Sunday, October 31, 2010
BCS standings
Its always nice to see the BCS having a serious problem on their hands. 3 of the top 6 teams are Non AQ's. Boise State is #3, TCU is #4 and Utah coming in at #6. Now Utah and TCU play eachother, but even then you have at least 2 Non AQ's in the top 5. Love it
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Strength of Schedule: Oregon vs. Boise State
The college football establishment has spoken. Oregon's big win against PAC-10 rival Stanford catapulted them past Boise State in the AP and USA Today polls and positioned them to take over the top spot when Ohio State lost two weeks later. The voters and commentators were easily convinced, just waiting for an excuse to push the Broncos out of the national title hunt. But are the Ducks better than the Broncos? Let's analyze it...
The main argument in favor of Oregon's leapfrog over Boise State is strength of schedule. Clearly Oregon has played a tougher schedule, right? Not so fast. Before beating Stanford, Oregon played its first four games against New Mexico (0-6), Tennesse (2-4), Portland State (2-4), and Arizona State (3-3). When you factor in their wins against Stanford (5-1) and Washington State (1-5), Oregon's opponents are a whopping 13-23. Excluding Stanford, Oregon's opponents are 8-22. But here's the real shocker: those 8 wins came against the likes of Montana State, Tennesee Martin, Alabama Birmingham, UC Davis, Idaho State, Portland State, Northern Arizona, and Washington.
Other than Virginia Tech, Boise State's wins aren't mind-blowingly impressive, but they are measurably better than Oregon's. After beating Virginia Tech in the season opener, Boise went on to beat Wyoming (2-5), Oregon State (3-3), New Mexico State (1-5), Toledo (4-3), and San Jose State (1-6). That's a combined record of 11-21, only slightly better than Oregon's non-Stanford opponent's record (8-22). But those 11 wins were aginst tougher competition than oregon's opponents faced; the wins came against Ohio, Purdue, Western Michigan, Southern Utah, Toledo, Louiville, Arizona State, #18 Arizona, and New Mexico.
The Bronco's marquee win came in week 1 against Virginia Tech, then ranked #10 in the AP poll and #6 in the USA Today poll. The game was touted as the "biggest regular season game in school history," but the luster wore off when the Hokies lost in week 2 to lowly Jame Madison University. But Va Tech has since made a comeback, winning their next 5 games including a win against natioanlly ranked NC State.
Let's sum up:
So, is Boise State's unranked schedule head and shoulders better thatn Oregon's? Absolutely not. But at worst it's just as good. It seems to me that voters are voting more on Oregon's upcoming schedule than the one they've already played. There's no doubt that Oregon faces a tougher task than Boise State from here on out, but Oregon shouldn't jump Boise State in the polls until they earn it.
The main argument in favor of Oregon's leapfrog over Boise State is strength of schedule. Clearly Oregon has played a tougher schedule, right? Not so fast. Before beating Stanford, Oregon played its first four games against New Mexico (0-6), Tennesse (2-4), Portland State (2-4), and Arizona State (3-3). When you factor in their wins against Stanford (5-1) and Washington State (1-5), Oregon's opponents are a whopping 13-23. Excluding Stanford, Oregon's opponents are 8-22. But here's the real shocker: those 8 wins came against the likes of Montana State, Tennesee Martin, Alabama Birmingham, UC Davis, Idaho State, Portland State, Northern Arizona, and Washington.
Other than Virginia Tech, Boise State's wins aren't mind-blowingly impressive, but they are measurably better than Oregon's. After beating Virginia Tech in the season opener, Boise went on to beat Wyoming (2-5), Oregon State (3-3), New Mexico State (1-5), Toledo (4-3), and San Jose State (1-6). That's a combined record of 11-21, only slightly better than Oregon's non-Stanford opponent's record (8-22). But those 11 wins were aginst tougher competition than oregon's opponents faced; the wins came against Ohio, Purdue, Western Michigan, Southern Utah, Toledo, Louiville, Arizona State, #18 Arizona, and New Mexico.
The Bronco's marquee win came in week 1 against Virginia Tech, then ranked #10 in the AP poll and #6 in the USA Today poll. The game was touted as the "biggest regular season game in school history," but the luster wore off when the Hokies lost in week 2 to lowly Jame Madison University. But Va Tech has since made a comeback, winning their next 5 games including a win against natioanlly ranked NC State.
Let's sum up:
| Oregon's unranked schedule: New Mexico (0-6) Tennesse (2-4) Portland State (2-4) Arizona State (3-3) Washington State (1-5) | BSU's unranked schedule: Wyoming (2-5) Oregon State (3-3) New Mexico State (1-5) Toledo (4-3) San Jose State (1-6) | |
| Wins by Oregon's unranked opp's: Montana State Tennesee Martin Alabama Birmingham UC Davis Idaho State Portland State Northern Arizona Washington -- | Wins by BSU's unranked opp's: Ohio Purdue Western Michigan Southern Utah Toledo Louisville Arizona State #18 Arizona New Mexico |
So, is Boise State's unranked schedule head and shoulders better thatn Oregon's? Absolutely not. But at worst it's just as good. It seems to me that voters are voting more on Oregon's upcoming schedule than the one they've already played. There's no doubt that Oregon faces a tougher task than Boise State from here on out, but Oregon shouldn't jump Boise State in the polls until they earn it.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Week 7 Score
Big bro takes the lead:
Week 7
Little Bro: 11-9
Big Bro: 14-6
Overall Score:
Little Bro: 39-17
Big Bro: 42-14
Week 7
Little Bro: 11-9
Big Bro: 14-6
Overall Score:
Little Bro: 39-17
Big Bro: 42-14
Friday, October 15, 2010
Week 7 Picks
1 Ohio State at 18 Wisconsin
Little Bro: Ohio State 31-24
Big Bro: UPSET Winsconsin 31-24
3 Boise State at San Jose State
Little Bro: Boise State 55-6
Big Bro: Boise State 58-13
BYU at 4 TCU
Little Bro: TCU 47-6
Big Bro: TCU 47-13
Texas at 4 Nebraska
Little Bro: Nebraska 34-21
Big Bro: Nebraska 33-21
Iowa St. at 6 Oklahoma
Little Bro: Oklahoma 35-14
Big Bro: Oklahoma 38-17
12 Arkansas at 7 Auburn
Little Bro: UPSET Arkansas 24-20
Big Bro: UPSET Arkansas 41-30
Ole Miss at 8 Alabama
Little Bro: Alabama 40-17
Big Bro: Alabama 45-21
McNeese St at 9 LSU
Little Bro: LSU 49-13
Big Bro: LSU 48-14
10 South Carolina at Kentucky
Little Bro: South Carolina 31-13
Big Bro: UPSET Kentucky 31-24
11 Utah at Wyoming
Little Bro: Utah 55-7
Big Bro: Utah 58-10
Illinois at 13 Michigan State
Little Bro: Michigan State 27-10
Big Bro: UPSET Illinois 30-21
15 Iowa at Michigan
Little Bro: UPSET Michigan 30-27
Big Bro: Iowa 38-33
Boston College at 16 Florida State
Little Bro: Florida State 28-17
Big Bro: Florida State 42-21
17 Arizona at Washington State
Little Bro: Arizona 38-20
Big Bro: arizona 35-14
19 Nevada at Hawaii
Little Bro: Nevada 42-21
Big Bro: UPSET Hawaii 41-31
20 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech
Little Bro: Oklahoma State 34-20
Big Bro: Oklahoma State 30-21
21 Missouri at Texas A&M
Little Bro: UPSET Texas A&M 27-21
Big Bro: UPSET Texas A&M 28-24
Miss. State at 22 Florida
Little Bro: Florida 35-14
Big Bro: Florida 40-21
23 Air Force at San Diego St.
Little Bro: UPSET SDSU 31-21
Big Bro: UPSET 38-17
24 Oregon St. at Washington
Little Bro: Oregon State 27-20
Big Bro: Oregon State 28-24
Little Bro: Ohio State 31-24
Big Bro: UPSET Winsconsin 31-24
3 Boise State at San Jose State
Little Bro: Boise State 55-6
Big Bro: Boise State 58-13
BYU at 4 TCU
Little Bro: TCU 47-6
Big Bro: TCU 47-13
Texas at 4 Nebraska
Little Bro: Nebraska 34-21
Big Bro: Nebraska 33-21
Iowa St. at 6 Oklahoma
Little Bro: Oklahoma 35-14
Big Bro: Oklahoma 38-17
12 Arkansas at 7 Auburn
Little Bro: UPSET Arkansas 24-20
Big Bro: UPSET Arkansas 41-30
Ole Miss at 8 Alabama
Little Bro: Alabama 40-17
Big Bro: Alabama 45-21
McNeese St at 9 LSU
Little Bro: LSU 49-13
Big Bro: LSU 48-14
10 South Carolina at Kentucky
Little Bro: South Carolina 31-13
Big Bro: UPSET Kentucky 31-24
11 Utah at Wyoming
Little Bro: Utah 55-7
Big Bro: Utah 58-10
Illinois at 13 Michigan State
Little Bro: Michigan State 27-10
Big Bro: UPSET Illinois 30-21
15 Iowa at Michigan
Little Bro: UPSET Michigan 30-27
Big Bro: Iowa 38-33
Boston College at 16 Florida State
Little Bro: Florida State 28-17
Big Bro: Florida State 42-21
17 Arizona at Washington State
Little Bro: Arizona 38-20
Big Bro: arizona 35-14
19 Nevada at Hawaii
Little Bro: Nevada 42-21
Big Bro: UPSET Hawaii 41-31
20 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech
Little Bro: Oklahoma State 34-20
Big Bro: Oklahoma State 30-21
21 Missouri at Texas A&M
Little Bro: UPSET Texas A&M 27-21
Big Bro: UPSET Texas A&M 28-24
Miss. State at 22 Florida
Little Bro: Florida 35-14
Big Bro: Florida 40-21
23 Air Force at San Diego St.
Little Bro: UPSET SDSU 31-21
Big Bro: UPSET 38-17
24 Oregon St. at Washington
Little Bro: Oregon State 27-20
Big Bro: Oregon State 28-24
Sunday, October 10, 2010
A great win?
No doubt the Cougars desperately needed yesterday's win, but I have to admit I am not very optimistic about the outcome. Here's why:
I've been saying for weeks now that the offense needs to help out the defense by controlling the time of possession. Their 4 losses were a direct product of the defense being on the field for WAY too long because the offense could not sustain a drive. I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that the defense played well enough to keep the team in the game in all 4 losses.
Now let's look at Saturday's narrow win over SDSU. BYU dominated the TOP, holding the ball for just over 45 minutes. That is unheard of. Yet, they still barely squeaked out a win with a little bit of help from a questionable PI call on a critical third down. This game should not have been that close.
So what killed them? Turnovers. In years past the Cougs have been good enough to overcome some Favre-esque (read: interception-prone) play from Max Hall and untimely fumbles by back-up running backs. But not this year. Instead of trying to turn a good play into an amazing one (don't all of the fumbles seem to come at the end of a great pass or long run?), the backs and receivers just need to concentrate on securing the ball.
In summary, the Cougs got a much needed win, but they have plenty of film to pour over. That kind of play will earn you some major embarassment against TCU and Utah this year, both of which the Cougars have to play on the road.
I've been saying for weeks now that the offense needs to help out the defense by controlling the time of possession. Their 4 losses were a direct product of the defense being on the field for WAY too long because the offense could not sustain a drive. I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that the defense played well enough to keep the team in the game in all 4 losses.
Now let's look at Saturday's narrow win over SDSU. BYU dominated the TOP, holding the ball for just over 45 minutes. That is unheard of. Yet, they still barely squeaked out a win with a little bit of help from a questionable PI call on a critical third down. This game should not have been that close.
So what killed them? Turnovers. In years past the Cougs have been good enough to overcome some Favre-esque (read: interception-prone) play from Max Hall and untimely fumbles by back-up running backs. But not this year. Instead of trying to turn a good play into an amazing one (don't all of the fumbles seem to come at the end of a great pass or long run?), the backs and receivers just need to concentrate on securing the ball.
In summary, the Cougs got a much needed win, but they have plenty of film to pour over. That kind of play will earn you some major embarassment against TCU and Utah this year, both of which the Cougars have to play on the road.
Many things change for Winning Cougars
As I said a few days back, BYU had to win the time of possession game in order to start their winning ways. How did they respond? By holding onto the ball for, not figuratively but literally, 3 quarters of the game. A whopping 45 minutes to 15 minute advantage, thanks in large part to BYU's stellar running game.
The Cougars finally established themselves offensively, and marched down the field on methodical drives time and time again. Now, two mistakes proved costly, in what should have been a BYU double digit win. Heaps interception in the endzone was a tough call for the youngster to make. Matthews fumble after a long catch and run killed a promising drive that could have all but shut the door on a fighting SDSU team.
However, something that I felt was completely necessary for this team in order to win, was excitement and passion. Both of which were clearly evident in this teams performance yesterday.
On multiple occasions commentators of the game mentioned how the BYU defense wanted to be on the field. They were running onto the field and their swagger showed their passion. After big plays were made, players celebrated with one another for their accomplishment, not as an individual, but as a defensive unit.
The unity of this team stems from their head coach, in Bronco we trust. Numerous players mentioned after the game how Mendenhall changed their perception and attitudes when they went onto the field, and they wanted to repay him for restoring their pride and honor. Coach Mendenhall also must have said something to the offensive staff about their job security. A program that usually prides itself on offense, is near the bottom in the nation in categories on offense. Yesterday, Anae showed some great play calling ( how about a fake FG for 16 yards) and let the game come to the cougars, instead of forcing it.
Heaps only threw 22 times, completing a good 15. Why throw it when your backs are getting you 5 yards a carry and first down after first down.
The MVP of yesterdays game goes to Brian Kariya. That dude was a beast yesterday, pulling linebackers behind him to get the first down. He had 2 touchdowns, 88 yards, and 22 carries, all career highs. Many of his runs were also season highs, and gave the cougars new air on third down a 5 or 6. Kariya proved his worth yesterday, and should be sleeping with that game ball in his arms for a couple nights.
This team still has got to put more points on the board, however. for the 15 minutes that SDSU had the ball, they turned it into points rather quickly a couple times. One drive lasted a whole 31 seconds in 2 plays. The Cougars have got to score more, in order to beat people and gain much more confidence.
Way to go Cougars. Keep the attitude and stigma in tact... Its gonna be a loooong week ahead with TCU coming up.
The Cougars finally established themselves offensively, and marched down the field on methodical drives time and time again. Now, two mistakes proved costly, in what should have been a BYU double digit win. Heaps interception in the endzone was a tough call for the youngster to make. Matthews fumble after a long catch and run killed a promising drive that could have all but shut the door on a fighting SDSU team.
However, something that I felt was completely necessary for this team in order to win, was excitement and passion. Both of which were clearly evident in this teams performance yesterday.
On multiple occasions commentators of the game mentioned how the BYU defense wanted to be on the field. They were running onto the field and their swagger showed their passion. After big plays were made, players celebrated with one another for their accomplishment, not as an individual, but as a defensive unit.
The unity of this team stems from their head coach, in Bronco we trust. Numerous players mentioned after the game how Mendenhall changed their perception and attitudes when they went onto the field, and they wanted to repay him for restoring their pride and honor. Coach Mendenhall also must have said something to the offensive staff about their job security. A program that usually prides itself on offense, is near the bottom in the nation in categories on offense. Yesterday, Anae showed some great play calling ( how about a fake FG for 16 yards) and let the game come to the cougars, instead of forcing it.
Heaps only threw 22 times, completing a good 15. Why throw it when your backs are getting you 5 yards a carry and first down after first down.
The MVP of yesterdays game goes to Brian Kariya. That dude was a beast yesterday, pulling linebackers behind him to get the first down. He had 2 touchdowns, 88 yards, and 22 carries, all career highs. Many of his runs were also season highs, and gave the cougars new air on third down a 5 or 6. Kariya proved his worth yesterday, and should be sleeping with that game ball in his arms for a couple nights.
This team still has got to put more points on the board, however. for the 15 minutes that SDSU had the ball, they turned it into points rather quickly a couple times. One drive lasted a whole 31 seconds in 2 plays. The Cougars have got to score more, in order to beat people and gain much more confidence.
Way to go Cougars. Keep the attitude and stigma in tact... Its gonna be a loooong week ahead with TCU coming up.
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