BCS Rankings and Bowl Projections

The day is finally here the official BCS rankings are out and Utah lead the way for the MWC at 11and the leader from the non-automatic qualfiers with Boise State right behind at 12.  Also, since the BCS Rankings are out so will be the bowl projections.

The one thing these numbers tell us is that TCU can make the BCS with one loss if they are able to beat Utah in a couple of weeks, and even a possibility to jump an undefeated Boise State team with TCU’s strength of schedule.  Anothe side note is South Florida is from the Big East and is currently ranked 16th and if they fall below 16 and a team from a non automatic qualifier is not in the top 12 then they just need to be top 16, just something else to look out for.

1. Texas          .9979
2. Alabama      .9487
3. Penn State   .8666
4. Oklahoma   .8319
5. USC              .7751
6. OK State      .7727
7. Georgia       .7201
8. Texas Tech  .7127
9. Ohio State   .7030
10. Florida       .6690
11. Utah           .6345
12. Boise State .5870
13. LSU             .4987
14. TCU            .4197
15. Missouri     .3682
16. South Florida .3296

These bowl predictions are from CBS Sports, but with my spin on why these MWC will to these bowls.

Allstate Sugar Bowl Florida vs. Utah

The Sugar Bowl gets the SEC champ or first selection if the SEC champ is in the title game, but no matter what they want an SEC team if available.

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces BYU vs. Rice

BYU would fall this low because CBS projects Utah to defeat BYU thus moving the Cougars to this bowl and not the Vegas bowl.

Las Vegas Bowl TCU Vs. Arizona

The Vegas bowl gets first selection if a team is not in the BCS and while it is possible for Las Vegas to pick BYU again, but they usually pick the team that performed best in league play which would be TCU, since Utah is going to be in BCS game.

New Mexico Air Force vs. Fresno State

Air Force is here because well not sure, because CBS has New Mexico bowl eligible, and not sure why this bowl would take Air Force instead of their local team.

Poinsetta Bowl New Mexico vs. Nevada

Nevada gets the nod because there will not be enough Pac-10 teams avaliable to fill this spot.

Another bowl for the MWC is a possibility in the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, ID.  The league all ready has a contract for next year, but this year if there is no eligible ACC team then look for Colorado State or UNLV to get that spot.

Week 8 Mountain West Football Preview

(3-3) #13 (7-0)

Rice Eccles Stadium 12PM MT TV: Radio: KCOL 600 or KALL 700 Sports

With the BYU loss Utah has a little more added pressure to defeat Colorado State, and an outside shot of being in the top 10 in the polls. The big question again is if the Utes can put together a complete game, well more importantly on offense.

Also, a side note is that now that BYU lost the University of Utah has the nations longest winning streak at 8 games starting back to last year when Utah defeat Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl.

There has been some grumblings from Darrell Mack about not being entirely happy with his role, this is coming from the Salt Lake Tribune:

Asked this week about Utah’s lack of running productivity against Wyoming, in which he rushed a season-low six times for 15 yards and Asiata rushed 11 times for 37 yards, Mack said he didn’t know why that was.”I don’t really care either, ” he said. “I don’t care.”Mack didn’t specify what he didn’t care about and continued to be vague. Asked if he was frustrated, Mack said, “I just come to practice every day, I don’t even know. I have nothing to say.”

He is being vague, but six carries would be frustrating for any back. Hopefully this is not a distraction for the team. In my opinion the Utes need to use Matt Asiata more then Mack and move away from the fifty-fifty split and perhaps toward a sixty-five to thirty-five split, but what do I know I just watch games and it seems that Asiata is the better back.

Play calling has come into question towards offensive coordinator Andy Ludwing, because the Ute staff keeps saying they want play makers so they bring in third back Eddie Wide who is a speed guy, however the Utes all ready have Brent Casteel as a speed guy and not utilizing him too well especially in the deep passing game.

Reasons that Utah has not being pursuing the vertical passing game is because of Brian Johnson’s arm strength, but they have not tried too much either. Against this Rams team Utah will need to put up points early and often to try to bury the Rams.

While Colorado State has a good running game in Gattrell Johnson III and Kyle Bell, ultimately their inexperience with Billy Farris does not have the skill set to lead the Rams back if they get behind early. Wide out Reshaun Greer and tight end Kory Sperry are who the Utes need to key on in the passing game and the way Sean Smith and others have been playing Utah should be able have success in slowing down the passing attack.

Defensive lineman Paul Kruger should be able to bring his usual pressure and increase on his 5.5 sacks on the year, because Utah should bring pressure and blitz five to six players a lot and force the young quarterback in mistakes.

Utah should not take the Rams lightly, because last week they played a close 13-7 loss to TCU who as we know played amazing Thursday night in their win over BYU. The Rams will be successful if the running game takes of and then Farris can limit turnovers and make a play here and there.

Here is Colorado State’s play by play announcer Kevin McGlue talking about Saturdays game.

Final Score: Utah 37 Colorado State 17

(1-5) (3-4)

University Stadium 4PM MT TV: Radio: XTRA Sports 1360 or 770 KKOB

New Mexico really needs this game to get back to .500 and inch closer to a bowl bid. The Lobos have won 6 straight against San Diego State, and this year the Lobos have been up and down so no wins are guaranteed.

San Diego State as their record indicates is not very good this year, and if quarterback Ryan Lindley can not go because of injury the prospects of the Aztecs getting a win are not good.

New Mexico is decent in their run defense and that is all they will need to stop the very stagnant running game by the Aztecs. San Diego has only 284 yards of rushing on the year, yes the college game includes sacks in the rushing yards but their top two rushers Atiyyah Henderson has 146 on the year and Brandon Sullivan has 142.

Part of that is due to the Aztecs being down and needing to pass a lot, because both average 3.8 and 3.9 yards respectively. New Mexico should have little problems stopping this so called running attack.

New Mexico will just run Rodney Ferguson until he can run no more, because the Aztecs have been giving up big plays or a lot of rushing yards this year. Quarterback Brad Gruner should be able to have a good game, because the Aztecs are giving up nearly 30 points per game, and believe it or not their pass defense is worse then their run defense.

Final Score New Mexico 34 San Diego State 10

(4-2) (3-3)

Sam Boyd Stadium 7PM PT TV: Radio: 740 KVOR or 1100 ESPN Radio

UNLV is still looking for its first conference win of the year, and this weeks game is no push over.  The Rebels will need to find a way to try to slow down the Falcons rushing attack that is averaging 292.5 yards per game, but when on the road the Falcons average increases to 347 rushing the ball.

Both teams are fairly even in total yards per game and total points per game, so if you follow the stats this should be a close game.  UNLV is more desperate for a win in an attempt to become bowl eligible for the first time in a while.

Everyone knows the main way to beat Air Force is to keep the ball away from their offense that eats up the clock.  UNLV’s defense will need to step up and play in their lanes and disciplined, and if the Rebels over pursue that is when Air Force beats you.

Omar Clayton will need to make plays at quarterback both running and passing the ball, also coach Mike Sanford must stick with the running game to keep the offense balance.  In previous games UNLV has quit on the run way too early which has hurt the Rebels chances at winning.

UNLV has more atheltes then Air Force offensively and must use these players to make plays to be able to beat the Falcons.   This game should go down to the wire Saturday night in the desert.

Final Score: Air Force 31 UNLV 28

Week 5 College Football BlogPoll

Here is my week 5 2op 25, I made some adjustments that needed to be made like adding Vandy to the top 25. As always rip, praise, or do whatever just comment and let me know.  Check out the full poll Wedensdays at MGoBlog.com

Rank	Team	Delta
1	Oklahoma	1
2	LSU	1
3	Missouri	2
4	Alabama	10
5	Texas	4
6	Penn State	2
7	Brigham Young	4
8	Southern Cal	7
9	Texas Tech	2
10	Ohio State	3
11	Georgia	5
12	Florida	8
13	Utah	3
14	South Florida	3
15	Kansas	3
16	Boise State	4
17	Wisconsin	7
18	Oklahoma State	4
19	Vanderbilt	7
20	Tulsa	5
21	Fresno State	2
22	Virginia Tech	4
23	Oregon	3
24	Ball State	2
25	Wake Forest	10

Dropped Out: Auburn (#12), TCU (#19), Colorado (#21), Illinois (#24).

2008 Mountain West Coference Football Preview: #1 BYU Cougars

#9 San Diego State

#8 UNLV

#7 Air Force

#6 Wyoming

#5 Colorado State

#4 New Mexico

#3 TCU

#2 Utah

No complaints putting BYU here, the Cougars have gone undefeated in the past two years in conference play to go along with back to back 11-2 records.  For BYU to make the next step they must win non conference road games, in order to stay high in the rankings.

Offense: The offense is loaded from quarterback Max Hall, running back Harvey Unga, wide reciever Austin Collie, tight end Daniel Pitta and most of the line.  Last year the offense averaged 31 points per game with a freshman running back and Max Hall who had not played competitive football in over five years.  This offense is loaded, but the only down size is that BYU does not have a consistent deep threat. 

Depth is also a serious issue especially at the quarterback position, because last week BYU has been tinkering with having speedy wide out Austin Collie playing quarterback.  There have been conflicting issues if Collie is training to be a legit back up or is he going to be a change of pace to run the option.  This shows the lack of confidence coach Bronco Mendenhall has in current number two Brendon Gaskins. 

BYU’s season goes the way of Max Hall, because if he is out for any time BYU will have a very tough time winning games.  Last year Hall took plenty of hard hits, but kept jumping back up and still performed, but the Collie expirement could rest Hall for a few plays a game. 

Defense: Again the topic of the defense is the lack of play makers in the secondary.  Last year BYU was able to get pressure up front which allowed the weaker secondary to be able to play well enough.   

The rush defense should be good again this year, after last year the team was the only school not to give up a 100 yard rusher.  They may not be able to repeat that feat, but the rush defense will be very good again.

The defense will be weaker then last year, but the team has depth at the defensive line will help keep the dominance the Cougars had last year in that area.  BYU just needs to be able to have the secondary able to cover the deep pass.

 

 

8/30 Northern Iowa

9/06 @ Washington

9/13UCLA

 

 9/20Wyoming

 

 10/03@ Utah State

 

 10/11New Mexico

 

 10/16@ TCU

 

 10/25UNLV

 

 11/01@ Colorado State

 

 11/08San Diego State

 

 11/15@ Air Force

 

 11/22@ Utah

 

 

Lock it up: Northern Iowa, Wyoming, @Utah State, UNLV, @Colorado State, San Diego State

50/50: @Washington, UCLA, New Mexico, @TCU, @Air Force, @Utah

Not a Chance: NONE

Projected Record: 11-1

Spring Football Begins!

I knew spring football was starting soon, but I missed that Air Force has all ready started their spring workouts. Here is the schedule for the leagues dates for spring practice.

 

Here is an article from Rivals.com about the league and position battles and other news.

BYU aims to crash the BCS party this fall and looks to be head and shoulders above everyone else in the Mountain West Conference. Utah has some important spots to fill and could be the Cougars’ main competition this fall. Here’s a look at the league as its teams open spring football.

SPRING DATES

Air Force: March 4-April 12 BYU : March 17-April 12 Colorado State: March 25-April 19 New Mexico: April 10-April 26 San Diego State: March 25-April 26 TCU: March 18-April 12 UNLV: March 10-April 18 Utah: March 11-April 19 Wyoming: March 26-April 19

NEW COACHES

Steve Fairchild, Colorado State: He played and coached with the Rams, and while the program has sagged in recent seasons, Fairchild also knows how good it can be. He had spent the past seven seasons in the NFL, including the past two as offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills. He was offensive coordinator for Colorado State from 1997-2000 under Sonny Lubick, who he is replacing. Fairchild re-hired former CSU defensive coordinator Larry Kerr to be his defensive coordinator. Though the Mountain West is a better league than most think, Fairchild will have the Rams contending for league titles quickly.

BIGGEST POSITION BATTLES THIS SPRING

BYU: There will be six new starters in the back eight on defense. Finding two new starting linebackers is the key.

Colorado State: Fairchild’s first priority is finding a new starting quarterback.

New Mexico: Both starting wide receivers are gone. Roland Bruno looks like the front-runner at one spot. But what about the other?

Associated Press
Jason Beauchamp is expected to lead the UNLV defense.

San Diego State: The Aztecs’ first priority is finding a new starting quarterback. Junior college transfer Drew Westling may be the guy.

TCU: The Horned Frogs lost both defensive ends. Jerry Hughes looks like a good bet to take over one spot, and redshirt freshman Braylon Broughton has the potential to be a star on the other side.

UNLV: The Rebels need two new starting defensive ends and a linebacker to replace star Beau Bell. Jason Beauchamp should be UNLV’s star linebacker this season.

Utah: The Utes need to find a new go-to receiver, and Bradon Godfrey may be the guy. Utah also must find a new starting defensive end (Greg Newman?) and two new linebackers. Mike Wright would seem to be the likely guy at one of the linebacker spots.

Wyoming: Finding two new starting wide receivers and two new starting cornerbacks is important. Keith Lewis is a front-runner at cornerback. The receiving jobs are wide open.

FIVE PLAYERS WHO SHOULD EMERGE THIS SPRING

Colorado State LB Ricky Brewer: He played well down the stretch as a redshirt freshman last season and has the potential to be the Rams’ leading tackler this season. He’s still a little on the light side (he’s listed at 210 pounds), but he can run and he packs a wallop.

New Mexico WR Roland Bruno: The Lobos lost both starting wide receivers, meaning it’s a wide-open slate for Bruno – a former walk-on who’s now a junior. He finished the season as the No. 3 receiver, but has the potential and quickness to be the go-to guy this season.

Air Force G Nick Charles: He started all 13 games as a sophomore last season. He started at both guard spots and at left tackle. If he is allowed to settle in at one spot, he should make the jump to legit all-conference performer this season. He’s a dean’s list student, too.

	Associated Press
	Bradon Godfrey could emerge at the top receiver for the Utes.

Utah WR Bradon Godfrey: Utah’s top two receivers are gone. Godfrey, a senior, is the Utes’ leading returning receiver and should be their go-to guy this fall. He began his career at Division I-AA Southern Utah, then transferred to Utah and walked-on, eventually earning a scholarship. He doesn’t have great speed, but he has good hands, good size (6-3/197) and is physical.

TCU DT James Vess: Vess, who will be a junior this fall, sat out last season for a violation of school policy. He had played well late in 2006 and his absence was felt last season. He has good quickness for a tackle and has all-league potential.

FIVE IMPACT NEWCOMERS THIS SPRING

New Mexico OT Byron Bell: Coaches rave about Bell’s potential. He’s a redshirt freshman who is expected to nail down a starting spot at one of the vacant tackle spots.

TCU DE Braylon Broughton: The Horned Frogs lost both starting defensive ends. Junior Jerry Hughes has first dibs on one starting spot, and the rangy Broughton – a redshirt freshman – should strongly be in the hunt for the other spot.

BYU RB J.J. Di Luigi: Di Liugi, who redshirted last season, rushed for 2,159 yards and 34 TDs as a senior at Canyon Country (Calif.) Canyon High in 2006, when he was a three-star prospect. He’s not going to beat out Harvey Unga for the starting job, but Di Liugi should be a nice change-of-pace back who also could be split out wide and used some as a receiver.

Colorado State DT Sevaro Johnson: Johnson, a junior college transfer, already is enrolled and will get a shot to fill one of the two vacant starting defensive tackle spots.

San Diego State QB Drew Westling: The Aztecs are going to have a new quarterback. The question is which “new guy” gets the job. Westling, a junior college transfer who already is enrolled, began his career at Tulsa before moving on to a junior college. He’s expected to battle redshirt freshman Ryan Lindley and sophomore Kelsey Sokoloski for the starting job left vacant by the graduation of Kevin O’Connell.

 

 

 

Week 8 Basketball Power Rankings

1.(12-3) The Rebels are 2-0 by defeating a Minnesota team that had only 2 losses on the year, and then the Rebels squeaked by Colorado State to start of 1-0 in conference play.

2. (11-3)The only game they played was a crushing defeat over LMU, and the Cougars get one last chance to impress nationally when they play Wake Forest next week.

3. (11-3) In their lone game they defeated TCU quite easily and are now 1-0 in conference play.