QB battle: Moore vs. Hamdan: Day 12

The most important decision in the history of the world will be made in the next few weeks, and we'll be providing daily updates on all the hype and hyperbole surrounding the Boise State quarterback competition.

Vs.

Tomorrow night we get our second chance to see the quarterback competition for ourselves, but until then, we'll just have to rely on our trusted local media for guidance. Scary thought, huh.

Moore: the People's choice
Hamdan: the Media's choice

Advantage: Hamdan. The media does see practice, after all.

In the lead...Tie. It will make for a more interesting scrimmage this way.

QB battle: Moore vs. Hamdan: Day 11

The most important decision in the history of the world will be made in the next few weeks, and we'll be providing daily updates on all the hype and hyperbole surrounding the Boise State quarterback competition.

Vs.

Coach Pete spoke about the quarterback race yesterday, but not in the way that anyone had hoped.

Petersen said he didn’t learn anything new about the quarterbacks competing for the starting job, senior Bush Hamdan and freshman Kellen Moore. They continue to split time with the first team.

As much as we want to know who the starter will be, we know that the Bronco coaching staff is doing the right thing by waiting as long as it takes to make sure they pick the right guy. In the meantime, we can keep getting our hopes up that maybe we'll have an answer soon. Like tomorrow?

Offensive coordinator Brian Harsin said the race was similar to last season with both quarterbacks basically in a dead heat, including a so-so first scrimmage. Like last season, the competition will continue for another week at least.

Bummer.

Moore: taught Coach Pete nothing in the first scrimmage
Hamdan: also taught Coach Pete nothing in the first scrimmage

Advantage: Rosetta Stone.

In the lead...Moore. Day 11 of the quarterback competition just happens to match his jersey number. Serendipity?

QB battle: Moore vs. Hamdan: Day 10

The most important decision in the history of the world will be made in the next few weeks, and we'll be providing daily updates on all the hype and hyperbole surrounding the Boise State quarterback competition.

Vs.

The Bronco quarterback competition is into the double digits now, and we are still without a starter for the Idaho State game. Hmm, when we say it like that, it doesn't seem like such a big deal.

Hamdan: Threw a touchdown to Vinny Perretta, threw an interception to Kyle Wilson
Moore: Threw left-handed

Advantage: Push. An interception washes out a touchdown, and left-handed people make us feel awkward.

In the lead...Moore. He's living off his scrimmage performance, which is pretty much all anyone has to go off of now.

QB battle: Moore vs. Hamdan vs. Lomax(?): Day 9

The most important decision in the history of the world will be made in the next few weeks, and we'll be providing daily updates on all the hype and hyperbole surrounding the Boise State quarterback competition.

Vs . Vs .

Guessing who the starting quarterback will be based solely on the media reports from practice is hard. So with the Broncos' first public scrimmage in the books, we finally have some biased personal opinion to throw into the mix.

There was no clear-cut winner in the quarterback race yesterday. There was really no clear-cut winner of anything. But one thing's for sure is that whoever gets names the starter will have to be good at scrambling, making plays on the run, and handing the ball off.

The Moore vs. Hamdan debate, at least for one day this fall, should make room for Nick Lomax. The hard luck junior had the best efficiency rating out of the three QBs, which should earn him at least a mention in the competition conversation. Although, running against third teamers would make anyone look good. Right, Kevin Sapien?

Moore: 9-of-22 for 137 yards and a touchdown. Looks very much in control of the offense. Seems to always come up big in game situations. Goes through his reads too quickly. Moves well. Has big-play potential.
Hamdan: 5-of-15 for 48 yards. Feels pressure and moves well within the pocket. Throws with confidence. Forces balls into tight spots. Tends to lock on to receivers. Smells like a leader.
Lomax(!): 7-of-9 for 68 yards. Owns the third-team defense. Is tall. Delivers the ball on time and with accuracy. Has virtually no chance of being starting quarterback.

Advantage: Moore.

In the lead...Moore. The freshman jumped over the senior in our minds with his performance in the first scrimmage. He seemed to handle his situations the best out of all four quarterbacks, and he made the right decision on almost every play. With the line the way that it is, Moore looks the best under center because so much of his potential is on the run, outside of the pocket. Hamdan is just a bit behind, but all could change over the next five days.

QB battle: Moore vs. Hamdan: Day 5

The most important decision in the history of the world will be made in the next few weeks, and we'll be providing daily updates on all the hype and hyperbole surrounding the Boise State quarterback competition.

  Vs. 

The Press-Tribune has posted audio from Kellen Moore's post-practice press conference. Here's the link: Press-Tribune multimedia. We know what will be playing in David Augusto's iPod this weekend.

Here's today's breakdown:

Moore: connected with Titus Young on a deep TD, thought it was "awesome"
Hamdan: found Vinny Perretta for a long touchdown toss, celebrated with Geritol and extra-cautious high-fives

Advantage: Moore. Assuming Young will be on the field more often than Perretta, Kellen chose the right wideout to connect with.

In the lead...Hamdan. By a hair. And no, we have nothing to base this on.

QB battle: Moore vs. Hamdan: Day 3

The most important decision in the history of the world will be made in the next few weeks, and we'll be providing daily updates on all the hype and hyperbole surrounding the Boise State quarterback competition.

  Vs.

The Boise State quarterback competition is now into its third day, and we are no closer to finding out who will be manning the good ship Bronco come August 30th. Here is where things stand as of today.

Moore: Fumbled in the morning session. Looked small with shoulder pads on.
Hamdan: Reminisced about the early 1980's during line drills. Looked old with shoulder pads on.

Advantage: Push.

In the lead: Hamdan. Fortunately for him, ageism has no place among Bronco coaches.

QB battle: Moore vs. Hamdan: Day 2

The most important decision in the history of the world will be made in the next few weeks, and we'll be providing daily updates on all the hype and hyperbole surrounding the Boise State quarterback competition.

Vs.

Word from Broncos camp is glowing about Bush Hamdan and strangely silent about Kellen Moore. How are we supposed to overreact to every little detail when we don't have every little detail? Looks like we'll just have to start reading into things.

Moore: Practicing with the returners? Good. Throwing an interception to Jeron Johnson? Bad.
Hamdan: Gave a media interview and said all the right things.

Advantage: Hamdan.

In the lead: Hamdan. Haven't heard a bad thing about him yet ... except that he's a senior.

QB battle: Moore vs. Hamdan: Day 1

The most important decision in the history of the world will be made in the next few weeks, and we'll be providing daily updates on all they hype and hyperbole surrounding the Boise State quarterback competition. 

Vs.

Boise State football is back, which begs the question: Who will the starting quarterback be? Now that the players are actually on the field, we will be able to track the candidates (Kellen Moore, Bush Hamdan, and to lesser degrees, Mike Coughlin and Nick Lomax) and provide daily breakdowns of where things stand. Today, senior Hamdan takes the lead.

Hamdan: Spent summer vacation organizing softball game and warming up to media.
Moore: Spent summer vacation getting a farmer's tan.

Today's winner: Hamdan.

In the lead...Hamdan. But that's nothing a Planet Beach tanning session can't fix.

As the WAC quarterbacks turn: Graunke out, McCormick done

Hawaii and Utah State's quarterback competitions are not as competitive any more.

Tyler Graunke, the favorite for the Warriors' quarterback spot, will not be with the team for the foreseeable future, and Jase McCormick, one of several irrelevant contenders for the Aggies, has quit football entirely. Utah State will do that to you.

Graunke, who backed up Colt Brennan each of the last three years, was suspended in the offseason, but he seemed to have his problems worked out and was set to capture the starting quarterback spot. His situation now is pretty up in the air, and will remain that way so long as Hawaii head coach Greg McMackin continues to make broad, generalizing statements.

"Tyler has things he has to work on," McMackin said yesterday in a release from UH. "At this point, he will not practice with the team. Because of privacy laws, I can't comment any further."

Things are much more black and white with Utah State's Jase McCormick. He's got better things to do than lose to mediocre WAC teams week in and week out.

When reached by The Tribune on Saturday, Guy said that McCormick was involved with a few business ventures that he was doing well with.

Also, he was tired of this happening:



The turmoil at Hawaii and Utah State serves to highlight the QB flux across the WAC this season. In addition to the Warriors and the Aggies, there are several other schools with unsettled quarterback situations:

• LaTech: open competition
  
• San Jose State: open competition
  
• Boise State: open competition
  
• Idaho: Nathan Enderle

The signal callers in the WAC with job security are Tom Brandstater, Chase Holbrook, and Colin Kaepernick. Armageddon cannot be far off.

Graunke left back [Star Bulletin]
Jase McCormick leaves Aggies [Salt Lake Tribune]

Morning paper: Boise State football links 8/4

Brian Murphy on QB competition [Statesman]
Coach Pete and Harsin have been there before.

Chadd Cripe on QB competition [Statesman]
Well, at least the Statesman isn't blowing this thing out of proportion.

Alex Guerrero doing color on Spanish radio [Fight Fight BSU]
Donde esta el futbol? En el endzone! Seis puntas!

Broncos ranked #26 by NYT [New York Times]
A good read, if you're into looking up words in dictionaries.

15 minutes of fame for the laundry guy [Statesman]
No word on the Tide-to-go pen.

Dinwiddie CFL player of the week [CFL.ca]
Bags of milk for everyone!

If Aztecs are out, will Broncos be in? [Union-Tribune]
SDSU may be without stadium, which makes it hard to play football.

Nevada gets QB commit [Gazette-Journal]
See? Early recruits can happen outside of Boise.

WAC recruiting budgets [ESPN]
Blogger is out to get us [Blogger Buzz] 

Exciting newcomers, fall camp subplots, and the return of Boise State football

Boise State football is back. High five!



The Broncos take the field for the start of fall camp on Monday, and not a moment too soon. The offseason has been a difficult one, considering the way that last season ended for BSU. Two losses in a row is quite a different pill to swallow than a Fiesta Bowl win. But we swallowed it nevertheless, washing down the sucker with a tasty brew of early commits and media love. Mmmm, media love.

Now we can start over-evaluating players again. Woohoo! Here are the newcomers who will be in camp on Monday, listed in order of how stoked we are to see them.

1. LB Daron Mackey. Juco transfers are our weakness.
   
2. LB Byron Hout. The Hout era begins in earnest.
   
3. OT Tom Swanson. The biggest incoming lineman. Might eat Chris Potter.
   
4. WR Chris Potter. Fast, which should prevent Tom Swanson from eating him.
5. S Tyler Jackson. Young safeties out the wazzoo.

But of course, what would a Division I-A offseason be without drama. It would be a Division I-AA offseason probably. With the Broncos becoming more and more of a big deal every year, they have more and more questions to answer heading into the season. Here are some the most intriguing subplots to watch for when fall camp kicks off on Monday.

• Who will be starting quarterback?
• Will the offensive linemen be any bigger or any more experienced?
• What's the deal with that "Q" formation?
• Will playing in the shade of the Mothership make the Broncos complacent?
• Can Bob Behler pick Tanyon Bissell out of a crowd?
• Is Ryan Winterswyk human?
• How soon can we talk about Doug Martin again?
• Ian Johnson: overrated or not rated enough?
• Will bloggers receive press credentials?
  

Naturally, all these issues will sort themselves out by the time Idaho State comes to town on August 30. And if they don't, at least it's only Idaho State.

But for now, football is back. Life is complete. And the world is right again.

Monday: Links with experience

Story of the day:

WAC coaches favor, ignore early signing period  [Statesman]

Much has been made of the proposal of an early signing period for college football. Strangely enough, even the WAC seems interested

"I'm 100 percent for it," Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley said. "You would save some money so you don't have to keep seeing guys and babysit and prevent the negative recruiting that comes after a commitment. It would prevent (other) schools from getting in and trying to confuse and manipulate."

The news is strange considering that there have been hardly any early commitments in the conference outside of the nine from Boise State. What difference would an early signing period make then? Do WAC schools enjoy not meeting deadlines? Are they in a rush to be turned down? Are they hoping impressionable high school kids would be more akin to bad decisions earlier in the year?

Of course, not everyone is thrilled about an early signing period, although the issue with this particular program might be its anathema to recruiting in general.

"I still like to evaluate kids during their senior year," Utah State coach Brent Guy said. "I want to see a guy get better from his junior to senior year and keep improving. I wouldn't use it."

Adding, "I hardly use the one we have now!"

Other links:

Clady's contract worth $17.5 million [AP]
$11.5 in guarantees, one wild night at Six Flags Denver.

BSU schedule featured on Wiz of Odds [Wizard of Odds]
Complete with predictable Ian Johnson age joke.

NFL-caliber Boise State QBs [BNN]
Forget who's starting! Who's third-string NFL material?

Fresno State wants to go to the BCS [Honolulu Advertiser]
Aw, they're jealous.

Oregon suspends starting linebacker [Yahoo! Sports]
Nate Potter breathes sigh of relief.

LaTech loses four players [ESPN.com]
Suspension, academics, transferring, indifference to LaTech football.

WAC has work to do [Statesman]
Breaking news: Idaho not pulling its weight.

Thirty more days: Bronco football nears

Move over, America's birthday. There's another reason to celebrate today: In exactly one month, the Boise State football team will take the field again for fall practice.

Only thirty more days stand between Bronco Nation and Bronco practice, which means there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel of summer. Fortunately, there have been things to talk about over the past two months (early recruits, Bob Behler, Phil Steele), but nothing will ever replace real, actual football.

And certainly, the next four weeks should go by quickly. The Bronco players will be finishing up their summer training, the latest NCAA Football video game will be released, and the WAC will hold its annual media session (check the Idaho Statesman's blog in September for details). Before we know it, August will be upon us, and we can start reading into the quarterback situation again.

Happy Fourth of July, Bronco Nation. And an even happier Thirty-Days-Until-Football Day.

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.

Tuesday: Links with Engagement

Story of the day:

Non-BCS players to watch in 2008 [In the Bleachers]

We found this story interesting not only because it provides a handy guide to some potentially exciting players, but it also has a level-headed, sensible approach to the preseason WAC race.

After a quiet year in 2007 expect Johnson and Boise State to make another run in the WAC, where the departure of Colt Brennan and June Jones at Hawaii has suddenly left the conference wide open.

It sure is nice not having someone hand the title to Fresno State right away.

Ian Johnson is the lone BSU representative on the list, and he joins three other WAC players to watch. Not surprisingly, no Vandals were mentioned.

Other links:

Tadman in Jets camp [Idaho Statesman]
Oh, really, Statesman? It's about time you mentioned this. And thanks for not citing us as a source. Again.

Relating popular bands to their college team similes [Fight Fight BSU]
Conspicuously absent is Utah State. They always came across as a Scrantonicity to us.

Another case for Kellen Moore [Bleacher Report]
Written by Michael Hroma, which is probably an alias for Jeff Caves.

Scandrick impresses in Cowboys camp [Idaho Statesman]
The blogs have already hit on this, but we guess its not news until a newspaper covers it.

UH volleyball and football nearly double-booked [Honolulu Advertiser]
Crisis averted! Thank goodness they figured this one out.

Senior OL Woodruff picked in CFL Draft [Idaho Sports Zone]
Bronco golfer qualifies for regionals [Idaho Statesman]
Fresno recruiting cattle ranchers [ESPN.com]

The Life Coach: Ian Johnson=chick magnet

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,
I am a girl who loves Boise State football but does not love Ian Johnson. Do I exist?
Confused in Caldwell

No, you don’t. Ian Johnson is the equivalent of Justin Timberlake for N’SYNC. No fourteen-year-old girl watched N’SYNC for Joey or Billy or whoever the other guys were. They watched N’SYNC for Justin. Just like every girl who is a BSU fan watches Boise State football because of Ian Johnson. There is nothing else there to attract them.

You think there are tweeners who just love the beat and feel of N’SYNC’s music? No way. You think there are girls out there who love BSU football for its offensive ingenuity and ability to get big third down stops? No way.

Nearly every girl who watches BSU simply watches because they are hoping that Ian Johnson somehow dumps his wife and asks them to marry him on national TV. Or because they like the blue turf.

Life Coach,
What is an appropriate response to seeing Marty Tadman in the Boise Towne Square Mall Pro Image? I hope you will say "shriek like a little girl, have him sign your undershirt, ask him to be the godparent of your as-yet-to-be-born child and steal a sample of his hair while he's not looking...you know, for cloning purposes." I ask out of curiosity, not out of past incidence.
Creepy in Coeur d'Alene

Just as Marty Tadman is a very unique individual, there is not one response that is uniquely appropriate when seeing Marty in a Pro Image at the mall. Varied responses are acceptable, BUT there is a basic framework that you should try to stay within.

Only scream or gasp once – preferably upon initial realization or contact. Prolonged shrieks and gasps are unsightly and unacceptable.

You may notice his tattoos, but under no circumstances are you to touch them or ask him to show you every tattoo that he has. I mean, he knows they're awesome. That’s why he got them.

Don’t do anything you would regret if your grandmother was watching.

Don’t do anything that would normally require a lawyer (i.e. giving him your kidney, becoming a legalized guardian, stealing his hat, etc.)

Finally, upon departure, do not give him lingering looks through the display window. Marty hates this. It creeps him out. Just be a man and walk away. Walk away.

Mr. Life Coach,
Where does the line for the Kellen Moore bandwagon start?
Jeff Caves in Boise

Start? Where does it end? That’s the question.

There are so many people already a part of this lefty’s fan base that he might be able to form a legitimate mutiny if he doesn’t start. His boyish features and unique style soften the heart of the elderly and inspire those of the younger generation. The Kellen Moore bandwagon is currently a tricked out Honda Element, and there is a long line to get into that compact SUV.

So, my friend, the question is not where does it start. The question is: Where does it end? Because you need to get in line.

Blue & Orange podcast

We had the privilege of taking part in another podcast with fellow Boise State bloggers. To listen, click here. Matt from Statue Left, JT from Bronco Nation NOW, and yours truly chatted about the Blue-Orange game and the shake-ups with Bronco media. Enjoy.

Podcast [BroncoNationNOW.com]

Spring game's scoring system gets complicated

Break out your abacus. The annual Blue and Orange game (Friday at 6:00pm) has a futuristic scoring system based on NFL Blitz and algebra, and God help the poor scoreboard operator.

Offense: Touchdown (6 points), PAT (1 point), run of 12-plus yards or pass of 16-plus yards (1 point), third and subsequent first downs on a single drive (1 point), field goal (3 points).

Defense: Touchdown (6 points), PAT (1 point), Turnover that isn’t a TD (3 points), three-and-out (1 point), sack (2 points), PAT/FG block (1 point), offense starts inside 30-yard line and doesn’t score a TD (4 points), fourth-down stop on drive that started outside the 35-yard line (3 points).

500 points to the coach who declares a starter in the QB race!

We're anxiously awaiting Friday's scrimmage (although the $6.00 ticket price is a bummer), even though we will certainly have a hard time remembering who gets how many points for what. We had hoped we were done with math after high school.

Bronco Beat blog [Idaho Statesman]

National media fuels QB debate

ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg focuses his weekly non-BCS column on Boise State's quarterback contest, with predictable results.

(Tharp's) successor will come from a pool of four candidates: senior Bush Hamdan, junior Nick Lomax, sophomore Mike Coughlin and redshirt freshman Kellen Moore. All four have received equal repetitions this spring, but Hamdan and Moore have emerged as the early favorites.

Obviously, he has not talked to Phil Dailey.

Non-BCS notebook [ESPN.com]

Harsin feels QBs still neck-and-neck

Boise State offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin gave his thoughts on the BSU quarterback race yesterday, saying that all four candidates still remain very much in contention.

“Nobody is overall making a huge jump at this point,” Harsin said. “They’re doing what we ask them to do.”

Freshman Kellen Moore and senior Bush Hamdan did impress Harsin with their play in the first scrimmage. He also liked the presence of sophomore Mike Coughlin, who is a threat in the option run game and was on the field for some long run plays.

Also, Nick Lomax's fumble made Harsin laugh.

Chadd Cripe reports that the Broncos were happy to return to practice after a week off for spring break, and they hosted Upland (Calif.) QB Josh Nunes, a top prospect whom OBNUG profiled last week.

Harsin: no quarterback 'making huge jump' [Idaho Statesman]