1. The Jazz will have a dismal season as the lack of on-court experience and leadership take their toll. The Jazz will trade one of their two lottery picks for veteran leadership. They will cave to pressure use the late first round draft pick they get in return on a local star (see #10).
2. 2012 will be last time BYU and Utah will meet on the football field.
3. In Conference realignment, Utah State will leave the WAC for the MWC and the WAC will become a non-football league that includes Utah Valley.
4. Utah State will win the WAC Championship in football. They will get a rematch against Ohio in the Potato Bowl.
5. The Red Rocks will win the PAC-12 gymnastics championship.
6. Weber State/Southern Utah will become a fierce rivalry. The T-Birds will surprise the Big Sky Conference in their first season and earn a trip to the FCS playoffs.
7. BYU will go 11-1 in football in the regular season, but a loss to Utah and soft late-season schedule will keep the Cougars out of the BCS. BYU will play Wyoming in the Poinsettia Bowl.
8. Utah will finish 5-7 will fail to earn a bowl bid.
9. Ron L. Smith's first season as Weber's head coach will be a disappointing 4-7
10. Damien Lillard will continue to play basketball in Utah in 2012-13, but it will not be for Weber State.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Weber State 2012 schedule finalized
Here is Weber State's official 2012 football schedule.
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| * Conference Games One note, the Southern Utah game, which both schools hope to hold at the Neutral Rio Tinto Statdium in Sandy Utah will take place in Cedar City in 2012. The hope for the two schools is that this neutral game will take place on the first weekend in October. That date will not be given to WSU/SUU by the Big Sky Conference until 2014. My initial impression is that another 5-7 season is in the works. |
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
What if the NFL playoffs were held today...December 27, 2011
NFC Playoff Picture
Division Champions
East--New York
North--Green Bay*
South--New Orleans**
West--San Francisco**
Wildcard--Detroit***,Atlanta***
Tie Breakers:
-New York and Dallas have the same record. Currently, New York has the advantage because they defeated the Cowboys on December 11. They play this Sunday. The winner will be the division champion and there will be no need for a tie breaker.
-New Orleans and San Francisco have the same record and have not played each other. They both have the same division record. San Francisco has the better conference record and has the first-round bye.
Notes:
*Green Bay has won their division and will have the home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
**New Orleans and San Francisco have won their respective divisions
***Atlanta and Detroit have earned wild-card births to the playoffs.
Current Bracket
Detroit at New York winner to play at Green Bay
Atlanta at New Orleans winner to play at San Francisco
Games that matter this weekend
-Detroit at Green Bay--For the Packers, this is a pre-season game. The Lions need this game to ensure that they will face the NFC East champion in the first round. If the game becomes a blowout, expect that both teams will empty their benches in the 4th quarter.
-San Francisco at St. Louis--SF needs this game to ensure a 1st-round bye. St. Louis is trying to avoid qualifying for the first pick in next year's draft.
-Carolina at New Orleans--The Saints need to win this game should the 49ers stumble to get the 1st-round bye.
-Tampa Bay at Atlanta--The Falcons need to win in case the Lions stumble to avoid the likelihood of playing New Orleans again in the first round of the playoffs.
-Dallas at New York--Division championship and playoffs are on the line. This game is really a play-in game to the playoffs. This game has been flexed into the Sunday Night NBC schedule.
Games that do not mean all that much this weekend.
Chicago at Minnesota
Washington at Philadelphia
Seattle at Minnesota
AFC Playoffs
Division Champions
East-New England*
North-Baltimore***
South-Houston**
West-Oakland
Wild Card--Pittsburgh***,Denver
Tie Breakers:
-Baltimore and Pittsburgh have the same record. The Ravens have won both regular-season meetings between the two teams and are the current division leaders.
-Oakland and Denver have the same record. They split their regular season games. They have the same division record and and same conference record. Oakland is ahead of Denver in point differential and is the division leader.
-Denver and New York have the same record, but the Broncos won their only regular season meeting.
Notes:
*New England has won the AFC East division, but has not yet won the right to host the AFC Championship game.
**Houston has won the AFC South Division and will host a first-round game
***Pittsburgh and Baltimore have clinched no worse than a wildcard game.
Current Brackets:
Pittsburgh at Oakland winner to play at New England
Denver at Houston winner to play at Baltimore
Games that matter this weekend
-Buffalo at New England--The Patriots need this game to ensure that they can host the AFC Championship game.
-New York at Miami--The Jets can still make the playoffs if they win this game.
-Baltimore at Cincinnati--The Raven need to win to clinch the division championship and if the Patriots stumble, they can host the AFC Championship game.
-Pittsburgh at Cleveland--If the Steelers win, they can win the division if Baltimore loses and they can host the AFC Championship game if both Baltimore and New England lose.
-Denver at Kansas City--The Broncos will make the playoffs if they win.
-San Diego at Oakland--The winner will be in the playoffs. Both teams have the tie break over Denver. Oakland by a 15-point differential and San Diego by conference record. If Denver loses, the winner of this game wins the division. Oakland, with a victory, wins the division regardless of what Denver does. If Denver loses, Oakland will be in the playoffs, even with a loss. San Diego must win to make the playoffs.
-Indianapolis at Jacksonville--The Colts need to lose and need St. Louis to win in order to get the 1st pick in next years draft. Indy's winning streak, so far, gives that pick to the Rams.
The only AFC game that is not that important is Tennessee at Houston. The Texans can no longer improve their playoff position.
Division Champions
East--New York
North--Green Bay*
South--New Orleans**
West--San Francisco**
Wildcard--Detroit***,Atlanta***
Tie Breakers:
-New York and Dallas have the same record. Currently, New York has the advantage because they defeated the Cowboys on December 11. They play this Sunday. The winner will be the division champion and there will be no need for a tie breaker.
-New Orleans and San Francisco have the same record and have not played each other. They both have the same division record. San Francisco has the better conference record and has the first-round bye.
Notes:
*Green Bay has won their division and will have the home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
**New Orleans and San Francisco have won their respective divisions
***Atlanta and Detroit have earned wild-card births to the playoffs.
Current Bracket
Detroit at New York winner to play at Green Bay
Atlanta at New Orleans winner to play at San Francisco
Games that matter this weekend
-Detroit at Green Bay--For the Packers, this is a pre-season game. The Lions need this game to ensure that they will face the NFC East champion in the first round. If the game becomes a blowout, expect that both teams will empty their benches in the 4th quarter.
-San Francisco at St. Louis--SF needs this game to ensure a 1st-round bye. St. Louis is trying to avoid qualifying for the first pick in next year's draft.
-Carolina at New Orleans--The Saints need to win this game should the 49ers stumble to get the 1st-round bye.
-Tampa Bay at Atlanta--The Falcons need to win in case the Lions stumble to avoid the likelihood of playing New Orleans again in the first round of the playoffs.
-Dallas at New York--Division championship and playoffs are on the line. This game is really a play-in game to the playoffs. This game has been flexed into the Sunday Night NBC schedule.
Games that do not mean all that much this weekend.
Chicago at Minnesota
Washington at Philadelphia
Seattle at Minnesota
AFC Playoffs
Division Champions
East-New England*
North-Baltimore***
South-Houston**
West-Oakland
Wild Card--Pittsburgh***,Denver
Tie Breakers:
-Baltimore and Pittsburgh have the same record. The Ravens have won both regular-season meetings between the two teams and are the current division leaders.
-Oakland and Denver have the same record. They split their regular season games. They have the same division record and and same conference record. Oakland is ahead of Denver in point differential and is the division leader.
-Denver and New York have the same record, but the Broncos won their only regular season meeting.
Notes:
*New England has won the AFC East division, but has not yet won the right to host the AFC Championship game.
**Houston has won the AFC South Division and will host a first-round game
***Pittsburgh and Baltimore have clinched no worse than a wildcard game.
Current Brackets:
Pittsburgh at Oakland winner to play at New England
Denver at Houston winner to play at Baltimore
Games that matter this weekend
-Buffalo at New England--The Patriots need this game to ensure that they can host the AFC Championship game.
-New York at Miami--The Jets can still make the playoffs if they win this game.
-Baltimore at Cincinnati--The Raven need to win to clinch the division championship and if the Patriots stumble, they can host the AFC Championship game.
-Pittsburgh at Cleveland--If the Steelers win, they can win the division if Baltimore loses and they can host the AFC Championship game if both Baltimore and New England lose.
-Denver at Kansas City--The Broncos will make the playoffs if they win.
-San Diego at Oakland--The winner will be in the playoffs. Both teams have the tie break over Denver. Oakland by a 15-point differential and San Diego by conference record. If Denver loses, the winner of this game wins the division. Oakland, with a victory, wins the division regardless of what Denver does. If Denver loses, Oakland will be in the playoffs, even with a loss. San Diego must win to make the playoffs.
-Indianapolis at Jacksonville--The Colts need to lose and need St. Louis to win in order to get the 1st pick in next years draft. Indy's winning streak, so far, gives that pick to the Rams.
The only AFC game that is not that important is Tennessee at Houston. The Texans can no longer improve their playoff position.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
What if the NFL playoffs were held today...December 20, 2011
Current NFL Playoff Picture as of December 20, 2011
NFC
Division Leaders...
East...Dallas
North...Green Bay*
South...New Orleans**
West...San Francisco*
Wildcard...Detroit, Atlanta
NFC Home Field...Green Bay
*Green Bay and San Francisco have already won their respective divisions.
**New Orleans will have no worse than a wildcard birth.
Brackets...
Detroit at New Orleans winner to play at San Francisco
Atlanta at Dallas winner to play at Green Bay
Tie Breaker...Atlanta defeated the Lions during the regular season and will play the division champion with the weaker record in the opening round.
AFC
Division Leaders
East...New England*
North...Baltimore**
South...Houston*
West...Denver
Wildcard...Pittsburgh**, New York
AFC Home Field...New England
*New England and Houston have already won their respective divisions
**Baltimore and Pittsburgh will have no worse than a wildcard birth
Brackets...
New York at Houston winner to play at Baltimore
Pittsburgh at Denver winner to play at New England
Tie Breakers...
Baltimore defeated Pittsburgh in both their regular season matches is the division leader as a result.
Baltimore defeated Houston in their only meeting and would get a first round bye as a result.
NFC
Division Leaders...
East...Dallas
North...Green Bay*
South...New Orleans**
West...San Francisco*
Wildcard...Detroit, Atlanta
NFC Home Field...Green Bay
*Green Bay and San Francisco have already won their respective divisions.
**New Orleans will have no worse than a wildcard birth.
Brackets...
Detroit at New Orleans winner to play at San Francisco
Atlanta at Dallas winner to play at Green Bay
Tie Breaker...Atlanta defeated the Lions during the regular season and will play the division champion with the weaker record in the opening round.
AFC
Division Leaders
East...New England*
North...Baltimore**
South...Houston*
West...Denver
Wildcard...Pittsburgh**, New York
AFC Home Field...New England
*New England and Houston have already won their respective divisions
**Baltimore and Pittsburgh will have no worse than a wildcard birth
Brackets...
New York at Houston winner to play at Baltimore
Pittsburgh at Denver winner to play at New England
Tie Breakers...
Baltimore defeated Pittsburgh in both their regular season matches is the division leader as a result.
Baltimore defeated Houston in their only meeting and would get a first round bye as a result.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Report on the Bowls
It was a cardiac bowl season for Utah Sports fans...there was one heartbreaking loss and two exciting wins.
Utah State
Once again this season, the Utah State Aggies were not able to hold onto a 4th quarter lead and dropped a 24-23 decision in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise this evening. USU took a 23-10 lead with 5 minutes remaining in the game, but were not able to hold off the Bobcats, who scored with just seconds remaining in the 4th quarter.
Utah State
Once again this season, the Utah State Aggies were not able to hold onto a 4th quarter lead and dropped a 24-23 decision in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise this evening. USU took a 23-10 lead with 5 minutes remaining in the game, but were not able to hold off the Bobcats, who scored with just seconds remaining in the 4th quarter.
MVP: RB Michael Smith
For next season
Utah State has not won 8 games in a season since 1979 and will attempt to do so next year, as well as winning a conference championship. Gone will be Nevada, Hawaii and Fresno State with Texas State and Texas San Antonio in their place. The first question will be if Robert Turbin will be back. He was not been come to a decision, but has filed evaluation papers, according to KSL. Michael Smith will graduate and will not be back either. Kerwynn Williams, however, should be.
BYU
The Cardiac Cougars struck again, scoring the go-ahead touchdown with 11 seconds on the clock after it appeared that they were lining up to spike the ball and run a play with the clocked stopped. The final score came on a short touchdown pass from Riley Nelson to Cody Hoffman. The play they ran is called Red Alert, and it was called on the field by the gutsy Nelson and not by the coaching staff. It is a play that will go down in Cougar lore behind Jim McMahon's 'Hail Mary' against SMU and Steve Young's catch and run on a half-back pass from Eddie Stinnett against Missouri.
MVP: WR Cody Hoffman
For next season
There are a few Cougars that graduate and will move on. Two offensive lineman, including the gutsy Matt Reynolds move on. But most of the skilled stars will be back including receivers Cody Hoffman and Ross Apo and quarterback Riley Nelson. On defense, super star Kyle Van Noy has two years of eligibility remaining. The 2012 schedule is a little on the soft side and BYU would have to run the table to get anything better than the Poinsettia bowl.
Utah
The Utes equaled the Cougars in the cardiac arrest department in their bowl victory. On 4th and 14 with under 3 minutes remaining, Jon Hays found DeVonte Christopher for a 28-yard touchdown pass. The conversion would tie the game in send the game into overtime. Utah came away with a 30-27 win after John White IV scored from 8 yards out. The off-maligned Hays had a solid game and was key to the Ute comeback. He would throw 3 touchdown passes and only one interception. The Utes trailed 24-10 midway through the 4th quarter.
MVP: QB Jon Hays
For next season
The Utes lose one very key player, but not someone on the field...Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow has accepted the head coaching position in Hawaii. For the Utes, they hope that Jordan Wynn will return next season from injury, but they have Chase Peterson coming from high school. And the Utes will have to contend with a now-eligible USC who figures to be the beast of the PAC-12 south.
Utah State has not won 8 games in a season since 1979 and will attempt to do so next year, as well as winning a conference championship. Gone will be Nevada, Hawaii and Fresno State with Texas State and Texas San Antonio in their place. The first question will be if Robert Turbin will be back. He was not been come to a decision, but has filed evaluation papers, according to KSL. Michael Smith will graduate and will not be back either. Kerwynn Williams, however, should be.
BYU
The Cardiac Cougars struck again, scoring the go-ahead touchdown with 11 seconds on the clock after it appeared that they were lining up to spike the ball and run a play with the clocked stopped. The final score came on a short touchdown pass from Riley Nelson to Cody Hoffman. The play they ran is called Red Alert, and it was called on the field by the gutsy Nelson and not by the coaching staff. It is a play that will go down in Cougar lore behind Jim McMahon's 'Hail Mary' against SMU and Steve Young's catch and run on a half-back pass from Eddie Stinnett against Missouri.
MVP: WR Cody Hoffman
For next season
There are a few Cougars that graduate and will move on. Two offensive lineman, including the gutsy Matt Reynolds move on. But most of the skilled stars will be back including receivers Cody Hoffman and Ross Apo and quarterback Riley Nelson. On defense, super star Kyle Van Noy has two years of eligibility remaining. The 2012 schedule is a little on the soft side and BYU would have to run the table to get anything better than the Poinsettia bowl.
Utah
The Utes equaled the Cougars in the cardiac arrest department in their bowl victory. On 4th and 14 with under 3 minutes remaining, Jon Hays found DeVonte Christopher for a 28-yard touchdown pass. The conversion would tie the game in send the game into overtime. Utah came away with a 30-27 win after John White IV scored from 8 yards out. The off-maligned Hays had a solid game and was key to the Ute comeback. He would throw 3 touchdown passes and only one interception. The Utes trailed 24-10 midway through the 4th quarter.
MVP: QB Jon Hays
For next season
The Utes lose one very key player, but not someone on the field...Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow has accepted the head coaching position in Hawaii. For the Utes, they hope that Jordan Wynn will return next season from injury, but they have Chase Peterson coming from high school. And the Utes will have to contend with a now-eligible USC who figures to be the beast of the PAC-12 south.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
NBA Preview...
Here is my early picks for the NBA this year...
Eastern Conference
Division winners....
Atlantic...New York
Central...Chicago
Southeast...Miami
Standings...
The Great
1. Miami
2. Chicago
3. New York
4. Boston
The Good
5. Orlando
6. Atlanta
7. Philadelphia
8. New Jersey
The Bad
9. Detroit
10. Indiana
11. Milwaukee
12. Cleveland
13. Charlotte
The Ugly
14. Washington
15. Toronto
(Man, I originally wrote "The Bad" over Detroit).
Western Conference
Division Winners
Southwest...Dallas
Northwest...Oklahoma City
Pacific...Lakers
Standings
The Great
1. Lakers
2. Dallas
3. San Antonio
The Good
4. Oklahoma City
5. Phoenix
6. Golden State
7. Clippers
8. Houston
9. Utah
10. Denver
11. Portland
12. Memphis
The Bad
13. Minnesota
14. Sacramento
The Ugly
15. New Orleans
Eastern Conference
Division winners....
Atlantic...New York
Central...Chicago
Southeast...Miami
Standings...
The Great
1. Miami
2. Chicago
3. New York
4. Boston
The Good
5. Orlando
6. Atlanta
7. Philadelphia
8. New Jersey
The Bad
9. Detroit
10. Indiana
11. Milwaukee
12. Cleveland
13. Charlotte
The Ugly
14. Washington
15. Toronto
(Man, I originally wrote "The Bad" over Detroit).
Western Conference
Division Winners
Southwest...Dallas
Northwest...Oklahoma City
Pacific...Lakers
Standings
The Great
1. Lakers
2. Dallas
3. San Antonio
The Good
4. Oklahoma City
5. Phoenix
6. Golden State
7. Clippers
8. Houston
9. Utah
10. Denver
11. Portland
12. Memphis
The Bad
13. Minnesota
14. Sacramento
The Ugly
15. New Orleans
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Saving the WAC...Montana and Montana State
I am seeing many tweets that say that Montana and Montana State may be warming up to the idea about joining the WAC, I am not certain that this is in play. If this happens, it is going to have to happen soon. The WAC is really on the verge of being a non-football conference and will need quick action if it is going to remain a football conference. Here is a summary of what has changed since Montana said no to the WAC about a year ago.
-The Big Sky Conference has hyper expanded and added North Dakota and Southern Utah as full-time members and has also added Cal Poly and UC Davis as football only members. This has broken the rivalry that Montana and Montana State have had with two other original BSC members, Weber State and Idaho State.
The only original Big Sky Conference football team that Montana will play every season is Montana State. The other 2 original Big Sky Conference members have moved on. Gonzaga has dropped football and become a member of the West Coast Conference. Idaho has moved on to the WAC. If Montana and Montana State join the WAC, they will be re-united with old long-time rival Idaho and perhaps, it's a long shot at best, take Weber State with them.
With the Big Sky Conference now stretching from Eastern North Dakota to the Central Coast of California, there really is no travel advantage the Big Sky has over the WAC.
-Montana got a taste of Big Time College Football this year by going to Tennessee. In the WAC, the pay day for these type of games can double.
-The WAC no longer has Hawaii, a very expensive place to travel to, and may even lose Louisiana Tech. The WAC is becoming a more travel friendly place to play.
-The WAC has added Texas San Antonio and Texas State and the entire state of Texas is laden with football recruits.
-If the WAC holds on the Utah State, they could become a two-bid NCAA conference again. The Big Sky Conference will likely never have an at-large NCAA bid.
-The WAC is getting Boise State back for Basketball and other non-football sports. Boise State is another former Big Sky Conference Rival. Boise State was in the Big Sky Conference from 1970 to 1996.
-From the looks of things, BYU will still need a scheduling agreement with the WAC unless they join the Big 12. Montana and Montana State are both former BYU rivals before both Treasure State schools were dropped to the small college division of college football.
Montana and Montana State have until June to make up their minds if they want to transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision by 2013. But the WAC has until it loses two more schools to get them. If it is going to happen, it needs to happen soon.
-The Big Sky Conference has hyper expanded and added North Dakota and Southern Utah as full-time members and has also added Cal Poly and UC Davis as football only members. This has broken the rivalry that Montana and Montana State have had with two other original BSC members, Weber State and Idaho State.
The only original Big Sky Conference football team that Montana will play every season is Montana State. The other 2 original Big Sky Conference members have moved on. Gonzaga has dropped football and become a member of the West Coast Conference. Idaho has moved on to the WAC. If Montana and Montana State join the WAC, they will be re-united with old long-time rival Idaho and perhaps, it's a long shot at best, take Weber State with them.
With the Big Sky Conference now stretching from Eastern North Dakota to the Central Coast of California, there really is no travel advantage the Big Sky has over the WAC.
-Montana got a taste of Big Time College Football this year by going to Tennessee. In the WAC, the pay day for these type of games can double.
-The WAC no longer has Hawaii, a very expensive place to travel to, and may even lose Louisiana Tech. The WAC is becoming a more travel friendly place to play.
-The WAC has added Texas San Antonio and Texas State and the entire state of Texas is laden with football recruits.
-If the WAC holds on the Utah State, they could become a two-bid NCAA conference again. The Big Sky Conference will likely never have an at-large NCAA bid.
-The WAC is getting Boise State back for Basketball and other non-football sports. Boise State is another former Big Sky Conference Rival. Boise State was in the Big Sky Conference from 1970 to 1996.
-From the looks of things, BYU will still need a scheduling agreement with the WAC unless they join the Big 12. Montana and Montana State are both former BYU rivals before both Treasure State schools were dropped to the small college division of college football.
Montana and Montana State have until June to make up their minds if they want to transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision by 2013. But the WAC has until it loses two more schools to get them. If it is going to happen, it needs to happen soon.
Monday, December 12, 2011
What if the NFL Playoffs were held today...December 13, 2011
NFC Playoffs
Division Leaders
East...New York
North...Green Bay
South...New Orleans
West...San Francisco
Wildcard...Detroit, Atlanta
Championship Game Home Field...Green Bay
Brackets
Atlanta at New York...winner to play at Green Bay
Detroit at New Orleans...winner to play at San Francisco
Tie Breakers
-New York has won the only head to head matchup vs Dallas, but the two meet again in week 17.
-Atlanta beat Detroit in their only head to head matchup and plays the division champion with the weakest record.
Notes: Green Bay and San Francisco have already clinched division championships and New Orleans has secured no worse than a wildcard bid. Green Bay can secure home field in the championship game if they win this coming Sunday at Kansas City.
AFC Playoffs
East...New England
North...Baltimore
South...Houston
West...Tebow
Wildcard...Pittsburgh, New York
Championship Game Home Field...Baltimore
Brackets
Pittsburgh at Denver...winner to play at Baltimore
New York at Houston...winner to play at New England
Tie Breakers
-Baltimore has won both regular season games vs Pittsburgh and is the division leader.
-Houston, New England and Baltimore have the same record. Houston lost to Baltimore and loses out on the first-round bye. Baltimore has the better division record between the Ravens and the Patriots.
Notes: Houston has already won the AFC South Division
Division Leaders
East...New York
North...Green Bay
South...New Orleans
West...San Francisco
Wildcard...Detroit, Atlanta
Championship Game Home Field...Green Bay
Brackets
Atlanta at New York...winner to play at Green Bay
Detroit at New Orleans...winner to play at San Francisco
Tie Breakers
-New York has won the only head to head matchup vs Dallas, but the two meet again in week 17.
-Atlanta beat Detroit in their only head to head matchup and plays the division champion with the weakest record.
Notes: Green Bay and San Francisco have already clinched division championships and New Orleans has secured no worse than a wildcard bid. Green Bay can secure home field in the championship game if they win this coming Sunday at Kansas City.
AFC Playoffs
East...New England
North...Baltimore
South...Houston
West...Tebow
Wildcard...Pittsburgh, New York
Championship Game Home Field...Baltimore
Brackets
Pittsburgh at Denver...winner to play at Baltimore
New York at Houston...winner to play at New England
Tie Breakers
-Baltimore has won both regular season games vs Pittsburgh and is the division leader.
-Houston, New England and Baltimore have the same record. Houston lost to Baltimore and loses out on the first-round bye. Baltimore has the better division record between the Ravens and the Patriots.
Notes: Houston has already won the AFC South Division
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Utah Basketball Power Rankings December 11, 2011
After some in-state games, the rankings changed a bit, but until about the 11 minute mark of the 2nd half of the BYU/Utah game I was considering keeping the top team the same as it was last week. There is a light week this coming week.
1. BYU (8-2)...last week defeated Weber State, won @ Utah...Next Week...vs Baylor, Saturday.
2. Weber State (6-2)...last week lost @ BYU, defeated Southern Utah...Next Week...@ California, Friday
3. Utah State (4-5)...last week defeated Utah Valley, lost @ Utah State...Next Week...vs Seattle, Saturday
4. Utah Valley (6-5)...last week lost @ Utah State, defeated Portland State...Next Week...vs Georgia State, Saturday
5. Southern Utah (4-4)...last week lost @ Weber State...Next Week...nothing, the T-Birds have the week off.
6. Utah (1-8)...last week lost vs CS Fullerton, lost vs BYU...Next Week...vs Idaho State, Friday.
MVP: BYU F Noah Hartsock
1. BYU (8-2)...last week defeated Weber State, won @ Utah...Next Week...vs Baylor, Saturday.
2. Weber State (6-2)...last week lost @ BYU, defeated Southern Utah...Next Week...@ California, Friday
3. Utah State (4-5)...last week defeated Utah Valley, lost @ Utah State...Next Week...vs Seattle, Saturday
4. Utah Valley (6-5)...last week lost @ Utah State, defeated Portland State...Next Week...vs Georgia State, Saturday
5. Southern Utah (4-4)...last week lost @ Weber State...Next Week...nothing, the T-Birds have the week off.
6. Utah (1-8)...last week lost vs CS Fullerton, lost vs BYU...Next Week...vs Idaho State, Friday.
MVP: BYU F Noah Hartsock
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Saving the WAC...The Big East Expanded, What Now?
So, the Big East added 5...Boise State, San Diego State, Houston, SMU and Central Florida. BYU and Air Force have said, thanks but no thanks. What happens next?
The MWC and C-USA have to decide if they expand to replace who they have lost, or if they go on as they now stand.
I know that fans of Utah State and others in the floundering WAC are hopeful that the MWC will chose them as replacements. I am hopeful for that as well for Utah State. The Aggies and the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech, the 1 & 2 football teams in the WAC from 2011, have proven that they can compete and have a bright future. That is if they can keep Gary Anderson and Sonny Dykes, their respective coaches.
In this blog, I have sorted through a number of scenarios, and it is a wait and see mode right now. But let's take a moment to review the options...including one theory this blog has not yet explored.
Option 1. Stand pat...The Mountain West Conference would have 8 teams and Conference USA would have 9. Both are at a reasonable size for a college football conference. Since they have a "playoff agreement" semi-merger and could enter into a scheduling agreement to help fill out their respective schedules. There is one problem with the option, and that is the MWC would have only 7 teams for basketball...which bring us to option 2.
Option 2. The MWC would only add 1 school and C-USA stand pat to bring both conferences to 9 for football. They would play 8 conference and 1 non-conference game would be against the other conference similar to the ACC/Big 10 challenge in basketball. I would believe that Utah State is likely to be the one school, but the MWC could choose market size over competition level and select San Jose State instead of Utah State.
Option 3. Both school expand to 12 teams. As I have said before, C-USA would want to regain and maintain a foot hold in the recruiting hotbed of Texas, therefore North Texas is likely the #1 consideration. I believe that Middle Tennessee has the next best chance and finally Appalachian State would be third. Other candidates would be UTSA and Louisiana Tech. LT will lobby hard, however.
For the MWC, they would need to add 4. Utah State, San Jose State and possibly Idaho and Montana could be good options for the MWC. I have been crucified for saying that the MWC would add Montana, but I ask again, who else would they add? New Mexico State, maybe if Montana says no.
UTEP could switch from C-USA to MWC and that could open up LT as an option for C-USA? So maybe that is more likely to happen. Utah State, San Jose State, Idaho and UTEP to the MWC with North Texas, Middle Tennessee, Appalachian State and Louisiana Tech to C-USA.
Option 4. Completely merge and create a super conference. That would be 17 teams. Perhaps someone like Air Force or Hawaii would have nothing to do with it and go independent, then you would have 16 teams, but it might work well. This is an option that I have not discussed before, but since super conferences seem to be the future, why not serve as the experiment and see if it could work. Or prove that it can not...like the WAC did 16 years ago.
If Karl Benson wants his conference to survive as a football conference, he may choose to keep his mouth shut about the Super Conference idea.
But, the SL Tribune is reporting this morning that Utah State administrators are expecting an invite from the MWC, but not very soon. They report that neither C-USA nor the MWC are certain that they are finished losing teams and more are expected to join the Big East, perhaps Air Force and Navy. However, if this is where it stops, a formal, complete merger may be the chosen option instead of expansion by either conference. But keep in mind that both conferences have lost their best hopes at BCS access to the Big East. Can they get to the BCS without Boise State? Will Fresno State and Southern Mississippi carry them to the BCS? And that is the reality of the current situation. If C-USA loses Southern Mississippi, Tulsa and/or Tulane, Marshall or someone else, all bets are off.
I also have not lost the fact that Boise State has joined the WAC for their non-football sports. This helps the WAC survive as a non football conference. They will need to add 3 more non-football schools to live on as a non-football conference and maintain the NCAA automatic bid.
The MWC and C-USA have to decide if they expand to replace who they have lost, or if they go on as they now stand.
I know that fans of Utah State and others in the floundering WAC are hopeful that the MWC will chose them as replacements. I am hopeful for that as well for Utah State. The Aggies and the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech, the 1 & 2 football teams in the WAC from 2011, have proven that they can compete and have a bright future. That is if they can keep Gary Anderson and Sonny Dykes, their respective coaches.
In this blog, I have sorted through a number of scenarios, and it is a wait and see mode right now. But let's take a moment to review the options...including one theory this blog has not yet explored.
Option 1. Stand pat...The Mountain West Conference would have 8 teams and Conference USA would have 9. Both are at a reasonable size for a college football conference. Since they have a "playoff agreement" semi-merger and could enter into a scheduling agreement to help fill out their respective schedules. There is one problem with the option, and that is the MWC would have only 7 teams for basketball...which bring us to option 2.
Option 2. The MWC would only add 1 school and C-USA stand pat to bring both conferences to 9 for football. They would play 8 conference and 1 non-conference game would be against the other conference similar to the ACC/Big 10 challenge in basketball. I would believe that Utah State is likely to be the one school, but the MWC could choose market size over competition level and select San Jose State instead of Utah State.
Option 3. Both school expand to 12 teams. As I have said before, C-USA would want to regain and maintain a foot hold in the recruiting hotbed of Texas, therefore North Texas is likely the #1 consideration. I believe that Middle Tennessee has the next best chance and finally Appalachian State would be third. Other candidates would be UTSA and Louisiana Tech. LT will lobby hard, however.
For the MWC, they would need to add 4. Utah State, San Jose State and possibly Idaho and Montana could be good options for the MWC. I have been crucified for saying that the MWC would add Montana, but I ask again, who else would they add? New Mexico State, maybe if Montana says no.
UTEP could switch from C-USA to MWC and that could open up LT as an option for C-USA? So maybe that is more likely to happen. Utah State, San Jose State, Idaho and UTEP to the MWC with North Texas, Middle Tennessee, Appalachian State and Louisiana Tech to C-USA.
Option 4. Completely merge and create a super conference. That would be 17 teams. Perhaps someone like Air Force or Hawaii would have nothing to do with it and go independent, then you would have 16 teams, but it might work well. This is an option that I have not discussed before, but since super conferences seem to be the future, why not serve as the experiment and see if it could work. Or prove that it can not...like the WAC did 16 years ago.
If Karl Benson wants his conference to survive as a football conference, he may choose to keep his mouth shut about the Super Conference idea.
But, the SL Tribune is reporting this morning that Utah State administrators are expecting an invite from the MWC, but not very soon. They report that neither C-USA nor the MWC are certain that they are finished losing teams and more are expected to join the Big East, perhaps Air Force and Navy. However, if this is where it stops, a formal, complete merger may be the chosen option instead of expansion by either conference. But keep in mind that both conferences have lost their best hopes at BCS access to the Big East. Can they get to the BCS without Boise State? Will Fresno State and Southern Mississippi carry them to the BCS? And that is the reality of the current situation. If C-USA loses Southern Mississippi, Tulsa and/or Tulane, Marshall or someone else, all bets are off.
I also have not lost the fact that Boise State has joined the WAC for their non-football sports. This helps the WAC survive as a non football conference. They will need to add 3 more non-football schools to live on as a non-football conference and maintain the NCAA automatic bid.
Monday, December 5, 2011
What if there was an FBS playoff, final edition of 2011
Here is how your FBS final 20-team playoff would look for 2011. The theoretical kickoff to December Madness would begin this coming Saturday.
Automatic Bids
ACC--Clemson
Big 12--Oklahoma State
Big East--West Virginia
Big Ten--Wisconsin
Conference USA--Southern Mississippi
MAC--Northern Illinois
Mountain West--Texas Christian
PAC-12--Oregon
SEC--LSU
Sun Belt--Arkansas State
WAC--Louisiana Tech
Seedings
1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma State
4. Stanford
5. Oregon
6. Arkansas
7. Boise State
8. Kansas State
9. South Carolina
10. Wisconsin
11. Virginia Tech
12. Baylor
13. Michigan
14. Clemson
15. Texas Christian
16. West Virginia
17. Southern Mississippi
18. Louisiana Tech
19. Northern Illinois
20. Arkansas State
At large rules...need at least 8 wins to qualify.
No teams from the same conference can meet in the first or second rounds.
First Round Games
Game 1
Arkansas State at Michigan
Game 2
Northern Illinois at Clemson
Game 3
Louisiana Tech at Texas Christian
Game 4
Southern Mississippi at West Virginia
Second Round Games
Game 4 winner at 1. LSU
9. South Carolina at 8. Kansas State
Game 1 winner at 4. Stanford
12. Baylor at 5. Oregon
Game 2 winner at 3. Oklahoma State
11. Virginia Tech at 6. Arkansas
Game 3 winner at 2. Alabama
10. Wisconsin at 7. Boise State
Last 4 in:
Michigan, Baylor, Virginia Tech, South Carolina
First 4 out:
Oklahoma, Georgia, Michigan State, Houston
Next 4 out:
Nebraska, Penn State, Notre Dame, Brigham Young
Automatic Bids
ACC--Clemson
Big 12--Oklahoma State
Big East--West Virginia
Big Ten--Wisconsin
Conference USA--Southern Mississippi
MAC--Northern Illinois
Mountain West--Texas Christian
PAC-12--Oregon
SEC--LSU
Sun Belt--Arkansas State
WAC--Louisiana Tech
Seedings
1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma State
4. Stanford
5. Oregon
6. Arkansas
7. Boise State
8. Kansas State
9. South Carolina
10. Wisconsin
11. Virginia Tech
12. Baylor
13. Michigan
14. Clemson
15. Texas Christian
16. West Virginia
17. Southern Mississippi
18. Louisiana Tech
19. Northern Illinois
20. Arkansas State
At large rules...need at least 8 wins to qualify.
No teams from the same conference can meet in the first or second rounds.
First Round Games
Game 1
Arkansas State at Michigan
Game 2
Northern Illinois at Clemson
Game 3
Louisiana Tech at Texas Christian
Game 4
Southern Mississippi at West Virginia
Second Round Games
Game 4 winner at 1. LSU
9. South Carolina at 8. Kansas State
Game 1 winner at 4. Stanford
12. Baylor at 5. Oregon
Game 2 winner at 3. Oklahoma State
11. Virginia Tech at 6. Arkansas
Game 3 winner at 2. Alabama
10. Wisconsin at 7. Boise State
Last 4 in:
Michigan, Baylor, Virginia Tech, South Carolina
First 4 out:
Oklahoma, Georgia, Michigan State, Houston
Next 4 out:
Nebraska, Penn State, Notre Dame, Brigham Young
My proposed changes to the BCS...
If we can not have a playoff, and I am an advocate for December Madness, we could have a BCS+1 formula. Here is my vision for how it could work.
Now there are 4 bowls that are BCS bowls. I suggest doubling that number to 8. Add the Cotton, Holiday, Gator and Peach bowls.
Each conference champion gets a slot in one of the bowls, unless the conference champion has fewer than 9 wins. If the conference champion lacks 9 wins, then another team from the conference is eligible. If would therefore behoove conferences to ensure that their conference championship game participants have at least 8 wins. There is no limit to the number of teams that can be represented by a particular conference. If a conference can not qualify a team with at least 9 wins, then that conference will lose it's automatic qualification for that season.
Two teams from the same conference can not play against each other in a bowl game.
At-large invitees must have at least 10 wins. Independents, however, who do not have a conference championship to play for can qualify with 9 wins if they have at least 1 win against team that qualifies for a BCS bowl. Otherwise, an independent would need 10 wins to qualify.
At team with 8 wins can qualify for a BCS bowl if all of the eligible 9-win teams have been selected.
No bowls are to be played after January 1, or January 2 if January 1 falls on Sunday. The non-BCS bowls can be played at a later date.
Two Bowl will be designated by the BCS committee as semi-final bowls based upon conference affiliation. Conference affiliation for bowls can be changed if necessary to accommodate semi-final bowls. Only conference champions are eligible to play in the semi-final games.
The BCS championship game, between the top two teams after the bowls are played on January 1st will meet in the BCS championship game.
The BCS championship game will be played at any venue in the United States, regardless of bowl affiliation, at a site to be determined 2 years in advance.
The BCS championship game will be played at any college or professional venue with at least 60,000 seats.
The BCS championship game will be played no earlier than January 7 and will be played on a Friday or Saturday.
Conference affiliation for Bowls
Rose--Pac-12 and Big 10
Orange--ACC and Big East
Sugar--SEC and at-large
Fiesta--Mountain West and at-large
Cotton--Big 12 and at-large
Gator--Conference USA and at-large
Peach--MAC and Sun Belt
Holiday--WAC and at-large
This is how it would have worked out this year.
Semi-final Bowls
Sugar Bowl--LSU vs Oregon
Cotton Bowl--Oklahoma State vs Alabama
Other Bowls
Rose Bowl--Wisconsin vs. Stanford
Orange Bowl--Clemson vs. West Virginia
Fiesta Bowl--Texas Christian vs Arkansas
Gator Bowl--Southern Mississippi vs Kansas State
Peach Bowl--Northern Illinois vs. Arkansas State
Holiday Bowl--Louisiana Tech vs Boise State
Now there are 4 bowls that are BCS bowls. I suggest doubling that number to 8. Add the Cotton, Holiday, Gator and Peach bowls.
Each conference champion gets a slot in one of the bowls, unless the conference champion has fewer than 9 wins. If the conference champion lacks 9 wins, then another team from the conference is eligible. If would therefore behoove conferences to ensure that their conference championship game participants have at least 8 wins. There is no limit to the number of teams that can be represented by a particular conference. If a conference can not qualify a team with at least 9 wins, then that conference will lose it's automatic qualification for that season.
Two teams from the same conference can not play against each other in a bowl game.
At-large invitees must have at least 10 wins. Independents, however, who do not have a conference championship to play for can qualify with 9 wins if they have at least 1 win against team that qualifies for a BCS bowl. Otherwise, an independent would need 10 wins to qualify.
At team with 8 wins can qualify for a BCS bowl if all of the eligible 9-win teams have been selected.
No bowls are to be played after January 1, or January 2 if January 1 falls on Sunday. The non-BCS bowls can be played at a later date.
Two Bowl will be designated by the BCS committee as semi-final bowls based upon conference affiliation. Conference affiliation for bowls can be changed if necessary to accommodate semi-final bowls. Only conference champions are eligible to play in the semi-final games.
The BCS championship game, between the top two teams after the bowls are played on January 1st will meet in the BCS championship game.
The BCS championship game will be played at any venue in the United States, regardless of bowl affiliation, at a site to be determined 2 years in advance.
The BCS championship game will be played at any college or professional venue with at least 60,000 seats.
The BCS championship game will be played no earlier than January 7 and will be played on a Friday or Saturday.
Conference affiliation for Bowls
Rose--Pac-12 and Big 10
Orange--ACC and Big East
Sugar--SEC and at-large
Fiesta--Mountain West and at-large
Cotton--Big 12 and at-large
Gator--Conference USA and at-large
Peach--MAC and Sun Belt
Holiday--WAC and at-large
This is how it would have worked out this year.
Semi-final Bowls
Sugar Bowl--LSU vs Oregon
Cotton Bowl--Oklahoma State vs Alabama
Other Bowls
Rose Bowl--Wisconsin vs. Stanford
Orange Bowl--Clemson vs. West Virginia
Fiesta Bowl--Texas Christian vs Arkansas
Gator Bowl--Southern Mississippi vs Kansas State
Peach Bowl--Northern Illinois vs. Arkansas State
Holiday Bowl--Louisiana Tech vs Boise State
WSU Has a New Head Coach
***Update***
Weber State has a new head football coach. According to KSL, John L Smith, the former head man at Idaho, Utah State, Louisville and Michigan State will be named the new Wildcat coach Tuesday morning. Smith is also a Weber State alum who played during the Sark Arslenian days in the early 1970s, the only time in WSU's history that the 'Cats were consistently winning.
A press conference has been called for Tuesday morning.
Here is a link to Smith's coaching record.
Highlights
-At Idaho, he qualified for the FCS post-season 5 out of 6 seasons. In 1993 he coached the Vandals in the FCS semi-finals.
-At Utah State, he was the last coach to take them to a bowl game before this season. In 1997, the Aggies lost to Cincinnati in the Humanitarian Bowl after winning the Big West Championship.
-His best season at Louisville was 2001 where the Cardinals won the Conference USA championship and beat BYU in the Liberty Bowl.
Weber State has a new head football coach. According to KSL, John L Smith, the former head man at Idaho, Utah State, Louisville and Michigan State will be named the new Wildcat coach Tuesday morning. Smith is also a Weber State alum who played during the Sark Arslenian days in the early 1970s, the only time in WSU's history that the 'Cats were consistently winning.
A press conference has been called for Tuesday morning.
Here is a link to Smith's coaching record.
Highlights
-At Idaho, he qualified for the FCS post-season 5 out of 6 seasons. In 1993 he coached the Vandals in the FCS semi-finals.
-At Utah State, he was the last coach to take them to a bowl game before this season. In 1997, the Aggies lost to Cincinnati in the Humanitarian Bowl after winning the Big West Championship.
-His best season at Louisville was 2001 where the Cardinals won the Conference USA championship and beat BYU in the Liberty Bowl.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Utah Basketball Power Rankings...December 4, 2011
Here is how Utah's basketball teams rank against one another.
1. Weber State (5-1)...Last Week...Lost @ Saint Mary's, defeated San Jose State...Next Week...@ BYU Wednesday, vs Southern Utah Saturday.
2. Brigham Young (6-2)...Last week...Won @ Northern Arizona, defeated Oregon...Next Week...vs Weber State Wednesday, @ Utah Saturday.
3. Utah State (3-4)...Last week...lost vs Devner, lost @ Pacific....Next week...vs Utah Valley Tuesday, @ Wichita State Saturday.
4. Utah Valley (5-4)...Last week...lost @ Wyoming, defeated Haskell...Next Week @ Utah State Tuesday, vs Portland State Saturday.
5. Southern Utah (4-4, 0-1)...Last week...lost @ Oral Roberts...Next Week @ Weber State Saturday
6. Utah (1-6)...Last week...Last week...lost @ Fresno State...Next Week vs CS Fullerton Wednesday, vs BYU Saturday
MVP of the Week: Weber State G Damien Lillard who tied his career high of 36 points in a loss at Saint Mary's and then set a new career high of 41 points in the double overtime victory against San Jose State.
1. Weber State (5-1)...Last Week...Lost @ Saint Mary's, defeated San Jose State...Next Week...@ BYU Wednesday, vs Southern Utah Saturday.
2. Brigham Young (6-2)...Last week...Won @ Northern Arizona, defeated Oregon...Next Week...vs Weber State Wednesday, @ Utah Saturday.
3. Utah State (3-4)...Last week...lost vs Devner, lost @ Pacific....Next week...vs Utah Valley Tuesday, @ Wichita State Saturday.
4. Utah Valley (5-4)...Last week...lost @ Wyoming, defeated Haskell...Next Week @ Utah State Tuesday, vs Portland State Saturday.
5. Southern Utah (4-4, 0-1)...Last week...lost @ Oral Roberts...Next Week @ Weber State Saturday
6. Utah (1-6)...Last week...Last week...lost @ Fresno State...Next Week vs CS Fullerton Wednesday, vs BYU Saturday
MVP of the Week: Weber State G Damien Lillard who tied his career high of 36 points in a loss at Saint Mary's and then set a new career high of 41 points in the double overtime victory against San Jose State.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Report of the Games...December 3, 2011
This is the last report of the 2011 regular football season. But Utah State has the Idaho Famous Potato Bowl, BYU has the Armed Forces Bowl and Utah has a yet to be determined bowl remaining.
Utah State 24 New Mexico State 21
Thanks to another last second scoring drive from Adam Kennedy, Utah State finished the 2011 regular season 7-5 and 5-4 in games that were settled by one score. This time Kennedy hit Matt Austin with 35 seconds remaining on an 8 yard touchdown pass. This play capped an 83 yard 13 play drive. It was senior Michael Smith who posted a season high 121 yards on the ground who was the leading gainer for the USU Aggies. Now Gary Anderson gets 20 days to get his team ready for the Ohio Bobcats on December 23rd on the blue turf in Boise.
MVP: Michael Smith
BYU 41 Hawaii 20
All the talk going into the Hawaii game is what happened to the Cougars the last time they visited Oahu, which was the infamous 72-45 game that spoiled BYU's undefeated season. Considering this game and the two blowouts suffered by Ty Detmer back in Hawaii, BYU knew they needed to prepare well. After trailing by a field goal at half time, BYU came out in the second half and outscored Hawaii 28-0 in the third quarter. This was part of 34 unanswered points by the Cougars. Nelson looked like an old-style BYU quarterback with 363 yards in the air and 3 touchdowns. BYU will face off against the Tulsa Hurricane in the Armed Forces Bowl on December 30.
MVP: Riley Nelson
Utah State 24 New Mexico State 21
Thanks to another last second scoring drive from Adam Kennedy, Utah State finished the 2011 regular season 7-5 and 5-4 in games that were settled by one score. This time Kennedy hit Matt Austin with 35 seconds remaining on an 8 yard touchdown pass. This play capped an 83 yard 13 play drive. It was senior Michael Smith who posted a season high 121 yards on the ground who was the leading gainer for the USU Aggies. Now Gary Anderson gets 20 days to get his team ready for the Ohio Bobcats on December 23rd on the blue turf in Boise.
MVP: Michael Smith
BYU 41 Hawaii 20
All the talk going into the Hawaii game is what happened to the Cougars the last time they visited Oahu, which was the infamous 72-45 game that spoiled BYU's undefeated season. Considering this game and the two blowouts suffered by Ty Detmer back in Hawaii, BYU knew they needed to prepare well. After trailing by a field goal at half time, BYU came out in the second half and outscored Hawaii 28-0 in the third quarter. This was part of 34 unanswered points by the Cougars. Nelson looked like an old-style BYU quarterback with 363 yards in the air and 3 touchdowns. BYU will face off against the Tulsa Hurricane in the Armed Forces Bowl on December 30.
MVP: Riley Nelson
Friday, December 2, 2011
Is Heaps a Competitor?
After reading Brad Rock's article in the Deseret News this afternoon about Heaps and Mendenhall, something occurred to me about Heaps that didn't before, and this may explain Heaps whole problem.
Many in the media have remarked how well Jake Heaps took his benching, and how mature he has been about his punishment. Being benched in favor of Riley Nelson. Perhaps he has been a little bit too mature and a little bit too content with getting benched. Maybe that is why Heaps doesn't deserve to start.
Allow me to share a personal experience. Several years ago I was managing the swing shift. Then the company decided that it was too costly for us to continue to be a 24-hour shop and decided to become a 12-hour shop. 3 people on my team were fired. I should have been fired, too. But instead, I was demoted. Should I have been grateful that I still had a job? Of course. But I was rather ticked off about being demoted. About a year later, someone who worked for me became my boss. Again, I should have been mature and content about the situation, on the outside I tried to say and do all of the right things, but on the inside, I was upset. I am competitive by nature, and it took me another six months to get used to this idea.
Well, that is all behind me now, and that shop is no longer in business. Based upon my experience, I do not blame Heaps if he is not the least bit upset on the inside. If not, then that may explain his problem in a nutshell. I hope that Jake Heaps wants to be the starter in Provo, and has the work ethic to prove he can win the starting job back. I hope he has the desire to win the job back and to excel at the Cougar quarterback. I hope he wants to win games and impress NFL scouts.
I think back on the podcast I heard on Tuesday with David Locke and Greg Wrubbel. I wonder if Jake Heaps has the fire. That something inside of him that says that he wants to be the best. Jim McMahon did and was very vocal about that. Steve Young did and threw up before every game. Sometimes, Jake Heaps' performance can be described as sleepwalking. Sometimes, he is good, but rarely is he brilliant.
Talent and natural skill are important in sports, but may not be the most important thing to posses to win on the field. I certainly want to win, but I lack the talent to quarterback a college football team. One has to be able to throw the ball beyond the line of scrimmage, but talent and skills only go so far. Watching Tebow and the Broncos drives this point home. Tim Tebow is not the most talented quarterback in the NFL, but he wants to win and it shows. It inspires his team to perform at a higher level. Denver is seeing results in the only statistic that really matters, wins. That is what Riley Nelson does for BYU. He inspires a greater performance out of his team.
Perhaps, Heaps had it too easy in high school and has not made the adjustment to playing at the college level. Is that his fault? Part of the blame is his, and part of the blame is the coaching staff. Maybe they are not used to someone who is as hyped out of college as Heaps was and did not know how to light the fire in him. Perhaps Heaps now has all that he ever dreamed of as a kid and does not know what to do now.
It may not be the coaching staff in Provo at all. If so, we will find out if he transfers to another school and succeeds, or if he simply fades away. But if he does not have the fire burning inside him, who is to say that he would succeed somewhere else? There were a list of BCS schools attempting to recruit him out of high school, but it would be a risk to take him on now. If I were a college coach, I would want to give a scholarship to someone who wants to succeed, not to someone who is indifferent about winning. Just like any other business hire. You have got to love to compete if you are going to succeed. Does Jake have that desire? Maybe BYU has sapped it out of him. Maybe he never had it to begin with.
Many in the media have remarked how well Jake Heaps took his benching, and how mature he has been about his punishment. Being benched in favor of Riley Nelson. Perhaps he has been a little bit too mature and a little bit too content with getting benched. Maybe that is why Heaps doesn't deserve to start.
Allow me to share a personal experience. Several years ago I was managing the swing shift. Then the company decided that it was too costly for us to continue to be a 24-hour shop and decided to become a 12-hour shop. 3 people on my team were fired. I should have been fired, too. But instead, I was demoted. Should I have been grateful that I still had a job? Of course. But I was rather ticked off about being demoted. About a year later, someone who worked for me became my boss. Again, I should have been mature and content about the situation, on the outside I tried to say and do all of the right things, but on the inside, I was upset. I am competitive by nature, and it took me another six months to get used to this idea.
Well, that is all behind me now, and that shop is no longer in business. Based upon my experience, I do not blame Heaps if he is not the least bit upset on the inside. If not, then that may explain his problem in a nutshell. I hope that Jake Heaps wants to be the starter in Provo, and has the work ethic to prove he can win the starting job back. I hope he has the desire to win the job back and to excel at the Cougar quarterback. I hope he wants to win games and impress NFL scouts.
I think back on the podcast I heard on Tuesday with David Locke and Greg Wrubbel. I wonder if Jake Heaps has the fire. That something inside of him that says that he wants to be the best. Jim McMahon did and was very vocal about that. Steve Young did and threw up before every game. Sometimes, Jake Heaps' performance can be described as sleepwalking. Sometimes, he is good, but rarely is he brilliant.
Talent and natural skill are important in sports, but may not be the most important thing to posses to win on the field. I certainly want to win, but I lack the talent to quarterback a college football team. One has to be able to throw the ball beyond the line of scrimmage, but talent and skills only go so far. Watching Tebow and the Broncos drives this point home. Tim Tebow is not the most talented quarterback in the NFL, but he wants to win and it shows. It inspires his team to perform at a higher level. Denver is seeing results in the only statistic that really matters, wins. That is what Riley Nelson does for BYU. He inspires a greater performance out of his team.
Perhaps, Heaps had it too easy in high school and has not made the adjustment to playing at the college level. Is that his fault? Part of the blame is his, and part of the blame is the coaching staff. Maybe they are not used to someone who is as hyped out of college as Heaps was and did not know how to light the fire in him. Perhaps Heaps now has all that he ever dreamed of as a kid and does not know what to do now.
It may not be the coaching staff in Provo at all. If so, we will find out if he transfers to another school and succeeds, or if he simply fades away. But if he does not have the fire burning inside him, who is to say that he would succeed somewhere else? There were a list of BCS schools attempting to recruit him out of high school, but it would be a risk to take him on now. If I were a college coach, I would want to give a scholarship to someone who wants to succeed, not to someone who is indifferent about winning. Just like any other business hire. You have got to love to compete if you are going to succeed. Does Jake have that desire? Maybe BYU has sapped it out of him. Maybe he never had it to begin with.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Utah State University Student Section
If Utah State were to host Grambling State University, would the student body show up in black face? How about the student body dress as priest and nuns when Notre Dame comes to town. Of course not. But their actions at the first game of the season against Brigham Young rose to that level classlessness.
Utah State students, in the first game of the season against the Cougars dressed as missionaries and mocked Cougar Bradon Davies for his honor code violation last year. The protest was at the level that the USU administration, including President Stan Albrecht felt an apology to the Provo campus was in order.
Tonight, the student section sat out for the first 3 minutes of the game, and then gave the team the silent treatment. As a result, the Aggies usual home-court advantage was lost and the Aggies dropped a game to a good Denver team, who will be in the WAC next season.
The articles in the newspapers did not make mention of this, but one of the comments from the Deseret News read, as follows...
I sure am glad that section F and the Refraction made their point about the apology from Stan about the BYU game, that's definitely more important that helping out a young struggling team come out with energy. Kudos to all of you
The Aggies came out flat, and Denver jumped out to a 31-14 lead. Energy from the student section could have helped USU avoid such a poor start. But Stew Morrill, who has more class than most of the State of Utah all together, gave credit to Denver for their performance.
However, the Student Body, especially those who are in section F need to realize that they crossed the line twice this season. Why? Religion is personal. You do not have to agree with another person's religious beliefs, but to mock people for their beliefs is over the line. Especially when the majority of your fellow students adhere to the same belief system that you are mocking.
I first met Stew Morrill in 1989. I was a missionary in Missoula, Montana and he was the Head Basketball Coach at the University of Montana and a member of the Missoula Stake High Council. Yes, Coach Morrill adheres to the same belief that the student body mocked on Opening Night. He remains one of the most classy coaches in College Basketball to date and perhaps the best college-level coach in the History of Utah. I do not know if he was offended by the actions of the students, but he would never say anything about it if he was. But some of my friends who are USU boosters have expressed to me their embarrassment over the whole act.
Now, I know that many other student bodies around the west have performed a similar stunt. San Diego State is particularly famous for making an art of it. But that does not make it correct. Students do not have an obligation to show up for games, it is secondary to their primary purpose at the university. Their primary purpose is to earn a degree and prepare for a profession. Part of that preparation includes learning how to work with other people. In my profession, I have worked beside Agnostics, Atheists, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus as well as Roman Catholics and Baptists. I met all of these people here in the great state of Utah. In the work place, you have to learn to get along. You can not afford otherwise. If that is all you learn from your time in college, you are better off than a lot of people in the world today.
Utah State students, in the first game of the season against the Cougars dressed as missionaries and mocked Cougar Bradon Davies for his honor code violation last year. The protest was at the level that the USU administration, including President Stan Albrecht felt an apology to the Provo campus was in order.
Tonight, the student section sat out for the first 3 minutes of the game, and then gave the team the silent treatment. As a result, the Aggies usual home-court advantage was lost and the Aggies dropped a game to a good Denver team, who will be in the WAC next season.
The articles in the newspapers did not make mention of this, but one of the comments from the Deseret News read, as follows...
I sure am glad that section F and the Refraction made their point about the apology from Stan about the BYU game, that's definitely more important that helping out a young struggling team come out with energy. Kudos to all of you
The Aggies came out flat, and Denver jumped out to a 31-14 lead. Energy from the student section could have helped USU avoid such a poor start. But Stew Morrill, who has more class than most of the State of Utah all together, gave credit to Denver for their performance.
However, the Student Body, especially those who are in section F need to realize that they crossed the line twice this season. Why? Religion is personal. You do not have to agree with another person's religious beliefs, but to mock people for their beliefs is over the line. Especially when the majority of your fellow students adhere to the same belief system that you are mocking.
I first met Stew Morrill in 1989. I was a missionary in Missoula, Montana and he was the Head Basketball Coach at the University of Montana and a member of the Missoula Stake High Council. Yes, Coach Morrill adheres to the same belief that the student body mocked on Opening Night. He remains one of the most classy coaches in College Basketball to date and perhaps the best college-level coach in the History of Utah. I do not know if he was offended by the actions of the students, but he would never say anything about it if he was. But some of my friends who are USU boosters have expressed to me their embarrassment over the whole act.
Now, I know that many other student bodies around the west have performed a similar stunt. San Diego State is particularly famous for making an art of it. But that does not make it correct. Students do not have an obligation to show up for games, it is secondary to their primary purpose at the university. Their primary purpose is to earn a degree and prepare for a profession. Part of that preparation includes learning how to work with other people. In my profession, I have worked beside Agnostics, Atheists, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus as well as Roman Catholics and Baptists. I met all of these people here in the great state of Utah. In the work place, you have to learn to get along. You can not afford otherwise. If that is all you learn from your time in college, you are better off than a lot of people in the world today.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
What if the NFL playoffs were held today...November 29, 2011
NFC Playoff
Division leaders
East...Dallas
North...Green Bay
South...New Orleans
West...San Francisco
Wild Card...Chicago, Atlanta
Championship Home Game...Green Bay
Bracket
Chicago at Dallas winner to play at San Francisco
Atlanta at New Orleans winner to play at Green Bay
Tie Breakers...Atlanta, Chicago and Detroit have identical records. Chicago and Detroit have split their regular season series. Atlanta has a win over Detroit, but has lost to Chicago. In head to head competition between the three team, Chicago is in because they have 2 wins and 1 loss against the other two. Atlanta has the next best record with 1 win and 1 loss. Detroit is out because they have 1 win and 2 losses in head to head match-ups between the three teams.
AFC Playoffs
Division leaders
East...New England
North...Baltimore
South...Houston
West...Oakland
Wild Card...Pittsburgh, Cincinnati
Championship Home Game...Baltimore
Bracket
Pittsburgh at Oakland winner to play at Baltimore
Baltimore at New England winner to play at Houston
Tie Breakers...New England, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Houston all have identical records. Baltimore is the division leader because they have defeated the Steelers twice. Baltimore get's home field because they defeated the Texans and because they have a perfect division record. Houston has a better division record and has the 1st round bye over New England.
Division leaders
East...Dallas
North...Green Bay
South...New Orleans
West...San Francisco
Wild Card...Chicago, Atlanta
Championship Home Game...Green Bay
Bracket
Chicago at Dallas winner to play at San Francisco
Atlanta at New Orleans winner to play at Green Bay
Tie Breakers...Atlanta, Chicago and Detroit have identical records. Chicago and Detroit have split their regular season series. Atlanta has a win over Detroit, but has lost to Chicago. In head to head competition between the three team, Chicago is in because they have 2 wins and 1 loss against the other two. Atlanta has the next best record with 1 win and 1 loss. Detroit is out because they have 1 win and 2 losses in head to head match-ups between the three teams.
AFC Playoffs
Division leaders
East...New England
North...Baltimore
South...Houston
West...Oakland
Wild Card...Pittsburgh, Cincinnati
Championship Home Game...Baltimore
Bracket
Pittsburgh at Oakland winner to play at Baltimore
Baltimore at New England winner to play at Houston
Tie Breakers...New England, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Houston all have identical records. Baltimore is the division leader because they have defeated the Steelers twice. Baltimore get's home field because they defeated the Texans and because they have a perfect division record. Houston has a better division record and has the 1st round bye over New England.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Saving the WAC...Props to the Bulldogs and Aggies
Boise State is in the Mountain West Conference. Nevada, Hawaii and Fresno State are following the Broncos next season. I bet no one would have guessed that the WAC will have a defending champion in 2012, but they do. Congratulations to the 2011 WAC football champions...the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. And they will return in 2012 to defend their title.
Their biggest challenger win 2012 could be the surprise 2nd place team from 2011, the Utah State Aggies. If the Northern Aggies beat the Southern Aggies on Saturday, the WAC will return their #1 and #2 from 2011 in 2012. Who would have guessed that would happen? Not only that, Boise State may not go to the Big East. And if that happens, the WAC-Armageddon that people have predicted may not happen at all.
So, those who chose the post-season awards from the WAC have a choice. Will it be Louisiana Tech's Sonny Dykes or Utah State's Gary Anderson? Why not both? I hear by lobby Karl Benson to have co-coaches of the year in the WAC this year! If the WAC is still around as a football conference in 2014, a lot of the credit for that will belong to Dykes, Anderson and the programs they have built.
Too bad that Tech will have to put their 7-game winning streak on the line in the Poinsettia Bowl against Kellen Moore and Boise State. But then again, why not put that that defense against the best?
Their biggest challenger win 2012 could be the surprise 2nd place team from 2011, the Utah State Aggies. If the Northern Aggies beat the Southern Aggies on Saturday, the WAC will return their #1 and #2 from 2011 in 2012. Who would have guessed that would happen? Not only that, Boise State may not go to the Big East. And if that happens, the WAC-Armageddon that people have predicted may not happen at all.
So, those who chose the post-season awards from the WAC have a choice. Will it be Louisiana Tech's Sonny Dykes or Utah State's Gary Anderson? Why not both? I hear by lobby Karl Benson to have co-coaches of the year in the WAC this year! If the WAC is still around as a football conference in 2014, a lot of the credit for that will belong to Dykes, Anderson and the programs they have built.
Too bad that Tech will have to put their 7-game winning streak on the line in the Poinsettia Bowl against Kellen Moore and Boise State. But then again, why not put that that defense against the best?
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Utah College Basketball Power Rankings...November 27, 20
Here is how Utah's college basketball teams stack up this week.
1. Weber State (4-0)...Last week, defeated Jacksonville State...On Tap, @Saint Mary's Monday, San Jose State Saturday.
2. BYU (3-2)...Last week, defeated Prairie View A&M and Nevada, lost to #11 Wisconsin...On tap, @ Northern Arizona Wednesday, Oregon Saturday.
3. Utah State (3-2)...Last week, lost @ Texas A& M Corpus Christi, defeated @ Idaho State...On tap, Denver Wednesday, @ Pacific Saturday.
4. Southern Utah (4-3)...Last week, defeated Southern Virginia, lost to Troy...On Tap, @ Oral Roberts Saturday.
5. Utah Valley (3-3)...Last week, lost @ Arkansas, lost @Oakland (MI)...On Tap, Northern Illinois Monday, @ Wyoming Wednesday, Haskell Friday.
6. Utah (1-5)...Last week, Lost vs Harvard, lost vs U Mass, lost vs UNC Ashville...On Tap, @ Fresno State Saturday.
MVP This Week: BYU G Charles Abouo
What the experts say...
Sagarin ranks Utah's College teams...
1. BYU
2. Weber State
3. Utah State
4. Utah Valley
5. Southern Utah
6. Utah
1. Weber State (4-0)...Last week, defeated Jacksonville State...On Tap, @Saint Mary's Monday, San Jose State Saturday.
2. BYU (3-2)...Last week, defeated Prairie View A&M and Nevada, lost to #11 Wisconsin...On tap, @ Northern Arizona Wednesday, Oregon Saturday.
3. Utah State (3-2)...Last week, lost @ Texas A& M Corpus Christi, defeated @ Idaho State...On tap, Denver Wednesday, @ Pacific Saturday.
4. Southern Utah (4-3)...Last week, defeated Southern Virginia, lost to Troy...On Tap, @ Oral Roberts Saturday.
5. Utah Valley (3-3)...Last week, lost @ Arkansas, lost @Oakland (MI)...On Tap, Northern Illinois Monday, @ Wyoming Wednesday, Haskell Friday.
6. Utah (1-5)...Last week, Lost vs Harvard, lost vs U Mass, lost vs UNC Ashville...On Tap, @ Fresno State Saturday.
MVP This Week: BYU G Charles Abouo
What the experts say...
Sagarin ranks Utah's College teams...
1. BYU
2. Weber State
3. Utah State
4. Utah Valley
5. Southern Utah
6. Utah
Post Season for Utah's Football Teams...November 27.
BYU
The Cougars have accepted a invitation to the Armed Forces Bowl. Here is an update on who their opponent could be. Houston defeated Tulsa and will host Southern Mississippi for the Conference USA championship. If the Bayou Cougars hold on, they will bust the BCS. If the Eagles win, they will earn a spot in the Liberty Bowl. If Houston earns a trip to the BCS, the Liberty Bowl has the freedom to pick whatever C-USA team they deem worthy. Who BYU will play in Dallas depends on the outcome of the game in Houston on Saturday.
If Houston Wins...C-USA bowls
Sugar...Houston
Liberty...Tulsa
Hawaii...Southern Mississippi
Armed Forces...SMU
New Orleans...Marshall
Beef 'O' Brady's...someone else
If Southern Mississippi wins
Liberty...USM
Hawaii...Houston
Armed Forces...Tulsa
New Orleans...SMU
Beef 'O' Brady's...Marshall
Utah
The Utes lost to Colorado, but will get a nice bowl trip regardless. The real controversy is that UCLA is likely to finish 6-7 and still get a chance to play in a bowl game. I think that the NCAA should deny the waiver to the Bruins and let Air Force or someone else take that slot. UCLA is applying for an exception because they are, in fact, eligible were it not for the PAC-12 championship. Here is the likely PAC-12 scenario...
BCS Bowls
Championship...LSU vs Alabama
Rose...Oregon vs Michigan State
Sugar...Houston vs Michigan...but Boise State is more deserving
Orange...Virginia Tech vs Louisville
Fiesta...Oklahoma State vs Stanford
Assuming there is not a colossal upset in Eugene on Saturday.
Rose Bowl...Oregon
Fiesta...Stanford
Alamo...Washington
Holiday...California
Sun...Utah
Las Vegas...Arizona State
Kraft Fight Hunger...UCLA...if a waiver granted. But I will argue that Air Force belongs here.
New Mexico...none...bid goes to the MAC.
Of note: Utah, Washington and California all have 7-5 records. The Alamo bowl can select either team. The Holiday bowl selects 1 of the 2 that the Alamo bowl does not select. And the Sun bowl will get the remaining team. I put this selection in place because if there were a tie breaker, it would belong to Washington and the second tie breaker belongs to California. But, there are no tie breakers for second place. I, personally, am hoping for the Holiday Bowl. If UCLA happens to upset Oregon, the PAC-12 should still get 2 BCS selections. If that happens, Utah could end up in the Las Vegas Bowl. There is a lot left to be determined next week.
Utah State
Yes, the Aggies are bowl eligible. This is the second time in history that all three FBS teams from the Beehive State will be bowl eligible. The last time was 1993 when BYU went to the Holiday Bowl, Utah went to the Freedom Bowl and Utah State went to the Las Vegas Bowl. BYU was the lone loser that season. If Utah State wins next week, and BYU beats Hawaii, then the Aggies should be invited to the Hawaii Bowl. Otherwise, it will likely be the Smurf Turf Bowl. The only thing we know for certain is that Louisiana Tech is the WAC champion and will play in the Poinsettia Bowl
Expected WAC bowl games.
Poinsettia...La Tech
Hawaii...Utah State
Idaho FP...Nevada
What the experts predict...
Will be updated on Monday.
The Cougars have accepted a invitation to the Armed Forces Bowl. Here is an update on who their opponent could be. Houston defeated Tulsa and will host Southern Mississippi for the Conference USA championship. If the Bayou Cougars hold on, they will bust the BCS. If the Eagles win, they will earn a spot in the Liberty Bowl. If Houston earns a trip to the BCS, the Liberty Bowl has the freedom to pick whatever C-USA team they deem worthy. Who BYU will play in Dallas depends on the outcome of the game in Houston on Saturday.
If Houston Wins...C-USA bowls
Sugar...Houston
Liberty...Tulsa
Hawaii...Southern Mississippi
Armed Forces...SMU
New Orleans...Marshall
Beef 'O' Brady's...someone else
If Southern Mississippi wins
Liberty...USM
Hawaii...Houston
Armed Forces...Tulsa
New Orleans...SMU
Beef 'O' Brady's...Marshall
Utah
The Utes lost to Colorado, but will get a nice bowl trip regardless. The real controversy is that UCLA is likely to finish 6-7 and still get a chance to play in a bowl game. I think that the NCAA should deny the waiver to the Bruins and let Air Force or someone else take that slot. UCLA is applying for an exception because they are, in fact, eligible were it not for the PAC-12 championship. Here is the likely PAC-12 scenario...
BCS Bowls
Championship...LSU vs Alabama
Rose...Oregon vs Michigan State
Sugar...Houston vs Michigan...but Boise State is more deserving
Orange...Virginia Tech vs Louisville
Fiesta...Oklahoma State vs Stanford
Assuming there is not a colossal upset in Eugene on Saturday.
Rose Bowl...Oregon
Fiesta...Stanford
Alamo...Washington
Holiday...California
Sun...Utah
Las Vegas...Arizona State
Kraft Fight Hunger...UCLA...if a waiver granted. But I will argue that Air Force belongs here.
New Mexico...none...bid goes to the MAC.
Of note: Utah, Washington and California all have 7-5 records. The Alamo bowl can select either team. The Holiday bowl selects 1 of the 2 that the Alamo bowl does not select. And the Sun bowl will get the remaining team. I put this selection in place because if there were a tie breaker, it would belong to Washington and the second tie breaker belongs to California. But, there are no tie breakers for second place. I, personally, am hoping for the Holiday Bowl. If UCLA happens to upset Oregon, the PAC-12 should still get 2 BCS selections. If that happens, Utah could end up in the Las Vegas Bowl. There is a lot left to be determined next week.
Utah State
Yes, the Aggies are bowl eligible. This is the second time in history that all three FBS teams from the Beehive State will be bowl eligible. The last time was 1993 when BYU went to the Holiday Bowl, Utah went to the Freedom Bowl and Utah State went to the Las Vegas Bowl. BYU was the lone loser that season. If Utah State wins next week, and BYU beats Hawaii, then the Aggies should be invited to the Hawaii Bowl. Otherwise, it will likely be the Smurf Turf Bowl. The only thing we know for certain is that Louisiana Tech is the WAC champion and will play in the Poinsettia Bowl
Expected WAC bowl games.
Poinsettia...La Tech
Hawaii...Utah State
Idaho FP...Nevada
What the experts predict...
Will be updated on Monday.
Report on the Games November 27, 2011
Normally, I have this post earlier, but with a busy holiday weekend, I missed my usual deadline. No regrets, however. It was an enjoyable time by all.
Colorado 17 Utah 14
After spring practice this year, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham publicly expressed concern for his kicking game. That self-fulfilling prophecy was fulfilled on Friday afternoon at Rice-Eccles Stadium where three missed field goals cost Utah a shot at Oregon in the Pac-12 championship game. The Utes did not move the ball well in the first half, but the Buffaloes did and took a 14-0 lead into the locker room at halftime. In the second half the tables were turned, but Coleman Peterson failed on a 26 yard attempt and a 48 yard attempt. The latter attempt was in the final seconds of the game to force overtime. Another Utah drive was stopped when Tauni Vakapuna laid the ball on the after a nice run. Utah will next play in a to be determined later bowl game. The Utes finish the regular season 7-5.
MVP: Jon Hayes
Utah State 21 Nevada 17
For the first time this season, Utah State took a slim lead into the 4th quarter and held on for a slim, 4-point victory for a win over Nevada to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1997. The Aggies took their first lead of the game, and the final lead on the final play of the third quarter on a trick play double-pass where WR Stanley Morrison found Robert Turpin who scored the go-ahead touchdown. With less than 6 minutes remaining in the game, Nevada's Tyler Lantrip fumbled at the Utah State 11 and preserved the victory for the Aggies. The only disappointing thing was that only 15,784 fans turned out to witness the game. The Aggies can finish the season tied for 2nd place in the conference with win over New Mexico State next weekend.
MVP: Adam Kennedy
BYU was off this weekend. Weber State and Southern Utah are finished for the season.
Colorado 17 Utah 14
After spring practice this year, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham publicly expressed concern for his kicking game. That self-fulfilling prophecy was fulfilled on Friday afternoon at Rice-Eccles Stadium where three missed field goals cost Utah a shot at Oregon in the Pac-12 championship game. The Utes did not move the ball well in the first half, but the Buffaloes did and took a 14-0 lead into the locker room at halftime. In the second half the tables were turned, but Coleman Peterson failed on a 26 yard attempt and a 48 yard attempt. The latter attempt was in the final seconds of the game to force overtime. Another Utah drive was stopped when Tauni Vakapuna laid the ball on the after a nice run. Utah will next play in a to be determined later bowl game. The Utes finish the regular season 7-5.
MVP: Jon Hayes
Utah State 21 Nevada 17
For the first time this season, Utah State took a slim lead into the 4th quarter and held on for a slim, 4-point victory for a win over Nevada to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1997. The Aggies took their first lead of the game, and the final lead on the final play of the third quarter on a trick play double-pass where WR Stanley Morrison found Robert Turpin who scored the go-ahead touchdown. With less than 6 minutes remaining in the game, Nevada's Tyler Lantrip fumbled at the Utah State 11 and preserved the victory for the Aggies. The only disappointing thing was that only 15,784 fans turned out to witness the game. The Aggies can finish the season tied for 2nd place in the conference with win over New Mexico State next weekend.
MVP: Adam Kennedy
BYU was off this weekend. Weber State and Southern Utah are finished for the season.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
The NBA Lockout Is Over...Now Back to Business
The NBA Lockout is over, and the Jazz only have 11 players under contract, assuming that Enes Kanter and Alec Burks sign contracts and do not hold out and also assuming that Mehmet Okur comes back. Do the Jazz re-sign Andre and Ronnie Price? Do they need those players? Let's examine the situation.
Here is who the Jazz have under contract...
Point Guards
Devin Harris
Free Agents
Ronnie Price
Earl Watson
Shooting Guards
Raja Bell
Alec Burks
CJ Miles
Small Forwards
Gordon Hayward
Jeremy Evans
Free Agent
Andre Kirilenko
Power Forwards
Derrick Favors
Paul Milsap
Centers
Enes Kanter
Al Jefferson
Mehmet Okur
Free Agents
Kyrylo Fesenko
Francisco Elson
So the Jazz have 5 free agents and 3 roster slots to fill.
Here is what the Jazz need
Point guards...if there is a position on the team that you need 3 people under contract, it is point guard. The Jazz definitely need to sign Watson and Price. Both contributed quality time off the bench for the Jazz last season and would be reasonable signs with the new CBA and harder salary cap.
Shooting guards...the Jazz are fine here. Three men in this position should be fine.
Small forwards...there are only 2 small forwards under contract, but CJ Miles can play both shooting guard and small forward. The Jazz probably do not need to re-sign Andre Kirilenko. And AK-47 is recovering from a concussion. I wish him well, but my feeling is that he has played his last game in a Jazz uniform. The luxury tax penalty is stiffer in the new CBA, and it is probable that the Jazz can no longer afford AK.
Power forwards...The Jazz only have 2 pure power forwards under contract, but all three centers under contract can play the position. Mehmet Okur is probably more of a power forward than he is a center, at least offensively, and probably more productive playing in the high post than the low post. Milsap may be traded because of his heavy contract...that is if anyone will take on his high contract.
Centers...The Jazz have 3 centers under contract, and all three can play power forward as well. Likely, once Enes Kanter can play effectively, either Jefferson or Okur will play more power forward than center. The Jazz have Fesenko and Watson as free agents. I do not expect to see either one of them back in a Jazz uniform.
Implications of the new CBA...The Jazz may waive or trade some expensive players like Okur and Milsap and the last vestiges of the Williams and Boozer era may be gone before the shortened season tips off. I am a fan of Milsap and admire his work ethic and hope that he can remain with the team, but understand what has to happen this offseason and the implications of the new CBA. Perhaps the Jazz can re-work his contract. If the Jazz need to let him go or trade him because of the new cap, I will him luck elsewhere. Another player who could be off-loaded because of a heavy contract is Raja Bell.
The Jazz need most to get Price and Watson back under contract. That should be their highest priority. Favors needs good quality backups. If not these two, the Jazz need someone to fill that role. If the Jazz trade Milsap, getting some quality help at point guard should be a priority.
The Jazz may not look the same as we are used to, but that changed last year when Darren Williams was traded to New Jersey and Jerry Sloan retired. But there is enough talent for the future.
With no trades and assuming the Jazz can sign Price and Watson and possibly Elson, here is the projected depth chart...
PG...Favors, Price, Watson
SG...Miles, Bell, Burks
SF...Hayward, Evans
PF...Milsap, Favors, Okur
C...Jefferson, Kanter, Elson
Here is who the Jazz have under contract...
Point Guards
Devin Harris
Free Agents
Ronnie Price
Earl Watson
Shooting Guards
Raja Bell
Alec Burks
CJ Miles
Small Forwards
Gordon Hayward
Jeremy Evans
Free Agent
Andre Kirilenko
Power Forwards
Derrick Favors
Paul Milsap
Centers
Enes Kanter
Al Jefferson
Mehmet Okur
Free Agents
Kyrylo Fesenko
Francisco Elson
So the Jazz have 5 free agents and 3 roster slots to fill.
Here is what the Jazz need
Point guards...if there is a position on the team that you need 3 people under contract, it is point guard. The Jazz definitely need to sign Watson and Price. Both contributed quality time off the bench for the Jazz last season and would be reasonable signs with the new CBA and harder salary cap.
Shooting guards...the Jazz are fine here. Three men in this position should be fine.
Small forwards...there are only 2 small forwards under contract, but CJ Miles can play both shooting guard and small forward. The Jazz probably do not need to re-sign Andre Kirilenko. And AK-47 is recovering from a concussion. I wish him well, but my feeling is that he has played his last game in a Jazz uniform. The luxury tax penalty is stiffer in the new CBA, and it is probable that the Jazz can no longer afford AK.
Power forwards...The Jazz only have 2 pure power forwards under contract, but all three centers under contract can play the position. Mehmet Okur is probably more of a power forward than he is a center, at least offensively, and probably more productive playing in the high post than the low post. Milsap may be traded because of his heavy contract...that is if anyone will take on his high contract.
Centers...The Jazz have 3 centers under contract, and all three can play power forward as well. Likely, once Enes Kanter can play effectively, either Jefferson or Okur will play more power forward than center. The Jazz have Fesenko and Watson as free agents. I do not expect to see either one of them back in a Jazz uniform.
Implications of the new CBA...The Jazz may waive or trade some expensive players like Okur and Milsap and the last vestiges of the Williams and Boozer era may be gone before the shortened season tips off. I am a fan of Milsap and admire his work ethic and hope that he can remain with the team, but understand what has to happen this offseason and the implications of the new CBA. Perhaps the Jazz can re-work his contract. If the Jazz need to let him go or trade him because of the new cap, I will him luck elsewhere. Another player who could be off-loaded because of a heavy contract is Raja Bell.
The Jazz need most to get Price and Watson back under contract. That should be their highest priority. Favors needs good quality backups. If not these two, the Jazz need someone to fill that role. If the Jazz trade Milsap, getting some quality help at point guard should be a priority.
The Jazz may not look the same as we are used to, but that changed last year when Darren Williams was traded to New Jersey and Jerry Sloan retired. But there is enough talent for the future.
With no trades and assuming the Jazz can sign Price and Watson and possibly Elson, here is the projected depth chart...
PG...Favors, Price, Watson
SG...Miles, Bell, Burks
SF...Hayward, Evans
PF...Milsap, Favors, Okur
C...Jefferson, Kanter, Elson
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
No Big East After All
BYU will not be joining the Big East after all. Here is why Independence has not been good for BYU.
Attendance at home games.
While it is too early to tell after only one season, the fans in the Provo area do not seem to approve of the level of competition BYU has scheduled in November. Attendance at home games is down 5% over 2010 when arguably the level of competition is the same. In 2011, the average November attendance is 57,000 with Idaho and New Mexico State. In 2010 it was 60,000 with UNLV and New Mexico. It was above 64,000 with Utah and Air Force in 2009. In 2010, attendance was off 6.25% from 2009 The trend in November attendance in Provo is not good right now.
If this downward trend continues, BYU will be seeing increasingly sparse crowds in November. And it will be more difficult than it is now for BYU to schedule quality November opponents. Here is a strait-line projected attendance for LaVell Edwards Stadium in the future...
2009--64,300--Air Force and Utah
2010--60,000 down 6.25%--UNLV and New Mexico
2011--57,000 down 5.00%--Idaho and New Mexico State
2012--54,800 down 3.75%--Idaho and Hawaii
2013--53,200 down 2.50%--TBA
2014--52,500 down 1.25%--TBA
2015--51,800 down 1.25%--TBA
Now, I understand that most college programs in the country would be pleased with 51,800 people in the stands. But that represents money that will go to the other team. Total revenues will be down somewhere in the neighborhood of 200,000 to 400,000 per game. Some of that is shared with the visiting team, making it less likely that another team will break their conference schedule in November. In order for Independence to work, fans have to show up at games. Ticket revenues need to remain strong. So for the trend indicates that this will not be the case.
Scheduling.
BYU has their 2012 schedule lined up, although the dates are not firm. Fans used to seeing decent MWC competition in November...such as Colorado State, when they were good, Air Force, Rocky Long's New Mexico, and San Diego State will now have to suffer with the dregs of the lower conferences. BYU's schedule will be front loaded with tough competition in September, and weak competition in November. BYU's future Septembers feature Texas, West Virginia, Utah, Boise State and Houston. Beyond 2013, BYU has nothing but Notre Dame scheduled in November, and that one game is in Indiana. BYU fans will likely be able to look forward to more San Jose State, New Mexico State or even worse, some Sun Belt Conference and MAC in the future. As of right now, BYU has no November games scheduled beyond 2012.
Something to play for.
Unless BYU is struggling with bowl eligibility or has a BCS possibility, games in November will be meaningless outside of a conference, other than just playing for experience. If 2010 is an indication of the future, fans will not come and support a team struggling with bowl eligibility against weaker competition. Fans want games in November that are meaningful and they want good competition. In 2009, BYU had already been eliminated from MWC title contention by the time that Air Force came to town, but were still playing to get a better bowl game, and ended up in the Las Vegas Bowl when they could have wound up in the New Mexico Bowl. This year, and in the next two years, BYU will know what bowl game they will attend as soon as they have 6 wins, unless they are unbeaten.
Bowl Games
With changes to the BCS pending, where only the #1 and #2 teams in the country will play in the BCS championship and the other bowls back to getting the best teams they can, it is a good argument that BYU will not need to be in a big conference to get to a big bowl game. This means that seeing a better bowl game than the trio of games BYU has agreed to in independence seems unlikely. Will an 11-1 BYU team replace the PAC-12 in the Rose Bowl if, say, Oregon gets to the BCS Championship as an independent? Never The Rose Bowl will simply pick the 2nd place PAC-12 team. But without the Big East, BYU will likely never play in the Orange Bowl or the Sugar Bowl, even as a 12-0 team. The Fiesta Bowl will remain only a slim possibility unless the Big 12 decides to make the Cotton Bowl their primary bowl game again. The Big East will likely remain tied to the Florida Citrus Bowl, a game that the Cougars have been to twice. In the Big East, the Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl are possible and arguments for even for replacing the PAC-12 team in the Rose Bowl become stronger.
Rivaries
Let's face it. The Holy War is dieing a slow death. It does not mean as much as it used to. Rivalries drive fans to a game in November, even in losing seasons. Who will be BYU's big rival if they are independent?
My Conclusion.
True, the Big East is not the perfect situation for BYU, but it is better than what they had and better than independence. In my opinion, BYU has put TV exposure over the things that make college football great. There is no guarantee that the TV interest will be there in the future. A conference will provide guaranteed exposure, even for a 4-8 team. It was foolish for BYU to insist on so much and kill it's chances on improving their situation in football.
Attendance at home games.
While it is too early to tell after only one season, the fans in the Provo area do not seem to approve of the level of competition BYU has scheduled in November. Attendance at home games is down 5% over 2010 when arguably the level of competition is the same. In 2011, the average November attendance is 57,000 with Idaho and New Mexico State. In 2010 it was 60,000 with UNLV and New Mexico. It was above 64,000 with Utah and Air Force in 2009. In 2010, attendance was off 6.25% from 2009 The trend in November attendance in Provo is not good right now.
If this downward trend continues, BYU will be seeing increasingly sparse crowds in November. And it will be more difficult than it is now for BYU to schedule quality November opponents. Here is a strait-line projected attendance for LaVell Edwards Stadium in the future...
2009--64,300--Air Force and Utah
2010--60,000 down 6.25%--UNLV and New Mexico
2011--57,000 down 5.00%--Idaho and New Mexico State
2012--54,800 down 3.75%--Idaho and Hawaii
2013--53,200 down 2.50%--TBA
2014--52,500 down 1.25%--TBA
2015--51,800 down 1.25%--TBA
Now, I understand that most college programs in the country would be pleased with 51,800 people in the stands. But that represents money that will go to the other team. Total revenues will be down somewhere in the neighborhood of 200,000 to 400,000 per game. Some of that is shared with the visiting team, making it less likely that another team will break their conference schedule in November. In order for Independence to work, fans have to show up at games. Ticket revenues need to remain strong. So for the trend indicates that this will not be the case.
Scheduling.
BYU has their 2012 schedule lined up, although the dates are not firm. Fans used to seeing decent MWC competition in November...such as Colorado State, when they were good, Air Force, Rocky Long's New Mexico, and San Diego State will now have to suffer with the dregs of the lower conferences. BYU's schedule will be front loaded with tough competition in September, and weak competition in November. BYU's future Septembers feature Texas, West Virginia, Utah, Boise State and Houston. Beyond 2013, BYU has nothing but Notre Dame scheduled in November, and that one game is in Indiana. BYU fans will likely be able to look forward to more San Jose State, New Mexico State or even worse, some Sun Belt Conference and MAC in the future. As of right now, BYU has no November games scheduled beyond 2012.
Something to play for.
Unless BYU is struggling with bowl eligibility or has a BCS possibility, games in November will be meaningless outside of a conference, other than just playing for experience. If 2010 is an indication of the future, fans will not come and support a team struggling with bowl eligibility against weaker competition. Fans want games in November that are meaningful and they want good competition. In 2009, BYU had already been eliminated from MWC title contention by the time that Air Force came to town, but were still playing to get a better bowl game, and ended up in the Las Vegas Bowl when they could have wound up in the New Mexico Bowl. This year, and in the next two years, BYU will know what bowl game they will attend as soon as they have 6 wins, unless they are unbeaten.
Bowl Games
With changes to the BCS pending, where only the #1 and #2 teams in the country will play in the BCS championship and the other bowls back to getting the best teams they can, it is a good argument that BYU will not need to be in a big conference to get to a big bowl game. This means that seeing a better bowl game than the trio of games BYU has agreed to in independence seems unlikely. Will an 11-1 BYU team replace the PAC-12 in the Rose Bowl if, say, Oregon gets to the BCS Championship as an independent? Never The Rose Bowl will simply pick the 2nd place PAC-12 team. But without the Big East, BYU will likely never play in the Orange Bowl or the Sugar Bowl, even as a 12-0 team. The Fiesta Bowl will remain only a slim possibility unless the Big 12 decides to make the Cotton Bowl their primary bowl game again. The Big East will likely remain tied to the Florida Citrus Bowl, a game that the Cougars have been to twice. In the Big East, the Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl are possible and arguments for even for replacing the PAC-12 team in the Rose Bowl become stronger.
Rivaries
Let's face it. The Holy War is dieing a slow death. It does not mean as much as it used to. Rivalries drive fans to a game in November, even in losing seasons. Who will be BYU's big rival if they are independent?
My Conclusion.
True, the Big East is not the perfect situation for BYU, but it is better than what they had and better than independence. In my opinion, BYU has put TV exposure over the things that make college football great. There is no guarantee that the TV interest will be there in the future. A conference will provide guaranteed exposure, even for a 4-8 team. It was foolish for BYU to insist on so much and kill it's chances on improving their situation in football.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
What if there was an FBS playoff...
This weekend, the lower Division 1 subdivision will kick off their playoffs. What would a playoff in Division 1-A, or the Football Bowl Subdivision look like if held by the same rules?
Automatic Bids.
ACC--Virginia Tech
Big 12--Oklahoma State
Big East--Louisville
Big 10--Michigan State
Conference USA--Houston
MAC--Northern Illinois
MWC--TCU*
PAC-12--Stanford
SEC--LSU
Sun Belt--Arkansas State*
WAC--Louisiana Tech
*Teams that have already cliched their conference championship
Seedings...
1. LOUISIANA STATE
2. Alabama
3. Arkansas
4. OKLAHOMA STATE
5. VIRGINIA TECH
6. STANFORD
7. Boise State
8. HOUSTON
9. Oklahoma
10. Oregon
11. Kansas State
12. South Carolina
13. Georgia
14. MICHIGAN STATE
15. Baylor
16. Clemson
17. TEXAS CHRISTIAN
18. NORTHERN ILLINOIS
19. LOUISIANA TECH
20. ARKANSAS STATE
First Round Games
Game 1
Arkansas State at Georgia
Game 2
Louisiana Tech at Michigan State
Game 3
Northern Illinois at Baylor
Game 4
TCU at Clemson
Second Round
Game 4 winner at 1. LSU
9. Oklahoma at 8. Houston
Game 1 winner at 4. Oklahoma State
12. South Carolina at 5. Virginia Tech
Game 2 winner at 3. Arkansas
11. Kansas State at 6. Stanford
Game 3 winner at 2. Alabama
10. Oregon at 7. Boise State
Last 4 in...South Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Clemson
First 4 out...Michigan, Penn State, Nebraska, Notre Dame
Next 4 out...Georgia Tech, Auburn, Texas, Virginia
Automatic Bids.
ACC--Virginia Tech
Big 12--Oklahoma State
Big East--Louisville
Big 10--Michigan State
Conference USA--Houston
MAC--Northern Illinois
MWC--TCU*
PAC-12--Stanford
SEC--LSU
Sun Belt--Arkansas State*
WAC--Louisiana Tech
*Teams that have already cliched their conference championship
Seedings...
1. LOUISIANA STATE
2. Alabama
3. Arkansas
4. OKLAHOMA STATE
5. VIRGINIA TECH
6. STANFORD
7. Boise State
8. HOUSTON
9. Oklahoma
10. Oregon
11. Kansas State
12. South Carolina
13. Georgia
14. MICHIGAN STATE
15. Baylor
16. Clemson
17. TEXAS CHRISTIAN
18. NORTHERN ILLINOIS
19. LOUISIANA TECH
20. ARKANSAS STATE
First Round Games
Game 1
Arkansas State at Georgia
Game 2
Louisiana Tech at Michigan State
Game 3
Northern Illinois at Baylor
Game 4
TCU at Clemson
Second Round
Game 4 winner at 1. LSU
9. Oklahoma at 8. Houston
Game 1 winner at 4. Oklahoma State
12. South Carolina at 5. Virginia Tech
Game 2 winner at 3. Arkansas
11. Kansas State at 6. Stanford
Game 3 winner at 2. Alabama
10. Oregon at 7. Boise State
Last 4 in...South Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Clemson
First 4 out...Michigan, Penn State, Nebraska, Notre Dame
Next 4 out...Georgia Tech, Auburn, Texas, Virginia
What if the NFL Playoffs Were Held Today? November 22, 2011
Of course, this is not unique to this blog at this time of year. If a major virus hit the country today, here is the NFL playoff picture.
NFC
East--Dallas
North--Green Bay
South--New Orleans
West--San Francisco
Wild Card--Chicago, Detroit
NFC Home Field--Green Bay
Brackets
Chicago at Dallas winner to play at Green Bay
Detroit at New Orleans winner to play at San Francisco
Championship game home field...Green Bay
Tie Breakers:
Dallas and New York have yet to meet in the regular season. Dallas has the better division record.
Detroit and Chicago have split their regular season series. Chicago has the better division record. Both are Wildcard teams, but Chicago will play the division champion with the weaker record.
AFC
East--New England
North--Pittsburgh
South--Houston
West--Oakland
Wild Card--Baltimore, Cincinnati
Brackets
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh winner to play at New England
Baltimore at Oakland winner to play at Houston
Championship game home field...Houston
Tie Breakers
Pittsburgh has won both regular season games against Baltimore. Pittsburgh is the division champion.
Houston, Pittsburgh and New England have identical records. Houston will not play either Pittsburgh or New England. New England defeated the Steelers, therefore, Pittsburgh will not get the first round bye. Houston and New England have identical conference records. Houston has the better division record.
NFC
East--Dallas
North--Green Bay
South--New Orleans
West--San Francisco
Wild Card--Chicago, Detroit
NFC Home Field--Green Bay
Brackets
Chicago at Dallas winner to play at Green Bay
Detroit at New Orleans winner to play at San Francisco
Championship game home field...Green Bay
Tie Breakers:
Dallas and New York have yet to meet in the regular season. Dallas has the better division record.
Detroit and Chicago have split their regular season series. Chicago has the better division record. Both are Wildcard teams, but Chicago will play the division champion with the weaker record.
AFC
East--New England
North--Pittsburgh
South--Houston
West--Oakland
Wild Card--Baltimore, Cincinnati
Brackets
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh winner to play at New England
Baltimore at Oakland winner to play at Houston
Championship game home field...Houston
Tie Breakers
Pittsburgh has won both regular season games against Baltimore. Pittsburgh is the division champion.
Houston, Pittsburgh and New England have identical records. Houston will not play either Pittsburgh or New England. New England defeated the Steelers, therefore, Pittsburgh will not get the first round bye. Houston and New England have identical conference records. Houston has the better division record.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Post Season for Utah's College Football Teams...
I love it...Utah State fans are going to have to root for BYU! I'll explain later...keep reading.
Update November 21.
BYU...
Armed Forces Bowl Bid accepted. BYU sits at 7-3 with a game at Hawaii remaining. This game means more to Utah State fans than it does to BYU fans, but I will explain later. BYU's opponent will depend on whether or not Houston holds on and earns a BCS bid. Let's look at Conference-USA's bowl situation.
Houston and Tulsa play Saturday and the C-USA championship game will be the following week between the winner of this game and Southern Mississippi. C-USA will likely have 5 bowl eligible teams, and maybe 6 and has 5 bowl slots. The champion goes to the Liberty Bowl, Second place goes to Hawaii, Third place to the Armed Forces Bowl, Fourth place to New Orleans and Fifth place to the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl in Tampa. If Houston holds out, they will go to a BCS bowl. Here is how you will likely see it shake down if Houston wins out.
BCS--Houston
Liberty--Southern Mississippi
Hawaii--Tulsa
Armed Forces--Southern Methodist
New Orleans--Marshall/East Carolina winner
Beef 'O' Brady's--UTEP if they beat UCF.
If Houston loses either week.
Liberty--Tulsa or Southern Mississippi
Hawaii--Tulsa or Southern Mississippi or Houston
Armed Forces--Tulsa or Houston
New Orleans--SMU
Beef 'O' Brady--Marshall/East Carolina/UTEP
Perhaps BYU fans will cheer for the other Cougars so that they do not have to play them.
Utah
If I read the BCS correctly, this is where BCS teams will land in the BCS bowls.
BCS National Championship--LSU vs. Alabama
Rose--Oregon vs. Michigan State
Fiesta--Oklahoma vs. Stanford
Sugar--Boise State vs. Houston
Orange--Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati
But I am not reading the BCS correctly...read what the experts are saying down below...
I put Oregon and Stanford in the BCS because Oklahoma and Oklahoma State play each other and someone has to lose. Same for LSU and Arkansas. The SEC will be 1,2 and 3 for only one week.
Here is, therefore, how the PAC-12 bowl picture looks.
Rose--Stanford
Fiesta--Oregon
Alamo--Arizona State
Holiday--Utah
Sun--Washington
Las Vegas--UCLA
Kraft Fight Hunger--California
New Mexico--No PAC-12 team eligible...The MAC supplies an alternate.
Utah State
Louisiana Tech won the WAC championship and will likely play in the Poinsettia Bowl. This is not really good news for the Aggies, who need to win one of their last two to become bowl eligible. But there was good news last night for USU and that is that Fresno State lost to Hawaii. The Warriors have to win out to become bowl eligible. Hawaii finishes out at home against Tulane and BYU. If Hawaii beats hapless Tulane, USU fans may find themselves in an awkward position...having to hope for a BYU victory to get to a bowl game.
I know Aggie fans very well. I have many cousins that have Utah State degrees. They don't just love watching BYU lose. The really looooove watching BYU lose. For some Aggie fans, a BYU loss is the third best feeling in the world. It will be really hard for them to cheer on the Cougars against Hawaii, but it may be necessary. But first, the Aggies need to surprise the Wolfpack and down the other Aggies. Then cheer for the Cougars. If USU can beat both Nevada and New Mexico State, the Aggies could say Aloha. And the Wolfpack will be digging for spuds.
Personally, Hawaii is in a funk, but they can pull out of it against the Cougars. They have done so before. BYU has little to play for, and Hawaii's season is on the line. But they are in such a bad funk that they may lose to hapless Tulane and the BYU game will become 'Hawaii's Bowl Game'.
If USU wins out and Hawaii loses to BYU.
Poinsettia...La Tech
Hawaii...Utah State
Idaho Famous Potato...Nevada
If USU loses one of the two, and Hawaii does not win out...
Poinsettia...La Tech
Hawaii...Nevada
Idaho Famous Potato...Utah State
If USU loses both...
Poinsettia...La Tech
Hawaii...Nevada
Idaho Famous Potato...someone else.
Now, if Hawaii wins out...they will go to the Hawaii Bowl even though Utah State beat them in Hawaii. That is the deal that Hawaii has with this game. And if USU beats Nevada, they may both end up 7-5 and the Idaho Famous Potato Bowl committee would have a choice on who to select as there are no tie breakers for 2nd place. Do they chose the team that would be thrilled to go there or the team that they know will sell tickets? USU should not leave that to chance. But if they lose to Nevada, they could find themselves bowl eligible and staying home.
If Hawaii wins out...No matter what USU's record is....
Poinsettia...La Tech
Hawaii...Hawaii
Idaho Famous Potato...Nevada
USU...stays home or goes somewhere else...but
Miami has decided not to go to a bowl game and Army is not bowl eligible. This means that the Kraft Fight Hunger bowl is looking for a team. Nevada may fit their requirement. You may see this WAC bowl arrangement.
Poinsettia...La Tech
Hawaii...Hawaii
Idaho Famous Potato...Utah State
KFH...Nevada
The WAC is an alternate to the MWC to the New Mexico Bowl, but the MWC will likely have all of their bowls slots filled. But another thing that Utah State can hope for is that Colorado State beats Air Force.
BCS--Boise State
Las Vegas--TCU
Poinsettia--San Diego State
Independence--Wyoming
New Mexico--Air Force
What the experts say...
ESPN's Bowl Bound has Utah State in the Idaho Famous Potato Bowl taking on Ohio and Nevada in the Hawaii bowl. They also have Utah in the Holiday bowl taking on Missouri. They have Tulsa as BYU's Armed Forces Bowl opponent. They also have #15 in the BCS Michigan in the Sugar Bowl ahead of #7 Boise State.
CBS's Jerry Palm has Wyoming in the Hawaii Bowl and Utah State staying home during the bowl season. He has Utah in the Alamo Bowl taking on Oklahoma. SMU as BYU's Armed Forces Bowl Opponent. He has Louisville in the Orange Bowl and Michigan over Boise State in the Sugar Bowl.
Remember, these guys get paid to make these predictions, where I do not.
Update November 21.
BYU...
Armed Forces Bowl Bid accepted. BYU sits at 7-3 with a game at Hawaii remaining. This game means more to Utah State fans than it does to BYU fans, but I will explain later. BYU's opponent will depend on whether or not Houston holds on and earns a BCS bid. Let's look at Conference-USA's bowl situation.
Houston and Tulsa play Saturday and the C-USA championship game will be the following week between the winner of this game and Southern Mississippi. C-USA will likely have 5 bowl eligible teams, and maybe 6 and has 5 bowl slots. The champion goes to the Liberty Bowl, Second place goes to Hawaii, Third place to the Armed Forces Bowl, Fourth place to New Orleans and Fifth place to the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl in Tampa. If Houston holds out, they will go to a BCS bowl. Here is how you will likely see it shake down if Houston wins out.
BCS--Houston
Liberty--Southern Mississippi
Hawaii--Tulsa
Armed Forces--Southern Methodist
New Orleans--Marshall/East Carolina winner
Beef 'O' Brady's--UTEP if they beat UCF.
If Houston loses either week.
Liberty--Tulsa or Southern Mississippi
Hawaii--Tulsa or Southern Mississippi or Houston
Armed Forces--Tulsa or Houston
New Orleans--SMU
Beef 'O' Brady--Marshall/East Carolina/UTEP
Perhaps BYU fans will cheer for the other Cougars so that they do not have to play them.
Utah
If I read the BCS correctly, this is where BCS teams will land in the BCS bowls.
BCS National Championship--LSU vs. Alabama
Rose--Oregon vs. Michigan State
Fiesta--Oklahoma vs. Stanford
Sugar--Boise State vs. Houston
Orange--Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati
But I am not reading the BCS correctly...read what the experts are saying down below...
I put Oregon and Stanford in the BCS because Oklahoma and Oklahoma State play each other and someone has to lose. Same for LSU and Arkansas. The SEC will be 1,2 and 3 for only one week.
Here is, therefore, how the PAC-12 bowl picture looks.
Rose--Stanford
Fiesta--Oregon
Alamo--Arizona State
Holiday--Utah
Sun--Washington
Las Vegas--UCLA
Kraft Fight Hunger--California
New Mexico--No PAC-12 team eligible...The MAC supplies an alternate.
Utah State
Louisiana Tech won the WAC championship and will likely play in the Poinsettia Bowl. This is not really good news for the Aggies, who need to win one of their last two to become bowl eligible. But there was good news last night for USU and that is that Fresno State lost to Hawaii. The Warriors have to win out to become bowl eligible. Hawaii finishes out at home against Tulane and BYU. If Hawaii beats hapless Tulane, USU fans may find themselves in an awkward position...having to hope for a BYU victory to get to a bowl game.
I know Aggie fans very well. I have many cousins that have Utah State degrees. They don't just love watching BYU lose. The really looooove watching BYU lose. For some Aggie fans, a BYU loss is the third best feeling in the world. It will be really hard for them to cheer on the Cougars against Hawaii, but it may be necessary. But first, the Aggies need to surprise the Wolfpack and down the other Aggies. Then cheer for the Cougars. If USU can beat both Nevada and New Mexico State, the Aggies could say Aloha. And the Wolfpack will be digging for spuds.
Personally, Hawaii is in a funk, but they can pull out of it against the Cougars. They have done so before. BYU has little to play for, and Hawaii's season is on the line. But they are in such a bad funk that they may lose to hapless Tulane and the BYU game will become 'Hawaii's Bowl Game'.
If USU wins out and Hawaii loses to BYU.
Poinsettia...La Tech
Hawaii...Utah State
Idaho Famous Potato...Nevada
If USU loses one of the two, and Hawaii does not win out...
Poinsettia...La Tech
Hawaii...Nevada
Idaho Famous Potato...Utah State
If USU loses both...
Poinsettia...La Tech
Hawaii...Nevada
Idaho Famous Potato...someone else.
Now, if Hawaii wins out...they will go to the Hawaii Bowl even though Utah State beat them in Hawaii. That is the deal that Hawaii has with this game. And if USU beats Nevada, they may both end up 7-5 and the Idaho Famous Potato Bowl committee would have a choice on who to select as there are no tie breakers for 2nd place. Do they chose the team that would be thrilled to go there or the team that they know will sell tickets? USU should not leave that to chance. But if they lose to Nevada, they could find themselves bowl eligible and staying home.
If Hawaii wins out...No matter what USU's record is....
Poinsettia...La Tech
Hawaii...Hawaii
Idaho Famous Potato...Nevada
USU...stays home or goes somewhere else...but
Miami has decided not to go to a bowl game and Army is not bowl eligible. This means that the Kraft Fight Hunger bowl is looking for a team. Nevada may fit their requirement. You may see this WAC bowl arrangement.
Poinsettia...La Tech
Hawaii...Hawaii
Idaho Famous Potato...Utah State
KFH...Nevada
The WAC is an alternate to the MWC to the New Mexico Bowl, but the MWC will likely have all of their bowls slots filled. But another thing that Utah State can hope for is that Colorado State beats Air Force.
BCS--Boise State
Las Vegas--TCU
Poinsettia--San Diego State
Independence--Wyoming
New Mexico--Air Force
What the experts say...
ESPN's Bowl Bound has Utah State in the Idaho Famous Potato Bowl taking on Ohio and Nevada in the Hawaii bowl. They also have Utah in the Holiday bowl taking on Missouri. They have Tulsa as BYU's Armed Forces Bowl opponent. They also have #15 in the BCS Michigan in the Sugar Bowl ahead of #7 Boise State.
CBS's Jerry Palm has Wyoming in the Hawaii Bowl and Utah State staying home during the bowl season. He has Utah in the Alamo Bowl taking on Oklahoma. SMU as BYU's Armed Forces Bowl Opponent. He has Louisville in the Orange Bowl and Michigan over Boise State in the Sugar Bowl.
Remember, these guys get paid to make these predictions, where I do not.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Report on the Games,,,November 19, 2011
Everyone was a winner this weekend.
Utah 30 Washington State 27
The Utes let a 10 point lead slip away, but in overtime, the Ute defense held. Washington State had the ball first, but Mo Lee intercepted Connor Halliday after the Cougars lose yards on penalties. Coleman Peterson hit a 38-yard FG to end the game. Utah escapes with a narrow 3-point victory over Washington State on the road. Again, John White IV runs over the defense and carries the team with 186 yards and 2 touchdowns. Utah hosts Colorado next week to wrap up conference play.
MVP: RB John White IV
Utah can still play in the PAC-12 championship game...more on that in a later post.
BYU 42 New Mexico State 7
On Senior Day in Provo, the defense came up big for the Cougars. It was a bend but don't break situation in the first half, as NMSU out-gained BYU, but the Cougars had a 21-7 lead. It was all Jake Heaps and BYU in the second half. The Aggies got their only score after a Heaps interception gave them a short field. NMSU could not drive the full length of the field and score.
MVP: QB Jake Heaps
Utah State 49 Idaho 42
In a half-full Kibbie Dome, the Idaho Vandals were unable to score in the second overtime period and USU wins a wild one in Moscow. The game was tied at the end of the third quarter. If you are keeping score, the Aggies are 2-5 when leading at the end of 3, 2-0 when trailing at the end of 3 and 1-0 when the score is tied at the end of the third frame. USU evens their record at 5-5 and need to win only 1 more game to become bowl eligible. They host Nevada next week and finish a week later @ New Mexico State.
More on USU's bowl possibilities in a later post.
MVP: RB Robert Turpin
Weber State 48 Portland State 33
WSU erupted for 21 4th quarter points to send Coach Ron McBride into retirement as a victor in his last game. PSU was unable to move the ball at critical points as the game ran down and and suffered defensive breakdowns that led to 2 late Wildcat scores. CJ Tucket had another monster game running the football. WSU finishes the season 5-6 and will not lace up the cleats again until next season's opener at Fresno State.
MVP: RB CJ Tucket
Southern Utah 27 Northern Arizona 24
The Thuderbirds scored 17 unanswered points in the second half and held on to a close victory in Flagstaff at Northern Arizona in a preview of what will become a new season ending rivalry for both Painted Desert schools. Brad Sorensen pitched 2 touchdown passes and Austin Minifee ran for 96 yards. SUU finishes 2011 above .500 at 6-5. We will next see Southern Utah in action as they open 2012 at Utah State in Logan.
MVP: WR Jared Ursua
Utah 30 Washington State 27
The Utes let a 10 point lead slip away, but in overtime, the Ute defense held. Washington State had the ball first, but Mo Lee intercepted Connor Halliday after the Cougars lose yards on penalties. Coleman Peterson hit a 38-yard FG to end the game. Utah escapes with a narrow 3-point victory over Washington State on the road. Again, John White IV runs over the defense and carries the team with 186 yards and 2 touchdowns. Utah hosts Colorado next week to wrap up conference play.
MVP: RB John White IV
Utah can still play in the PAC-12 championship game...more on that in a later post.
BYU 42 New Mexico State 7
On Senior Day in Provo, the defense came up big for the Cougars. It was a bend but don't break situation in the first half, as NMSU out-gained BYU, but the Cougars had a 21-7 lead. It was all Jake Heaps and BYU in the second half. The Aggies got their only score after a Heaps interception gave them a short field. NMSU could not drive the full length of the field and score.
MVP: QB Jake Heaps
Utah State 49 Idaho 42
In a half-full Kibbie Dome, the Idaho Vandals were unable to score in the second overtime period and USU wins a wild one in Moscow. The game was tied at the end of the third quarter. If you are keeping score, the Aggies are 2-5 when leading at the end of 3, 2-0 when trailing at the end of 3 and 1-0 when the score is tied at the end of the third frame. USU evens their record at 5-5 and need to win only 1 more game to become bowl eligible. They host Nevada next week and finish a week later @ New Mexico State.
More on USU's bowl possibilities in a later post.
MVP: RB Robert Turpin
Weber State 48 Portland State 33
WSU erupted for 21 4th quarter points to send Coach Ron McBride into retirement as a victor in his last game. PSU was unable to move the ball at critical points as the game ran down and and suffered defensive breakdowns that led to 2 late Wildcat scores. CJ Tucket had another monster game running the football. WSU finishes the season 5-6 and will not lace up the cleats again until next season's opener at Fresno State.
MVP: RB CJ Tucket
Southern Utah 27 Northern Arizona 24
The Thuderbirds scored 17 unanswered points in the second half and held on to a close victory in Flagstaff at Northern Arizona in a preview of what will become a new season ending rivalry for both Painted Desert schools. Brad Sorensen pitched 2 touchdown passes and Austin Minifee ran for 96 yards. SUU finishes 2011 above .500 at 6-5. We will next see Southern Utah in action as they open 2012 at Utah State in Logan.
MVP: WR Jared Ursua
Utah Basketball Power Rankings...November 20, 2011
Another week of college basketball down, a lot more left. NBA lockout? What NBA lockout?
1. Weber State (3-0)...Beat Utah State, won @ UC Irvine...Up next...does not play this week. Next game is 11/27 at the St. Mary's tourney vs. Jacksonville State. Enjoy the turkey, guys.
2. Utah State (2-1)...Lost @ Weber State, beat Southern Utah...Up Next...@ Texas A&M Corpus Christi Tuesday, @ Idaho State Saturday...Got to credit Stew for taking road games few would dare to.
3. BYU (2-1)...Beat BYU-Hawaii, Beat Longwood...Up Next...Prairie View A&M Tuesday, vs. Nevada Friday in Chicago at the Chicago Invitational, vs either Wisconsin or Bradley on Saturday...Cougars did not play the toughest of competition this week.
4. Southern Utah (3-1)...Beat Montana State-Billings, lost to Utah State...Up Next...Southern Virginia (AKA BYU East...an NAIA school) Tuesday, Troy Saturday...T-Birds came oh so close to a win in Logan. They are better than I thought.
5. Utah Valley (3-1)...Lost @Houston, defeated Grambling State, defeated Missouri-Kansas City...Up Next...@Arkansas Tuesday, @ Oakland (Michigan) Friday...I have been a little impressed with the Wolverines this week.
6. Utah (1-2)...Defeated San Diego Christian, lost @ Boise State, lost vs. Montana State...Up Next...The Battle 4 Atlantis Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Begin vs. Harvard Thursday, UMass or Florida State Friday...It is that bad on the hill.
MVP this week: Weber State G Scott Bamforth
1. Weber State (3-0)...Beat Utah State, won @ UC Irvine...Up next...does not play this week. Next game is 11/27 at the St. Mary's tourney vs. Jacksonville State. Enjoy the turkey, guys.
2. Utah State (2-1)...Lost @ Weber State, beat Southern Utah...Up Next...@ Texas A&M Corpus Christi Tuesday, @ Idaho State Saturday...Got to credit Stew for taking road games few would dare to.
3. BYU (2-1)...Beat BYU-Hawaii, Beat Longwood...Up Next...Prairie View A&M Tuesday, vs. Nevada Friday in Chicago at the Chicago Invitational, vs either Wisconsin or Bradley on Saturday...Cougars did not play the toughest of competition this week.
4. Southern Utah (3-1)...Beat Montana State-Billings, lost to Utah State...Up Next...Southern Virginia (AKA BYU East...an NAIA school) Tuesday, Troy Saturday...T-Birds came oh so close to a win in Logan. They are better than I thought.
5. Utah Valley (3-1)...Lost @Houston, defeated Grambling State, defeated Missouri-Kansas City...Up Next...@Arkansas Tuesday, @ Oakland (Michigan) Friday...I have been a little impressed with the Wolverines this week.
6. Utah (1-2)...Defeated San Diego Christian, lost @ Boise State, lost vs. Montana State...Up Next...The Battle 4 Atlantis Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Begin vs. Harvard Thursday, UMass or Florida State Friday...It is that bad on the hill.
MVP this week: Weber State G Scott Bamforth
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Saving The WAC...A New Conference?
I have seen rumors, but I have not been able to confirm them that a new conference will form out of the ashes of the WAC once the move of Utah State and San Jose State to the Mountain West as replacements from Air Force and Boise State are official. The plan is for the five remaining football members of the WAC to invite schools from the Big Sky and possibly Southland Conference that are ready to compete at the next level and form a new football conference.
Again, I have not been able to confirm this other than seeing twitter reports stating that Idaho is ready to "euthanize the WAC" and move on. And that the Big Sky Conference is "preparing for D-IA defections."
However, the "euthanize the WAC" comment may refer to a push by Idaho to be included in the MWC.
Those are rather cryptic twitter posts and may mean nothing...after all, they come from twitter. But if this is true, here is the conference I see moving forward...
UC Davis
Idaho
Louisiana Tech
New Mexico State
Montana
Montana State
Texas State
Texas San Antonio
Sacramento State
Let me emphasize, this is not teams being invited to the WAC...this would be a new conference. I would be certain, if this is true, that UC Davis and Sac State would defiantly be involved. I am not certain about Montana and Montana State who seem content with the FCS. Other schools that could be involved instead include; SF Austin, Sam Houston State, Weber State, Cal Poly and Northern Arizona.
Stay tuned...
Again, I have not been able to confirm this other than seeing twitter reports stating that Idaho is ready to "euthanize the WAC" and move on. And that the Big Sky Conference is "preparing for D-IA defections."
However, the "euthanize the WAC" comment may refer to a push by Idaho to be included in the MWC.
Those are rather cryptic twitter posts and may mean nothing...after all, they come from twitter. But if this is true, here is the conference I see moving forward...
UC Davis
Idaho
Louisiana Tech
New Mexico State
Montana
Montana State
Texas State
Texas San Antonio
Sacramento State
Let me emphasize, this is not teams being invited to the WAC...this would be a new conference. I would be certain, if this is true, that UC Davis and Sac State would defiantly be involved. I am not certain about Montana and Montana State who seem content with the FCS. Other schools that could be involved instead include; SF Austin, Sam Houston State, Weber State, Cal Poly and Northern Arizona.
Stay tuned...
BYU to the Big East Rumored to be Official
I came back from lunch and saw dozens of tweets on my twitter account that report the following...
It appears to be official that Air Force, Boise State, Navy and BYU will join the Big East as football-only members. Houston, UCF and SMU will join the Big East in all sports. It is unclear whether this will happen in 2013 or 2014 after West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Syracuse leave. The Big East will break into East/West Divisions and have a conference championship game. The official announcement is expected soon.
It is assumed that BYU's other sports will remain in the West Coast Conference. It is also assumed that Navy's non-football sports will remain in the Patriot League. We do not yet know where Boise State and Air Force will put their non-football sports. Boise State is rumored to either rejoin the WAC or rejoin the Big West. Air Force is rumored to either rejoin the WAC or join the Missouri Valley Conference. The Big East may go to 14 schools for football if they can convince Army to join her sister academies.
It is the Salt Lake Tribune that is breaking this news.
Looks like the new BYU/Boise State rivalry will be something to look forward to.
The divisions will likely be thus.
Western division
Air Force
Boise State
Brigham Young
Central Florida
Houston
Southern Methodist
Eastern Division
Connecticut
Cincinnati
Louisville
Navy
Rutgers
South Florida
There will be a scheduling arrangement so that USF and UCF play every season and Air Force and Navy play every season. Reason for UCF being in the west...neither Cincy nor Louisville want to be west.
Does this look like a BCS conference? In the past 4 years, the only BCS team that people have questioned is UConn. Cincy, Boise State, and Houston (likely this season) have legitimately earned BCS bids.
Update...
Washington Examiner is reporting that the invitation has been extended, but the BYU Board of Trustees has yet to approve the move. They meet on Thursdays.
Sources...
http://www.bigeastcoastbias.com/2011/11/15/2564587/big-east-expansion-byu-possibly-on-board-speculation-on-possible
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/cougars/52922957-88/football-byu-east-conference.html.csp
It appears to be official that Air Force, Boise State, Navy and BYU will join the Big East as football-only members. Houston, UCF and SMU will join the Big East in all sports. It is unclear whether this will happen in 2013 or 2014 after West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Syracuse leave. The Big East will break into East/West Divisions and have a conference championship game. The official announcement is expected soon.
It is assumed that BYU's other sports will remain in the West Coast Conference. It is also assumed that Navy's non-football sports will remain in the Patriot League. We do not yet know where Boise State and Air Force will put their non-football sports. Boise State is rumored to either rejoin the WAC or rejoin the Big West. Air Force is rumored to either rejoin the WAC or join the Missouri Valley Conference. The Big East may go to 14 schools for football if they can convince Army to join her sister academies.
It is the Salt Lake Tribune that is breaking this news.
Looks like the new BYU/Boise State rivalry will be something to look forward to.
The divisions will likely be thus.
Western division
Air Force
Boise State
Brigham Young
Central Florida
Houston
Southern Methodist
Eastern Division
Connecticut
Cincinnati
Louisville
Navy
Rutgers
South Florida
There will be a scheduling arrangement so that USF and UCF play every season and Air Force and Navy play every season. Reason for UCF being in the west...neither Cincy nor Louisville want to be west.
Does this look like a BCS conference? In the past 4 years, the only BCS team that people have questioned is UConn. Cincy, Boise State, and Houston (likely this season) have legitimately earned BCS bids.
Update...
Washington Examiner is reporting that the invitation has been extended, but the BYU Board of Trustees has yet to approve the move. They meet on Thursdays.
Sources...
http://www.bigeastcoastbias.com/2011/11/15/2564587/big-east-expansion-byu-possibly-on-board-speculation-on-possible
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/cougars/52922957-88/football-byu-east-conference.html.csp
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