Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The BCS and Boise



Hey guys. Here is the article that I wrote in cooperation with the Boise State student media. I hope you enjoy.

The BCS. It is three harmless consonants that, when put together, become the most feared acronym in the college football universe. It is a combination of computer code, a calculus exam, and a beauty pageant. Teams are thrown into a mixture of logarithms and equations while having to please voters in multiple polls by 'looking their best' every week. The BCS has her favorites, and they are from the so-called BCS conferences. Still, the BCS likes to flirt with those outside her normal boundaries. It has never been more prevalent than this year with a certain team from Boise, Idaho.

The love affair started back in 2006. Everyone knows the cinderella story of that Fiesta Bowl night. The BCS received a taste of something other than normal dominance from their usual courters. This taste was much more dramatic and provided Fourth of July fireworks. Also, America had Boise's back. America always approves of a good underdog, and Boise State became, in some ways, America's team. Thus, a rocky, tumultuous relationship ensued.

Over the last two years, Boise State has been among the final contestants in the final 'rose ceremony'-literally last year. Feeling betrayed from a 12-0 ninth place BCS ranking going into the bowl season in '08, the Broncos set out to prove to the BCS that they deserved her title. Thirteen wins later, they were in fourth place. They were on the outside, looking in to the national championship again. How could this happen? Many blamed it on the ease of schedule in which they scored at least thirty four points in every game but two. Then again, they had beaten, in the first week and fistfight of the year, #16 Oregon who was heading to the Rose Bowl. That same Oregon team barely beat Purdue and Utah in the following weeks before bursting out of their shell. It seemed for every positive Boise State claimed, there was a negative staring it in the face.

Well Boise, many heard your cry for foul including the BCS. This year is yours for the taking. You are currently number three in the AP Top 25 and number five in the USA Today poll. You return twenty three of twenty four starters, and your schedule is very reasonable. Virginia Tech and Oregon State, discounting the idea of a slip up, are all that stand in the way of you and a perfect season. The teams ranked before you look vulnerable. Alabama, as much as I hate to say it, will probably not go through their year undefeated. Six SEC schools have bye weeks to prepare for Alabama and a new defense, and the strength of schedule is unmatched. Ohio State, for the past couple of years, has choked away at least one win in the Big Ten. Florida and Texas are still breaking in new quarterbacks to complex offenses. So, the opportunity is there. Show the BCS that you want something real, and may you be the one to receive her love come season's end.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

A Brawl a Month Keeps The Low Ratings Away



Hello all. I am blogging to you outside of Ridgecrest South here in overcast Tuscaloosa for move-in day. I am sitting here along with my cohost for Sportscampus (check us out on twitter @Sportscamups), Jordan Eichenblatt, and also new friend and our other radio personality, Ben Rogers. Check out Sportscampus Sundays from 12-2 on 90.7. There will also be podcasts and online coverage.

With that being said, let's jump right into things. What is one thing you think of when you hear Cincinnati Reds? Do the words terrible, horrible, and other synonyms of the preceding words possibly with an adverb attached to further state the severity of the situation such as extremely, tremendously, or, if you're fancy, incredulously. The best answer I have gotten is simply, 'Who?'. Well folks, these are not your typical run-of-the-mill Reds. These are this new decade's dominant, power hitting Reds, and they are out for blood. They will not settle for any blood. They are on the hunt for...Cardinals.

The leader of the pack, Brandon Phillips, said this when asked about the hunt (his feelings toward the Cardinals):

"We have to beat these guys. I hate the Cardinals. All they do is b**** and moan about everything, all of them, they're little b******, all of 'em. I really hate the Cardinals. Compared to the Cardinals, I love the Chicago Cubs. Let me make this clear -- I hate the Cardinals."

Ouch. This is not your typical let's-have-fun game hunt. This is war. This season marks the beginning of the baseball crusades. Better yet, this season marks when the poor rise to power, a coup d'etat or sorts. Will it be successful? Who knows. It makes for some incredible baseball though.

The 'battle of the differing shades of red' has mounted for a while. The perennial powerhouse Cardinals were surprised by the resurgent Reds at the start of the season, but they maintained control and clawed their way back into first place. Then, things boiled over. After the Phillips comment, one could tell that this was going to be resolved one place and one place only, on the field. As Phillips walked up to the batter's box, America held it's breath. Sportscenter had live coverage. I just sat, eyes transfixed, on what would happen next. Phillips gently tapped Cards catcher, Yadier Molina, on the shin guards. It looked to most as a friendly gesture, but one could sense the sadistical undertones. Words were exchanged, faces spat upon, and all hell broke loose.

The brawl, although not the most physical, was enjoyable to watch. Managers La Russa and Baker were right in the middle of things. They have an interesting history to say the least. There were multiple UFC arm, head, and shoulder locks taking place. The Reds's Cueto, pinned against the net, resorted to kicking...with metal spikes. When the smoke, I mean baseball dust, cleared, no one was injured and the game continued to an 8-4 Cardinals win.

The main point gained from this incident is that baseball has become too soft, in my opinion. Being the first REAL brawl of the year, one could not ask for more drama. Two teams, one the perfectionist and one the underdog, battling for what is usually an easy pennant race for the Cards. Baseball needed this. It needs more of this, and I think that teams will respond to the fire shown by these two newborn rivals. The passion for 'America's game' has never been so prominent than it is now in the National League Central division. It is coming down to the wire, and one can only hope this will go down in history as one of the greatest pennant chases ever.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

How Boise State Would Do In The SEC



Since Boise State's surprising, cataclysmic upset of Oklahoma in the '06 Fiesta Bowl, the BCS polls and voters have given more respect to teams in less-superior conferences. Other teams, such as TCU and Utah, have benefitted from that very game and have been successful in their own rights (ex. Utah's handling of Alabama in the '08 Sugar Bowl). Then, there are highly praised teams like '07 Hawaii who were given the first week cupcake treatment by Georgia in a 41-10 curb-stomping. I am not saying that these conferences deserve more respect(in fact, I think they may be receiving too much) or should be neglected for their 'easier' path. I just thought it would be fun to analyze how this year's Boise State team would stack up in the SEC.

Tim Hyland, from About.com, in his pre-season poll has the Broncos as the number one team in the nation. According to him:

"No, the No. 1 reason Boise gets the nod at No. 1 is the simple fact that this team returns 21 of 22 starters from a team that ran the table in 2009. The folks in SEC country may not like to hear it, but facts are facts, and Boise State is a legitimate national title contender. They'll prove it by beating Virginia Tech on Sept. 6."

Most people have followed this trend and placed the Broncos as their number one team as well. The AP poll decided it best to place them fifth which is surprising for people on both sides of the legitimacy argument. I, being an SEC and Alabama Crimson Tide fan, understand the 'facts' surrounding Boise State, and in no way do I think they are not legitimate. They are a good team that has the chance to do something great. I just do not believe they could survive a season in the SEC. Here are some other facts. Thanks to Pat Forde of ESPN.

1. Over the past four years, after four, crowned, SEC bred national championship teams, there has been another SEC team denied a chance at that championship game. For those eight teams ('08 '09 Alabama, '06 '08 '09 Florida, '07 Georgia, and '06 '07 LSU), they have been 39-1 in non-conference play. They have a combined 10 losses in conference play.

2. Teams such as Arkansas, Auburn, Kentucky, Mississippi, and South Carolina have managed to beat teams that finished in the top six since the '07 season.

3.The four top-tier title games? Not even close. The average margin of victory being 16.8 points and the closest at 10. There has not even been a second half deficit.

4. Most power ranking polls have up to seven SEC teams in the top 25. Alabama faces six of these teams.

Even though the SEC-and the nation in general-seem to lack the juggernaut teams of the preceding years, the SEC has something irreplaceable and hard to describe. I would like to say swagger, but I do not think that encompasses the whole entity that is the SEC's state of mind, especially when it comes to their play against other leagues. So, here we go:

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING IS COMPLETELY SUBJECTIVE AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN PERSONALLY. IT IS THE OPINION, OF ONE TRYING TO BE UNBIASED, OF HOW BOISE STATE WOULD PERFORM IN THE SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE.

SEC East:

Florida: L 34-24 New 'pocket-pass' quarterback Brantley unleashes a slew of talented wide receivers upon the Boise State defense. Boise State responds, but, not as frequently, against a talented Florida defense.

Georgia: L 40-38 An explosive game. Despite Kellen Moore's amazing performance, I believe talented wide receiver AJ Green and young, explosive running back Ealey will help Georgia pull past the Broncos.

Kentucky: W 42-24 Ease by Kentucky. No promlems here.

South Carolina: W 22-20 Last second field goal pushes the Broncos past a rejuvenated Steve Spurrier unit. I believe this game could go either way.

Tennessee: W 38-17 Tennessee will not be much of a test against the Broncos.

Vanderbilt: W 52-14 It's Vanderbilt, enough said.

SEC West

Alabama: L 36-30 The Boise State offense takes advantage of an inexperienced, yet talented Alabama defense. But, Alabama's experienced offense and barrage of playmakers from every position are too much for Boise's defense who gave up an average of 17.1 points a game last year in the WAC.

Arkansas: L 40-28 The battle of the quarterbacks. Ryan Mallet and company win a shootout.

Auburn: L 27-25 Surprise, surprise. A well-balanced Auburn squad upsets Boise State in the final minutes. This game could go either way.

LSU: W 18-14 Depends on home field advantage. I will give Boise the blue turf and the win. Again, this game could go either way.

Mississippi: W 34-27 Pac-10 transfer Jeremiah Masoli and Ole Miss give the Broncos a scare. A solid Kellen Moore leads the Broncos to victory.

Mississippi State: W 48-18 Cruise control as the Broncos beat down the Dogs.


...This leaves the Broncos at a mediocre 7-5 with a possibility of being as bad as 4-8 in my opinion. Considering that Alabama has to play three of Boise's five SEC losses, it is easy to see how making it through that schedule deserves a championship in itself. Of course, it is impossible for me to account for passion (remember the Boise Fiesta Bowl) or injury. This is just a fun little experiment that I wanted to conduct. IF Boise reaches the national championship game this year, and, IF, they beat an SEC team, they deserve all of the respect in the world for dethroning the BCS dictator, and I vow to write you an apologetic article.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

The End of an Era?



The words Brett Farve and retirement are closer related these days than Starsky & Hutch in the 70s. They complement each other like peanut butter and jelly but never fully accept the other. The annual retirement question had ruled the 'baseball laden' Sportscenter summer for the past couple of years--well, there is one reason I can thank the Lebron James fiasco. Now, on the third of August, may the drama begin. Brett Favre has shadily announced that he plans to retire. I personally would have seen it more fitting if he had his own one hour decision special.

This story seems all too familiar. In fact, last year, Favre announced he would retire as well, only to end up, media in hand, skipping back to training camp. Should we trust Brett Favre anymore? My gut instinct says that he is serious this time, but I believe that the rest of America is tired of the mind games. In my mind, Favre is stuck between his passion for playing football and his passion for his health. Most would call this a mid-life crisis.

No one can doubt Favre's resilient style of play even at the tender age of forty. His rocket arm, incredible vision, and unique way of pulling together a broken play have made him one of the superstars of my generation. As of late, however, Favre can show his weaker, middle-aged side. At the same time, he fires back with his twenties cannon that makes you think he defies aging (ex. winning touchdown pass against 49ers last year).

My advice for Favre, who holds:

Most career passing yards-65,127 (NFL record)

Most career tds-464 (NFL record)

Tied for longest pass(record held by many player) 99 yard pass (NFL record)

Most career interceptions 310 (NFL record)----you have to with an arm like his.

Most NFL MVP awards (tied with Peyton Manning) 3 (NFL Record)

Most career attempts 9,280 (NFL Record)

Most career completions 5,720 (NFL Record)

Most seasons, 3,000 or more yards passing 17 (NFL Record)

Most career wins 169 (NFL Record)

Most consecutive starts 269 (NFL Record)

Most Career starts 291 (NFL Record)

Total NFL records held:11

...and he is near the top in many other categories.

Save the arm. You will regret not being able to play catch with the grandkids one day.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Who Knew Rebels Evolved From Ducks?



I am safely back from LA boys and girls, and I am happy to say that the blogging shall make a fiery return.

Everyone should be familiar with the Darwinian Theory of Natural Selection or Evolution. From amoeba to humans, Darwin's process took millions upon millions of years. Nowhere in that process did it say that white-haired, South-representing, cane-toting, possibly racist rebels evolved from ducks, and, in a matter of just months, it's an absurd concept.

Well, that's exactly what is happening in the college football universe. Jeremiah Masoli, the disgraced Oregon duck, has been given a second chance. After being released from Oregon after two run-ins with the law, he has found grace under Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt. Grace described by Nutt as 'having a hair-trigger.' It is very clear that Nutt will not tolerate any misbehavior and will strike down with the fury of that very red cane upon hearing of any.

Masoli, one of the most explosive quarterbacks in the nation, has one year of eligibility left. Most teams were nervous and shy about courting him, but I believe Houston Nutt and Ole Miss to be a valuable asset for Masoli and vice versa. Nutt will not handle any nonsense, and Masoli can try to salvage his career at a respectable program. Nutt also has the opportunity to be a great mentor in this young man's life. If handled correctly, Masoli may come out as both a better person and player. As a Crimson Tide fan, however, I am nervous about this acquisition.

Ole Miss, over the past decade or so, has been your average run-of-the-mill team, always seeming to meet expectations but never overcoming them. Again, their team is average this year, but having a player of that calibur coming into an above average offense could be the spark they needed. Can Masoli learn the offense? Can he even start? I believe so. I believe the Rebels will utilize a two-quarterback system with sophomore quarterback Nathan Stanley until Masoli proves he can handle the role. The only question I have is if he can dominate the supreme SEC defenses like the Pac-10.

So, SEC West, possibly even the whole SEC, watch out. He may be doing graduate studies in Parks & Recreations, but this field general may make the Rebels offense a force to be feared.

Masoli's only concern. "The heat, it's just something you can't get used to."