It is time to begin playing hoops in the west. I anticipate a good year before we head to conference realignments for next year. BYU will be good and everyone in the MWC will be trying to beat them. Not only because BYU is joining the WCC next year, but because Jimmer Ferdette predicted that the Cougars will go unbeaten. Personally, I will believe it when I see it. But the Cougars should have 24 to 26 wins going into their conference tournament. You just can't expect too much in this conference.
Big Sky Conference Power Rankings:
Pre-season player of the year: Weber State PG Damien Lillard
1. Weber State
2. Montana
3. Northern Arizona
4. Northern Colorado
5. Montana State
6. Eastern Washington
7. Idaho State
8. Portland State
9. Sacramento State
WAC Power Rankings
Pre-season player of the year: Utah State F Tai Wessley
1. Utah State
2. Nevada
3. New Mexico State
4. Boise State
5. Fresno State
6. San Jose State
7. Louisiana Tech
8. Idaho
9. Hawaii
MWC Power Rankings
Pre-season Player of the Year: BYU SG Jimmer Ferdette
1. San Diego State
2. BYU
3. UNLV
4. New Mexico
5. Colorado State
6. Utah
7. Wyoming
8. Air Force
9. TCU
Sunday, October 31, 2010
College Power Rankings for 10.31.2010
Big Sky Conference
So my friend and loyal reader of this blog says to me, "Hey Ben, why are you so big on Northern Arizona, they always tank at this time of year?" That question I will leave for the Lumberjacks to answer.
Offensive Player of the Week: Eastern Washington RB Taiwan Jones
Defensive Team of the Week: Weber State
Game of the Week: My prediction was Montana at Weber State. Actual game of the week was: Weber State 30 Montana 21
Power Rankings:
1. Eastern Washington
2. Montana State
3. Weber State
4. Montana
5. Northern Arizona
6. Sacramento State
7. Portland State
8. Idaho State
9. Northern Colorado
WAC
Utah State spotted Nevada 35 first half points, but made it a little bit interesting at the end. But the Wolfpack still won.
Offensive Player of the Week: Utah State QB Diondre Borel
Defensive Team of the Week: Hawaii
Game of the Week: My prediction: Idaho at Hawaii. Actual Game of the Week: Nevada 56 Utah State 42
Power Rankings:
1. Boise State
2. Nevada
3. Hawaii
4. Fresno State
5. Louisiana Tech
6. Idaho
7. Utah State
8. New Mexico State
9. San Jose State
Mountain West Conference
Utah survives their first real test...now comes the game of the year in the MWC. Something has got to give. Game day is coming. It will be the most anticipated game of the week.
Offensive Player of the Week: San Diego State QB Ryan Lindley
Defensive Team of the Week: Utah
Game of the week: My prediction: Utah at Air Force. Actual Game of the Week: Utah 28 Air Force 23
Power Rankings:
1. TCU
2. Utah
3. San Diego State
4. Air Force
5. BYU
6. Colorado State
7. Wyoming
8. UNLV
9. New Mexico
So my friend and loyal reader of this blog says to me, "Hey Ben, why are you so big on Northern Arizona, they always tank at this time of year?" That question I will leave for the Lumberjacks to answer.
Offensive Player of the Week: Eastern Washington RB Taiwan Jones
Defensive Team of the Week: Weber State
Game of the Week: My prediction was Montana at Weber State. Actual game of the week was: Weber State 30 Montana 21
Power Rankings:
1. Eastern Washington
2. Montana State
3. Weber State
4. Montana
5. Northern Arizona
6. Sacramento State
7. Portland State
8. Idaho State
9. Northern Colorado
WAC
Utah State spotted Nevada 35 first half points, but made it a little bit interesting at the end. But the Wolfpack still won.
Offensive Player of the Week: Utah State QB Diondre Borel
Defensive Team of the Week: Hawaii
Game of the Week: My prediction: Idaho at Hawaii. Actual Game of the Week: Nevada 56 Utah State 42
Power Rankings:
1. Boise State
2. Nevada
3. Hawaii
4. Fresno State
5. Louisiana Tech
6. Idaho
7. Utah State
8. New Mexico State
9. San Jose State
Mountain West Conference
Utah survives their first real test...now comes the game of the year in the MWC. Something has got to give. Game day is coming. It will be the most anticipated game of the week.
Offensive Player of the Week: San Diego State QB Ryan Lindley
Defensive Team of the Week: Utah
Game of the week: My prediction: Utah at Air Force. Actual Game of the Week: Utah 28 Air Force 23
Power Rankings:
1. TCU
2. Utah
3. San Diego State
4. Air Force
5. BYU
6. Colorado State
7. Wyoming
8. UNLV
9. New Mexico
WAC Expansion Update--Wither Montana
Earlier this week, the San Jose Mercury News reported that the WAC has invited Texas State and UTSA, but there was no news about Montana. Now there are reports that Montana has been invited to the WAC, but is still considering the option. There is concern about how to pay for the multiple new scholarships involved in the move and the cost of adding two new sports. Some sources are saying Montana will join the WAC later and remain Big Sky Conference for now.
Many news reports state that Montana is the best option for the WAC, but the WAC may not be the best option for Montana. I have written several blogs about this already, and feel like I am rehashing old news. The news reports today seem to indicate that the ball is actually in Montana's court right now. The invitation has been made, but the school is still considering their options. Montana is a good fit for the WAC, but they should move when they are ready, and not a year earlier.
Many news reports state that Montana is the best option for the WAC, but the WAC may not be the best option for Montana. I have written several blogs about this already, and feel like I am rehashing old news. The news reports today seem to indicate that the ball is actually in Montana's court right now. The invitation has been made, but the school is still considering their options. Montana is a good fit for the WAC, but they should move when they are ready, and not a year earlier.
Big Sky Expansion News...Update
Big Sky adds Southern Utah...and the University of North Dakota...It is official!
The Thunderbirds are a natural fit for the conference and some will argue that the Big Sky was foolish to choose Northern Colorado over SUU years ago. They have two natural rivals in the BSC. The first is in-state rival Weber State, nestled in the hub of Northern Utah. In addition, they have a rivalry with their Painted Desert border buddy Northern Arizona. It also adds another point to the Big Sky Compass, who can add Southern Utah to Eastern Washington, Northern Colorado, and Northern Arizona. (mmm...too bad Western Washington dropped football.)
It is also official, as announced this afternoon, that North Dakota is also a member of the Big Sky Conference. North Dakota will be a natural travel partner for Northern Colorado as both were once members of the same conference in Division II. The Fighting Sioux have been a consistent growth program since moving up to the FCS in the last decade. A move to the Big Sky Conference will give North Dakota the opportunity to have all of their sports programs in the same conference and to build other natural geographical rivalries with the neighboring state of Montana.
This will be official next season as the Great West Conference will no longer sponsor football. As it now stands, the Big Sky will be at 13 programs for football and 11 full time institutions. The details about how the divisions will divide will come later.
Maybe a 14th program will come later this week, or maybe an existing program, namely Montana, will be lost to the WAC. I have found nothing from a reliable source that confirms that Montana is WAC bound or is staying. If you perform a twitter search you are likely to find just as much information on either camp.
However, let me speculate that with North Dakota on board, a north/south division seems more likely
North Division
Eastern Washington
Montana
Montana State
North Dakota
Northern Colorado
Portland State
South Division
Cal Davis
Cal Poly
Idaho State
Northern Arizona
Sacramento State
Southern Utah
Weber State
If Montana leaves, then Idaho State moves to the North.
The Thunderbirds are a natural fit for the conference and some will argue that the Big Sky was foolish to choose Northern Colorado over SUU years ago. They have two natural rivals in the BSC. The first is in-state rival Weber State, nestled in the hub of Northern Utah. In addition, they have a rivalry with their Painted Desert border buddy Northern Arizona. It also adds another point to the Big Sky Compass, who can add Southern Utah to Eastern Washington, Northern Colorado, and Northern Arizona. (mmm...too bad Western Washington dropped football.)
It is also official, as announced this afternoon, that North Dakota is also a member of the Big Sky Conference. North Dakota will be a natural travel partner for Northern Colorado as both were once members of the same conference in Division II. The Fighting Sioux have been a consistent growth program since moving up to the FCS in the last decade. A move to the Big Sky Conference will give North Dakota the opportunity to have all of their sports programs in the same conference and to build other natural geographical rivalries with the neighboring state of Montana.
This will be official next season as the Great West Conference will no longer sponsor football. As it now stands, the Big Sky will be at 13 programs for football and 11 full time institutions. The details about how the divisions will divide will come later.
Maybe a 14th program will come later this week, or maybe an existing program, namely Montana, will be lost to the WAC. I have found nothing from a reliable source that confirms that Montana is WAC bound or is staying. If you perform a twitter search you are likely to find just as much information on either camp.
However, let me speculate that with North Dakota on board, a north/south division seems more likely
North Division
Eastern Washington
Montana
Montana State
North Dakota
Northern Colorado
Portland State
South Division
Cal Davis
Cal Poly
Idaho State
Northern Arizona
Sacramento State
Southern Utah
Weber State
If Montana leaves, then Idaho State moves to the North.
Friday, October 29, 2010
College Preview...a little late
Mountain West Conference
Game of the Week: Utah at Air Force
Troy Calhoun knows how to talk up an opponent, or lay proper expectations for Air Force fans. This could be a blowout, but it could be Utah's first real test of the year. Air Force is good enough to put a scare into the Utes on Halloween. Utah native Tew should have a good game, provided the offensive line can open some holes. But Jordan Wynn and company should pull it out in the end.
Utah 33 Air Force 30.
Other games:
TCU at UNLV (45-10)
New Mexico at Colorado State (17-21)
San Diego State at Wyoming (45-25)
WAC
Boise State and Louisiana Tech played a Tuesday game on the Blue. Doug Martin had 21 carries for 150 yards and set the bar high for player of the week honors.
Game of the Week: Idaho at Hawaii
If this was last year's Idaho taking on last year's Hawaii, this game would not even be close. The Warriors have found their swagger but Idaho is still a team to fear. The running game has not been present for the Vandals this season, however. There will be a lot of passes and likely a lot of scoring...the kind of game that could force me to watch Jon Hamm on Saturday Night Live on Hulu.com on Sunday.
Hawaii 45 Idaho 41
Other games:
San Jose State at New Mexico State (10-24)
Utah State at Nevada (13-45)
Big Sky
Game of the Week:
Montana at Weber State
The Big Sky Conference could have four playoff teams at the end of this season, but not if Montana can't pull it off at Weber State where they are expecting the biggest crowd of the year. Montana has that kind of draw at the FCS level. They are the team that people love to hate, and Wildcat fans are hoping to burst their bubble. Realistically, Montana can overcome the home-field advantage by giving Weber State a lot of "Chase."
Montana 35 Weber State 28
Other Games:
Montana State at Idaho State (28-10)
Northern Colorado at South Dakota (21-35)
Sacramento State at Northern Arizona (17-47)
Eastern Washington at Portland State (41-30)
Game of the Week: Utah at Air Force
Troy Calhoun knows how to talk up an opponent, or lay proper expectations for Air Force fans. This could be a blowout, but it could be Utah's first real test of the year. Air Force is good enough to put a scare into the Utes on Halloween. Utah native Tew should have a good game, provided the offensive line can open some holes. But Jordan Wynn and company should pull it out in the end.
Utah 33 Air Force 30.
Other games:
TCU at UNLV (45-10)
New Mexico at Colorado State (17-21)
San Diego State at Wyoming (45-25)
WAC
Boise State and Louisiana Tech played a Tuesday game on the Blue. Doug Martin had 21 carries for 150 yards and set the bar high for player of the week honors.
Game of the Week: Idaho at Hawaii
If this was last year's Idaho taking on last year's Hawaii, this game would not even be close. The Warriors have found their swagger but Idaho is still a team to fear. The running game has not been present for the Vandals this season, however. There will be a lot of passes and likely a lot of scoring...the kind of game that could force me to watch Jon Hamm on Saturday Night Live on Hulu.com on Sunday.
Hawaii 45 Idaho 41
Other games:
San Jose State at New Mexico State (10-24)
Utah State at Nevada (13-45)
Big Sky
Game of the Week:
Montana at Weber State
The Big Sky Conference could have four playoff teams at the end of this season, but not if Montana can't pull it off at Weber State where they are expecting the biggest crowd of the year. Montana has that kind of draw at the FCS level. They are the team that people love to hate, and Wildcat fans are hoping to burst their bubble. Realistically, Montana can overcome the home-field advantage by giving Weber State a lot of "Chase."
Montana 35 Weber State 28
Other Games:
Montana State at Idaho State (28-10)
Northern Colorado at South Dakota (21-35)
Sacramento State at Northern Arizona (17-47)
Eastern Washington at Portland State (41-30)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
WAC Expansion update for November 5 -- No Montana.
Here is a report from the San Jose Mercury News stating that the WAC is ready to invite UTSA and Texas State. They are expected to join in 2012. The WAC and MWC have worked out a deal for Fresno State and Nevada to remain in the WAC for 2011 and join the MWC in 2012 and pay only 1 million to leave instead of 5 million. There will not be invitations for Denver nor Seattle. These schools are not a strong enough draw in Basketball to make up for not having a football team. This will leave the WAC with 8 schools.
What about Montana?
I read through this article a couple of days ago and missed what Montana Athletic director Jim O'Day had to say.
From the Missoulian...
It's something I think the Big Sky has to do," O'Day said. "It's similar to what the WAC is going to do in the next few days, when they announce an expansion. It will not include Montana - we're not to that point yet - but they have to do their due diligence."
Montana will not be part of the upcoming WAC expansion!
What about Montana?
I read through this article a couple of days ago and missed what Montana Athletic director Jim O'Day had to say.
From the Missoulian...
It's something I think the Big Sky has to do," O'Day said. "It's similar to what the WAC is going to do in the next few days, when they announce an expansion. It will not include Montana - we're not to that point yet - but they have to do their due diligence."
Montana will not be part of the upcoming WAC expansion!
Monday, October 25, 2010
FCS Playoff Picture 10.25.2010
We are seeing things turn out closer to where the season will end up, baring upsets. Big Sky and CAA both have four in the latest projections. But these four teams can only afford a combined 1 loss for this to happen...meaning that someone will lose when Montana plays Montana State. Otherwise, the four Big Sky schools need to win out.
First Round Games:
Game 1: Lehigh at Montana
Game 2: Bethune-Cookman at Wofford
Game 3: Liberty at South Alabama
Game 4: Robert Morris at Northern Iowa
Second Round Games:
Game 4 Winner at 1. Delaware
9. Northern Arizona at 8. Montana State
Game 1 Winner at 4. Appalachian State
12. James Madison at 5. William and Mary
Game 3 Winner at 2. Stephen F Austin
10. Western Illinois at 7. Eastern Washington
11. Chattanooga at 6. Jacksonville State
Game 2 Winner at 3. Villanova
1. Delaware
2. Stephen F Austin*
3. Villanova
4. Appalachian State*
5. William and Mary*
6. Jacksonville State*
7. Eastern Washington*
8. Montana State
9. Northern Arizona
10. Western Illinois
11. Chattanooga
12. James Madison
13. Montana
14. Wofford
15. South Alabama
16. Northern Iowa*
17. Robert Morris*
18. Liberty*
19. Bethune-Cookman*
20. Lehigh*
First Round Games:
Game 1: Lehigh at Montana
Game 2: Bethune-Cookman at Wofford
Game 3: Liberty at South Alabama
Game 4: Robert Morris at Northern Iowa
Second Round Games:
Game 4 Winner at 1. Delaware
9. Northern Arizona at 8. Montana State
Game 1 Winner at 4. Appalachian State
12. James Madison at 5. William and Mary
Game 3 Winner at 2. Stephen F Austin
10. Western Illinois at 7. Eastern Washington
11. Chattanooga at 6. Jacksonville State
Game 2 Winner at 3. Villanova
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)