Bowl Preview: MAACO Las Vegas Bowl

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl
Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas
Oregon State vs. BYU
Date: Dec. 22
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN (who else?)
Line: Oregon State -2.5

About the Beavers: For the second straight year the Beavers were a game away from the Rose Bowl. Last year they ended up in El Paso. This year, Vegas. A slight step up. OSU is led by a pair of midget brothers, Jacquizz and James. Seriously, how do you name one kid James and the other JACQUIZZ. Either both the kids get crazy names or neither.

Intangibles:
"Beaver" jokes: +1
Mike Riley as coach: +3
Mike Riley as Chargers coach: -4

About BYU: The only school in Division I that has a coach named after a horse (Bronco Mendenhall), BYU once again beat the living beJezus out of the crap-ass dog teams on its schedule, such as Utah State, San Diego State and Oklahoma. Although the Cougars did beat rival Utah, but losing to FSU — at home? Ouch. Makes you want to take a two-year mission to Australia.

Intangibles:
Special underwear: +2
No caffeine, alcohol, tobacco or cursing: -6
Mormonism/Scientology possibly same religion?: -2

Impact Player: BYU QB Max Hall. In the grand tradition of former BYU quarterbacks such as Steve Young, Robbie Bosco, Ty Detmer and Marc Wilson, Hall should try to not be a complete dog in the bowl game. Especially Detmer who has both shoulders separated by Texas A&M after winning the Heisman. Ha. Both shoulders. That still makes me giggle. Does that make me a bad person?

Bowl slogan: "What stays in Vegas is your money, suckers."

Little Known Fact: One of the sponsors of the Las Vegas Bowl is a ventriloquist named Terry Fator, who has a puppet named "Winston, the Impersonating Turtle." Sinatra would be proud.

Watchability (1-5): 3

The Pick: BYU 29, Oregon State 24

AEAAE Top 25 (Week 11)

Based on a more impressive performance in the SEC title game, Alabama jumps from No. 3 to No. 1, while Texas remains No. 2 despite a lackluster performance in the Big 12 title tilt

Team (LW) Record

1. Alabama (3) 13-0
   
2. Texas (2) 13-0
   
3. TCU (4) 12-0
   
4. Cincinnati (5) 12-0
   
5. Boise State (6) 12-0
   
6. Florida (1) 12-1
   
7. Ohio State (7) 10-2
   
8. Oregon (8) 10-2
   
9. Iowa (9) 10-2
   
10. Georgia Tech (13) 11-2
    
11. Penn State (10) 10-2
    
12. Miami (14) 9-3
    
13. LSU (11) 9-3
    
14. Virginia Tech (17) 9-3
    
15. Nebraska (21) 9-4
    
16. West Virginia (20) 9-3
    
17. BYU (18) 10-2
    
18. Pittsburgh (16) 9-3
    
19. Arizona (NR) 8-4
    
20. Stanford (22) 8-4
    
21. Oregon State (12) 8-4
    
22. Central Michigan (NR) 11-2
    
23. Wisconsin (25) 9-3
    
24. Utah (NR) 9-3
    
25. Oklahoma State (24) 9-3
    

Others receiving votes: North Carolina, Navy, Missouri, Texas Tech, East Carolina.

AEAAE Top 25 (Week 8)

More officials blowing calls (even the instant replay officials) and Notre Dame losing again, so it was a normal week of college football. It was also the most stable the AEAAE Top 25 has been in eight weeks as the eight teams remain the same.

Team (LW) Record

1. Florida (1) 10-0
2. Texas (2) 10-0
3. Alabama (3) 10-0
4. Cincinnati (4) 10-0
5. TCU (5) 10-0
6. Boise State (6) 10-0
7. Georgia Tech (7) 10-1
8. Pittsburgh (8) 9-1
9. Ohio State (10) 9-2
10. LSU (12) 8-2
11. Oregon (14) 8-2
12. Oklahoma State (18) 8-2
13. Penn State (20) 9-2
14. Wisconsin (19) 8-2
    
15. Iowa (17) 9-2
    
16. Stanford (21) 7-3
    
17. Clemson (24) 7-3
    
18. BYU (22) 8-2
    
19. Virginia Tech (NR) 7-3
    
20. Utah (13) 8-2
    
21. Rutgers (NR) 7-2
    
22. Oregon State (NR) 7-3
    
23. Miami (11) 7-3
    
24. USC (9) 7-3
    
25. North Carolina (NR) 7-3
    

Others receiving votes: Houston, Navy, West Virginia, California, Mississippi, Nebraska

Now that's the Lee Corso we all remember

It appears Lee Corso is getting back to his old self and shedding the effects of the stroke he had back in May. Watch Kirk Herbstreit, though. He looks like he's about to have a stroke after hearing what Corso says.

AEAAE Top 25 (Week 3)

The pollsters at An 'Eye and an 'Eer are still shuffling teams around based on weekly performance. It seems the top-ranked Gators are the only team who has any security in our rankings.

So here are the AEAAE rankings:

Team (LW) Record
1. Florida (1) 5-0
2. Alabama (3) 6-0
3. Texas (2) 5-0
4. Cincinnati (5) 5-0
5. USC (10) 4-1
6. Iowa (8) 6-0
7. Virginia Tech (14) 5-1
8. Boise State (7) 5-0
9. Ohio State (13) 5-1
10. Miami (16) 4-1
11. TCU (6) 5-0
12. LSU (4) 5-1
13. South Florida (15) 5-0
14. Kansas (9) 5-0
15. Oregon (18) 5-1
16. Penn State (17) 5-1
17. Georgia Tech (19) 5-1
18. Nebraska (22) 4-1
19. Oklahoma State (20) 4-1
20. South Carolina (24) 5-1
21. Notre Dame (NR) 4-1
22. Brigham Young (NR) 5-1
23. West Virginia (23) 4-1
24. Oklahoma (NR) 3-2
25. Pittsburgh (NR) 5-1

Others receiving votes: Utah, Houston, Auburn, Wisconsin, Arkansas

Game Day - Afternoon of chaos

- of COURSE USC lost. A week too late. Criminy.

Crazy loud home crowd? Check.
Great defensive effort? Check.
Solid QB play and gameplan. oh....

anyway, down go the Trojans in their typical PAC 10 style.

- Kirk Cousins, Michigan State quarterback, COME ON. In case you missed it, Cousins drove MSU down inside the Notre Dame 15 where a field goal would send the game into OT. Instead Cousins makes a horrendous decision to scramble then panic as he was thrown to the ground, just flinging the ball right to an Irish defender. MSU's ownership of Notre Dame Stadium came to an end.

- Virginia Tech - lucky as hell.

- Utah. Welcome to the world of the BCS has-beens.

- BYU will be joining you shortly.

Observations from Saturday's games (Sept. 19)

This isn't easy to do right now. I'm trying to watch my Mountaineers at Auburn, so my observations may be random and incoherent.

So let's get to the 'Eer's observations for today.

1. Bad day for Utah. Looks like two BCS Busters are going down today. Oregon failed to beat Boise State, but give the Ducks credit for taking down Utah and the nation's longest winning streak. Florida State and BYU are still playing, but the Seminoles have gone to Provo, Utah, and appear to be doing what Oklahoma couldn't the first week of the season. Can you believe the 'Noles almost lost to Jacksonville State?

2. USC upset. Did anyont really think the Trojans wouldn't find a way to lose a Pac-10 game on the road this season? Pete Carroll may be a great recruiter and coach, but he's too flaky. The Pac-10 isn't good enough to do this year in and year out.

3. Hot seat. Virginia's Al Groh jumped ahead of Colorado's Dan Hawkins as the most likely to get fired before the end of the season. The Cavaliers 37-34 loss to Southern Miss may have sealed his fate. Not too far behind is Maryland's Ralph Friedgen, whose Terrapins lost to Middle Tennessee State, 32-31, at home.

4. Holy Pitt. Let's not crown the Panthers the Big East champ just yet, but Pitt has avoided the normal early season slip up that we've come to know under Dave Wannstedt. Beating Navy 27-14 is bigger than it may appear. The Midshipmen are always a tough foe, and even Bill Stull is playing OK.

5. No moral victories. How did Tennessee hang with Florida today? Easy. Monte Kiffin's defense. He outcoached Urban Meyer (just don't tell UF fans because they'll want to argue with you for an hour). If the Vols had any offense, they'd be creating the ol' man with the win.

6. Statement game. Maybe I'm alone in thinking this, but Iowa's 27-17 victory over Arizona was important for the Big Ten. The Wildcats may be a middle of the pack, lower-tier bowl team from the Pac-10, but Iowa hasn't been that impressive this year. Should be an interesting game next week when the Hawks travel to Penn State.

7. Weakens the cause. As much as Iowa's win helps the Big Ten, Purdue's loss to Northern Illinois gives ammonition to those who trash the conference.

8. Best option. Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy remain the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy, but Cal's Jahvid Best should top the list. His five-TD performance in a road win at Minnesota was impressive.

9. Not sure. Butch Davis has a great defense at North Carolina, and the Tar Heels may be 3-0. But can anyone tell me if they are really an ACC contender?

10. Alabama shower. After about an hour delay because of inclement weather, one of ESPN's talking heads said about the Auburn fans who waited in the stands during the downpour: "they just took off their shirts and took a free shower." Timing was good, it was their day to shower.

Late observations on Week 1

All right. Enough already. Sorry for the late post, but family time and the UConn-Ohio game last night have kept the 'Eer away from the laptop. So here are my thoughts from the first weekend of games (with a few still to play).

- I guess I'm a little more a believer now. The BCS busters came up big this week. I don't want to take anything away from Boise State and BYU, but is that really the best Oregon and Oklahoma could muster? Seriously Chip Kelly. You've had all that time to get the Ducks motivated and prepared. Instead your offense executed as well as Coca-Cola execs trying to market New Coke back in '80s. Thanks for letting Boise believe it belongs. Maybe I should be more surprised by Oklahoma's showing against BYU, but this is so Bob Stoops. When's the last time this guy really beat a good team? Don't tell me Texas Tech. At least now the Sooners should be eliminated from the national title discussion.

- Do you think Iowa's Kirk Ferentz and Ohio State's Jim Tressel are glad not to be lumped into the same conversation with Virginia's Al Groh? I don't see how Groh can even make it through the year after the Wahoos lost to William & Mary, 26-14. The loss was Virginia's first to a Football Championship Subdivision school since 1986.

- Crap. Did both 'Eye and 'Eer really underestimate how much Notre Dame and Michigan have improved? Maybe. But after this week, one of them will be 1-1 and the coach will be on the hot seat again. Also, I'd still be a little concerned watching how both offenses failed to execute as well in the second half.

- It may be a loss, but as someone with nothing to gain, Washington's nice showing against LSU in Steve Sarkisian's first game is a good sign for the Huskies and also important for the Pac-10. However, if I'm a Tigers fan I'd be concerned that LSU is going to struggle again in 2009.

- The Big East didn't do much to help quiet the critics, but we should give credit to Syracuse and new coach Doug Marrone for almost pulling an upset of Minnesota in the Carrier Dome. Greg Paulus also played a solid game, despite throwing an interception in OT.

Enough of that. Now we're ready for Miami-FSU on Monday.

First Saturday thoughts

While the 'Eye is finally back from Ohio State's Salute to Navy Day, the 'Eer is off in Athens, Ohio enjoying his $5 tickets as the Bobcats try to knock off UConn.

While Ohio State's escape against Navy was worrisome enough, it was the non-stop salivating over sportsmanship and Navy salutes that got on my nerves. Bizarre. I'm not pro-booing any opponent, much less a service academy. But it was like Hug A Middie Day. One stop Naval salute.

Anywho, some thoughts:

- Ohio State played a nice first half, then decided to sleepwalk through the second half, including Tressel's bizarre decision to for a 4th and 2, including an equally-bizarre decision to run the ball between the tackles where OSU had been unable to run the ball all day. Next week's game with USC is not looking promising for the Buckeyes.

- Are Michigan and Notre Dame better than the 'Eer and I thought? Both had solid outings against overmatched opponents.

- The Big Ten. Yeesh.

- Mizzou looks like they're not missing a beat in pummeling Illinois.

- Big win for Okie State. Wish I had gotten to see more of that one.

= BYU is hanging tough against Oklahoma in a penalty and turnover-filled first half. BYU QB Max Hall is killing 'Homa's blitz scheme.

-

Podcast: Episode 36

It's time to give the Big Ten and Big East a little more credit than each has been getting lately. Seriously, does anyone who knows anything about college football really think Utah, Boise State, BYU or TCU would be any better than the third best team in any BCS conference? I didn't think so. Stop the complaining and let's get the season started.

We also give you who we think is the best player on a bad team (can you say Jake Locker?). We also give our picks for who will be this year's Clemson and fall quickly from the rankings into oblivion. Enjoy another podcast from Phil and Tom.

Big East is MIA

Bloggers and columnists are signaling the end of the Big East since no conference team is in the USA Today Preseason Top 25 Coaches poll. All that really tells me is preseason polls are meaningless.

Boise State (16), TCU (17), Utah (18) and BYU (24) are all ranked. Seriously, does anyone think all four of these teams will be in the Top 25 at the end? Does anyone remember Clemson last year? The Tigers were ranked in the top 10 and considered the ACC's premiere team. How did that work out for Tommy Bowden?

Cincinnati is the highest ranked Big East team at No. 29, followed by Pitt (30), West Virginia (31) and Rutgers (32).

My guess ... Pitt, WVU and Rutgers are all in the final Top 25. But really, what does that mean today?

Bowl Preview: Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl

Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl
Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev.
BYU vs. Arizona
Date: Dec. 20
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: Arizona –3

About Arizona: The Wildcats are coached by Mike Stoops, or as he’s known in the family, “The Ugly One.” Stoops finally got the Cats to a bowl game this year, saving his job. He relies on a sucky offense and a porous defense. Get ready for about 70 wide receiver screens. That’s the only play I’ve ever seen them run.

Intangibles:
Tucson: +3
Lute Olson controversy: -3
Women’s softball: +4
Torturous summer: -8


About BYU: I can officially say I have been to Provo, Utah now and let me tell you – it’s got a small mountain AND a football stadium. That’s pretty much it. It’s not quite the same as Las Vegas. I wonder if strip clubs are against the BYU code of conduct. Probably not. “Happy Birthday, Jesus! Oh crap, I’m out of ones.”

Intangibles:
Magic underwear: +7
Tabernacle choir: +4
No caffeine: -9


Impact Player: The BYU quarterback. What’s his name? Robbie Bosco or something? Hell, I don’t know. They’re all the damn same. 6-1, mediocre, accurate arm, at least 26 years old because they’ve been in Australia for four years. Suck if they’re hit or there’s any kind of pass rush. Been that way for 10 years. Who coaches that team anyway? The ghost of Lavell Edwards?

Bowl slogan: “Is that your quarter? It’s mine now, sucker.”

Little known fact: Legendary entertainer David Hasselhoff will sing the National Anthem at this year’s game. Nope. I’m not even making this one up.

Watchability (1-5): 10 (just for Hasselhoff anthem) then 3.5

The Pick: BYU 34, Arizona 20

Beyond awkward

Since they announced the bowl pairings I have been railing on the fact that BYU is playing in the Las Vegas Bowl. Look at the photo and you now know what I've been talking about.

Look at BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Arizona's Mike Stoops and two Vegas showgirls. He looks as uncomfortable in a casino as the 'Eye looks in church.

Luckily for Bronco he needs only do this one a year (at most), somewhat similar to 'Eye's religious obligations.

Our Top 25 (Dec. 1)

School (LW) Record
1. Alabama (1) 12-0
2. Florida (2) 11-1
3. Texas (3) 11-1
4. Oklahoma (4) 11-1
5. Southern Cal (5) 10-1
6. Utah (6) 12-0
7. Boise State (7) 12-0
8. Texas Tech (9) 11-1
9. Penn State (8) 11-1
10. Ball State (11) 12-0
11. Ohio State (10) 10-2
12. Texas Christian (16) 10-2
13. Cincinnati (17) 10-2
14. Georgia Tech (20) 9-3
15. Boston College (21) 9-3
16. Oklahoma State (12) 9-3
17. Oregon (22) 9-3
18. Brigham Young (24) 10-2
19. Michigan State (19) 9-3
20. Northwestern (23) 9-3
21. Georgia (13) 9-3
22. Missouri (14) 9-3
23. Mississippi (NR) 8-4
24. Pittsburgh (25) 8-3
25. Iowa (NR) 8-4

Others receiving votes: Florida State, Virginia Tech

Picks of the Week

It's time to try something new. Pick teams that are outrageous favorites and hope they cover. Let's see how it works.

Southern Cal (-20) over California
USC has covered huge spreads the past two weeks, so this seems like an easy pick. Pete Carroll spent the week bitching about the BCS system and how his Trojans are getting screwed. Sorry Pete, you'll just have to keep running up the score and hope you impress the computers.
Pick: Southern Cal 35, California 10

Texas (-27.5) over Baylor
This is the Longhorns easiest Big 12 game of the season. Colt McCoy and his teammates still have a shot at playing for the conference championship and even a national title, so Texas should put a real beating on the Bears.
Pick: Texas 42, Baylor 12

Tennessee (-26.5) over Wyoming
First things first ... Wyoming is weak, like Mountain West Conference weak. Tennessee is bad also, but they are SEC bad, which means the Volunteers would probably be in first or second in the MWC. Plus the Vols would like to give Phil Fulmer a nice close to his career. UT could still finish 6-6, and avoiding a losing season would be a great present with the way this season has gone.
Pick: Tennessee 35, Wyoming 6

Brigham Young (-36.5) over San Diego State
Yeah, another Mountain West game. But San Diego State is up 36.5 to 0 right now. When this one ends in Provo, BYU will have tuned up the Aztecs and continued the misery of the Chuck Long Employment Line campaign.
Pick: Brigham Young 55, San Diego State 14

Upset of the Week
Marshall (+8) over East Carolina
The winner takes over the lead in the East Division of Conference USA. East Carolina is 3-3 since opening with impressive victories over Virginia Tech and West Virginia. Last week the Pirates struggled with Central Florida, but won 13-10 in OT. The Herd ended a three-game skid last week with a 37-23 win over Houston. Mark Snyder's job is on the line and a victory in Greenville, N.C., will go a long way for his job security.
Pick: Marshall 21, East Carolina 20

Last Week: 3-2
Season: 17-18

Picks of the Week

I did it again. Said I would pick an ACC game. So I thought it was smart to take an SEC team to defeat Duke. Thanks a lot Vanderbilt and that lovely three-game skid your on now. I'm determined to get back on track this week. So here we go again.

Brigham Young (-14) over Colorado State
This is the type of game that BYU excels in usually. The 17th-ranked Cougars are still in the running for the Mountain West Conference title, so this game is important. Colorado State has improved this year under first-year coach Steve Fairchild. The Rams are 4-4 following a gutsy win over San Diego State last week, and they still have bowl aspirations.
Pick: Brigham Young 42, Colorado State 17

Southern Cal (-46) over Washington
Never thought I'd pick a team that was already down 46-0 before the opening kickoff. This one just feels right. The Trojans offense struggled a bit last week against Arizona, but still won. QB Mark Sanchez will go crazy against the Huskies and USC will roll up a big win similar to the one it had against Washington State a few weeks ago.
Pick: Southern Cal 54, Washington 3

Louisville (-13) over Syracuse
Syracuse's lone Big East victory came at the expense of Louisville last season in Kentucky. The Cardinals are primed for revenge against an overmatched Orange. Louisville enters Saturday's game on a three-game winning streak and Steve Kragthorpe's defense should be up to the challenge.
Pick: Louisville 34, Syracuse 14

Central Michigan (+2.5) over Indiana
How is Indiana favored in this game? I know it's in Bloomington, but I'm not even considering this pick an upset win. Central Michigan runs the spread under former Rich Rodriguez disciple Butch Jones. The numbers aren't on the Chippewas side as they are 0-5 against BCS opposition, including dropping two games in 2008 to Georgia (56-17) and Purdue (32-25).
Pick: Central Michigan 27, Indiana 24

Upset of the Week
Miami (+2) over Virginia
Seems odd to think that UVA is favored in this game. After watching Al Groh's boys get totally dominated in the season opener against Southern Cal, it looked like the Cavaliers were headed for disaster and Groh was going to be ushered out of town. Instead, Virginia has rebounded and has a shot at winning the ACC. Miami is more athletic and the Hurricanes are due for this type of win (underdog on the road).
Pick: Miami 20, Virginia 14

Last Week: 2-3
Season: 14-16

Fraud Alert!

It's only the first quarter, but BYU has managed to look borderline incompetent so far this evening and is trailing 17-0.

In the other game, NC State and Florida State are playing for the title of Snoozalooza 08.

Two things I have learned this evening:

A) Being forced to switch between a game in HD and a game NOT in HD, should legally be considered retina abuse.

B) Very difficult to eat wings and blog at the same time.

To the actual games:

- BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall made a horrible decision to go for a 4th and long 1 inside the TCU 15 trailing 7-0. You're on the road. you take the points right there.

- No coaching staffs may be filled with as many old familiar names than this NC State-FSU game. Former LSU coach Mike Archer is the defensive coordinator for the Wolfpack, while former Browns OC Dana Bible runs the offense. Former NC State coach Chucky (Soprano) Amato is now back with his buddy Bobby Bowden. And the Eer's favorite WVU native, Jimbo Fisher, is calling his brilliant plays for the Noles.


UPDATE: Fraud confirmed. BYU gets hammered because they can't pass protect and can't play defense.

FSU wins in a game between two poor football taems.