Aaron Roderick Reaction

Utah wide receivers coach made the interview rounds yesterday, because of his decision to return to Utah after accepting the same position at Washington for just over a week.

Roderick on 1280 The Zone

Roderick on 1320 KFAN

Roderick on KALL 700

Is the BCS breaking any Anti-Trust Laws?

This all started when Utah Attorney General, Mark Shurtleff,  said he would be suing the BCS just a few days after the Utes defeanted Alabama 31-17 in the Sugar Bowl.  

STOP IT! JUST STOP IT! 

This is just ridiculous to sue the BCS over anti-trust laws.  Yes, the last time government poked its head into the BCS they created easier access with a fifth BCS bowl and loosening the ranking restrictions from being 6th to 12th for a non BCS team to get access.

In a response by ACC Commissioner and current BCS coordinator,  John Swofford said the BCS has carefully considered the legality of its format.

 “We’ve attempted to make every effort to make certain that any structure of the BCS is within the antitrust laws. Our legal people are comfortable that the BCS structure is,” Swofford said during a Football Writers Association of America meeting. “Obviously if there are any aspects of it that we should be doing differently, we would adjust that.”

“The BCS provided a platform for Utah to show the nation what a terrific football team they had this year.” Swofford said. “Preceding the BCS, I don’t know if that platform would have been there.”

The second quote while has nothing to do with any anti-trust laws, but is basically a pat on the head and a slap on the back for Utah.  Geez thanks guys for being forced to allow us little schools an opportunity we would not have because you wanted to line your pockets with gold.

If anybody watches NBC 30 Rock, the last episode had Tracy Morgan’s character wearing gold shoes and having shirts made out of 100 dollar bills, and I wish I could find photos of that to show you all, but that is what the BCS is doing taking all the money.

Nice backhannded compliment Swofford, but quite trying to defend something that can not be defended.  The only argument that is valid with antitrust is how the money is distributed, because when a team from one of the six automatic qualifiers gets in the money is split between that league with the team going getting the bulk of the money.   However, when a non-BCS team makes it the BCS the payout is different, because they not only split the money within the league but they split it with the rest of the non-BCS teams.

The league that does get in will get the majority of the  money, but for example when USC made the BCS this year they get about 9  million from the game when Utah gets around three to five million since the Utes spread the bowl money to all non-BCS leagues.

That part of the BCS which is very unfair, because it still gives the BCS schools just another advantage to tack on to the many they all ready have.  Every school that is part of the BCS does get money, but when a non-BCS team the money gets spread to all of those other schools.    The current system is tough for non-BCS schools to get a piece of the pie, but why when one of those schools get in they do not get the same amount of money that the supposed better leagues get.

The money that is paid out should be the same no matter what league gets in, because it seems fair which is ironic since the BCS is not fair.

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Stacking up the Schedules: Utah and Alabama

There has a been a lot of talk about how good Alabam’s schedule in comparisons to Utah’s schedule, but lets take a look below how the schedules stack up. The first column is the teams record and ranking at time of game and the second is opponents final ranking and record.

Alabama
Clemson        W 34-10       #9 0-0            7-5
Tulane            W 20-6                0-0            2-10
Western Ky. W 41-7                1-1              2-10
Arkansas       W 49-14              2-0            5-7
Georgia          W 41-30        #3 4-0   #15 9-3
Kentucky       W 17-14               4-0           6-6
Mississippi    W 24-20              3-3            8-4
Tennessee      W 29-9                 3-4            5-7
Arkansas St.  W 35-0                 4-3            6-6
LSU                   W 27-21      #16 6-2            8-5
Mississippi St. W 32-7               3-6            4-8
Auburn              W 36-0               5-7            5-7
Florida               L 20-31     #4   11-1    #2 12-1

Totals                                 46-27 63%      67-78  46.2%

Utah
Michigan           W 25-23     #24 0-0          3-9
UNLV                 W 42-21               1-0           5-7
Utah St.             W 58-10               0-2           3-9
Air Force          W 30-23              3-0            8-5
Weber St.          W 37-21               3-1            10-4
Oregon St.        W 31-28                2-2            9-4
Wyoming          W 40-7                 2-4            4-8
Colorado St.    W 49-16                3-3            7-6 
New Mexico    W 13-10                4-5            4-8
TCU                     W 13-10       #12 9-1   #11 11-2
San Diego St.   W 63-14                 1-9           2-10
BYU                    W 48-24        #14 10-1 #16 10-3

Totals                                      38-28  57.6%     76-77 49.7%

There are some differences first off Alabama played 13 games and Utah only 12, plus Utah played Weber State who is from I-AA division.  On the other side Alabama played Western Kentucky who while technically is in I-A they are in the transistional stage.

The numbers do not lie and Utah played a slightly more difficult schedule, and I all ready know that Alabama backers will say their league is tougher and there is more parity.  That may be true but comparing schedules is difficult and using wins and losses or percentarge it is hard to compare the two.

The only other numbers which make the schedules essentially tied is that Utah played three ranked teams at the time of the game and two finished ranked in the top 25.   Alabama played four ranked teams at the time of the game and two finished the season ranked.

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New Mexico Bowl Preview: Colorado State vs. Fresno State

Now before I get into the game itself I am participating  in the Gunaxin’s 2008 Blog Bowl Challenge which pits other bloggers against each other for a prize, but the great thing about this contest is that it brings together the best content for all of the bowls from multiple bloggers.   So, to check out different perspectives on this bowl game and others then click the picture below and it will take you there.

(6-6) (7-4)

New Mexico Bowl, University Stadium 2:30PM MT TV:

The ever so many bowl games are here and this game features two old WAC rivals, and gives this game some meaning to what league is superior. Fresno State was a team that fell of the map after being in the top 25 and being mentioned as a BCS buster.

Then the Bulldogs do what they do best which is beat a big name opponent at Rutgers and then played then number 10 Wisconsin to a close lose. After that Fresno did their typical thing and lose a few conference games and then get crushed in their biggest conference game against Boise State.

Colorado State was not expected to be this good with first year coach Steve Fairchild and a new quarterback, but the Rams were lead by their running attack of Gattrel Johnson III and Kyle Bell.

Fresno had their bowl game invited wrapped up in early November, but the Rams had to win their last two games to become bowl eligible and also has to defeat their rival Wyoming on the last game of the year.

What to expect in this game is a lot of points and the total to have at least 55.  Both teams are pretty identical in total offense per game, with the Rams having a slight edge in the running game and Fresno having the edge in the passing game.

The Rams’ ground attack is fueled by first-team All-MWC 225-pound RB Gartrell Johnson, who is a powerful between-the-tackles runner.   Behind Johnson, 234-pound Kyle Bell provides excellent depth, and he too is at his best running inside.   This doesn’t bode well for a Fresno State run defense that’s giving up an average of 5.3 yards per carry, so look for the Rams to try to control the time of possession and ride the running game.

Even if the running game gets stalled or the Rams have to pass they  have one of the best tight ends in the country in Kory Sperry who catches anything thrown his way.  If not for Dennis Pita from BYU, Sperry would be getting some big time recognition.

Rashaun Greer is another receiving threat for the Rams who has 1,045 yards on the year and a couple of scores, but the real strength is the running game of Colorado State.

Fresno will not back down from anyone and should look to pass against the Rams, because the Rams only have 9 sacks on the year.  So, they will have plenty of time to find their main receivers in Chastin West, Seyi Ajirotutu and Devon Wylie should have plenty of time to separate from the coverage.

The running game could be another strength for Fresno, because Colorado State is not great in stopping the run as they gave up 5.2 yards per carry.  However the main back for Fresno, Ryan Mathews has been hampered by a knee injury for the better part of the season, and it’s unknown whether he’ll be able play in the game.  The replacement will be Anthony Harding and  Jamal Rashad and the way the offensive line for Fresno will allow them to be able to run against the Rams defense.

The Essentials

Colorado State
Offense – 377 ypg, 247 ypg passing, 129 ypg rushing
Defense – 407 ypg, 222 ypg passing, 185 ypg rushing
 Wins versus Bowl Teams – Houston

Fresno State
Offense – 383 ypg, 206 ypg passing, 177 ypg rushing
Defense – 393 ypg, 196 ypg passing, 197 ypg rushing
 Wins versus Bowl Teams – Rutgers

Prediction: Colorado State 27 Fresno State 21

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Plenty ‘O Bulletin Board Material for Utah

Alabama has came out in full force feeling they have been disrespected for matching up with Utah, hey would you rather be playing Cincinnati’s? In less then 24 hours Utah is getting slammed by EVERYONE, why because they play in the Mountain West. This is not the 2004 team who is much better and would have given any team in the country a game and yes I include that   USC team.

In my opinion, which is biased even though I try not too be, is that Utah can play with anyone in the country with the exception of Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida. Those three schools would beat Utah by two touchdowns if both teams played well. As for USC, Alabama, and Penn State the game would by no means favor Utah but they are on equal footing in regards to this years talent.

Back to the Sugar Bowl, Brian Johnson the Utah quarterback put it the best. His first question was asked by some reporter about the history of Alabama football and not the 2008 Alabama team, but then Brian Johnson cut him off mid sentence to say we are not playing history we are playing their eleven guys on the 2008 team, and we will not see Bart Starr or Joe Namath coming out of the tunnel along side Bear Bryant.

Here is the video about the comment it is in the first 30 seconds:

Here is the link to ESPN’s commentary on the Sugar Bowl matchup. The best thing they mention is that Utah can hope to hang with Alabama.

This game is not about Bear Bryant, 12 national title, 13 Sugar bowl apperances, but rather the 2008 Utah Utes against the 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide. A memo to all of those Alabama fans who at any time they read a comment, blog post, news article, or anything that does not say Alabama is God’s gift to the world in football do not need to start rambling off the numbers I just did or many more that I am not aware of. Good smack is fun but no need to bash the other school or just pound your chest and say the SEC is king, Utah is a good team and so is Alabama they are both in the top 10.

For amusement purposes and what will be considered bulletin board material for the Ute players, I will start a post a day until Januaray 2nd and postcomments from fans and media outlets that could be used as bulletin material for Utah. Alabama fans may find this like a slight against them, but some Alabama fans and media are giving the Utes no respect. Again this is all fun.

This first one comes from an ESPN.com chat near the end of the chat

Derek, Atlanta: Why does Bama get the short end of the stick and play Utah? I would think they would prefer a match up like Bama and Texas.

Derek would you rather be playing a 9-4 Virginia Tech or 11-2 C incy who lost to U Conn? Brad Edwards puts it best:

“The selection order often dictates the matchups, and that’s what happened here. The first pick went to the Fiesta, which chose Texas. The second pick went to the Sugar, which chose Alabama, so there was never a chance to match those teams.”

Alabama coach Nick Saban said the Tide were “the only team that plays in a real BCS conference that went 12-0.” –Chattanooga Times Free Press

That may have been a slip of the tongue but many people in Utah feel slighted about that remark.

Here is the title from The Birmingham News

Alabama to face Florida Light in Sugar Bowl Vs. Utah

Real classy, yes the article is balanced but the title is a slap in the face, but does it mean since they refer Utah to Florida that Utah wins? Just a thought. Also in the article Sugar Bowl executive director Paul Hoolahan said “Well,” he said, “I’d be less than honest to say we weren’t a little concerned about the outcome of last year’s game.“ Not even close because Utah’s schedule is much better, but Hoolahan also said that since Utah was able to win at Michigan Utah ” was a safe bet.”

I came across the blog, The Rap Sheet, by The Birmingham News writer Ian R. Rapoport and I am not sure if he is writing a tease to get readers to check the blog tomorrow or he really does not know why Utah is matched up against Alabama, and it does not help when CEO Paul Hoolahan said:

“There was no other choice,” Hoolahan said. “That was it. That was the choice. Alabama and Utah was the choice. It makes perfect sense for us. I mean, we can go through the steps, but you know obviously, we had the replacement factor…“

For those Alabama fans who did not know how the selection work it goes as follows:

Bowl that loses team to BCS title

Bowl that loses team to BCS title

Fiesta Bowl

Sugar Bowl

Orange Bowl

The first two selections went with Fiesta taking Texas and then Sugar taking Alabama, both choose to keep their conference affiliation in line. Then the pick went back to the Fiesta and they had teams like Ohio State, Boise State, TCU, Utah, and Cincinnati. Fiesta took Ohio State for a bigger named matchup and the Sugar felt Utah was the next best selection, in their minds.

In the same blog post there is a comment, by delahaya puts things in perspective and does not whine or complain about playing Utah.

Guys, Utah ain’t chopped liver. They are undefeated and will be motivated to beat an SEC team. Don’t take a win for granted.

Alabama has had a great year and has the opportunity the cap it off with a Sugar Bowl win. The players should be proud of what they’ve done.

Also, one last thing Alabama fans, as Utah fans, should be excited because last year Alabama lost to Louisana-Monroe and played in the Independence Bowl, while Utah was in the Poinsettia Bowl.

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How good would a college football playoff be?

Dan Wetzel over at Yahoo Sports outlines what a 16 team playoff would look like this year. I am a huge proponent of a playoff, partly because I like the MWC and that the post season would be awesome. The concept is not hard maybe cut the regular season to 11 games and leagues that have championship games are done by the last weekend in November or first weekend in December. Then play the first two rounds take two weeks off and have the semis on New Years Day and the title a week later.

The NCAA would need to take control of football since right now the BCS owns the post season for football. Make first round game home games and then use bowls for the round of 8 and beyond, which would be seven bowl locations. The rest of the bowls could be used for rewards for teams who do not make this playoffs.

Just look at the potential matchups, Texas Tech-Ohio State, Utah-TCU rematch, Tulsa high powered offense against Oklahoma, and that is just the first round.

I guess in the mean time we have to play for a Mythical National Champion, but we can dream?

 

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