SB Nation User Blog: MeanBobMean

More Expansion Rumors . . .

MeanBobMean — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:59:26 -0000

Will the Big Boys Leave Boise State Out In The cold Yet Again?

Block U (JazzyUte) has posted a good synopsis on Block U regarding the possible expansion of the Big Ten and how that might move other conferences as well (Big 12 and PAC-10) to also expand, bring in teams and markets.

As you guys noted, if the Big ten poaches Missouri, and the Big-12 poaches TCU, the MWC will have a slot, right?

Unless the BCS conferences panic and think about expanding while the expanding is good. The argument is that the PAC-10 wants ot go to 12 teams, and that means Utah and possibly Colorado to the PAC-10 (those are rumored to be the top choices).

But Colorado might not be the best fit, BYU might be. That would leave the MWC without three of their top four programs (Air Force likely being the most consistently tough after those three).

So the MWC scrambles to cobble together a conference with the WAC and leftovers from their now depleted league.

And BSU would be screwed again, not in the immediate future though since it would take time for all this to shake out.

But, is there anyway around this? How long before BSU can field competitive teams for males and females across enough sports to be considered by the PAC-10?

The academic program at Boise is excellent, but probably not as deep as Utah and BYU, when will it be broad enough to attract a BCS conference?

Scouting the Golden Bears

MeanBobMean — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:37:21 -0000

Who Shows up, Jekyl or Hyde?

Calfornia shows a dual personality that indicates they are inconsistent, much like their bowl popponent Utah, only more so.

Maryland is a team that sometimes lives up to its potential, sometimes tanks. California was touted as one of the nations best teams before the season started. Consequently, the 52-13 shellacking the Golden Bears hung on the Terps wasn't entirely surprising, but it did indicate that expectations for the Bears were accurate and that this was a team that would compete for PAC and national honors. California racked up the yards and converted over half of their first downs in crushing the Maryland Terrapins. Their second game they destroyed an outmatched Eastern Washington (FCS, or D-II) team, then visited an improving Minnesota team and won convincingly 35-21 (Minnesota beat Air Force this year for comparison). In each game they had significant advantages in rushing yardage, first downs, and total yards. Their defensive side seemed to be giving a potent offense opportunities—a balanced, explosive California team was ranked sixth nationally and talk of their playing in, or changing the complexion of, the national title was beginning to make the College Football TV circuit.

Then the potion Dr. Jekyll had devised wore off, and the beast seemed to disappear. What loomed as a clash of Western Titans in surging Oregon and the proven Cal team turned into a laugher as Oregon ran will-nilly over Cal, blowing them out 42-3. USC was next and methodically dispatched them 30-3. Five games, four of them laughers, and the Bears split them evenly with the Minnesota game having been more of a contest. You simply could not display a more split personality than that.

Utah, on the other hand, was blasted only once while being fully capable of winning at Oregon and really giving the game away to BYU. Utah did not blow out quite as many opponents, but Cal settled into a more predictable pattern as well, being in closer games in conference until their final at Washington. And at Washington, no one knows who was occupying the uniforms of the Golden Bears as they were absolutely destroyed 42-10. Three blow out losses. What does that mean for their bowl game?

Well, it means which Bears team will show up?

Most prognostications hang on whether or not the superb Jahvid Best can recover fully and return to the lineup. If he does, will he be himself? If he is, look out. He makes the entire team play better and he’s too fast to catch if you don’t wrap him up—something Utah sometimes fails to do. I for one would like to see him play, Utah needs the incentive and the challenge—win or lose, you want to play their most capable performers.

But the same could be said of Utah. Have they found an identity which translates into a consistent and motivated team showing up for the game? This is highly doubtful.

Both teams have won enough to come in with their heads up. Both teams feel they have something to prove, with California likely to have a slightly larger chip on their shoulder, having lost to Utah the last time they played, having the season that was far more disappointing (Utah was considered to be mired in a rebuilding year, while California had conference and possibly national title aspirations).

Similarities in style of play

Both teams can beat you with rush or the pass with statistical results for the season being almost identical (Utah = 2642 passing yards/2092 rushing yards; Cal = 2681 passing yards/2123 rushing yards). You usually see Tedford’s name associated with his quarterbacks, however, his guys are able to make those throws because most defensive coordinators know the Golden Bears employ a power running game and you have to stop that first, leaving the QB at times to have his chances at one on one coverage. This means that the game will be won or lost in the lines and in this regard we see two teams who will try to beat down their opponent with a power game and then break a big play against an exhausted defense. Utah is used to, in fact seems to prefer, leaving the defensive backs “out on an island” alone. In this regard Utah might have an edge, fielding a defense suited to fight Cal’s strengths.

California’s Jahvid Best is well known, but his injury allowed Shane Vereen to pull in 830 yards with a 5.1 per carry average. If best plays, California will have two sets of extremely capable legs to come at Utah with and that, not simply Best’s talent (though his 6.1 yards per carry is quite good) is what should concern Utah fans the most.

California’s defense favors the 3-4 set, the onus being on their linebackers to come up and close out the plays. Bet the farm that the pressure applied by three BYU lineman will be carefully scrutinized by Cal’s defensive coordinator. If Cal blitzes two backers it will create problems, especially if they come from the same side.

Keys to the game:

Utah Offensively

Utah has to get Wynn moving in the pocket, if he stands static he is dead when they blitz. They have to move that line and get the ball into the hands of receivers and tight ends on the linebackers. If the Cal backers have to cover all day, blitzing will be mostly neutralized. Misdirection might also help, and any tendencies to blitz we might want to try sweeps on the opposite side. Continue to throw deep, whether you hit it or not make them play honest, don’t allow them to stay packed into the box up front. Outside speed with receivers might open it up. If they leave that middle open at ten yards, throw that quick slant. Attack their D, don’t wait to see what they give you—they were ranked 66th nationally, we should be able to move the ball. In the 3-4, the lineman often try to plug hole and let the linebacker sod the real cleaning up. Move the lineman out, beat on them, wear them down. Attack the line. We really only showcase one back, when Eddie Wide is in they will key on him. Spread the ball around baby.

Utah Defensively

Disrupt them, do not allow them to get into any flow at all. Stack the box, take away the run as much as possible and put faith in your corners. Blitz early and often to keep Riley (189/346 17 TDs and 6 interceptions) on his toes. His last 4 games he has not hit 60% completions. He appears to be streaky, keep on him—he’s had some terrible games (in the back to back Oregon and USC games he was a combined 27-71). Beat Riley up early and hope to capitalize on that If Best plays, hit him as hard as you can and wrap him up. If his injury has made him tentative at all, he’ll show it. Rotate in D lineman and be aggressive all night.

Intangibles

Utah simply must reduce the number and severity of its penalties. Cut those in say half and they very well could have gone 11-1 regardless of their coaching and QB issues.

Coaching Matchup?

Both these guys consistently win more games than they lose and while Tedford (5-1) has only lost one bowl game (clearly he prepares well for bowls, like Whittingham does), it was a terrible showing with a highly rated Cal (4th nationally) being molested 45-31 by a 7-4 Texas Tech team.

Starting Lineup for BSU?

MeanBobMean — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:18:11 -0000

How will injuries impact the Boise State gameplan against TCU?

Will Boise be healed up and 100%? I know you had a couple significant injuries in your last couple games:

Pettis suffered the injury during a failed two-point conversion after the Broncos' second touchdowns during last week's 44-33 win over Nevada.

Pettis is the Broncos' second-leading receiver with 62 catches for 850 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Broncos also lost starting linebacker Daron Mackey to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, his second ACL injury in less than a year and a half.

I hear Pettis may return, but can he return at 100%? What about Mackey and how key is he to your defense from your perspective (don't listen to sports writers or announcers)? Other injuries? What is the story of some of your non starters who play and contribute, and who do the BSU faithful want to see have an impact on the game that the announcers and other fans don't regularly watch?

I like Moore, huge fan since last year, but I want to watch the guys you think on the line and backfields on both sides that should be coming up big and if you could give me some insight as to why do you watch those players?

Also, any special human interest stories about your players that make them stand out to you? I'll ask the same of TCU fans and see what we can come up with.

The BYU honor Code. See Hall's most recent F Bomb here.

MeanBobMean — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:22:53 -0000

The BYU honor Code. See Hall's most recent F Bomb here.

Big 12 Fights to Screw Non BCS teams

MeanBobMean — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:21:45 -0000

Oh this infuriating . . .

Dan Beebe, the Big 12 commissioner who introduced the idea to a shocking lack of national reaction, thinks it would be a grand idea if the bowl requirements for BCS teams would be lowered so that a 6-6 BCS team could take a bowl game spot from a seven-, eight- or even nine-win non-BCS team. Why? So that Baylor could go to the Motor City Bowl, I guess.

It is interesting, though probably only coincidental, that 11 of the 12 Big 12 schools enter this weekend with a chance to become bowl-eligible. (Colorado, not so much). Baylor would have to beat Texas A&M and Texas Tech, Texas A&M would have to beat Texas, and Kansas would have to beat either Texas or Missouri.

In practical terms as opposed to wishful thinking, the best the conference could do is nine (Texas isn't losing to either A&M or Kansas). But Beebe's proposal, which is essentially No Child Born of Rich Parents Left Behind, would see to it that in such a development, none of his teams would have to worry about being aced out because Nevada went 9-3.

See story here.

Tom Osborne's Response

MeanBobMean — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:32:37 -0000

Nice enough to write and sign it, he did offerthem a home and home in ten years, maybe Utah should get in line for that!

Dear Bob,

Thanks for your e-mail encouraging us to play Boise State. We already have Washington, Wyoming and Fresno State scheduled. We will talk to them to see what kind of a guarantee they want; however, we’re not anxious to load up our schedule to a degree where we are playing a lot more great opponents than the other schools in the Big 12. We would be willing to play Boise State home and home, as our one major nonconference opponent but that would be about ten years down the road before we have room to do that.

Best wishes,

Tom Osborne

Tom Osborne's Response

MeanBobMean — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:27:10 -0000

No dice on Nebraska, and he was right up front about "loading up" the schedule.

He did offer the home and home though, and I think BSU's athletic director should jump on that, never too early to schedule quality opponents.

Well, I got a note signed by Osborne regarding Nebraska playing Boise State in 2011 (September 3rd game). He said the following:

Dear Harry,

Best wishes,

Tom Osborne

Boise State Wants Alabama in 2011

MeanBobMean — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:01:53 -0000

Boise State athletic director Gene Bleymaier is all but begging for a major opponent – any major opponent – to play his Broncos, particularly in 2011. He can hardly get his calls returned. Not by the SEC. Not by the Big Ten. Not by anyone.

Bleymaier is making a nearly unheard of offer in college football scheduling – Boise will bring its popular, high-profile, top-10 team to any stadium in any town to play any big name team in America in 2011. And they don’t have to return the date in Idaho.

So far, no one has bit.

I think you guys have a hole on the day in question, September 3, 2011. Well, the Boise State fans are saying everyone is afraid of them. Here's the story link. Boise State is the team "No one will play . . ."

What do you all say? Think it's worth a note to the AD?

That would give Alabama back to backs with Boise State and Penn State, their SEC schedule . . .

Hell, what's the game for if not opportunities like this?

ESPN is already pushing national TV for any major team taking the game with Boise on that date. Be a sweet early season wouldn't it?

I love it personally.

Cheers,

Bob

Help Get Boise State a Big Game

MeanBobMean — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:37:27 -0000

Boise State is looking to fill September 3rd, 2011. In a story on Yahoo Sports, BSU is making the above offer, ESPN is pushing the game, and guess who has an open date?

Nebraska. You may recall this comment from last year included in the following quote:

Last year Utah went 13-0 yet didn’t have a chance to play for the BCS title. At a Congressional subcommittee hearing University of Nebraska chancellor and BCS figurehead Harvey Perlman was asked what the Utes could’ve done differently.

“They could have played the schedule Nebraska did,” Perlman said.

Well, the Nebraska AD is Tom Osborne. His email addy is ahackbart@huskers.com .

So, do the MidMajors a favor and politely ask coach Osborne to help his Huskers open the season with a bang by scheduling the Boise State Broncos.

Smithson Writeup in Sports Illustrated

MeanBobMean — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:42:40 -0000

"He prefers to be called Shaky. It's the nickname that Antoine Smithson earned long before genetics kicked in and countless hours in the weight room packed 210 pounds onto his 6-foot-2 frame. As a six-year-old playing basketball and football in the projects of Baltimore, he displayed an innate skill for eluding trouble; he found he could simply spin and juke his way past bigger, older opponents."

See story here, nice for Utah to have its players get some media attention--sign we're growing up and being recognized, it would have been rare to see a Utah story in the Sporting News 20 years ago.