Steve Cleveland Out At Fresno

((HT: KSEE-TV Fresno via Brooks))

Head Coach Steve Cleveland will remain at Fresno State eventhough he's being dismissed as coach with his duties "re-assigned..."

Famous last words...

Fresno finished 14-17, and Cleveland was 92-98 during his six seasons.

The reason...?

From Brooks:

With Fresno State joining the Mountain West next season, I’m told the school wanted a fresh start with its basketball coach and program.

Here's the preview to the end...

Broseph's Bits And The Monday Gospel

Kansas/Baylor Over 139.5 -- A stiff test for Kansas on Monday when they head into Texas to take on Baylor. The Jayhawks are 17-0 and are averaging 83.1 points per game. Kansas has shown that when a team wants to play at an uptempo pace, they will do so as well. KU has scored at least 80 points in 10 of their 17 games this season. Marcus Morris (16.7 ppg) and Markieff Morris (12.8 ppg) patrol the inside while Josh Selby (12.1 ppg in 8 games) and Tyrel Reed (9.3 ppg) take care of business on the outside. Baylor is no slouch. They are 12-4, 2-1 in the Big 12. The Bears score 73.4 points per game which is 56th overall. They are led by LaceDarius Dunn (22.3 ppg), Quincy Acy (13.6 ppg) and Perry Jones (13.1 ppg). Baylor has scored at least 70 points in 10 of their 16 games. Last year, Kansas won 81-75 at home on January 20th. Five of the last eight games in this series have gone over the total since 1997. Baylor is shooting nearly 50% at home this season where they are 10-1. Kansas is putting up an average of 81.6 points on the road. This one could be a shootout.

Idaho +5 -- The Vandals hit the road to take on Fresno State Monday night. Idaho has been a surprise this season going 11-6, 4-1 in the WAC. They have won five straight with three of them coming on the road. As a matter of fact, they have won four straight road games and five of their last six. Idaho can beat you in multiple ways. They have three players averaging over 10 points per game with two others chipping in at least nine. Fresno State meanwhile is 7-8 and scoring only 65.1 points per game. They have two players averaging at least 10 points per game with two others chipping in at least eight. Fresno has lost two straight and is coming off a game where they put in only 39 points at home. They are 5-3 at home losing also to Washington State and Pacific. Offensively this team is too inconsistent playing many games in the 50's and 60's. Idaho has won two straight at Fresno and four straight in the series. I like the Vandals to keep it close and potentially win this game outright.

TWTW Bowling: Northern Illinois...???

((HT: KFSN-TV Fresno))

Yep... all this after losing their head coach and a conference title...

Quarterback Chandler Harnish ran for two touchdowns and threw for another, and Northern Illinois made interim coach Tom Matukewicz a winner in his only game with a 40-17 victory over Fresno State in the uDrove Humanitarian Bowl.

Northern Illinois (11-3) earned a school-record 11th victory with the win...

Fresno State (8-5) continued its trend of playing up against BCS opponents, but struggling against those from everywhere else. In its last 11 bowl appearances, the Bulldogs are 4-1 against BCS teams and 0-6 against the others.

This season, the Bulldogs were outscored 91-17 on the blue turf. In their last three trips here, it's 152-27.

The folks at KFSN delivered an in-town fan piece...

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: Neh-Vad-Uh Climbs Into Alphabet Top 20

((HT: KTVN-TV Reno))

If you haven't seen Wolf Pack QB Colin Kaepernick, you've missed out on one college football's truly talented quarterbacks not named Newton...

When Chris Ault decided to unretire after being put in the College Football Hall of Fame, he's restored Nevada to national prominence.

Whoever gets them in a bowl game will be very interested in watching a lot of tape and being very conditioned. It'll be a long day...

Nevada is now at number 18 in the alphabet poll after squeaking out a win at Fresno- which is what most schools do when they win there and they're a better team going in to the whole thing.

35-34 final... and there's an outside chance that they could slide into one of those slots to be considered for an at-large vote for an alphabet bowl game.

Outside chance, but still a chance...

Garrett Dearborn discusses from the edge of the adult table...

Commissioner Karl Benson And His Conference Getting A WAC Job From Inside

I'm willing to bet Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson has had better weeks. Hell Wednesday was a roller coaster ride of epic proportions.

The day started with rumors flying that BYU might be coming back to the WAC in all sports but football but would play some schools in the league. According to Benson those discussions have been going on since July. Then the day ended with WAC members Nevada and Fresno State accepting invitations from the Mountain West Conference, the league BYU is rumored to bolt.

Well Benson is mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. Thursday Benson decided to rant about Nevada's and Fresno State's departure during a conference call.

In his opening statement Benson called the moves by Nevada and Fresno State "selfish actions", basically killing an agreement between the WAC members to bring BYU back in every sport but football.

”The other six WAC board members were under the belief that the action taken by the eight schools last Friday indicated a willingness to move this forward knowing the potential outcome would have included BYU and would have stabilized the WAC." Benson said in today's teleconference. "On Friday, there was expressed solidarity and four days later there was a departure.”

Since Nevada and Fresno State took action to leave the WAC following the 2010-11 academic year after the July 1st deadline they owe $5 million and the commish expects to be paid within 60 days.

Benson added,“I wish at this time that I would have made it $20 million.”

So what does Benson think of Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson?

“Craig (Thompson) has a job to do, and I have a job to do … I don’t look at it as necessarily predatory. In today’s intercollegiate environment, it has become fairly routine.”

I'm willing to bet Benson wants to kick Thompson's backside right now.

According to Benson though the WAC won't get "WACed" The conference will target schools from the Football Bowl Subdivision and the Football Championship Subdivision (the ole 1-AA) for membership. Some of the schools rumored to be on the radar screen:

Texas State
Texas-San Antonio
Montana
Sacramento State
Cal Poly
North Texas
Cal-Davis

Those of us in the OSG HQ have the following advice to Karl Benson: Fold up the tents. The WAC is an afterthought at best and adding a few Texas schools and some very un-attractive California schools is just applying lip stick on a pig. Sorry to say it but the WAC's days are numbered. Oh what memories.

Here's Fresno State's announcement on joining the MWC (Thanks KFSN-TV Fresno, CA)

Bowl Season Is Here

OK college football fans, get on your comfy clothes, park yourself in your easy chair and make sure you have the basics close by, chips, dip and your favorite beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). For the next 2 weeks you will be in heaven. It's time to go bowling.

Brother Phil has already covered the games, the match-ups and who he thinks will win and I'm taking his picks to Vegas, (just kidding, bad economy). Let me go a little more in depth if I may with the 1st batch of bowl games.

EagleBank Bowl - December 20th - RFK Stadium, Washington, DC
Wake Forest vs Navy (I like the Deacons in this one)

What Do They Get Don Pardo: Well the players from both schools will receive a Sony 8" portable DVD player with a carry case, a custom woven afghan with logo, an autographed football and a wool hat with logo.

The DVD player is cool and a wool hat is OK. Who has autographed the football? And a afghan for football players? A free Christmas gift for your girlfriend, mom, grandma, etc.

SWAG Meter: 3 (on a scale of 10)

Payout: $1 Million

Bowl Events: An evening at the ESPN Zone. (Guess who is televising this game?)

Final Analysis: Good match-up to start this bowl off. Wake Forest lost to Navy earlier this year so there is a revenge factor. Navy will bring the pomp and circumstance, Wake Forest will bring a few invited guests so there might be just a few empty seats at RFK Stadium but that's OK with the 4-letter word, it's just a TV show.

New Mexico Bowl - December 20 - University Stadium, Albuquerque, NM
Colorado State vs Fresno State (A Fresno State blowout)

What's Behind Door Number 1?: It's a backpack, an Oakley backpack for the players. Inside is an Oakley watch and an Oakley beanie. There's more, a RCA video recorder/camera, a New Mexico Bowl pen by Quill, a New Era cap and a year subscription to ESPN The Magazine.

Guess whose televising this bowl game too. The Oakley freebies sound good and who wouldn't want a camera. The rest re-gift.

SWAG Meter: 6

Payout: It's a secret

Bowl Events: Chili Cook-off at El Pinto. 6 players from each team are given 45 minutes to turn raw ingredients in chili. A panel of judges decided the winner. In the previous 2 chili cook-offs, the winner lost the bowl game. Now that's in depth information.

Final Analysis: Nobody east of the Rockies cares about this game. It's a reward in a way for the Rams and extra practices for the Bulldogs. It's a big event in Albuquerque so a big crowd will attend.

magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl - December 20- Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
Memphis vs South Florida (Go with the Bulls)

What's In The Prize Box: Players from each team will get a Flip (digital video device), a Ogio bag, Sony headphones, a commemorative football, a beach towel and a bucket hat.

The Flip and Ogio bag sound cool, the rest is weak.

SWAG Meter: 3

Payout: No Comment

Bowl Events: A dinner cruise and a beach bash on St. Pete Beach.

Final Analysis: It's a home game for South Florida only in a different venue no doubt to inflate the gate. Memphis is just happy to be there and won't bring anyone. This isn't the Final Four. By the way, magicJack is a device you plug in to improve you cordless or cell phone reception. Operators are standing by.

Las Vegas Bowl - December 20 - Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
BYU vs Arizona (This is a great match up and should be a great game. I like BYU by a field goal)

Show Them What They Have Won: Players from both teams receive a Wii System, an Oakley Holeshot 3hd watch and a Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl hat.

Give away the hat, the rest sounds sweet.

SWAG Meter: 8

Payout: $1 million (to be picked up at the cash window)

Bowl Events: Planet Hollywood Resort to watch Stomp Out Loud. Hard to top Las Vegas for entertainment

Final Analysis: 2 west coast teams that people east of the big rocks will watch. The Mountain West Conference has owned the Pac-10 this year so their is plenty of intrigue.

U-Dub Not Standing Pat

Looks like Fresno State Head Coach Pat Hill ((pictured, thanks Craig Kohlruss/Fresno Bee)) is first and foremost on the radar at the University of Washington in their quest to replace the dismissed Tyrone Willingham.

Bryant-Jon Anteola of the Fresno Bee newspaper lets us know that Doctor Pat has officially interviewed for the position after denying any interest as late as October. Hill flew up on Saturday and returned the same day. He confirmed the interview occurred Sunday before the Bulldogs end-of-the-year awards banquet.

Hill offered only a statement to that effect. It lasted 54 seconds and he did not field any questions.

"It was a great conversation," Hill said of his interview. "And in the end, I'll say this: Whoever accepts that job is going to have a great challenge but a great opportunity to be successful."

Others U-Dub seems to be chasing are the normal set of trendy picks- Whittingham, Leach, Brian Kelly, and Jim Mora, Junior. Mora is the coach-in-waiting for the Seattle Seahawks position when Mike Holmgren is set to step down after the end of the disastrous season the team is currently having in SoDo.

The Seattle Times is reporting Hill comes highly recommended- Nick Saban has thrown some positive vibes Hill's way. The two worked together as assistants under Bill Belichick in Cleveland for two seasons. Current Washington president Mark Emmert hired Saban for the LSU gig on his resume, and AD Scott Woodward was at LSU at the same time.

The only other confirmed interviewee is Notre Dame offensive coordinator Michael Haywood, according to the Times.

NB- There is no buyout for Hill should he decide to bolt...
Just thought you should know...

Coverage from our friends at KGPE/CBS47 in Fresno is below

College Football: Week 3

Week 3 of the college football season has one monster match-up the 4-letter word is dubbing the “Collision At The Coliseum”. That’s marketing right there. There are some other compelling match-ups that don’t have a catchy slogan attached but hey, the worldwide leader could care less. Come to think of it, they are airing some of those games. So we will come up with our own slogan.

Best Game Of The Week – Ohio State at Southern California (See Above)

It’s #1 vs #5 or according to our dirty dozen, 1A vs 2. I get an uneasy feeling about this one. This game just seems ripe USC to deliver a Buckeye butt kicking however, Ohio State might get up for this one.

2nd Best Game Of The Week – Wisconsin at Fresno State (Cheese vs Raisins)

Pat Hill will bring his Fresno State Bulldogs anywhere to play against the big boys. For once a BCS team is heading to his neck of the woods. Wisconsin is the first Big 10 team to play at Bulldog stadium. The fans in Fresno are geeked for this one, it’s a sellout at Bulldog stadium so the Badgers will be greeted by a wall of noise. Should be a good game.

3rd Best Game Of The Week – Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech (The Battle of the Techs)

This will be an early indicator as to how good Georgia Tech really is and how much Virginia Tech has fallen. This is an opportunity for the Hokies to get some of its mojo back and for the Yellow Jackets, a win would yes put them in the drivers seat for the Coastal Division title.

Flying Under The Radar

Southern Miss at Arkansas State – I’ve jumped on the Red Wolves bandwagon, 2-0 and probably the best team in the state of Arkansas. If ASU can pull off a win over Southern Miss in Jonesboro, they will tear down the goal posts. It’s a statement game, although a small one, for Arkansas State. This should be a good game.

Off The Radar

Does anyone care that Michigan and Notre Dame play Saturday? No, that’s what I thought.

What If….

NC State upsets Clemson? Just thinking out loud.

How Many…

Points will Texas Tech rack up against SMU or LSU will pour on North Texas.

Rivarly Games:

Iowa State at Iowa – The annual battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy

Arizona at New Mexico – The winner of this old rivalry gains possession of the Kit Carson Rifle.

Arkansas at Texas – Frank Broyles and Darryl Royal will get together and talk about the old days of this Southwest Conference rivalry.