Mountain West Conference
Bowl Commitments (5): Las Vegas, Poinsettia, Armed Forces, New Mexico and Humanitarian. Plus an outside chance at a BCS bowl.
How does the conference stack up?
Already Bowl Eligible 3:
TCU 8-0--BCS likely if they win out. They are impressing the voters in all three human polls.
Utah 7-1--Likely Las Vegas Bowl if TCU can get a BCS slot.
BYU 6-2--Likely Poinsettia
Reason: Even if BYU wins out and also defeats Utah and TCU gets a BCS bowl, it sounds like the Las Vegas Bowl Committee as well as BYU players, coaches, administrators and fans would like a change of pace. For that reason, I think that it is unlikely to see BYU in a fifth consecutive Las Vegas Bowl. Utah is almost as close to Las Vegas as BYU and should help sell the game.
Remaining Teams:
Air Force
5-4
Likely Wins 2: Army, UNLV
Likely Losses 1: @BYU
Projected Record: 7-5
Best Case Scenario: 8-4
Worst Case Scenario: 5-7
Projected Bowl: Armed Forces
San Diego State
4-4
Projected Wins 2: @ UNLV, Wyoming
Projected Losses 2: TCU, @ Utah
Projected Record: 6-6
Best Case Scenario: 7-5
Worst Case Scenario: 4-8
Projected Bowl: New Mexico
Wyoming:
4-4
Projected Wins: 1 @Colorado State
Projected Losses: 3 BYU, TCU, @ San Diego State
Projected Record: 5-4
Best Case Scenario: 6-6
Worst Case Scenario: 4-8
Colorado State:
3-6
Projected Wins: 2 @UNLV, @New Mexico
Projected Losses: 1 Wyoming
Projected Record 5-7
Best-case Scenario: 6-6
Their season hangs on them wining the games they should. They still have a real shot at a bowl.
UNLV
3-6
Projected Wins 0:
Projected Losses 3: Colorado State, @ Air Force, San Diego State
Projected Record: 3-9
Best Case Scenario: 6-6
Eliminated from Bowl Contention 1:
New Mexico, 0-8
Bottom line for the Mountain West: TCU goes to a BCS bowl there will likely be no MWC team to play in the Humanitarian Bowl. Wyoming will have to win a game as the underdog in order for this to happen. They could not get the job done in Salt Lake this last week. BYU comes to Laramie this week. It is also possible that Wyoming beats San Deigo State and then looses to Colorado State leaving the conference with only four bowl-eligible teams.
WAC
Bowl Commitments: Hawaii, New Mexico, Humanitarian. Poinsettia if PAC-10 does not have enough bowl eligible teams.
Already Bowl Eligible: 2
-Boise State 8-0 Both Boise State and TCU should get into a BCS bowl game as the SEC is the only automatic qualifying conference that seems to have more than one worthy team.
-Idaho 7-2 Should finish 8-4 and get to host the Humanitarian Bowl
Others
Nevada
5-3
Projected Wins 2: @San Jose State, @New Mexico State
Projected Losses 2: Fresno State, @ Boise State
Projected Record: 7-5
Best Case Scenario: 9-3
Worst Case Scenario: 5-7
Projected Bowl: New Mexico
Fresno State
5-3
Projected wins 4: @ Idaho, @ Nevada, Louisiana Tech, @Illinois
Projected losses: 0
Projected Record: 9-3
Worst Case Scenario: 7-5
Projected Bowl: Hawaii
Hawaii
2-6
Projected Wins 3: Utah State, New Mexico State, @ San Jose State
Projected Losses 2: Navy, Wisconsin
Projected Record: 5-8
Best Case Scenario: 6-7
Worst Case Scenario: 4-9
Louisiana Tech
3-5
Projected Wins 1: San Jose State
Projected Losses 3: Boise State, @LSU, @Fresno State
Projected Record: 4-8
Best Case Scenario: 5-7
Worst Case Scenario: 4-8
New Mexico State
3-6
Projected Wins 0:
Projected Losses 4: @Hawaii, Nevada, @San Jose State, @ Boise State
Projected Record: 3-10
Best Case Scenario: 5-8
Utah State
2-6
Projected Wins 1: San Jose State
Projected Losses 3: @Hawaii, Boise State, @ Idaho
Projected Record: 3-9
Worst Case Scenario: 2-10
Best Case Scenario: 4-8
San Jose State
1-6
Projected Wins 1: New Mexico State
Projected Losses 4: Nevada, @Utah State, Hawaii, @ Louisiana Tech
Projected Record: 2-10
Worst Case Scenario: 1-11
Best Case Scenario: 3-9
WAC Bottom Line: The WAC will have four bowl eligible teams.
Here is my latest guess for Western Bowl Slots
Note: At this point, it seems likely that both TCU and Boise State will finish in the top five. As such, both should get at-large BCS bowl bids.
Fiesta: Boise State vs Penn State
Orange Bowl: TCU vs Georgia Tech
Las Vegas: Utah vs Oregon State
Poinsettia: BYU vs Arizona State
Hawaii: Fresno State vs SMU
New Mexico: San Diego State vs Nevada
Humanitarian: Idaho vs Northern Illinois (Fill in for MWC)
Armed Forces: Air Force vs Tulsa
Alternative Scenario for MWC:
Las Vegas--BYU
Poinsettia--San Diego State
Armed Forces--Utah
New Mexico--Air Force
Why? Why not reward the Aztecs with a Bowl in their home stadium if the finish bowl eligible. If the Las Vegas Bowl selects BYU, San Diego State would give the Poinsettia Bowl the best shot at a sold-out crowd.
Note: 3 WAC teams play 13 regular season games this year. Seems unlikely to make a difference for either.
FAQ: If both TCU and Boise finish unbeaten, could they meet in a BCS Bowl?
A: Unlikely. Each BCS bowl has a conference affiliation. In order for this to happen, a conference with a team in the BCS championship would not have an at-large team. USC will drop like a rock after the way that they lost to Oregon. So it is possible that the Fiesta Bowl will choose TCU and Boise State...however it would be risky to put two non-automatic qualifiers in the same bowl especially if one of those (TCU) has a reputation of fans that do not travel well. The big bowls will do all that they can to ensure a sell out, bi-partisan crowd.
Affiliations:
Rose: PAC-10 vs Big 10
Fiesta: Big XII vs PAC-10, if available
Sugar: SEC
Orange: ACC
Big East is an automatic qualifying conference, but does not have a formal BCS bowl affiliation.
Picks:
BSC Championship: Texas (Big 12) vs Alabama (SEC)
Rose: Oregon (Pac-10) vs Iowa (Big 10)
Fiesta: Penn State* (At-Large) vs Boise State* (At Large)
Sugar: Florida* (At-Large) vs Cincinnati (Big East)
Orange: Georgia Tech (ACC) vs. TCU* (At-Large)
Saturday, October 31, 2009
A Spooky Night in Salt Lake
There is an old pioneer cemetery to the south of Rice Eccles Stadium. Nothing that you saw there was as scary at to what the Utes experienced on Halloween night...
Mountain West Conference
Air Force 34 Colorado State 16
The Fort Collins swoon lasts another week. Tim Jefferson started again for the Falcons and paced the offense to an easy win over the Rams. CSU is now just one loss away from finishing the season below .500. Air Force shows once again that the best offense is a good defense.
TCU 41 UNLV 0
TCU will possibly leapfrog Boise State in the wire service polls this week. You expected an easy win over the Rebels. You did not expect that Omar Clayton and the powerful UNLV offense would be shut out as offense has not been the problem for the Rebels this season. A lot of "style" points for the Frogs this week.
San Diego State 23 New Mexico 20
Ryan Lindley and Company prove that they can win as the favorite and inch a game closer to becoming bowl eligible. The Lobos played motivated for most of the game in Mike Locksley's first game back after a two week suspension.
Utah 22 Wyoming 10
Freshman Jordan Wynn came of the bench in the second half and rallied the Utes to a come from behind win. The Utes were moving the ball with Cain under center, but could not punch it into the end zone. A trick Play put the Cowboys ahead until the fourth quarter. Now, Kyle Wittingham has a quarterback controversy on his hands.
Offensive Player of the Week: TCU QB Andy Dalton
Defensive Team of the Week: TCU
Game of the Week Utah 22 Wyoming 10
Power Rankings:
TCU
Utah
BYU
Air Force
San Diego State
Wyoming
Colorado State
UNLV
New Mexico
WAC
Ohio State 45 New Mexico State 0
Don't go into the woods....don't go into the woods....don't...oh man, you went into the woods.
Bosie State 45 San Jose State 7
BSU does not get as many "style" points as the Frogs this week. First, this was not a shutout. San Jose State's offense is not as explosive as UNLV's offense. San Jose State does not have a win against a FBS team this year.
Nevada 31 Hawaii 21
The Warriors went on the road to Reno and put the scare into the Wolfpack. They had a lead at the end of the first frame. But Nevada stormed back stayed unbeaten in WAC play.
Idaho 35 Louisiana Tech 34
A missed extra point attempt at the beginning of the fourth quarter proved costly for the Bulldogs in Moscow. It gave them a 34-21 lead and did not seem all that big at the time. Nathan Ederle rallied his team once again and led the Vandals to two scores in the last five minutes.
Fresno State 31 Utah State 27
The Aggies went to Fresno and put a scare into the Bulldogs. But Ryan Matthews kept his legs moving and Fresno State rallied. The defense made some nice adjustments and kept Utah State off of the score board in the second half.
Offensive Player of the Week--Again: Fresno State RB Ryan Matthews.
Defensive Team of the Week: Boise State
Game of the Week: Idaho 35 Louisiana Tech 34
Power Rankings:
Boise State
Fresno State
Nevada
Idaho
Louisiana Tech
Utah State
Hawaii
New Mexico State
San Jose State
Big Sky Conference
Sacramento State 27 Northern Arizona 24
The Hornets cracked the mystery of the Northern Arizona defense to get their first conference victory of the year. The Sacramento defense did the job in the second half, keeping the Lumberjacks off of the scoreboard.
Eastern Washington 47 Portland State 10
This game was played at Qwest Field in Seattle. The fish trowers at Pike's Peak Market Place dropped more fish than the Eastenr Washington receivers as Matt Nichols had another good game.
Northern Colorado 21 South Dakota 17
The Bears got an early lead, let it slip away and then scored a late touchdown to get their third win of the season. Northern Colorado had more penalty yards (177) than rushing yards (114) but did not turn the ball over. The Coyotes had two interceptions and 120 penalty yards. The two former D-II still do not like each other. This was their first meeting since USD moved up.
Montana State 41 Idaho State 10
Mark Iddins was back under center for the Bobcats. But against Idaho State, almost anyone can get their swagger back.
Montana 31 Weber State 10
From start to finish, what was supposed to be the game of the year in the Big Sky Conference was a domination by the Grizzlies. The game winning score was another pick for six thrown by Cam Higgins.
Offensive Player of the Week: Montana RB Chase Reynolds
Defensive Team of the Week: Montana
Game of the Week: Sacramento State 27 Northern Arizona 24
Power Rankings:
Montana
Eastern Washington
Weber State
Montana State
Northern Arizona
Sacramento State
Northern Colorado
Portland State
Idaho State
Mountain West Conference
Air Force 34 Colorado State 16
The Fort Collins swoon lasts another week. Tim Jefferson started again for the Falcons and paced the offense to an easy win over the Rams. CSU is now just one loss away from finishing the season below .500. Air Force shows once again that the best offense is a good defense.
TCU 41 UNLV 0
TCU will possibly leapfrog Boise State in the wire service polls this week. You expected an easy win over the Rebels. You did not expect that Omar Clayton and the powerful UNLV offense would be shut out as offense has not been the problem for the Rebels this season. A lot of "style" points for the Frogs this week.
San Diego State 23 New Mexico 20
Ryan Lindley and Company prove that they can win as the favorite and inch a game closer to becoming bowl eligible. The Lobos played motivated for most of the game in Mike Locksley's first game back after a two week suspension.
Utah 22 Wyoming 10
Freshman Jordan Wynn came of the bench in the second half and rallied the Utes to a come from behind win. The Utes were moving the ball with Cain under center, but could not punch it into the end zone. A trick Play put the Cowboys ahead until the fourth quarter. Now, Kyle Wittingham has a quarterback controversy on his hands.
Offensive Player of the Week: TCU QB Andy Dalton
Defensive Team of the Week: TCU
Game of the Week Utah 22 Wyoming 10
Power Rankings:
TCU
Utah
BYU
Air Force
San Diego State
Wyoming
Colorado State
UNLV
New Mexico
WAC
Ohio State 45 New Mexico State 0
Don't go into the woods....don't go into the woods....don't...oh man, you went into the woods.
Bosie State 45 San Jose State 7
BSU does not get as many "style" points as the Frogs this week. First, this was not a shutout. San Jose State's offense is not as explosive as UNLV's offense. San Jose State does not have a win against a FBS team this year.
Nevada 31 Hawaii 21
The Warriors went on the road to Reno and put the scare into the Wolfpack. They had a lead at the end of the first frame. But Nevada stormed back stayed unbeaten in WAC play.
Idaho 35 Louisiana Tech 34
A missed extra point attempt at the beginning of the fourth quarter proved costly for the Bulldogs in Moscow. It gave them a 34-21 lead and did not seem all that big at the time. Nathan Ederle rallied his team once again and led the Vandals to two scores in the last five minutes.
Fresno State 31 Utah State 27
The Aggies went to Fresno and put a scare into the Bulldogs. But Ryan Matthews kept his legs moving and Fresno State rallied. The defense made some nice adjustments and kept Utah State off of the score board in the second half.
Offensive Player of the Week--Again: Fresno State RB Ryan Matthews.
Defensive Team of the Week: Boise State
Game of the Week: Idaho 35 Louisiana Tech 34
Power Rankings:
Boise State
Fresno State
Nevada
Idaho
Louisiana Tech
Utah State
Hawaii
New Mexico State
San Jose State
Big Sky Conference
Sacramento State 27 Northern Arizona 24
The Hornets cracked the mystery of the Northern Arizona defense to get their first conference victory of the year. The Sacramento defense did the job in the second half, keeping the Lumberjacks off of the scoreboard.
Eastern Washington 47 Portland State 10
This game was played at Qwest Field in Seattle. The fish trowers at Pike's Peak Market Place dropped more fish than the Eastenr Washington receivers as Matt Nichols had another good game.
Northern Colorado 21 South Dakota 17
The Bears got an early lead, let it slip away and then scored a late touchdown to get their third win of the season. Northern Colorado had more penalty yards (177) than rushing yards (114) but did not turn the ball over. The Coyotes had two interceptions and 120 penalty yards. The two former D-II still do not like each other. This was their first meeting since USD moved up.
Montana State 41 Idaho State 10
Mark Iddins was back under center for the Bobcats. But against Idaho State, almost anyone can get their swagger back.
Montana 31 Weber State 10
From start to finish, what was supposed to be the game of the year in the Big Sky Conference was a domination by the Grizzlies. The game winning score was another pick for six thrown by Cam Higgins.
Offensive Player of the Week: Montana RB Chase Reynolds
Defensive Team of the Week: Montana
Game of the Week: Sacramento State 27 Northern Arizona 24
Power Rankings:
Montana
Eastern Washington
Weber State
Montana State
Northern Arizona
Sacramento State
Northern Colorado
Portland State
Idaho State
Round 1 of the playoffs and coming attractions
The season came to an end for three of five Region 1 teams on Friday.
Davis 28 West 7
Tanner Hinds steamrolled the Panthers in Kaysville on Friday afternoon. West's Afeaki had a good game as well, but they were only able to find pay dirt once and that was in the fourth quarter.
Alta 38 Fremont 14
The Silver Wolves gained a second quarter lead at 14-12. Then the Hawks really came alive. The second half was completely one-sided.
Cottonwood 23 Viewmont 7
This game turned on a fourth down play late in the first half. It was all Colts from that point on.
Hunter 24 Weber 20
The Wolverines stymied a Warrior comeback attempt in West Valley. Ends a really nice late season for Weber.
Syracuse 31 Skyline 7
Tanner Russell became a mad-man in the fourth quarter. The Titans put up 21 in the final frame. Russell picked a good time for his best game of the year so far.
Offensive Player of the Week: Syracuse QB Tanner Russell
Defensive Team of the Week: Syracuse
Game of the Week: Hunter 24 Weber 20
Next Week
Pleasant Grove at Davis
Syracuse at Bingham
Coming attractions:
End of Year Awards...Coming
Boys and Girls Basketball...Coming
My quest to loose weight BEFORE New Years...coming
Davis 28 West 7
Tanner Hinds steamrolled the Panthers in Kaysville on Friday afternoon. West's Afeaki had a good game as well, but they were only able to find pay dirt once and that was in the fourth quarter.
Alta 38 Fremont 14
The Silver Wolves gained a second quarter lead at 14-12. Then the Hawks really came alive. The second half was completely one-sided.
Cottonwood 23 Viewmont 7
This game turned on a fourth down play late in the first half. It was all Colts from that point on.
Hunter 24 Weber 20
The Wolverines stymied a Warrior comeback attempt in West Valley. Ends a really nice late season for Weber.
Syracuse 31 Skyline 7
Tanner Russell became a mad-man in the fourth quarter. The Titans put up 21 in the final frame. Russell picked a good time for his best game of the year so far.
Offensive Player of the Week: Syracuse QB Tanner Russell
Defensive Team of the Week: Syracuse
Game of the Week: Hunter 24 Weber 20
Next Week
Pleasant Grove at Davis
Syracuse at Bingham
Coming attractions:
End of Year Awards...Coming
Boys and Girls Basketball...Coming
My quest to loose weight BEFORE New Years...coming
My BCS Solution
In the immortal works for Jim Mora, Sr. "Playoffs, don't talk about the playoffs!" A college playoff will never happen. There is too much tradition and money involved. There are some legitimate arguments against it. One, for example, is that Football is NOT, believe it or not, the main reason those kids go to college. The value of the credential that they earn is hard to measure. The talk of a playoff may abate somewhat it the playing field is leveled. I have a five-part solution.
1. There are five non-qualifying conferences at this time. Consolodate them into four. There will be a total of 10 FBS conferences. Here is how.
New Mountain West (+3=12)
Mountain (North) Division
Air Force
Boise State (From WAC)
Brigham Young
Colorado State
Utah
Wyoming
West Division
Fresno State (From WAC)
Houston (From Conference USA)
New Mexico
UNLV
TCU
San Diego State
New WAC (-2 + 5 =12)
West Division
Hawaii
Idaho
New Mexico State
Nevada
San Jose State
Utah State
East Division
North Texas (From Sun Belt)
Middle Tennessee State (From Sun Belt)
Louisiana Tech
Louisiana Monroe (From Sun Belt)
Louisiana Layfeyette (From Sun Belt)
Memphis (From C-USA)
Conference USA (-2+2=12)
Add Troy and Arkansas State
MAC
Add Western Kentukcy
Demote: Florida Atlantic and Florida International to FBS.
2. Promote two additional bowls into the BCS. I propose the Cotton Bowl and the Holiday Bowl.
3. With seven BCS bowl, there is room for every conference champion and four at-large births into the big bowls.
4. Share the money equally, except for the conference of the National Champion gets a larger share.
5. Each team will only schedule ten games each season and reserve two non conference games to be scheduled by the NCAA after the previous season ends. It will use a formula similar to the NFL. For example, the Big 10 number one gets a home game against the ACC number three. Where the ACC number one gets a home game against the Big 12 number 3 and so on. This will eliminate the cupcake scheduling that happens now, where the Boise State's of the world can not get a home game against anyone decent.
1. There are five non-qualifying conferences at this time. Consolodate them into four. There will be a total of 10 FBS conferences. Here is how.
New Mountain West (+3=12)
Mountain (North) Division
Air Force
Boise State (From WAC)
Brigham Young
Colorado State
Utah
Wyoming
West Division
Fresno State (From WAC)
Houston (From Conference USA)
New Mexico
UNLV
TCU
San Diego State
New WAC (-2 + 5 =12)
West Division
Hawaii
Idaho
New Mexico State
Nevada
San Jose State
Utah State
East Division
North Texas (From Sun Belt)
Middle Tennessee State (From Sun Belt)
Louisiana Tech
Louisiana Monroe (From Sun Belt)
Louisiana Layfeyette (From Sun Belt)
Memphis (From C-USA)
Conference USA (-2+2=12)
Add Troy and Arkansas State
MAC
Add Western Kentukcy
Demote: Florida Atlantic and Florida International to FBS.
2. Promote two additional bowls into the BCS. I propose the Cotton Bowl and the Holiday Bowl.
3. With seven BCS bowl, there is room for every conference champion and four at-large births into the big bowls.
4. Share the money equally, except for the conference of the National Champion gets a larger share.
5. Each team will only schedule ten games each season and reserve two non conference games to be scheduled by the NCAA after the previous season ends. It will use a formula similar to the NFL. For example, the Big 10 number one gets a home game against the ACC number three. Where the ACC number one gets a home game against the Big 12 number 3 and so on. This will eliminate the cupcake scheduling that happens now, where the Boise State's of the world can not get a home game against anyone decent.
Friday, October 30, 2009
College Preview
Big Sky Conference, the most scenic week of the year
Road Trip of the Week--Perhaps the Year.
Idaho State at Montana State
Better hurry, this is the last weekend to drive through Yellowstone Park. The Road from Yellowstone Falls to Tower Junction--the north and east segment of the Grand Loop through the park has already been closed. But you can drive from Pocatello to Jackson and travel through Jackson Hole, and then take the West Side of the Grand Loop to check out Old Faithful and the other geyser basins. And the drive north of Yellowstone through the Paradise Valley to Livingston is not that bad at this time of year either.
http://www.nps.gov/PWR/customcf/apps/maps/showmap.cfm?alphacode=yell&parkname=Yellowstone%20National%20Park
The game
The Bobcats have shown some signs of being a decent team this year. They beat Weber State in Ogden. They nearly spoiled Eastern Washington's homecoming. But then they also lost to Northern Arizona at home. So this game will depend on which Bobcat team shows up. Idaho State has had trouble playing indoors whether at home or on the road in Flagstaff. I don't have much hope that the Bengals will do anything in Bozeman, in the outdoors at this time of year to help justify their coach's new contract extension.
MSU 27 ISU 3
South Dakota at Northern Colorado
The Coyotes visited Bozeman a couple of weeks ago and took the Bobcats to overtime. NCU nearly came back against Weber last week. These former conference rivals (at Division II) probably still harbor some ill feelings toward each other and that might create a great game.
USD 28 NCU 27
Portland State vs Eastern Washington at Qwest Field in Seattle
This game had little interest in the Seattle area to begin with and now you have a MLS playoff game happening on Sunday to make this game an even dimmer blip on the Seattle radar. (Seattle is one city where the MLS is popular.) The hope is that both teams will have fans that will travel there. It is a fun road trip for either and I'm sure that some of their fans will find this an easy excuse to visit the Gem of the Northwest. As for the game, it may not be that close.
Eastern Washington 35 Portland State 20
Northern Arizona at Sacramento State
The Lumberjacks deserve credit for the way that they have responded to this season. There were rumors all spring that this would be the last season of Football at the Walkup Skydome. This season has been a reason to keep the renovations on track to re-open the field in time for next season. The Hornets showed some fight against Montana after being blown out by Weber State. It depends on whether the Hornets can get motivated enough for this week.
NAU 27 Sac State 10
Weber State at Montana
The showdown of the year in the Big Sky Conference. The Wildcats are very explosive and have the tendency to score points in bunches. Where the Grizzlies are very persistent and show no quit. The are like the Energizer Bunny, they keep coming and coming. Weber will have to build a big lead, of at least 24 points to keep the Grizzlies from coming back. That is unlikely to happen. The Cats can win, but they have to be like Montana and keep the attack on for a full sixty minutes. They have to play a clean game and get at a minimum, four yards on every first down. This will keep the potent Grizzly attack on the sideline. There will be a little of this and a Grizzly comeback in the fourth quarter. Weber will have to answer every score. This game deserves the attention that BYU and TCU got last week.
Montana 45 Weber State 42
WAC--It's ouch time
New Mexico State at Ohio State
In the words of Jar Jar Binks, it's ouch time. The best hope for Duane Walker's crew is that the Buckeyes will be looking past them toward the end of their season. An early score or two by the Aggies will likely wake up the Buckeyes.
OSU 45 NMSU 10
San Jose State at Boise State
The Spartans showed some spunk at times this year, but this game is being played on the blue turf in Boise. Likely fans are plenty steamed about being dropped below TCU in the BCS rankings. (More on that if this scenario actually plays out, but I found one site that has both mid-major programs in a BCS bowl.) Even if BSU starts slow and is looks past this game, the home crowd will likely remind them of what they are playing for. Even if a BCS bowl is unrealistic for the Broncos, they still have a WAC championship at stake and there are three other teams still in the chase.
Boise State 41 SJSU 17
Hawaii at Nevada
Nevada, believe it or not, has no conference losses and could still get a piece of the conference title. They have put 60+ on the socreboard twice this season and have a trio of talented running backs. Hawaii is reeling at this time and looking to turn their season back in the right direction. Doesn't sound like Reno is the place for it.
Nevada 40 Hawaii 20
Louisiana Tech at Idaho
If Idaho can put last week's big loss in Reno behind them and win this game, Robb Akey will have sewn up coach of the year in the WAC in my mind and should raise his national profile. Tech had a lot of trouble with the running game last week in Logan. Both teams are likely building a game plan based upon what happened last week. The difference between Logan and Moscow is that the Vandals play indoors. The key for both teams will be to not give the ball away. If Idaho looses the turn over battle, Tech will play keep away and not give the Vandals a chance to catch up. It looks the promise that both teams showed early on has faded a bit. But I will give the advantage to the home team
Idaho 25 LaTech 21
Utah State at Fresno State
Last week the UtAgs hels Fresno down under 100 yards rushing. Was it the altitude. Holding Ryan Matthews under 200 yards rushing at home might be a more admirable achievement. But that will not win USU the game.
Fresno State 45 Utah State 23
Mountain West Conference
UNLV at TCU
It could be difficult for Gary Patterson to keep the frogs motivated for this showdown. But hey, it is still October and UNLV is the opponent and UNLV is not a good October team.
TCU 45 UNLV 17
Air Force at Colorado State
The Rams have lost five in a row and do not look at all like the team that fought so hard in Provo a couple of weeks ago. The Air Force defense is not the team to play if you are Grant Stucker looking to regain that early season confidence. The Falcons made a few mistakes last week that cost them the chance to put away the Utes in regulation time last week. But the defense makes few mistakes.
Air Force 17 Colorado State 7
New Mexico at San Diego State
The Lobos will not have a winning season this year and have a chance to play a spoiler this week in San Diego. Mike Locksley has returned. Ryan Lindley has found his groove and the Lobo defense will be the perfect place to sharpen it.
San Diego State 32 New Mexico 10
Wyoming at Utah
Last time the Cowboys played in Salt Lake City, the game was more obscene than the gesture from Joe Glen to Kyle Wittingham. Now the Cowboys have a new coach, a red hot Freshman quarterback and a chance to become bowl eligible. In fact, Wyoming is the one team in College Football that would look forward to the weather in Boise in December. Don't expect the same type of game that played out two years ago. The Boys had two weeks to prepare for the Utes and should put a nice game plan together. One hint, do not throw the ball in the direction of Robert Johnson if you want to keep confidence in the hands of Austyn Carta-Samuels.
Utah 21 Wyoming 20
Road Trip of the Week--Perhaps the Year.
Idaho State at Montana State
Better hurry, this is the last weekend to drive through Yellowstone Park. The Road from Yellowstone Falls to Tower Junction--the north and east segment of the Grand Loop through the park has already been closed. But you can drive from Pocatello to Jackson and travel through Jackson Hole, and then take the West Side of the Grand Loop to check out Old Faithful and the other geyser basins. And the drive north of Yellowstone through the Paradise Valley to Livingston is not that bad at this time of year either.
http://www.nps.gov/PWR/customcf/apps/maps/showmap.cfm?alphacode=yell&parkname=Yellowstone%20National%20Park
The game
The Bobcats have shown some signs of being a decent team this year. They beat Weber State in Ogden. They nearly spoiled Eastern Washington's homecoming. But then they also lost to Northern Arizona at home. So this game will depend on which Bobcat team shows up. Idaho State has had trouble playing indoors whether at home or on the road in Flagstaff. I don't have much hope that the Bengals will do anything in Bozeman, in the outdoors at this time of year to help justify their coach's new contract extension.
MSU 27 ISU 3
South Dakota at Northern Colorado
The Coyotes visited Bozeman a couple of weeks ago and took the Bobcats to overtime. NCU nearly came back against Weber last week. These former conference rivals (at Division II) probably still harbor some ill feelings toward each other and that might create a great game.
USD 28 NCU 27
Portland State vs Eastern Washington at Qwest Field in Seattle
This game had little interest in the Seattle area to begin with and now you have a MLS playoff game happening on Sunday to make this game an even dimmer blip on the Seattle radar. (Seattle is one city where the MLS is popular.) The hope is that both teams will have fans that will travel there. It is a fun road trip for either and I'm sure that some of their fans will find this an easy excuse to visit the Gem of the Northwest. As for the game, it may not be that close.
Eastern Washington 35 Portland State 20
Northern Arizona at Sacramento State
The Lumberjacks deserve credit for the way that they have responded to this season. There were rumors all spring that this would be the last season of Football at the Walkup Skydome. This season has been a reason to keep the renovations on track to re-open the field in time for next season. The Hornets showed some fight against Montana after being blown out by Weber State. It depends on whether the Hornets can get motivated enough for this week.
NAU 27 Sac State 10
Weber State at Montana
The showdown of the year in the Big Sky Conference. The Wildcats are very explosive and have the tendency to score points in bunches. Where the Grizzlies are very persistent and show no quit. The are like the Energizer Bunny, they keep coming and coming. Weber will have to build a big lead, of at least 24 points to keep the Grizzlies from coming back. That is unlikely to happen. The Cats can win, but they have to be like Montana and keep the attack on for a full sixty minutes. They have to play a clean game and get at a minimum, four yards on every first down. This will keep the potent Grizzly attack on the sideline. There will be a little of this and a Grizzly comeback in the fourth quarter. Weber will have to answer every score. This game deserves the attention that BYU and TCU got last week.
Montana 45 Weber State 42
WAC--It's ouch time
New Mexico State at Ohio State
In the words of Jar Jar Binks, it's ouch time. The best hope for Duane Walker's crew is that the Buckeyes will be looking past them toward the end of their season. An early score or two by the Aggies will likely wake up the Buckeyes.
OSU 45 NMSU 10
San Jose State at Boise State
The Spartans showed some spunk at times this year, but this game is being played on the blue turf in Boise. Likely fans are plenty steamed about being dropped below TCU in the BCS rankings. (More on that if this scenario actually plays out, but I found one site that has both mid-major programs in a BCS bowl.) Even if BSU starts slow and is looks past this game, the home crowd will likely remind them of what they are playing for. Even if a BCS bowl is unrealistic for the Broncos, they still have a WAC championship at stake and there are three other teams still in the chase.
Boise State 41 SJSU 17
Hawaii at Nevada
Nevada, believe it or not, has no conference losses and could still get a piece of the conference title. They have put 60+ on the socreboard twice this season and have a trio of talented running backs. Hawaii is reeling at this time and looking to turn their season back in the right direction. Doesn't sound like Reno is the place for it.
Nevada 40 Hawaii 20
Louisiana Tech at Idaho
If Idaho can put last week's big loss in Reno behind them and win this game, Robb Akey will have sewn up coach of the year in the WAC in my mind and should raise his national profile. Tech had a lot of trouble with the running game last week in Logan. Both teams are likely building a game plan based upon what happened last week. The difference between Logan and Moscow is that the Vandals play indoors. The key for both teams will be to not give the ball away. If Idaho looses the turn over battle, Tech will play keep away and not give the Vandals a chance to catch up. It looks the promise that both teams showed early on has faded a bit. But I will give the advantage to the home team
Idaho 25 LaTech 21
Utah State at Fresno State
Last week the UtAgs hels Fresno down under 100 yards rushing. Was it the altitude. Holding Ryan Matthews under 200 yards rushing at home might be a more admirable achievement. But that will not win USU the game.
Fresno State 45 Utah State 23
Mountain West Conference
UNLV at TCU
It could be difficult for Gary Patterson to keep the frogs motivated for this showdown. But hey, it is still October and UNLV is the opponent and UNLV is not a good October team.
TCU 45 UNLV 17
Air Force at Colorado State
The Rams have lost five in a row and do not look at all like the team that fought so hard in Provo a couple of weeks ago. The Air Force defense is not the team to play if you are Grant Stucker looking to regain that early season confidence. The Falcons made a few mistakes last week that cost them the chance to put away the Utes in regulation time last week. But the defense makes few mistakes.
Air Force 17 Colorado State 7
New Mexico at San Diego State
The Lobos will not have a winning season this year and have a chance to play a spoiler this week in San Diego. Mike Locksley has returned. Ryan Lindley has found his groove and the Lobo defense will be the perfect place to sharpen it.
San Diego State 32 New Mexico 10
Wyoming at Utah
Last time the Cowboys played in Salt Lake City, the game was more obscene than the gesture from Joe Glen to Kyle Wittingham. Now the Cowboys have a new coach, a red hot Freshman quarterback and a chance to become bowl eligible. In fact, Wyoming is the one team in College Football that would look forward to the weather in Boise in December. Don't expect the same type of game that played out two years ago. The Boys had two weeks to prepare for the Utes and should put a nice game plan together. One hint, do not throw the ball in the direction of Robert Johnson if you want to keep confidence in the hands of Austyn Carta-Samuels.
Utah 21 Wyoming 20
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
High School Playoffs Preview
Region 1 Playoff games.
West at Davis features a match up between two schools that have not met on the gridiron since late governor and Dart alum Cal Rampton lived in the Governor's mansion. Surprising considering the relative proximity of the two schools. The 1971 meeting was a defensive battle won by Davis 9 to 6. That will likely not be the outcome as one of Utah's best running backs, Tanner Hinds, takes the field for Davis. The Panthers have a solid backfield themselves. Tana Afeaki also had a 1000 yard season. The West backfield also has Anetipa Vaisagano. So, the team that will win is the team that can better establish their running game and control the clock. Davis should have the better defense. Davis 21 West 14
Skyline at Syracuse features one of the most storied football traditions in Utah traveling to take on a school in it's third year of existence. Obviously, this is the first meeting between Eagles and Titans on the football field. When the Eagles have the ball, you have the classic battle between the irresistible force taking on the immovable object. The concern is that the Titan offense lacked enough muster to get by a Layton team that was saving their star player for basketball season. There are two questions that will be answered Friday. Will the Syracuse offense get back on track? Will Chase Dunford and company be able to move the ball against the mighty Titan defense? This game could be another defensive battle. Skyline 13 Syracuse 6.
Viewmont at Cottonwood looks like anything but a mismatch on paper. The Vikings did not win a game outside of the region this year. Cottonwood has been one of the best 4-A programs that has moved up to 5-A. But these guys are bruisers and can play. The Vikings have been brilliant at times this year, but at other times no so much. They got the upset victory over Davis and then followed it us with a shootout loss at home to Fremont. Cottonwood is also good when they are at their best. This is a good game and probably the most difficult to pick. I will give a point to my Alma Mater. Viewmont 34 Cottonwood 33
Weber at Hunter has a lower seeded team that got off to a slow start, but then got the ship going in the right direction by the end of the season, other than a late season loss at Syracuse. Do the Wolverines have the tools on defense to contain David Daines? Can Weber shut down Ekuasi Tavo? Should be an exciting game. Hunter 35 Weber 33
Fremont at Alta was the reward for the Silver Wolves for their late-season win at Viewmont. Some reward. Alta has too many weapons. There will be a lot of exciting games in the first round of the playoffs, but Brody Garr and company have their hands full with this one...too full. Alta 28 Fremont 17
West at Davis features a match up between two schools that have not met on the gridiron since late governor and Dart alum Cal Rampton lived in the Governor's mansion. Surprising considering the relative proximity of the two schools. The 1971 meeting was a defensive battle won by Davis 9 to 6. That will likely not be the outcome as one of Utah's best running backs, Tanner Hinds, takes the field for Davis. The Panthers have a solid backfield themselves. Tana Afeaki also had a 1000 yard season. The West backfield also has Anetipa Vaisagano. So, the team that will win is the team that can better establish their running game and control the clock. Davis should have the better defense. Davis 21 West 14
Skyline at Syracuse features one of the most storied football traditions in Utah traveling to take on a school in it's third year of existence. Obviously, this is the first meeting between Eagles and Titans on the football field. When the Eagles have the ball, you have the classic battle between the irresistible force taking on the immovable object. The concern is that the Titan offense lacked enough muster to get by a Layton team that was saving their star player for basketball season. There are two questions that will be answered Friday. Will the Syracuse offense get back on track? Will Chase Dunford and company be able to move the ball against the mighty Titan defense? This game could be another defensive battle. Skyline 13 Syracuse 6.
Viewmont at Cottonwood looks like anything but a mismatch on paper. The Vikings did not win a game outside of the region this year. Cottonwood has been one of the best 4-A programs that has moved up to 5-A. But these guys are bruisers and can play. The Vikings have been brilliant at times this year, but at other times no so much. They got the upset victory over Davis and then followed it us with a shootout loss at home to Fremont. Cottonwood is also good when they are at their best. This is a good game and probably the most difficult to pick. I will give a point to my Alma Mater. Viewmont 34 Cottonwood 33
Weber at Hunter has a lower seeded team that got off to a slow start, but then got the ship going in the right direction by the end of the season, other than a late season loss at Syracuse. Do the Wolverines have the tools on defense to contain David Daines? Can Weber shut down Ekuasi Tavo? Should be an exciting game. Hunter 35 Weber 33
Fremont at Alta was the reward for the Silver Wolves for their late-season win at Viewmont. Some reward. Alta has too many weapons. There will be a lot of exciting games in the first round of the playoffs, but Brody Garr and company have their hands full with this one...too full. Alta 28 Fremont 17
Weber's Game at Northern Colorado...Fighting off the Comeback.
At the end of the third quarter in Greeley, Weber State had a 21-17 lead. The Cats had a commanding 21-14 lead at the half and the Bears dominated the third quarter. The home team put ten points on the board and held WSU with only one first down. The comeback bid and upset bid was on. How did Weber stop it?
1. Missed field goal drive. Weber State's first drive of the fourth quarter ended up in a missed field goal for WSU. Even though the field goal was missed, the drive burned nearly five minutes from the clock. For the first time in the second half, Weber began to drive the ball. It game the defense some much needed rest.
2. After the missed field goal, the Bears were able to drive. But the drive stalled and all that they were able to manage was a field goal attempt to cut the lead to one point. This turned out to be a big boost for the Weber State defense. Why? You were ahead by less than one touchdown and you are still ahead by less than one touchdown.
3. On the ensuing kickoff, Northern Colorado made a mistake that all but ended their comeback attempt. The offsides penalty mean that they had to get cute to avoid kicking the ball to Bo Bolen, who had killed them so far that day. Weber, however got to start the drive close to mid-field. A Bo Bolen run later, the Cats are knocking at the door to score the game-ending touchdown.
4. Even though the Bears had over three minutes left when they got the ball back, they got desperate and threw the game-ending interception on second down.
Now it is time for the showdown of the year in Missoula.
1. Missed field goal drive. Weber State's first drive of the fourth quarter ended up in a missed field goal for WSU. Even though the field goal was missed, the drive burned nearly five minutes from the clock. For the first time in the second half, Weber began to drive the ball. It game the defense some much needed rest.
2. After the missed field goal, the Bears were able to drive. But the drive stalled and all that they were able to manage was a field goal attempt to cut the lead to one point. This turned out to be a big boost for the Weber State defense. Why? You were ahead by less than one touchdown and you are still ahead by less than one touchdown.
3. On the ensuing kickoff, Northern Colorado made a mistake that all but ended their comeback attempt. The offsides penalty mean that they had to get cute to avoid kicking the ball to Bo Bolen, who had killed them so far that day. Weber, however got to start the drive close to mid-field. A Bo Bolen run later, the Cats are knocking at the door to score the game-ending touchdown.
4. Even though the Bears had over three minutes left when they got the ball back, they got desperate and threw the game-ending interception on second down.
Now it is time for the showdown of the year in Missoula.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Max Hall's Legacy
Thoughts on BYU and Max Hall
Max Hall is still likely to pass Ty Detmer as the BYU QB with the most wins. A lot of people are down on BYU after the loss to TCU in spite of this. Does Max Hall belong with the BYU greats? There are two things that all the greats have done that Max has not yet accomplished and one of those goals seems to be out of reach. First, all the others won a conference championship as a senior. The other, a signature come-from behind victory.
To be fair, Jim McMahon did not have a conference with two other juggernauts. But John Beck did. Beck shook off two close non-conference losses to Arizona and Boston College and directed the Cougars to a conference championship and the largest bowl victory in BYU history. Max Hall's two losses this year are by a combined 57 points. In 2008, BYU's losses were by a combined 59 points. It seems that with Max at the helm, BYU has lost the ability to claw back once they get behind. It was not always this way. In 2007, when MAX was a sophomore, BYU's two losses were by a combined 18 points. Only in the 55-47 loss at Tulsa in 2007 was BYU within one score when the final gun cracked Max has lost 7 games in his career as a starter, by an average margin of 19 points.
It is not all bad. Max has been good at winning close games. In games that were within one score, Hall has only lost that one game at Tulsa. In 2007 there were four games decided by less than one score: 31-24 at New Mexico, 27-22 vs TCU, 17-10 vs Utah and 17-16 win against UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl. In 2008, a 27-28 win at Washington, a 42-35 win vs UNLV and a 45-42 win at Colorado State. This year, there was the 14-13 win against Oklahoma. That is an 8-1 record in games that were decided by one score. In these eight games, BYU never trailed by more than seven points. In the Tulsa game, the Golden Hurricane did have a two touchdown lead at one point and Max and company were never able to get closer than 7 at that point. Max Hall has never led his Cougars back from the brink, but most of the other have.
-Beck did against Utah in 2006. The Utes held a 24-14 lead at one point in that game. Beck brought the Cougars back in a thrilling 33-31 finish.
-Bradon Doman did against UNLV in 2001, the Cougars won after the Rebels had a 21-10 lead.
-Steve Sakisian erased a 15-5 deficit in the 1996 Cotton Bowl.
-Ty Detmer worked the his magic several times, once erasing a 34-14 Oregon lead in Provo as a Sophomore.
-Robbie Boscoe led BYU back from a 14-3 deficit against Pittsburg in his first start.
-Steve Young, in 1982, helped BYU erase an early Utah State 14-3 lead in Logan.
-Jim McMahon: who can forget the 1980 Holiday Bowl?
-Marc Wilson did it at New Mexico in 1978.
-In 1975, Gifford Neilson entered the game for the first time as a BYU Quarterback against the Lobos in the 3rd quarter when New Mexico held a 12-0 lead.
In the fourth quarter against TCU on Saturday, with the Frogs well ahead, did the Cougars have some punch? BYU's last two possesions were killed by penalties and ended in downs in the red zone. Is there are difference between loosing 38-7 vs 38-21? Absolutely. It's called momentum. It could have helped the Cougars remain in the top 25 and would have helped the chances that a Mountain West Team would bust the BCS again. The momentum could have helped carry BYU into the important roadie in Laramie in two weeks.
Cougar fans are used to seeing their team claw their way back from big deficits. That has not happened since that Beck to Harline pass in 2006. What used to be routine, has become a problem. Down 14-0 against Florida State, O'Neil Chambers drops the ball. Penalties allowed TCU to score on their first three drives. The Cougars have not displayed that once-famous ability to claw back into games in the last two seasons. Last season, BYU cut the Utah lead to 4 before allowing the Utes to score the last three touchdowns in the game. In the Las Vegas Bowl, Arizona cruised once getting a ten point lead.
This season, Max Hall's senior season, he has written his legacy. A legacy that so far falls a little short of what is expected out of the famous BYU quarterback factory.
Max Hall is still likely to pass Ty Detmer as the BYU QB with the most wins. A lot of people are down on BYU after the loss to TCU in spite of this. Does Max Hall belong with the BYU greats? There are two things that all the greats have done that Max has not yet accomplished and one of those goals seems to be out of reach. First, all the others won a conference championship as a senior. The other, a signature come-from behind victory.
To be fair, Jim McMahon did not have a conference with two other juggernauts. But John Beck did. Beck shook off two close non-conference losses to Arizona and Boston College and directed the Cougars to a conference championship and the largest bowl victory in BYU history. Max Hall's two losses this year are by a combined 57 points. In 2008, BYU's losses were by a combined 59 points. It seems that with Max at the helm, BYU has lost the ability to claw back once they get behind. It was not always this way. In 2007, when MAX was a sophomore, BYU's two losses were by a combined 18 points. Only in the 55-47 loss at Tulsa in 2007 was BYU within one score when the final gun cracked Max has lost 7 games in his career as a starter, by an average margin of 19 points.
It is not all bad. Max has been good at winning close games. In games that were within one score, Hall has only lost that one game at Tulsa. In 2007 there were four games decided by less than one score: 31-24 at New Mexico, 27-22 vs TCU, 17-10 vs Utah and 17-16 win against UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl. In 2008, a 27-28 win at Washington, a 42-35 win vs UNLV and a 45-42 win at Colorado State. This year, there was the 14-13 win against Oklahoma. That is an 8-1 record in games that were decided by one score. In these eight games, BYU never trailed by more than seven points. In the Tulsa game, the Golden Hurricane did have a two touchdown lead at one point and Max and company were never able to get closer than 7 at that point. Max Hall has never led his Cougars back from the brink, but most of the other have.
-Beck did against Utah in 2006. The Utes held a 24-14 lead at one point in that game. Beck brought the Cougars back in a thrilling 33-31 finish.
-Bradon Doman did against UNLV in 2001, the Cougars won after the Rebels had a 21-10 lead.
-Steve Sakisian erased a 15-5 deficit in the 1996 Cotton Bowl.
-Ty Detmer worked the his magic several times, once erasing a 34-14 Oregon lead in Provo as a Sophomore.
-Robbie Boscoe led BYU back from a 14-3 deficit against Pittsburg in his first start.
-Steve Young, in 1982, helped BYU erase an early Utah State 14-3 lead in Logan.
-Jim McMahon: who can forget the 1980 Holiday Bowl?
-Marc Wilson did it at New Mexico in 1978.
-In 1975, Gifford Neilson entered the game for the first time as a BYU Quarterback against the Lobos in the 3rd quarter when New Mexico held a 12-0 lead.
In the fourth quarter against TCU on Saturday, with the Frogs well ahead, did the Cougars have some punch? BYU's last two possesions were killed by penalties and ended in downs in the red zone. Is there are difference between loosing 38-7 vs 38-21? Absolutely. It's called momentum. It could have helped the Cougars remain in the top 25 and would have helped the chances that a Mountain West Team would bust the BCS again. The momentum could have helped carry BYU into the important roadie in Laramie in two weeks.
Cougar fans are used to seeing their team claw their way back from big deficits. That has not happened since that Beck to Harline pass in 2006. What used to be routine, has become a problem. Down 14-0 against Florida State, O'Neil Chambers drops the ball. Penalties allowed TCU to score on their first three drives. The Cougars have not displayed that once-famous ability to claw back into games in the last two seasons. Last season, BYU cut the Utah lead to 4 before allowing the Utes to score the last three touchdowns in the game. In the Las Vegas Bowl, Arizona cruised once getting a ten point lead.
This season, Max Hall's senior season, he has written his legacy. A legacy that so far falls a little short of what is expected out of the famous BYU quarterback factory.
Updated Bowl Prospects
Mountain West Conference
Bowl Commitments (5): Las Vegas, Poinsettia, Armed Forces, New Mexico and Humanitarian. Plus an outside chance at a BCS bowl.
How does the conference stack up?
Already Bowl Eligible 3:
TCU 7-0--Can they jump ahead of Boise State for the BCS bowl?
BYU 6-2--Likely Poinsettia.
Utah 6-1--Likely Armed Forces but could be selected to the Las Vegas Bowl if TCU can get a BCS slot.
Remaining Teams:
Air Force
4-4
Likely Wins 3: @Colorado State, Army, UNLV
Likely Losses 1: @BYU
Projected Record: 7-5
Best Case Scenario: 8-4
Worst Case Scenario: 5-7
Projected Bowl: Humanitarian
San Diego State
3-4
Projected Wins 3: New Mexico, @ UNLV, Wyoming
Projected Losses 2: TCU, @ Utah
Projected Record: 6-6
Best Case Scenario: 7-5
Worst Case Scenario: 3-9
Projected Bowl: New Mexico
Wyoming:
3-4
Projected Wins: 1 @Colorado State
Projected Losses: 4 @Utah, BYU, TCU, @ San Diego State
Projected Record: 4-8
Best Case Scenario: 6-6
Worst Case Scenario: 3-9
Colorado State:
3-5
Projected Wins: 2 @UNLV, @New Mexico
Projected Losses: 2 Wyoming, Air Force
Projected Record 5-7
Their season hangs on them winnging the games they should.
UNLV
3-5
Projected Wins 0:
Projected Losses 4: @TCU, Colorado State, @ Air Force, San Diego State
Projected Record: 3-9
Best Case Scenario: 6-6
Eliminated from Bowl Contention 1:
New Mexico, 0-7
Bottom line for the Mountain West: Thanks to Colorado State's swoon, the Mountain West risks not being able to fill all five bowl commitments even if TCU does not get into the BCS. San Diego State and Ryan Lindley need to remain hot and they should finish 6-6. They have no room for error Wyoming has to win two games as the underdog to go bowling. Colorado State may get there if they can stop the swoon, beat the cellar dwellers on the road and win one of their two reaming home games against either Air Force or Wyoming.
WAC
Bowl Commitments: Hawaii, New Mexico, Humanitarian. Poinsettia if PAC-10 does not have enough bowl eligible teams.
Already Bowl Eligible: 2
-Boise State 7-0, Computers may put TCU ahead of Boise for the BCS slot even if the Broncos win out.
-Idaho 6-2 Should finish 8-4
Others
Nevada
4-3
Projected Wins 3: Hawaii, @San Jose State, @New Mexico State
Projected Losses 2: Fresno State, @ Boise State
Projected Record: 7-5
Best Case Scenario: 9-3
Worst Case Scenario: 5-7
Projected Bowl: New Mexico
Fresno State
4-3
Projected wins 5: @ New Mexico State, Utah State, @ Idaho, @ Nevada, Louisiana Tech, @Illinois
Projected losses: 0
Projected Record: 9-3
Worst Case Scenario: 7-5
Projected Bowl: Hawaii
Hawaii
2-5
Projected Wins 3: Utah State, New Mexico State, @ San Jose State
Projected Losses 3: @ Nevada, Navy, Wisconsin
Projected Record: 5-8
Best Case Scenario: 6-7
Worst Case Scenario: 4-9
Louisiana Tech
3-4
Projected Wins 1: San Jose State
Projected Losses 4: @Idaho, Boise State, @LSU, @Fresno State
Projected Record: 4-8
Best Case Scenario: 5-7
Worst Case Scenario: 4-8
New Mexico State
3-5
Projected Wins 0:
Projected Losses 4: @Ohio State, @Hawaii, Nevada, @San Jose State, @ Boise State
Projected Record: 3-9
Best Case Scenario: 5-7
Utah State
2-5
Projected Wins 1: San Jose State
Projected Losses 4: @Fresno State, @Hawaii, Boise State, @ Idaho
Projected Record: 3-9
Worst Case Scenario: 2-10
Best Case Scenario: 4-8
San Jose State
1-5
Projected Wins 1: New Mexico State
Projected Losses 5: @ Boise State, Nevada, @Utah State, Hawaii, @ Louisiana Tech
Projected Record: 2-10
Worst Case Scenario: 1-11
Best Case Scenario: 3-9
WAC Bottom Line: The WAC will have four bowl eligible teams. If Boise State fails to make a BCS bowl and TCU goes in their place, look for Nevada to take the place of a Mountain West Team in one of their slots--likely the Armed Forces.
Here is my latest guess for Western Bowl Slots
Fiesta: TCU vs USC
Las Vegas: Utah vs Stanford
Poinsettia: BYU vs Arizona State
Hawaii: Boise State vs SMU
New Mexico: San Diego State vs Fresno State
Humanitarian: Idaho vs Air Force
Armed Forces: Nevada vs Tulsa (Nevada filling the empty MWC bowl slot)
Bowl Commitments (5): Las Vegas, Poinsettia, Armed Forces, New Mexico and Humanitarian. Plus an outside chance at a BCS bowl.
How does the conference stack up?
Already Bowl Eligible 3:
TCU 7-0--Can they jump ahead of Boise State for the BCS bowl?
BYU 6-2--Likely Poinsettia.
Utah 6-1--Likely Armed Forces but could be selected to the Las Vegas Bowl if TCU can get a BCS slot.
Remaining Teams:
Air Force
4-4
Likely Wins 3: @Colorado State, Army, UNLV
Likely Losses 1: @BYU
Projected Record: 7-5
Best Case Scenario: 8-4
Worst Case Scenario: 5-7
Projected Bowl: Humanitarian
San Diego State
3-4
Projected Wins 3: New Mexico, @ UNLV, Wyoming
Projected Losses 2: TCU, @ Utah
Projected Record: 6-6
Best Case Scenario: 7-5
Worst Case Scenario: 3-9
Projected Bowl: New Mexico
Wyoming:
3-4
Projected Wins: 1 @Colorado State
Projected Losses: 4 @Utah, BYU, TCU, @ San Diego State
Projected Record: 4-8
Best Case Scenario: 6-6
Worst Case Scenario: 3-9
Colorado State:
3-5
Projected Wins: 2 @UNLV, @New Mexico
Projected Losses: 2 Wyoming, Air Force
Projected Record 5-7
Their season hangs on them winnging the games they should.
UNLV
3-5
Projected Wins 0:
Projected Losses 4: @TCU, Colorado State, @ Air Force, San Diego State
Projected Record: 3-9
Best Case Scenario: 6-6
Eliminated from Bowl Contention 1:
New Mexico, 0-7
Bottom line for the Mountain West: Thanks to Colorado State's swoon, the Mountain West risks not being able to fill all five bowl commitments even if TCU does not get into the BCS. San Diego State and Ryan Lindley need to remain hot and they should finish 6-6. They have no room for error Wyoming has to win two games as the underdog to go bowling. Colorado State may get there if they can stop the swoon, beat the cellar dwellers on the road and win one of their two reaming home games against either Air Force or Wyoming.
WAC
Bowl Commitments: Hawaii, New Mexico, Humanitarian. Poinsettia if PAC-10 does not have enough bowl eligible teams.
Already Bowl Eligible: 2
-Boise State 7-0, Computers may put TCU ahead of Boise for the BCS slot even if the Broncos win out.
-Idaho 6-2 Should finish 8-4
Others
Nevada
4-3
Projected Wins 3: Hawaii, @San Jose State, @New Mexico State
Projected Losses 2: Fresno State, @ Boise State
Projected Record: 7-5
Best Case Scenario: 9-3
Worst Case Scenario: 5-7
Projected Bowl: New Mexico
Fresno State
4-3
Projected wins 5: @ New Mexico State, Utah State, @ Idaho, @ Nevada, Louisiana Tech, @Illinois
Projected losses: 0
Projected Record: 9-3
Worst Case Scenario: 7-5
Projected Bowl: Hawaii
Hawaii
2-5
Projected Wins 3: Utah State, New Mexico State, @ San Jose State
Projected Losses 3: @ Nevada, Navy, Wisconsin
Projected Record: 5-8
Best Case Scenario: 6-7
Worst Case Scenario: 4-9
Louisiana Tech
3-4
Projected Wins 1: San Jose State
Projected Losses 4: @Idaho, Boise State, @LSU, @Fresno State
Projected Record: 4-8
Best Case Scenario: 5-7
Worst Case Scenario: 4-8
New Mexico State
3-5
Projected Wins 0:
Projected Losses 4: @Ohio State, @Hawaii, Nevada, @San Jose State, @ Boise State
Projected Record: 3-9
Best Case Scenario: 5-7
Utah State
2-5
Projected Wins 1: San Jose State
Projected Losses 4: @Fresno State, @Hawaii, Boise State, @ Idaho
Projected Record: 3-9
Worst Case Scenario: 2-10
Best Case Scenario: 4-8
San Jose State
1-5
Projected Wins 1: New Mexico State
Projected Losses 5: @ Boise State, Nevada, @Utah State, Hawaii, @ Louisiana Tech
Projected Record: 2-10
Worst Case Scenario: 1-11
Best Case Scenario: 3-9
WAC Bottom Line: The WAC will have four bowl eligible teams. If Boise State fails to make a BCS bowl and TCU goes in their place, look for Nevada to take the place of a Mountain West Team in one of their slots--likely the Armed Forces.
Here is my latest guess for Western Bowl Slots
Fiesta: TCU vs USC
Las Vegas: Utah vs Stanford
Poinsettia: BYU vs Arizona State
Hawaii: Boise State vs SMU
New Mexico: San Diego State vs Fresno State
Humanitarian: Idaho vs Air Force
Armed Forces: Nevada vs Tulsa (Nevada filling the empty MWC bowl slot)
College Football This Week
Mountain West
San Diego State 42 Colorado State 28
I would not have predicted this outcome even after last week's games. Both teams showed us that they were onto something last week. The Rams have now lost five in a row and need to figure out how to right the ship or bowl eligibility will be lost. They have a very tough one against Air Force at home next week. Meanwhile, Ryan Lindley had another great game for the Aztecs who are starting to look like they have turned the corner. They may end up the favorites in 3 of their next five games.
Utah 23 Air Force 16
The Utes hold off the Air Force in the extra frame to get a victory at home where both offenses sputtered. Eric Wide gave Kyle Wittingham a few more gray hairs for going out early in the game with a sprained ankle. But he returned to get the game winning touchdown.
TCU 38 BYU 7
There is a lot I could say about this game, but I try to be a fan and not a critic. Therefore, I shall forebear. But I will add to an observation that the KSL radio guys made. They pointed out that all of BYU's five looses in the past two seasons have been by more than 2 scores. They mentioned that BYU seems to have lost that ability to claw back into games like this...but I think you have to temper this with a couple of other facts. BYU has proven they have the ability to WIN close games. This also shows that BYU truly is not the only good team in their conference. Back in 1984, it was BYU and only BYU. A conference with three good teams has more national clout. I will write more on this topic later this week. And no, Bronco Mendenhall is not on the hot seat. BYU fans are spoiled.
UNLV 34 New Mexico 17
So UNLV won a road game. It probably will not save Mike Sanford's job and probably will cost Mike Locksley his, even though he was not on the sidelines. New Mexico has officially been eliminated from bowl eligibility.
Offensive Player of the Week: San Diego State QB Ryan Lindley
Defensive Team of the Week: TCU
Game of the Week: Utah 23 Air Force 16
Power Rankings
1. TCU
2. Utah
3. BYU
4. Air Force
5. Wyoming
6. San Diego State
7. Colorado State
8. UNLV
9. New Mexico
Coaches on the Hot Seat: Mike Sanford (UNLV), Mike Locksley (New Mexico) and Steve Fairchilld (Colorado State)
WAC
Utah State 23 Louisiana Tech 21
The Aggies grabbed a 23-7 lead and then hung on for dear life. The WTH (what the heck) stat of the game, Daniel Porter was held to 68 yards rushing. Must have been the altitude. The Bulldogs chance at a bowl game this year have now taken a serious blow.
Nevada 70 Idaho 45
Most of the time in football, 45 points will get you a win. The Wolfpack have turned the corner, get some bowl eligibility breathing room and make this year's Idaho team look like either UNLV or last year's Idaho team. They could be the team that beats Boise State this year.
Fresno State 34 New Mexico State 3
Ryan Matthews has only had 153 yards of rushing as Fresno cruises in Las Cruces. Matthews is still the national leader in rushing and his Heisman stock continues to rise. Fresno simply played a game of truth or dare with the Aggies all day.
Boise State 54 Hawaii 9
The Aloha magic just was not there today. The Broncos roll and roll and roll. Hawaii falls to 2-5 and Greg McMackin continues to wear out his welcome.
Power Rankings
1. Boise State
2. Fresno State
3. Nevada
4. Idaho
5. Louisiana Tech
6. Utah State
7. Hawaii
8. New Mexico State
9. San Jose State
Offensive Player of the Week: Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick
Defensive Team of the Week: Utah State
Game of the Week: Utah State 23 Louisiana Tech 21
Coaches on the Hot Seat: Greg McMackin (Hawaii), Dick Tomey (San Jose State)
Big Sky
Weber State 28 Northern Colorado 20
The Bears had the Wildcats, scored 13 unanswered points. But Weber finally put together a second half drive and put the game away. Bo Bolen made his first start, in place of the suspended Trevyn Smith, and accounted for nearly half of the Wildcats total offense. Northern Colorado's defense deserves props for nearly shutting down the Wildcats in the second half.
UC Davis 34 Portland State 31
The Vikings were ahead 27-17 at the end of the third quarter. They were even ahead 31-24 late. But the Aggies broke a 31-all tie with 3:40 left on the clock and then held on for the victory.
Eastern Washington 35 Montana State 24
The Bobcats had a 24-14 lead early in the fourth quarter. The Eagles scored the last 21 points of the game to end their two-game loosing streak. Matt Nichols lead the comeback hitting Taiwan Jones for a 38 yard pass to get the Eagles on top.
Montana 45 Sacramento State 30
This game was not a close as it looks. On offense, the Grizzles were on cruise control the whole game. Even when the Hornets grabbed an early lead, there was no panic. The Montana offense comes at you like a row of Panzers. The defense is like the Maginot line. Should be a fun game next week.
Northern Arizona 40 Idaho State 12
The Bengals are 0-8 and John Zamberlin still has his job--he even signed a contract extension a week and a half ago. The Bengal booster club has asked Obama's "Pay Czar", Kenneth Feinberg to investigate. Well, no, that is a joke, but it should happen. It makes about as much sense as big bonuses to TARP banks. The NAU defense has another good game. The Lumberjacks are beginning to look scary.
Offensive Player of the Week: Weber State RB Bo Bolen
Defensive Team of the Week: Northern Colorado
Game of the Week: UC Davis 34 Portland State 31
Power Rankings
1. Montana
2. Weber State
3. Eastern Washington
4. Northern Arizona
5. Montana State
6. Northern Colorado
7. Sacramento State
8. Portland State
9. Idaho State
Coaches on the hot seat: Jerry Glanville (Portland State), John Zamberlin (Idaho State) and Marshall Sperbeck (Sacramento State)
San Diego State 42 Colorado State 28
I would not have predicted this outcome even after last week's games. Both teams showed us that they were onto something last week. The Rams have now lost five in a row and need to figure out how to right the ship or bowl eligibility will be lost. They have a very tough one against Air Force at home next week. Meanwhile, Ryan Lindley had another great game for the Aztecs who are starting to look like they have turned the corner. They may end up the favorites in 3 of their next five games.
Utah 23 Air Force 16
The Utes hold off the Air Force in the extra frame to get a victory at home where both offenses sputtered. Eric Wide gave Kyle Wittingham a few more gray hairs for going out early in the game with a sprained ankle. But he returned to get the game winning touchdown.
TCU 38 BYU 7
There is a lot I could say about this game, but I try to be a fan and not a critic. Therefore, I shall forebear. But I will add to an observation that the KSL radio guys made. They pointed out that all of BYU's five looses in the past two seasons have been by more than 2 scores. They mentioned that BYU seems to have lost that ability to claw back into games like this...but I think you have to temper this with a couple of other facts. BYU has proven they have the ability to WIN close games. This also shows that BYU truly is not the only good team in their conference. Back in 1984, it was BYU and only BYU. A conference with three good teams has more national clout. I will write more on this topic later this week. And no, Bronco Mendenhall is not on the hot seat. BYU fans are spoiled.
UNLV 34 New Mexico 17
So UNLV won a road game. It probably will not save Mike Sanford's job and probably will cost Mike Locksley his, even though he was not on the sidelines. New Mexico has officially been eliminated from bowl eligibility.
Offensive Player of the Week: San Diego State QB Ryan Lindley
Defensive Team of the Week: TCU
Game of the Week: Utah 23 Air Force 16
Power Rankings
1. TCU
2. Utah
3. BYU
4. Air Force
5. Wyoming
6. San Diego State
7. Colorado State
8. UNLV
9. New Mexico
Coaches on the Hot Seat: Mike Sanford (UNLV), Mike Locksley (New Mexico) and Steve Fairchilld (Colorado State)
WAC
Utah State 23 Louisiana Tech 21
The Aggies grabbed a 23-7 lead and then hung on for dear life. The WTH (what the heck) stat of the game, Daniel Porter was held to 68 yards rushing. Must have been the altitude. The Bulldogs chance at a bowl game this year have now taken a serious blow.
Nevada 70 Idaho 45
Most of the time in football, 45 points will get you a win. The Wolfpack have turned the corner, get some bowl eligibility breathing room and make this year's Idaho team look like either UNLV or last year's Idaho team. They could be the team that beats Boise State this year.
Fresno State 34 New Mexico State 3
Ryan Matthews has only had 153 yards of rushing as Fresno cruises in Las Cruces. Matthews is still the national leader in rushing and his Heisman stock continues to rise. Fresno simply played a game of truth or dare with the Aggies all day.
Boise State 54 Hawaii 9
The Aloha magic just was not there today. The Broncos roll and roll and roll. Hawaii falls to 2-5 and Greg McMackin continues to wear out his welcome.
Power Rankings
1. Boise State
2. Fresno State
3. Nevada
4. Idaho
5. Louisiana Tech
6. Utah State
7. Hawaii
8. New Mexico State
9. San Jose State
Offensive Player of the Week: Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick
Defensive Team of the Week: Utah State
Game of the Week: Utah State 23 Louisiana Tech 21
Coaches on the Hot Seat: Greg McMackin (Hawaii), Dick Tomey (San Jose State)
Big Sky
Weber State 28 Northern Colorado 20
The Bears had the Wildcats, scored 13 unanswered points. But Weber finally put together a second half drive and put the game away. Bo Bolen made his first start, in place of the suspended Trevyn Smith, and accounted for nearly half of the Wildcats total offense. Northern Colorado's defense deserves props for nearly shutting down the Wildcats in the second half.
UC Davis 34 Portland State 31
The Vikings were ahead 27-17 at the end of the third quarter. They were even ahead 31-24 late. But the Aggies broke a 31-all tie with 3:40 left on the clock and then held on for the victory.
Eastern Washington 35 Montana State 24
The Bobcats had a 24-14 lead early in the fourth quarter. The Eagles scored the last 21 points of the game to end their two-game loosing streak. Matt Nichols lead the comeback hitting Taiwan Jones for a 38 yard pass to get the Eagles on top.
Montana 45 Sacramento State 30
This game was not a close as it looks. On offense, the Grizzles were on cruise control the whole game. Even when the Hornets grabbed an early lead, there was no panic. The Montana offense comes at you like a row of Panzers. The defense is like the Maginot line. Should be a fun game next week.
Northern Arizona 40 Idaho State 12
The Bengals are 0-8 and John Zamberlin still has his job--he even signed a contract extension a week and a half ago. The Bengal booster club has asked Obama's "Pay Czar", Kenneth Feinberg to investigate. Well, no, that is a joke, but it should happen. It makes about as much sense as big bonuses to TARP banks. The NAU defense has another good game. The Lumberjacks are beginning to look scary.
Offensive Player of the Week: Weber State RB Bo Bolen
Defensive Team of the Week: Northern Colorado
Game of the Week: UC Davis 34 Portland State 31
Power Rankings
1. Montana
2. Weber State
3. Eastern Washington
4. Northern Arizona
5. Montana State
6. Northern Colorado
7. Sacramento State
8. Portland State
9. Idaho State
Coaches on the hot seat: Jerry Glanville (Portland State), John Zamberlin (Idaho State) and Marshall Sperbeck (Sacramento State)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
High School Finale
First, a word about High School girls soccer. Congrats to the Alta Hawks who won in a classic of Davis last night. It took until the final round of penalty kicks to settle this one. A tough loss for the Darts.
In football, because the Kearns Cougars lost on Thursday night to West Jordan, and ended up with a sub-500 record. There became an extra playoff spot awarded to Region 1 as only 3 Region 3 teams ended up with winning records. This meant that the winner of the Weber-Northridge game would have claimed the extra spot. Here is what happened:
Davis 42 Roy 0
The Darts took care of business to claim the region title and did not expend a lot of effort in doing so. They should be well prepared for West to come to Kaysville next week. Congratulations to Davis for winning another region championship outright because...
Layton 7 Syracuse 3
As I suspected, Adam Bunting was not the "go to" guy for the Lancers. He shared duty with Derek Thomas who scored the only touchdown of the game. The Titan defense proved ready for the playoffs, but the offense was not there. Layton was not nearly the best defense in the region this year. Next week's opponent, Skyline, is almost everything Layton failed to be this year.
Viewmont 25 Clearfield 12
Jeremy Leiber and company took care of business in Bountiful. The Vikings earn, for their trouble, a trip to Cottonwood to take on the Colts.
Weber 32 Northridge 29
It was a back and forth game on Hill Field Road on Friday. Weber scored last and intercepted Travis Harper on the next Knight drive to win the game. The Warriors earn a trip to Hunter as the #4 seed for the playoffs.
Fremont-Idle
The Silver Wolves earned a trip to Alta as the tiebreakers put them in at the #5 seed.
Offensive Player of the Week: Viewmont QB Jeremy Leiber and Weber RB Davis Daines
Defensive Team of the Week: Layton
Game of the Week: Weber 32 Northridge 29
Class 5A First Round
Oct. 30-31
Upper bracket
Pleasant Grove (7-2) at Riverton (5-4), Fri., 5 p.m.
West (5-5) at Davis (7-2)
Weber (7-3) at Hunter (6-3), Fri., 5 p.m.
West Jordan (7-3) at Lone Peak (8-2), TBA
Lower bracket
Viewmont (6-4) at Cottonwood (7-3), Fri., 4 p.m.
Fremont (5-4) at Alta (8-2), Fri., 5 p.m.
Brighton/Jordan at Bingham (9-1), TBA
Skyline (7-3) at Syracuse (7-2), Fri., 2 p.m.
From: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705338765/High-school-football-playoff-pairings.html
In football, because the Kearns Cougars lost on Thursday night to West Jordan, and ended up with a sub-500 record. There became an extra playoff spot awarded to Region 1 as only 3 Region 3 teams ended up with winning records. This meant that the winner of the Weber-Northridge game would have claimed the extra spot. Here is what happened:
Davis 42 Roy 0
The Darts took care of business to claim the region title and did not expend a lot of effort in doing so. They should be well prepared for West to come to Kaysville next week. Congratulations to Davis for winning another region championship outright because...
Layton 7 Syracuse 3
As I suspected, Adam Bunting was not the "go to" guy for the Lancers. He shared duty with Derek Thomas who scored the only touchdown of the game. The Titan defense proved ready for the playoffs, but the offense was not there. Layton was not nearly the best defense in the region this year. Next week's opponent, Skyline, is almost everything Layton failed to be this year.
Viewmont 25 Clearfield 12
Jeremy Leiber and company took care of business in Bountiful. The Vikings earn, for their trouble, a trip to Cottonwood to take on the Colts.
Weber 32 Northridge 29
It was a back and forth game on Hill Field Road on Friday. Weber scored last and intercepted Travis Harper on the next Knight drive to win the game. The Warriors earn a trip to Hunter as the #4 seed for the playoffs.
Fremont-Idle
The Silver Wolves earned a trip to Alta as the tiebreakers put them in at the #5 seed.
Offensive Player of the Week: Viewmont QB Jeremy Leiber and Weber RB Davis Daines
Defensive Team of the Week: Layton
Game of the Week: Weber 32 Northridge 29
Class 5A First Round
Oct. 30-31
Upper bracket
Pleasant Grove (7-2) at Riverton (5-4), Fri., 5 p.m.
West (5-5) at Davis (7-2)
Weber (7-3) at Hunter (6-3), Fri., 5 p.m.
West Jordan (7-3) at Lone Peak (8-2), TBA
Lower bracket
Viewmont (6-4) at Cottonwood (7-3), Fri., 4 p.m.
Fremont (5-4) at Alta (8-2), Fri., 5 p.m.
Brighton/Jordan at Bingham (9-1), TBA
Skyline (7-3) at Syracuse (7-2), Fri., 2 p.m.
From: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705338765/High-school-football-playoff-pairings.html
Friday, October 23, 2009
College Football Preview for October 24
Big Sky Conference
Road Trip of the Week
Weber State (4-3) at Northern Colorado (2-5)
If you are traveling from Ogden to Greeley, you COULD take the obvious route on I-80 through Wyoming. But only if you are in a hurry. I am not a fan of that route, especially from Rock Springs to Laramie. 75 mph is not fast enough through that area. But once you get to Laramie, it gets a lot more interesting. Rather than take I-80 east from Laramie, take US 287 south. Not quite as fast, but much more scenic. Rather than a long, straight dive after the Ames rest area, it is a canyonous, sinuous, sensuous mountain road. That drops you off near Fort Collins, which is just a can-see west of Greeley.
Here are some images:
http://www.bio.sdsu.edu/pub/burns/Laramie3.jpg
http://www.coloradodirectory.com/fortcollins/horsetooth-rock.gif
http://www.units-of-measure.com/files/images/fort_collins.jpg
http://www.go-colorado.com/CO/images/detail/Greeley-intro.jpg
The game:
Northern Colorado is one of those spooky teams you can not judge by their 2-5 record. Last year, they visited Ogden and it was supposed to be a cake walk, but was not. The Bears and Wildcats both have some near wins. The Bears beat San Diego. Held the explosive Eastern Washington team to just 16 points. While Weber also has a great defense and an explosive offense. Both teams will have to play mistake free ball. Weber State does not want to be caught looking ahead to next week's showdown in Missoula. Northern Colorado has to realized that Weber tends to score points in bunches. If that happens again, NCU does not have the offense to catch up.
Weber State 32 NCU 7
UC Davis (3-3) at Portland State (2-5)
There seems to be a weekly game featuring a team from the GWC and the BSC. The California Aggies are having a what seems to be an under-par 3-3 season but have lost two games to bowl-bound FBS teams. They played Boise State in Boise very well. PSU seems to still have not recovered from the near win against Weber State several weeks ago. Surely, Jerry Glanville must be feeling the heat to get his team to produce some wins.
UCD 32 PSU 16
Montana State (4-2) at Eastern Washington (4-3)
Suddenly, the EWUs are on a loosing streak, but the worst of it may behind them. Cody Kempt will be making his second start for the Bobcats, after getting off to a good start last week. MSU could use the same template that Weber State used a couple of weeks ago to beat the Eagles. Play a clean game, control the clock and force the Eagles into passing situations. My hunch is, however, that Taiwan Jones will have another big game.
EWU 28 MSU 17
Montana (6-0) at Sacramento State (2-4)
You know, they do not play football games on paper. But the Hornets have given up 38 or more points in all of their losses. And the bad news is that the Montana has another explosive recieve/special teams player in Marc Mariani who had a major role in the Grizzlies wild win against EWU last week. I'm sure he studied films on what Tim Toone did last week.
Montana 49 CSU-Sac 13
Idaho State (0-7) at Northern Arizona (4-2)
The good news for the Bengals is that the last three teams to visit Flagstaff were able to get the Lumberjacks in a shootout. The bad news is that NAU won two of those three games. This does not seem like a good place for Idaho State's first win of the season.
NAU 27 ISU 15
WAC Preview
Louisiana Tech (3-3) at Utah State (1-5)
You are not going to find a better ball control, running team than the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Diondre Borel and Robert Turbin will spend a lot of time on the sidelines this week. This will look a lot like the Bulldogs effort against NMSU last week.
LaTech 38 USU 16
Idaho (6-1) at Nevada (3-3)
Idaho has been looking good all season and might be the easy team to pick. This will be a closer game than that. The Wolfpack has turned around their season. Idaho will have to bring their A game to Reno to win. I am confident, however, that Robb Akey will have his team well-motivated, like he has all season, but I expect a shootout.
Idaho 45 Nevada 42
Fresno State (3-3) at New Mexico State (3-4)
Yea, the records are identical. But this is a mis-match. Ryan Matthews is even getting some Heisman Trophy consideration...yea, not often that a 3-3 team gets some love like that. Like last week, NSMU is just too one dimensional to hang with a team that has a powerful running game. Matthews is explosive and NSMU may get a few more chances to score this week.
FSU 38 NSMU 16
Boise State (6-0) at Hawaii (2-4)
There is magic on the islands. The Warriors have made life miserable for many with legitimate dreams of grander things. Trouble is brewing as the Broncos have struggled the past few weeks. They will here but they will also win.
BSU 32 Hawaii 27
Mountain West
UNLV (2-4) at New Mexico (0-6)
I begin with the pillow fight of the week. UNLV going for their first road win of the season while the Lobos...with Mike Locksley suspended. Both head coaches are in the hot seat and a win will not help either.
UNLV 28 New Mexico 20
San Diego State (2-4) at Colorado State (3-4)
The Rams have to be shaking their head about the person who put together the scheduling this year. Who put a trip to Moscow in the midst of taking on the big 3. Actually, a year ago this must have looked like a good idea. But with the toughest part of their schedule behind them, the Rams are probably looking forward to winning the rest of their games and getting some good momentum going for them. That is until they studied tapes of Ryan Lindley and what he did to the BYU secondary last week.
CSU 32 SDSU 27
Air Force (4-3) at Utah (5-1)
Outside of BYU, Air Force is arguably the Utes biggest rival. Even though the Utes have won the lions share of games, lately, this game is always an exciting one and bound to have an exciting finish. The running defense for Utah will need to have a big game. Utah has shown that they are volnerable to a mobile quarterback.
Utah 27 Air Force 24
TCU (6-0) at BYU (6-1)
The shoe is not exactly on the other foot. BYU can not afford to spend the entire season preparing for TCU like the Horned Frogs did last year. BYU's defense is volnerable to speed, but the Cougars can counter that by controlling the ball on offense. This means liberal use of Unga and Pitta. TCU has enough weapons of their own to win...and they are a heck of a lot better than Boise State.
TCU 31 BYU 27
Road Trip of the Week
Weber State (4-3) at Northern Colorado (2-5)
If you are traveling from Ogden to Greeley, you COULD take the obvious route on I-80 through Wyoming. But only if you are in a hurry. I am not a fan of that route, especially from Rock Springs to Laramie. 75 mph is not fast enough through that area. But once you get to Laramie, it gets a lot more interesting. Rather than take I-80 east from Laramie, take US 287 south. Not quite as fast, but much more scenic. Rather than a long, straight dive after the Ames rest area, it is a canyonous, sinuous, sensuous mountain road. That drops you off near Fort Collins, which is just a can-see west of Greeley.
Here are some images:
http://www.bio.sdsu.edu/pub/burns/Laramie3.jpg
http://www.coloradodirectory.com/fortcollins/horsetooth-rock.gif
http://www.units-of-measure.com/files/images/fort_collins.jpg
http://www.go-colorado.com/CO/images/detail/Greeley-intro.jpg
The game:
Northern Colorado is one of those spooky teams you can not judge by their 2-5 record. Last year, they visited Ogden and it was supposed to be a cake walk, but was not. The Bears and Wildcats both have some near wins. The Bears beat San Diego. Held the explosive Eastern Washington team to just 16 points. While Weber also has a great defense and an explosive offense. Both teams will have to play mistake free ball. Weber State does not want to be caught looking ahead to next week's showdown in Missoula. Northern Colorado has to realized that Weber tends to score points in bunches. If that happens again, NCU does not have the offense to catch up.
Weber State 32 NCU 7
UC Davis (3-3) at Portland State (2-5)
There seems to be a weekly game featuring a team from the GWC and the BSC. The California Aggies are having a what seems to be an under-par 3-3 season but have lost two games to bowl-bound FBS teams. They played Boise State in Boise very well. PSU seems to still have not recovered from the near win against Weber State several weeks ago. Surely, Jerry Glanville must be feeling the heat to get his team to produce some wins.
UCD 32 PSU 16
Montana State (4-2) at Eastern Washington (4-3)
Suddenly, the EWUs are on a loosing streak, but the worst of it may behind them. Cody Kempt will be making his second start for the Bobcats, after getting off to a good start last week. MSU could use the same template that Weber State used a couple of weeks ago to beat the Eagles. Play a clean game, control the clock and force the Eagles into passing situations. My hunch is, however, that Taiwan Jones will have another big game.
EWU 28 MSU 17
Montana (6-0) at Sacramento State (2-4)
You know, they do not play football games on paper. But the Hornets have given up 38 or more points in all of their losses. And the bad news is that the Montana has another explosive recieve/special teams player in Marc Mariani who had a major role in the Grizzlies wild win against EWU last week. I'm sure he studied films on what Tim Toone did last week.
Montana 49 CSU-Sac 13
Idaho State (0-7) at Northern Arizona (4-2)
The good news for the Bengals is that the last three teams to visit Flagstaff were able to get the Lumberjacks in a shootout. The bad news is that NAU won two of those three games. This does not seem like a good place for Idaho State's first win of the season.
NAU 27 ISU 15
WAC Preview
Louisiana Tech (3-3) at Utah State (1-5)
You are not going to find a better ball control, running team than the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Diondre Borel and Robert Turbin will spend a lot of time on the sidelines this week. This will look a lot like the Bulldogs effort against NMSU last week.
LaTech 38 USU 16
Idaho (6-1) at Nevada (3-3)
Idaho has been looking good all season and might be the easy team to pick. This will be a closer game than that. The Wolfpack has turned around their season. Idaho will have to bring their A game to Reno to win. I am confident, however, that Robb Akey will have his team well-motivated, like he has all season, but I expect a shootout.
Idaho 45 Nevada 42
Fresno State (3-3) at New Mexico State (3-4)
Yea, the records are identical. But this is a mis-match. Ryan Matthews is even getting some Heisman Trophy consideration...yea, not often that a 3-3 team gets some love like that. Like last week, NSMU is just too one dimensional to hang with a team that has a powerful running game. Matthews is explosive and NSMU may get a few more chances to score this week.
FSU 38 NSMU 16
Boise State (6-0) at Hawaii (2-4)
There is magic on the islands. The Warriors have made life miserable for many with legitimate dreams of grander things. Trouble is brewing as the Broncos have struggled the past few weeks. They will here but they will also win.
BSU 32 Hawaii 27
Mountain West
UNLV (2-4) at New Mexico (0-6)
I begin with the pillow fight of the week. UNLV going for their first road win of the season while the Lobos...with Mike Locksley suspended. Both head coaches are in the hot seat and a win will not help either.
UNLV 28 New Mexico 20
San Diego State (2-4) at Colorado State (3-4)
The Rams have to be shaking their head about the person who put together the scheduling this year. Who put a trip to Moscow in the midst of taking on the big 3. Actually, a year ago this must have looked like a good idea. But with the toughest part of their schedule behind them, the Rams are probably looking forward to winning the rest of their games and getting some good momentum going for them. That is until they studied tapes of Ryan Lindley and what he did to the BYU secondary last week.
CSU 32 SDSU 27
Air Force (4-3) at Utah (5-1)
Outside of BYU, Air Force is arguably the Utes biggest rival. Even though the Utes have won the lions share of games, lately, this game is always an exciting one and bound to have an exciting finish. The running defense for Utah will need to have a big game. Utah has shown that they are volnerable to a mobile quarterback.
Utah 27 Air Force 24
TCU (6-0) at BYU (6-1)
The shoe is not exactly on the other foot. BYU can not afford to spend the entire season preparing for TCU like the Horned Frogs did last year. BYU's defense is volnerable to speed, but the Cougars can counter that by controlling the ball on offense. This means liberal use of Unga and Pitta. TCU has enough weapons of their own to win...and they are a heck of a lot better than Boise State.
TCU 31 BYU 27
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason Polls
Coach's Poll Media Poll
1. Weber State 1. Weber State
2. Montana 2. Portland State
3. Idaho State 3. Montana
4. Portland State 4. Idaho State
5. Montana State 5. Montana State
6. Northern Colorado 6. Northern Colorado
7. Northern Arizona 7. Northern Arizona
8. Eastern Washington 8. Eastern Washington
9. Sacramento State 9. Sacramento State
I invite all to join us at the Dee this winter. There are normally far too many empty seats. There are three in-state rivalry games and the home finale is against the rival Bengals. Here is the Men's team schedule:
1. Weber State 1. Weber State
2. Montana 2. Portland State
3. Idaho State 3. Montana
4. Portland State 4. Idaho State
5. Montana State 5. Montana State
6. Northern Colorado 6. Northern Colorado
7. Northern Arizona 7. Northern Arizona
8. Eastern Washington 8. Eastern Washington
9. Sacramento State 9. Sacramento State
I invite all to join us at the Dee this winter. There are normally far too many empty seats. There are three in-state rivalry games and the home finale is against the rival Bengals. Here is the Men's team schedule:
| Mon, Dec 21 | vs. Cal State Fullerton | at Logan, Utah | 5:30 p.m. | | |
| Tue, Dec 22 | vs. Morehead State | at Logan, Utah | 5:30 p.m. | | |
| Wed, Dec 23 | at Utah State | at Logan, Utah | 8:00 p.m. | | |
| Thu, Dec 31 | Montana State * | Ogden, Utah | 3:00 p.m. | | |
| Sat, Jan 02 | Montana * | Ogden, Utah | 7:00 p.m. | | |
| Thu, Jan 07 | at Northern Colorado * | at Greeley, Colorado | 7:00 p.m. | | |
| Sat, Jan 09 | at Northern Arizona * | at Flagstaff, Arizona | 6:30 p.m. | | |
| Sat, Jan 16 | at Idaho State * | at Pocatello, Idaho | 7:00 p.m. | | |
| Fri, Jan 22 | Portland State * | Ogden, Utah | 7:00 p.m. | | |
| Sat, Jan 23 | Eastern Washington * | Ogden, Utah | 7:00 p.m. | | |
| Fri, Jan 29 | Sacramento State * | Ogden, Utah | 7:00 p.m. | | |
| Fri, Feb 05 | at Montana * | at Missoula, Montana | 7:00 p.m. | | |
| Sat, Feb 06 | at Montana State * | at Bozeman, Montana | 7:00 p.m. | | |
| Fri, Feb 12 | Northern Arizona * | Ogden, Utah | 7:00 p.m. | | |
| Sat, Feb 13 | Northern Colorado * | Ogden, Utah | 7:00 p.m. | | |
| Sat, Feb 20 | Idaho State * | Ogden, Utah | 7:00 p.m. | | |
| Fri, Feb 26 | at Eastern Washington * | at Cheney, Washington | 8:00 p.m. | | |
| Sun, Feb 28 | at Portland State * | at Portland, Oregon | 2:00 p.m. | | |
High School Regular Season Finale
Region 1 Preview for October 23.
Fremont--Bye. Already in the playoffs, could be in as a #3 if Viewmont stumbles, but I would not worry about that. It would be more effective and fun for the entire team to split up and scout out potential playoff opponents.
Clearfield at Viewmont
Why this game matters: The Vikings can sew up the #3 seed from region 1 if they win and could be out of the playoffs if they loose. It should not even be close, however. Viewmont's running game-by comittee-should wear down the undersized Falcon defense...just like Weber, Syracuse, Layton and Northridge were able to do. Viewmont 27 Clearfield 13
Roy at Davis
Why this game matters: Davis needs to win this game to sew up the #1 seed for the playoffs. And I am sure the Darts do not want to back into the playoffs. Everyone else has had their way with the Royals this year. And they have little to loose. Roy has proven that when they have energy, the defense can rise to the occasion, until the other side breaks through. I do not believe that the Darts will stumble in the finale, but I have always said that Roy would catch someone sleeping this year. I have been wrong about things which matter more. Davis 35 Roy 0.
Syracuse at Layton:
Why this game matters: Syracuse can get a share of the region title, the first in school history. Layton is playing for shiggles, has nothing to loose and will likely pull out all stops, almost. Adam Bunting is a two-sport star and may not want to miss basketball season. Syracuse has the stars on defense and also will not want to back into the playoffs.
Syracuse 17 Layton 14
Weber at Northridge
Why this game matters: Weber can still get into the playoffs, but is counting on Clearfield to beat Viewmont. The Warriors may be the best team in the state sitting on the sidelines this next week. Northridge is not that bad. Travis Harper has put together some good games this year, but in the end David Daines and company should win out.
Weber 23 Northridge 20.
Fremont--Bye. Already in the playoffs, could be in as a #3 if Viewmont stumbles, but I would not worry about that. It would be more effective and fun for the entire team to split up and scout out potential playoff opponents.
Clearfield at Viewmont
Why this game matters: The Vikings can sew up the #3 seed from region 1 if they win and could be out of the playoffs if they loose. It should not even be close, however. Viewmont's running game-by comittee-should wear down the undersized Falcon defense...just like Weber, Syracuse, Layton and Northridge were able to do. Viewmont 27 Clearfield 13
Roy at Davis
Why this game matters: Davis needs to win this game to sew up the #1 seed for the playoffs. And I am sure the Darts do not want to back into the playoffs. Everyone else has had their way with the Royals this year. And they have little to loose. Roy has proven that when they have energy, the defense can rise to the occasion, until the other side breaks through. I do not believe that the Darts will stumble in the finale, but I have always said that Roy would catch someone sleeping this year. I have been wrong about things which matter more. Davis 35 Roy 0.
Syracuse at Layton:
Why this game matters: Syracuse can get a share of the region title, the first in school history. Layton is playing for shiggles, has nothing to loose and will likely pull out all stops, almost. Adam Bunting is a two-sport star and may not want to miss basketball season. Syracuse has the stars on defense and also will not want to back into the playoffs.
Syracuse 17 Layton 14
Weber at Northridge
Why this game matters: Weber can still get into the playoffs, but is counting on Clearfield to beat Viewmont. The Warriors may be the best team in the state sitting on the sidelines this next week. Northridge is not that bad. Travis Harper has put together some good games this year, but in the end David Daines and company should win out.
Weber 23 Northridge 20.
Meeting Commitments
Mountain West Conference
Has Five Bowl Commitments: Las Vegas, Poinsettia, Armed Forces, New Mexico and Humanitarian. Plus an outside chance at a BCS bowl.
How does the conference stack up?
Already Bowl Eligible 2:
TCU 6-0--likely Las Vegas-Projected 12-0, no likely losses, Worst-case Scenario 10-2. If they win out, the Frogs could move ahead of Boise State in the BCS rankings.
BYU 6-1--Likely Poinsettia-Projected 10-2, projected loss vs TCU, Worst-case Scenario 9-3. If they win out and Boise State slips up, BYU could be back in the BCS discussion.
Remaining Teams:
Utah 5-1
Likely wins - 4: Air Force, Wyoming, New Mexico, San Diego State
Likely losses -2: @TCU, @BYU
Projected Record: 9-3
Best Case Scenario: 11-1
Worst Case Scenario 7-5
Projected Bowl: Armed Forces
Air Force
4-3
Likely Wins 2: Army, UNLV
Likely Losses 3: @Utah, @ Colorado State, @BYU
Projected Record: 6-6
Best Case Scenario: 8-4
Worst Case Scenario: 5-7
Projected Bowl: Humanitarian
Wyoming:
3-4
Projected Wins: 1 @San Diego State
Projected Losses: 4 @Utah, BYU, TCU, @ Colorado State
Projected Record: 4-8
Best Case Scenario: 6-6
Worst Case Scenario: 3-9
Colorado State:
3-4
Projected Wins: 5 San Diego State, Air Force, @UNLV, @New Mexico, Wyoming
Projected Losses: 0
Projected Record 8-4
Worst Case Scenario: 5-7
Projected Bowl: New Mexico
San Diego State
2-4
Projected Wins 2: New Mexico, @ UNLV
Projected Losses: 4-@ Colorado State, TCU, Wyoming, @ Utah
Projected Record: 4-8
Best Case Scenario: 6-6
Worst Case Scenario: 2-10
UNLV
2-5
Projected Wins 1: New Mexico
Projected Losses 4: @TCU, Colorado State, @ Air Force, San Diego State
Projected Record: 3-9
Best Case Scenario: 6-6
New Mexico, 0-6--Must win out to be bowl eligible. That would be quite some turn around, indeed.
Bottom line for the Mountain West. Without a team in the BCS chase, the MWC should have little trouble getting all of their bowl commitments filled. Air Force has no room for error. It would be a bonus if either Wyoming or San Diego State could also break through and become bowl eligible.
WAC
Bowl Commitments: Hawaii, New Mexico, Humanitarian. Poinsettia if PAC-10 does not have enough bowl eligible teams. BCS is a possibility.
Already Bowl Eligible: 2
-Boise State 6-0 (No Projected Losses, Could slip below TCU if Frogs win @ BYU on Saturday) Projected Bowl: Fiesta
-Idaho 6-1 (Projected Losses, Fresno State, @ Boise State) should finish 9-3, Projected Bowl: Humanitarian
Others
Nevada
3-3
Projected Wins 3: Hawaii, @San Jose State, @New Mexico State
Projected Losses 3: Idaho, Fresno State, @ Boise State
Projected Record: 6-6
Best Case Scenario: 8-4
Worst Case Scenario: 4-8
Projected Bowl: New Mexico
Fresno State
3-3
Projected wins 6: @ New Mexico State, Utah State, @ Idaho, @ Nevada, Louisiana Tech, @Illinois
Projected losses: 0
Projected Record: 9-3
Worst Case Scenario: 7-5
Projected Bowl: Hawaii
Hawaii
2-4
Projected Wins 3: Utah State, New Mexico State, @ San Jose State
Projected Losses 4: Boise State, @ Nevada, Navy, Wisconsin
Projected Record: 5-8
Best Case Scenario: 7-6
Worst Case Scenario: 4-9
Louisiana Tech
3-3
Projected Wins 2: @Utah State, San Jose State
Projected Losses 4: @Idaho, Boise State, @LSU, @Fresno State
Projected Record: 5-7
Best Case Scenario: 6-6
Worst Case Scenario: 4-8
New Mexico State
3-4
Projected Wins 0:
Projected Losses 5: Fresno State, @Ohio State, @Hawaii, Nevada, @San Jose State, @ Boise State
Projected Record: 3-9
Best Case Scenario: 5-7
Utah State
1-5
Projected Wins 1: San Jose State
Projected Losses 5: Louisiana Tech, @Fresno State, @Hawaii, Boise State, @ Idaho
Projected Record: 2-10
Worst Case Scenario: 1-11
Best Case Scenario: 4-8
San Jose State
1-5
Projected Wins 1: New Mexico State
Projected Losses 5: @ Boise State, Nevada, @Utah State, Hawaii, @ Louisiana Tech
Projected Record: 2-10
Worst Case Scenario: 1-11
Best Case Scenario: 3-9
Bottom line for the WAC: If Boise State gets to a BCS bowl, the conference will likely only have enough bowl eligible teams to fill their commitments. Nevada has no room for error. Hawaii has priority on the Hawaii bowl if they become bowl eligible, and that should put more pressure on Nevada as they could finish 6-6 and stay home in December should Hawaii pull a late-season upset. If Hawaii does pull off that late-season upset and finish bowl eligible, then Hawaii would go to the Hawaii Bowl, Fresno State would get to the Humanitarian Bowl leaving Idaho in the New Mexico Bowl and Nevada would be left at home or hoping that another conference can not fulfill it's commitments. Only one PAC-10 team has less than four wins right now, the Poinsettia Bowl does not seem realistic.
Projected Bowls involving Western Teams.
Las Vegas Bowl: TCU vs Stanford
Poinsettia Bowl: BYU vs UCLA
Armed Forces Bowl: Utah vs Tulsa
New Mexico Bowl: Colorado State vs Nevada
Humanitarian Bowl: Air Force vs. Idaho
Hawaii Bowl: Fresno State vs SMU
Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. Oregon (Holy rematch, Batman!)
Has Five Bowl Commitments: Las Vegas, Poinsettia, Armed Forces, New Mexico and Humanitarian. Plus an outside chance at a BCS bowl.
How does the conference stack up?
Already Bowl Eligible 2:
TCU 6-0--likely Las Vegas-Projected 12-0, no likely losses, Worst-case Scenario 10-2. If they win out, the Frogs could move ahead of Boise State in the BCS rankings.
BYU 6-1--Likely Poinsettia-Projected 10-2, projected loss vs TCU, Worst-case Scenario 9-3. If they win out and Boise State slips up, BYU could be back in the BCS discussion.
Remaining Teams:
Utah 5-1
Likely wins - 4: Air Force, Wyoming, New Mexico, San Diego State
Likely losses -2: @TCU, @BYU
Projected Record: 9-3
Best Case Scenario: 11-1
Worst Case Scenario 7-5
Projected Bowl: Armed Forces
Air Force
4-3
Likely Wins 2: Army, UNLV
Likely Losses 3: @Utah, @ Colorado State, @BYU
Projected Record: 6-6
Best Case Scenario: 8-4
Worst Case Scenario: 5-7
Projected Bowl: Humanitarian
Wyoming:
3-4
Projected Wins: 1 @San Diego State
Projected Losses: 4 @Utah, BYU, TCU, @ Colorado State
Projected Record: 4-8
Best Case Scenario: 6-6
Worst Case Scenario: 3-9
Colorado State:
3-4
Projected Wins: 5 San Diego State, Air Force, @UNLV, @New Mexico, Wyoming
Projected Losses: 0
Projected Record 8-4
Worst Case Scenario: 5-7
Projected Bowl: New Mexico
San Diego State
2-4
Projected Wins 2: New Mexico, @ UNLV
Projected Losses: 4-@ Colorado State, TCU, Wyoming, @ Utah
Projected Record: 4-8
Best Case Scenario: 6-6
Worst Case Scenario: 2-10
UNLV
2-5
Projected Wins 1: New Mexico
Projected Losses 4: @TCU, Colorado State, @ Air Force, San Diego State
Projected Record: 3-9
Best Case Scenario: 6-6
New Mexico, 0-6--Must win out to be bowl eligible. That would be quite some turn around, indeed.
Bottom line for the Mountain West. Without a team in the BCS chase, the MWC should have little trouble getting all of their bowl commitments filled. Air Force has no room for error. It would be a bonus if either Wyoming or San Diego State could also break through and become bowl eligible.
WAC
Bowl Commitments: Hawaii, New Mexico, Humanitarian. Poinsettia if PAC-10 does not have enough bowl eligible teams. BCS is a possibility.
Already Bowl Eligible: 2
-Boise State 6-0 (No Projected Losses, Could slip below TCU if Frogs win @ BYU on Saturday) Projected Bowl: Fiesta
-Idaho 6-1 (Projected Losses, Fresno State, @ Boise State) should finish 9-3, Projected Bowl: Humanitarian
Others
Nevada
3-3
Projected Wins 3: Hawaii, @San Jose State, @New Mexico State
Projected Losses 3: Idaho, Fresno State, @ Boise State
Projected Record: 6-6
Best Case Scenario: 8-4
Worst Case Scenario: 4-8
Projected Bowl: New Mexico
Fresno State
3-3
Projected wins 6: @ New Mexico State, Utah State, @ Idaho, @ Nevada, Louisiana Tech, @Illinois
Projected losses: 0
Projected Record: 9-3
Worst Case Scenario: 7-5
Projected Bowl: Hawaii
Hawaii
2-4
Projected Wins 3: Utah State, New Mexico State, @ San Jose State
Projected Losses 4: Boise State, @ Nevada, Navy, Wisconsin
Projected Record: 5-8
Best Case Scenario: 7-6
Worst Case Scenario: 4-9
Louisiana Tech
3-3
Projected Wins 2: @Utah State, San Jose State
Projected Losses 4: @Idaho, Boise State, @LSU, @Fresno State
Projected Record: 5-7
Best Case Scenario: 6-6
Worst Case Scenario: 4-8
New Mexico State
3-4
Projected Wins 0:
Projected Losses 5: Fresno State, @Ohio State, @Hawaii, Nevada, @San Jose State, @ Boise State
Projected Record: 3-9
Best Case Scenario: 5-7
Utah State
1-5
Projected Wins 1: San Jose State
Projected Losses 5: Louisiana Tech, @Fresno State, @Hawaii, Boise State, @ Idaho
Projected Record: 2-10
Worst Case Scenario: 1-11
Best Case Scenario: 4-8
San Jose State
1-5
Projected Wins 1: New Mexico State
Projected Losses 5: @ Boise State, Nevada, @Utah State, Hawaii, @ Louisiana Tech
Projected Record: 2-10
Worst Case Scenario: 1-11
Best Case Scenario: 3-9
Bottom line for the WAC: If Boise State gets to a BCS bowl, the conference will likely only have enough bowl eligible teams to fill their commitments. Nevada has no room for error. Hawaii has priority on the Hawaii bowl if they become bowl eligible, and that should put more pressure on Nevada as they could finish 6-6 and stay home in December should Hawaii pull a late-season upset. If Hawaii does pull off that late-season upset and finish bowl eligible, then Hawaii would go to the Hawaii Bowl, Fresno State would get to the Humanitarian Bowl leaving Idaho in the New Mexico Bowl and Nevada would be left at home or hoping that another conference can not fulfill it's commitments. Only one PAC-10 team has less than four wins right now, the Poinsettia Bowl does not seem realistic.
Projected Bowls involving Western Teams.
Las Vegas Bowl: TCU vs Stanford
Poinsettia Bowl: BYU vs UCLA
Armed Forces Bowl: Utah vs Tulsa
New Mexico Bowl: Colorado State vs Nevada
Humanitarian Bowl: Air Force vs. Idaho
Hawaii Bowl: Fresno State vs SMU
Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. Oregon (Holy rematch, Batman!)
Monday, October 19, 2009
More on Weber's Win
Weber State won big on homecoming last week. I already mentioned that the game was over at half time. Not so with two minutes left in the half. It was then that Sacramento State scored to cut the lead to 21-7. If this had remained the halftime score, the Hornets could have made a game of it in the second half.
Second Quarter Highlights:
-When the second quarter began, Weber State held a 7-0 lead. The teams mostly played a field position game in the first quarter, but Weber was able to get ahead on one long drive that ended in Tim Toone's first touchdown. Weber had the ball at their own 30 yard line. And began the quarter with a delay of game penalty. Turns out, that was the biggest mistake they would make.
-The first play in the quarter, Higgins hit Toone for a 52 yard pass play to put WSU at the Hornet 23. Three plays later, touchdown. 14-0
-After the teams traded punts, Sac State's drive would stall. Tim Toone fielded the punt at the five yard line and took it coast to coast to give WSU a 21 - 0 lead. BTW--A Big Sky record for the longest punt return for a touchdown.
-Sac State answered with an 80 yard, 6 minute, 13 play touchdown drive to get their first score of the game. 21-7. Two mintues remained.
-The ensuing kickoff was returned by Bo Bolen to the 50 yard line.
-Six plays later, Higgins hits Mike Phillips for a 30 yard touchdown pass. 28-7.
-Two plays into Sacramento's next drive, Jordan Brown intercepts QB John Smith and returns the ball to the Hornet 25 yard line.
-Two plays later, Higgins hits Toone in the end zone again. 35-7.
That last two minutes was the ball game. Weber would add a pair of touchdowns in the second half, the last TD drive would be led by backup QB Mike Hoke. The Hornets would add a field goal by their backup offense.
The difference in this game, in the second quarter, was good special teams play. They shortened the field for Cameron Higgins and company. And it helps when you can get a score from your special teams as well. This also led to the desperation pass that ended in the WSU interception. Special teams was not only the story of the second quarter, but of the entire game. Then average starting field position: WSU-WSU 32 SAC-SAC 23. The final game stats were very even. It helps when you are ten yards closer to the end zone every time you have the ball.
Next week the Wildcats travel to Greely to take on the NCU Bears. They can not afford to be looking ahead to the Montana game the following Saturday. The Bears can take advantage of your mistakes just like anyone else in the country can. Another clean game by WSU will result in another easy win. An interception here and a fumble there and look out.
Second Quarter Highlights:
-When the second quarter began, Weber State held a 7-0 lead. The teams mostly played a field position game in the first quarter, but Weber was able to get ahead on one long drive that ended in Tim Toone's first touchdown. Weber had the ball at their own 30 yard line. And began the quarter with a delay of game penalty. Turns out, that was the biggest mistake they would make.
-The first play in the quarter, Higgins hit Toone for a 52 yard pass play to put WSU at the Hornet 23. Three plays later, touchdown. 14-0
-After the teams traded punts, Sac State's drive would stall. Tim Toone fielded the punt at the five yard line and took it coast to coast to give WSU a 21 - 0 lead. BTW--A Big Sky record for the longest punt return for a touchdown.
-Sac State answered with an 80 yard, 6 minute, 13 play touchdown drive to get their first score of the game. 21-7. Two mintues remained.
-The ensuing kickoff was returned by Bo Bolen to the 50 yard line.
-Six plays later, Higgins hits Mike Phillips for a 30 yard touchdown pass. 28-7.
-Two plays into Sacramento's next drive, Jordan Brown intercepts QB John Smith and returns the ball to the Hornet 25 yard line.
-Two plays later, Higgins hits Toone in the end zone again. 35-7.
That last two minutes was the ball game. Weber would add a pair of touchdowns in the second half, the last TD drive would be led by backup QB Mike Hoke. The Hornets would add a field goal by their backup offense.
The difference in this game, in the second quarter, was good special teams play. They shortened the field for Cameron Higgins and company. And it helps when you can get a score from your special teams as well. This also led to the desperation pass that ended in the WSU interception. Special teams was not only the story of the second quarter, but of the entire game. Then average starting field position: WSU-WSU 32 SAC-SAC 23. The final game stats were very even. It helps when you are ten yards closer to the end zone every time you have the ball.
Next week the Wildcats travel to Greely to take on the NCU Bears. They can not afford to be looking ahead to the Montana game the following Saturday. The Bears can take advantage of your mistakes just like anyone else in the country can. Another clean game by WSU will result in another easy win. An interception here and a fumble there and look out.
A Father's First
This week was the first time that my fantasy football team played my 16 year-old son's team. And I got my clock cleaned. I was basically burned by the happenings in Sunday's Minnesota/Baltimore game.
First, I decided to start Donavan McNabb over Joe Flacco. The Baltimore QB is having a good season, but I thought that the Eagle had finally shaken off his injury and would have a good game. He did, but Flacco was better. The other problem: the usually reliable Viking defense allowed the Ravens back into the game. They did not produce for me like they normally do.
It could have been worse. My son started Matt Ryan instead of Tom Brady. Normally a good choice this season, but Brady had one of those once in a lifetime games this week.
***
ESPN's game day is coming to Provo. This is a sign that the Mountain West Conference is maturing in the eyes of the national media. The game Saturday between BYU and TCU is big. I believe this is the first time that BYU has played two top-ten teams in the same regular season.
***
October is a good month for sports. I was hoping to see an all LA world series this year, but the LCS games so far indicate that it will be Yankees and Phillies this year. Ho hum.
***
One last comment about my choice for Region 1 game of the week this last week. I chose Bonneville's win over Sky View instead. I think that blowouts are fun only if you are rooting for the team that comes out on top. Therefore, it was against my philosophy to pick from one of the four region blowouts, and pick a game that I found far more interesting.
If I was not working on my masters, I would also be commenting about Region 5, Region 6 and Region 11 as well to cover all of the North-end's teams But I have limited time right now. I know, excuses.
I do think it is admirable the way that Bonneville has responded since the loss of Coach Budge. I personally never knew they person and doubt that we ever even met. Bonneville in the mid-80s was one of the better teams in the state, thanks to Coach Budge. He had left coaching, but was still teaching. The loss of any teacher in high school has an effect on the entire student body. The loss of the teacher at American Fork High School last week was also a tragedy that touched my heart. As teenagers, we think that we are invincible. In my middle ages, I have learned better. There was a handful of deaths right around my graduation from high school that left a dark cloud over Viewmont High School for a couple of years.
It began with the death of a friend of mine, John Garlick and ended when I classmate of mine died in the first Gulf War. I lost a couple of friends due to tragic work accidents. I lost a friend who made a poor decision after having a couple of beers at Willard Bay. I lost a friend who died on his mission. The biggest loss of all was watching our student body President Russ Richardson waste away with cancer. From February of my Senior year in 1986 to the end of the Gulf War, about five years, we saw six classmates either in my senior class, the class before or the class after loose their lives early.
I feel for those who have lost this year. There are more important things in high school than sports. I'm sure that the Roy High School Class of 2010 will soon forget this football season. But I am also sure that the Bonneville Lakers will remember theirs.
First, I decided to start Donavan McNabb over Joe Flacco. The Baltimore QB is having a good season, but I thought that the Eagle had finally shaken off his injury and would have a good game. He did, but Flacco was better. The other problem: the usually reliable Viking defense allowed the Ravens back into the game. They did not produce for me like they normally do.
It could have been worse. My son started Matt Ryan instead of Tom Brady. Normally a good choice this season, but Brady had one of those once in a lifetime games this week.
***
ESPN's game day is coming to Provo. This is a sign that the Mountain West Conference is maturing in the eyes of the national media. The game Saturday between BYU and TCU is big. I believe this is the first time that BYU has played two top-ten teams in the same regular season.
***
October is a good month for sports. I was hoping to see an all LA world series this year, but the LCS games so far indicate that it will be Yankees and Phillies this year. Ho hum.
***
One last comment about my choice for Region 1 game of the week this last week. I chose Bonneville's win over Sky View instead. I think that blowouts are fun only if you are rooting for the team that comes out on top. Therefore, it was against my philosophy to pick from one of the four region blowouts, and pick a game that I found far more interesting.
If I was not working on my masters, I would also be commenting about Region 5, Region 6 and Region 11 as well to cover all of the North-end's teams But I have limited time right now. I know, excuses.
I do think it is admirable the way that Bonneville has responded since the loss of Coach Budge. I personally never knew they person and doubt that we ever even met. Bonneville in the mid-80s was one of the better teams in the state, thanks to Coach Budge. He had left coaching, but was still teaching. The loss of any teacher in high school has an effect on the entire student body. The loss of the teacher at American Fork High School last week was also a tragedy that touched my heart. As teenagers, we think that we are invincible. In my middle ages, I have learned better. There was a handful of deaths right around my graduation from high school that left a dark cloud over Viewmont High School for a couple of years.
It began with the death of a friend of mine, John Garlick and ended when I classmate of mine died in the first Gulf War. I lost a couple of friends due to tragic work accidents. I lost a friend who made a poor decision after having a couple of beers at Willard Bay. I lost a friend who died on his mission. The biggest loss of all was watching our student body President Russ Richardson waste away with cancer. From February of my Senior year in 1986 to the end of the Gulf War, about five years, we saw six classmates either in my senior class, the class before or the class after loose their lives early.
I feel for those who have lost this year. There are more important things in high school than sports. I'm sure that the Roy High School Class of 2010 will soon forget this football season. But I am also sure that the Bonneville Lakers will remember theirs.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
More Aggie Misery
10/17 Review
Montana 41 Eastern Washington 34
The Grizzlies broke a deadlock in the 4th quarter when Chase Reynolds plunged over the goal line. Now, when you can put up 41 points and almost 500 yards of total offense when you do not have a 100 yard rusher nor a 300 yard quarterback, you have too many weapons on offense. The Grizzlies don't seem to have a dominant defense, however. Three of thier six wins have been close shaves.
Montana State 31 South Dakota 24
The Bobcats needed an extra period to get past the Coyotes. They forced overtime with a field goal with 38 seconds on the clock. Mark Iddins did not start today, Cody Kempt took his place and was poised for most of the game...at least he did not throw any interceptions. Captain Obvious says, no turnovers = win.
Weber State 49 Sacramento State 10
I do not know what Tim Toone's major is, but it he has been the Orkin man in his career at Weber State. He has killed the Hornets in his three appearances against them. He almost single handledly exterminated the Hornets on Saturday. He had 8 receptions for 154 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus a 95 yard touchdown punt retrun. This game was over by halftime. No turnovers for the 'Cats today.
Northern Arizona 44 Portland State 23
The Lumberjacks went to Portland and shut down the Vikings. Again, NAU goes on the road and the defense comes through. They had a comfortable 30-9 lead at the end of three quarters. The two Portland State touchdowns came after the game was out of reach. Bad news, next week NAU returns to Flagstaff. Jerry Glanville must be on the hot seat now.
Northern Colorado 30 Idaho 7
The Bears dominated the Bengals for four quarters. The Bengals do not have a realistic shot at avoiding a winless season until the last game of the season when PSU comes to Holt Arena. John Zamberlin is also on the hot seat? He just signed a contract extention for two more seasons. The Bengals are going in the wrong direction, but the coach gets an extention. I want his agent working for me.
http://isubengals.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/101509aab.html
Big Sky
Offensive Player of the Week: Weber State WR/KR Tim Toone
Defensive Team of the Week: Northern Arizona
Game of the Week: Montana 41 Eastern Washington 34
Power Rankings
1. Montana
2. Weber State
3. Eastern Washington
4. Northern Arizona
5. Montana State
6. Portland State
7. Sacramento State
8. Northern Colorado
9. Idaho State
WAC
Boise State 28 Tulsa 21
If you are Florida or from a Big-6 conference, you can stay in the title hunt with a close shave to an unranked team. But if you are Boise State, a 7-point win at Tulsa is like a loss. This is not fair, but it is the way it works. College football is a beauty contest at the BCS level, and Boise State just became Carrie Prejean.
BSU has shown that they are volnerable and they have a couple of teams on the schedule that could knock them down. Never count out Hawaii in Oahu. Louisiana Tech has a bruising combination of a tough defense and a power running game. Idaho, already bowl eligibible has nothing to loose by gearing up for their in-state rival. And you can never count out Nevada, who seems to have turned the corner.
Nevada 35 Utah State 32
Utah State was ahead 21 -7 at one point in the second quarter and then were outscored 28-11 the rest of the way. When you have a running back like Robert Turbin, he needs to get more than 12 touches in a game. (5 of those touches were passes.) After a poor start, Nevada has evened their record and are now 3-3. You can never count out a team coached by Chris Ault.
Note: just over 15,000 in attendence today. Fall break, start of rifle hunting season, not so bad. Average attendance so far is right around 16,600. USU needs to average about 14,000 per game for the rest of the season to put FCS demotion rumors to rest. That is what Gary Anderson needs to concentrate on for the remainder of the season. Give people a reason to come out an pull for the Aggies.
Louisiana Tech 45 New Mexico State 7
The lack of running game hurt the NMSU Aggies more than I thought that it would this game. Total, complete and utter domination by the Bulldogs over Dwayne Walker's team.
Idaho 35 Hawaii 23
The Vandals out lasted the one-dimensional Warriors to become bowl eligible for the first time in 11 years and for only the second time since Idaho escaped the Big Sky conference. Hawaii out-gained Idaho, but the Vandals had a lower-risk game plan that put more points on the board.
Fresno State 42 San Jose State 21
Fresno State proves that they can spot their opponent 14 points and win. Well, that game plan did not work against Boise State, or Wisconsin or Cincinnati but hey it finally worked against San Jose State! All sarcasm aside, these Bulldogs are finally putting it together and winning some games. Ryan Matthews pounded the Spartan defense for over 200 yards.
Offensive Player of the Week: Fresno State RB Ryan Matthews.
Defensive team of the Week: Louisiana Tech
Game of the Week: Nevada 35 Utah State 32
Power Rankings
1. Boise State
2. Fresno State
3. Idaho
4. Louisiana Tech
5. Nevada
6. Hawaii
7. New Mexico State
8. Utah State
9. San Jose State
Mountain West
Air Force 10 Wyoming 0
Air Force showed Austyn Carta-Samuels what it means to play a real defense. The Cowboys were shut down and shut out by the Falcon defense. Air Force won the game by having 1 pass completion on 5 attempts for two yards. Well, they didn't need to be spectacular today.
TCU 44 Colorado State 6
TCU had nearly 300 yards rushing, but no single rusher was over 80 yards. All I can say is wow! Now, they have to take on BYU who does have a decent run defense. I have to wonder what happened to all of Colorado State's offensive weapons. Is TCU's defense that good or is Colorado State's offense lost it's mojo? Perhaps it is a little of both.
BYU 38 San Diego State 28
Like I said, BYU has a decent run defense, but San Diego State did not care. In retrospect, the Aztecs deserve credit for coming up with a game plan to take advantage of the Cougars weaknesses on defense, but are not deep enough to pull it off. BYU could have won by another score or two. The play the ended the first half will be talked about for a long time and become part of Cougar folklore. BYU had a 17-minute advantage in time of possession. Usually in a track-meet game, the time that wins the time of possession advantage, wins.
Utah 35 UNLV 15
Just when you thought that this game would have an exciting finish, the Ute defense comes through and stops UNLV on fourth down twice in the fourth quarter. The Mike Sanford watch is on, but again, I think that UNLV will wait until the end of the season to give him the boot.
Offensive Player of the Week: BYU QB Max Hall
Defensive team of the Week: TCU
Game of the week: BYU 38 San Diego State 28
Power Rankings
1. TCU
2. BYU
3. Utah
4. Air Force
5. Wyoming
6. Colorado State
7. San Diego State
8. UNLV
9. New Mexico
One last note: weather forecast for Provo this Saturday: Mid-50s and partly cloudy. Perfect weather for football.
Montana 41 Eastern Washington 34
The Grizzlies broke a deadlock in the 4th quarter when Chase Reynolds plunged over the goal line. Now, when you can put up 41 points and almost 500 yards of total offense when you do not have a 100 yard rusher nor a 300 yard quarterback, you have too many weapons on offense. The Grizzlies don't seem to have a dominant defense, however. Three of thier six wins have been close shaves.
Montana State 31 South Dakota 24
The Bobcats needed an extra period to get past the Coyotes. They forced overtime with a field goal with 38 seconds on the clock. Mark Iddins did not start today, Cody Kempt took his place and was poised for most of the game...at least he did not throw any interceptions. Captain Obvious says, no turnovers = win.
Weber State 49 Sacramento State 10
I do not know what Tim Toone's major is, but it he has been the Orkin man in his career at Weber State. He has killed the Hornets in his three appearances against them. He almost single handledly exterminated the Hornets on Saturday. He had 8 receptions for 154 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus a 95 yard touchdown punt retrun. This game was over by halftime. No turnovers for the 'Cats today.
Northern Arizona 44 Portland State 23
The Lumberjacks went to Portland and shut down the Vikings. Again, NAU goes on the road and the defense comes through. They had a comfortable 30-9 lead at the end of three quarters. The two Portland State touchdowns came after the game was out of reach. Bad news, next week NAU returns to Flagstaff. Jerry Glanville must be on the hot seat now.
Northern Colorado 30 Idaho 7
The Bears dominated the Bengals for four quarters. The Bengals do not have a realistic shot at avoiding a winless season until the last game of the season when PSU comes to Holt Arena. John Zamberlin is also on the hot seat? He just signed a contract extention for two more seasons. The Bengals are going in the wrong direction, but the coach gets an extention. I want his agent working for me.
http://isubengals.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/101509aab.html
Big Sky
Offensive Player of the Week: Weber State WR/KR Tim Toone
Defensive Team of the Week: Northern Arizona
Game of the Week: Montana 41 Eastern Washington 34
Power Rankings
1. Montana
2. Weber State
3. Eastern Washington
4. Northern Arizona
5. Montana State
6. Portland State
7. Sacramento State
8. Northern Colorado
9. Idaho State
WAC
Boise State 28 Tulsa 21
If you are Florida or from a Big-6 conference, you can stay in the title hunt with a close shave to an unranked team. But if you are Boise State, a 7-point win at Tulsa is like a loss. This is not fair, but it is the way it works. College football is a beauty contest at the BCS level, and Boise State just became Carrie Prejean.
BSU has shown that they are volnerable and they have a couple of teams on the schedule that could knock them down. Never count out Hawaii in Oahu. Louisiana Tech has a bruising combination of a tough defense and a power running game. Idaho, already bowl eligibible has nothing to loose by gearing up for their in-state rival. And you can never count out Nevada, who seems to have turned the corner.
Nevada 35 Utah State 32
Utah State was ahead 21 -7 at one point in the second quarter and then were outscored 28-11 the rest of the way. When you have a running back like Robert Turbin, he needs to get more than 12 touches in a game. (5 of those touches were passes.) After a poor start, Nevada has evened their record and are now 3-3. You can never count out a team coached by Chris Ault.
Note: just over 15,000 in attendence today. Fall break, start of rifle hunting season, not so bad. Average attendance so far is right around 16,600. USU needs to average about 14,000 per game for the rest of the season to put FCS demotion rumors to rest. That is what Gary Anderson needs to concentrate on for the remainder of the season. Give people a reason to come out an pull for the Aggies.
Louisiana Tech 45 New Mexico State 7
The lack of running game hurt the NMSU Aggies more than I thought that it would this game. Total, complete and utter domination by the Bulldogs over Dwayne Walker's team.
Idaho 35 Hawaii 23
The Vandals out lasted the one-dimensional Warriors to become bowl eligible for the first time in 11 years and for only the second time since Idaho escaped the Big Sky conference. Hawaii out-gained Idaho, but the Vandals had a lower-risk game plan that put more points on the board.
Fresno State 42 San Jose State 21
Fresno State proves that they can spot their opponent 14 points and win. Well, that game plan did not work against Boise State, or Wisconsin or Cincinnati but hey it finally worked against San Jose State! All sarcasm aside, these Bulldogs are finally putting it together and winning some games. Ryan Matthews pounded the Spartan defense for over 200 yards.
Offensive Player of the Week: Fresno State RB Ryan Matthews.
Defensive team of the Week: Louisiana Tech
Game of the Week: Nevada 35 Utah State 32
Power Rankings
1. Boise State
2. Fresno State
3. Idaho
4. Louisiana Tech
5. Nevada
6. Hawaii
7. New Mexico State
8. Utah State
9. San Jose State
Mountain West
Air Force 10 Wyoming 0
Air Force showed Austyn Carta-Samuels what it means to play a real defense. The Cowboys were shut down and shut out by the Falcon defense. Air Force won the game by having 1 pass completion on 5 attempts for two yards. Well, they didn't need to be spectacular today.
TCU 44 Colorado State 6
TCU had nearly 300 yards rushing, but no single rusher was over 80 yards. All I can say is wow! Now, they have to take on BYU who does have a decent run defense. I have to wonder what happened to all of Colorado State's offensive weapons. Is TCU's defense that good or is Colorado State's offense lost it's mojo? Perhaps it is a little of both.
BYU 38 San Diego State 28
Like I said, BYU has a decent run defense, but San Diego State did not care. In retrospect, the Aztecs deserve credit for coming up with a game plan to take advantage of the Cougars weaknesses on defense, but are not deep enough to pull it off. BYU could have won by another score or two. The play the ended the first half will be talked about for a long time and become part of Cougar folklore. BYU had a 17-minute advantage in time of possession. Usually in a track-meet game, the time that wins the time of possession advantage, wins.
Utah 35 UNLV 15
Just when you thought that this game would have an exciting finish, the Ute defense comes through and stops UNLV on fourth down twice in the fourth quarter. The Mike Sanford watch is on, but again, I think that UNLV will wait until the end of the season to give him the boot.
Offensive Player of the Week: BYU QB Max Hall
Defensive team of the Week: TCU
Game of the week: BYU 38 San Diego State 28
Power Rankings
1. TCU
2. BYU
3. Utah
4. Air Force
5. Wyoming
6. Colorado State
7. San Diego State
8. UNLV
9. New Mexico
One last note: weather forecast for Provo this Saturday: Mid-50s and partly cloudy. Perfect weather for football.
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