First, I wish to clarify the nicknames I use for the Big Sky Conference travel partners.
Montanas--Montana and Montana State
I-15ers--Weber State and Idaho State
Northerns--Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona
Northwesterns--Portland State and Eastern Washington
Sacramento State--Travels alone. Their old travel partner, CSU-Northridge, is now in the Big West.
Games this weekend:
Montanas visit the I-15ers
Sacramento State visits the Northwesterns
The Northerns play each other in Flagstaff on Saturday.
Second, the Big Sky is still only a one-bid NCAA conference, although UNC has come close to building a good enough resume for an at-large bid. If only they could have won that game at Oklahoma. Montana has a decent resume as well. There are not enough at-large opportunities to go around anymore. But there are four Big-Sky schools that have a good enough resume for the NIT or CBIT.
Third, the BSC tournament is a six-team tourney. The first place team hosts the tournament, both the first and second place team get a first round bye. The first round of the tournament will have the sixth place team visiting the third place team and the fifth place team visiting the fourth place team.
Power Rankings:
1. Northern Colorado--Enters Big Sky play with 12 wins. Three of those wins are against the Mountain West Conference: Air Force, Colorado State and TCU. They also beat Hawaii, San Jose State and Denver. The Bears beat Montana in Missoula in early season conference play. Their losses are to Wyoming, and Oklahoma in a nail-biter and an early-season Big Sky roadie at Montana State. The Bears are in good shape going into conference play. With the way the Bears are playing ball, I expect the Big Sky tourney to be in Greeley. This could put them in place for an NCAA bid...their first since becoming and D-I school.
2. Montana--The Grizzlies have 10 wins going into conference play. Their resume includes wins against Boise State, Loyola Marymont, Oregon and Fresno State--with the last two on the road. Their losses are to Denver, Washington, Colorado State and an early-season conference home game to the other Bears while beating the Lumberjacks. Montana should get into the NIT if they do not win the BSC tournament.
3. Weber State--The Wildcats were slow out of the gate. Street and Smith predicted they would go 2-10 in non-conference play and win the conference. Instead they went 6-6. Here is to beating expectations. The Cat's have had problems taking on teams with size, which explains losses to Utah State twice as well at UC Santa Barbara, Seattle, BYU and UNLV. But they own wins against Utah and Cal-State Fullerton. I imagine that the Street and Smith folks expected WSU to loose to Southern Utah and Morehead State as well. They also won an early-season conference roadie against Sacramento State. Weber State may get into the CBIT if they do not win the BSC tourney.
4. Montana State--The Bobcats are 7-5 at this time. They have a trio of impressive wins against San Francisco, UC-Santa Barbara and Cal-Poly. They have losses at Oregon, Nevada, Boise State and Memphis. They also split an early season conference home-stand against the Northerns, beating NCU but loosing to NAU. The Bobcats could use a little more consistency. Montana State may get into the CBIT as well, depending on how well they play in conference.
5. Portland State--The Vikings enter the bulk of Big Sky play at 6-7. Their early season conference game was a home win against Eastern Washington. They do not play again until they host the Hornets on Saturday. Their impressive wins come against Cal Poly, U or Portland, and Pepperdine. They lost to the likes of Wright State, Washington, Stanford, Saint Mary, Washington State and Boise State. A little more consistency and their resume would be a little bit stronger. Their bubble has already burst with just one to many losses. The Vikings will have to win the Big Sky tourney to go dancing. They will have to win 13 or 14 conference games to get to one of the consolation tournaments.
6. Sacramento State--The Hornets enter the New Year with a non-so-shabby 6-8 record. They also have a win at Oregon State. They won an early-season conference game at Idaho State, while loosing at home to Weber State. They have lost chances to impress selection committees--lossing to Rice, Idaho, USC, Pacific and Loyola Marymount. The only path the the post-season will be to win the Big Sky Tournament.
7. Northern Arizona--The Lumberjacks are 5-7 with one of the weaker non-conference schedules. They have a win at Air Force, but only had a chance to impress selection committees with road losses against Arizona, New Mexico and San Diego State. Had one game against Pacific suspended. Two of their losses were early season conference games in Montana. Will need to win the Big Sky Tournament to get to the post-season.
8. Eastern Washington--The Eagles are 4-10, and were the team that finally gave a dose of reality to the Seattle Red Hawks. They had plenty of chances to impress people with losses to Portland, Washington State, Boise State, Idaho, Nevada, BYU and Gonzaga. They also lost at home to Portland State in early December. It should be obvious that their bubble has burst. The Hornets are in Cheney on Thursday.
9. Idaho State--How many athletic directors in the country would schedule road games against Iowa State, Bradley, BYU, Utah State, Notre Dame, Utah, USC and Oregon? Idaho State had this schedule and all of these games all turned into losses for the Bengals. They also lost a home game to Boise State, as well as a close one at home to the Hornets. If it were not for a D-II team and an NAIA school at home, they would only have a win at Missouri-Kansas City to their credit. The Bengals are in last because who ever scheduled their games doesn't know the difference between a challenging schedule and a killer one. No NIT or CBIT or any post season unless they can win the Big Sky Tourney, even if they finish 15-1 in conference play.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Forget about conferece expansion, it is conferecne contraction that we need.
A recent poll shows that fans prefer a playoff to the BCS. Two things will need to be done to facilitate a playoff, first will be to return to an 11-game season and second will be to eliminate conference championship games.
In the FCS, where there is a playoff, there is an 11-game season. The CAA (Colonial Athletic Association), the only conference that partakes of the FCS playoffs that has divisions does not have a championship game. Mainly, they do not need one. They seem to get four or five schools into the playoffs anyway. They had four teams in the playoffs this season with three of those four teams in the final four. And without Hofstra, the CAA may abandon the division concept next year.
With a 12-game schedule, a conference championship game and a 20-team playoff like the FCS will have next year, there exists the potential for an 18-game season. The Maximum that an NFL team plays is 20...well 24 if you count the pre-season...but who does.
So, while we are talking about conference expansion, the talk of a playoff would call for contraction. If you return to an 11-game season, and you eliminate the conference championship games, and you have a 20-team playoff, you have, at most, 16 games. That spells a nine team conference.
I would imagine, however, that the SEC and Big 12 would not feel the need to contract and feel entitled to have at least two and perhaps three or four teams each in the playoffs. Much like the Colonial gets in the FCS. But Conference USA and the MAC would have to shed some weight.
This year, the FCS had a 16-team playoff, but DII has had a 20-team playoff for a few years. Next year, the FCS will have a 20-team playoff to allow them to give automatic bids to the Big South and Great West and to encourage participation from the Ivy League and the Southwest Athletic Conference (Traditional Black Schools) with currently do not participate in the playoff system. There are also more teams playing 2 games against FBS schools and that tends to confuse the selection committee. The FCS playoffs may expand to 24 or 28 in the near future.
Here is how a 20 team playoff would have worked in the FBS this year:
Automatic entries-11:
ACC-Georgia Tech
Big 12 - Texas
Big East - Cincinnati
Big 10 - Ohio State
C-USA- East Carolina
MAC - Central Michigan
MWC - TCU
PAC-10 - Oregon
SEC - Alabama
Sun Belt - Troy
WAC - Boise State
At Large-9 (Based on BCS Standings)
Florida
Iowa
Virginia Tech
LSU
Penn State
BYU
Miami
West Virginia
Pittsburgh
Seedings (Based on BCS Standings)
1. Alabama
2. Texas
3. Cincinnati
4. TCU
5. Florida
6. Boise State
7. Oregon
8. Ohio State
9. Georgia Tech
10. Iowa
11. Va Tech
12. LSU
13. Penn State
14. BYU
15. Miami
16. West Virginia
17. Pittsburgh
18. East Carolina
19. Central Michigan
20. Troy
First Round
17. Pittsburgh at 16. West Virginia
18. East Carolina at 15. Miami (FL)
19. Central Michigan at 14. BYU
20. Troy at 13. Penn State
Second Round
Lowest remaining first round seed at 1. Alabama
9. Georgia Tech at 8. Ohio State
Highest remaining first round seed at 4. TCU
12. LSU at 5. Florida
11. Virginia Tech at 6. Boise State
Second highest remaining first round seed at 3. Cincinnati
10. Iowa at 7. Oregon
Second lowest remaining first round seed at 2. Texas
By Conference:
ACC-3
Big 12-1
Big East-3
Big 10-3
C-USA-1
MAC-1
MWC-2
PAC-10-1
SEC-2
Sun Belt-1
WAC-1
Given it goes down this way, I thing there would be lobbying for a 24 game playoff so that the entitled conferences can each get 3 team each. The next four in would be: Oregon State, Oklahoma State, Arizona and Stanford.
Here are some observations that I have from the FCS playoffs.
-The opening round games seem to have a 10 to 35 percent attendance drop-off from the regular season averages. Expect this to play a role in which teams are selected. This would bode well for Oklahoma State or Utah getting in with Miami and Pittsburgh being left out. This would solidify BYU's chances at getting in. Attendance at neutral site games would also play a factor in seeding.
-There is also a lot of pull from the big conferences. This could mean that Oregon State or Oklahoma State could get in over BYU.
-Potential TV ratings games play a role in where teams are seated. For example, you may see TCU seeded 3 to increase the likelihood of a TCU/Texas match-up.
Other ways to facilitate a playoff.
-Begin the season earlier.
-Actually demote some programs to the FCS.
In the FCS, where there is a playoff, there is an 11-game season. The CAA (Colonial Athletic Association), the only conference that partakes of the FCS playoffs that has divisions does not have a championship game. Mainly, they do not need one. They seem to get four or five schools into the playoffs anyway. They had four teams in the playoffs this season with three of those four teams in the final four. And without Hofstra, the CAA may abandon the division concept next year.
With a 12-game schedule, a conference championship game and a 20-team playoff like the FCS will have next year, there exists the potential for an 18-game season. The Maximum that an NFL team plays is 20...well 24 if you count the pre-season...but who does.
So, while we are talking about conference expansion, the talk of a playoff would call for contraction. If you return to an 11-game season, and you eliminate the conference championship games, and you have a 20-team playoff, you have, at most, 16 games. That spells a nine team conference.
I would imagine, however, that the SEC and Big 12 would not feel the need to contract and feel entitled to have at least two and perhaps three or four teams each in the playoffs. Much like the Colonial gets in the FCS. But Conference USA and the MAC would have to shed some weight.
This year, the FCS had a 16-team playoff, but DII has had a 20-team playoff for a few years. Next year, the FCS will have a 20-team playoff to allow them to give automatic bids to the Big South and Great West and to encourage participation from the Ivy League and the Southwest Athletic Conference (Traditional Black Schools) with currently do not participate in the playoff system. There are also more teams playing 2 games against FBS schools and that tends to confuse the selection committee. The FCS playoffs may expand to 24 or 28 in the near future.
Here is how a 20 team playoff would have worked in the FBS this year:
Automatic entries-11:
ACC-Georgia Tech
Big 12 - Texas
Big East - Cincinnati
Big 10 - Ohio State
C-USA- East Carolina
MAC - Central Michigan
MWC - TCU
PAC-10 - Oregon
SEC - Alabama
Sun Belt - Troy
WAC - Boise State
At Large-9 (Based on BCS Standings)
Florida
Iowa
Virginia Tech
LSU
Penn State
BYU
Miami
West Virginia
Pittsburgh
Seedings (Based on BCS Standings)
1. Alabama
2. Texas
3. Cincinnati
4. TCU
5. Florida
6. Boise State
7. Oregon
8. Ohio State
9. Georgia Tech
10. Iowa
11. Va Tech
12. LSU
13. Penn State
14. BYU
15. Miami
16. West Virginia
17. Pittsburgh
18. East Carolina
19. Central Michigan
20. Troy
First Round
17. Pittsburgh at 16. West Virginia
18. East Carolina at 15. Miami (FL)
19. Central Michigan at 14. BYU
20. Troy at 13. Penn State
Second Round
Lowest remaining first round seed at 1. Alabama
9. Georgia Tech at 8. Ohio State
Highest remaining first round seed at 4. TCU
12. LSU at 5. Florida
11. Virginia Tech at 6. Boise State
Second highest remaining first round seed at 3. Cincinnati
10. Iowa at 7. Oregon
Second lowest remaining first round seed at 2. Texas
By Conference:
ACC-3
Big 12-1
Big East-3
Big 10-3
C-USA-1
MAC-1
MWC-2
PAC-10-1
SEC-2
Sun Belt-1
WAC-1
Given it goes down this way, I thing there would be lobbying for a 24 game playoff so that the entitled conferences can each get 3 team each. The next four in would be: Oregon State, Oklahoma State, Arizona and Stanford.
Here are some observations that I have from the FCS playoffs.
-The opening round games seem to have a 10 to 35 percent attendance drop-off from the regular season averages. Expect this to play a role in which teams are selected. This would bode well for Oklahoma State or Utah getting in with Miami and Pittsburgh being left out. This would solidify BYU's chances at getting in. Attendance at neutral site games would also play a factor in seeding.
-There is also a lot of pull from the big conferences. This could mean that Oregon State or Oklahoma State could get in over BYU.
-Potential TV ratings games play a role in where teams are seated. For example, you may see TCU seeded 3 to increase the likelihood of a TCU/Texas match-up.
Other ways to facilitate a playoff.
-Begin the season earlier.
-Actually demote some programs to the FCS.
Big Sky, WAC and Mountain West Football Power Rankings for the Entire Decade
Mountain West
1. Utah
It is hard to argue with 2 BCS bowl game victories, 3 conference championships and 8 bowl victories in 8 tries. One of four things that changed the course of this conference in the 00's was the hiring of Urban Meyer. This man raised the bar for the conference, even though he was in Salt Lake City for only two years. The two times the Utes failed to earn a bowl birth were when Ron McBride was still on the hill. The program is rising and will be a national force for years to come.
2. TCU
The second thing that changed the course of the Mountain West in the decade was admitting TCU to the conference. The Horned Frogs have pushed the rest of the conference to be better. The program is rising. Winning 2 conference championships and four bowl games--so far--has helped. Making it to a BCS bowl game, win or loose, helps the stature of the program and the conference.
3. BYU
I know Cougar fans well, and they would like to think that thier program deserves a better ranking than this. But this is for the entire decade. Half of the decade, including LaVell Edwards last season, Bronco Mendenhall's first season, and three of Gary Crowton's four seasons found the Cougars at .500 or lower. The program is back in the right direction now. Bronco Mendenhall's hiring was the third of four events that have propelled the conference to one of the best in the country. The Cougars have won three conference championships and three bowl games and have a streak of four consecutive 10+ seasons.
4. Colorado State
The Rams won three of the first four conference championships, with two bowl wins, and then the bottom fell out. Steve Fairchild appeared to have things turned around in 2008 adding another bowl win, but 2009 found CSU winless in conference play. The program is in free-fall right now.
5. Air Force
The end of the Fisher DeBerry era was the only blip in an otherwise good decade for Air Force. The Falcons did not win a championship, but did finish 2nd in 2007, and now have two bowl victories. The program is back on solid and steady footing.
6. New Mexico
Rocky Long had a good, solid, consistent winner until the 2008 season. Not sure what happened, but some close to the Lobo program said it had something to do with recruiting. Long kind of gave up. No conference championship, but the Lobos have five bowl appearances with one win. The program fell to where there was only one victory in 2009. The program is in fast free fall and needs a parachute. But at least the basketball Lobos are winning and that is all they really care about in Albuquerque.
7. Wyoming
This was a rough decade for Laramie. It is book ended by two bowl winning seasons, however, and Dave Christensen has a talented team to take the program into the next decade as a winner.
8. UNLV
Football is about the only program at UNLV that can not seem to find a footing. They did start the decade with a Las Vegas Bowl victory over Arkansas, but then things floundered and not even the legendary John Robinson could keep the ship aright. We will see what Bobby Hauck can do where Robinson and Mike Sanford failed.
9. San Diego State
The Aztecs are the only MWC team without a winning season or bowl appearance in the decade. They have been as close as they were this past year before, just to return to a one or two win season the next year. If Brady Hoke can deliver at least five wins next year, it will be a break in recent trends.
Prior decades team of the decade:
The MWC began in 1999 when BYU, Colorado State and Utah tied for the championship.
Play of the decade
Moments like this are helping the US discover the MWC. The fourth event for the MWC that changed the course of the conference was, like it or not, the creation of the Mtn.
WAC
1. Boise State
Seven conference championships and perhaps the most memorable moment of the decade belong to the BSU Broncos. If only they would fire their color-blind groundskeeper! Lately, however, the team has had little competition from the rest of the conference. In WAC history, when one team began to dominate, someone else in the conference would rise up and challenge them. That has not happened to Boise State. Either the WAC will need to improve, or the Broncos will need to play somewhere else.
2. Hawaii
June Jones brought winning football back to the Islands. Then he left. The Warriors could be a good program to challenge the BSU Broncos, but alas, they have not only chased Jones away, but the Pro Bowl as well. Hawaii has a conference championship, three bowl victories out of six appearances including a loss in the Sugar Bowl. The Hawaii Program has been in slow decline since Jones left.
3. Nevada
Former Head Coach Chris Ault resumed his duties at Nevada in 2004 and the second half of the decade was nothing but successful for the Wolfpack. They earned a share of the conference championship in 2005, and a bowl victory that season. They now have a streak of 5 consecutive winning seasons and bowl appearances. They are now as steady as any WAC program outside of Boise.
4. Louisiana Tech
The Bulldogs joined the WAC in 2001 and won the championship in that season. Most of the decade, however, the team from Reston, LA has been just on the cusp of a winning season. In addition to the 2001 championship, the Bulldogs earned a trip to the Independence Bowl in 2008. Expect more of the same from them.
5. Fresno State
Fresno State has to be considered the underachiever of all three conferences that this site covers. The Bulldogs begin every season in the BCS Buster conversation, but have not won a conference championship since 1999...which is why they are not ranked higher. But, they do have nine bowl appearances to their credit and they won four of them. At least they are consistent.
6. San Jose State
Considering that SJSU plays in the shadow of a pair of PAC-10 programs and in aging facilities, they still have four winning seasons and a bowl game to thier credit in the last decade. Considering that in this day of 30-plus bowls, the fact that they have been passed over for the post season three times does not speak well of fan support in the south-bay area. But they have survived where other bay-area colleges like Pacific and Santa Clara have dropped football.
7. Idaho
The Vandals went bowling and won perhaps the most exciting bowl game of 2009. Otherwise, they spend the decade near the bottom of the conference standings. The success of last season brought their average number of wins per season above three, and puts them ahead of the other two programs that joined in 2005. We will see if that can continue.
8. New Mexico State
In the past five years, NMSU have won five more games than the other Aggies, and that is good enough to avoid last place. Woot, Woot! In this case, being a steady program is not a good thing. Duane Walker is a good coach, and he will last here until his program improves.
9. Utah State
By the end of the 2008 season, the USU Aggies were as close to being demoted to the FCS as any program in the entire FBS. Perhaps no other program in the United States has any more reason to be excited about a four-win program than they do in Logan. Gary Anderson has even had some moderate recruiting success in getting Jordan HS QB Alex Hart to commit before Colorado could. Perhaps there is reason for hope in Logan. The program is rising because you can only go up from where they have been.
Prior decades football team of the decade:
1990's--BYU (Now in the MWC)
1980's--BYU (Now in the MWC)
1970's--Arizona State (Now in the PAC-10)
1960's--Wyoming (Now in the MWC)
Play of the Decade
We can not even pretend that any event from the WAC in the past ten years matches this one.
Big Sky Conference
1. Montana--10 outright or shared conference championships, 10 NCAA playoff appearances, 5 FCS championship game appearances and 1 NCAA championship. It was a decade of dominance by the Grizzlies. And Montana has dominated the conference after Nevada, Idaho and Boise State took their programs to the higher division, current conference championship streak is 12 with 14 out of the last 15. Three head coaches hired by floundering FBS football programs in the decade, but the magic remained in Missoula. Perhaps Bobby Hauck will actually succeed where Joe Glenn and Mick Dennehy did not.
2. Montana State--3 Conference co-championships and 3 NCAA playoff appearances. A Stadium expansion is underway. If they can't get 25,000 fans at games in Bozeman, at least closing off the ends of the stadium will help with the nasty and cold Gallatin Valley winds. The decade had an ominous beginning in Bozeman with a winless season in 2000. By 2002, the Boze-cats won their first of three conference championships and have been consistent winners afterwards.
3. Eastern Washington--2 Conference co-championships and 4 NCAA playoff appearances. Perhaps the most consistent program outside of Missoula in the Big Sky conference with only one sub-.500 season the entire decade. Too bad that Paul Wulff has not been able to take that level of consistency with him to Pullman.
4. Weber State--1 Conference co-championship and 2 NCAA playoff appearances. Program rising, but may have peaked in 2008. The first half of the decade had a couple of promising seasons, but no playoffs. Then came the disastrous 1-10 season in 2004. This brought Ron McBride back to coaching in 2005 and he put the Cats in the playoffs in 2008 and 2009.
5. Northern Arizona--2 NCAA playoff appearances mid-decade marked ten years with modest success. With rumors that the only football in Flagstaff after the 2009 season would be the Arizona Cardinals training camp, the Lumberjacks have found a way to put it behind them and win with some very exciting football that brough back memories of the Big Sky Conference of the 80s. Jerome Souers is the dean of coaches in the Big Sky conference.
6. Portland State--1 NCAA playoff appearance. New head coach, Nigel Burton, will kick off the new decade trying to succeed where former NFL head coach Gerry Glanville could not. Maybe the run and shoot will be gone from Portland as well. When Tim Walsh was the head coach, the explosive offense could consistently score more points than the defense would allow. Once Glanville took over, the defense went south and winning games was hard to come by. You don't win a lot of games when 60+ points is not good enough. This is why PSU hired a defensive-minded coach.
7. Idaho State--1 conference co-championship but did not appear in the playoffs in the last decade, even in the championship season. That championship in 2001 was shared with Eastern Washington and Montana who did go to the playoffs that year. At the beginning of the decade, the Bengals were winning just like they were in the 1970s. Near the end of the decade, they forgot how and couldn't even win games that were gifted to them.
8. Sacramento State--Did not win the conference or make the NCAA playoffs in the decade. At this level of football, there are no beauty-contest bowls. They dream of bigger things in Sacramento, like a move up to the Bowl Subdivision, but have to figure out how to succeed at this level first.
9. Northern Colorado--Joined the conference in 2006 to replace CSU-Northridge after that school dropped football. 2009 was the first time they won more than one conference game. The program was a consistent playoff program at Divsion II, but have not found that kind of success, yet, in the FCS.
Prior Decades Team of the Decade:
1990s--Montana
1980s--Idaho (Now in the WAC)
1970s--Boise State (Now in the WAC)
1960s--Montana State
Fun Video Link because it is really difficult to find good Big Sky video. If anyone has a link to the Tim Toone put return in the snow against Northern Arizona, let me know. Also, video from the 73-68 game in Portland would be nice as well. Or Montana's comeback against South Dakota State in the playoffs would be great as well.
1. Utah
It is hard to argue with 2 BCS bowl game victories, 3 conference championships and 8 bowl victories in 8 tries. One of four things that changed the course of this conference in the 00's was the hiring of Urban Meyer. This man raised the bar for the conference, even though he was in Salt Lake City for only two years. The two times the Utes failed to earn a bowl birth were when Ron McBride was still on the hill. The program is rising and will be a national force for years to come.
2. TCU
The second thing that changed the course of the Mountain West in the decade was admitting TCU to the conference. The Horned Frogs have pushed the rest of the conference to be better. The program is rising. Winning 2 conference championships and four bowl games--so far--has helped. Making it to a BCS bowl game, win or loose, helps the stature of the program and the conference.
3. BYU
I know Cougar fans well, and they would like to think that thier program deserves a better ranking than this. But this is for the entire decade. Half of the decade, including LaVell Edwards last season, Bronco Mendenhall's first season, and three of Gary Crowton's four seasons found the Cougars at .500 or lower. The program is back in the right direction now. Bronco Mendenhall's hiring was the third of four events that have propelled the conference to one of the best in the country. The Cougars have won three conference championships and three bowl games and have a streak of four consecutive 10+ seasons.
4. Colorado State
The Rams won three of the first four conference championships, with two bowl wins, and then the bottom fell out. Steve Fairchild appeared to have things turned around in 2008 adding another bowl win, but 2009 found CSU winless in conference play. The program is in free-fall right now.
5. Air Force
The end of the Fisher DeBerry era was the only blip in an otherwise good decade for Air Force. The Falcons did not win a championship, but did finish 2nd in 2007, and now have two bowl victories. The program is back on solid and steady footing.
6. New Mexico
Rocky Long had a good, solid, consistent winner until the 2008 season. Not sure what happened, but some close to the Lobo program said it had something to do with recruiting. Long kind of gave up. No conference championship, but the Lobos have five bowl appearances with one win. The program fell to where there was only one victory in 2009. The program is in fast free fall and needs a parachute. But at least the basketball Lobos are winning and that is all they really care about in Albuquerque.
7. Wyoming
This was a rough decade for Laramie. It is book ended by two bowl winning seasons, however, and Dave Christensen has a talented team to take the program into the next decade as a winner.
8. UNLV
Football is about the only program at UNLV that can not seem to find a footing. They did start the decade with a Las Vegas Bowl victory over Arkansas, but then things floundered and not even the legendary John Robinson could keep the ship aright. We will see what Bobby Hauck can do where Robinson and Mike Sanford failed.
9. San Diego State
The Aztecs are the only MWC team without a winning season or bowl appearance in the decade. They have been as close as they were this past year before, just to return to a one or two win season the next year. If Brady Hoke can deliver at least five wins next year, it will be a break in recent trends.
Prior decades team of the decade:
The MWC began in 1999 when BYU, Colorado State and Utah tied for the championship.
Play of the decade
Moments like this are helping the US discover the MWC. The fourth event for the MWC that changed the course of the conference was, like it or not, the creation of the Mtn.
WAC
1. Boise State
Seven conference championships and perhaps the most memorable moment of the decade belong to the BSU Broncos. If only they would fire their color-blind groundskeeper! Lately, however, the team has had little competition from the rest of the conference. In WAC history, when one team began to dominate, someone else in the conference would rise up and challenge them. That has not happened to Boise State. Either the WAC will need to improve, or the Broncos will need to play somewhere else.
2. Hawaii
June Jones brought winning football back to the Islands. Then he left. The Warriors could be a good program to challenge the BSU Broncos, but alas, they have not only chased Jones away, but the Pro Bowl as well. Hawaii has a conference championship, three bowl victories out of six appearances including a loss in the Sugar Bowl. The Hawaii Program has been in slow decline since Jones left.
3. Nevada
Former Head Coach Chris Ault resumed his duties at Nevada in 2004 and the second half of the decade was nothing but successful for the Wolfpack. They earned a share of the conference championship in 2005, and a bowl victory that season. They now have a streak of 5 consecutive winning seasons and bowl appearances. They are now as steady as any WAC program outside of Boise.
4. Louisiana Tech
The Bulldogs joined the WAC in 2001 and won the championship in that season. Most of the decade, however, the team from Reston, LA has been just on the cusp of a winning season. In addition to the 2001 championship, the Bulldogs earned a trip to the Independence Bowl in 2008. Expect more of the same from them.
5. Fresno State
Fresno State has to be considered the underachiever of all three conferences that this site covers. The Bulldogs begin every season in the BCS Buster conversation, but have not won a conference championship since 1999...which is why they are not ranked higher. But, they do have nine bowl appearances to their credit and they won four of them. At least they are consistent.
6. San Jose State
Considering that SJSU plays in the shadow of a pair of PAC-10 programs and in aging facilities, they still have four winning seasons and a bowl game to thier credit in the last decade. Considering that in this day of 30-plus bowls, the fact that they have been passed over for the post season three times does not speak well of fan support in the south-bay area. But they have survived where other bay-area colleges like Pacific and Santa Clara have dropped football.
7. Idaho
The Vandals went bowling and won perhaps the most exciting bowl game of 2009. Otherwise, they spend the decade near the bottom of the conference standings. The success of last season brought their average number of wins per season above three, and puts them ahead of the other two programs that joined in 2005. We will see if that can continue.
8. New Mexico State
In the past five years, NMSU have won five more games than the other Aggies, and that is good enough to avoid last place. Woot, Woot! In this case, being a steady program is not a good thing. Duane Walker is a good coach, and he will last here until his program improves.
9. Utah State
By the end of the 2008 season, the USU Aggies were as close to being demoted to the FCS as any program in the entire FBS. Perhaps no other program in the United States has any more reason to be excited about a four-win program than they do in Logan. Gary Anderson has even had some moderate recruiting success in getting Jordan HS QB Alex Hart to commit before Colorado could. Perhaps there is reason for hope in Logan. The program is rising because you can only go up from where they have been.
Prior decades football team of the decade:
1990's--BYU (Now in the MWC)
1980's--BYU (Now in the MWC)
1970's--Arizona State (Now in the PAC-10)
1960's--Wyoming (Now in the MWC)
Play of the Decade
We can not even pretend that any event from the WAC in the past ten years matches this one.
Big Sky Conference
1. Montana--10 outright or shared conference championships, 10 NCAA playoff appearances, 5 FCS championship game appearances and 1 NCAA championship. It was a decade of dominance by the Grizzlies. And Montana has dominated the conference after Nevada, Idaho and Boise State took their programs to the higher division, current conference championship streak is 12 with 14 out of the last 15. Three head coaches hired by floundering FBS football programs in the decade, but the magic remained in Missoula. Perhaps Bobby Hauck will actually succeed where Joe Glenn and Mick Dennehy did not.
2. Montana State--3 Conference co-championships and 3 NCAA playoff appearances. A Stadium expansion is underway. If they can't get 25,000 fans at games in Bozeman, at least closing off the ends of the stadium will help with the nasty and cold Gallatin Valley winds. The decade had an ominous beginning in Bozeman with a winless season in 2000. By 2002, the Boze-cats won their first of three conference championships and have been consistent winners afterwards.
3. Eastern Washington--2 Conference co-championships and 4 NCAA playoff appearances. Perhaps the most consistent program outside of Missoula in the Big Sky conference with only one sub-.500 season the entire decade. Too bad that Paul Wulff has not been able to take that level of consistency with him to Pullman.
4. Weber State--1 Conference co-championship and 2 NCAA playoff appearances. Program rising, but may have peaked in 2008. The first half of the decade had a couple of promising seasons, but no playoffs. Then came the disastrous 1-10 season in 2004. This brought Ron McBride back to coaching in 2005 and he put the Cats in the playoffs in 2008 and 2009.
5. Northern Arizona--2 NCAA playoff appearances mid-decade marked ten years with modest success. With rumors that the only football in Flagstaff after the 2009 season would be the Arizona Cardinals training camp, the Lumberjacks have found a way to put it behind them and win with some very exciting football that brough back memories of the Big Sky Conference of the 80s. Jerome Souers is the dean of coaches in the Big Sky conference.
6. Portland State--1 NCAA playoff appearance. New head coach, Nigel Burton, will kick off the new decade trying to succeed where former NFL head coach Gerry Glanville could not. Maybe the run and shoot will be gone from Portland as well. When Tim Walsh was the head coach, the explosive offense could consistently score more points than the defense would allow. Once Glanville took over, the defense went south and winning games was hard to come by. You don't win a lot of games when 60+ points is not good enough. This is why PSU hired a defensive-minded coach.
7. Idaho State--1 conference co-championship but did not appear in the playoffs in the last decade, even in the championship season. That championship in 2001 was shared with Eastern Washington and Montana who did go to the playoffs that year. At the beginning of the decade, the Bengals were winning just like they were in the 1970s. Near the end of the decade, they forgot how and couldn't even win games that were gifted to them.
8. Sacramento State--Did not win the conference or make the NCAA playoffs in the decade. At this level of football, there are no beauty-contest bowls. They dream of bigger things in Sacramento, like a move up to the Bowl Subdivision, but have to figure out how to succeed at this level first.
9. Northern Colorado--Joined the conference in 2006 to replace CSU-Northridge after that school dropped football. 2009 was the first time they won more than one conference game. The program was a consistent playoff program at Divsion II, but have not found that kind of success, yet, in the FCS.
Prior Decades Team of the Decade:
1990s--Montana
1980s--Idaho (Now in the WAC)
1970s--Boise State (Now in the WAC)
1960s--Montana State
Fun Video Link because it is really difficult to find good Big Sky video. If anyone has a link to the Tim Toone put return in the snow against Northern Arizona, let me know. Also, video from the 73-68 game in Portland would be nice as well. Or Montana's comeback against South Dakota State in the playoffs would be great as well.
Monday, December 28, 2009
PAC-10 Expansion?
There is a lot of talk about conference expansion again all of the sudden. The Big 10 is discussing expansion to get in on the conference championship money. Ask Conference USA and the MAC what a conference championship game has done for them? The PAC-10 is looking into it as well. Are BYU and Utah a good fix in the PAC-12? I present the same 10 questions for the PAC-10 that I gave to the MWC a couple of weeks ago.
1. The new schools must improve the standing of the PAC-10 in the BCS.
2. The new schools must improve the standing of the PAC-10 in the NCAA basketball tourney.
3. The new schools must add to the reputation of the PAC-10 in baseball
4. The new schools must add to the quality of the conference in non-revenue sports.
5. The new schools must have modern facilities and working to make improvements.
6. The new schools must add to the recruiting base of the conference.
7. The new schools must strengthen the television marketability of the conference.
8. The new schools must not add significantly to the travel requirements of the conference.
9. The new schools must add something positive to the academic reputation of the conference.
10. The new schools must be compliant with NCAA regulations, including being free of non-qualifying athletes.
************************************************************************************
1. Can any school improve the standing of the PAC-10 in the BCS? Chances are, no. It is not the PAC-10 that is threatened by the success of the MWC, even if the other western conference has owned it in recent years. The PAC-10 has a decades-old association with the Rose Bowl. The BCS needs the Rose Bowl and not visa-versa. If the BCS drops the PAC-10, then the Rose Bowl drops the BCS. The PAC-10 has a secure place in the BCS.
There is no reason for the PAC-10 to raid and weaken to MWC just to keep the Big East involved in the BCS. Nothing changes from the perspective of the PAC-10 if the MWC replaces the Big East in the BCS. The PAC-10 gains nothing from it, and looses nothing by it.
From a football perspective, the only thing that the PAC-10 gains from expansion is a championship game and the money and exposure a championship game will provide. The SEC, ACC and Big-12 had successful championship games that drew well with TV audiences and that also brings in advertising money. A Pac-12 this year, in theory, would have brought Oregon and Arizona together. Not as intriguing as Alabama/Florida, but better than Texas/Nebraska. Last year could have seen Utah and USC meet. That would have been fun.
2. In basketball, the PAC-10 is not the only conference in the west. But unless expansion can provide an extra invitee or two, there is not a lot that two more teams can add. The PAC-10 had 6 invitees last year, and it is rare that they have had less than 3. There is suspicion that adding BYU and Utah and holding the championship at ESA may provide more interest in the championship tourney, but only if BYU and Utah are both having good seasons. This season the PAC-10 could use the success that BYU has enjoyed in non-conference play as some traditional powers like UCLA and Arizona are struggling.
3. USC, Arizona State and Oregon State have been regulars in Omaha for a long time. BYU is nothing more than a consistent winner in baseball and Utah rarely makes it to the NCAA tournament. The only program west of the Great Divide that can improve the PAC-10 in Baseball is in Fresno.
4. BYU and Utah have solid non-revenue programs. BYU is a consistent winner in Womens Soccer, Cross Country, and several others. Utah add Womens Gymnastics to the mix.
5. Both BYU and Utah have modern facilities that are a good mix to the PAC-10.
6. Do Haloti Ngata, Stanley Havili and Dallas Lloyd ring a bell to Utah High School fans? They should. They all played high school ball in Utah and went to PAC-10 schools. The PAC-10 does not need to add BYU and Utah to the conference to expand their recruiting base. Actually the recruiting bases have been mixed for decades. How many of BYU's legendary quarterbacks come from California, Arizona or Washington? (Gary Sheide (Antioch, CA); Jim McMahon (San Jose, CA before Roy, UT); Marc Wilson (Seattle); Robbie Bosco (Roseville, CA); John Walsh (Torrance, CA); Steve Sarkisian (Torrance, CA); John Beck (Mesa, AZ) and Max Hall (Mesa, AZ) that is 8! All but Nielsen, Young and Detmer.) Adding BYU and Utah will neither add to nor subtract from the recruiting base.
7. What does a metro of about 3 million add to the PAC-10? Only an exciting and intense rivalry. Four of the PAC-10's current schools play in a smaller metro than BYU and Utah.
8. Both BYU and Utah are closer to Seattle than Tuscon and visa versa. No problem here.
9. BYU is known for Business Management and in the Pac-12, BYU would be in the three, right behind Stanford and Cal. Utah would be #5 in Medicine. They would not be a detriment in the academic arena.
10. No problem here.
Any negatives? BYU will not play on Sunday.
Bottom line. If the PAC-10 becomes the PAC-12, BYU and Utah would probably be as good of a choice as any. But the PAC-10 probably does not need to expand, unless they really, really need the money that a championship game could provide. As I write this, Jimmer Ferdette puts up 49 for BYU on Arizona at the McHale Center. BYU and Utah could compete in this conference, and perhaps do a little better. They would likely do no worse than Arizona and Arizona State have. It would be difficult to find another pair that would be better.
If I were to choose between seeing BYU and Utah in the PAC-12 versus the MWC-12 given that the MWC-12 would be an automatic qualifier in the BCS, I would choose the later. BYU/Utah does not have a long history with anyone currently in the PAC-10. Yes, Arizona and Arizona State were in the WAC from 1962 to 1977. Before then, UAZ and ASU were in the Border Conference and BYU and Utah were in the Skyline conference. BYU/Utah have a long history with Colorado State, Wyoming and New Mexico. It would be great to see those rivalries continue. Overall, I have a neutral opinion on the prospect. Two years ago, I was excited about the possibility, but the progress of the MWC has changed my mind. The PAC-10 can get along fine without BYU and Utah. The Cougars and the Utes only need a better conference, and a better MWC is good enough for me.
1. The new schools must improve the standing of the PAC-10 in the BCS.
2. The new schools must improve the standing of the PAC-10 in the NCAA basketball tourney.
3. The new schools must add to the reputation of the PAC-10 in baseball
4. The new schools must add to the quality of the conference in non-revenue sports.
5. The new schools must have modern facilities and working to make improvements.
6. The new schools must add to the recruiting base of the conference.
7. The new schools must strengthen the television marketability of the conference.
8. The new schools must not add significantly to the travel requirements of the conference.
9. The new schools must add something positive to the academic reputation of the conference.
10. The new schools must be compliant with NCAA regulations, including being free of non-qualifying athletes.
************************************************************************************
1. Can any school improve the standing of the PAC-10 in the BCS? Chances are, no. It is not the PAC-10 that is threatened by the success of the MWC, even if the other western conference has owned it in recent years. The PAC-10 has a decades-old association with the Rose Bowl. The BCS needs the Rose Bowl and not visa-versa. If the BCS drops the PAC-10, then the Rose Bowl drops the BCS. The PAC-10 has a secure place in the BCS.
There is no reason for the PAC-10 to raid and weaken to MWC just to keep the Big East involved in the BCS. Nothing changes from the perspective of the PAC-10 if the MWC replaces the Big East in the BCS. The PAC-10 gains nothing from it, and looses nothing by it.
From a football perspective, the only thing that the PAC-10 gains from expansion is a championship game and the money and exposure a championship game will provide. The SEC, ACC and Big-12 had successful championship games that drew well with TV audiences and that also brings in advertising money. A Pac-12 this year, in theory, would have brought Oregon and Arizona together. Not as intriguing as Alabama/Florida, but better than Texas/Nebraska. Last year could have seen Utah and USC meet. That would have been fun.
2. In basketball, the PAC-10 is not the only conference in the west. But unless expansion can provide an extra invitee or two, there is not a lot that two more teams can add. The PAC-10 had 6 invitees last year, and it is rare that they have had less than 3. There is suspicion that adding BYU and Utah and holding the championship at ESA may provide more interest in the championship tourney, but only if BYU and Utah are both having good seasons. This season the PAC-10 could use the success that BYU has enjoyed in non-conference play as some traditional powers like UCLA and Arizona are struggling.
3. USC, Arizona State and Oregon State have been regulars in Omaha for a long time. BYU is nothing more than a consistent winner in baseball and Utah rarely makes it to the NCAA tournament. The only program west of the Great Divide that can improve the PAC-10 in Baseball is in Fresno.
4. BYU and Utah have solid non-revenue programs. BYU is a consistent winner in Womens Soccer, Cross Country, and several others. Utah add Womens Gymnastics to the mix.
5. Both BYU and Utah have modern facilities that are a good mix to the PAC-10.
6. Do Haloti Ngata, Stanley Havili and Dallas Lloyd ring a bell to Utah High School fans? They should. They all played high school ball in Utah and went to PAC-10 schools. The PAC-10 does not need to add BYU and Utah to the conference to expand their recruiting base. Actually the recruiting bases have been mixed for decades. How many of BYU's legendary quarterbacks come from California, Arizona or Washington? (Gary Sheide (Antioch, CA); Jim McMahon (San Jose, CA before Roy, UT); Marc Wilson (Seattle); Robbie Bosco (Roseville, CA); John Walsh (Torrance, CA); Steve Sarkisian (Torrance, CA); John Beck (Mesa, AZ) and Max Hall (Mesa, AZ) that is 8! All but Nielsen, Young and Detmer.) Adding BYU and Utah will neither add to nor subtract from the recruiting base.
7. What does a metro of about 3 million add to the PAC-10? Only an exciting and intense rivalry. Four of the PAC-10's current schools play in a smaller metro than BYU and Utah.
8. Both BYU and Utah are closer to Seattle than Tuscon and visa versa. No problem here.
9. BYU is known for Business Management and in the Pac-12, BYU would be in the three, right behind Stanford and Cal. Utah would be #5 in Medicine. They would not be a detriment in the academic arena.
10. No problem here.
Any negatives? BYU will not play on Sunday.
Bottom line. If the PAC-10 becomes the PAC-12, BYU and Utah would probably be as good of a choice as any. But the PAC-10 probably does not need to expand, unless they really, really need the money that a championship game could provide. As I write this, Jimmer Ferdette puts up 49 for BYU on Arizona at the McHale Center. BYU and Utah could compete in this conference, and perhaps do a little better. They would likely do no worse than Arizona and Arizona State have. It would be difficult to find another pair that would be better.
If I were to choose between seeing BYU and Utah in the PAC-12 versus the MWC-12 given that the MWC-12 would be an automatic qualifier in the BCS, I would choose the later. BYU/Utah does not have a long history with anyone currently in the PAC-10. Yes, Arizona and Arizona State were in the WAC from 1962 to 1977. Before then, UAZ and ASU were in the Border Conference and BYU and Utah were in the Skyline conference. BYU/Utah have a long history with Colorado State, Wyoming and New Mexico. It would be great to see those rivalries continue. Overall, I have a neutral opinion on the prospect. Two years ago, I was excited about the possibility, but the progress of the MWC has changed my mind. The PAC-10 can get along fine without BYU and Utah. The Cougars and the Utes only need a better conference, and a better MWC is good enough for me.
Utah Utes Season in Review
For a team that was supposed to be rebuilding, winning ten games is no small accomplishment. Kyle Whittingham hangs his hat on defense, and the credit to winning ten games this year belongs mostly on the defensive side of the ball. It was the defense that kept the Utes close against Oregon and BYU. It was defense that made Wyoming and Air Force winnable games. It was defense that helped turn around the Poinsettia Bowl.
Jordan Wynn looks impressive right now. This kid has does not the meaning of the word "quit." Against BYU and against California, the Utes were down by two scores, but Wynn did not quit and the Utes came back. Anytime a team is down by two or more scores, it is an invitation to quit. Sure, one game was an overtime loss, but OT in football is a "Russian roulette" anyway.
Kyle Whittingham has his team loaded for another big season in 2010. Sure, the Horned Frogs will likely be the conference favorite, depending on who goes to the NFL, but the Utes do not have a ton of key losses. And should TCU see a lot of losses to early NFL draft entries, Utah should then become the favorite.
Jordan Wynn looks impressive right now. This kid has does not the meaning of the word "quit." Against BYU and against California, the Utes were down by two scores, but Wynn did not quit and the Utes came back. Anytime a team is down by two or more scores, it is an invitation to quit. Sure, one game was an overtime loss, but OT in football is a "Russian roulette" anyway.
Kyle Whittingham has his team loaded for another big season in 2010. Sure, the Horned Frogs will likely be the conference favorite, depending on who goes to the NFL, but the Utes do not have a ton of key losses. And should TCU see a lot of losses to early NFL draft entries, Utah should then become the favorite.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Bowl Update 12/25
FCS Championship Game
Villanova 23 Montana 21 @ Chattanooga, TN, December 18, 6:00 PM Mountain ESPN 2.
Congratulations to Villanova on their win over Montana. The Wildcats showed the country how to beat the Grizzlies. They made Chase Reynolds a non-factor and forced Andy Selle to win the game by himself. That he almost did, but the Grizz could not recover the on-side kick at the end.
New Mexico Bowl
Wyoming 35 Fresno State 28 @ Albuquerque, NM, December 19, 2:30 PM
This was supposed to be a party for Ryan Matthews. He was supposed to impress the heck out of all of the NFL scouts. But 24,000 people in Albuquerque, most clad in prairie gold and brown ,witnessed a coming out party for Austyn Carta-Samuels and the Wyoming Cowboys. When the game was on the line, when the Bulldogs were up by three in the final third of the fourth quarter, Ryan Matthews was forced to cough up the football. What followed was a gutsy drive by Carta-Samuels and company, where they converted 3 fourth downs on the way to kicking the game tying field goal. In the OT, the Wyoming defense held on for the win
Las Vegas Bowl
BYU 44 Oregon State 20 @ Las Vegas, NV, December 22, 2009 6:00 pm Mountain Time
The difference in this game is that Max Hall and BYU could handle the wind, but Oregon State could not. Even when the wind was at their back, the Beavers had trouble. That was where the game turned around. Whether the wind caught the ball, or it was a planned lateral, the fumble return turned the game around for good and OSU could not get on track until the fourth quarter.
Poinsettia Bowl
Utah 37 vs California 27 @ San Diego, CA, December 23, 2009 6:00 pm Mountain Time
Jordan Wynn looked a little shaky at first, but bounced back nicely. Shaky is an understatement. It was a near disaster at the bigging. Before you could sit down with your nachos and Coke, Cal had a 14-0 lead. There was no panic in Wynn, he settled down and had the best game of his young collegiate career, do date. The Utes had little trouble putting the Bears away at the end. Stevenson Sylvester put away Cal for good in the fourth quarter.
Hawaii Bowl
SMU 45 Nevada 10 @ Honolulu, HI, December 24, 2009 6:00 PM Mountain Time
June Jones returns to Aloha Stadium, but it was the Ponies that ran away with this one and not the Wolfpack. Nevada only turned the ball over once, and that led to SMU's last touchdown. The Mustang defense held the Wolfpack rushers to just 137 yards on the ground. If I had been paying attention, I would have noticed that Luke Lippincott and Via Taua would not be playing and I would have predicted it differently.
Upcoming Bowls
Armed Forces Bowl @ Fort Worth, TX, December 31, 2009 at 10:00 am Mountain Time
Air Force vs Houston
Case Keenum is in a similar place to Ryan Matthews. He is someone who is coming off a real sharp junior year and is deciding to enter the NFL. The Difference, Keenum could earn some real heavy hardware should he remain in college. The question is whether or not Air Force can play a good defensive game. Keenum is the best quarterback the Falcon will face all season. There are some very good quarterbacks in the MWC, and Keenum is better than any of them. Conventional wisdom is that if Max Hall can shred the Falcon defense, Keenum will annihilate them.
Houston 35 Air Force 17
WAC
Humanitarian Bowl @ Boise, ID, December 30, 2009 2:30 PM Mountain Time
Idaho vs Bowling Green
The Vandals were one of the feel good stories of the early college football season. But they enter this bowl having lost four straight. Sure, Fresno State, Nevada and Boise State are better teams and they actually had a chance to beat the Bulldogs as the Matthews was hurt for much of the game. But the loss at the end of the season is a head scratcher. The Falcons are entering bowl season the right way, on a four game winning streak. Freddie Barnes has nearly 1/3 of all of BG's receptions and nearly half of their touchdowns. The Idaho defense will be a good opponent to add to his record total.
BG 27 Idaho 17
Fiesta Bowl
TCU vs Boise State @ Glendale, AZ, January 4, 2010 6:00 pm Mountain Time
Matching these two in a bowl game is considered a big disappointment to BCS enemies, but a good move by BCS proponents. But it is now time to worry about the game and leave the politics for later. Boise State has not even seen anyone as close to the caliber as TCU. The Frogs are much better than the team that they battled in last year's Poinsettia bowl. The Broncos will have to be at the top of their game to come close to winning. TCU has been scary the last half of the season and have obliterated all comers and have made it look easy. This includes a pair of ranked conference rivals. Ranked rivals are something that Boise State does not have to reckon with right now.
TCU 38 Boise 17
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
BYU's season in review.
The Cougars finished another season with 11 wins. This is their third 11-wins season out of the last four, and that is no small accomplishment. Their most successful four year period if you count total number of wins. However, I have to give a nod to the Cougars from 1983 to 1986. In that time-frame the Cougars won 3 conference championships, one national championship and had a 25-game winning streak. In three of those four seasons, they only lost one conference game--that infamous loss to UTEP. And during that time-frame, they never lost to the Utes. And the first of those four years featured a quarterback who is now in the NFL Hall of Fame.
This year started with promise, a win against Oklahoma in Dallas and a blowout victory over Tulane. Then the wheels fell off against Florida State. The Cougars again rebounded before loosing at home against TCU. The Horned Frogs deserve a shot at the National Championship, but loosing like that to Florida State really mars what was otherwise a fairly good season for the Cougars, even by BYU standards. The Cougars could have, and maybe if they had been better prepared, would have sent Bobby Bowden out of coaching without a bowl game.
As for Max Hall. In the long run, I agree with one sentiment of Gordon Monson. At worst, Max Hall was an adequate custodian of BYU's quarterback tradition. Who knows, Hall's bust may very be next to Steve Young's in Canton one day.
BYU will enter next season with a lot of shoes to fill. There will be four vying to replace Max Hall at quarterback, and there is really no heir apparent. Riley Nelson was Max's backup all season, but did not get a chance to play except in mop-up duty. James Lark flew home from Russia just in time to be on the sideline in Las Vegas and Jake Heaps was there with him. Jason Munns will be returning from his mission in May. I expect that Munns will be the bridesmaid as he will not be around for spring ball.
But Max Hall isn't the only one leaving. Both tight ends, Pitta and Goerge are gone. So is blocking back Manase Tonga. On defense; Matt Bauman, Coleby Clawson, Brett Denney, Shawn Doman, Terrance Hooks, Jan Jorgensen and Vic So'oto will not be back. It will be an interesting off-season in Provo. It could be BYU's turn in the BCS next season, but this time, that quest may be overly optimistic.
This year started with promise, a win against Oklahoma in Dallas and a blowout victory over Tulane. Then the wheels fell off against Florida State. The Cougars again rebounded before loosing at home against TCU. The Horned Frogs deserve a shot at the National Championship, but loosing like that to Florida State really mars what was otherwise a fairly good season for the Cougars, even by BYU standards. The Cougars could have, and maybe if they had been better prepared, would have sent Bobby Bowden out of coaching without a bowl game.
As for Max Hall. In the long run, I agree with one sentiment of Gordon Monson. At worst, Max Hall was an adequate custodian of BYU's quarterback tradition. Who knows, Hall's bust may very be next to Steve Young's in Canton one day.
BYU will enter next season with a lot of shoes to fill. There will be four vying to replace Max Hall at quarterback, and there is really no heir apparent. Riley Nelson was Max's backup all season, but did not get a chance to play except in mop-up duty. James Lark flew home from Russia just in time to be on the sideline in Las Vegas and Jake Heaps was there with him. Jason Munns will be returning from his mission in May. I expect that Munns will be the bridesmaid as he will not be around for spring ball.
But Max Hall isn't the only one leaving. Both tight ends, Pitta and Goerge are gone. So is blocking back Manase Tonga. On defense; Matt Bauman, Coleby Clawson, Brett Denney, Shawn Doman, Terrance Hooks, Jan Jorgensen and Vic So'oto will not be back. It will be an interesting off-season in Provo. It could be BYU's turn in the BCS next season, but this time, that quest may be overly optimistic.
Big Sky Power Rankings 12/23.
The top four are strong and either could win the conference tournament. The rest of the pack have some catching up to do. The bottom four could be in any order right now as well.
1. Northern Colorado -- The third loss of the season was a three point set back at Oklahoma. The made up for it by clobbering San Jose State on Monday. They do not have another game until next Monday when they host the Denver Pioneers on Monday.
2. Weber State -- The Wildcats have won 6 of their last 7. The only set back in that time-frame was a single digit loss to UNLV in Las Vegas last Thursday. Later tonight, it is Utah State in Logan. The Aggies won in Ogden to open the season. We will see who has learned more since. That is the last Wildcat action until they open Big Sky play at home against Montana State on New Year's Eve afternoon.
3. Montana -- The Grizzlies are proving to be a quality team as well. They gained a three point win over Fresno State at home on Monday. They take on Great Falls later tonight in their final tune up before opening conference play at Idaho State on New Years Eve.
4. Montana State -- The Bobcats of Bozeman earned a four point victory over Cal Poly on the road on Monday. Later this evening will take on Boise State at Taco Bell Arena. They open conference play at Weber State on New Year's Eve.
5. Portland State -- The Vikings are the only team in the Big Sky with a win over a top-25 team, but are now stuck in a three game loosing streak. Their next game is next Tuesday at home against Willamate College. They open Big Sky play on the 2nd of January at Sacramento State.
6. Sacramento State -- The Hornets have won their last two games. They beat Idaho State in an early conference game in Pocatello and then trounced William Jessop College at Hornet Gym on Monday. Their last non-conference action will be at Loyola Marymount on Sunday afternoon. Then they open the conference season at Eastern Washington on New Year's Eve.
7. Eastern Washington -- The Eagles have now lost four straight games. The Las Vegas Classic was not kind to them. They came close to beating the Nevada Wolfpack to open the Las Vegas Classic--a four game tourney--before being the victims in BYU's biggest win ever. Then a loss to Chicago State yesterday followed by a loss to Jackson State earlier this afternoon. Monday night, a final non-conference game downtown against Gonzaga before hosting the Hornets on Thursday.
8. Idaho State -- This is a good example of why you don't schedule too ambitiously in the pre-conference schedule. In an early conference game, they lost by one to Sacramento State. On Tuesday, they suffered a six-point loss at Oregon. It seems as if the Bengals have forgotten how to win, as they can't seem to win close ones. They do have a winnable tune-up game on Monday against Montana Tech, but the Orediggers came close to beating Weber State in Ogden. The Bengals are still a talented team and should improve as conference play progresses. They open up conference play on Thursday next at home against Montana.
9. Northern Arizona -- The Lumberjacks are not playing consistently. They earned a win in Clune Areana against Air Force, but then lost at Moby Gym to Colorado State. Since they do not begin conference play until the second of January, they get two more tune-up games. The first in Monday at Texas-Pan American and the second is on Wednesday against Northern New Mexico.
1. Northern Colorado -- The third loss of the season was a three point set back at Oklahoma. The made up for it by clobbering San Jose State on Monday. They do not have another game until next Monday when they host the Denver Pioneers on Monday.
2. Weber State -- The Wildcats have won 6 of their last 7. The only set back in that time-frame was a single digit loss to UNLV in Las Vegas last Thursday. Later tonight, it is Utah State in Logan. The Aggies won in Ogden to open the season. We will see who has learned more since. That is the last Wildcat action until they open Big Sky play at home against Montana State on New Year's Eve afternoon.
3. Montana -- The Grizzlies are proving to be a quality team as well. They gained a three point win over Fresno State at home on Monday. They take on Great Falls later tonight in their final tune up before opening conference play at Idaho State on New Years Eve.
4. Montana State -- The Bobcats of Bozeman earned a four point victory over Cal Poly on the road on Monday. Later this evening will take on Boise State at Taco Bell Arena. They open conference play at Weber State on New Year's Eve.
5. Portland State -- The Vikings are the only team in the Big Sky with a win over a top-25 team, but are now stuck in a three game loosing streak. Their next game is next Tuesday at home against Willamate College. They open Big Sky play on the 2nd of January at Sacramento State.
6. Sacramento State -- The Hornets have won their last two games. They beat Idaho State in an early conference game in Pocatello and then trounced William Jessop College at Hornet Gym on Monday. Their last non-conference action will be at Loyola Marymount on Sunday afternoon. Then they open the conference season at Eastern Washington on New Year's Eve.
7. Eastern Washington -- The Eagles have now lost four straight games. The Las Vegas Classic was not kind to them. They came close to beating the Nevada Wolfpack to open the Las Vegas Classic--a four game tourney--before being the victims in BYU's biggest win ever. Then a loss to Chicago State yesterday followed by a loss to Jackson State earlier this afternoon. Monday night, a final non-conference game downtown against Gonzaga before hosting the Hornets on Thursday.
8. Idaho State -- This is a good example of why you don't schedule too ambitiously in the pre-conference schedule. In an early conference game, they lost by one to Sacramento State. On Tuesday, they suffered a six-point loss at Oregon. It seems as if the Bengals have forgotten how to win, as they can't seem to win close ones. They do have a winnable tune-up game on Monday against Montana Tech, but the Orediggers came close to beating Weber State in Ogden. The Bengals are still a talented team and should improve as conference play progresses. They open up conference play on Thursday next at home against Montana.
9. Northern Arizona -- The Lumberjacks are not playing consistently. They earned a win in Clune Areana against Air Force, but then lost at Moby Gym to Colorado State. Since they do not begin conference play until the second of January, they get two more tune-up games. The first in Monday at Texas-Pan American and the second is on Wednesday against Northern New Mexico.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Bobby Hauck at UNLV
Montana's loss is UNLV's gain. Bobby Hauck will be named the new head football coach at UNLV. In Missoula, Bobby took over a program that had been very successful. The Grizzlies have dominated the conference since their rivals, Boise State, Idaho and Nevada, moved up to the FBS in the mid-90s. It has not quite been that long since UNLV had a winning season.
Arguably, the Big Sky Conference is still one of the top conferences in the lower subdivision, but the task ahead of Hauck is daunting. The Mountain West Conference features two teams that have busted into BCS bowls with the cards stacked against them, and another program that is right on their tail. Plus another program that is firmly entrenched in fourth.
One strength that Hauck has that will be an asset in Las Vegas is that he is a strong recruiter. He was the recruiting specialist as an assistant at UCLA. He has used those contacts well. As his predecessors built teams off of transfers from the upper subdivision, Hauck has built a roster the way a FBS school would need to. There are only two such transfers on the current Grizzly roster. If UNLV will help and upgrade their facilities at Sam Boyd Stadium, Hauck should have no trouble getting quality talent to Las Vegas.
The decision on who will replace Hauck in Missoula will depend on where they want to take the program. Will they continue to dominate the Big Sky Conference and remain a force in the Championship Subdivision, or will they join their former rivals in the Bowl Subdivision? They may want to find a coach who can take them to the next level. Or they could hire back Joe Glenn who certainly would want to rekindle his old success in Missoula. (See update below.)
One word of advice for Hauck, Las Vegas is nothing like Missoula. That fact may be the one thing standing between Hauck and success at UNLV. The last coach to move from Montana to the Mountain West, namely Joe Glenn, did not do too well. Hauck seems to have taken the Grizzlies to a level beyond what Glenn did, he may be able to turn things around in Las Vegas.
Update: Here is a list from the Missoulian of potential candidates for the Grizzly HC job. Joe Glenn has publicly stated he is not interested.
Arguably, the Big Sky Conference is still one of the top conferences in the lower subdivision, but the task ahead of Hauck is daunting. The Mountain West Conference features two teams that have busted into BCS bowls with the cards stacked against them, and another program that is right on their tail. Plus another program that is firmly entrenched in fourth.
One strength that Hauck has that will be an asset in Las Vegas is that he is a strong recruiter. He was the recruiting specialist as an assistant at UCLA. He has used those contacts well. As his predecessors built teams off of transfers from the upper subdivision, Hauck has built a roster the way a FBS school would need to. There are only two such transfers on the current Grizzly roster. If UNLV will help and upgrade their facilities at Sam Boyd Stadium, Hauck should have no trouble getting quality talent to Las Vegas.
The decision on who will replace Hauck in Missoula will depend on where they want to take the program. Will they continue to dominate the Big Sky Conference and remain a force in the Championship Subdivision, or will they join their former rivals in the Bowl Subdivision? They may want to find a coach who can take them to the next level. Or they could hire back Joe Glenn who certainly would want to rekindle his old success in Missoula. (See update below.)
One word of advice for Hauck, Las Vegas is nothing like Missoula. That fact may be the one thing standing between Hauck and success at UNLV. The last coach to move from Montana to the Mountain West, namely Joe Glenn, did not do too well. Hauck seems to have taken the Grizzlies to a level beyond what Glenn did, he may be able to turn things around in Las Vegas.
Update: Here is a list from the Missoulian of potential candidates for the Grizzly HC job. Joe Glenn has publicly stated he is not interested.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Comments about College Football Scheduling
Updated and better proof-read!
While Utah has their future schedules for the next four years taken care of, it is a different story in Provo. And if you read between the lines on the SL Tribune article, there will not be a chance for the Cougars to play Arizona State in 2011 either. The only firm date in 2011 for the Cougars right now is the General Conference Friday match up against Utah State.
The Cougars are trying to work out a home and home with Northwestern by visiting the Chicago Suburb in 2011, but the Wildcats will have to re-schedule a home game with Rice or drop an FCS team in order to work it out. This does not appear likely to happen, as too many other dominoes have to fall first. Many others already have their 2011 schedule set. I expect to see Northwestern on BYU's schedule toward the end of the decade, just not in 2011.
On his radio show earlier this year, Bronco Mendenhall mentioned Wake Forest as another possible future Cougar opponent as well as attempting to reschedule a canceled home and home series with Army. But one site I found says that the BYU/Army series is still on, Army just needs some schedule flexibility. The game with BYU would have to be in October or November.
If Montana jumps to the WAC, 2011 would be their transition year and the Cougars could make a trip to Missoula as well. Montana and BYU were old Skyline conference rivals but have not played since 1961. 2011 would be a transition season for the Grizzly program--or the in-limbo year. They would be a member of the WAC, but would not be bowl eligible. They would be able to get away with playing Montana State and a couple of other FCS rivals in non-conference play, but I suspect that they would want at least one non-conference game against an FBS team and would jump at the chance to play BYU.
Utah State is likely to remain on BYU's schedule for the long run. The Aggies are willing to accomodate BYU's desire not to play on the first Saturday in October.
Utah vs. BYU schedule and stadium:
Even though BYU has the larger stadium, Utah's stadium produces more revenue. One problem that BYU has is the gate share that goes to the visiting team. Comparatively speaking, BYU football tickets are one of the best bargains on the Wasatch Front. Utah's are not, unless you are a student it is more like attending a Jazz game. Four things will therefore help BYU's scheduling problem:. 1. A better TV deal. This could be enabled with by expanded MWC. 2. An expanded LaVell Edwards Stadium with more high-priced suites. 3. Appearing in a BCS game will generate more national interest in the program. Utah, as a two-time BCS buster, can help fill the stadiums they travel to. 4. Break down and schedule on-time meetings with some big programs even if those meetings are not on neutral fields.
2010 BYU Schedule (Non-conference games are confirmed. The MWC games are my speculation and are not official. Though I suspect this will show up in Wikipedia.)
(Comment: Good, even and balanced schedule that should be a template for every season.)
9/4: Washington
9/11: @ Air Force*
9/18: @ Florida State
9/25: Nevada
10/1: @ Utah State
10/9: UNLV (HC)*
10/16: @ TCU*
10/23: bye
10/30: Wyoming*
11/6: @ Colorado State*
11/13: San Diego State*
11/20: New Mexico*
11/27: @ Utah*
2011 (Riley Nelson's Senior Season)
Utah State--only confirmed commitment. Likely will be the Friday before General Conference.
@Army-Will be either October 10 or early November, according to this source. Do not have a date for the Black Knights to come to Provo.
Strong possibility:
-Wake Forest - Have a 2011 opening. This game could be in Provo but will likely be a road game. Mendenhall mentioned Wake Forest in his KSL radio show. Could be the season opener.
Other possibilities not publicly mentioned by name. Assuming that BYU travels to Wake Forest to open the season, these teams can give BYU a home game. This is a short list.
ACC
Duke
Big XII
Missouri
Sun Belt
Louisiana Lafayette
Louisiana Monroe
MAC
Northern Illinios
Kent
Eastern Michigan
Bowling Green
Ball State
The list doubles if BYU is willing to travel and is also willing to play an FCS team at home. Chances of getting an FBS team at home for 2011 is slim at the moment.
Fringe possibility:
-Montana (If Montana is invited to join the WAC this off-season)
2012 (Lark/Munns Senior Season)
Hawaii (Confirmed)
@Utah State (Confirmed)
@Boise State (Confirmed)
(Open Home date) Army or Wake Forest
2013 (Jake Heaps senior season if he does not redshirt nor go on a mission)
@Hawaii (Confirmed)
Boise State (Confirmed)
Utah State? (likely)
Open home game
Open road game
Note for 2013: BYU can schedule 13 regular season games with a road trip to Hawaii. Could get seven home games.
2014 (Jake Heaps senior season IF he redshirts and does not go on a mission)
@ Boise State (Confirmed)
@ Utah State? (Likely)
2 open home dates
2015 (Jake Heaps senior season IF he goes on a mission but does not redshirt)
Boise State (Confirmed)
Utah State? (Likely)
2 open road dates.
Weber State
Weber State's schedule for 2010
9/14 @ Boston College
9/11 Northern Colorado*
9/18 @ Sacramento State*
9/25 bye
10/2 Eastern Washington*
10/9 @ Southern Utah
10/16 @ Idaho State*
10/23 Portland State*
10/30 Montana*
11/6: @ Montana State*
11/13: @ Northern Arizona*
11/20: @ Texas Tech
*Big Sky Conference
I do not like this. It needs to be tweaked a little. There are several problems with it:
-2 FBS teams have become the norm. Boston College added Weber State because Hofstra dropped their football program. Weber State had the opening and apparently needs the money and a home game vs. Dixie State or Carroll College would have been a money looser for the program.
-4 Home games. Only four! Not one non-conference home game.
-Finishing with 3 games on the road.
-Will need to have the conference championship secured before traveling to Lubbock to take on Texas Tech at the end of the season. It will be difficult to impress the selection committee with a road game at a Big XII program the last game of the season.
-When is Homecoming? I can see a reason why any of the four home games would not be the Homecoming game, but the best out of the four is Northern Colorado.
If nothing changes on the schedule, I suspect that Weber State could finish below .500 and be fourth or fifth in the conference. They will be too road weary and could loose a couple of games that should be wins...much like Montana State in 2009. They will realistically be 4-7 with this schedule, at best 6-5. Remember that Trevyn Smith, Tim Toone, Kyle Mucher and a host of good defenders will not be back next season. Bo Bolen will be on a mission.
While Utah has their future schedules for the next four years taken care of, it is a different story in Provo. And if you read between the lines on the SL Tribune article, there will not be a chance for the Cougars to play Arizona State in 2011 either. The only firm date in 2011 for the Cougars right now is the General Conference Friday match up against Utah State.
The Cougars are trying to work out a home and home with Northwestern by visiting the Chicago Suburb in 2011, but the Wildcats will have to re-schedule a home game with Rice or drop an FCS team in order to work it out. This does not appear likely to happen, as too many other dominoes have to fall first. Many others already have their 2011 schedule set. I expect to see Northwestern on BYU's schedule toward the end of the decade, just not in 2011.
On his radio show earlier this year, Bronco Mendenhall mentioned Wake Forest as another possible future Cougar opponent as well as attempting to reschedule a canceled home and home series with Army. But one site I found says that the BYU/Army series is still on, Army just needs some schedule flexibility. The game with BYU would have to be in October or November.
If Montana jumps to the WAC, 2011 would be their transition year and the Cougars could make a trip to Missoula as well. Montana and BYU were old Skyline conference rivals but have not played since 1961. 2011 would be a transition season for the Grizzly program--or the in-limbo year. They would be a member of the WAC, but would not be bowl eligible. They would be able to get away with playing Montana State and a couple of other FCS rivals in non-conference play, but I suspect that they would want at least one non-conference game against an FBS team and would jump at the chance to play BYU.
Utah State is likely to remain on BYU's schedule for the long run. The Aggies are willing to accomodate BYU's desire not to play on the first Saturday in October.
Utah vs. BYU schedule and stadium:
Even though BYU has the larger stadium, Utah's stadium produces more revenue. One problem that BYU has is the gate share that goes to the visiting team. Comparatively speaking, BYU football tickets are one of the best bargains on the Wasatch Front. Utah's are not, unless you are a student it is more like attending a Jazz game. Four things will therefore help BYU's scheduling problem:. 1. A better TV deal. This could be enabled with by expanded MWC. 2. An expanded LaVell Edwards Stadium with more high-priced suites. 3. Appearing in a BCS game will generate more national interest in the program. Utah, as a two-time BCS buster, can help fill the stadiums they travel to. 4. Break down and schedule on-time meetings with some big programs even if those meetings are not on neutral fields.
2010 BYU Schedule (Non-conference games are confirmed. The MWC games are my speculation and are not official. Though I suspect this will show up in Wikipedia.)
(Comment: Good, even and balanced schedule that should be a template for every season.)
9/4: Washington
9/11: @ Air Force*
9/18: @ Florida State
9/25: Nevada
10/1: @ Utah State
10/9: UNLV (HC)*
10/16: @ TCU*
10/23: bye
10/30: Wyoming*
11/6: @ Colorado State*
11/13: San Diego State*
11/20: New Mexico*
11/27: @ Utah*
2011 (Riley Nelson's Senior Season)
Utah State--only confirmed commitment. Likely will be the Friday before General Conference.
@Army-Will be either October 10 or early November, according to this source. Do not have a date for the Black Knights to come to Provo.
Strong possibility:
-Wake Forest - Have a 2011 opening. This game could be in Provo but will likely be a road game. Mendenhall mentioned Wake Forest in his KSL radio show. Could be the season opener.
Other possibilities not publicly mentioned by name. Assuming that BYU travels to Wake Forest to open the season, these teams can give BYU a home game. This is a short list.
ACC
Duke
Big XII
Missouri
Sun Belt
Louisiana Lafayette
Louisiana Monroe
MAC
Northern Illinios
Kent
Eastern Michigan
Bowling Green
Ball State
The list doubles if BYU is willing to travel and is also willing to play an FCS team at home. Chances of getting an FBS team at home for 2011 is slim at the moment.
Fringe possibility:
-Montana (If Montana is invited to join the WAC this off-season)
2012 (Lark/Munns Senior Season)
Hawaii (Confirmed)
@Utah State (Confirmed)
@Boise State (Confirmed)
(Open Home date) Army or Wake Forest
2013 (Jake Heaps senior season if he does not redshirt nor go on a mission)
@Hawaii (Confirmed)
Boise State (Confirmed)
Utah State? (likely)
Open home game
Open road game
Note for 2013: BYU can schedule 13 regular season games with a road trip to Hawaii. Could get seven home games.
2014 (Jake Heaps senior season IF he redshirts and does not go on a mission)
@ Boise State (Confirmed)
@ Utah State? (Likely)
2 open home dates
2015 (Jake Heaps senior season IF he goes on a mission but does not redshirt)
Boise State (Confirmed)
Utah State? (Likely)
2 open road dates.
Weber State
Weber State's schedule for 2010
9/14 @ Boston College
9/11 Northern Colorado*
9/18 @ Sacramento State*
9/25 bye
10/2 Eastern Washington*
10/9 @ Southern Utah
10/16 @ Idaho State*
10/23 Portland State*
10/30 Montana*
11/6: @ Montana State*
11/13: @ Northern Arizona*
11/20: @ Texas Tech
*Big Sky Conference
I do not like this. It needs to be tweaked a little. There are several problems with it:
-2 FBS teams have become the norm. Boston College added Weber State because Hofstra dropped their football program. Weber State had the opening and apparently needs the money and a home game vs. Dixie State or Carroll College would have been a money looser for the program.
-4 Home games. Only four! Not one non-conference home game.
-Finishing with 3 games on the road.
-Will need to have the conference championship secured before traveling to Lubbock to take on Texas Tech at the end of the season. It will be difficult to impress the selection committee with a road game at a Big XII program the last game of the season.
-When is Homecoming? I can see a reason why any of the four home games would not be the Homecoming game, but the best out of the four is Northern Colorado.
If nothing changes on the schedule, I suspect that Weber State could finish below .500 and be fourth or fifth in the conference. They will be too road weary and could loose a couple of games that should be wins...much like Montana State in 2009. They will realistically be 4-7 with this schedule, at best 6-5. Remember that Trevyn Smith, Tim Toone, Kyle Mucher and a host of good defenders will not be back next season. Bo Bolen will be on a mission.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
College Football Preview for the week beginning 12/19
Big Sky Conference
FCS Championship Game
Villanova vs Montana @ Chattanooga, TN, December 18, 6:00 PM Mountain ESPN 2.
I went out celebrating my anniversary on Friday thinking this game is on Saturday. Oh well. Congratulations to Villanova on their win over Montana. The final was 23-21. The Wildcats showed the country how to beat the Grizzlies. They made Chase Reynolds a non-factor and forced Andy Selle to win the game by himself. That he almost did, but the Grizz could not recover the on-side kick at the end.
WAC vs. MWC
New Mexico Bowl
Fresno Stave vs Wyoming @ Albuquerque, NM, December 19, 2:30 PM
This was supposed to be a party for Ryan Matthews. He was supposed to impress the heck out of all of the NFL scouts. But 24,000 people in Albuquerque, most clad in prairie gold and brown ,witnessed a coming out party for Austyn Carta-Samuels and the Wyoming Cowboys. When the game was on the line, when the Bulldogs were up by three in the final third of the fourth quarter, Ryan Matthews was forced to cough up the football. What followed was a gutsy drive by Carta-Samuels and company, where they converted 3 fourth downs on the way to kicking the game tying field goal. In the OT, the Wyoming defense held for a 35-28 win.
Fiesta Bowl
TCU vs Boise State @ Glendale, AZ, January 4, 2010 6:00 pm Mountain Time
Matching these two in a bowl game is considered a big disappointment to BCS enemies, but a good move by BCS proponents. But it is now time to worry about the game and leave the politics for later. Boise State has not even seen anyone as close to the caliber as TCU. The Frogs are much better than the team that they battled in last year's Poinsettia bowl. The Broncos will have to be at the top of their game to come close to winning. TCU has been scary the last half of the season and have obliterated all comers and have made it look easy. This includes a pair of ranked conference rivals. Something that Boise State does not have to reckon with.
TCU 38 Boise 17
MWC
Las Vegas Bowl @ Las Vegas, NV, December 22, 2009 6:00 pm Mountain Time
Oregon State vs BYU
This game has the potential to make the next 9 days worth of bowls anti-climatic. On paper, this is the best game the Las Vegas Bowl has ever put together. Both teams have explosive offenses, and both teams have suspect defenses. It could be an old-fashioned shoot out. In games like this, there are some keys that both teams need to master. Turnovers, penalties, field position and clock management are key. Perhaps the team with the senior quarterback and all-American tight end will have the advantage. Mike Riley has not lost a bowl game as a head coach at Oregon State.
BYU 41 Oregon State 38
Poinsettia Bowl @ San Diego, CA, December 23, 2009 6:00 pm Mountain Time
Utah vs California
California is at their best when Jahvid Best is in the backfield. He did not play in the final three games of the regular season due to a concussion. Offensively, the two teams are very evenly matched. Both teams have a tough defense. The game could be a tough and tight defensive battle. Kyle Whittingham has not lost a bowl game as a head coach.
Utah 28 California 27
Armed Forces Bowl @ Fort Worth, TX, December 31, 2009 at 10:00 am Mountain Time
Air Force vs Houston
Case Keenum is in a similar place to Ryan Matthews. Someone who is coming off a real sharp junior year and is deciding to enter the NFL. Except Keenum has a good shot at some serious hardware if he remains in college and not just an outside chance. The question is whether or not Air Force can play a good defensive game. Keenum is the best quarterback the Falcon will face all season. Conventional wisdom is that if Max Hall can shred the Falcon defense, Keenum will annihilate them.
Houston 35 Air Force 17
WAC
Hawaii Bowl @ Honolulu, HI, December 24, 2009 6:00 PM Mountain Time
Nevada vs SMU
June Jones returns to Aloha Stadium where he left being upset over the lack of commitment to improved facilities in Hawaii. Now he gets a chance to see how far his complaining went. His Ponies are playing in their first bowl since the football program was slapped with the death penalty in the 80s. Nevada has an offense that features three speedy backs. The turf at Aloha Stadium is extremely fast. The best hope SMU has is that Nevada beats themselves, which they have done this year. This may be the biggest blowout in the bowl season and hardly worth a interruption of the "Christmas Story" marathon.
Nevada 38 SMU 10
Humanitarian Bowl @ Boise, ID, December 30, 2009 2:30 PM Mountain Time
Idaho vs Bowling Green
The Vandals were one of the feel good stories of the early college football season. But they enter this bowl having lost four straight. Sure, Fresno State, Nevada and Boise State are better teams and they actually had a chance to beat the Bulldogs as the Matthews was hurt for much of the game. But the loss at the end of the season is a head scratcher. The Falcons are entering bowl season the right way, on a four game winning streak. Freddie Barnes has nearly 1/3 of all of BG's receptions and nearly half of their touchdowns. The Idaho defense will be a good opponent to add to his record total.
BG 27 Idaho 17
FCS Championship Game
Villanova vs Montana @ Chattanooga, TN, December 18, 6:00 PM Mountain ESPN 2.
I went out celebrating my anniversary on Friday thinking this game is on Saturday. Oh well. Congratulations to Villanova on their win over Montana. The final was 23-21. The Wildcats showed the country how to beat the Grizzlies. They made Chase Reynolds a non-factor and forced Andy Selle to win the game by himself. That he almost did, but the Grizz could not recover the on-side kick at the end.
WAC vs. MWC
New Mexico Bowl
Fresno Stave vs Wyoming @ Albuquerque, NM, December 19, 2:30 PM
This was supposed to be a party for Ryan Matthews. He was supposed to impress the heck out of all of the NFL scouts. But 24,000 people in Albuquerque, most clad in prairie gold and brown ,witnessed a coming out party for Austyn Carta-Samuels and the Wyoming Cowboys. When the game was on the line, when the Bulldogs were up by three in the final third of the fourth quarter, Ryan Matthews was forced to cough up the football. What followed was a gutsy drive by Carta-Samuels and company, where they converted 3 fourth downs on the way to kicking the game tying field goal. In the OT, the Wyoming defense held for a 35-28 win.
Fiesta Bowl
TCU vs Boise State @ Glendale, AZ, January 4, 2010 6:00 pm Mountain Time
Matching these two in a bowl game is considered a big disappointment to BCS enemies, but a good move by BCS proponents. But it is now time to worry about the game and leave the politics for later. Boise State has not even seen anyone as close to the caliber as TCU. The Frogs are much better than the team that they battled in last year's Poinsettia bowl. The Broncos will have to be at the top of their game to come close to winning. TCU has been scary the last half of the season and have obliterated all comers and have made it look easy. This includes a pair of ranked conference rivals. Something that Boise State does not have to reckon with.
TCU 38 Boise 17
MWC
Las Vegas Bowl @ Las Vegas, NV, December 22, 2009 6:00 pm Mountain Time
Oregon State vs BYU
This game has the potential to make the next 9 days worth of bowls anti-climatic. On paper, this is the best game the Las Vegas Bowl has ever put together. Both teams have explosive offenses, and both teams have suspect defenses. It could be an old-fashioned shoot out. In games like this, there are some keys that both teams need to master. Turnovers, penalties, field position and clock management are key. Perhaps the team with the senior quarterback and all-American tight end will have the advantage. Mike Riley has not lost a bowl game as a head coach at Oregon State.
BYU 41 Oregon State 38
Poinsettia Bowl @ San Diego, CA, December 23, 2009 6:00 pm Mountain Time
Utah vs California
California is at their best when Jahvid Best is in the backfield. He did not play in the final three games of the regular season due to a concussion. Offensively, the two teams are very evenly matched. Both teams have a tough defense. The game could be a tough and tight defensive battle. Kyle Whittingham has not lost a bowl game as a head coach.
Utah 28 California 27
Armed Forces Bowl @ Fort Worth, TX, December 31, 2009 at 10:00 am Mountain Time
Air Force vs Houston
Case Keenum is in a similar place to Ryan Matthews. Someone who is coming off a real sharp junior year and is deciding to enter the NFL. Except Keenum has a good shot at some serious hardware if he remains in college and not just an outside chance. The question is whether or not Air Force can play a good defensive game. Keenum is the best quarterback the Falcon will face all season. Conventional wisdom is that if Max Hall can shred the Falcon defense, Keenum will annihilate them.
Houston 35 Air Force 17
WAC
Hawaii Bowl @ Honolulu, HI, December 24, 2009 6:00 PM Mountain Time
Nevada vs SMU
June Jones returns to Aloha Stadium where he left being upset over the lack of commitment to improved facilities in Hawaii. Now he gets a chance to see how far his complaining went. His Ponies are playing in their first bowl since the football program was slapped with the death penalty in the 80s. Nevada has an offense that features three speedy backs. The turf at Aloha Stadium is extremely fast. The best hope SMU has is that Nevada beats themselves, which they have done this year. This may be the biggest blowout in the bowl season and hardly worth a interruption of the "Christmas Story" marathon.
Nevada 38 SMU 10
Humanitarian Bowl @ Boise, ID, December 30, 2009 2:30 PM Mountain Time
Idaho vs Bowling Green
The Vandals were one of the feel good stories of the early college football season. But they enter this bowl having lost four straight. Sure, Fresno State, Nevada and Boise State are better teams and they actually had a chance to beat the Bulldogs as the Matthews was hurt for much of the game. But the loss at the end of the season is a head scratcher. The Falcons are entering bowl season the right way, on a four game winning streak. Freddie Barnes has nearly 1/3 of all of BG's receptions and nearly half of their touchdowns. The Idaho defense will be a good opponent to add to his record total.
BG 27 Idaho 17
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Big Sky Power Rankings 12/16
1. Northern Colorado
There was that little trip up in Bozeman during the early-December opening weekend, but you can loose one of the two road games in Montana as still win this conference. They also lost their first game to a MWC team in Laramie, but not many people win at the AA either. As I write this blog, the bears are winning handily at Louisiana Monroe. Saturday there is a road game at Oklahoma and I will not hold a loss in Norman against anyone in this conference, unless it is really bad.
2. Weber State
Look who is on a nice little winning streak. But they almost lost it against Montana Tech. Just need Mr. Lillard to play a little more consistently and they will be in business. I will be really impressed if they win against UNLV in Las Vegas, however.
3. Montana
The Grizzlies have been as consistent as anyone, but lost in Fort Collins to Colorado State last week. They are taking good care of Montana-Northern as I write.
4. Portland State
They are starting to show promise, but I had to hold the loss at St. Mary's against them.
5. Montana State
ESPN's Bracketology has MSU as the Big Sky NCAA team. That is because they are in first right now. Yes, they own a win at home against NCU. Reality is going to hit the Bobcats with a Christmastime road trip. UCSB, Cal-Poly and Boise State are on the list before conference play begins
6. Eastern Washington
They have a brutal road trip coming against Nevada and BYU. But they did manage to beat the Seattle Red Hawks, which is something that neither Weber State or Utah could do.
7. Northern Arizona
They only have 3 wins right now, but are one team that is better than their record. Are loosing big time in Albuquerque tonight and have a brutal weekend ahead of them at Air Force and Colorado State. They have a couple of winnable home games next week.
8. Idaho State
Whatever doesn't kills you makes you stronger? They have a home game against Sacrament State this weekend. But then the final insult in Eugene. They have another winnable home game against the Orediggers from Butte, but do not look past them. Just ask Weber State.
9. Sacramento State
Lost by 30 in Stockton against Pacific last weekend and have Idaho State this coming weekend. Looks like the old Sac State to me right now.
There was that little trip up in Bozeman during the early-December opening weekend, but you can loose one of the two road games in Montana as still win this conference. They also lost their first game to a MWC team in Laramie, but not many people win at the AA either. As I write this blog, the bears are winning handily at Louisiana Monroe. Saturday there is a road game at Oklahoma and I will not hold a loss in Norman against anyone in this conference, unless it is really bad.
2. Weber State
Look who is on a nice little winning streak. But they almost lost it against Montana Tech. Just need Mr. Lillard to play a little more consistently and they will be in business. I will be really impressed if they win against UNLV in Las Vegas, however.
3. Montana
The Grizzlies have been as consistent as anyone, but lost in Fort Collins to Colorado State last week. They are taking good care of Montana-Northern as I write.
4. Portland State
They are starting to show promise, but I had to hold the loss at St. Mary's against them.
5. Montana State
ESPN's Bracketology has MSU as the Big Sky NCAA team. That is because they are in first right now. Yes, they own a win at home against NCU. Reality is going to hit the Bobcats with a Christmastime road trip. UCSB, Cal-Poly and Boise State are on the list before conference play begins
6. Eastern Washington
They have a brutal road trip coming against Nevada and BYU. But they did manage to beat the Seattle Red Hawks, which is something that neither Weber State or Utah could do.
7. Northern Arizona
They only have 3 wins right now, but are one team that is better than their record. Are loosing big time in Albuquerque tonight and have a brutal weekend ahead of them at Air Force and Colorado State. They have a couple of winnable home games next week.
8. Idaho State
Whatever doesn't kills you makes you stronger? They have a home game against Sacrament State this weekend. But then the final insult in Eugene. They have another winnable home game against the Orediggers from Butte, but do not look past them. Just ask Weber State.
9. Sacramento State
Lost by 30 in Stockton against Pacific last weekend and have Idaho State this coming weekend. Looks like the old Sac State to me right now.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Utah State Season in Review
It was Gary Anderson's first season in Logan, and I will have to call it a success, even if the Aggies did not finish the season Bowl eligible. Rome was not build in a day, and a team does not go from 1-11 to 6-6 with road games at Utah, Texas A&M and BYU and a home game against Boise State. Yes, there were some close and disappointing losses, but overall the Aggies were better than I expected this year.
The Aggies finished 4-8 overall and 3-5 in WAC play. They were two wins from bowl eligibility, and had three one-score games in conference play, and also had a one-score loss at Texas A&M. But more important than the Win-Loss record, USU averaged some 15,900 fans through the turnstiles at Romney Stadium without either BYU or Utah on the home schedule.
The games that could have turned the season around for USU
@ Texas A&M--The first drive in the fourth quarter stalled and ended in downs. The Aggies had the ball with less than a minute left and fumbled it away.
@ New Mexico State--The Aggies were penalized 12 times for 128 yards in a game that was decided by 3 points.
Vs. Nevada--USU let a 24-14 lead get away. It was an Aggie fumble in the 3rd quarter that led to the first 7 of 21 unanswered Wolfpack points. The fumble gave the Wolfpack the momentum that Nevada carried for most of the second half.
@ Fresno State--USU also had a 27-17 half time lead, but could not move the ball in the second half.
So, with a little more experience and consistent play, the Aggie should turn the corner and be bowl eligible in 2010. They have a hole to fill in the schedule for 2010 as well. That will likely be a home game against an FCS team. They have road non-conference games scheduled at Oklahoma and San Diego State with a home game against BYU. They should flip the conference schedule which means they will have Hawaii, Fresno State, New Mexico State and Idaho at home with Nevada, Boise State, Louisiana Tech and San Jose State on the road. With this schedule, and optimist would put them at 10-2, a pessimist at 6-6 and a realist at 8-4. Either way, the USU Aggies go bowling in 2010.
The Aggies finished 4-8 overall and 3-5 in WAC play. They were two wins from bowl eligibility, and had three one-score games in conference play, and also had a one-score loss at Texas A&M. But more important than the Win-Loss record, USU averaged some 15,900 fans through the turnstiles at Romney Stadium without either BYU or Utah on the home schedule.
The games that could have turned the season around for USU
@ Texas A&M--The first drive in the fourth quarter stalled and ended in downs. The Aggies had the ball with less than a minute left and fumbled it away.
@ New Mexico State--The Aggies were penalized 12 times for 128 yards in a game that was decided by 3 points.
Vs. Nevada--USU let a 24-14 lead get away. It was an Aggie fumble in the 3rd quarter that led to the first 7 of 21 unanswered Wolfpack points. The fumble gave the Wolfpack the momentum that Nevada carried for most of the second half.
@ Fresno State--USU also had a 27-17 half time lead, but could not move the ball in the second half.
So, with a little more experience and consistent play, the Aggie should turn the corner and be bowl eligible in 2010. They have a hole to fill in the schedule for 2010 as well. That will likely be a home game against an FCS team. They have road non-conference games scheduled at Oklahoma and San Diego State with a home game against BYU. They should flip the conference schedule which means they will have Hawaii, Fresno State, New Mexico State and Idaho at home with Nevada, Boise State, Louisiana Tech and San Jose State on the road. With this schedule, and optimist would put them at 10-2, a pessimist at 6-6 and a realist at 8-4. Either way, the USU Aggies go bowling in 2010.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
The Mountain West MUST Expand.
Let me address a couple of rumors. First, this one about a MWC vs WAC championship game. This is nothing more than a pseudo-merger. This negates the reasons why eight schools left the WAC to join the MWC in the first place.
Second is about the rumor that the Mountain West Conference must expand to get an automatic BCS bid. (!!!Warning, link has offensive language!!!) I find the expansion for a new ESPN or other Network TV contract believable. However, I do not find the addition of the three schools mentioned to be accurate. I agree that taking Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada is a problem. It would kill the WAC.
The Mountain West needs the WAC and visa-versa. Non-conference scheduling is difficult for schools in both conferences, except for the bottom-feeders. This year, six of nine MWC schools had at least one game against a WAC school. (Air Force, TCU and Wyoming did not.) And all but Boise State and Fresno State had a game against the MWC. And the immidiate future looks similar. For example, BYU has Nevada, Utah State, Hawaii and Boise State on the future schedule. It looks to me like the MWC and WAC are becoming rival conferences much like the SEC and ACC are. Like the MWC and Missouri Valley would like to be in basketball.
Now, before one looks at adding a member to their conference, there are two other factors that the universities consider. Obviously, there needs to be a geographical fit. And, lesser known, is an academic fit. There are other things that a conference expansion can bring, such as an improved recruiting base for the entire conference and greater exposure with the conference members being mentioned more often in local newspapers and TV programs. Let's also not forget about the non-revenue sports, as those programs provide opportunity for some very talented men and women, even some from disadvantaged communities, to receive a quality education.
Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada are all a good fit geographically. But where one of these schools is a little weak, and it is Boise State, and they are week academically. BSU is a teaching institution that only offers, as of this academic year, five doctoral programs. However, BSU has only been a four year college for fourty-one years. It is unrealistic to expect that someone can grow from Junior College to a top-tier research institution in only two or three generations this kind of leap often takes an entire century or longer. It may take another sixty for BSU to catch up with the rest of the west academically. UNLV has done this, but with the help of taxes from gambling and prostitution, which would never happen at the same level in Idaho.
No doubt, Boise State is very good in football. But success in sports in often fading. For example, Colorado State won three of the first four Mountain West Conference championships in football. This year, that same program did not win a single conference game and finished in dead last. Does Boise State have the ability to keep a quality program? They have dominated the WAC since they joined the conference, even more so than BYU before them and Arizona State before that.
What about other sports? BSU is strong in Tennis. But they are a little weak in some of the other sports. Even though they are one of the few schools that has joined the 10-20-20 club, they have only made the NCAA tournament 5 times and have never won a first round game.
Fresno State is a consistent winner in football, but not nearly as strong as BSU. This is surprising considering they are the only FBS school in the Central Valley of California which boasts about 3 million people. This school has had some recent struggles on the basketball floor, but has shown it's commitment to a successful program with the construction of the Save Mart Center. In other sports, they have a recent College World Series Championship to their credit.
Nevada and Boise State moved up to D-IA at the same time. The Wolfpack have not been as successful as Boise State. But most other programs that moved up in the mid-90s wish that they were as successful as Nevada. Chris Ault has produced a consistent winner in Reno. The Wolfpack have been the only program to challenge Utah State's dominance of the WAC on the hardwood.
Another item college presidents consider is market size. After all, Football and Basketball are revenue generating sports which should fund the rest of the athletic program. After all, nearly all of these student-athletes will go pro in something other than sports. If Fresno State were to join the Mountain West as the 10th team, Fresno would be the third-largest metro in the conference. Boise State as the 10th member would be 6th out of ten. And Nevada would also be 6th of ten.
There are also facilities, but all three schools have adequate facilities and all are spending money on improvements. This is an important factor in recruiting quality athletes. Some schools in the MWC, such as Colorado State, are doing scant little, if anything to improve theirs.
There are other colleges the MWC can add instead of these three. There are five schools in the Texas/Oklahoma area that would jump to the MWC as C-USA has turned out not to be such a strong conference. These schools are: Houston, Rice, SMU, Tulsa and UTEP. Four of these five schools were once members of the WAC. And they are geographically aligned with the MWC. Houston is the strongest potential addition of them all. They are in a very large metro area, have good facilities, a strong academic program with doctoral degrees and provide access to a bowl game and major league-type facilities. Houston only has Texas A&M to compete with. Houston is large enough for both, and could experience TCU-like success. I also like what June Jones has done at SMU. Perhaps the Mustangs can finally look toward the future instead of the failures of the past.
What about San Jose State and Hawaii? The lack of facility upgrades chased June Jones away from Honolulu. The Spartans have similar issues in addition to playing in the shadow of Stanford and California.
If the Mountain West Conference is to expand, they should go to 12 and this is the criteria of ten points that the trio of new schools collectively need to meet.
1. They must guarantee the MWC will have an automatic BCS bowl bid, or help in the cause.
2. They must add a fourth bid to the NCAA men's and women's tournament.
3. They must help make the MWC a regular at the College World Series.
4. They must add to the quality of the conference in non-revenue sports.
5. They must have modern facilities and working to make improvements.
6. They must add to the recruiting base of the conference.
7. They must add to possibility of getting a new, favorable TV contract.
8. They must not add significantly to the travel requirements of the conference.
9. They must add something positive to the academic reputation of the conference.
10. They must be compliant with NCAA regulations, including being free of non-qualifying athletes.
Pluses:
-Major League Market and facilities.
-Bowl Game
Do you think that Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada will do all of that? Let's take a look.
Boise State:
Yes on 1, 4, 5, 8 and 10 with 1 plus.
Fresno State
Yes on 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10
Nevada
Yes on 2, 4, 5 and 8
My conclusion is that this trio is not strong enough to make the MWC-12 a major conference. There is one change that could:
Instead of Nevada
Houston
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 with 2 pluses
Second is about the rumor that the Mountain West Conference must expand to get an automatic BCS bid. (!!!Warning, link has offensive language!!!) I find the expansion for a new ESPN or other Network TV contract believable. However, I do not find the addition of the three schools mentioned to be accurate. I agree that taking Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada is a problem. It would kill the WAC.
The Mountain West needs the WAC and visa-versa. Non-conference scheduling is difficult for schools in both conferences, except for the bottom-feeders. This year, six of nine MWC schools had at least one game against a WAC school. (Air Force, TCU and Wyoming did not.) And all but Boise State and Fresno State had a game against the MWC. And the immidiate future looks similar. For example, BYU has Nevada, Utah State, Hawaii and Boise State on the future schedule. It looks to me like the MWC and WAC are becoming rival conferences much like the SEC and ACC are. Like the MWC and Missouri Valley would like to be in basketball.
Now, before one looks at adding a member to their conference, there are two other factors that the universities consider. Obviously, there needs to be a geographical fit. And, lesser known, is an academic fit. There are other things that a conference expansion can bring, such as an improved recruiting base for the entire conference and greater exposure with the conference members being mentioned more often in local newspapers and TV programs. Let's also not forget about the non-revenue sports, as those programs provide opportunity for some very talented men and women, even some from disadvantaged communities, to receive a quality education.
Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada are all a good fit geographically. But where one of these schools is a little weak, and it is Boise State, and they are week academically. BSU is a teaching institution that only offers, as of this academic year, five doctoral programs. However, BSU has only been a four year college for fourty-one years. It is unrealistic to expect that someone can grow from Junior College to a top-tier research institution in only two or three generations this kind of leap often takes an entire century or longer. It may take another sixty for BSU to catch up with the rest of the west academically. UNLV has done this, but with the help of taxes from gambling and prostitution, which would never happen at the same level in Idaho.
No doubt, Boise State is very good in football. But success in sports in often fading. For example, Colorado State won three of the first four Mountain West Conference championships in football. This year, that same program did not win a single conference game and finished in dead last. Does Boise State have the ability to keep a quality program? They have dominated the WAC since they joined the conference, even more so than BYU before them and Arizona State before that.
What about other sports? BSU is strong in Tennis. But they are a little weak in some of the other sports. Even though they are one of the few schools that has joined the 10-20-20 club, they have only made the NCAA tournament 5 times and have never won a first round game.
Fresno State is a consistent winner in football, but not nearly as strong as BSU. This is surprising considering they are the only FBS school in the Central Valley of California which boasts about 3 million people. This school has had some recent struggles on the basketball floor, but has shown it's commitment to a successful program with the construction of the Save Mart Center. In other sports, they have a recent College World Series Championship to their credit.
Nevada and Boise State moved up to D-IA at the same time. The Wolfpack have not been as successful as Boise State. But most other programs that moved up in the mid-90s wish that they were as successful as Nevada. Chris Ault has produced a consistent winner in Reno. The Wolfpack have been the only program to challenge Utah State's dominance of the WAC on the hardwood.
Another item college presidents consider is market size. After all, Football and Basketball are revenue generating sports which should fund the rest of the athletic program. After all, nearly all of these student-athletes will go pro in something other than sports. If Fresno State were to join the Mountain West as the 10th team, Fresno would be the third-largest metro in the conference. Boise State as the 10th member would be 6th out of ten. And Nevada would also be 6th of ten.
There are also facilities, but all three schools have adequate facilities and all are spending money on improvements. This is an important factor in recruiting quality athletes. Some schools in the MWC, such as Colorado State, are doing scant little, if anything to improve theirs.
There are other colleges the MWC can add instead of these three. There are five schools in the Texas/Oklahoma area that would jump to the MWC as C-USA has turned out not to be such a strong conference. These schools are: Houston, Rice, SMU, Tulsa and UTEP. Four of these five schools were once members of the WAC. And they are geographically aligned with the MWC. Houston is the strongest potential addition of them all. They are in a very large metro area, have good facilities, a strong academic program with doctoral degrees and provide access to a bowl game and major league-type facilities. Houston only has Texas A&M to compete with. Houston is large enough for both, and could experience TCU-like success. I also like what June Jones has done at SMU. Perhaps the Mustangs can finally look toward the future instead of the failures of the past.
What about San Jose State and Hawaii? The lack of facility upgrades chased June Jones away from Honolulu. The Spartans have similar issues in addition to playing in the shadow of Stanford and California.
If the Mountain West Conference is to expand, they should go to 12 and this is the criteria of ten points that the trio of new schools collectively need to meet.
1. They must guarantee the MWC will have an automatic BCS bowl bid, or help in the cause.
2. They must add a fourth bid to the NCAA men's and women's tournament.
3. They must help make the MWC a regular at the College World Series.
4. They must add to the quality of the conference in non-revenue sports.
5. They must have modern facilities and working to make improvements.
6. They must add to the recruiting base of the conference.
7. They must add to possibility of getting a new, favorable TV contract.
8. They must not add significantly to the travel requirements of the conference.
9. They must add something positive to the academic reputation of the conference.
10. They must be compliant with NCAA regulations, including being free of non-qualifying athletes.
Pluses:
-Major League Market and facilities.
-Bowl Game
Do you think that Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada will do all of that? Let's take a look.
Boise State:
Yes on 1, 4, 5, 8 and 10 with 1 plus.
Fresno State
Yes on 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10
Nevada
Yes on 2, 4, 5 and 8
My conclusion is that this trio is not strong enough to make the MWC-12 a major conference. There is one change that could:
Instead of Nevada
Houston
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 with 2 pluses
The Swagger is Back...random musings
I am back. It turns out that I am allergic to the medication prescribed originally for my eye injury. My vision is back to 90% now. Yea.
I watched most of the Army/Navy game this afternoon. This was the 9th consecutive Navy victory and the 5th consecutive Army senior class that does not have a victory over Navy. That is unfortunate. The class that breaks through will become folk heroes at West Point.
Dennis Pitta did not win the MacKay award for the nation's best tight end. So Utah fans now have something that they can rub in the faces of BYU fans for a while, I guess.
Smulin is staying with the Houston Cougars. Good!
I watched most of the Army/Navy game this afternoon. This was the 9th consecutive Navy victory and the 5th consecutive Army senior class that does not have a victory over Navy. That is unfortunate. The class that breaks through will become folk heroes at West Point.
Dennis Pitta did not win the MacKay award for the nation's best tight end. So Utah fans now have something that they can rub in the faces of BYU fans for a while, I guess.
Smulin is staying with the Houston Cougars. Good!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Sorry...Swagger will be on hiatus until NLT 12/18
I had an accident this week. Somehow some ice melt dripped into my right eye burning a spot in my cornea. I will be forced to take a break from my blogging activities for a while. I am limiting my computer use until I can see out of both eyes again.
I will be back just in time for the first bowls. And I also will be ready for the start of the regular season Big Sky schedule.
-Ben
I will be back just in time for the first bowls. And I also will be ready for the start of the regular season Big Sky schedule.
-Ben
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Bowls, Initial Impressions
Bowls, Initial Impressions
Holiday...Arizona vs Nebraska
I was impressed by the way that Arizona played in the Territorial Cup game and against USC, especially in the second half. And they must have made enough of an impression on the Holiday Bowl committee that they decided to take the Wildcats over Stanford. I was very impressed with how good the Nebraska defense played against Texas. This is as good of a defense as they have ever had in Lincoln.
Sun...Stanford vs Oklahoma
This is a young and exciting Cardinal team against "The Stash". Should be a fun game to watch. OU will try to use this game as a springboard to next season.
Emerald...USC vs Boston College
Two 8-4 teams. USC is having a down year, but will look to build momentum against the Eagles.
Las Vegas...BYU vs Oregon State
BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall played for OSU in college. But what does BYU have to gain? Max Hall can cement his legacy in this game.
Poinsettia...Utah vs California
On paper, Cal is arguably the most talented team in the PAC-10. So will they continue to underachieve? The Ute defense is playing well will provide another chance to show off their freshman quarterback.
Armed Forces..Air Force vs Houston
Haven't we been here before? Air Force had a little trouble with Mad Max in their last regular season game. This exposed the Falcon defense enough for Case Keenum to take full advantage. Can the Cougar defense handle the Air Force attack?
New Mexico...Wyoming vs Fresno State
It's time for Ryan Matthews to build a resume. Whether he decides to test the NFL waters or decides to remain in Fresno or go for the Heisman next year, he needs to show off a little bit. The Cowboy defense will not be the mood to play along. This game probably will not be the blowout it appears to be at first.
Hawaii...Nevada vs SMU
June Jones returns to Honolulu. Nevada is a speedy, fast team that will be able to run wild on the turf at Aloha Stadium.
Humanitarian--Idaho vs Bowling Green
Idaho backs into this game after loosing their last four games. Needs to capture the magic they had earlier in the season.
BCS:
Championship--Alabama vs Texas
Texas did not look so good against Nebraska, but the Husker defense is very good. The Longhorn defense is nothing to sneeze at either. Alabama will not be able to run through them like they did to Florida.
Rose...Oregon vs Ohio State
The Ducks are the real deal and the Buckeyes came on late. Should be a good game.
Fiesta--TCU vs Boise State
This looks interesting, but now a BCS bowl and been demoted to a non-AQ championship game. BSU might belong here, but the Horned Frogs deserved a shot at the National Title game. They should be more than Boise State can handle. Much more.
Orange--Ga Tech vs Iowa
The Orange Bowl had a weak game last year, and this one should be just as weak an uninteresting. Iowa should win big.
Sugar--Florida vs Cincinnati
If Cincinnati deserved better, they will have a chance to prove it in New Orleans.
Holiday...Arizona vs Nebraska
I was impressed by the way that Arizona played in the Territorial Cup game and against USC, especially in the second half. And they must have made enough of an impression on the Holiday Bowl committee that they decided to take the Wildcats over Stanford. I was very impressed with how good the Nebraska defense played against Texas. This is as good of a defense as they have ever had in Lincoln.
Sun...Stanford vs Oklahoma
This is a young and exciting Cardinal team against "The Stash". Should be a fun game to watch. OU will try to use this game as a springboard to next season.
Emerald...USC vs Boston College
Two 8-4 teams. USC is having a down year, but will look to build momentum against the Eagles.
Las Vegas...BYU vs Oregon State
BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall played for OSU in college. But what does BYU have to gain? Max Hall can cement his legacy in this game.
Poinsettia...Utah vs California
On paper, Cal is arguably the most talented team in the PAC-10. So will they continue to underachieve? The Ute defense is playing well will provide another chance to show off their freshman quarterback.
Armed Forces..Air Force vs Houston
Haven't we been here before? Air Force had a little trouble with Mad Max in their last regular season game. This exposed the Falcon defense enough for Case Keenum to take full advantage. Can the Cougar defense handle the Air Force attack?
New Mexico...Wyoming vs Fresno State
It's time for Ryan Matthews to build a resume. Whether he decides to test the NFL waters or decides to remain in Fresno or go for the Heisman next year, he needs to show off a little bit. The Cowboy defense will not be the mood to play along. This game probably will not be the blowout it appears to be at first.
Hawaii...Nevada vs SMU
June Jones returns to Honolulu. Nevada is a speedy, fast team that will be able to run wild on the turf at Aloha Stadium.
Humanitarian--Idaho vs Bowling Green
Idaho backs into this game after loosing their last four games. Needs to capture the magic they had earlier in the season.
BCS:
Championship--Alabama vs Texas
Texas did not look so good against Nebraska, but the Husker defense is very good. The Longhorn defense is nothing to sneeze at either. Alabama will not be able to run through them like they did to Florida.
Rose...Oregon vs Ohio State
The Ducks are the real deal and the Buckeyes came on late. Should be a good game.
Fiesta--TCU vs Boise State
This looks interesting, but now a BCS bowl and been demoted to a non-AQ championship game. BSU might belong here, but the Horned Frogs deserved a shot at the National Title game. They should be more than Boise State can handle. Much more.
Orange--Ga Tech vs Iowa
The Orange Bowl had a weak game last year, and this one should be just as weak an uninteresting. Iowa should win big.
Sugar--Florida vs Cincinnati
If Cincinnati deserved better, they will have a chance to prove it in New Orleans.
PAC-10, WAC and Mtn West Bowl Picture
Update
6:20 PM
This is all official!
Holiday...Arizona vs Nebraska--Confirmed.
Sun...Stanford vs Oklahoma--Confirmed by San Francisco Chronical.
Emerald...USC vs Boston College--Confirmed
Las Vegas...BYU vs Oregon State--Confirmed by ESPN and multiple sources.
Poinsettia...Utah vs California--Confirmed by Deseret News
Armed Forces..Air Force vs Houston--Confirmed by ESPN.
New Mexico...Wyoming vs Fresno State--Confirmed
Hawaii...Nevada vs SMU--Confirmed.
Humanitarian--Idaho vs Bowling Green--Confirmed.
BCS:
Championship--Alabama vs Texas--Confirmed.
Rose...Oregon vs Ohio State--Confirmed.
Fiesta--TCU vs Boise State--Confirmed.
Orange--Ga Tech vs Iowa--Confirmed.
Sugar--Florida vs Cincinnati--Confirmed.
6:20 PM
This is all official!
Holiday...Arizona vs Nebraska--Confirmed.
Sun...Stanford vs Oklahoma--Confirmed by San Francisco Chronical.
Emerald...USC vs Boston College--Confirmed
Las Vegas...BYU vs Oregon State--Confirmed by ESPN and multiple sources.
Poinsettia...Utah vs California--Confirmed by Deseret News
Armed Forces..Air Force vs Houston--Confirmed by ESPN.
New Mexico...Wyoming vs Fresno State--Confirmed
Hawaii...Nevada vs SMU--Confirmed.
Humanitarian--Idaho vs Bowling Green--Confirmed.
BCS:
Championship--Alabama vs Texas--Confirmed.
Rose...Oregon vs Ohio State--Confirmed.
Fiesta--TCU vs Boise State--Confirmed.
Orange--Ga Tech vs Iowa--Confirmed.
Sugar--Florida vs Cincinnati--Confirmed.
College Recap for 12/5
Big Sky Conference
Montana 51 Stephen F Austin 0
The Grizzles built a big first half lead and kept in going in the third quarter. Moses led his people to the River Clark Fork, but could not take them to the promised land. The Lumberjack offense was kept in check all afternoon, only netting 284 yard, while Moses threw four interceptions. Montana will host a final four game next Saturday. There were about 22,000 witnesses in attendance for this execution in spite of the awful weather in Missoula.
Note: After looking at the way that William and Mary blanked Weber State, I thought that the Wildcats may not have deserved the playoff spot this season. Ron McBride and the Cats were vindicated as the Tribe was all over #3 Southern Illinois 24-3.
Next week's final four games.
#4 Richmond at #1 Montana
William and Mary at #2 Villanova
WAC
Fresno State 53 Illinois 52
So much for the charm of a pre-season NFL game. If you have not seen the two-point conversion that won this game, take a look. The Ron Zook watch is on in Champaign.
Louisiana Tech 55 San Jose State 20
The Dick Tomey era in San Jose ends with a giant thud on a cold afternoon in Reston. Perhaps the Norm Chow era will mean better things.
Boise State 42 New Mexico State 7
BSU took care of business today. They needed a big win and got it. We shall see if the Orange Bowl Committee likes them as an opponent for Georgia Tech.
Wisconsin 51 Hawaii 10
The Hawaii season has come to a merciful end. Will the Greg McMackin era end as well? This program does not even closely resemble the one that he inherited from June Jones.
Offensive Player of the Week: Fresno State RB Ryan Matthews
Defensive Team of the Week: Boise State
Game of the Week: Fresno State 53 Illinois 52
WAC Power Rankings...final
1. Boise State
2. Nevada
3. Fresno State
4. Idaho
5. Utah State
6. Hawaii
7. Louisiana Tech
8. New Mexico State
9. San Jose State
Final Note
Good move for Utah State to name the playing surface at Romney Stadium Merlin Olsen Field. Too bad that this was not done 25 years ago when at least some recruits at least knew him as Father Murphy. Looks like Gary Anderson, however, will last in Logan longer than Father Murphy lasted on NBC.
Montana 51 Stephen F Austin 0
The Grizzles built a big first half lead and kept in going in the third quarter. Moses led his people to the River Clark Fork, but could not take them to the promised land. The Lumberjack offense was kept in check all afternoon, only netting 284 yard, while Moses threw four interceptions. Montana will host a final four game next Saturday. There were about 22,000 witnesses in attendance for this execution in spite of the awful weather in Missoula.
Note: After looking at the way that William and Mary blanked Weber State, I thought that the Wildcats may not have deserved the playoff spot this season. Ron McBride and the Cats were vindicated as the Tribe was all over #3 Southern Illinois 24-3.
Next week's final four games.
#4 Richmond at #1 Montana
William and Mary at #2 Villanova
WAC
Fresno State 53 Illinois 52
So much for the charm of a pre-season NFL game. If you have not seen the two-point conversion that won this game, take a look. The Ron Zook watch is on in Champaign.
Louisiana Tech 55 San Jose State 20
The Dick Tomey era in San Jose ends with a giant thud on a cold afternoon in Reston. Perhaps the Norm Chow era will mean better things.
Boise State 42 New Mexico State 7
BSU took care of business today. They needed a big win and got it. We shall see if the Orange Bowl Committee likes them as an opponent for Georgia Tech.
Wisconsin 51 Hawaii 10
The Hawaii season has come to a merciful end. Will the Greg McMackin era end as well? This program does not even closely resemble the one that he inherited from June Jones.
Offensive Player of the Week: Fresno State RB Ryan Matthews
Defensive Team of the Week: Boise State
Game of the Week: Fresno State 53 Illinois 52
WAC Power Rankings...final
1. Boise State
2. Nevada
3. Fresno State
4. Idaho
5. Utah State
6. Hawaii
7. Louisiana Tech
8. New Mexico State
9. San Jose State
Final Note
Good move for Utah State to name the playing surface at Romney Stadium Merlin Olsen Field. Too bad that this was not done 25 years ago when at least some recruits at least knew him as Father Murphy. Looks like Gary Anderson, however, will last in Logan longer than Father Murphy lasted on NBC.
Friday, December 4, 2009
PAC-10 Bowl Possibilities.
Now that Oregon has defeated Oregon State, the PAC-10 bowl picture clears up a little. If California beats Washington, the PAC-10 will have four teams tied for second place. Those four will be Cal, Stanford, Oregon State and the USC/Arizona winner. If Cal loses, then you have three teams tied for second and two teams tied for fifth. It is my understanding, and I could be wrong in this, that there are no tie breakers for second or third place or lower and that the bowls then get to choose which team they think will be best for them. The PAC-10 has six bowl commitments.
1. Oregon is in the Rose Bowl...that will not change. Ohio State will be their opponent. This has not yet been formalized, but it is all but set in stone.
2. Holiday Bowl. If USC is one of the four tied for second place, the Holiday Bowl will invite the Trojans. They are the closest to San Diego and will sell the most tickets. If USC looses to Arizona then the Holiday Bowl will pick Stanford. Stanford will be difficult for Holiday Bowl to pass up. Their head coach, Jim Harbaugh, is a former Charger and could generate some local interest in the game. This is where I disagree with others. Should Nebraska loose to Texas, this will be the other team. Otherwise, it will be Missouri or Texas Tech.
2. Sun Bowl. If Arizona is among the choices, then they will pick the Wildcats as they are the closest school to El Paso. If the choice will be between Cal, Stanford and Oregon State the I suspect they will choose Cal. If the choice is between OSU and Stanford, then they could take the feel-good story Cardinal over the Beavers. But this, in reality, is the real wild card in this entire scenario. Who does the Sun Bowl take if Arizona is not one of their choices? In my opinion, I find here the reason why the Sun Bowl and the Pac-10 have ended their agreement. I think they thought that Arizona or Arizona State would be here more often. Oklahoma seems destined to El Paso regardless of who wins the Big XII title game.
3. Emerald Bowl. If there is a Bay-area team still available, Cal or Stanford, this is where they will go. Otherwise, they will choose the Beavers. Boston College is slotted to be the other team.
4. Las Vegas Bowl. This game has never had a match up between two ranked teams before. Therefore, if Oregon State is available, they will choose the Beavers. If not, their choice will be Arizona as they have the potential to sell more tickets in Las Vegas than anyone else from the PAC-10. The third choice has to be USC over California, if both are losers on Saturday. This is logic based upon more recent history. The MWC choice is between BYU and Utah. Both are ranked and either will likely ensure a sold-out venue. BYU will be the choice unless Arizona is the PAC-10 team. BYU and Arizona met in the Las Vegas Bowl last year and the organizers may not want a rematch.
5. Poinsettia Bowl. They get what's left in the PAC-10. They can choose UCLA who is also bowl eligible, but I doubt they will. Utah or BYU will be the opponent.
If Cal and USC win. The Bears and the Trojans are the favorites on Saturday.
1. Rose Bowl...Oregon vs. Ohio State
2. Holiday Bowl...USC vs. Nebraska
3. Sun Bowl...California vs. Oklahoma
4. Emerald Bowl...Stanford vs. Boston College
5. Las Vegas Bowl...Oregon State vs Brigham Young
6. Poinsettia Bowl...Utah vs. Arizona
If Cal and Arizona win.
1. Rose Bowl...Oregon vs. Ohio State
2. Holiday Bowl...Stanford vs. Nebraska
3. Sun Bowl...Arizona vs.Oklahoma
4. Emerald Bowl...California vs. Boston College
5. Las Vegas Bowl...Brigham Young vs. Oregon State
6. Poinsettia Bowl...USC vs. Utah
If Washington and USC win.
1. Rose Bowl...Oregon vs. Ohio State
2. Holiday Bowl...USC vs. Nebraska
3. Sun Bowl...Stanford vs.Oklahoma
4. Emerald Bowl...Oregon State vs. Boston College
5. Las Vegas Bowl...Utah vs. Arizona
6. Poinsettia Bowl...Brigham Young vs. California
If Washington and Arizona Win
1. Rose Bowl...Oregon vs. Ohio State
2. Holiday Bowl...Stanford vs. Nebraska
3. Sun Bowl...Arizona vs.Oklahoma
4. Emerald Bowl...Oregon State vs. Boston College
5. Las Vegas Bowl...USC vs. Brigham Young
6. Poinsettia Bowl...Utah vs. California
Update: Notre Dame will forgo their bowl game this year. UCLA could be their replacement.
1. Oregon is in the Rose Bowl...that will not change. Ohio State will be their opponent. This has not yet been formalized, but it is all but set in stone.
2. Holiday Bowl. If USC is one of the four tied for second place, the Holiday Bowl will invite the Trojans. They are the closest to San Diego and will sell the most tickets. If USC looses to Arizona then the Holiday Bowl will pick Stanford. Stanford will be difficult for Holiday Bowl to pass up. Their head coach, Jim Harbaugh, is a former Charger and could generate some local interest in the game. This is where I disagree with others. Should Nebraska loose to Texas, this will be the other team. Otherwise, it will be Missouri or Texas Tech.
2. Sun Bowl. If Arizona is among the choices, then they will pick the Wildcats as they are the closest school to El Paso. If the choice will be between Cal, Stanford and Oregon State the I suspect they will choose Cal. If the choice is between OSU and Stanford, then they could take the feel-good story Cardinal over the Beavers. But this, in reality, is the real wild card in this entire scenario. Who does the Sun Bowl take if Arizona is not one of their choices? In my opinion, I find here the reason why the Sun Bowl and the Pac-10 have ended their agreement. I think they thought that Arizona or Arizona State would be here more often. Oklahoma seems destined to El Paso regardless of who wins the Big XII title game.
3. Emerald Bowl. If there is a Bay-area team still available, Cal or Stanford, this is where they will go. Otherwise, they will choose the Beavers. Boston College is slotted to be the other team.
4. Las Vegas Bowl. This game has never had a match up between two ranked teams before. Therefore, if Oregon State is available, they will choose the Beavers. If not, their choice will be Arizona as they have the potential to sell more tickets in Las Vegas than anyone else from the PAC-10. The third choice has to be USC over California, if both are losers on Saturday. This is logic based upon more recent history. The MWC choice is between BYU and Utah. Both are ranked and either will likely ensure a sold-out venue. BYU will be the choice unless Arizona is the PAC-10 team. BYU and Arizona met in the Las Vegas Bowl last year and the organizers may not want a rematch.
5. Poinsettia Bowl. They get what's left in the PAC-10. They can choose UCLA who is also bowl eligible, but I doubt they will. Utah or BYU will be the opponent.
If Cal and USC win. The Bears and the Trojans are the favorites on Saturday.
1. Rose Bowl...Oregon vs. Ohio State
2. Holiday Bowl...USC vs. Nebraska
3. Sun Bowl...California vs. Oklahoma
4. Emerald Bowl...Stanford vs. Boston College
5. Las Vegas Bowl...Oregon State vs Brigham Young
6. Poinsettia Bowl...Utah vs. Arizona
If Cal and Arizona win.
1. Rose Bowl...Oregon vs. Ohio State
2. Holiday Bowl...Stanford vs. Nebraska
3. Sun Bowl...Arizona vs.Oklahoma
4. Emerald Bowl...California vs. Boston College
5. Las Vegas Bowl...Brigham Young vs. Oregon State
6. Poinsettia Bowl...USC vs. Utah
If Washington and USC win.
1. Rose Bowl...Oregon vs. Ohio State
2. Holiday Bowl...USC vs. Nebraska
3. Sun Bowl...Stanford vs.Oklahoma
4. Emerald Bowl...Oregon State vs. Boston College
5. Las Vegas Bowl...Utah vs. Arizona
6. Poinsettia Bowl...Brigham Young vs. California
If Washington and Arizona Win
1. Rose Bowl...Oregon vs. Ohio State
2. Holiday Bowl...Stanford vs. Nebraska
3. Sun Bowl...Arizona vs.Oklahoma
4. Emerald Bowl...Oregon State vs. Boston College
5. Las Vegas Bowl...USC vs. Brigham Young
6. Poinsettia Bowl...Utah vs. California
Update: Notre Dame will forgo their bowl game this year. UCLA could be their replacement.
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