denver wishes they were there), and this Boise State team has made a very good living off of it. Papa Smurf would be proud.
Boise State started off knocking off Idaho State, then Bowling Green before the big win at Oregon to go 3-0. To many, this was really the only obstacle to keep Boise State from going undefeated. Most thought that the only real chance of them being beaten was possibly by Fresno State. Many people saw the WAC as a sub-par conference, where only one great team can really make noise in the BCS. It seemed that only Nevada would give Boise State any run for their money as the Broncos stampeded through the conference.
But the party ended when they faced TCU, losing by 1 point, 17-16.
Is Boise State credible, or are they a good team coming out of a softer conference? This year’s schedule is not much different, but they do play Miami (OH), and they return the favor of playing Bowling Green away from the blue turf. IF Boise State defeats Oregon tonight, then we could very well be looking at a repeat performance, but the strength of schedule will weight the Broncos down as some will argue that a true champion faces tougher opponents. They play UC Davis…why? Miami (OH)? Why? They were 2-10 last year!
This makes a strong argument against Boise State because in order to really get in that BCS, you have to schedule tougher opponents. On big opponent a year won’t cut it. But this is the first game…anything is possible for now.
Oregon comes in with a strong record in the Pac-10, beating Washington, Utah State and Purdue by a combined total of over 135 points. The problem was, those foes weren’t very tough last year. It seemed that they were brought to reality in the game vs. Boise State, losing only by 5 points, 37-32...but losing nevertheless.
They would lose big to USC and once more to California before beating Oklahoma State in a bowl 42-31. Considering they lost to USC, Boise State and California, that isn’t such a bad trio to lose to, if you HAVE to lose.
This year Oregon has to play two teams from underdog conferences, and they better be ready for them. The Boise State game is just the first game of the season, they also face Utah shortly afterwards, then California after that. Consider folks, of the Ducks first 4 games, three are very strong opponents. They face Southern Cal much later, but the tone will be set by then. We will know much about the Oregon Ducks long before they face USC.
So, who has the advantage? Oregon claims to be a powerful offense, but with a QB with 13 interceptions last year, this will be interesting. And playing AT Boise State, this could be problematic. Oregon NEEDS this win like I need a slice of hot and steamy pizza with all the trimmings….
(pizza….)
But Boise State simply MUST have this win to stay in the picture. If they lose this game, and win all the others, it won’t matter. To them, THIS is the biggest game of the regular season. I might believe they are out to prove a point, and they could very well do that this year. But losing some valuable seniors might be the one flaw that might cost them that BCS shot….
Who do I have? I think Boise State, by the slimmest of margins, can win, by 2 points. We’ll see.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Boise State vs TCU in New Orleans Bowl
2008 New Orleans Bowl
Boise State vs. TCU
Now this ought to be good!
The New Orleans Bowl will feature two very good programs, and in my opinion one of the best matchups outside the BCS. Undefeated Boise State vs. TCU out of the Mountain West, with two losses.
Before I begin, I want to say that I STILL think Boise State should not have taken this game. The non-BCS conferences always whine about how they are not getting respect from the BCS conferences…well, why don’t you PLAY one in a bowl? TCU is a great team, I will not argue that, but refresh my memory of which conference they come from…and ask yourself if that is a BCS conference or not?
Anyway, this is still a great matchup, who has the advantage? Let’s look at some resumes:
Boise State comes from the WAC, and have been the only team worth talking about from the entire conference. Their season started against Idaho State and continued when they defeated Bowling Green and then shocked people with a win over #17 Oregon.
It was then that people started looking at the chances of the Broncos busting into the BCS, but the season was still very young. The Broncos of Boise State gave up only 17 points the next three games, winning over Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss and Hawaii, pulling their record to 6-0.
Three more conference games were no match for Boise State, crushing San Jose State, New Mexico State and Utah State, and anybody else with a “state” in their name. At 9-0 there were serious talks about whether this team could, or should get into the BCS. But there were some major factors. One, Utah was still undefeated, and two, the strength of schedule counted against them. Sure they beat Oregon, but is that ALL you beat?
As if trying to impress voters by running up the score, Boise State continued to crush foes, putting over 145 points in the final three games over Idaho, Nevada and Fresno State. A perfect 12-0...but alas, no room for them in the BCS.
Almost half the teams that Boise State beat will be in a bowl, and they beat them all…but what they cannot shake is that the strength of schedule was incredibly low, and what certainly kept them from jumping over Utah.
So what of TCU; are they any better?
Wasn’t it several years ago when MWC and WAC were actually one conference, a SUPER conference? Perhaps if they had never broken up, they could be in the conversation for a BCS Championship. As it stands, TCU represents the Mountain West, finishing second, behind undefeated Utah.
TCU started out very hot, scoring over 120 points in their first three games, although it was against New Mexico, Stephen F Austin and Stanford. There were early talks that this MIGHT be the team to watch out for, and the Horned Frogs continued to stoke the fires by beating SMU 48-7
The big test was against Oklahoma…and the test ended with the Sooners winning by 25 points.
With National Title hopes smashed, TCU still had a chance at a BCS bowl if they won out. They defeated San Diego State and Colorado State before a big game vs. BYU. This was a HUGE game because it could potentially decide who would get that BCS bowl. In the end, it was TCU, proving how great they were by beating BYU 32-7.
So that BCS bowl hope was still alive as they continue to mow down conference foes Wyoming and UNLV. Then came the big game vs. Utah…a major game that had all the implications on it for national exposure and prominence. In a surprisingly low scoring game, TCU lost by only 3 points… but it might as well been 30.
With BCS bowl hopes dashed, they could only finish as best they could, beating a good Air Force team to end the season. Five teams TCU has faced will see post season, losing only to undefeated Utah and potential National Champion Oklahoma… not a bad two to lose to.
So, who wins?
On strength of conferences, I would rank the MWC as the best conference outside the BCS conferences. I might put the WAC second, just slightly ahead of Conference USA. That means that I think TCU’s record is better by competition than Boise State, but not by much.
The BEST team Boise State has faced this year was Oregon…the BEST team TCU faced was Oklahoma AND UTAH. And here is something else… outside of Oklahoma, NOBODY has scored more than 14 against TCU. This team gives up about 10 points a game, a pretty good defense that has seen very tough competition.
Even though Boise State has a great offense, their defense can be exposed. A narrow win over Nevada could have been a sign of a weakness, but this Boise State team has scored bunches of points over their foes.
I personally think TCU has the advantage because of strength of schedule, and has played tougher opponents than Boise State. A number of Boise State’s wins were against below par teams, but who can question the fact that they DID win those games? I mean, that is what you are supposed to do, right?
This will be a classic game, one that I just cannot miss. I think TCU wins this, but I wonder if it will be a shootout or a close game. Both teams are good in defense, but we are going to see true colors if they play to the level of their past schedule. I got TCU by 10 points.
Boise State vs. TCU
Now this ought to be good!
The New Orleans Bowl will feature two very good programs, and in my opinion one of the best matchups outside the BCS. Undefeated Boise State vs. TCU out of the Mountain West, with two losses.
Before I begin, I want to say that I STILL think Boise State should not have taken this game. The non-BCS conferences always whine about how they are not getting respect from the BCS conferences…well, why don’t you PLAY one in a bowl? TCU is a great team, I will not argue that, but refresh my memory of which conference they come from…and ask yourself if that is a BCS conference or not?
Anyway, this is still a great matchup, who has the advantage? Let’s look at some resumes:
Boise State comes from the WAC, and have been the only team worth talking about from the entire conference. Their season started against Idaho State and continued when they defeated Bowling Green and then shocked people with a win over #17 Oregon.
It was then that people started looking at the chances of the Broncos busting into the BCS, but the season was still very young. The Broncos of Boise State gave up only 17 points the next three games, winning over Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss and Hawaii, pulling their record to 6-0.
Three more conference games were no match for Boise State, crushing San Jose State, New Mexico State and Utah State, and anybody else with a “state” in their name. At 9-0 there were serious talks about whether this team could, or should get into the BCS. But there were some major factors. One, Utah was still undefeated, and two, the strength of schedule counted against them. Sure they beat Oregon, but is that ALL you beat?
As if trying to impress voters by running up the score, Boise State continued to crush foes, putting over 145 points in the final three games over Idaho, Nevada and Fresno State. A perfect 12-0...but alas, no room for them in the BCS.
Almost half the teams that Boise State beat will be in a bowl, and they beat them all…but what they cannot shake is that the strength of schedule was incredibly low, and what certainly kept them from jumping over Utah.
So what of TCU; are they any better?
Wasn’t it several years ago when MWC and WAC were actually one conference, a SUPER conference? Perhaps if they had never broken up, they could be in the conversation for a BCS Championship. As it stands, TCU represents the Mountain West, finishing second, behind undefeated Utah.
TCU started out very hot, scoring over 120 points in their first three games, although it was against New Mexico, Stephen F Austin and Stanford. There were early talks that this MIGHT be the team to watch out for, and the Horned Frogs continued to stoke the fires by beating SMU 48-7
The big test was against Oklahoma…and the test ended with the Sooners winning by 25 points.
With National Title hopes smashed, TCU still had a chance at a BCS bowl if they won out. They defeated San Diego State and Colorado State before a big game vs. BYU. This was a HUGE game because it could potentially decide who would get that BCS bowl. In the end, it was TCU, proving how great they were by beating BYU 32-7.
So that BCS bowl hope was still alive as they continue to mow down conference foes Wyoming and UNLV. Then came the big game vs. Utah…a major game that had all the implications on it for national exposure and prominence. In a surprisingly low scoring game, TCU lost by only 3 points… but it might as well been 30.
With BCS bowl hopes dashed, they could only finish as best they could, beating a good Air Force team to end the season. Five teams TCU has faced will see post season, losing only to undefeated Utah and potential National Champion Oklahoma… not a bad two to lose to.
So, who wins?
On strength of conferences, I would rank the MWC as the best conference outside the BCS conferences. I might put the WAC second, just slightly ahead of Conference USA. That means that I think TCU’s record is better by competition than Boise State, but not by much.
The BEST team Boise State has faced this year was Oregon…the BEST team TCU faced was Oklahoma AND UTAH. And here is something else… outside of Oklahoma, NOBODY has scored more than 14 against TCU. This team gives up about 10 points a game, a pretty good defense that has seen very tough competition.
Even though Boise State has a great offense, their defense can be exposed. A narrow win over Nevada could have been a sign of a weakness, but this Boise State team has scored bunches of points over their foes.
I personally think TCU has the advantage because of strength of schedule, and has played tougher opponents than Boise State. A number of Boise State’s wins were against below par teams, but who can question the fact that they DID win those games? I mean, that is what you are supposed to do, right?
This will be a classic game, one that I just cannot miss. I think TCU wins this, but I wonder if it will be a shootout or a close game. Both teams are good in defense, but we are going to see true colors if they play to the level of their past schedule. I got TCU by 10 points.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
BCS Busters
BCS Buster Teams
Every year the media scrambles to find the flies in the ointment, and then create stories to force them into the BCS National Championship. Even some of my favorite sports commentators on some of the shows seem to whine like babies when it comes to whether the BCS Championship should invite teams outside the power conferences to the National Championship.
To me, the National Championship should represent the two BEST teams in the country, not the teams with the best records. This is where the spirit of competition is often misplaced, because although I have nothing against teams from outside the power conferences, I just am not convinced that a team with an 11-0 or 12-0 record is better than a team like Oklahoma, Ohio State, USC or Florida with 1, or even 2 losses.
Now don’t get me wrong, there are exceptions, but let’s talk about that.
As of this date October 15th 2008, there are 6 teams of note that are not in the power conferences…
(For the novice, the “Power Conferences” are the ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac-10 and SEC…)
So the question becomes, who, if any, has a chance to play in the National Championship. This also begs the question as whether any of these teams can sincerely be seen as the BEST in the country.
Let’s chew on this. I mentioned 6 teams, let’s start with one that currently is not ranked on the polls: Tulsa University.
This team is currently 6-0 in Conference USA, a team that does not have an automatic invitation to the BCS bowls. Usually the champs of this conference get a trip to the Liberty Bowl. Funny, a few weeks ago we had placed ECU in that game, if not in the BCS, but now it looks like neither is gonna happen.
The record might look great, but there is a ZERO chance of Tulsa playing in the National Championship, and a 1% chance of playing in a BCS bowl. Why? The strength of schedule is very soft. Of their 6 wins, the current record of their opponents is 13-26. And if you take out Central Arkansas State, which isn’t a Division I school, that record changes to 8-25. Tulsa has three interesting games on their schedule, including Central Florida, Arkansas and Marshall. IF they win the division, they may well have to play Marshall again in the Conference USA Championship, or possibly UCF or even, dare we say…ECU?
But even undefeated, the strength of schedule keeps Tulsa from any National Championship, and unless everybody in the top 25 loses again, they can’t make it to the BCS bowls.
Ball State is the new darling of the NCAA, currently 7-0. Impressive, but coming out of the Mid-American Conference where currently 3 teams have a better than .500 record is a big problem. The strength of schedule will hurt them tremendously, but add on to this they have key division games vs. Western Michigan and Central Michigan just to fight to the division title. It seems whoever comes out of this division will win the MAC Championship, but even if Ball State goes undefeated, there is just no way they could be considered one of the two best teams in the nation. I can’t even see an invite to a BCS bowl if they go undefeated.
Understand what I am saying folks, I am not putting down these teams, I am looking at the theory that the National Championship is about the two best teams in the nation. Having a perfect record is great but it does not make you the best. If the BCS started awarding National Title games to undefeated teams, then schools like Notre Dame will water down their schedules even further to beg for a title that is not earned. Florida State played two Southern Conference teams this year and beat them with a combined 115 points…but that does not make them great. Heck, they are not a lock for even a bowl yet.
So although it seems like I am picking on Ball State and Tulsa, I am not.
Whereas Ball State is ranked #24 and #25 on two different polls, Boise State is ranked #16 and #17. This is a team that has shocked the nation, and although you can always question the strength of the Western Athletic Conference, you cannot question these guys.
A quality win over Oregon makes these guys legit, and you have to consider if this team deserves a national title shot IF they go undefeated. They still have some tough games in their conference with Fresno State and San Jose State and Hawaii, but overall nobody is going to compare the WAC to the SEC or Big 12, or even the ACC.
Strength of schedule is going to hurt them but they have a legit case of at least a BCS bowl if they go undefeated. But if so, you’d be saying they are one of the top 10 teams in the nation…I don’t have a problem with that at all if they go undefeated.
National Championship? I don’t think so. It goes back to whether Boise State with no losses is better than an Oklahoma with one loss, or Florida, Ohio State, LSU or other top ranked teams in stronger conferences with one loss. Yeah, I know they got that huge win awhile back, but could they do it again for a national title? I’m just not convinced that even if they go undefeated that they could be one of the two best teams in the nation. But if they DO go undefeated, they should be invited to a BCS bowl.
TCU is actually in one poll, and out of another. At 6-1, we know their only loss was to Oklahoma, and nobody is gonna fault them for that. The Mountain West Conference should be “popping their collars” because they have made some noise this year, with TCU being one of them. But because they already have one loss, they have no chance for a BCS Championship. Like the WAC, there is no championship game so there is no extra shot to move up the ranks. TCU will not be considered for a BCS title, even if they run the tables, but they CAN possibly get an invite to a BCS bowl if they clean out the MWC. If you consider who is on that schedule, that would really be saying something, even moreso that if Boise State goes undefeated. But one loss from an non-power conference school means elimination from the National Championship…
Unless everybody else loses 2 games….
Utah is currently #14 on one poll, and #13 in another. With 5 games left, and 2 very key games left, this is a team that can easily slip into the top 10 if other teams are caught napping. We know the SEC and Big 12 will knock each other around, so any teams like Utah, Boise State or even TCU can have a chance to slip in the elite circle if they go undefeated the rest of the season.
With wins over Michigan (ugh), Air Force and Oregon State, you have to give the Utes credit for being a good team. And their positioning is perfect right now, much better than TCU since the Horned Frogs are very low in the top 25. But Utah has to play TCU in a few weeks, and just like the SEC and Big 12, it is quite possible that the MWC can knock each other out of the national title.
But let’s say the don’t and Utah goes undefeated. Do they deserve a trip to the Orange bowl? I think IF they go undefeated, you have to seriously consider it because they have quality wins and the still have to play two teams that are ranked in one or more polls. This is a quality team. But are they better than a 1-loss team from a power conference?
Good question. I honestly don’t know the answer to that yet.
Then there’s BYU at 6-0.
Right now they are virtually guaranteed at LEAST a BCS bowl because they are in the top 10 in two polls. As I said, the MWC must be mighty happy with Utah, TCU and BYU making noise in the polls, and Air Force not being a shabby team either. This conference is very good, and I might say the best non-power conference in the nation. So if the power conferences are guaranteed a BCS bowl for their champions, then I think the Mountain West deserves at least that too.
But here’s the knocks on BYU. Yes they beat Washington and UCLA, and at the time it looked like very quality wins. But the Washington win was a controversial one, and barely beating an 0-6 team is not that impressive. Crushing the UCLA Bruins was nice, but we’re finding out that this team wasn’t all it was cracked up to be either.
In fact, only one team has a winning record of the 6 wins BYU has…hardly qualifying for a national championship. But they’ll get to prove themselves with some major games. Of their 6 remaining games, only one team at this point has a losing record in San Diego State (Marshall Faulk??).
With games vs. TCU, Utah and Air Force, the second half of the season will surely prove if BYU is worth of the hype. Go undefeated and I believe they deserve a BCS bowl. But a National Championship? Maybe, but to do that, 7 of the top 8 teams in the nation must lose, because BYU will not be jumping over anybody any other way.
Four teams from the Big 12 are still in the mix; if any of those win out, they are in, and BYU could be out. Alabama and Florida are still in, but I just can’t see Alabama going undefeated, so we may be talking about Florida, but the SEC is a tough conference. USC is still in the mix, even though they don’t have a conference championship game, and then there is Penn State. If they get through the Big 10, they are in.
This means the favor is against BYU, it’s not enough for them to win out, they need a LOT of help. They’ll get it from the Big 12 and maybe the SEC, but the Pac-10 and Big 10 are risky allies to depend on.
The next few weeks will reveal all. BCS busters, for the bowls sure, but for the National Championship…well, lots of stuff need to happen…and they just might…
Every year the media scrambles to find the flies in the ointment, and then create stories to force them into the BCS National Championship. Even some of my favorite sports commentators on some of the shows seem to whine like babies when it comes to whether the BCS Championship should invite teams outside the power conferences to the National Championship.
To me, the National Championship should represent the two BEST teams in the country, not the teams with the best records. This is where the spirit of competition is often misplaced, because although I have nothing against teams from outside the power conferences, I just am not convinced that a team with an 11-0 or 12-0 record is better than a team like Oklahoma, Ohio State, USC or Florida with 1, or even 2 losses.
Now don’t get me wrong, there are exceptions, but let’s talk about that.
As of this date October 15th 2008, there are 6 teams of note that are not in the power conferences…
(For the novice, the “Power Conferences” are the ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac-10 and SEC…)
So the question becomes, who, if any, has a chance to play in the National Championship. This also begs the question as whether any of these teams can sincerely be seen as the BEST in the country.
Let’s chew on this. I mentioned 6 teams, let’s start with one that currently is not ranked on the polls: Tulsa University.
This team is currently 6-0 in Conference USA, a team that does not have an automatic invitation to the BCS bowls. Usually the champs of this conference get a trip to the Liberty Bowl. Funny, a few weeks ago we had placed ECU in that game, if not in the BCS, but now it looks like neither is gonna happen.
The record might look great, but there is a ZERO chance of Tulsa playing in the National Championship, and a 1% chance of playing in a BCS bowl. Why? The strength of schedule is very soft. Of their 6 wins, the current record of their opponents is 13-26. And if you take out Central Arkansas State, which isn’t a Division I school, that record changes to 8-25. Tulsa has three interesting games on their schedule, including Central Florida, Arkansas and Marshall. IF they win the division, they may well have to play Marshall again in the Conference USA Championship, or possibly UCF or even, dare we say…ECU?
But even undefeated, the strength of schedule keeps Tulsa from any National Championship, and unless everybody in the top 25 loses again, they can’t make it to the BCS bowls.
Ball State is the new darling of the NCAA, currently 7-0. Impressive, but coming out of the Mid-American Conference where currently 3 teams have a better than .500 record is a big problem. The strength of schedule will hurt them tremendously, but add on to this they have key division games vs. Western Michigan and Central Michigan just to fight to the division title. It seems whoever comes out of this division will win the MAC Championship, but even if Ball State goes undefeated, there is just no way they could be considered one of the two best teams in the nation. I can’t even see an invite to a BCS bowl if they go undefeated.
Understand what I am saying folks, I am not putting down these teams, I am looking at the theory that the National Championship is about the two best teams in the nation. Having a perfect record is great but it does not make you the best. If the BCS started awarding National Title games to undefeated teams, then schools like Notre Dame will water down their schedules even further to beg for a title that is not earned. Florida State played two Southern Conference teams this year and beat them with a combined 115 points…but that does not make them great. Heck, they are not a lock for even a bowl yet.
So although it seems like I am picking on Ball State and Tulsa, I am not.
Whereas Ball State is ranked #24 and #25 on two different polls, Boise State is ranked #16 and #17. This is a team that has shocked the nation, and although you can always question the strength of the Western Athletic Conference, you cannot question these guys.
A quality win over Oregon makes these guys legit, and you have to consider if this team deserves a national title shot IF they go undefeated. They still have some tough games in their conference with Fresno State and San Jose State and Hawaii, but overall nobody is going to compare the WAC to the SEC or Big 12, or even the ACC.
Strength of schedule is going to hurt them but they have a legit case of at least a BCS bowl if they go undefeated. But if so, you’d be saying they are one of the top 10 teams in the nation…I don’t have a problem with that at all if they go undefeated.
National Championship? I don’t think so. It goes back to whether Boise State with no losses is better than an Oklahoma with one loss, or Florida, Ohio State, LSU or other top ranked teams in stronger conferences with one loss. Yeah, I know they got that huge win awhile back, but could they do it again for a national title? I’m just not convinced that even if they go undefeated that they could be one of the two best teams in the nation. But if they DO go undefeated, they should be invited to a BCS bowl.
TCU is actually in one poll, and out of another. At 6-1, we know their only loss was to Oklahoma, and nobody is gonna fault them for that. The Mountain West Conference should be “popping their collars” because they have made some noise this year, with TCU being one of them. But because they already have one loss, they have no chance for a BCS Championship. Like the WAC, there is no championship game so there is no extra shot to move up the ranks. TCU will not be considered for a BCS title, even if they run the tables, but they CAN possibly get an invite to a BCS bowl if they clean out the MWC. If you consider who is on that schedule, that would really be saying something, even moreso that if Boise State goes undefeated. But one loss from an non-power conference school means elimination from the National Championship…
Unless everybody else loses 2 games….
Utah is currently #14 on one poll, and #13 in another. With 5 games left, and 2 very key games left, this is a team that can easily slip into the top 10 if other teams are caught napping. We know the SEC and Big 12 will knock each other around, so any teams like Utah, Boise State or even TCU can have a chance to slip in the elite circle if they go undefeated the rest of the season.
With wins over Michigan (ugh), Air Force and Oregon State, you have to give the Utes credit for being a good team. And their positioning is perfect right now, much better than TCU since the Horned Frogs are very low in the top 25. But Utah has to play TCU in a few weeks, and just like the SEC and Big 12, it is quite possible that the MWC can knock each other out of the national title.
But let’s say the don’t and Utah goes undefeated. Do they deserve a trip to the Orange bowl? I think IF they go undefeated, you have to seriously consider it because they have quality wins and the still have to play two teams that are ranked in one or more polls. This is a quality team. But are they better than a 1-loss team from a power conference?
Good question. I honestly don’t know the answer to that yet.
Then there’s BYU at 6-0.
Right now they are virtually guaranteed at LEAST a BCS bowl because they are in the top 10 in two polls. As I said, the MWC must be mighty happy with Utah, TCU and BYU making noise in the polls, and Air Force not being a shabby team either. This conference is very good, and I might say the best non-power conference in the nation. So if the power conferences are guaranteed a BCS bowl for their champions, then I think the Mountain West deserves at least that too.
But here’s the knocks on BYU. Yes they beat Washington and UCLA, and at the time it looked like very quality wins. But the Washington win was a controversial one, and barely beating an 0-6 team is not that impressive. Crushing the UCLA Bruins was nice, but we’re finding out that this team wasn’t all it was cracked up to be either.
In fact, only one team has a winning record of the 6 wins BYU has…hardly qualifying for a national championship. But they’ll get to prove themselves with some major games. Of their 6 remaining games, only one team at this point has a losing record in San Diego State (Marshall Faulk??).
With games vs. TCU, Utah and Air Force, the second half of the season will surely prove if BYU is worth of the hype. Go undefeated and I believe they deserve a BCS bowl. But a National Championship? Maybe, but to do that, 7 of the top 8 teams in the nation must lose, because BYU will not be jumping over anybody any other way.
Four teams from the Big 12 are still in the mix; if any of those win out, they are in, and BYU could be out. Alabama and Florida are still in, but I just can’t see Alabama going undefeated, so we may be talking about Florida, but the SEC is a tough conference. USC is still in the mix, even though they don’t have a conference championship game, and then there is Penn State. If they get through the Big 10, they are in.
This means the favor is against BYU, it’s not enough for them to win out, they need a LOT of help. They’ll get it from the Big 12 and maybe the SEC, but the Pac-10 and Big 10 are risky allies to depend on.
The next few weeks will reveal all. BCS busters, for the bowls sure, but for the National Championship…well, lots of stuff need to happen…and they just might…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
