Nailed it: ESPN has Idaho as worst team in the country

And the second year of the Robb Akey era is officially underway.

Bottom 10 [ESPN.com]

ESPN's non-BCS power rankings released

The Broncos are No. 5 on the list of non-BCS teams. For now! (Cue haunting organ music.)

Non-BCS power rankings [ESPN]

Friday: Links with Fall Camp

Story of the day:

Bronco recruits hit double digits [Press-Tribune]

The tenth verbal commitment for the Boise State Broncos came yesterday from Saguara (Arizona) defensive end Justin Jungblut. The senior-to-be is 6'6", 250 pounds, and he should feel right at home when he hits campus next fall.

Jungblut will join former Saguaro teammate Joe Kellogg on the Boise State roster. Kellogg is a freshman offensive lineman. Jungblut said he had 40 tackles, 15 for losses, and also had two sacks last season.

Jungblut also said that he had, like, 50 fumble recoveries.

Fight Fight BSU has the scouting report on Jungblut, who sounds like a keeper. Don't they all? He spurned offers from Idaho (good choice), Utah, UNLV, Air Force, and Wyoming. Coach Pete's penmanship sealed the deal.

“They did the best job of making me feel welcome, by far,” Jungblut said. “Coach Petersen has written me two letters — hand-written, so I thought that was pretty great.”

For some reason, Robb Akey's singing telegram just didn't do it for Jungblut.

Other links:

USA Today's preseason poll released [USA Today]
Boise State comes in at #34.

Murphy picks best offensive players in WAC [Statesman]
Not surprisingly, no Utah State players make the list.

KTVB 24/7 to air Bronco classics [Bronco Country]
Good luck finding KTVB 24/7.

USC #1 in Rivals countdown [Rivals.com]
Mark Sanchez must know someone at the Rivals office.

Fantasy CFB takes it up a notch [Wall Street Journal]
Now with names!

Coach Pete among up-and-coming coaches [Coaches Hot Seat]
Then again, so is Derek Dooley.

Unique shots of stadium expansion [Statue Left]
It looks so huge!

Broncos ranked by Rivals.com

Thanks to an alert reader, we found out that Boise State has been ranked #35 in the country by Rivals.com. Their countdown, which began appropriately enough at the bottom with Utah State and Idaho, has been going on for weeks now, and we had been anxious to see where Rivals would place the Broncos. And really, we can't complain. If BSU started the season at #35, there would have a good opportunity to move up into the top 25 in just a few weeks' time.

The Rivals preview was pretty standard, but it surprised us with its thoroughness. A George Iloka mention? Hailing the virtues of Vinny Perretta? Knowing who Brandyn Thompson is? We half expected an ESPN.com-style fluff piece featuring a follow-up of Ian Johnson's marriage and a take on the strong cornerback duo of Orlando Scandrick and Kyle Wilson.

But Rivals really stole our heart with this line:

If we've learned one thing the past 10 seasons, it's never to doubt Boise State – no matter what issues the program faces.

You can say that again. Although, if one were to learn two things from the past 10 seasons, the other might be that Fresno State never finishes ahead of the Broncos. Perhaps it will take Rivals 11 years to learn that one.

Boise State preview [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?

Thursday: Links with practice

Story of the day:

Boise State gets rare underrated distinction [Dawgsports]

Over the past several years, the word "underrated" has rarely been used when referring to the Broncos. "Dominant," yes. "Underrated," no. But maybe being underrated isn't all that bad.

The Broncos have owned the Western Athletic Conference since joining the league, posting a 46-2 ledger against their W.A.C. coevals. Boise State is nigh-invincible on the blue turf, where they host Hawaii (in the Warriors’ post-deal-with-the-devil season) and the Golden State Bulldogs in Friday night showdowns.

Plus, this guy even has an optimistic view of the Oregon game.

This is a good year for the Broncos to get Oregon early. The Ducks open with a conference rival whose embattled coach has guaranteed a victory and travel to Purdue the week before hosting Boise State. That’s a pretty rough opening run for a team that lost Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart.

In an offseason where the consensus seems to be shifting away from Boise State's winning tradition, it is refreshing to see that someone still believes. Although, we do prefer the word "dominant."

Of course, then the author had to go and ruin things by bringing up the Georgia game again.

Other links:

Reasons to root for every CFN team [Grand National...]
Boise State: Ian Johnson. Utah State: seeing a winless season.

BSU-Oregon kickoff time set [Broncosports.com]
A 1:30pm start time? What is this? San Jose State?

Jenny Slater's composite Top 25 [Hey Jenny Slater]
Boise State clinging to the "also receiving votes" group.

Fresno State's tough opening month [FSU football blog]
To say nothing of their tough final WAC game.

BSU long jumper makes nationals [Press-Tribune]
Q&A with Ryan Clady [Predominantly Orange]

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

EA Sports knows its football

While so-called experts are making preseason picks about WAC champions and dark-horse BCS candidates, EA Sports is speaking the plain truth. And nothing says credibility like a video game.

Fight Fight BSU brought us news of Bronco Stadium being one of the toughest places to play in NCAA Football 09, and today we find that the team rankings in the game are optimistic, too. EA Sports lists Boise State and Hawaii as the best teams in the WAC with Fresno State a distant third. Here is the predicted order of finish judging from the total team rankings (in parentheses)

1. Boise State (77)
2. Hawaii (77)
3. Fresno State (74)
4. New Mexico State (74)
5. Nevada (69)
6. LaTech (69)
7. San Jose State (62)
8. Utah State (60)
9. Idaho (60)

We were also pleased to find out that EA thinks Utah State has the worst offense in college football and Idaho has the worst defense in college football. We haven't felt this good about a video game since we went undefeated in Madden 05 on the Gamecube.

NCAA Football 09 rosters [EA Sports]

Friday: Links with education

Story of the day:

Boise State recruiting adds two more [CSTV.com]

Yesterday's big news of getting a commitment from California QB Joe Southwick was just what we needed during this long summer. And now this!

Quarterback Joe Southwick of Danville-San Ramon Valley, Cal., who passed for 3185 yards and 35 touchdowns as a junior; defensive back Quaylon Ewing of Sugar Land-Kempner, Tex; and defensive back/receiver Ebenezer Makinde of Phoenix-Paradise Valley, Ariz., have committed to Boise State.

Looks like the Broncos have added two defensive backs to their 2009 recruiting class. This year's incoming class was short on both positions, so it is nice to see that the coaches have made it a point of emphasis to build up those areas of the team. And it is nice to have something fresh to talk about in late May.

Other links:

Southwick stories: Press-Tribune, Idaho Statesman, and Contra Costa Times.

More from Dave Southorn's interview with Southwick [Dave's Blog]
Good to know the Fiesta Bowl got Southwick's attention.

Boise State cracks Top 25 in random guy's poll [Domer Law]
But we don't really give too much credence to any poll that contains Notre Dame.

Fresno State adds Colorado to future schedule [Daily Camera]
Pat Hill will have to wait until 2011 to lose to Dan Hawkins again.

MAC looking to steal Sun Belt teams [AOL Fanhouse]
Please, take Idaho! Please!

Fiesta Bowl can't catch a break

What has happened to the 2007 Fiesta Bowl? Less than two years ago, it was the greatest college football game of all-time. Now it is not even the greatest BCS game in the last five years?

The 2006 Rose Bowl was fun to watch and all, but it could not even compare to the overall drama and impact of the '07 Fiesta. It's like Matthew McConaughey and the Applewhites are running this thing!

Fortunately, there is still time to right this wrong. Click here to vote in the poll. Then, when you are finished voting, refresh the page and vote again. We can't let the Fiesta Bowl go down without a fight!

(While you're in the voting mood, feel free to give us your thoughts on Marty Tadman's OBNUG Hall of Fame induction.)

Democracy fails; Idaho voted No. 1

Looks like Robb Akey just found himself a recruiting tool.

The Idaho Vandals, all one win and eleven losses of them, are the number one team in the nation, according to a poll at collegefootballpoll.com. Curse those computer macros!



We're fascinated to see the Vandals on top, and we are equally surprised to find Utah State at number two. Talk about a scintillating BCS Championship game!

Tuesday: Links with patience

Story of the day:

Fiesta Bowl needs our help [ESPN.com]

Once again, the greatest D-1 moment in Boise State history is having its value determined by ESPN.com visitors. The Worldwide Leader has a poll up right now to decide the best BCS bowl game, as part of their week-long look at the non-playoff system.

During its first decade of existence, the BCS provided many memorable games that had no championship implications. What college football fan can forget Boise State's trickery against Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl or Michigan edging Alabama in overtime in the 2000 Orange Bowl?

We're a little upset that they even put a game like Michigan-Alabama in the same sentence as the Fiesta Bowl. In fact, other than the peak of Vince Young's career in the Rose Bowl versus USC, there are no other serious contenders in this group of games. There really shouldn't even be a discussion.

Regardless, we voted at least seventeen times last night.

Other links:

ESPN.com writer is an idiot [ESPN.com]
The Fiesta Bowl as the third-best BCS game? Get real.

Ian Johnson poster boy for manly crocheting [Iowa State Fans]
Also, poster boy for national television engagements.

Merritt close to qualifying for U.S. Open [Idaho Press-Tribune]
Must...fake...interest...in...golf.

Montana State expanding stadium [Dailey's Bottom Line]
Is it wrong to be jealous of a 1-AA school?

Boise State in the H-Bowl again?! [College Football News]
Being the fourth alternate for the New Mexico Bowl doesn't make things any better.

Monday: Links with pectorals

Story of the day:

BSU chosen to research turf injuries [Int'l Herald Tribune]

Always at the forefront of turf-related news, Boise State University has been commissioned by the NFL to investigate turf-related injuries.

The (research) could provide the NFL with some of the most comprehensive information available on how and why turf-related injuries occur, and if changes in footwear or artificial turf could result in fewer injuries for NFL players. The NFL gave Boise State researchers a $115,000 grant last year for the project.

Our best solution for turf-related injuries is to plant grass. Problem solved. Now, go spend that $115,000 on Dairy Queen kiosks.

Other links:

Greg Graham closes in on extension [Idaho Press-Tribune]
The contract might include bonuses for successful inbound plays.

Idaho high school kids hit the combine [Scout.com]

No word yet on if Robb Akey cared to attend.

Mark Schlabach's post-spring Top 25 [ESPN.com]
Fresno State and Oregon crack the top 25. Boise State waits for when it matters.

Alex Guerrero interview [Fight, Fight, BSU]

Do all former Boise State players end up in the CFL at some point?

Webcams are becoming new recruiting tool [Int'l Herald Tribune]
Yeah, for recruiting nerds.

Bulldogs, Broncos battle in post-spring polls

Thanks to preseason polls, Fresno State and Boise State don't have to wait until the regular season to start competing against one another.

Polls from a wide variety of Internet media outlets have popped up over the past few weeks, and many have been anxious to put in their two cents now that spring ball is over. The consensus still lies with Fresno State as the WAC favorite, but we'll let the Bulldogs win that battle so long as the Broncos win the war.

CBS Sportsline
For his number one spot, Dennis Dodd takes Ohio State over Georgia despite the undeniable evidence of Ohio State being traditionally overrated and overmatched when it counts. Fittingly, he also has Fresno State in the Top 25.
Fresno State: #24
Boise State: not mentioned

Si.com
At least someone in the national media uses precedence to make their predictions. Stewart Mandel knows what's up (see below).
Fresno State: not mentioned
Boise State: "On the cusp"

Sporting News
Matt Hayes at Sporting News puts the Bulldogs at the top of his rankings. The Georgia ones, not the Fresno ones. But give him another month and Fresno might just get there.
Fresno State: #25
Boise State: not mentioned (ed's note: subscription canceled)

CSTV
You know preseason polls are popular when even the CSTV guys are participating.
Fresno State: #23
Boise State: "On the cusp"

Fanblogs
How original. Instead of a Top 25, Mr. College Football made a Top 30. That's, like, 20 percent more prognosticating!
Fresno State: #25
Boise State: "Almost made it"

ESPN guy ranks non-BCS teams

ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg seems to have drawn the short straw among the site's college football writers. His reward? Non-BCS conferences!

His ranking of the top non-BCS conference teams has BYU on the top (we like that pick), Fresno State second (predictable), and our very own Boise State Broncos third.

What we know: Minus safety Marty Tadman, the defensive back seven returns. So does running back and non-BCS posterboy Ian Johnson.
What we don't know: The starting quarterback and several first-team offensive linemen.
How the Broncos can reach a BCS bowl game: Win nonconference road games at Oregon and Southern Miss before the favorable WAC schedule (home against Fresno State and Hawaii).

Someone might need to tell him that Orlando Scandrick turned pro. Otherwise, we agree with his assessment, however obvious it might be.

Here is his take on Boise State's spring practice preview:

Quarterback also is a priority at Boise State, which breaks in a new starter for the second straight season. Bush Hamdan has held the top spot before, but fell to fourth on the depth chart last season. He will compete with Nick Lomax and Mike Coughlin this spring.

Apparently, he did not use this kid as a source.

Cougars, Bulldogs top spring power rankings [ESPN.com]
Spring offers promise... [ESPN.com]

BSU ranked in some random person's poll

Not sure how excited we want to get over this (my odds are on "not at all"), but a random Internet poll has Boise State in the top 25.

23. Boise State Broncos
RB Ian Johnson returns for what seems to be his 10th year in Boise and the Broncos will be breaking in new QB, Michael Coughlin. You would think Boise is gonna stop producing after all these years but I don't think it happens this year. Boise has 13starters returning and their hungry to regain the WAC title again.

We'll take the respect wherever we can get it. Oh, I'm also grateful that he figured out our starting quarterback for us. Kudos, Mitch Harper.

2008 Pre-Spring Top 25 Poll [Mitch Harper's College Football Blog]