"Who is this year's Hawaii" and other disastrous distinctions

Non-BCS contenders hoping to make a name for themselves on the national stage need look no further than the example set by...Hawaii?

At media outlets across the country, the question of "Who is the next Boise State" has devolved into "Who is the next Hawaii," despite the fact that the questions carry nowhere near the same connotation. Boise State won the Fiesta Bowl. Hawaii choked away the Sugar Bowl. Boise State struck a blow for the little guy. Hawaii reminded everyone why WAC schools aren't usually invite to BCS functions.

If we're asking the question of "Who is this year's Hawaii," shouldn't we be asking the follow-up question of "Does anyone even want to be this year's Hawaii?" The way we remember it, the Warriors barely went undefeated against their cupcake regular season schedule, were chosen by the BCS out of default and obligation, laid a giant egg in the Sugar Bowl, then saw every important person on the team leave the program. Not exactly the way you want to build sustained success.

Scout.com was the latest to ask the question, and they had some interesting, if not unwilling candidates.

BYU, Utah, Tulsa, Southern Mississippi, Boise State.

Here's what they had to say about the Broncos:

Autzen is a nightmare no matter when you play there, but the Ducks are replacing Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart in the backfield. The Broncos are going there at the right time if there really is one, and this is a very experienced team. The game in Hattiesburg pits two of the best NBCS teams in the country, and Fresno State coming north to close out the season will likely decide the WAC champion.

We're sure that the media means well when it asks about the "next Hawaii," but assuming that the Warriors and the Broncos had similar experiences over the past two years is completely wrong. If people don't understand that, then it could be only a matter of time before we see some equally uncomfortable questions.

• Who is the next Maurice Clarett?
• Who is the next Bobby Petrino?
• When is the next USC recruiting scandal?
• Who is the next Chase Holbrook?
• What is the next 2k Sports Las Vegas Bowl?
• What are the next Oregon uniforms?
• Who will be the next Big Ten champion?
• What is the next Robb Akey mustache?

Some questions are best left unanswered.

Blog...Who is the next Hawai'i? [Scout.com]

Boise State's blueprint for a BCS championship berth

This afternoon, we are pleased to have a loyal OBNUG reader give his take on the upcoming Bronco football season.. Stephen Grettenberg, a Boise State football fan for many years, currently works for UC Berkeley for a scholarship program and is also founding a 501c3 organization promoting sustainability. He's contributed breaking news in the past, but this is his first OBNUG article. We're pretty sure you'll love it.


Every year starts with hope for every team in every sport - to reach some new goal, and for some, maybe even a national championship.

In Division I football (yes, I purposely skipped the new nomenclature) it really takes a lot for a non-BCS team to get a chance to play at that level, unlike say Fresno State's bizarre trip to baseball success. Strangely, that victory could help pave the way for Boise State football success by giving the WAC a better profile.

So, here's what I think would need to happen this year to give Boise State a slot in the football national championship game:

1. A strong quarterback with leadership and zip on the ball to emerge. Maybe Kellen Moore?
2. For Ian to have a strong rebound Heisman candidate year, to add publicity, and votes, to voter ballots. Continued success from the other backs as well.
3. Good offensive line play. I respected Sean Kugler, the former offensive line coach for the Broncos, now holding the same position for the Buffalo Bills. With Ryan Clady and a host of seniors gone as well, quality line play is a must and a question mark. Is the coaching and talent there? It has to be to compete at the top level.
4. The linebackers have to step up this year.

As for the games:

• USC must embarrass Ohio State. Why? Ohio State is quite likely to take the Big Ten. But if they are embarrassed in this game, nobody will want to see them in another championship.
• Boise State needs to bring its A+ best Fiesta Bowl style of moxie into Autzen Stadium and beat Oregon.
• Oregon needs to beat USC and go undefeated except for the loss to Boise State. This might give Boise an edge over any Pac-10 or Big Ten comers in combination with a USC victory over Ohio State as noted above.
• No more than one team in the BCS leagues can have fewer than two losses except Oregon.
• BYU and Utah can't go undefeated.
• Fresno State needs to go undefeated until getting beat by Boise State in Boise to close out the regular season.
• Boise State goes undefeated in the regular season.

Farfetched? Perhaps, but not wholly inconceivable.

I expect Fresno State and Oregon to both have strong years, especially Oregon. At one point the Ducks were second in the nation last year, and I actually think they could be better this year. I think they could be better than Oklahoma was in the Fiesta Bowl. What would it take to beat Oregon? I think Ian Johnson needs to take control like he did against Oregon State two years ago, for one thing. I think that would open up a chance for the passing game to work on the corners deep, if the safeties were supporting the run up the middle.

Last year, with many "elite teams" losing late in the season, a two-loss team made it to the national championship. Was this a fluke? If that kind of parity came again, it would open the door a little bit, providing a small chance for a team from the WAC or MWC to sneak in. It takes two things for that to happen as well. First that team needs to win out its schedule. The second is that it needs a really strong year from its competition.

This year I think there is a genuine chance for one of these non-BCS teams to run their slate: Boise State, Fresno State, BYU, or Utah. With the right breaks, and a real schedule unlike Hawaii's relatively light one last year, one of these teams could not only go BCS, but beyond.

It is up to Boise State to step up to be worthy of that chance, and leave the rest to fate. If Boise State beat Oregon convincingly in Autzen stadium, one of the toughest stadiums in the country, Boise State might be able to influence fate in its favor.

Friday: Links with thrift

Story of the day:

You win some, you lose some [Fight Fight BSU]

On the same day that the Broncos lost out on local prospect Darren Markle, BSU received a verbal commitment from Tesoro High (California) LB John Michael Davis. The bright lights of Boise apparently won him over.

From the Statesman:

He arrived in the city Wednesday and visited the school and met with coaches. That was enough for him.

"I just liked everything about it. The town was great. The campus was awesome. The coaches were great. It was a good fit," Davis said Thursday evening before heading to a Boise theater to watch "The Incredible Hulk" with his father.

We always try to celebrate our big life achievements with the cinema of Edward Norton, too.

Davis, in addition to having three names, is a 6'2", 225-pound stud, and he is expected to play middle linebacker at BSU. Welcome to Bronco Nation, John Michael.

Other links:

Did someone say superconference? [Orlando Sentinel]

Here's some food for thought.

Coach Pete's second-year coaching review [College Gridiron]
Another person who thinks he'll be in Boise for awhile.

Utah State website sees the light [USU Aggies]
Spending money on a football team? What a crazy idea!

Nevada stocks up on JC transfers [Reno Gazette Journal]
Highly sought-after freshmen are so overrated.

A positive story on the Mothership [KBCI]
Rhode quits Boise Burn [Statesman]
Taylor Bennett (LaTech QB) feature [Rivals.com]

Thursday: Links with feminism

Story of the day:

Markle commits to Washington State [Idaho Sports Zone]

Local prep standout Darren Markle from Mountain View High School has given his verbal commitment to the Washington State Cougars.

An opportunity to play in the Pac Ten and an opportunity to play early were cited as contributing factors in Markle's decision, as well as a high level of comfort with the new coaching staff in Pullman, headed by former Cougar offensive lineman Paul Wulff.

No word yet on whether or not he's actually visited Pullman.

Many BSU fans had hoped Markle would join the Broncos next fall, considering his local ties and apparent beastliness. Oh well; you can't get all the local recruits (right, Idaho?).

Other links:

More news on BSU radio search [Statesman]
An announcer with NFL experience? Bring on Jesse Palmer and Ron Pitts!

Comprehensive list of preseason polls [LSUfootball.net]
Boise State is at least in the discussion.

Non-BCS odds at a national championship [Fanblogs]
Odds? Not very good.

Statesman and Press-Tribune to merge printing [Statesman]
Can a single Sunday paper be far off?

Pac-10 commish out; Boise State in?

Last week, Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen announced his retirement, effective in July 2009. So what? So everything.

Allow us a moment or two of presumptive reasoning chock full of fallacies and baseless hope centered upon the following premise: Tom Hansen’s retirement means Boise State will join the Pac-10. All of a sudden, the retirement of some old guy seems a lot more important.

Here is the simpleton path by which our thought process arrived at this point. At the top of the replacement list for Hansen is WAC commissioner Karl Benson. Presumably, at the top of the Pac-10’s to-do-list is expanding to 12 teams. Ergo, Boise State will be playing in the Pac-10 sooner rather than later.

Naturally, there are several inferences that this reasoning assumes as truths in order to work.

1. Karl Benson would get the job. Keep in mind that Benson is the man who introduced New Mexico State, Idaho, and Utah State into an already-weak football conference. Benson gained tie-ins to the lucrative Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl, Hawaii Bowl, and another bowl that currently escapes our memory and interest. Benson has not exactly made the WAC better than it was when he took over.
2. The Pac-10 would actually want to expand. In our heart of hearts, we believe that this is true. However, our heart of hearts is far from a reliable source (see: Gamecube, Mario Tennis). Reasons against expansion: The Pac-10 is doing pretty well for itself with its 10 current teams. The Pac-10 is implicitly named to include 10 teams. The Pac-10 may not love conference championship games as much as TV executives do. The ACC.
3. Boise State would be chosen over a wide number of deserving schools. Boise, Idaho, home of the $1.99 Carl’s Jr. Famous Star, might not be able to hobnob with the Seattles and Los Angeleses of the Pac-10. The Eugenes and Pullmans? Sure. But the Pac-10 looks at academics, enrollment, grades, and facilities in addition to the obvious sports benefits. Plus, nothing says cheap like a basketball arena named after the home of the double decker taco.
4. The world would turn out to be a fair, honorable place. Then how might one explain the Hawaii Bowl?

Obviously, a lot of dominoes would have to fall in order for this scenario to play out in tangible places other than our dreams. Then again, all it takes is one domino to topple the rest. Tom Hansen = domino.

We’re not alone in our furtive hopefulness. Real, actual media outlets think the same thing:

Possible replacements for Hansen include Stanford Athletic Director Bob Bowlsby, Western Athletic Conference Commissioner Karl Benson, Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson and the former Big 12 commissioner Kevin Weiberg. (New York Times)

Two of the top candidates for the job -- WAC commissioner Karl Benson and former Big 12 commissioner Kevin Weiberg -- have the personality to sway the league's presidents and would be proactive in pursuing expansion. (Sporting News)

Would Benson be a good fit for the Pac-10? Hansen's old-school. Benson's a creative consensus-builder--he's had to be with the geographical and financial disparity among the WAC's membership in all its various forms. But Benson insists he remains a fit for the WAC, where he's about to become the longest-serving commissioner in the conference's 46-year history. (Tom Scott)

The process for choosing a new commissioner is sure to be long, tedious, and highfalutin. But the out-and-out optimism of living in a new landscape of West Coast football in a year from now is downright thrilling.

And it gets better.

Hansen has been notorious for his distaste of a college football playoff. He and his Rose Bowl are key roadblocks to the furthering of football justice, so with the old man out of the way, might a playoff be on the agenda?

Karl Benson had sure better be on board. No one has more firsthand experience about the kind of impact a small-conference school can have when given an opportunity to play against the big boys. Benson should appreciate that college football deserves to be a land of equality, and we’re confident that he would feel much better about affirming so once he has a cushy job at the head of a power conference. His voice would no longer be the bitter, desperate plea of a WAC commissioner begging for a fair chance. He could declare confidently his feelings on a playoff. Or he could have his intern do it for him.

At the very least, there is serious hope of a bright future for Boise State and small schools across the country. Old people should retire more often.

Life Coach: Winco sightings and family visits

The Life Coach believes that there are no stupid questions, just stupid Vandal fans who ask questions. His purpose is to shepherd Bronco Nation to the calm waters of illumination, guiding them through their perfunctory problems with grace, flair, and competent advice. Got a question for the Life Coach? Email him at OneBroncoNationUnderGod@gmail.com.

Dear Life Coach,
Which is more awesome: seeing Titus Young at WinCo or seeing my family at Thanksgiving?
Starstruck in Star

I would say that it would be seeing Titus Young at WinCo. My man Titus is from Los Angeles. I am not sure if he is from the Hollywood part of L.A. or from the other parts, but I am going to doubt that he has ever seen a WinCo before. So I think that it is probably as exciting for him as it is for you.

But it all depends on the time. I mean, if it is 3:30 in the afternoon and you see him shopping in WinCo for some dorm food – that's one thing. I might actually rather see my family at Thanksgiving than see that. But if it is like 3:30 in the morning the night after a game and you see him limping into WinCo because he is having a post-game craving of Doritos – that is something altogether different. I would gladly spend Thanksgiving cold and alone if I could see that.

Especially if Zabransky or K.C. Adams was in the car waiting for him.

Quick question, Life Coach,
Where does the BCS rank on the spectrum of tyrannical crimes against humanity? Before apartheid or after?
Insensitive in Idaho City

For the record, I do not ever want to put the BCS ranking being ANYWHERE NEAR apartheid or any other crimes against humanity. As Americans, we need to figure out how to separate sports from reality. During Apartheid people were brutally marginalized, unfairly imprisoned, and sometimes killed – and this took place over decades. During BCS, ummm, we sometimes don't get a clear cut college football champion.

So...

Next question please.

Hey, Life Coach,
I recently read on OBNUG that Boise State is getting 100-to-1 odds to win the national title. Should I jump on that?
Sincerely, Charles Barkley

Charles, if you jumped on the Boise State bandwagon, you would smoosh it. Because you are so big! (hahhahahahahaha, hehehheee…)

All joking aside, Charles, you should definitely wager as much money as you can on the Broncos. Even though I can guarantee that you do not know where to locate Boise on a map, you should just trust us. Trust us. Trust the WAC. Trust your gambling instincts. Look where they have gotten you so far.

Also, Charles, you should call your friend D-Wade and have him bet BSU, too… and then you should make a commercial out of it.

Monday: Links with America

Story of the day:

J. R. Simplot (1909-2008) [Associated Press]

Idaho lost one of its most successful and recognizable businessmen today when Jr. Simplot passed away in his home. He was 99.

While this news item is not expressly about Boise State, Simplot did have a soft spot in his heart for the Broncos, as explained by a story from the Tri-City Herald.

In his 90s, he seldom missed a Micron board meeting and was often seen about town, at events from Boise State University football games (he routinely bet $10 on the Broncos) to Art in the Park.

Betting on the Broncos? No wonder people considered him to have a brilliant business mind.

Other links:

Peak Broadcasting's BSU network [Idaho Press-Tribune]
You're welcome, Pocatello.

Don't expect BCS changes by 2018 [ESPN.com]
But do expect hover-cars.

Give Greg Graham an extension! [Parsing the WAC]
His players graduate!

None of BSU's Fiesta plays make list of memorable moments [ESPN.com]
And we're done reading ESPN.com forever.

Why is this year different for Fresno State? [Fresno State football blog]
"Because it is," says Fresno State fan.

ACC says good-bye to H-Bowl

The ACC has finally had enough of the Humanitarian Bowl, and the conference will end its bowl ties following the 2008 postseason.

For seven years, ACC teams have traveled to Boise, complained about Boise, and lost to small-conference schools. Conference officials decided they had had enough.

"The people in Boise have always done a fantastic job for us but there was a strong feeling that we needed to get our No. 8 team back into this part of the country," ACC commissioner John Swofford said.

Swofford continued: "Plus, the ACC hates humanitarians."

With an opening for 2009, the Humanitarian Bowl will be looking to fill a vacant spot in its bowl lineup. And although late-December, afternoon bowl games are not exactly hot tickets, we think that the H-Bowl should be able to get an entertaining opponent. Here are our suggestions:

• Another WAC team. Although, for this to be possible, the NCAA might need to lower its bowl-eligible requirements.
• Idaho's 5A high school football champion. David Augusto's head might explode.
• Notre Dame. Every year. They won't have anything else to do.
• Fast food and mobile phone mascots. The Idaho Powerball can officiate.
• The Hosei (Japan) University football team. Konnichiwa, college bowl season.
• A team of WAC bloggers. OBNUG calls dibs on wide receiver!
  

No more trips to Boise for ACC [Atlanta Journal-Constitution]

Wednesday: Links with exercise

Story of the day:

Boise State to host big-time QB recruit [Idaho Press-Tribune]

The Idaho Press-Tribune's Dave Southorn is reporting that California high school QB Richard Brehaut will be in camp this summer with the Broncos. Rivals.com ranks him as a four star recruit and gives him a 5.8 on their rating scale that goes up to 6.1.

The following are stats from Brehaut's freshman year. Freshman!

65.0 completion percentage, 2,348 yards, 22 touchdowns
528 rushing yards, 5 touchdowns

Bush Hamdan was not available for comment.

Other links:

Numerical evidence that the BCS is awful [The Big Lead]
Along with the compelling case of common sense and demand, numerical evidence should make things pretty clear.

Boise State's hook-and-ladder spawns new iterations [Scout.com]
One high school is calling it the hook-and-latter. Also popular: the statue of levity, the double reverb, and quarterback stink.

Boise State games are fun to watch [Are you ready for football?]
Was there ever any debate?

McMackin to keep Hawaii's traditional pre-game dance [Scott Slant]
Former BSU WR Bady has new afl2 team [OurSportsCentral]

Thursday: Links with nepotism

Story of the day:

Hawkins promises championship, metaphors at CU [Rocky Mtn News]

Former BSU coach (and current OBNUG Public Enemy #1) Dan Hawkins was back to his old Zen-like ways during a speech in Denver on Wednesday, but amidst a shower of metaphors, similes, idioms, and analogies, he dropped this burden on the CU football program:

"Our goal is to win a national championship at Colorado," Hawkins said, veering into his booster speech. "They laugh at that now, but you won't be laughing because we'll do it, at some point. I promise you that."

We'll believe it when we see it.

The best part of Hawkins speech, however, was not the blathering prediction. Great expectations were only a lead-in to a bevy of classic Hawkinisms. Enjoy.

"Sometimes you've got to be a potter. You've got your hands on the clay, softly, gently molding. And then other times you've got to be a blacksmith and put 'em in the fire and heat 'em up and pound on 'em."

...and...

"It takes all the people in this room, that we all support each other in this thing. As Nelson Mandela says, it's about ubuntu, that we're all in this together."

...and...

'The gutter always recruits. The gutter always needs reinforcements.'

...and...

"We have a saying: There's two types of class, there's first and there's no

...and one more...

"I always tell our guys that excellence is doing a common thing in an uncommon way, and I didn't make that up."

He ended the speech with, "Go play intramurals, brother."

Other links:

Akey responds to NCAA sanctions [Idaho Statesman]
His response: "We have to worry about academics, too?! We haven't even figured out this football thing yet!"

Will Boise State crash the BCS again? [Red Zone Report]
More importantly, are you really crashing the BCS if you're invited?

One man's BSU bowl prediction [NCAAbbs]
The Humanitarian Bowl? Versus Maryland? Great, now we're depressed.

BCS Stays The Same, No One Surprised

To no one's real surprise, it announced yesterday that the BCS system will not change. In fact, ACC commissioner and BCS chairman John Swofford stated:

I believe the BCS has never been healthier in its first decade

Of course, when something starts so low, it can only go up.

11 conference commissioners met along with Notre Dame's president to discuss the BCS. SEC commissioner Mike Slive proposed the plus-one system but did not receive any serious.

Karl Benson had this to say about the plus-one system:

It wasn't in opposition to the plus-one. It was that the existing system
and the existing format was working fine.

Well, that's debatable. Also:

No matter how much you tried to create a system that guaranteed one vs.
two, there's always going to be arguments and debates over who is No. 4 and who
is No. 5.

That's true, however, any chance to include more deserving teams in the opportunity to play for a title is never a bad thing. Lastly, Benson said he would propose a plus-one format because:

It's much easier to get to No. 4 than it is No. 2

And that seems to be the crux of the issue.

Now we're not as bent out of shape about this decision as fans of some other programs (like Auburn). As good as the 2006 Boise State team was, they were not in the top 4 after the regular season.

The thing that is the most frustrating thing about this, is that the college presidents and commissioners are depriving fans of the same experience that the NCAA basketball tournament delivers. Some would argue that Boise State upsetting Oklahoma was the perfect end to the season and that having to play in a playoff would rob us of that satisfaction. I would disagree. The only downside of that Fiesta Bowl win for me, is the thought of unrealized potential of that 2006 team. How good were they? Could they have beaten Florida? Most would say probably not, but the lack of a definitive answer will always bother me.

BCS will not change current non-playoff system [ESPN.com]
Murphy: NCAA once again chooses money over crowning a football champ [IdahoStatesman.com]

Brian Murphy doesn't get college football

Brian Murphy continues to amaze us. After belittling Bronco fans in his March columns, Murphy has turned his attention to taking the wrong side in the BCS/Congress debate. In his Statesman story over the weekend, the Murph claimed that there are more important things for the Justice Department to concerned about.

Mike Simpson, R-Ida. and co-sponsors Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, and Lynn Westmoreland, R-Ga., have decided that what Congress should be worrying about is the college football bowl system. Even in this period of persistent war, a collapsing dollar, a mortgage crisis, all-time high gasoline prices and troubled healthcare system what Congress should really be worrying about is the college football bowl system.

Huh?

"We can do more than one thing at a time," Simpson said, defending the bill. "It doesn't mean we're not doing other things."

Um, that's precisely what it means.

Leave it to Murphy to ignore quotes from his main source in order to keep on the path to his original point. Sure, there are other issues in this country, but the government is well aware of them and working hard to fix them. Simpson is right; a bunch of grown-ups can multi-task.

Besides, as a Boise State fan, Murphy should be thrilled about this bill. The Broncos are the poster child for fairness and equality, and their success is exactly why this kind of legislation is being proposed. Should it pass, Boise State will have an infinitely better shot at a national title.

The issue is not an issue solely reserved for college football because obviously college football cannot handle it. If left alone in the hands of Myles Brand and Co., the BCS will continue in its current inequitable state for years. College football needs outside intervention, and the best place to get it is in Congress.

Murphy needs to get off his soapbox and appreciate this great opportunity. Forget the energy crisis. Be glad that college football won't be broken forever.

Congress should be dealing with bigger problems [Idaho Statesman]

An open letter to Congress

Dear Congress,

If you don't vote to end the BCS, the terrorists will win.

Sincerely,
OBNUG

Fighting The (BCS) Man on Capitol Hill

A resolution is underway in Washington, D.C., to investigate the legality of the BCS. We have never loved politicians more than we do right now.

Representatives Neil Abercrombie, Democrat of Hawaii; Lynn Westmoreland, Republican of Georgia; and Mike Simpson, Republican of Idaho, introduced a resolution saying the B.C.S. restricts trade because only the largest universities compete in its games. The resolution would require the Justice Department’s antitrust division to investigate if the B.C.S. violates federal law.

Good for Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson leading the charge. He has earned our vote from now until eternity.

The measure, if it passes, would put Congress on record as supporting a postseason playoff.

With OBNUG also on record as supporting a postseason playoff, Congress will have a hard time ignoring this issue.

Three lawmakers seek inquiry... [New York Times]

Losing lucratively pays off for Hawaii

The Hawaii Warriors, big-time losers in the 2008 Sugar Bowl, will receive $4.3 million from the BCS for their participation in the bowl game. For comparison, Boise State, who appeared in the Fiesta Bowl the year before, received $4.2 million...and the respect and admiration of the entire country.

After expenses, the Warriors should net nearly $2.2 million, which could buy coach Greg McMackin a lot of Cokes! However, it appears cooler, more financially responsible heads will prevail.

UH athletic director Jim Donovan, who inherited a balance sheet with a $4.4 million accumulated net deficit when he took over last month, said he hopes to use $1.5 million to balance the budget for the current fiscal year. Options for the remaining $600,000 to $700,000, if it stays within the athletic department, include reducing the accumulated net deficit, making investments in the athletic department and purchasing video equipment for the football team.

We think some of the remaining money should go to Donovan's "shirt fund."



Hawaii's lucrative failure does not just benefit the Warriors, though. Each WAC school will receive over $400,000 apiece to do with as they see fit. Fresno State will use its share to pay down a budget deficit, New Mexico State will fund the Chase Holbrook for Heisman campaign, and Utah State has plans to bribe opponents into "taking it easy on us this year."

UH gets $4.3M bowl payout[Honolulu Advertiser]

Ranking the schedule

Every Boise State game is a treat for OBNUG. We love watching the Broncos play no matter who the opponent is. But which game are we most excited to see? Allow us to rank them.

12. Idaho Sta...zzzzzzzzzzzz
Sorry, we fell asleep just writing that. Wouldn't this game work out better if it was played instead of the final fall scrimmage? I mean, who are we kidding? That's what this game basically is anyway.

12. Utah State
The Aggies are coming to town on November 8. Consider the calendar not circled.

11. Bowling Green
Rumor has it, the Falcons will have a converted quarterback playing running back this year. Isn't that supposed to work the other way?

10. New Mexico State
There are one too many Aggies on the schedule.

9. LaTech
Bulldogs, too.

8. San Jose State
The Spartans always play us tough in San Jose. And they always play us at, like, 9:00 a.m. What's up with that?

7. Southern Miss
When we saw the Golden Eagles in person last year, they were a big, scary bunch. They will probably be even more intimidating in their home stadium, wearing all black. Bring it.

6. Nevada
Will we see another 69-67 overtime shootout? Our heart valves sure hope not.

5. Hawaii
Revenge is a dish best served by throwing things at Hawaii wide receivers in the North end zone.

4. Idaho
If this were any other school, we would have this game ranked much lower. While the Vandals don't offer us much competition, at least Idaho Week is good for a few laughs.

3. Oregon
A BCS-conference school on the road is not our idea of a good time. But going to the game and taking lots of pictures is! We'll be there for the possible upset, and we couldn't be more excited.

2. Fresno State
This game is as close as the WAC will get to a championship game, and we couldn't be happier that it is at home in the last week of the season. We have already started purging our closet of everything red.

1. National championship game vs. Georgia
Yeah, don't pretend like you didn't know this was happening. We've already put money down on tickets. Non-refundable, baby!

Glad we don't have to deal with this crap

The young man pictured above is Terrelle Pryor, the number one rated QB in this year's class currently being recruited by Michigan and Ohio State among others. We touched on this earlier but this morning, he held a press conference to announce that he was not making a decision today. Apparently he had said that Oregon was no longer in consideration, but even that's changed.

Now Michigan fans are up in arms over this since he's supposed to be their savior in the new spread offense being implemented by Rich Rodriguez. Ohio State fans enjoy making the Michigan fans worry that he's going there because they're so much better (completely forgetting that they are 0-9 against the SEC and have been a black eye to the BCS).

So, as Boise State announces it's recruiting class and as much as I would love to see a five star recruit on the list, I'm glad we don't have to deal with oversized egos from recruits that have gotten a little too much attention over the last year. This whole situation has Reggie Bush scandal written all over it.