Another One Goes Down To Boise State, Broncos Bust Bulldogs

What more do you want Boise State to prove that the Broncos are among the elite in college football.

Saturday night Boise State came to Atlanta to take on the Georgia Bulldogs. Once again the Broncos rose to the occasion defeating the Bulldogs 35-21.

Here's the highlights (Thanks KTVB-TB Boise, Idaho)



This is another milestone in the history of Boise State football. The Broncos had never beaten a team from the SEC in four tries. With the win over Georgia Saturday night Boise State has accomplished that.

It was a hard fought physical game," said Boise State head coach Chris Petersen in a post game press conference.

"Congrats to Boise State. They just beat us tonight. They were better than we were," Georgia head coach Mark Richt said in a post game press conference. ''But SEC play hasn't even started. It's a long season. We've got to get our minds right. A game like this, no question, we know more about our football team than if we played someone and beaten them by 40. Hopefully that translates into us learning how to play better in these type of games and better see where our weaknesses are.''

You think next weeks South Carolina game is important now for Georgia? Richt and the Bulldogs will be feeling the pressure to avoid an 0-2 start. That might make Richt's backside a lot hotter.

Kellen Moore established himself as the early front runner in the Heisman Trophy race. Moore was outstanding against the Bulldogs going 28-34 passing for 261 yards and three touchdowns.

''Growing up watching football, I have a ton of respect for the SEC,'' Moore said after the game. "I watched Georgia play a lot of big games growing up. To play a game like this was a lot of fun. I enjoyed it. We were fortunate to come out on top.''

OSG College Football Preview: Mountain West Conference

The little guy looked like they were going to be an AQ after adding Boise State, but then they go ahead and lose TCU, Utah, and BYU in short order…

The last year for the Frogs will be a fun one…

Boise State Broncos (12-1, beat Utah in the Vegas Bowl 26-3)

What’s Good: All the seniors coming back for one last chance at a Bee-Cee-Ess Bowl Game including Kellen Moore, Doug Martin, and the 14 returning starters… the Broncos get TCU at home on the blue turf on November 12th. 8 seniors on defense will keep the scores low for the rest of the mtn.

What’s Bad: The fact that the move to the Mountain West may keep the team from a big bowl if they lose their season opener to the University of Georgia in Week One.

Nelson Prediction: The Georgia game shouldn’t be a problem, but Boise will have a bull’s eye on their front, back, and all sides all season long. The game at Fresno October 7th should be the one obvious chance for a trip-up, but Boise has been here before.

Wilkie’s Prediction: Same ole same ole from the Broncos, just a new scene. Can’t wait for the Boise State-TCU game November 12th on the Smurf Turf, appointment television right there.

Phil Says: They will be good, they always are. Contrary to Jon, the Georgia game isn’t a gimme because of it being in Georgia and TCU lost too much in theory to keep up, they won’t run the table...11-1 this season.

TCU Horned Frogs (13-0, beat Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl 21-19)

What’s Good: Gary Patterson has created a monster in the Metroplex and even with the lack of returning starters (3 on offense, 5 on defense), the system and schedule are in place for success. So is the schedule, for that matter, as the only challenge seems to be the game at Boise.

What’s Bad: The lack of returning starters, including QB Andy Dalton… Casey Paschall only threw 9 passes mopping up. WR Jimmy Young is gone as are a lot of the secondary.

Nelson Prediction: Once again, just like the Boise schedule, the winner will get the title and the BCS bid- the loser will be closer to playing to Christmas than New Year’s… 11-1 and probably heading to Vegas…

Wilkie’s Prediction: Double digit wins again before the Frogs head into the Big East Conference.

Phil Says: Another good year, but they’ll struggle early with a lot of new faces. Baylor won’t be a gimme either to open. I say 9-2.

Air Force Falcons (9-4, beat Georgia Tech 14-7 in Independence Bowl)

What’s Good: 8 defensive starters return including six seniors in the front seven, Asher Clark returns for his senior season after having rushed for over 1,000 yards in the Troy Calhoun offense, 14 returning starters are the most Calhoun has had to work with…

What’s Bad: Getting TCU in week two and not later, traveling to Notre Dame and Boise in a three-week period...

Nelson Prediction: The week two game will determine who goes to the Vegas Bowl and who goes to San Diego for the Poinsettia Bowl… 9-3 should be about right…

Wilkie’s Prediction: Scheduling aside Air Force has the talent to make a MWC title run. 10-2 might happen but I wouldn’t be surprised if they defeated TCU or Boise State but not both.

Phil Says: TCU, Notre Dame and Boise will create problems. Otherwise, they’re just plain better than most on their schedule. They DO have a shot at beating TCU though. This season: 8-4

San Diego State Aztecs (9-4, beat Navy 35-14 in the Poinsettia Bowl)

What’s Good: 13 starters return- 8 on offense, including QB Ryan Lindley. Ronnie Hillman, MWC Freshman Player of the Year, can add to his 1,500-yards plus season last year. QB Coach Brian Sipe stays for Lindley’s well-being. Only 3 road games exist on the schedule.

What’s Bad: Brady Hoke has gone for Michigan, and Rocky Long takes over. The end of the schedule is a bear, eventhough the games against Boise and Fresno are both in San Diego. Only 5 starters return for the defense…

Nelson Prediction: Those last few games on the schedule will test Lindley and the Aztec defense. Unfortunately, the opposition will score more than the home team. Looks like 7-5 or 8-4 will be here with an outside shot at a bowl game.

Wilkie’s Prediction: Eight wins and the Aztecs go bowling in December.

Phil Says: Good, not great team. Boise and TCU come to them and Michigan and Washington State are out of conference games. 7-5 sounds about right.

Colorado State Rams (3-9, last bowl game was in 2008)

What’s Good: 8 starters on offense return, including Sophomore QB Pete Thomas who threw for a 65-percent completion percentage- the highest ever for a D1 freshman. His experienced offensive linemen should keep him safe.

What’s Bad: Leading tackler Ricky Brewer is gone. Leading rusher Leonard Mason is gone.

Nelson Prediction: Looks like an improvement for Steve Fairchild over last year’s performance and a 6-6 season will be a step in the right direction…

Wilkie’s Prediction: Six wins is about right for the sheep.

Phil Says: Improving, the program is heading in the right direction. Not on the level...yet, of the teams ahead of them. 6-6 is possible and would be a good season.

Wyoming Cowboys (3-9, last bowl game was in 2009)

What’s Good: 7 starters return on both sides of the ball including leading rusher Alvester Alexander and the depth at back and receiver…

What’s Bad: QB Austin Carta-Samuels transferred out leaving the position the hands of, probably, a true freshman in Brett Smith or Adam Pittser. The top two leading receivers and tacklers are also gone.

Nelson Prediction: 6-6 with Colorado State in the middle of the pack for Dave Christensen…

Wilkie’s Prediction: Six wins for the Pokes.

Phil Says: Both of you are being really optimistic. Did you read the above? An awful lot of changes here. Not everyone can have a winning record. 4-8

UNLV Rebels (2-11, last bowl game was in 2000)

What’s Good: Rushing and receiving depth are still around for head coach Bobby Hauck- he’ll need it…

What’s Bad: Starting QB Omar Clayton is gone. The top four tacklers from 2010 are gone as well. Only 4 starters are back to add to that…

Nelson Prediction: 2-10 beating Southern Utah and…

Wilkie’s Prediction: I’m rooting for you Bobby Hauck but this year maybe two wins and the Rebels will be better than New Mexico.

Phil Says: Good luck with this schedule. The opener at Wisconsin will be ugly. 3-9 is the call here.

New Mexico Lobos (1-11, last bowl game was in 2007)

What’s Good: We’re still searching on that one… you can talk about the 9 starters on defense coming back if you like…

What’s Bad: Mike Locksley still has this job… the HQ still wonders why while still knowing why… the University hierarchy doesn’t want to pay a buyout in a financial and emotional crisis on campus…

Nelson Prediction: If we could predict negatives numbers for UNM, the HQ would. But we think one game, Homecoming against Sam Houston State, might be the only win on the year. And, mercifully, Locksley might still be fired at season’s end…

Wilkie’s Prediction: Don’t worry about the buyout because UMN restructured that in case they have to pull the trigger which might come before the season ends. Another dreadful year in Albuquerque for Lobo football fans.

Phil Says: As long as Mike Locksley is the coach, this team will suck. It will take a decade to fix his damage..at least. And yet he still has a job? If you look at the schedule on the website, they might win the Fan Photo Day and Scrimmage and maybe Sam Houston State. 1-11 and please get rid of Locksley, your program is a national disgrace.

Boise State Cited For Lack Of Institutional Control

((HT: KBOI-TV Boise))

The NCAA has charged Boise State with the dreaded "lack of institutional control" following an alleged major violation in women's tennis and secondary violations in four sports, including football from 2005 to 2009.

The school goes in front of the NCAA's Committee on Infractions on June 10. A final report and penalties will be issued several months after that meeting.

The secondary violations in football involved impermissible housing, transportation and/or meals...

In all, the NCAA found the total value of a little over $4,900 over that five-year period divided among 63 student-athletes. The amounts ranged from $2.34 to $417.55 and have all been paid back to the school since.

The school and NCAA agreed to penalties in 2010 for all the sports that broke the rules: football, men's and women's tennis, and men's and women's track and field. But later that year, Boise State self-reported a major violation in women's tennis.

That led the NCAA to take all the violations and turn them in to one case.

Here's the initial report on the response from Indianapolis...

Boise State's "Smurf Turf" Off To A "Rocky" Start In Mountain West Conference

[HT: http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=69633related/ &

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2011/04/19/bmurphy/san_diego_state_coach_they_ought_get_rid_blue_turf_i_think_its_u]

If you have seen Boise State's blue turf in person it's not easy on the eyes. On TV it's a distraction to.

That's been Boise State's gimmick since 1986 when the "smurf turf" was installed.

Now that Boise State is set to become a member of the Mountain West Conference the blue turf is meeting some resistance.

San Diego State head coach Rocky Long is not a fan of the blue turf. Long said so in the conference's spring football teleconference.

“I think they ought to get rid of that blue turf. I think it’s unfair,” said Long, the former New Mexico coach who is in his first season as the Aztecs’ head coach.

When asked to expand, Long said, “it takes the visiting team a quarter or two to get used to that different field.”

Long said players “track the ball differently” on the blue turf, particularly since Boise State traditionally wears all-blue uniforms on the blue turf.

Those of us in the OSG HQ are wondering if Boise State's blue turf is unfair how would you describe Eastern Washington's blood red turf? Unplayable comes to mind.

Petersen Staying At Boise

((HT: KTVB-TV))

So much for that whole "Petersen leaving to go to Stanford" thing...

In the last five years, he has been 61-5... not too shabby...

Petersen also said he has filled two vacancies on his staff, bringing back Brent Pease to be offensive coordinator. Last month, Pease accepted the job as offensive coordinator at Indiana. He takes over the spot held by Bryan Harsin, who is now the offensive coordinator at Texas.

Petersen also said quarterback coach Robert Prince will return to coach wide receivers and serve as passing game coordinator.

Here's the breakdown from our friends at KTVB in Boise...

Boise State Rolls "7's" In Las Vegas. Abuse The Utes

Bronco nation, what might have been. Defeat Nevada and Boise State might be smelling the roses instead of TCU.

So Boise State gets a trip to Las Vegas out of the deal and unfortunately for Utah fans this beat down won't stay in Vegas.

Boise State whipped Utah 26-3. Kellen Moore threw for 339 yards and two touchdowns to earn game MVP honors.

Here's the highlights from the game along with sound from head coach Chris Petersen. (Thanks KTVB-TV Boise, ID)



J Bates and Troy Oppie offer their take from Sin City which involves a funny hat at the end. (Thanks KBOI-TV)



''We still had a great season, we had a great team." Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore said after the game. "We didn't take care of business in one opportunity and Nevada kind of deserved that victory, they took care of business. This is still a great team and one of the best teams in the country. The seniors have done so much for this program and have done a great job.''

Boise State President rips the BCS and rightfully so...

Boise State Pres. Bob Kustra/Courtesy: idahoreporter.com

They should be ripped and ripped frequently, but yet they aren't. By now, many of you may have heard the CBSSports.com BCS analyst found an error in the final BCS poll of the year. How did he find it? He double checked the math of one of the five computer polls used to come up with it.

So, the question you are probably asking is what about the other 4 computers? We don't know, because the corrupt BCS doesn't release that information to the public. Smell anything yet? Obviously, there are a bunch of questions here. The biggest of them: "So, without checking the validity, we've believed everything the corrupt BCS people have told us".

Needless to say, there are some pretty upset people about this (though none of them have anything to do with the BCS). Chief among them, Boise State president Bob Kustra. Kustra was so frustrated that he sent a somewhat angry e-mail to many of his peers:

((from the idahostatesman.com))

Greetings:

I trust that you have heard about the news from CBS sports analyst Jerry Palm that the BCS rankings erroneously ranked the positions of four teams in the final BCS rankings of the season. 

The BCS has corrected for it and Bill Hancock has apologized, but it still leaves open the question of transparency. There are five other computer models used to determine the rankings each week that are hidden from public view, unlike the approach used by Wes Colley who allows the light of day to shine on his work.  Thankfully, in this case an astute third party caught the error and brought it to the attention of the BCS.  I’m sure that you can imagine numerous “what if” scenarios where this type of mistake could have had significant repercussions.

How many times have we heard calls for transparency on our campuses and how many times have we shared our governance and communicated with our faculties and other constituencies in a transparent fashion?  Yet, in intercollegiate athletics, with the NCAA standing silently on the sidelines, we allow the BCS to work its magic with no idea of how accurate its rankings are on a week to week basis.  

It's egregious enough to see teams with mediocre seasons climb into the BCS bowl games because they happen to be in privileged conferences, while others with better records are written off as second-class citizens.   When we cannot see how these decisions are made, it becomes an affront to the concepts of integrity and fair play that we claim to value. 

When C. Wright Mills wrote of the "power elite", I doubt he was speaking of universities and intercollegiate athletics.  If he were still around, there could be a great second edition, this time focused on where elitism really runs rampant and takes Division 1 football players from some conferences and restrains their ability to compete.  I hope you noticed my choice of the word, "restrain".  I trust we will all be hearing more about "restraint" unless presidents step up and do the right thing.

Bob Kustra, President
Boise State University

 

This, we think, reinforces most everything that we've complained about with the BCS. Kustra, in our mind is 100-percent correct. It is a rich system, set up by the rich, operated for the rich and for their own benefit. The whole "Weaker Schedule" or "Weaker Conference" thing is a load of crap. TCU would be good in any conference as would Boise State. Heck, Boise beat the ACC Champs--Virginia Tech. If the BCS chooses to ignore anyone outside of their own conferences: The ACC, The Big East, The Big 10, The Big 12, The Pac 10 and The SEC, then why bother to have any other conferences exist.

We fully realize that much like Kustra, we are being somewhat Don Quioxte like. But this is what we believe, and since we are writing this on our blog, we can say it.

((BEFORE YOU ASK: WE CLICKED ON A STRANGE SETTING HERE ON BLOGGER AND HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO FIX IT, SORRY FOR THE ODD COLOR BARS IN THIS POST)). (the BCS did it!)

In the vein of the Rich getting richer, we give you "Eat the Rich" by the '80's Metal band Krokus:

TWTW: Boise Takes Out Utah State, Bowling In Vegas...?

((HT: KTVB-TV Boise))

Kellen Moore threw three touchdown passes, ran for another and 9th-ranked Boise State beat Utah State 50-14 in their last Western Athletic Conference game ever.

Here's Coach Pete on the win...


So, now it looks like Boise is headed to either the Las Vegas or the Holiday Bowls. Since Nevada beat Louisiana Tech, it looks like the Wolfpack are heading to San Francisco to feed the world...

The Broncos could possibly be in the Las Vegas Bowl to play the University of Utah who has already accepted an invite to the game. The Holiday Bowl remains a possibility if the Pac-10 is unable to add any more bowl eligible teams.

The University of Washington can still become bowl eligible if they are able to defeat Washington State on Saturday night. A win would likely put them into the Holiday Bowl and would likely send the Broncos to the Las Vegas Bowl.

Boise State Kicker Getting Death Threats

((HT: KTVB-TV Boise))

Boise State kicker Kyle Brotzman missed two field goal attempts in the loss to Nevada, and as a result, he is catching the inappropriate amount of immature hell from idiots.

Death threats, phone calls, all that crap...

Mark Johnson starts team coverage of the fallout...

Broncos BCS Dreams Busted In Reno, Nevada Upsets Boise State 34-31

Take Boise State out of the BCS equation.

After roaring out to a 17-0 midway through the second quarter the Broncos offense slumped. Boise State could only manage seven points on the Nevada defense in regulation.

Couple that with the Nevada offense, led by quarterback Colin Kaepernick catching fire and you have a game that ended in an overtime thriller.

Anthony Martinez hit the game winning 34 yard field goal in overtime to win it.
Joe Tessitore is the one who gets excitedly dramatic...
((HT: Youtube/ESPN))


Here's Coach Pete, thanks to our friends at KTVB-TV in Boise


And here's Kellen Moore...


Here's a post game report (Thanks KTVN-TV Reno, Nevada)

TWTW: Boise Puts Up 51 On Fresno

((HT: KTVB-TV Boise))

Conventional Wisdom had this game between Boise and Fresno being a lot closer than the final score gave us.

The HQ thinks the spread was in the neighborhood of 25...

At least, the prop bets we avoided were in that neighborhood
And we're glad we avoided them...

51-nothing... nice work, but is it enough work for the pollsters and pundits...

TWTW: Boise Takes Governor's Cup

As they still try to over-impress by blowing out Idaho...

Kellen Moore threw for 195 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, Chris Potter had a 76-yard punt return touchdown the first time Boise State touched the ball, and the Broncos beat Idaho 52-14.

Boise State, now 9-0/5-0 in the WAC, ran their win streak to 23 games...

Biggest question ((again)) is whether or not the Broncos did enough to keep from slipping in the alphabet standings...

Here's Coach Pete, thanks to our friends at KTVB-TV...

TWTW: Why Are We Still Following Boise State...?

((HT: KTVB-TV Boise))

The HQ is now a firm believer that, even with all the style points in the world unless TCU loses, the Broncos are out on their ass when it comes to a BCS at-large bid.

It was another stomp-and-go today on the blue turf against Hawai'i.

Bryan Moniz was held to 154 yards passing total as the Broncos pounded the Warriors 42-7. Kellen Moore completed 19 straight at one point... 507 yards passing on the day in total.

The blue-turfed folks now are on top of the Mountain West Conference...

Yippee...

Zach Wolken is indoors with your highlights...

Poinsettias and Paradise

San Diego, California is beautiful in late December. Hawaii is of course paradise. The college bowl season heads to two great locales so here's the breakdown, if that's what you want to call it, of the next round of bowl games.

San Diego Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl - December 23rd - Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
Boise State vs TCU (I like TCU)

Here's a special prize chosen just for you: Your very own 8 gig IPOD touch for the players of both teams. There's more, a Tommy Hilfiger Watch, a certificate from Best Buy and a hooded sweatshirt from Sports Tek

The sweat shirt is re-giftable but the rest sounds great. Way to go Poinsettia Bowl.

SWAG Meter: 8.5

Bowl Event: Grand Prix carting for the players. They must of spent all their money on the SWAG.

Final Analysis: Did the Poinsettia Bowl luck out with this marquee match-up or what. Unbeaten Boise State was a long shot for a BCS bowl, didn't get it and has landed in the Poinsettia Bowl. The Broncos will face the TCU Horned Frogs who finished 10-2 and have the 2nd best defense in the nation. This WAC - Mountain West showdown is must see TV.

Sherton Hawaii Bowl - December 24 - Honolulu, HI
Notre Dame vs Hawaii (It's a pick'em)

What Do They Win Don Pardo: Well each player from both teams will receive Hawaii Bowl custom backpack, KICKER IKick500 ipod/iphone, a custom Hawaii Bowl tie, Oakley sunglasses, a Kahala Aloha shirt, a Wearever beach chair, a beach towel, a team t-shirt, an SHB calendar, a Hawaii Bowl hat, a Hawaii Bowl visor and Luggage Spotter with bag tags.

A trip to Hawaii and a bag of gifts. The Fighting Irish will be thrilled. Keep it all, even the tie.

SWAG Meter: 9.5

Bowl Event: Forget the formal events, just go to the beach and chill. Check out the scenery (if you know what I mean.)

Final Analysis: Hawaii may be paradise but this match-up is anything but. It's a home game for the Warriors against Notre Dame. Unless your family is just annoying the hell out of you or your football withdraws are so severe you can't stop shaking, avoid this one. Besides, the warm weather scenics will tick you off.

The Bois Are Back In Town

Vandy may be dandy, but the Broncos have done it again ((pictured, thanks KTVB))...
Their 37-32 win over Oregon at Autzen Stadium has put them back in the Top 25...
Nick Krupke's take from KVAL-TV in Eugene is in blue...
KTVB-TV's beyond in-depth coverage is in blue...

And then, naturally, the NC State Wolfpack decided that East Carolina's BCS dreams had lasted long enough beating them in overtime, 30-24...
WRAL-TV's Tom Suiter and Dane Huffman break the game down for us below...