Who Wants The UNLV Gig?

[HT: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com/sports/hunt-to-replace-kruger-heats-up-119163399.html]

That's a good question. UNLV hasn't been it's glitziest self since Jerry Tarkanian was forced to leave the strip.

Rollie Massimino, Bill Bayno, Charlie Spoonhour and Lon Kruger couldn't make the Runnin' Rebels the best show in town like Tark did however, a trio of former players for Tark would like to give it a shot.

Reggie Theus wants the job. Theus had a successful yet brief tenure at New Mexico State leading the Aggies to an NCAA tournament appearance.

Dave Rice, who was on UNLV's Final Four teams in 1990, which won the national championship, and 1991 appears to be the leading candidate. According to the Las Vegas Review Journal UNLV athletic director Jim Livengood has already met with Rice, who's an associate head coach at BYU.

The third former Runnin' Rebel to throw his hat in the ring is 1990 National player of the year Larry Johnson. That interview is coming soon I'm sure.

It appears that Bob Knight has expressed interest in the UNLV position. The Las Vegas Review-Journal is citing a source saying Knight is interested. Part of me would like to see Knight coaching in Las Vegas. You would have a most wins in NCAA history death match between Knight, who has 902 career wins and Mike Krzyzewski, who has 900 wins.

Kind of similar to Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden.

The OSG HQ wants to know if any Elvis impersonator have dropped off a resume.

Broseph's Bits And The Tuesday Gospel

The real conference tournaments kick off this week as teams make their last second push to glory and a chance to be one of 68 in the NCAA tournament or one of seemingly hundreds who will play in a tournament that only gamblers will care about. With that, let's take a look and see who is going to make some noise.

ACC (3/10 - 3/13) -- It's a down year for the conference despite what their fans want to tell you. North Carolina and Duke are the cream of the crop with Florida State being the 3rd seed by default. They are a shell of themselves without Chris Singleton. It would be a major upset if Carolina and Duke didn't meet again this season for the 3rd time in the title game. If you are looking for a sleeper, it could be the winner of UVA and Miami. The Hoos grind it out and force you to play at a pace you just aren't used to while the Canes are the head scratching team with a ton of talent that just hasn't been put together. CHAMPION: North Carolina

Atlantic 10 (3/8 - 3/13) -- This is a conference that always seems to have upsets and intrigue. Xavier and Temple are the cream of the crop and definite tournament teams. The Spiders have the talent to knock off anyone in the conference. The Musketeers haven't exactly treated the tournament as life or death and that strategy has paid off in the NCAA Tournament. Temple should heed that and look to bow out gracefully as the Owls don't have the depth they had in past years. If Richmond can get past Rhode Island, a team they lost to at home this season, the Spiders will be your conference champion. CHAMP: Richmond

Big 12 (3/9 - 3/12) -- Plenty of intrigue with Texas sliding and Kansas State seemingly hitting their stride. The Wildcats are a dangerous team and a quarterfinal matchup against the Jayhawks will light up the Sprint Center. On the other half of the bracket, Baylor and Missouri will present problems for the two and three seeded squads from Texas. This conference is a tough one to call so I'm going to go chalk and take the Jayhawks. Their road isn't tough until the title game. CHAMP: Kansas

Big East (3/8 - 3/12) -- The best tournament in America gets underway this week in the historic Madison Square Garden. This one is WIDE open with a whole host of teams who could take it. We've seen the squads with the double bye fail last season so those teams aren't a guarantee to take it. The best matchup could be the eventual 4/5 game with St. Johns looking to wrest away the title "New York's team" from Syracuse. Ninth seeded UConn would win a lot of conferences, but they are playing in the first round in this monster. I don't think the double byes will be an issue this year. CHAMP: Pittsburgh

Big 10 (3/10 - 3/13) -- Yawn. I'll admit it...this conference is about as intriguing as paint drying in my eyes. I keep waiting for Michigan State to wake up and play like Tom Izzo teams do. They'll have to roll thru Iowa, Purdue and Wisconsin before getting to the title game. I don't see much intrigue out of this conference. Give me the chalk. CHAMP: Ohio State

Conference USA (3/9 - 3/12) -- This one is on UTEP's campus as the Miners get the benefit that Memphis had all those years it was in their town. The one seed is UAB. This conference is a one big league barring one of the bubble teams making an uber run. Remember UCF? Yeah, they fell down big time after their undefeated start. Homecourt rules in this one. CHAMP: UTEP

MAC Conference (3/8 - 3/12) -- Some may be asking why this is here. This conference has always provided excitement and fun as the teams battle on campus sites and then Cleveland. Kent State is the class of the conference, but Ohio may be the hottest team in there. Buffalo is about as dangerous an eight seed as there is in ANY conference in the country. They've had some good wins this season and could upset Kent State in the second round. We're going to take the team playing some of the best basketball right now. CHAMP: Ohio

Mountain West Conference: (3/8 - 3/12) -- It's Jimmer's world vs. UNLV's home court. This tournament will be intriguing to see if BYU can handle the step up in talent without Brandon Davies. UNLV gets a tough first matchup with Air Force who makes you work for every basket and takes time running their offense. Should they win that, they'll most likely face the Aztecs and their balanced attack. This is an underrated conference with Jimmer vs. the Running Rebs my final. CHAMP: UNLV

PAC-10 (3/9 - 3/12) -- The Staples Center will host this spectacular tournament as the PAC 10 tries to get more teams into the tournament. Washington and USC are on the bubble as well as UCLA. Arizona held on for dear life at home against the Huskies. U-Dub has way too much talent, but a first matchup with Wazzu could prevent any sort of run and a postseason bid. Still, I think Washington puts it together and gets help from USC who will knock off Arizona. CHAMP: Washington

SEC (3/10 - 3/13) -- Underwhelming. Outside of Florida and Kentucky, this conference has a lot of teams that you can mix and match. The one squad to keep a look out for is Mississippi State who has been a thru a ton with the problems of talented Renardo Sidney and Ravern Johnson. Still, when they want to play, they are going to beat a lot of teams. Mississippi State may have the most talent outside of UK and Florida. Tennessee and Georgia are also intriguing if they get past their first round matchups. Who knows what Volunteers team will show up on a day-to-day basis. CHAMP: Mississippi State

UNLV Upsets K-State, Frank Martin Still Upset

((HT: KSHB-TV/NBCActionNews.com))

With two guards, Jacob Pullen and Curtis Kelly, suspended for receiving improper benefits from a Manhattan, Kansas clothing store, the Kansas State Wildcats went into their game with UNLV short-handed.

Tre'Von Willis scored 16 points and Oscar Bellfield hit a key 3-pointer with 1:10 left to help UNLV win over the highest-ranked opponent it had faced in the regular season in more than three years.

Frank Martin, on the other hand, would only take questions about the players on the floor and, practically, had a scanners moment in the press room.

Here's KSHB-TV's coverage...
And Martin is awesome...

New Mexico Comes Up Snake Eyes In Las Vegas, Mike Locksley Still Employed

Same tune for the New Mexico Lobos, another back side whoppin' this time by UNLV 45-10. It's the first win of the year for the Rebels and win #1 in the Bobby Hauck era in Vegas.

You can say it was a balanced effort offensively for the Lobos, 114 yards on the ground and 177 yards passing for 291 of total offense. New Mexico gave up 415 yards to the Rebels, those numbers never add up to a win.

At least Lobo head coach Mike Locksley isn't in denial of the state of his football program.

"We’re not a good football team right now." Locksley said stateing the obvious. "That sits on my shoulders as the head coach. I’ve got to find a way to coach them better and get them playing a little better.”

Those of us at the OSG HQ think a coaching change my get the Lobos to play better.

Here's a post-game report from Ryan Greene of the Las Vegas Sun. (Thanks Las Vegas Sun)

Star UNLV Player Arrested For Trying To Choke Girlfriend

((HT: KTNV-TV, Las Vegas Review-Journal/Planas))

UNLV star hoopster Tre'Von Willis apparently got into an argument with his 28-year-old girlfriend over text messages, according to a Henderson, Nevada police report.

In Antonio Planas article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the police report says that Willis was upset that Skye Sanders was texting friends instead of "paying attention to him."

He was arrested on charges of felony domestic battery by strangulation, felony grand larceny for stealing Sanders' cell phone, and misdemeanor coercion.

And, it's another 2AM incident, too... technically, 2:30AM...

From Planas:
Sanders told police Willis said he was going out and she replied that she was also going out. Willis then overturned Sanders' purse, dumping its contents looking for her keys. Sanders laughed at Willis because her keys were not in her purse. That's when Willis got physical with Sanders for the first time during their relationship.

"Willis had his thumbs in the center of her throat with his fingers wrapping around the sides of her neck," the report stated. "Sanders stated that while Willis was choking her, Willis kept saying to her, 'Say you're sorry.' "

Sanders told police said she was barely able to say she couldn't breathe while Willis had his hands around her throat.

Here's Blake McCoy's early piece on the arrest, thanks to our friends at KTNV-TV


Willis posted a bond of a little over $18-grand and court appearances are scheduled for July 21 and August 3. Willis initially denied a physical altercation, only admitting to a verbal one with Sanders.

Planas' article also divulges that Sanders' roommate gave a statement to Henderson police, and her statement was consistent with the one Sanders gave.

The HQ thinks Willis needs to figure out what he's talkin' 'bout before late July...

TWTW: TCU Keeps Rolling 41-0 Over UNLV

((HT: KVBC-TV/Las Vegas, Las Vegas Sun/Keefer))

The UNLV Rebels offense managed only seven first downs and 160 total yards of offense en route to being shut out for the first time this season.

Quarterbacks Omar Clayton and Mike Clausen went 9-for-23 for 41 yards and an interception. They never got the Rebels inside of the TCU 30-yard line.

The defense, meanwhile, gave up 578 yards of offense to No. 8 TCU, including a number of big plays.

"This is by far the best defense we’ve faced all season,” rebels coach Mike Sanford said. “We were obviously not productive on offense, and we’ve got to be able to score points and move the ball.”

Uh, yeah...

Here's Randy Howe with the highlights
((HT: Versus/KVBC))

TWTW: Lobos Losing Streak HIts 11

((HT: KRQE-TV/Tate))

See...???
They can't even win when Mike Locksley ISN'T on the sideline...

UNLV did what they were supposed to... beat a team that's worse than they are...

The Lobos fall to 0-7 on the season, and 0-3 in the Mountain West Conference. The Lobos have lost 11 straight going back to last season.

New Mexico was without the services of first year Head Coach Mike Locksley because he was still serving a 10 day suspension for his role in an altercation with receiver's coach J.B. Gerald.

Next up for New Mexico is a trip to San Diego to play the Aztecs...

KRQE-TV's Adam Shadoff got to sit inside for this one...

OSG College Football 2009 Predictions: Mountain West Conference

TCU Horned Frogs

2008 Record: 11-2 Overall, 7-1 In The MWC
Defeated Boise State 17-16 In The Poinsettia Bowl

Things to Like About TCU:

Explosive Offense: This is a group that gobbles chunks of yards thanks to a constant rotation of fresh legs are running back. The Frogs can go 5 deep at the running back position. Ryan Christian, Joseph Turner, Chris Smith, Jai Caveness, and Edward Wesley are a fabulous Frog five some at running back.

A Bounce to Their Step: This was a confident team during spring workouts. The Horned Frogs feel as if 2009 is their watershed year to crash the BCS party.

Things Not To Like About TCU:

Passing Game: Not that it’s a glaring weakness but there is really no need to air it out with a 5 productive RB’s in your offense. It the Frogs show any improvement throwing the ball watch out.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: TCU is poised to take a seat at the BCS table. For that to happen the Frogs have to win at least one of their non-conference games vs a BCS opponent on the road. TCU opens at Virginia and that’s a winnable game. The other is a Clemson’s Death Valley and that could be a chore. TCU plays Utah in Ft. Worth but must travel to Provo to battle BYU. If things fall into place the Frogs could be hopping into the BCS.

Phil: Good team in an OK conference. They will be a tough out for anyone but a win in Death Valley may be asking too much. One loss means no BCS, but one loss will get them a nice bowl game. Solid season, best of conference.

Nelson: While I think TCU may be the class of the conference, for them to be in the BCS, they’re going to have to run the table. That means winning at Clemson and not falling down when they play the state of Utah. If it’s anywhere, it’s Clemson and Provo.

That won’t put them in the Rose Bowl.

BYU Cougars

2008 Record: 10-3 Overall, 6-2 In The MWC
Lost to Arizona 31-21 In The Las Vegas Bowl

Things to Like About BYU:

Max Hall: If BYU enjoyed BCS status it wouldn’t be a surprise if Hall was on the same level with Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy. Hall continues the long line of great BYU quarterbacks. When Hall is on BYU is close to unbeatable.

Tight Ends: The Cougars have a pair of tight ends that are highly skilled. Dennis Pitta has a great set of hands and can be Max Hall’s go to guy. He caught 83 balls last year for 1,083 yards. Pitta’s back up Andrew George has a different skill set be could start elsewhere. George is more of a mid-range receiver and can be a perfect safety valve for Hall when under pressure.

Things Not To Like About BYU:

The Secondary: This is the key. They struggled last year. If safeties Scott Johnson and Andrew Rich come up big, then no worries. Depth though will be an issue.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: This is my pick to win the MWC. BYU’s offense will be awesome. The Cougars defense that struggled at the end of 2008 should be better. BYU opens with Oklahoma at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas and I give the Cougars a chance in that one. BYU also hosts Florida State in Provo and I wouldn’t be surprised to the Cougars won that one. Both Utah and TCU must come to Provo so I can definitely see an 11 win season, an MWC Championship and a possible BCS bowl for the Cougars.

Phil: Again a very good team in an OK conference. They will win most of their games but I don’t think they will beat Oklahoma or Free Shoes U. Having TCU and Utah come to them will help, but they will be a heartbeat away from the title. Good bowl game though.

Nelson: And with Hall, this is why my money is on the Cougs to get the BCS-Kicking-and-Screaming Invite this year. Simply, if the offense has to outscore people to go undefeated, they’ll do just that.

Utah Utes

2008 Record: 13-0 Overall, 8-0 In The Mountain West
Defeated Alabama 31-17 In The Sugar Bowl

Things to Like About Utah:

Offensive Line: A tremendous group led by 6-4, 305 pound OT Zane Beadles

Offensive Weapons: Though the Utes lost 3 of their top receivers the Utes have reloaded led by David Reed who could be the star of the group and Aiona Key is just as good. That duo may not be proven yet; but the playmaking ability is there.

Been There, Done That: Utah is becoming a program that expects to earn BCS bowl bids. The Utes have played in 2 already and have won both. If the program is copping an attitude; that’s not a bad thing.

Things Not To Like About Utah:

Quarterback: Brian Johnson was the heart of the Utes under center but he has moved on. Corbin Louks was Johnson’s back up last year but didn’t win the job outright during spring ball. Terrance Cain was the national JUCO offensive player of the year and might be the man for the Utes. Their success is critical for Utah to repeat.

Schedule: Utah must play MWC rivals TCU and BYU on the road this year.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: While Utah has talent to replace 10 starters that were lost from unbeaten team in 2008. Both with Oregon, BYU and TCU on the road and had to replace both coordinators. I can see a step back for Utah but not by much.

Phil: This is the “rebuilding” year for these guys. They will be good, but will struggle early on. As the season goes, they will improve and look for 2010 to be a strong one. Middle of the pack and an outside shot at a bowl

Nelson: All the losses due to graduation are what will cause the Utes to lose out for second in the conference with more than one loss. Everyone loses to BYU; I think Utah loses to TCU. A good year, but a recovery year for Kyle Whittingham here…

Air Force Falcons

2008 Record: 8-5 Overall, 5-3 in The Mountain West
Lost To Houston 34-28 in the Armed Forces Bowl

Things to Like About Air Force:

Defensive Backs: This foursome can be fearsome. They can pick and punish. They are a very physical group.

Running Backs: Best collective RB unit in the MWC but only if Asher Clark stays at TB. Clark is competing for the QB position during fall camp.

Offensive Line: A seasoned group that returns 3 starters.

Things Not To Like About Air Force:

Front 7: The Falcons lost both DE’s this season so their will be pressure on the LB’s to generate a pass rush.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: Air Force never impresses you but they hang around to win 7-8 games and make a bowl. They won’t complete for the MWC crown but the Falcons will reach a bowl game.

Phil: The true definition of a “Pain in the Ass” team. Good, solid and well coached, they will give everyone fits. The thing that usually gets them is the lack of depth…and size. They are good enough that nobody wants to mess with them but in the Mountain West they are middle to upper middle class. Possible bowl team.

Nelson: Air Force is like that bug that you can’t find the right spray to keep away from the picnic table. You keep waving your hand in front of your face to keep the triple-option away from your hot dogs and coleslaw, but the Falcons never listen. Consistently, a solid football team, but there are teams in the conference that are just plain better… A return trip to Fort Worth may be in the cards here.


UNLV Rebels

2008 Record: 5-7 Overall, 2-6 In The MWC

Things to Like About UNLV:

14 Starters Return: There is experience and they are motivated. The Rebels missed out of a bowl bid by losing their last game of the year to San Diego State. For those returning they want to wash out that bad taste in their mouths.

Receivers: Ryan Wolfe and Phillip Payne might be the best receiver combo in the MWC.

Things Not To Like About UNLV:

Running Back: Punishing RB Frank “The Tank” Summers has moved on. Now the Rebels must find a RB that can handle a heavy workload.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: 6-6 and a bowl game for UNLV

Phil: They just aren’t very interesting. The best part of playing them is getting a trip to Las Vegas. There just is only so much talent here. They don’t have the firepower to compete with the big boys. I agree with what Wilkie says, but they could be 4-8 just as easily.

Nelson: What do you want to bet that Game 13 will be either at home or in New Mexico…??? Just thinking…

Colorado State Rams

2008 Record: 7-6 Overall, 4-4 in The Mountain West

Things to Like About Colorado State:

Offensive Line: The most experienced O-line in college football. All but one starter is a senior. They might be among the best in the MWC.

Receivers: Rashaun Greer and Dion Morton are playmakers

Things Not To Like About Colorado State:

Defense: So many issues there. Only 5 returning starters and with injuries in spring ball and suspensions the numbers are small. The front 7 could be a major issue.

Schedule: Colorado State’s first 3 MWC games are at BYU, hosting Utah and at TCU. 0-3 is possible.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: If the defense can work through their issues then the Rams have a chance to make it back to a bowl game this year. 6 wins the max for the Rams.

Phil: We will know what they’ve got very early. I don’t see them being capable of making a statement there. The depth on the “D” will bite them in the ass. This is a bottom 1/3 of the conference team this year.

Nelson: What do you want to bet that Game 13 will be either in Las Vegas or New Mexico…??? Just thinking…

New Mexico Lobos

2008: Record 4-8 Overall, 2-6 in the MWC

Things to Like About New Mexico:

New Coach: Mike Locksley has work to do but he’s known to get talented players.

Things Not To Like About New Mexico:

Everything: The offense can’t throw touchdown passes, the running game is weak and the defense is a mess.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: The annual in-state battle against New Mexico State might be the Lobos only shot at a win this year.

Phil: Well, supposedly New Mexico is a very scenic place to visit. The food is supposed to be very good as well. I hear that the Green Chiles are well worth trying.

Nelson: Locksley has to hope that all the nonsense ((sorry, alleged nonsense)) that occurred early in his tenure is behind him and not a distraction. I think the question will be: Who will be worse…? These guys or the next team on the list…

San Diego State Aztecs

2008 Record: 2-10 Overall, 1-7 in the MWC

Things to Like About SDSU:

Quarterback: If Ryan Lindley has any consistency this year the Aztec offense may not be that bad. SDSU might win some games too.

Brady Hoke: The new SDSU head coach will bring some much needed enthusiasm.

Things Not To Like About SDSU:

Linebackers and Defensive Backs: The LB’s will be asked to blitz more so improvement can happen. The DB’s were not that good last year but they have bought into new DC Rocky Long’s system the most.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: 1998 was the last time San Diego State had a winning season and that streak continues Aztec fans.

Phil: Well, things could be worse. They aren’t New Mexico. There are at least a few glimmers of hope with these guys. Will they have a winning record…uh HELL no. But they will be better. They have a decent coach and some talent. 3-4 wins will be considered a success here.

Nelson: Does Marshall Faulk have any eligibility left and why did Brady Hoke take this job…???

Wyoming Cowboys

2008 Record: 4-8 Overall, 1-7 in the MWC

Things to Like About Wyoming:

New Coach, New Attitude: Dave Christensen takes over in Laramie and will bring the no huddle, up tempo spread offense that made a star out of Chase Daniel at Missouri.

Defense: If they develop a pass rush this Cowboy “D” has a chance to keep Wyoming in some games.

Things Not To Like About Wyoming:

Offense: They were pretty bad last year. The passing game was 114th in the nation last year and the running game got worse for 2009.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: The deer and the antelope won’t be the only ones roaming in Wyoming. Dave Christensen is bringing his high powered offense to the prairie but it remains to be seen how the Pokes will take to this new fangled offense. 4 wins is about the max for the Cowboys.

Phil: Meh! They will be very similar to SDSU. There is some potential here, but they will struggle early. If the coaching takes; they will be competitive later in the season, but patience young Cowboys…success takes time, you have a long way to go to catch up with your brethren.

Nelson: But, Wilkie, I think they’ll take four wins considering the rebuilding job that has to go on here in Laramie. I think a lot of people wish Joe Tiller was still coach.
That’s how long it’s been- brown corduroy hats with yellow cursive lettering were “in” the last time there was any real success on the field.


OSG’s Take on the Mountain West Conference:

MWC Champion:

Wilkie: BYU
Phil: TCU
Nelson: BYU

Best Offensive Player in The MWC:

Wilkie: Max Hall – BYU
Phil: Uh…Hall
Nelson: Hall

Best Defensive Player in The MWC:

Wilkie: Jerry Hughes – TCU
Phil: Hughes
Nelson: Hughes

Outside Looking In; The Mountain West Conference Deserves BCS Status.

As the college football season moves along the conversation among fans and sports talkers on the radio is whose the baddest conference of them all. Yes, the SEC can stake that claim with 5 teams in the top 5 of the AP college football poll. Based on the SEC’s research, that has never happened before in the league plus, the SEC totals about 30% of the points in that poll.

So all bow to the SEC for they are indeed walking the walk and talking the talk.

There is one conference though that doesn’t have the clout of the SEC but is building an impressive body of work. That would be the Mountain West Conference.

Saturday alone proved that maybe the MWC deserves to be in that BCS conversation. The league went 7-1 with 4 of those wins coming over Pac-10 schools. UNLV shocked Arizona State in Tempe 23-20 in overtime, New Mexico defeated Arizona 36-28 and TCU blasted Stanford 31-14. The most impressive was BYU’s butt kicking of UCLA 59-0, the same UCLA team that opened the season with a win over Tennessee from, the SEC. When you include BYU’s win over Washington the week before, the Mountain West owns the Pac-10 with a 5-0 record. If Colorado State can get by California on September 27th, the MWC would run the table on their western rivals.

I’ve got an idea for the BCS and I brought this up a few weeks ago. Boot the East Conference (they are not so big now) and replace with the Mountain West Conference.
Other than South Florida beating Kansas who has a team from the East beaten!! Your best team, West Virginia, got killed by East Carolina, Connecticut had to go overtime to beat Temple, Pittsburgh lost to Bowling Green and barely beat Buffalo, Syracuse lost by 2 touchdowns to Akron.

The Mountain West not only is unbeaten against the Pac-10 but has a win over the Big10 (Utah 23-21 win at Michigan). The MWC does have a shot against the mighty SEC when Wyoming takes on Tennessee November 8th at Neyland Stadium.

The Utah-BYU showdown at the end of the year is shaping up to be for a BCS berth barring any unforeseen circumstances however, the winner of the Mountain West Conference deserves to automatically qualify for the BCS after what this is accomplishing.

As for the BCS Championship Game, that’s another conversation.

BYU Photo Courtesy: Rick Egan/Salt Lake Tribune

UNLV Photo Courtesy: AP

College Football Week 3: Ohio State Dominated Again

Once again the Ohio State Buckeyes wet the bed in a big game in front of a national TV audience as top ranked Southern California dominated 35-3 in front of 93,607, a record crowd at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.

Just like the Florida and LSU BCS title games, the Buckeyes couldn’t handle a team that is loaded with speed at the skill positions. The Trojan receivers got separation which enabled Mark Sanchez to torch the Ohio State secondary with 4 touchdown passes, 2 went to Damien Williams in the 3rd Quarter while Joe McKnight gained 105 yards on 12 carries.

Does this hurt Ohio State’s national championship hopes? Probably so because this loss is sure to linger especially when you couple this with the Buckeyes lackluster showing last week against Ohio U who they barely beat.

Next up for Ohio State is Troy at the Horseshoe which might be a tougher game than you might think. Then it’s Minnesota before an October 4th showdown against Wisconsin at Madison.

Since the Badgers won at Fresno State Saturday night, Wisconsin’s stock is up, Ohio State’s is down.

Sun Devils Done In

How could Arizona State lose in overtime to UNLV at Sun Devil Stadium? You get the feeling the Sun Devils thought they would cruise over the Rebels and were looking ahead to Georgia next week. Only problem is UNLV bit them in the backside.

“It starts with me. I didn't have them ready to play and I'll take the blame. But we have to play better as a group. There are a lot of guys in that locker room that understand that." Arizona State Head Coach Dennis Erickson said.

“I just want to say that obviously, UNLV, we have to give all the credit to them. They played a great game, and they're the reason why we lost. They played a great game, so we lost. Other than that, we practiced fine, but we just didn't execute it in the game. We didn't score, we turned the ball over, and we didn't do well in all three aspects of the game, and when you don't, you're going to lose."
Said Quarterback Rudy Carpenter who threw for 242 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

UNLV head coach Mike Sanford sensed all week the Sun Devils weren’t taking his Rebel team seriously with the Georgia Bulldogs stepping on the Sun Devil Stadium turf next week. So he played that up as the Rebels prepared for the Sun Devils.

"Yes we did, of course. We were out to gain respect." Sanford said.

Now after this unexpected loss, can Arizona State regroup and get up for the Bulldogs?

Here's how the word got out in Vegas... thanks to our friends at KTNV/ABC 13
((We remember weekend anchor Bryan Salmond when he was just a mere pup in the biz... and we agree with him about the Phillip Payne catch, by the way...))


SEC Time Warp

Those who have been to Starkville, Mississippi sometimes feel this small town is behind the times. Well time went back 50 years when Auburn and Mississippi State game ended in a 3-2 with the Tigers prevailing. That’s right, a field goal and a safety were all the points scored. Rumor has it that single bar facemasks were worn. This was a dirty low down defensive battle.

This is the kind of game that’s to the liking of Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville.

“I am an old defensive coach so I was liking it a little bit but I wish we had scored a few more points. We just wasted a few opportunities. That was a true defensive game.”
Tuberville said.

Auburn’s defense was outstanding not giving up a first down to Mississippi State.

“It is all about defense when you go on the road. Our guys came to play today. We gave up zero first downs today on 14 chances and only 116 yards total offense. You can win a lot of games that way. Our guys played hard and played with enthusiasm.”
Tuberville said.

Mississippi State’s promising season is now stuck in the mud at 1-2 and it just gets harder for the Bulldogs. Next up is a trip to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech.

Ohio State/USC Photos Courtesy: AP

UNLV/Arizona State Photos Courtesy: AP
Auburn/Mississippi State photo courtesy – Mansel Guerry