Boise State

Today is the day of reckoning for the Boise State Broncos, and it might be a lose-lose situation for them.

Tonight Boise State plays Virginia Tech in a game that could very well be Boise's key to the BCS title game. After tonight the toughest game on the Boise State schedule is their game against Oregon State in a couple of weeks. After that, there's a very high probability that they will go undefeated over the course of the season. But if you're a college football fan you already know that.

From a personal standpoint I am torn on this game. Part of me wants to see Boise State lose and get brushed aside from the national championship picture. I just don't think they match up against the more "elite" programs in college football like Texas, Oklahoma, LSU, Ohio State, USC, and the Florida's. It's easy to go unbeaten every year in the WAC when you recruit better, and are coached better than the rest of the league. That being said, their run, even in the WAC, deserves credit because teams like Fresno State have been known to put out highly ranked, competitive teams every few years. For Boise State to do what they've done as long as they have is nothing short of remarkable. But that doesn't mean it entitles them to a shot at the national title.

The other part of me wants to see Boise ride this out simply because it will throw a wrench into the BCS. I am not someone who hates the BCS. I think the system works fairly well for the most part. I get the argument that it doesn't determine a true champion because there's no playoff and teams have ups and downs over the course of the season. However, I would argue that every team knows going into the season that, with the way the BCS is currently constructed, they have to bring their A-game to the stadium every week. At the end of the year, the team that does that most consistently typically ends up as your national champion. But the system discriminates against teams like Boise State for not playing in stronger conferences. So, as much as I'd like to see the hype behind Boise State go away once and for all, I wouldn't mind watching an inherently flawed system crash and burn once and for all.

Tonight will be an interesting night in the world of college football. This is a game that's been hyped up for the past year. Boise has performed well on the national stage like this before. It's those performances that have put them in this position tonight. But the pressure tonight will be unmatched to those previous experiences. Boise State has their shot at a national title on the line tonight. I think Boise State will win tonight if only because Virginia Tech isn't exactly known for performing well in big games. If that's the case, it will be an interesting ride through the rest of the college football season

College Football is Here at Last

It's finally here! College football season. My favorite sport. Tonight was the first night of many I plan to sit down, prop up my feet, and just watch college ball all night long. And what a great way to start off the season. I know that it's hard to really take a lot away when a team with the talent, history, tradition, and athletic ability of Ohio State plays a team like Marshall. But there are some things worth noting from tonight's game. For one, the offensive line looked vastly improved. Again, I realize they played Marshall, but they held the pocket and opened up holes for Brandon Saine that they weren't opening up against teams like Purdue and Toledo last year. The real test will be if they are capable of doing the same thing against a team like Miami or Wisconsin. We'll find out next week.

The other story tonight was Terrelle Pryor. He looked like the quarterback we saw in the Rose Bowl a year ago. Actually, he looked better than the quarterback we saw in the Rose Bowl a year ago. He kept his eyes downfield, made multiple reads, didn't panic, didn't get happy feet, and made tough throws when he needed to. He missed a couple of passes (he had DeVier Posey wide open for a 50 + yard score in the first half he overthrew by about 5 years) and had a few dropped balls (again, Posey was the guy I noticed dropping a couple of balls), but his numbers were great. 17/25 for 247 yards and 3 TD's. I'm still not ready to say TP is going to contend for a Heisman Trophy, but I will say he's made progress as quarterback. Much of that progress can be attributed to the offensive line playing well tonight, and Pryor therefore not having to run for his life, something which could change against a team like Miami. So again, we have progress. Hopefully it continues.

Then there's the defense. I feel it was hard to get a read on the defense tonight. There seemed to be something missing from the defense tonight that made them special last year. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there was something that just didn't feel right. It could be breaking in new guys and new rotations, and the fact that Chimdi Chekwa didn't start and played sparingly, or even the fact that after the first quarter Ohio State had scored 3 TD's and was basically playing a soft zone. I'm hopeful I am reading too much into things, but something there just didn't feel right.

Last but not least, Tyler Moeller. Tyler Moeller was attacked last year and suffered severe head injuries. He missed the entire season recovering, and at some point I think there was doubt he would ever make it onto a football field ever again. Tonight Tyler Moeller was back on the football field, and he played well. He made plays in the backfield and was a ballhawk as the Nickel corner. I don't know if his play with continue the rest of the year, but I don't care. I'm just glad Tyler Moeller got the opportunity to play football again in an Ohio State uniform.

So the first one is in the bag, and the next one will be a bit tougher against Miami. I'm ready for it. Bring it on. I can't wait. College football season is here.

And Finally, the Top 10!

The countdown continues, and the season is even closer. In two days I will be watching the Buckeyes against Marshall. I can't wait. Seriously, college football makes me giddy. I enjoy the NFL game, but the passion and emotion of the college game can't be duplicated by the NFL. So as we prepare for the season, I'm looking at the AP preseason top 10. Overall, I can't disagree too much with the rankings. There are a couple of teams in the top 10 that are probably a bit overhyped, but I think you will have that every year. So with that said, let's start with number 10:

10. Virgina Tech - Every year the Hokies are seemingly ranked in the top 10 or top 15 and get on a roll and the hype machine gets behind them and Frank Beamer and they end up in the top 5 at some point. Then every year at the end of the season when you look at the final polls, Virginia Tech has 3 or 4 losses on their record. Sometimes even 5, and the cycle repeats itself. This year should be no different. Although I have no passion for this football program (and honestly probably resent it a little due to undeserved hype), I am looking forward to their game against Boise State on September 6th. Boise State is a team that I think is overhyped as well, but in reality Virginia Tech has superior athletes to Boise State. It'll be interesting to see how Boise State holds up.

9. Iowa - A lot of people are high on Iowa this year, but I am not one of them. They have a ton of talent coming back on defense and on offense, but I am still not a believer. It is basically the same team that last year squeaked out wins in every game and ultimately lost to Northwestern. Maybe another year will mature the team, and having a senior quarterback leading the team will be the difference. I think Iowa is more likely to end up as a team ranked in the top 15-20 when the season ends.

8. Nebraska - In my opinion, Nebraska should be the favorite to win the Big 12 this year. Texas is breaking in a new quarterback and has some turnover on defense, and lost one of it's biggest playmakers not named Colt McCoy. Nebraska has some problems on offense, most notably the quarterback, but they make up for it with their defense. The Big 12 North is once again soft so they should have an easy path to the title game. They proved last year they could hang with Texas. I think this is the year for them to get over the hump. And what a way to exit the conference.

7. Oklahoma - While I think Nebraska is better than Oklahoma, I also believer the Sooners will bounce back this year. While last year's injury to Sam Bradford was devastating and ultimately cost Oklahoma a chance at a national title, it may help the program over the next couple of years as Landry Jones got some great experience and proved he could play at the college level. Ultimately I expect Nebraska to be a 10 win football team headed into their bowl game.

6. TCU - Another small time program ranked up at the top with the big boys. I like TCU more than I do Boise State. In fact, I like TCU more than anyone out of the Big East. I really believe that the Mountain West is better than the Big East. Now is TCU's chance to shine. If Boise State or another top 5 team falters, and TCU runs the table they could be playing for a national title.

5. Texas - While I really believe that Garrett Gilbert, the quarterback stepping in for Colt McCoy, is going to be a good, possibly even great, college football player, let's not underestimate what Colt McCoy did for this Texas program. He is the winningest quarterback in college football history and had Texas playing for a national title last year. I think the loss of McCoy, Jordan Shipley, and Sergio Kindle (among others) will hurt the Longhorns a bit this year. Top 5 is a bit too high for me. Texas takes a step back and is a 9 win football team this year. 10 wins if everything breaks for them.

4. Florida - Really this should say see Texas. Losing Tim Tebow should not be understated. Tebow is arguably the best quarterback in college football history. You don't lose a player like that and automatically rebound. Granted, the program is filled with talent and John Brantley will probably step in and be a nice player. But he's not Tim Tebow. Much like Texas, I see Florida as a team that's probably top 10, and a 9 or 10 win team if everything breaks their way this year.

3. Boise State - This is the year Boise State has their chance to play for a national title. Everything is set up for them. They've got out of conference games against Virginia Tech and Oregon State. They play in a weak conference. They have an incredibly generous preseason ranking. So we'll see what happens. If they lose once they are done and the talk about Boise State as a perennial power will forever be gone. That said, they are a talented team. Kellen Moore is a great quarterback and Chris Peterson is a great coach. Personally speaking I actually expect Boise to be in the national championship game. They perform well when they have substantial time to prepare for an opponent and they still play a WAC schedule. They're ranked in the top 3, and either the Buckeyes or Alabama will probably slip up at some point.

2. Ohio State - As a lifelong Ohio State fan I am happy to see the Buckeyes ranked in the top 3 to start the season. Terrelle Pryor holds the keys to success for the Buckeyes. The national media seems to think that Jim Tressel was holding back the reigns on Pryor last year and that his play in the Rose Bowl is what we've been missing out on. Anyone who watched this team last year knows otherwise. Pryor had the reigns taken off him early in the season and was a turnover machine (see Purdue). If The Rose Bowl Pryor shows up, or even 70% of that TP, then the Buckeyes play for a national championship and should win one.

1. Alabama - It's hard to argue with Alabama as number one seeing as they won it all last year and have their quarterback, star running back, and star wide receiver all coming back. They'll get nicked up in the SEC, but should play for a second straight national title if Boise State or Ohio State slip up along the way this year.


College football is in the air. I love it. Starting Thursday I will live, breathe, and sleep college football. There's nothing better. The countdown continues.