2009 Boise State schedule tentatively finalized

Boise State has released a tentative schedule for next season, and there is no opening week Division I-AA opponent to be found. Doesn't feel right, does it?

The final two pieces to the scheduling puzzle were a visit from UC Davis, alma mater of Coach Pete and a guaranteed 30-point victory, and a trip to Oklahoma to face the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Here is the non-conference schedule for the Broncos in 2009:

Sept. 5 vs. Oregon, Sept. 12 at Toledo, Sept. 19 vs. UC Davis, Sept. 26 vs. Miami (Ohio) and Oct. 3 at Tulsa.

For those of you counting on your fingers at home, yes that is five straight weeks of football during a time of season when teams usually take a week or two off. Despite playing in consecutive weeks, the schedule is easy enough for the Broncos to sail through undefeated, especially with the experienced team expected to return next fall. Is it too soon to be looking ahead to next season already? Yes. It is.

Broncos announce 2009 schedule [BroncoSports.com]

Fresno State also willing to schedule easy teams

Anyone, anywhere, anytime...especially UC Davis.

Fresno State to play UC Davis in 2009 [ESPN.com]

One month from today...

...the season begins!

Idaho State at Boise State, August 30th.

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.

Friday: Links with extracurriculars

Story of the day:

Get rich on the Broncos [Scott Slant]

No, Tom Scott was not condoning gambling on his daily blog, er, column, er, slant. But he might as well have been.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have come out with their over-under predictions on team wins for 2008. They have Boise State at 9.5 and Fresno State at 8.5. So it's 9-3 or 10-2 for the Broncos, the way they see it (or the way they want you to bet on it). 

The Broncos have won fewer than 10 games exactly once in the past six years, so you would think that taking the "over" would be easy money.

Well, let's look at the Broncos' schedule. Losing one non-conference game and one WAC game would still put the Broncos at 10 wins, which would be enough for the "over." If Boise State beats Oregon (which we believe in our heart of hearts they will), the Broncos would have to lose to a combination of Southern Miss, Fresno State, and Nevada to fall below the 10-win threshold.

If we were a betting man, our savings would be so out of the bank right now.

Other links:


Scandrick signs with Cowboys [Dallas Morning-News]
Four years, $1.89 million doesn't sound like that much in today's NFL.

Bronco defense preview [BroncoSports.com]
Strange to hear that the "D" will carry the team.

Predictions for the upcoming season [Bleacher Report]
BSU beating Fresno is good, losing to Oregon is bad.

SDSU radio man was runner-up for Peak job [Tube Talk]
Lee Hamilton sounds like a Civil War general.

Indisputable evidence that BSU rocks [Phil Steele]
Makes you feel proud to be a Bronco fan.

Thursday: Links with anonymity

Story of the day:

More reasons to fear Southern Miss [NCAAFootball.com]

In addition to Southern Miss being big, athletic, and playing at home, Boise State will now have to contend with the Eagles being loaded. Conference USA has released its preseason polls and rankings, and Southern Miss is well represented to say the least.

Golden Eagle junior running back Damion Fletcher was chosen as the league’s preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Fletcher carried the ball 29 times for 155 yards in the Papajohns.com Bowl to finish last season with a single-season best 1,586 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Another Golden Eagle, reigning C-USA Defensive Player of the Year Gerald McRath, was picked as the preseason favorite to repeat as the conference’s top defensive player. He led C-USA in tackles with 139 (71 solo, 68 assist) in 2007 and averaged 10.7 per game.

Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year?  Yikes, indeed. Is there any way we can get Weber State back on the schedule?


Other links:

Is Brian Murphy famous enough to interview? [Kellis Robinett]
Relative to Pocatello people, he is.

Budweiser to support Hawaii athletics [Honolulu Advertiser]
Coca-cola to support head coach Greg McMackin.

BSU's new South African walk-on [Fight Fight BSU]
He plays running back, receiver, and philanthropist.

Oregon to sell single-game tickets tomorrow night [GoDucks]
Fifty-four dollars per seat. Seeing the Broncos win in Autzen? Priceless.

Monday: Links with relativity

Story of the day:

Hot Lotto! Boise State tickets up for grabs [BNN]

JT Ray at Bronco Nation NOW was kind enough to spill the details of his season ticket mailer that described the process for getting tickets to away games. For those interested in BSU-Oregon, be prepared to get your lotto on.

The Oregon game is being handled a bit different. In a separate form, any season ticket holder can submit an application for a Lottery to be held sometime after June 27, 2008. Those entering just pay for 2 tickets if selected and no more. Also those that are selected can pick up their tickets in Eugene, OR the day of the game with a photo ID. The total price is $112.00 and some mailing &
processing of $5.00.

Let's just hope that Boise State does the lottery thing justice and we get a live telecast of ping-pong balls in a hopper or Paul J picking names from a giant hat.

The rest of the away games are significantly less of a chore. BSU assigned ticket values, ranging in price from Southern Miss and SJSU at $37.00 to New Mexico State at $14.00. Plan your entire autumn appropriately.

Other links:

Update on Jeremy Childs...kind of [Scott Slant]
He may or may not be in town.

Leave Ebo Makinde alone [Scout.com]
Boise State verbal commit gets offer from Pac-10 school. Jerks.

WR transfers from Arkansas to LaTech [SI.com]
You read that right.


Chase Holbrook on QB watch list [NMSU.com]
Watch out for what? Failed expectations?

Don't tow me, bro [Olympian]
City of Boise reconsidering socialist towing laws.

Stadium update with video [Fight Fight BSU]
FYI: we swing a pretty mean hammer if need be.

Wednesday: Links with contentment

Story of the day:

National networks don't want BSU-Oregon [Statesman]

The excitement over one of Boise State's most anticipated games of the season is apparently quite relative. When the Broncos visit the Ducks this September, only the local crowds will be watching.

The Pac-10's TV partners - ABC/ESPN, Fox Sports Net and Versus - passed on the Sept. 20 game when they finalized their selections Monday.

We assume the choice was made considering the possibly damaging combination of green, yellow, orange, and blue on TV sets nationwide. We also assume it has nothing to do with the Broncos laying a traditional egg against BCS competition on the road.

The game will air locally on KTVB and will be covered by the new Mark Johnson-led broadcast team.

Said KTVB sports director David Augusto: "It looks like it's ours to do."

The Oregon game would give KTVB the rights to seven games this season - the first three games of the season and four straight games in November.

The more Mark Johnson, the better. We think.

Other links:

Boise State's schedule not very tough [PhilSteele.com]
Then again, it is Phil Steele talking.

Boise State must be in Rivals Top 50 [Rivals.com]
Waiting for them to be ranked is kind of like Christmas for us.

PAC-10 expansion discussion continued [Fanblogs.com]
Interesting stats on possible candidates for expansion

Ian Johnson projected as third round draft pick [Red Zone Report]
If he's healthy, a second round pick. If he's Tim Tebow, a first rounder.

Campaigning to be the next USU coach [KVNU]
We could think of at least 500 better things to do.

Tuesday: Links with toughness

Story of the day:

Gene Bleymaier = best AD ever! [BroncoSports.com]

Boise State athletic director Gene Bleymaier is somewhat of a lightning rod for discussion among Bronco Nation. Some feel he could be doing a better job scheduling teams not named Idaho State, and others feel that he deserves credit for bringing the program to where it is today.

His peers fall into the latter group. Bleymaier will receive an award for being the best AD in the country...or region...or county. We're not sure exactly.

Gene Bleymaier will be honored at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) 43rd annual convention when he is named the 2007-08 AstroTurf Athletics Director of the Year “Football Bowl Subdivision West” Region winner.

Congratulations are in order, assuming AstroTurf Athletics Director of the Year "Football Bowl Subdivision West" Region is a big deal.

Other links:

Hawaii, LaTech, Nevada ranked by Rivals [Rivals.com] & [Rivals.com]
The countdown is at 60, and still no sign of BSU.

PAC-10 commissioner leaving [NY Times]
He's had enough of the East Coast bias.

PAC-10 expansion series [Fanblogs]
Idaho even being in the discussion might hurt credibility.

"Spicebizzle" does not like Boise State's jerseys [College OTR]
His name does make him seem more like an Idaho guy.

Zabransky vs. Dixon for clipboard duties [Steelers Locker]
One man's suggestion to get rid of signing day [SI.com]

New coordinator brings fun to SoMiss offense

Change is in the air for the Southern Miss offense.

New offensive coordinator Larry Fedora, previously at Oklahoma State and Florida, has installed an up-tempo, spread attack that puts a premium on freewheeling and a kibosh on fullbacks.

It’s not that Fedora’s system is totally alien. It’s built on concepts that are becoming more familiar. Even the New England Patriots ran a version of the spread offense last season. But there are new assignments, new ways of thinking and everything has to be done at a fast pace and with no huddle.

Sounds like WAC football.

The departure from the Golden Eagle's staid approach to offense is expected to revitalize a program that has seen its support dwindle in recent years. While the new run 'n gun might be fun to watch, we don't expect any of the bells and whistles to throw the Broncos off when they visit Hattiesburg in the fall. It won't be anything they haven't seen before.

Fedora to unveil new So. Miss attack [SI.com]

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!

Fresno State fans respond to schedule

Snooping around for some Fresno reaction to last week's schedule release, we found Bulldogs fans to be rather respectful about the season-ending matchup with the Broncos. Respectful, but wrong..

I like playing Boise late in the season. It's a great springboard for one of the teams into a BCS bowl. Becasue we had so many injuries last year and lots of guys had playing time, I think we will have better depth than Boise. This is really important late in the year...

I like the idea of playing Boise last. We should be clicking on all cylinders. The younger players will be more mature and experienced. From playing the tough schedule, they will be ready for anything Boise throws at them. I have a good feeling about this game...

Playing Boise for the last game is the only way to go. The predicted best 2 teams should play at the last game. Besides, BSU v. Fresno has started to be a good rivalry.

The Dog's will be up for the Utah State game no matter when it is scheduled.

Sorry, that last one didn't have anything to do with Boise State. It just made us laugh.

Bark Board [Scout.com]

Scheduling wish list

When Boise State's schedule came out last week, we immediately thought that the Broncos were going undefeated. This is the same thought we have every offseason, and we usually continue having this thought until a road game at a BCS school.

The 2008 schedule seems to set up particularly nice for us with home games against Hawaii and Fresno, two games before our trip to Oregon, and creative scheduling early in the season. We like it.

But we feel that 2009 could be so much better.

Idaho State, Bowling Green, and Southern Miss do not get us excited. We want some new competition next season. Here is our wish list for Boise State football 2009.

• Duke: We want Sean Renfree to know what he is missing: success, tradition, and blocking.
• Washington: We could have easily beaten the Huskies last year, and we want another shot. This time, we will leave Taylor Tharp at home.
• USC: If Idaho can lose to them, then we should be able to lose by a lot less.
• Colorado: We want Dan Hawkins' to pay in eternity for his crimes against us, but we will settle for beating the Buffaloes by double digits.
• The All-MAC team: Everyone is always saying that the WAC is a weak conference. Well, suit up the best players in the MAC and ship them out to Boise and we'll see about that.
• The Chicago Bears: No one cuts Brock Forsey and gets away with it.
• The Winnipeg Blue Bombers: Playing against Ryan Dinwiddie might make our heads explode. We want to find out.
• The Boise Burn: Just to make sure that the Broncos are the best team in Idaho.

Southern Miss conceding victory?

In an article from the Hattiesburg American, an intrepid reporter tries to predict Southern Miss' record judging solely by the looks of the schedule. Here is his initial take.

I expect the Golden Eagles to win their season opener at home against Louisiana-Lafayette and add victories over Arkansas State, Marshall, UTEP, Rice, UAB and SMU. Conversely, I anticipate them losing to Auburn, Boise State, Memphis, East Carolina and Central Florida.

A few paragraphs later, he seems to have had a change of heart.

I see the Eagles taking care of business against UL-Lafayette, Boise State, Arkansas State, Marshall, Rice, Central Florida and UTEP, but falling victim to Auburn, Memphis, East Carolina, UAB and SMU.

In the matter of a few poorly constructed sentences, Boise State went from certain victor to certain loser. Kind of like the author.

Don't worry; readers let him have it in the comments.

Will Southern Miss football record improve? [Hattiesburg American]

UPDATE: Something reeks of censorship at the Hattiesburg American. After we posted this story about the dual-personality author, the website added a byline and changed the headlines to show that two different guys wrote the story. Don't worry, their sins live on in the comments section. What we wouldn't give for a screen grab right now.

WIR: Breaking news and Broncos' schedule

Week in Review (WIR) feels that OBNUG has raised the bar for other WAC football blogs after this week's scoops on Orlando Scandrick's mood and the Idaho Statesman's misprint. Of course, the bar was pretty low to begin with.

• Ryan Clady's pec chooses not to participate in Combine.
• Statue of Liberty to the finals of ESPN's highlight contest. Vote!
• MySpace journalism at its finest. We approve.
• Scandrick blazes through the 40. He's fast.
• Pro Day is coming.
• Fresno's new lackey hire.
• The Brock Forsey Experience.
• Boise State's schedule is released.
• The Statesman drops the ball.
• WAC schools await impending losses.

Have a great weekend, Bronco fans. Start planning those road trips to away games. We'll have a lot more Bronco schedule coverage next week.

OBNUG WAC schedule breakdown

With the release of Boise State’s 2008 football schedule yesterday, we feel pretty good about the Broncos’ chances of running the table again. Obviously, Oregon will be a big hurdle, and traveling to Southern Mississippi will not be easy. But our two toughest WAC opponents will be traveling to Boise, so we can’t complain.

With our schedule setting up quite nicely, we thought it might be interesting to take a look at the schedules of our WAC competition to see who else might surprise. Needless to say, we are not very worried.

Fresno State

• Toughest game: The Bulldogs will get one of the nation’s best teams when Wisconsin visits Fresno. This has the makings of David Carr’s 2002 all over again.
• Weakest game: Anyone, anywhere, any time works out great when it is Toledo.
• Schedule strength: respectable

Utah State

• Toughest game: Two weeks before the Broncos head to Eugene, the Aggies travel to face the Ducks. Utah State fans are nervous about getting killed. Oregon fans are annoyed to have a I-AA team on the schedule.
• Weakest game: There are really no easy opponents for the Aggies, but playing Idaho at home at least gives them a chance at not going 0-12.
• Schedule strength: impossible, relative to their being Utah State

Nevada

• Toughest game: Two Big XII teams back-to-back will pose a good challenge for the Wolfpack early in the year. Although, after giving up 69 points to the Broncos last year, I can’t wait to see what Texas Tech and Missouri can do.
• Weakest game: The season-opener against Grambling appears to be nothing more than a chance for Colin Kaepernick to stretch his legs.
• Schedule strength: mildly difficult

Idaho

• Toughest game: After a surprising show at USC last year, the Vandals get a crack at another PAC-10 opponent when the visit Arizona. Can lightning strike twice? In the form of a loss, yes.
• Weakest game: Idaho has in-state rival Idaho State on the schedule, which can only mean that the Vandals’ audition for the Big Sky is underway.
• Schedule strength: mediocre

LaTech

• Toughest game: When the Bulldogs scheduled a game at Kansas a couple years ago, I bet they never thought Kansas would be good. Also, having an improving SEC team (Mississippi State) come to town can’t end well.
• Weakest game: We’re not sure if they made up the name Southeast Louisiana or not.
• Schedule strength: commendable

New Mexico State

• Toughest game: The Aggies visit Nebraska in an early-season lopsided affair.
• Weakest game: NMSU plays traditional rivals New Mexico and UTEP in what is otherwise known as a cop out.
• Schedule strength: boring

San Jose State

• Toughest game: The Spartans have two BCS-conference teams on the road: Nebraska, a week before New Mexico State visits the Cornhuskers, and Stanford.
• Weakest game: A WAC schedule wouldn’t be complete with competition from a lower level. San Jose State’s choice? UC Davis.
• Schedule strength: predictable

Hawaii

• Toughest game: To open the season, the Rainbow Warriors play at Florida. As if getting beaten up by Georgia wasn’t bad enough.
• Weakest game: Hawaii’s annual division I-AA opponent? Drumroll please…Weber State!
• Schedule strength: better than usual

WAC schedule reaction

Putzing around the Interweb this morning, we came across lots of articles from our fellow WAC members about their schedules. The mood is decidedly upbeat, considering some of these schools will be 30-point underdogs. Here are the links:

Louisiana Tech [The News-Star]
Hawaii [University of Hawaii]
San Jose State [SJSU]
New Mexico State [Las Cruces Sun-News]
Idaho [Idaho Statesman]
Utah State [Salt Lake Tribune]
Nevada [Reno Gazette-Journal]
Fresno State [Fresno Bee]

Lies compromise Statesman website

In its haste for timely journalism, the Idaho Statesman posted Boise State's schedule without having a Bronco fan read it first for mistakes. See that monumentally important game at the end of the schedule against Fresno? Where are we playing that again?



Let the conspiracy theories begin.

Boise State football schedule released!

The 2008 Boise State football schedule is out, and it is a beauty! At least four of the games will be broadcast on either ESPN or ESPN2, all of which are to be played either Friday or Wednesday night.

Circle your calendars for Friday, October 17th and Friday, November 28th when Hawaii and Fresno State come to town. Keep checking here for much more coverage of the Boise State football schedule tomorrow and next week.

Saturday, Aug. 30 vs. Idaho State
Saturday, Sept. 13 vs. Bowling Green
Saturday, Sept. 20 at Oregon
Wednesday, Oct. 1 vs. Louisiana Tech
Saturday, Oct. 11 at Southern Miss
Friday, Oct. 17 vs. Hawaii
Friday, Oct. 24 at San Jose State
Saturday, Nov. 1 at New Mexico State
Saturday, Nov. 8 vs. Utah State
Saturday, Nov. 15 at Idaho
Saturday, Nov. 22 at Nevada
Friday, Nov. 28 vs. Fresno State

Hattiesburg Roadtrip

Southern Miss has released it's 2008 football schedule and, to my surprise, Boise State is still on it. It's nice to see that Conference USA has found a way to put together a conference schedule and still allow their members to honor the contracts with other non-conference schools. This is a far cry from the fiasco that happened between the MAC and Bowling Green in 2006.

The game will be in Hattiesburg, Miss., on October 11th. Since it's only about 6 hours from my home in Nashville, I have every intention of making the trip. Now the last two road games I've been to have been the debacle in Georgia and the disappointment in Washington. I would also like to attend the Oregon game but I might rethink that for the betterment of Bronco Nation.