Preview mags take Moore over Hamdan

We were browsing at Barnes and Noble the other day, and we came across some interesting news from the two college football preview magazines that were available: Both Lindy's and Athlon Sports projected Kellen Moore as the starting quarterback.

Bush Hamdan was not available for comment.

An open letter to Phil Steele

Dear Phil Steele,

Thank you for putting out an annual college football preview. That said, please stop.

If your All-WAC teams were any indication, the body of your work is built upon name recognition, wild guesses, and having an intern write things for you. We were appalled at the lack of reason to your WAC selections. Four Broncos among the WAC's top 30 players? Have you watched the WAC lately?

We fear that you have not. In fact, we fear that your entire list was pieced together with little to no research or outside opinion. All-conference teams are usually made up of several players from the best teams, a group to which the University of Idaho does not belong. Yet, there they were with ample representation on your all-WAC selections. What happened? Do you owe Robb Akey's mustache money?

Unfortunately, we fear that the conclusion is that you settled for a lazy approach to your WAC preview. And we cringe to think about what you might do with other lists:

• Your preseason Heisman might include Knowshown Moreno, Terrelle Pryor, and Tom Brady's one-year-old son.


• Your NBA MVP list might have included Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and Larry Bird.


• Your Democratic national ticket might include John Edwards, Joseph Lieberman, and Peter Griffin.


• Your list of your favorite summer movies of 2008 might include Indiana Jones, Cloverfield, and Spiderman 4.


• Your preseason poll might include Notre Dame (ed's note: Steele's preview included Notre Dame at #19).

Next season, please try to factor in traditional on-field performance when you are considering your all-conference selections. If you are randomly guessing at breakthrough players, do not look at San Jose State. If you are hurting for a breakout QB, take a stab at a Bronco.

And if you think we're buying your magazine, guess again.

Sincerely,

OBNUG

Friday: Links with Boise

Story of the day:

Greg Graham staying with Broncos [Idaho Statesman]

Oft-beleaguered Bronco coach Greg Graham looks to have a new incentive-laden deal with Boise State that could keep him in Boise for the better part of forever.

The contract includes standard components, such as an annual salary of $345,000 and financial incentives for conference championships, postseason berths and academic performance... The contract also has incentives for additional years that strictly relate to wins, championships and postseason bids.

Graham's contract could turn into a nine-year extension, provided he keep winning. Certain criteria range from winning the conference tournament to earning an NIT berth to completing fundamental inbounds plays.

We're happy to have Graham back because we feel that the Bronco men's basketball team has an opportunity to build upon its success from last season. The more winning BSU teams, the better!

Other links:

Extension coming for Hawkins? [Ralphie Report]
Being mediocre in the Big XII is a lot better than being awful in the Big XII, we guess.

Someone's talking Big East split [Fanblogs]
Southern Miss is being thrown around as a possible addition.

Was Hawaii's Sugar Bowl trip unethical? [Star Bulletin]
We mean besides the horribly lopsided loss part.

J Bates column links to OBNUG [J's Blog]
Ergo, OBNUG links to J Bates column. Thanks, J.

San Jose State and NMSU also not good [Rivals.com]
Well, half the WAC is out of the way, and Rivals isn't even out of the 100s yet.