Rick Reilly is Really Righteous

How's that for some alliteration? My English teachers would be so proud of me! Anyway, I just wanted to share this lovely article with my readers. ESPN's Rick Reilly jumps in to defend Boise State and he does a marvelous job. Take a look at it for yourself here. Mr. Reilly is known for making really funny videos for whatever programs are airing on ESPN. What I personally like about him is the puns and witty comparisons that he makes. Exhibit A: When referring to how the BCS continually screws the Broncos, Reilly says; "It's the biggest rip-off since the Nigerian prince scam. It makes you wonder why you watch college football at all. What Boise State is being asked to do isn't doable. It's like trying to win a Cuban election. Or break into the Genovese family." Hilarious! He then follows it up with this; "People think of Boise State as some kind of Tahitian ice skating team. It's not like the Broncos have to wait for the high school girls' field hockey team to get off the field at 5 p.m. before they can practice." It's true. It's a load of crap that is continually heaped upon the Broncos' football team no matter what they do to win or who loses ahead of them. What can they do? The BCS blows.

The part that I like the best is the way that BCS blowhards and officials patronize Boise State. Rick Reilly exclaims; "...and they'll come home with a win and a hatful of "You kids sure play with a lot of heart up there" put-downs from the BCS blazers." Yeah, they do play hard. They've also beaten everybody they've gone up against in the past 4 years by "playing with a lot of heart." It's a joke and it starts to bug us as fans of the team. At least Coach Chris Petersen and his team tries to ignore all of it. It's probably for the best that they maintain that state of self-innocence.

The other day on Facebook I posted something to the effect that the BCS sucks and somehow the Big East, which has no ranked teams currently, will get a team into one of their bowls automatically and in essence have a better shot at the National Championship than third ranked Boise State. Two of my friends proceeded to have a heated discussion in the comments section about the merits, fairness, and legitimacy of the BCS system. To protect the innocent, the names of said friends will be changed. "Joseph" took the side that the BCS is an anti-trust laden entity set out to screw the little guy and support the big boys. "Alex" took the side that the BCS thrives off of negative commentary. They crave it and need it to promote themselves and grow exponentially. I just sat back and let it fly. It was really funny how upset they got. They ended up making up and being cool with each other when all was said and done.

This is what I ended up deciding afterward; The BCS financial system/sharing still sucks. It indeed was set and is now protected by money-hungry elitists who illegally exclude many smaller non-traditional power schools from the money that is awarded to the big conferences, even if they don't deserve it. In other words, nothing has changed. With that said, I am addicted to it. I love the college football regular season and what each game means for each team. There is so much passion in these kids, especially the ones that got shafted recruiting-wise by the big schools. I also love the postseason. All of the hype, pageantry, and build up of bowl games makes me overly ecstatic and really giddy. Yes, possibly school girl giddy. I will watch Middle Tennessee State vs. Louisiana Monroe in the Papajohns.com Pizza Topping Mug Root Beer Chef Boyardé Memphis Bowl. I'm that into it! Being at the Fiesta Bowl last year was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Every moment was thrilling and exciting. If college football switches to a playoff a la the FCS level, all of that would be gone. No more week long parties in Glendale, Arizona. No more massive month long build up before it all explodes into a no-holds-barred contest between two teams giving everything they have for a one game glory. No more pageantry and excitement for bowl season. There, I said it. That doesn't mean that I agree with how the money gets dispersed. Did you know that if Boise State got to and won the National Championship game, they would only get 5 or 6 million dollars for their conference? BCS schools get 20 to 21 million. Other than that and the fact that it is ridiculously difficult (dare I say impossible?) for a non-AQ school to get into the title game, I love the system. I think a few tweaks here and there would make it better. But please, don't exclude the Broncos just because they are in the WAC. Thank you Rick Reilly for your words. I agree with you, but I just can't let go.

Boise State vs. Louisiana Tech, plus Weekly Player to Watch, 6th edition

That's right, today is a very special edition of my Weekly PTW! Since for some strange ESPN-related reason, Boise State is playing a football game on Tuesday night against the mighty Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech. That means my entire schedule was thrown off dating back to last Thursday when I make my picks and then Friday when I normally give you my player to watch. With that said, all it means is that you folks, as my blog readers, get an extra large heaping of Bronco Chase today! Lucky you! This post will be a mix of game preview and analysis, my Weekly PTW, and of course a prediction of the final score. So let's get started!

After two consecutive games of not getting anybody hurt due to the phantom "Weekly PTW" injury curse, I am ready to pick again. I am going with somebody on the offensive side of the ball, seeing as how LA Tech is not capable of stopping anybody. So after a few minutes of decisive pondering, I am going with a receiver for this week's PTW...Austin Pettis!!!!!


If you look at Louisiana's pass defense, they are really bad. The numbers tell me so. The Bulldogs rank 119th out of 120 teams in that category. In other words, everybody has been successful throwing against them. At the same time, they do pretty well against the run. I would expect the Broncos to force the running game, especially early, before unleashing Kellen Moore and his pack of very talented wide receivers and tight ends. That includes Mr. Pettis. Did you know that he has not scored a touchdown since September? Yep, the Oregon State game was the last time that he found himself celebrating a TD in the end zone. He is ripe for a score or two (or four). Think about it this way; Louisiana Tech brings one of the worst pass defenses in the nation into Bronco Stadium. Boise State has one of the best passing offenses in said nation. Austin Pettis has gone touchdownless for a few games now and is very hungry (and possibly angry) to score. It is perfect situation for some Moore to Pettis for 6 action. It will look a little something like this:


Pettis came to The Blue from Orange Lutheran High School in Anaheim, California. He lettered three times in football, but was also a star in basketball and track. In fact, he was named Velocity/Prep Star All-Region, first-team all-county, first-team all-league, and third-team all-state as a senior after hauling in 72 receptions for 1,079 yards and 13 touchdowns. Pettis' senior year he led his team to a state championship and in the process, garnered All-Southern Section honors (I borrowed this info from obnug.com). In other words, he was really good and has the numbers to prove it. Austin was a big recruit for the Broncos as he came out of high school ranked as a three-star athlete. He fielded offers from the Broncos, Utah State, and Utah. Good thing he came to Boise State or he would have never been able to make posters like this:


It is crazy to think that Austin is a senior. It seems like just yesterday that he showed up on The Blue wearing number 87. He contributed frequently as a freshman, racking up 139 yards and 3 TD's against Idaho back in 2007. Since then, he has done nothing but put up staggering numbers. There is a definite handicap on our offense if he is out. So let's hope the swinging gate two point conversion attempts don't break his foot again, like it did last year against Nevada. It is interesting to think about what would have happened in the Fiesta Bowl against TCU had he been able to play. His presence on the field is huge, but his production is just as important for the offense. Virginia Tech knows what he can do. Can anyone say game winning touchdown?!?!?!


This game against the Bulldogs could be momentous for Pettis as he is closing in on the Boise State record books. His name is already at the top of the list that says "most touchdowns in one season." He notched that one last year with 14. Austin needs 7 catches to break the 37-year old Boise State record for most career receptions held by Don Hutt. I think it could happen, especially if he is to go off like I am expecting him to. So, as long as he doesn't go "Wyoming" this week and get benched by Coach Pete, he might break it!


There we have it! Austin Pettis is the Weekly Player to Watch! Check him out tomorrow against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs!

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On to the game!

Tuesday, October 26 at 6 PM

3-4, (2-1 WAC)
at

6-0, (2-0 WAC)

Is it just me or does the Idaho Statesman newspaper try to build up Boise State's opponents in an effort to make a potentially lopsided game look even? They did the same thing for New Mexico State, Toledo, and San Jose State. However, this time around I think they might have a legitimate case to do it. After all, Louisiana Tech did put up 683 yards of offense against Idaho in their last game, 422 of which came through the air. Boise State's secondary has not been tested since the Virginia Tech game, and they looked bad against the Hokies. At the same time, the reason that they have not been tested is because the Broncos' pass rush is so overwhelming and ferocious that opposing quarterbacks have not had time to throw. This is setting the stage for what I think are the keys to the game. If Boise State can sack the quarterback early and at least apply pressure from then on, they will force Ross Jenkins to throw early, make mistakes, and toss some INT's. On the other hand, if Jenkins is able to get comfortable and has time in the pocket, a lot of pressure will be placed on Brandyn Thompson, George Iloka, Jeron Johnson, Jamar Taylor, and Jerrell Gavins in the secondary. Those guys will need to play well regardless, but a lack of pass rush will put undue stress on them. I think you will see Coach K. (defensive coordinator) mix up the schemes and blitzes, get creative, and force LA Tech into turning the ball over. The Bulldogs will not be able to run the ball, even with Tennessee-transfer Lennon Creer in the backfield. Boise State will not have as big of a game rushing wise, but will end up with decent numbers as they try to force it against a stiff run defense. The passing will open it up for more rushing and eventually the Bulldogs will be guessing wrong, pass or rush. That is when Moore gashes teams deep and Doug Martin breaks off for huge gains. The game may be close early, but Boise State will pull ahead and keep Kellen Moore and the rest of the starters in throughout the third quarter to make sure. Boise State will win fairly easily, wishing another WAC team a brutal farewell.
Prediction: Broncos 55, Bulldogs 17

Record before this game: 32-10
I have a feeling that I will end up with one more "W" tomorrow evening!
Let's go Broncos!

Weekly Player to Watch, 5th Edition

There is no question that I am feeling better about my PTW picks. I managed to choose someone last week that not only contributed in someway, but also avoided being injured. It would appear that the PTW injury demon has been exercised. That said, I am still hoping that nothing bad, ugly, evil, or harmful happens to the individual that I am picking this week. Let’s get to it and hope that we make it two Bronco games in a row with a productive, healthy PTW! This week’s is…Jeron Johnson!



I was looking through some of San Jose’s stats and I realized that I could have gone with just about anybody (excluding offensive lineman. They don’t really touch the ball much…) and I would have felt good about it. Take a look for yourselves courtesy of our fine friends at espn.com. The Spartans rank dead freaking last in scoring offense and at the very back end in passing yards, rushing yards, and points allowed. If you look at this page here, quarterback Jordan La Secla has thrown only two touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. That is a recipe for disaster, and of course some picks from the Boise State secondary. With that in mind, I chose Johnson because of his athleticism, skill, toughness, and the fact that he once knocked Idaho State quarterback Russell Hill senseless. Jeron is a scary man. Don’t believe me? Look at this:



It is of no surprise to hear that Jeron Johnson is straight outta’ Compton! The kid was able to get out of the famous-in-a-bad-way Southern California town and make his way to Boise to play football for a really good football team. He started all four years at Dominguez High School and racked up a staggering 266 tackles, along with a bunch of INT’s and fumble recoveries. As a junior and senior he was named the San Gabriel Valley defensive MVP. Surprisingly, Johnson was only a two-star recruit and looked at offers from Boise State, Utah, and Utah State. Now as a senior, his aggressive and violent demeanor on the field has led to some ferocious hits, but also some personal foul penalties and even an ejection at Oregon back in 2008. At the same time, he has amassed 7 interceptions in his college career, including this one against Wyoming a few weeks ago.



I think my favorite part about picking Mr. Johnson as my PTW is that there are a lot of ways that he can impact the game and the team. Beyond the interceptions and fumble recoveries, he has led the Broncos in total tackles for the last couple of years and that should continue that trend for his senior year. Jeron will be knocking down quite a few Spartans on Saturday night. That I can guarantee. Also, I really hope to see a snot bubbler or two in Spartan Stadium with Johnson doing the delivering. As a man with many nicknames, I think that "Hitman" is the most appropriate. Although, his Facebook name is Jeron "Showoff" Johnson, so that works too, I guess. In a defense where the one weakness this season has seemed to be the secondary, it is extremely important to have a presence like Jeron lurking around. The problem has not been a lack of talent, there was just a huge void left when Kyle Wilson took his skill and his dreadlocks to the New York Jets. I think that as the season progresses, the corners will tighten up and Jeron will be able to go back to his roaming, head-hunting self and knock some fools out. Johnson is indeed one of the leaders on defense and this is beginning to show. He has matured greatly since his days of getting kicked out of the game at Autzen Stadium. A lot is expected from Jeron Johnson, and he is delivering. What else would you expect from someone who was on the cover of Sports Illustrated?!



The fifth edition of Bronco Chase's Weekly Player to Watch is in the books! Jeron Johnson should have a big game and hopefully a really hard hit (or two)! Take a look at this, just because it's sick!



I will be posting my review of the game on Sunday and the WAC Weekend Recap on Monday. Be sure to check back in and get my take on everything that goes down in college football!

College Game Day in Boise

There had been rumors in seasons past that ESPN would bring their entertaining college football pregame show to the Treasure Valley. Most recently, the Idaho game last season. It has never come to fruition until now. Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard, and (thank all things good and holy) Erin Andrews are bringing their circus/analysis/preview show to the Blue on Saturday! The show is a lot of fun to watch and to take in and it is always entertaining. At least we don't have to listen to Lou Holtz lisp his way through whatever it is he goes on about. Oh yeah, Mark May's giant freaking ego and ugly, pompous face will not be clogging up the camera either. That is a huge plus! What a handsome group here!



The best part is that they added Erin Andrews to be the sideline reporter this year. She is very easy to look at and actually quite funny and intelligent. What do you think?



It is going to be an absolutely crazy scene in down town Boise come Saturday morning. They are opening the gates at 5:30 AM and will start the show at 7. I can guarantee there will be copious amounts of people behind the analysts' desk, holding up signs and making absolute fools of themselves. I really wish I was one of them, but it is not to be. The commentators will be on the Blue turf for the entire show. What else would they do? The Blue is famous and a huge attraction when people visit Boise State, or the whole city for that matter. There are also a couple of other events taking place at the same time and a few main streets will be blocked off. Parking will be insane. In other words, Boise, Idaho is a college football town and we get a chance to show it to the world! The presence of College Game Day is very prestigious for the city and will go very far for recruiting and getting the brand of the Broncos out even more than they already have. The atmosphere will be electric. I am stoked!

Stay tuned for my weekend picks tomorrow and my weekly Player to Watch on Friday. We have a lot to cover. Oh yeah, one more picture of Erin Andrews just cause!

I Got my Tickets, Did you Get Yours?

As a true Boise State Bronco fan, I try as hard as I can to make sure I have game times free so as to indulge myself in the treat that is BSU football. When it is a huge game and within my financial, geographical, and wife-permitting range, I make freaking sure that I am there to watch in person. Such is the case when the Beavers of Oregon State (hailing from the beautiful city of Corvallis) come to play on the Blue against the Boise State Broncos! After days of fighting, worrying, and chatting with former peers and still current students at that great school, I have obtained two tickets; one for me and one for my wife. We have arranged for my mother to take care of our 3 month old baby in hopes of getting our mugs on ABC (I have appeared 3 times on ESPN, but I've never gone big time with some network channel face time!)! In other words, all is set for me to return to my second home, Bronco Stadium, and scream my face off in support of the Broncos. All is well!

While I am preparing my weekend picks and weekly PTW, I decided it would be appropriate to add some comments and tidbits that will not make the two aforementioned posts. As you know, this is a huge game for Boise State and I need myself and you to be as psyched as possible (it is scientifically proven that getting completely geeked up and jacked for a football game allows for louder, longer cheering). Read on.

Number one; I am really excited for this game, if you cannot tell. As I no longer live in the Boise area (work took us away from that great place), I will not have as many chances as before to get to the games. In this particular case, both teams are ranked and it will be the home opener. You cannot get much better than that.

Number two; Every time the Broncos play the Beavers, it reminds me of a hilarious newspaper headline that Jay Leno used on his "Headlines" segment. The year was 2006, Boise State was early in its quest to get to a BCS Bowl game (They ended up in the Fiesta Bowl, beating Oklahoma. You know the rest). Sophomore running back Ian Johnson had his breakout game, scoring 5 touchdowns. The headline said;

"Broncos' Johnson Runs All Over Beavers"

Whoever edited that newspaper was probably fired the next day. It was awesome! My only wish is that Malcolm Johnson was able to play. He was a huge recruit for Boise State but has struggled academically to the point where he is not enrolled in schools this semester. I want him to play and start, all in hopes of seeing another headline like that one...Oh innuendos! You never get old, no matter how much I do! In case you forgot what Ian did that day, look at this:



Number three; LET'S GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is all.

Just when we thought it was over...

Alright, we thought the crisis and mass hysteria was over, avoided, done, and in the past. But then the Salt Lake Tribune delivered this snot-bubbler to the ribs of the college football world (note: a snot-bubbler is a term that I coined. It is used in football to describe when a defender hits the guy with the ball so hard and ferociously that it forces snot to bubble and blow out his nose). Actually, Colorado State had reported the story two times via Twitter in the early hours of Wednesday morning, only to delete the posts claiming that someone had hacked their account. Anyway, what is important is what the article says; BYU is leaving the Mountain West to become independent in football and will rejoin the WAC in all other sports. Holy Bill of Rights Batman!!!!! No where else is reporting that this is a done deal, just that there is heavy momentum swinging the Cougars that way. Even ESPN has not officially confirmed the move. Stay tuned, it could happen any second. What does this mean and what could happen because of it?

Here is what I think will happen if BYU's move is completed and becomes official: Well, Boise State will be kicking themselves for joining the Mountain West. Without BYU, they aren't that much better off than they were in the WAC. TCU is still there, which is nice, but my bet is TCU finds its way into the Big 12 when all is said and done. It could take a year or so, but it will happen, they are too good and carry too much prestige with their name for it not to happen. Goodbye Horned Frogs and then the Broncos are really in it deep. The Mountain West could try and invite Fresno State and/or Nevada, but both schools along with the everybody else in the conference just signed a contract to stay in the WAC for the next 5 years, and it has a $5 million buy out clause (source: ESPN's Andy Katz here ). This does not look good for the Mountain West Conference. The Broncos will rejoin the WAC. You can quote me. If BYU leaves, Boise State will be back pedaling faster than a cornerback trying to defend Titus Young on a deep post route. Karl Benson, the WAC's commissioner will gladly welcome the Broncos back, and then bellow a huge sigh of relief. Then the Western Athletic Conference can renegotiate their TV deal with ESPN, of which the Broncos are a huge pawn to have back on their side. The WAC is not only preserved, but is better off with BYU competing in all other sports and against 4 to 6 WAC football squads a year (source: same ESPN Andy Katz article mentioned earlier). That's not too bad of a deal for the once not-so-flashy Western Athletic Conference. However, if Fresno State and Nevada somehow get an invite and decide to pay the price to leave the WAC, I think Boise State and TCU will both stay, for now at least. This will make the Mountain West about equal to what it would be if BYU stayed. We will see.

In the eyes of the Cougars, they are getting shafted. It boils down to the fact that they are getting only $2 million in shared revenue from the Mountain West TV deal, plus their bitter rival, the Utah Utes, are joining the soon to be Pac 12. BYU is feeling upset about the lack of money and that they didn't get the invite to join Utah as a package deal (something I think should have happened anyway, but that is another story). Think of it this way, BYU-TV already exists and there are so many members of the LDS church inside and outside of Utah that would pony-up big bucks to order a TV package to see all of BYU's games (a la Notre Dame). The revenue would increase exponentially. All of these things are what good would come from BYU going independent.

However, there are far more undesirable things that would take place. BYU does not have the prestige or pull or uniqueness that Notre Dame has and therefore will have a harder time garnering national attention while on their own. Scheduling would be tough, not impossible, but tough. The biggest set back is one that I think, on its own, could compel BYU to remain in the Mountain West. It consists of three letters: BCS. Notre Dame has a deal with the BCS gurus that if they finish in the top 8, then they get to go to one of their bowls. That royalty-like treatment is due to the Irish's national pull and following, history, and prestige. The Cougars would not get anything close to that kind of deal or promise. They may be left out in the cold all together. I guess if they finish number 1 in the nation then there would be no choice but to include them, but that is unlikely to happen. The entire goal of all non-automatic qualifying schools is to bust the BCS and get into one of their bowl games. BYU has been on the precipice of doing just that for a few years counting. All that would end if they went independent. Have fun playing in the papajohns.com Bowl, or the new Yankee Bowl or whatever crappy game invites you.

That is a lot to loose if you are BYU. Surely the risks outweigh what there is to gain. But who knows, they may just do it because they are pissed about the Utah thing and the money thing, but I think it would be a huge mistake, and I am not alone.