The MWC lost four non-conference games this weekend. Here is a run down.
1. Nevada over UNLV. Looks like Lady Luck is done with the Rebels. This takes them back down to Earth. It proves that the 3rd best team in the WAC is better than the 5th best team in the Mountain West. UNLV will still make it to a bowl game if they win the four conference games that they should. Wyoming, New Mexico, Colorado State and San Diego State are very winnable games for the Rebels and they still have a realistic shot at finishing the regular season at 7-5 and are very capable of giving Air Force, BYU and TCU a good game.
2. Colorado State lost to California. This proves that the best team in the Pac-10 can still beat the 7th best team in the Mountain West.
3. Oklahoma beat TCU. This proves that Oklahoma is probably what we think they are. The best college football team in the country right now. BYU and Utah should look at film on this game to see where the Frogs are weak. TCU is now the measuring stick for the rest of the conference and they should be back in the rankings by the time the Cougars travel to Fort Worth in three weeks.
4. Wyoming lost to Bowling Green State. This proves that Joe Glenn should be on the first bus out of Laramie when the football season ends. I'm sure they will welcome him back nwith open arm in Greely, CO where the Northern Colorado move to the FBS has been a flop.
Other MWC action.
1. Utah beat Weber State. This was a closer game than I though that it would be. WSU will be a force in the Big Sky conference this year. I am looking forward to their game against Montana this weekend.
2. New Mexico beat New Mexico State. NMSU is still a very bad team.
3. San Diego State beat Idaho. At least the Aztecs will not be winless this year.
Air Force and BYU took the week off.
MWC Power Rankings
1. BYU
2. Utah
3. TCU
4. Air Force
5. UNLV
6. New Mexico
7. Colorado State
8. Wyoming
9. San Diego State
WAC Power Rankings
1. Boise State
2. Fresno State
3. Nevada
4. Hawaii
5. San Jose State
6. La Tech
7. Utah State
8. New Mexico State
9. Idaho
Big Sky Power Rankings
1. Montana
2. Eastern Washington
3. Weber State
4. Montana State
5. Northern Arizona
6. Sacramento State
7. Portland State
8. Idaho State
9. Northern Colorado
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Mountain West Power Rankings for week 4.
I am Rocky Long this week. I grew up a BYU fan because my grandfather play basketball for the Cougars back in the 30s. I went to Weber State. I have a loathing for Utah State athletics. I respect the financial institution, but not the athletics. At least the Utah State teams not coached by Stew Morril--who I actually met when I was a missionary in Montana and he was an assistant with the Grizzlies. I am going to see if I can dis the Utah State Aggies in every comment this week. Let's see how I do.
1. BYU--1985 was the last time that BYU had back to back shut-outs. They recorded three that season. In 1985 they blanked Wyoming at home, a team from California (SDSU) and Utah State in Logan. Up next for the Cougars...Utah State in Logan.
2. Utah--Plays two non-conference games against other teams from the state of Utah. One that is now in the FCS (DI-AA--that's Weber State) and one that should be (Yep, that's Utah State). BTW--Weber State is off to their best start in 15 years. They are coached by former Ute coach Ron McBride.
3. TCU--BYU is off this week and TCU is playing Oklahoma in Norman. This week I am a Frogs fan. But, alas, this year the Sooners have been making everyone they play look like Utah State.
4. Air Force--Tough loss to Utah. Air Force could not drive the length of the field in less than a minute to tie the game because they are not very good at passing. Something the Falcons have in common with Utah State.
5. UNLV--Don't bet against these guys in OT. Lady luck is smiling on them this year. But they did not need that luck against Utah State. (That one was way too easy.) They are now halfway to being bowl eligible. They have Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming at home this year, so they should make it and they should not need a lucky break in OT to win these games either. If BYU gets to go to the BCS, perhaps the Rebels should stay home and play in the Las Vegas Bowl.
6. Colorado State--Got a good win against Houston this week. They play @ Cal this coming Saturday. This is the best chance left for the PAC-10 to get a win against the Mountain West this season. Before the season began, a lot of people were thinking that joining the PAC-10 would be a step up for any MWC conference team. Doesn't look like such a hot idea now. Oregon, however, did get a win against a team from the Rocky Mountains this year and now everyone in the PAC-10 will want to schedule a game against Utah State.
7. Wyoming--They consider all of the Universities in the Beehive State to be rivals. Last year, they played four Utah teams and went 2 and 2. I am glad that BYU did not call an on-side kick after going up 41-0. Joe Glenn got to keep his longest finger attached to his fist. He may not get to keep his job, but at least he will escape with all of his fingers attached. I bet that he is wishing that he had scheduled Utah State.
8. New Mexico--They look good against teams from Arizona and Utah State. They look terrible against everybody else.
9. San Diego State--They could not beat Notre Dame. They could not beat San Jose State. They could not even beat Cal Poly. They don't play Utah State, but they do play Idaho at home this week. Idaho lost big time to Utah State this week. I'm afraid that the winner of this game will have their sole victory for 2008. If the Aztecs can not beat Idaho this week, we will know that at least one team in the Mountain West Conference is worse than Utah State.
1. BYU--1985 was the last time that BYU had back to back shut-outs. They recorded three that season. In 1985 they blanked Wyoming at home, a team from California (SDSU) and Utah State in Logan. Up next for the Cougars...Utah State in Logan.
2. Utah--Plays two non-conference games against other teams from the state of Utah. One that is now in the FCS (DI-AA--that's Weber State) and one that should be (Yep, that's Utah State). BTW--Weber State is off to their best start in 15 years. They are coached by former Ute coach Ron McBride.
3. TCU--BYU is off this week and TCU is playing Oklahoma in Norman. This week I am a Frogs fan. But, alas, this year the Sooners have been making everyone they play look like Utah State.
4. Air Force--Tough loss to Utah. Air Force could not drive the length of the field in less than a minute to tie the game because they are not very good at passing. Something the Falcons have in common with Utah State.
5. UNLV--Don't bet against these guys in OT. Lady luck is smiling on them this year. But they did not need that luck against Utah State. (That one was way too easy.) They are now halfway to being bowl eligible. They have Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming at home this year, so they should make it and they should not need a lucky break in OT to win these games either. If BYU gets to go to the BCS, perhaps the Rebels should stay home and play in the Las Vegas Bowl.
6. Colorado State--Got a good win against Houston this week. They play @ Cal this coming Saturday. This is the best chance left for the PAC-10 to get a win against the Mountain West this season. Before the season began, a lot of people were thinking that joining the PAC-10 would be a step up for any MWC conference team. Doesn't look like such a hot idea now. Oregon, however, did get a win against a team from the Rocky Mountains this year and now everyone in the PAC-10 will want to schedule a game against Utah State.
7. Wyoming--They consider all of the Universities in the Beehive State to be rivals. Last year, they played four Utah teams and went 2 and 2. I am glad that BYU did not call an on-side kick after going up 41-0. Joe Glenn got to keep his longest finger attached to his fist. He may not get to keep his job, but at least he will escape with all of his fingers attached. I bet that he is wishing that he had scheduled Utah State.
8. New Mexico--They look good against teams from Arizona and Utah State. They look terrible against everybody else.
9. San Diego State--They could not beat Notre Dame. They could not beat San Jose State. They could not even beat Cal Poly. They don't play Utah State, but they do play Idaho at home this week. Idaho lost big time to Utah State this week. I'm afraid that the winner of this game will have their sole victory for 2008. If the Aztecs can not beat Idaho this week, we will know that at least one team in the Mountain West Conference is worse than Utah State.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
What the flip?
MWC 4 Pac-10 0 today. For the season MWC 5 Pac-10 0. There are two more dates left. Oregon State at Utah and Colorado State at Cal. It will probably by 6-1, but the Bears better be careful, ASU was looking past UNLV.
The debate this week is which one of these is the most impressive?
BYU 59 UCLA 0
TCU 31 Stanford 14
New Mexico 36 Arizona 28
UNLV 23 Arizona State 20 (OT)
Obviously handing UCLA their second worst loss in history is very impressive. It was also BYU's biggest win since an 83-3 drubbing of UTEP when Jim McMahon was quarterbacking the Cougars. I must also say that UNLV pulling out an OT thiller in Sun Devil Stadium impresses me. Will see if this is just ASU looking past UNLV (they have Georgia next week) or if the Rebels are for real.
By the way...
Utah 58 Utah State 10
Here are the MWC Power Rankings:
1. BYU
2. Utah
3. TCU
4. Air Force
5. UNLV
6. Wyoming
7. New Mexico
8. San Diego State
tie. Colorado State
There are four undefeated teams this week, but that will be three by this time next week. Utah visits Air Force next week.
WAC Power Rankings.
1. Fresno State
tie. Boise State
3. San Jose State (There is a HUGE drop off here.)
4. Nevada
5. Hawaii
6. La Tech
7. New Mexico State
8. Idaho
9. Utah State
Big Sky Power Rankings.
I am going to wait until they begin playing other FCS teams.
The debate this week is which one of these is the most impressive?
BYU 59 UCLA 0
TCU 31 Stanford 14
New Mexico 36 Arizona 28
UNLV 23 Arizona State 20 (OT)
Obviously handing UCLA their second worst loss in history is very impressive. It was also BYU's biggest win since an 83-3 drubbing of UTEP when Jim McMahon was quarterbacking the Cougars. I must also say that UNLV pulling out an OT thiller in Sun Devil Stadium impresses me. Will see if this is just ASU looking past UNLV (they have Georgia next week) or if the Rebels are for real.
By the way...
Utah 58 Utah State 10
Here are the MWC Power Rankings:
1. BYU
2. Utah
3. TCU
4. Air Force
5. UNLV
6. Wyoming
7. New Mexico
8. San Diego State
tie. Colorado State
There are four undefeated teams this week, but that will be three by this time next week. Utah visits Air Force next week.
WAC Power Rankings.
1. Fresno State
tie. Boise State
3. San Jose State (There is a HUGE drop off here.)
4. Nevada
5. Hawaii
6. La Tech
7. New Mexico State
8. Idaho
9. Utah State
Big Sky Power Rankings.
I am going to wait until they begin playing other FCS teams.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
BYU Washington Again.
The spin on the BYU-Washington game from last weekend remains that the Huskies lost the game because of the controversial call on the final touchdown.
I say a picture on-line from the Deseret News--it's one of the week in pictures photos. Notice the photo of the blocked kick. You will notice that the blocker, lineman Jan Jorgensen, was virtually unblocked.
http://www.deseretnews.com/photo/gallery/story/1,5417,700257217,00.html
After the penalty, Washington still had a chance not only to put the game into overtime, but to win the game. Here is how they blew it.
1. On the 35-yard extra point, there is evidence that the offensive line did not do their job. The lineman who blocked the kick was practically unscathed. He was even held by the jersey, but still got through the line. He could have blocked the kick from regular distance. Any kicker at the college FBS level worth his weight in corn meal can hit a 35-yard field goal.
2. BYU got a celebration penalty after the blocked kick. Washington successfully executed an on-side kick that would have been within field goal range, but they were called offsides. Without this penalty, the Huskies could have tried for a game winning field goal regardless of the outcome of the conversion.
I say a picture on-line from the Deseret News--it's one of the week in pictures photos. Notice the photo of the blocked kick. You will notice that the blocker, lineman Jan Jorgensen, was virtually unblocked.
http://www.deseretnews.com/photo/gallery/story/1,5417,700257217,00.html
After the penalty, Washington still had a chance not only to put the game into overtime, but to win the game. Here is how they blew it.
1. On the 35-yard extra point, there is evidence that the offensive line did not do their job. The lineman who blocked the kick was practically unscathed. He was even held by the jersey, but still got through the line. He could have blocked the kick from regular distance. Any kicker at the college FBS level worth his weight in corn meal can hit a 35-yard field goal.
2. BYU got a celebration penalty after the blocked kick. Washington successfully executed an on-side kick that would have been within field goal range, but they were called offsides. Without this penalty, the Huskies could have tried for a game winning field goal regardless of the outcome of the conversion.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
College Football Rankings and Such
Here is my first sports blog. I was getting tired of blogging about sports on other sites.
State of the State (of Utah) in College Football.
1. Utah--Avoided a let-down against UNLV after getting a big win in the big house. Clearly, the Utes are the best team in the state and Mountain West Conference right now. Whether or not that will still be the case in November remains to be seen.
2. BYU--Dropped three places in the rankings. I am not surprised that this happened. First, Washington is not the class of the PAC-10 this season. This was a game that the Cougars should have won handily. Second, I have read columns of a few influential college football writers who believe that the Cougars were overrated at 15. I am surprised that they did not fall farther. More than one writer has accused the refs of giving the game to the Cougars, which is a bogus argument. The kick was blocked and may have been at 20 yards as well. If the PAT goes barely wide right, THEN you can say that the penalty changed the outcome of the game.
3. Weber State--For a moment, you forgot who was playing who and where and it was a real football game...for a half.
4. Utah State--Lost to Oregon and one member of the Ducks said that it felt like high school. This year, the Ags would struggle in D-II.
5. SUU--Kudos for breaking their loosing streak.
6. Dixie State (UUSG)--The soon to not be rebels won a game and next week will get to be the patsy for Weber State's homecoming. Good luck.
--
MWC Power Rankings.
1. Utah
2. BYU
3. TCU
4. Air Force
5. Wyoming
6. UNLV
7. Colorado State
8. New Mexico
9. San Diego State
--
WAC Power Rankings
1. Fresno State
2. Boise State
3. Nevada
4. San Jose State
5. Hawaii
6. La Tech
7. New Mexico State (Has yet to play their first game.)
8. Idaho
9. Utah State
--
Big Sky Power Rankings
1. Montana
2. Sacramento State
3. Weber State
4. Montana State
5. Eastern Washington
6. Northern Arizona
7. Idaho State
9. Portland State
10. Northern Colorado
State of the State (of Utah) in College Football.
1. Utah--Avoided a let-down against UNLV after getting a big win in the big house. Clearly, the Utes are the best team in the state and Mountain West Conference right now. Whether or not that will still be the case in November remains to be seen.
2. BYU--Dropped three places in the rankings. I am not surprised that this happened. First, Washington is not the class of the PAC-10 this season. This was a game that the Cougars should have won handily. Second, I have read columns of a few influential college football writers who believe that the Cougars were overrated at 15. I am surprised that they did not fall farther. More than one writer has accused the refs of giving the game to the Cougars, which is a bogus argument. The kick was blocked and may have been at 20 yards as well. If the PAT goes barely wide right, THEN you can say that the penalty changed the outcome of the game.
3. Weber State--For a moment, you forgot who was playing who and where and it was a real football game...for a half.
4. Utah State--Lost to Oregon and one member of the Ducks said that it felt like high school. This year, the Ags would struggle in D-II.
5. SUU--Kudos for breaking their loosing streak.
6. Dixie State (UUSG)--The soon to not be rebels won a game and next week will get to be the patsy for Weber State's homecoming. Good luck.
--
MWC Power Rankings.
1. Utah
2. BYU
3. TCU
4. Air Force
5. Wyoming
6. UNLV
7. Colorado State
8. New Mexico
9. San Diego State
--
WAC Power Rankings
1. Fresno State
2. Boise State
3. Nevada
4. San Jose State
5. Hawaii
6. La Tech
7. New Mexico State (Has yet to play their first game.)
8. Idaho
9. Utah State
--
Big Sky Power Rankings
1. Montana
2. Sacramento State
3. Weber State
4. Montana State
5. Eastern Washington
6. Northern Arizona
7. Idaho State
9. Portland State
10. Northern Colorado
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