SB Nation User Blog: utesfan100

Does Utah have an obligation to promote change?

utesfan100 — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 03:34:18 -0000

This year has been exciting to watch! To the nation, our Sugar Bowl victory might be the most opinion shattering game since the 1926 Rose Bowl. As a Utah fan, the success of our team has been indescribable.

In our excitement we can forget that Utah represent the teams from outside the BCS structure. Our personal victory represents a potential victory for all 66 teams eliminated from the national championship game as soon as they are voted below the top 15 in the preseason polls (though it might be the top 25 for the MWC next year).

Since the creation of the BCS a team has ended the season undefeated without a shot at the national title 4 times (Utah 2004 & 2008, Boise State 2006, Tulane 1998). Do we have an obligation to use our media focus to lobby for change?

But what kind of change can we lobby for? Even a plus one would have failed in 2004 as five teams ended the regular season undefeated. Make the final selection after the bowls? There were three still standing then.

Why would the university presidents approve the addition of a game as a fix to the problem when that fix does not guarantee a solution?

The NCAA has also stood firm in its bounds for the postseason (from December 19th thru the second Monday in January), since it was extended slightly to make room for the current championship game.

College football is dependent on the revenues of the Bowl structure and the weekly excitement the BCS formula brings to the top games each week. For all that it lacks in determining the champion, the BCS more than compensates for as a marketing tool. To take a high risk proposition of making a radical change to the structure does not make sense in the current economic cycle.

What is needed is a system that stays within the current postseason window, supports the bowls as award games in its core philosophy, maintains the weekly excitement of the BCS ranking systems and allows all teams an opportunity by winning all their games. If one could do all his and restore the New Year’s Day tradition of being a national celebration of college football that would be even better.

As luck would have it, I have found such a system. If another school was in our shoes, wouldn’t you want them to lobby for a change? Should we not do likewise?

Does the MWC deserve a BCS bid?

utesfan100 — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:32:50 -0000

The BCS conference criteria have been known for a while, someone finally got around to looking at the numbers publicly.

The numbers can be found here. I can state with some degree of authority that these team values undervalue the top 25 appearances and BCS rankings, but that this issue was a post processing step not related to the conference standings.

The MWC has not consistently perfromed at a BCS level over the last four years. We did perform at this level in 2008, the first time ever a conference without a BCS automatic qualification did so. One thing to note is that, based on this estimate, adding Boise State to the MWC closes half of the gap betwen the MWC and the BCS cutoff.

I can also state that no other team from the WAC or the C-USA West significantly alters these numbers, though Hawaii and Tulsa would provide a small increase.

If Bosie State needs someone to show in numbers that they offer a BCS Automatic Qualification, well Boise State and another year like 2008 will get it done.

It is interesting to note that adding Utah and BYU to the PAC 10 reduces the PAC 10's BCS value, so if you are dreaming of a PAC 10 expansion it is not likely at this time.

A win for one is a win for all! - Part IX

utesfan100 — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 03:59:22 -0000

Continued from A win for one is a win for all!

A calm was in the air. Tranquility ruled the week. The tempests that had stirred the top 10 stood still and an eerie still hung thick over the fields as none in the top 10 were shaken, with our own leader the lone exception.

But a storm is coming! The top is about to be rent apart by internal conflicts and epic rivalries going back decades, some centuries.

Penn State vs Ohio State, Texas vs Oklahoma State, Georgia vs LSU are but a taste of the carnage to come. But how big of a way will be cleared? Will a road to the top be opened, or an opening for a second team?

The first in the list holds the key to our hopes. A Penn State critically wounds our hopes for the top, while an Ohio State win undermines severely the chance of getting two through the doors.

Yet while infighting is the theme of the week, for those in our cause, and those facing giants at the top, our rally still rings…

A WIN FOR ONE IS A WIN FOR ALL!

MWC Expansion

utesfan100 — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:23:51 -0000

With utefans.net sporting recent threads discussing the merits of Tulsa joining the MWC, combined with Thompson showing a thaw on the MWC cold sholder to the topic (The radio broadcast is confirmed here), one is left wondering if an announcement may be pending the end of the year.

The standard line has been that expansion only makes sense if it brings more bowls or a BCS Automatic Qualifications. The MWC already has an agreement with Boise State's bowl and Fresno State and Tulsa do not bring bowl games of their own. Hawaii is the only other team with BCS credentials.

Does adding any one of these teams get us a BCS automatic qualification? The BCS reevaluates is automatic qualifications every year based on the previous 4 years. It uses number of top 25 teams each year, the highest ranked team each year, and some measure of the conferences as a whole using the 6 BCS computers. This is written up here, the first site to suggest Tulsa three weeks ago.

I think Boise State is ready to join next year. Fresno State and Tulsa could be ready by 2010. The BCS waits a year befor teams numbers count for the new conference. 4 top 25 teams this year, one in the top 15, maybe top 6, would put the MWC numbers in a good spot for BCS Automatic Qualification discussions for 2011 and 2012, 2010 if Tulsa and Fresno State can come on board next year.

Consider this division lineup:

MWC West:

Utah

BYU

Boise State

Fresno State

UNLV

SDSU

MWC East:

TCU

Tulsa

Wyoming

CSU

New Mexico

Air Force

This conference could maintain an average of 3 top 25 teams each year and one in the top 15. It would also be much more resilient to PAC 10 expansion than the current alignment, as Hawaii and Nevada make good alternates for any MWC West teams that choose to defect.

I see no reason not to expand.

A win for one is a win for all! - Part VIII

utesfan100 — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 03:29:19 -0000

Continued from: A win for one is a win for all!

Holy Toledo! Another week, another win! Even now that the pickings are slim!

Oklahoma, LSU and Missouri took shots, weakening their spot ahead of our leader for the top, while Vanderbilt was sent a final blow to end their dreams of ultimate success.

While the top may be out of reach, much progress was made for our usurping a second seat. Notre Dame took a shot, and is all but gone from the scene, while Wisconsin, Northwestern and Illinois took their exit from the stage.

Survive and advance, the early news is in. BYU has fallen, a general and leader, to TCU, a wounded veteran, healed and ready to strike fear in those opposed. Both remain Utah takes the lead, and Boise State is standing guard. Hawaii has been secured.

While loses by others is important for our cause, for our leaders and allies, when facing those from outside,

A WIN FOR ONE IS A WIN FOR ALL!

A win for one is a win for all! - Part VII

utesfan100 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:30:40 -0000

Continued from: A win for one is a win for all!

Utah held its ground, but fate flirted with our despairs before granting our hopes. This is the story of the second half of this march… survive and advance. Don’t be allured by those falling around you on the road, but be mindful always of the task at hand.

There will be conflicts, strife among friends. Oregon, Michigan, Wisconsin and Auburn each got wounded by allies and friends. We too will have our fights from within.

Companions and allies may fall in the weeks lying ahead, but each must stay focused on each step along the way. This is the lessons from Fresno State’s defeat. This valiant and strong ally has tripped on a stone. As traps wait for us, so too for our foes. South Florida and Connecticut both fell unexpectedly, dashing all hopes of finishing strong.

3 of us sit in the top 14 now. Ohio State alone sits in the way of our second seat, though Michigan State and Northwestern have designs on it as well. Perhaps even a spot in a seat of honor can be taken, the two glorious thrones for those chosen to compete for it all. But for now the game is survive and advance, and always remember…

A WIN FOR ONE IS A WIN FOR ALL!

A win for one is a win for all! - Part VI

utesfan100 — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 04:18:02 -0000

Continued from: A win for one is a win for all!

While Fresno State finished off UCLA and Navy shot Wake Forest out of the water, TCU got humbled by Oklahoma. Our champion of the week was put down in a shameful and humiliating defeat. By in large the assault is finished. Our destiny is mostly out of our hands.

But fate, the cruel mistress, appears to be on our side. The ACC rose again only to get put back down. The PAC 10 was shaken critically from within. But are our hopes being raised only to be shattered and stabbed into our backs?

The fall out from local squabbles will shape the future now. Two brothers, rivals since birth, stand side by side looking for their day of glory. One test remains from the outside, and then it is time to take care of things at home.

Oregon State has felled a giant, and comes into town hungry for more. The favored in the game, Utah must hold their ground. The scent of revenge is in the air and last week’s giant slayer may make for an excellent statement.

After this week we march slowly on to the inevitable finally, brother against brother. But for now we continue, and for now it remains,

A WIN FOR ONE IS A WIN FOR ALL!

Hit List:

Ohio State
Wisconsin

A win for one is a win for all - Part V

utesfan100 — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:05:34 -0000

Continued from: A win for one is a win for all!

Boise hit their mark! Oregon has been felled! UNLV won yet another, a Big 12 opponent pushed back in the cellar. Navy made some waves upending Rutgers, kicking them while the Big East is down. Ball State did its part, putting down Indiana. Yet, East Carolina, so valiant and strong met their demise at the hands of NC State. And so the ACC is back, though ripped and frayed.

After this week our fate is out of our hands. Our final assault begins this week. UCLA can be beaten, we’ve done it before. It’s Fresno State’s turn now, so get the job done. CSU has a chance to stun California and make it 6-0 in inter-conference games. The focus of this week’s attack, however, lies in Oklahoma.

A battle of unbeatens, one a mighty legend, the other a former armor bearer for a great conference of old. TCU had the edge for 3 of the last 4. Can they do it again, now against #2? This is our chance to make history for ever! In this game, more than any of the others,

A WIN FOR ONE IS A WIN FOR ALL!

Hit List:

Ohio State

Penn State

Clemson

Virginia Tech

A win for one is a win for all! -- Part IV

utesfan100 — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 02:01:23 -0000

Continued from: A win for one is a win for all!

With the ACC dashed to start the season and the Big East vanquished in the next strike, it was time for one more cartel to face the fury of the oppressed and weary mavericks. While the Big 10 looked most vulnerable, it was the PAC 10 who would be put down this week.

Four clashes, four losses. This is not how a fight with your little step brother is supposed to turn out. This is how the aristocratic PAC 10 fared against snubbed MWC. New Mexico over Arizona and TCU over Stanford were sweet victories to be sure. While BYU’s slaughter of UCLA caught national attention the most surprising result was UNLV’s beheading of Arizona State, a team who had presented a critical obstacle to our eventual goal.

While the PAC 10 was being raided one team snuck out with a single shining moment of glory. A dominating win by USC over Ohio State threw the Big 10’s champion to the ground.

We also took our losses as Wisconsin knocked Fresno State off their feet and weakened one of our ranks.

We are no longer outsiders! BYU has broken through! East Carolina is on deck and Utah lingers slightly behind. With Fresno State removed one begins to look around, where is talk of Boise State? Where are they hid, lying and waiting for their covert strike? It is now or never for this sleek and seasoned sniper.

Another week has come and gone and the uprising continues! Having accomplished so much, now more than ever,

A WIN FOR ONE IS A WIN FOR ALL!

Hit List:

Ohio State

Oregon

Purdue

A win for one is a win for all! -- Part III

utesfan100 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 23:06:21 -0000

Continued from: A win for one is a win for all!

The dust had settled from the initial rebellion and the BCS cartel braced itself for another volley of insurrection. They dug in strong and came out with force. Undeterred, the uprising flared up anew, but this week was not to be a week of glory.

It had its moments. West Virginia fell, granting East Carolina new found respect. They have felled three top 25 teams in a row, one of our own. Washington was overcome by BYU. Akron and Middle Tennessee did their part, adding to the sacking of the ACC and Big East. But in 25 games the rebellion was quelled. New Mexico, UCF and Bowing Green had opportunities lost. With the rebellion launched and battle lines drawn, now comes the time to survey the field.

The ACC and Big East have fallen! Four of our comrades have entered their ranks, sitting among them in their own top 25! They have made a place to let one of us through, but our goal is higher. We want a spot for two!

The SEC and Big 12 have risen as well. Slaying all comers, they stand tall and proud. Their numbers fill the rankings, as such they are allies. Only two from each can get a seat at the final table, with Bowls of high honor and seating for ten. Each spot taken by them is one less for our foes.

So our focus is narrowed, our goal is in sight. Two conferences must be weakened to reach our lofty goal. The Big 10 is on the ropes and the knockout punch can be delivered this week. If Fresno State can take Wisconsin while USC delivers Ohio State to its doom, the Big 10’s lot will be sealed.

The PAC 10 will take doing, the fight started last week. TCU takes on Stanford, and BYU will face UCLA. These games will decide the balance at stake while New Mexico versus Arizona and Hawaii versus Oregon State may shift the balance firmly our way.

As the weeks are continued one thing remains,

A WIN FOR ONE IS A WIN FOR ALL!

Hit List: (These teams must eventually lose, bold means it is urgent.)

Wisconsin

Arizona State

Oregon

Penn State