The many deceptions of Chris Petersen

Despite what the ESPN and Fox analysts want us to believe, we didn't find out last night that Boise State is an elite team. We learned they could outlast another mid-level team. But we also learned the Broncos coach Chris Petersen is one gutsy coach. He has more trick plays and is never afraid to use them. For that ... I love Boise State. Go Broncos!

Bowl Preview: Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
U. of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Az.
Boise State vs. TCU
Date: Jan. 4
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: FOX
Line: TCU -7

About Boise State (12-0): The Broncos earned a BCS berth in the first game of the season when they beat Oregon. After that they trounced a bunch of horrible WAC teams and .. voila! ... it's the Fiesta Bowl! Boise is decent, though. They can do a bit of everything and their defense is good.

Intangibles:
Beating Oklahoma three years ago with remarkable plays: +2
Having to hear it about it every time they take the freaking field: -3
Inevitable non-stop yammering about non-BCS schools during telecast: -3

About TCU (12-0): The Mountain West's performance in bowl games will give TCU a better image than it probably should have. Their one big non-conference victory? At Clemson. A nice win, but well, it was Clemson. The Horned Frogs are fast on defense and have a nice quarterback. And they're balanced.

Intangibles:
Horned Frogs as opposed to regular frogs: +2
Trying to name three players on TCU roster: -3
Having Jesus on their side: +2

Impact Player: Boise State Kellen Moore has big numbers against crap-ass WAC teams. But Moore can be rattled with pressure and doesn't have a huge arm. Moore needs to be above average for Boise to win.

Bowl slogan: "For the world championship of teams people don't care about!"

Little known fact: I, like many people, were upset about this matchup. It's a dumb idea. The very idea behind non-BCS schools making BCS games is that it gives non team-aligned fans an underdog to root for, a system spoiler, etc. Who do you root for in this game? Who gives a crap? One of these teams finishes undefeated and they get a sombrero and some Tostitos.

Watchability (1-5): 3

The pick: TCU 34, Boise State 31

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.

Bowl projections

Heading into championship weekend, here is how we see the bowl match ups shaping up for everyone...

Phil's predictions
New Mexico
Wyoming vs. Fresno State

St. Petersburg
South Florida vs. Central Florida

R+L Carriers New Orleans
Southern Miss vs. Troy

MAACO Las Vegas
BYU vs. Oregon State

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia
Utah vs. Arizona

Sheraton Hawaii
SMU vs. Nevada

Little Caesars
Minnesota vs. Central Michigan

Meineke Car Care
Boston College vs. West Virginia

Emerald
Florida State vs. Stanford

Gaylord Hotels Music City
North Carolina vs. South Carolina

AdvoCare V100 Independence
Texas A&M vs. Auburn

EagleBank
Bowling Green vs. Marshall

Champs Sports
Miami vs. Michigan State

Roady's Humanitarian
Northern Illinois vs. Idaho

Pacific Life Holiday
Oklahoma State vs. USC

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces
Air Force vs. East Carolina

Brut Sun
California vs. Oklahoma

Texas
Iowa State vs. Navy

Insight
Northwestern vs. Kansas State

Chick-fil-A
Clemson vs. Georgia

Outback
Penn State vs. Tennessee

Capital One
Iowa vs. LSU

Konica Minolta Gator
Virginia Tech vs. Pittsburgh

Rose Bowl
Ohio State vs. Oregon

Allstate Sugar
Alabama vs. Cincinnati

International
Connecticut vs. Temple

Papajohns.com
Rutgers vs. Kentucky

AT&T Cotton
Missouri vs. Mississippi

AutoZone Liberty
Houston vs. Arkansas

Valero Alamo
Wisconsin vs. Texas Tech

Tostitos Fiesta
Boise State vs. Nebraska

FedEx Orange
Georgia Tech vs. Texas

GMAC
Notre Dame vs. Ohio

Citi BCS National Championship
Florida vs. TCU


Tom's predictions
New Mexico
Wyoming vs. Fresno State

St. Petersburg
South Florida vs. Central Florida

R+L Carriers New Orleans
Southern Miss vs. Troy

MAACO Las Vegas
Utah vs. Oregon State

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia
BYU vs. Arizona

Sheraton Hawaii
SMU vs. Nevada

Little Caesars
Ohio vs. Middle Tennessee State

Meineke Car Care
Boston College vs. Cincinnati

Emerald
Miami vs. Stanford

Gaylord Hotels Music City
North Carolina vs. South Carolina

AdvoCare V100 Independence
Auburn vs. Texas A&M

EagleBank
Marshall vs. Bowling Green

Champs Sports
Georgia Tech vs. Wisconsin

Roady's Humanitarian
Idaho vs. Northern Illinois

Pacific Life Holiday
Nebraska vs. USC

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces
Air Force vs. East Carolina

Brut Sun
Oklahoma vs. Notre Dame

Texas
Navy vs. Iowa State

Insight
Missouri vs. Minnesota

Chick-fil-A
Georgia vs. Virginia Tech

Outback
Northwestern vs. Mississippi

Capital One
Iowa vs. LSU

Konica Minolta Gator
West Virginia vs. Florida State

Rose Bowl
Ohio State vs. Oregon

Allstate Sugar
Alabama vs. Pittsburgh

International
Rutgers vs. Temple

Papajohns.com
Connecticut vs. Kentucky

AT&T Cotton
Oklahoma State vs. Tennessee

AutoZone Liberty
Arkansas vs. Houston

Valero Alamo
Texas Tech vs. Michigan State

Tostitos Fiesta
TCU vs. Boise State

FedEx Orange
Penn State vs. Clemson

GMAC
Central Michigan vs. California

Citi BCS National Championship
Florida vs. Texas

AEAAE Top 25 (Week 10)

Apparently among our voters at AEAAE, TCU's victory last week was more impressive than Cincinnati's and it leapfrogged the Bearcats to No. 4. Pitt and Georgia Tech fell a bit following rivalry losses last week.

Team (LW) Record

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

Others receiving votes: Utah, Navy, Rutgers, Missouri

... Back at BCS headquarters

With the college football season winding down ... what happens with the BCS now begins to matter. It's good to see things are in good hands.

AEAAE Top 25 (Week 9)

Thanks to Les Miles' poor game-day management LSU has plummeted in the rankings and Ole Miss is back in at No. 24. However, the top six are still the same, while Ohio State jumped Pitt and Georgia Tech after a so-so win against Michigan.

Team (LW) Record

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

Others receiving votes: West Virginia, Houston, Wisconsin, Stanford

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

AEAAE Top 25 (Week 7)

With Iowa's loss the AEAAE poll loses one of the undefeated teams from the top. The top 3 three remain the same, while Stanford, BYU and West Virginia return to the rankings.

Team (LW) Record

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

Others receiving votes: Navy, Virginia Tech, Oregon State, Nebraska, Auburn

Picks of the Week: No. 10

Next year I’ll flip a coin on each pick. Not sure I could do much worse than I am this season. I feel good about this week. Calling it now ... This is my first 5-0 week (you see how well my predictions have been all season).

Louisville (+20.0) over West Virginia
Anyone who has followed this Big East rivalry over the years realizes the Cardinals and Mountaineers always play close games ... No matter how much a team is favored. The Mountaineers have more talent and have home-field advantage, but lame-duck Steve Kragthorpe will pull a few magical tricks and keep this much closer than 20 points. Expect Noel Devine to have a monster game against a Louisville defense that struggled with Utah, Pitt and UConn.
Pick: West Virginia 34, Louisville 21

Notre Dame (-11.0) over Navy
The Irish defense will have its full with Navy’s triple-option, but No. 22 Notre Dame is at home and has plenty of momentum and one of the best rushing defenses in the nation. QB Jimmy Clausen has played like the top prospect from a few years ago, including a three-touchdown performance in last week’s 40-14 victory over Washington State. The Irish also get Michael Floyd back at receiver after a five-game absence. This one should never be in doubt.
Pick: Notre Dame 31, Navy 18

Fresno State (-8.0) over Idaho
After a rough start to the season, Pat Hill’s Bulldogs went 4-0 in October to improve to 5-3 and 4-1 in the WAC. The Vandals have been one of the biggest surprises of 2009 sitting at 7-2 and bowl-eligible. This one will be at the Kibbie Dome, where Idaho is 4-0. As much as I’d like to go with Robb Akey’s Vandals, Fresno is more accustomed to playing in big games so the Bulldogs get the edge this week.
Pick: Fresno State 44, Idaho 33

TCU (-24.5) over San Diego State
The Aztecs under first-year coach Brady Hoke are 4-4, but all four victories are against weak competition. Enter the No. 6 Horned Frogs, arguably the best non-BCS team in the nation and probably one of the top eight teams in the country. TCU senior DE Jerry Hughes will harass San Diego State QB Ryan Lindley all afternoon at Qualcomm Stadium.
Pick: TCU 48, San Diego State 10

Upset of the Week
Florida State (+8.5) over Clemson
Since I struggle to pick ACC games why not try one out for the upset of the week. If Clemson’s defense can apply plenty of pressure to Christian Ponder the Tigers will win this game easily. However, FSU seems rejuvenated and with only one Bowden in the stadium and on the heels of DC Mickey Andrews announcing his retirement, the Seminoles are going to find a way to slow C.J. Spiller and Clemson. The ‘Noles will put pressure on freshman QB Kyle Parker to win the game and force him into a crucial turnover late in the game.
Pick: Florida State 36, Clemson 31

Last Week: 3-2
Season Record: 23-22

BCS welcomes back 'Old Reliable'

With a late-season glut of undefeated teams and two non-BCS programs staking a claim to the championship game, it's nice to see the organization who controls the fate of all these teams has someone "reliable" to help make sure the system runs smooth.

AEAAE Top 25 (Week 6)

Florida and Texas play well this week, so both are now ahead of idle Alabama in the weekly An 'Eye and an 'Eer Top 25 poll. Similar to the national polls, Boise State was jumped by TCU, but the Broncos remain ahead of Oregon.

Team (LW) Record

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

Others receiving votes: West Virginia, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Auburn, Central Michigan, Texas Tech, Boston College.

Podcast: Episode 46

Phil and Tom can't remember the last time we reached this late in the college football season without a clear-cut No. 1 team. Florida, Alabama and Texas can all make an argument for the position, but can you really count out Iowa, Cincinnati and TCU? We don't think so.

Speaking of the BCS, why are the analysts blathering on about who is where in October? It doesn't matter right now. Let the games be played and we'll see where everyone falls. Your podcast co-hosts also analyze the decisions by two high-profile quarterbacks this week (Sam Bradford and Tony Pike), as well as consider the possibility that Oregon could play in the BCS title game ahead of a 13-0 Boise State. Crazy!

AEAAE Top 25 (Week 5)

For the third consecutive week the top three stayed the same, but Iowa jumped to No. 4 from No. 6 after winning at Michigan State on the last play of the game. Appears our Big Ten members voted en mass this week to push the Hawkeyes up the rankings. The Big East voters let down Cincinnati as the Bearcats dropped two spots to No. 6.

Team (LW) Record

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

Others receiving votes: Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas Tech, Clemson, Brigham Young

Can Clemson avoid another disappointment?

It seems to be in Clemson's DNA. Get a big game and flop. Today the Tigers get BCS-buster TCU at home. Don't be fooled into thinking this is a trap-game (sorry for the cliche). If Clemson can't handle the Horned Frogs defense, which has been the standard under Gary Patterson's teams, we may see a little more of this.

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.

Podcast: Episode 28

Back in the studio, Phil and Tom talk about the best non-BCS coaches, including Gary Patterson at TCU and Kyle Whittingham at Utah. We also offer teams facing the biggest question marks in the ACC and Pac-10, as well as dissect the drama that is Greg Paulus. Our quick hitters are some of our best yet. We wonder why Nick Saban was wearing a suit during the Alabama spring game, why Pete Carroll is writing a book and how Jackie Sherrill is getting Mississippi State into trouble again.

Bowl Preview: Poinsettia Bowl

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
TCU vs. Boise State
Date: Dec. 23
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: TCU -3

About TCU: Texas Christian University is located somewhere in Texas (Forth Worth as it turns out) and is filled with Christians. As if Jesus would let anybody else in Texas. They’re nicknamed the Horned Frogs and that’s nice. Gotta have a nickname. There’s not much interesting about TCU. They’re pretty good, but you haven’t heard of any of their players or their coach.


Intangibles:
Strip bars: +6
Near Dallas: -4
Jesus on side: +8
Unless Mohammed is one true and only God: -8


About Boise State: BSU is this year’s whiny, crying non-BCS “but we’re undefeated, waaaah” school. BSU is undefeated, whipping up on schools like Northeastern Wesleyan Southern State and the University of Phoenix EA Sports squad.


Impact Player: Boise State running back Ian Johnson was the guy who asked the cheerleader to marry him after the big win over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl a couple years ago. I was under the impression chicks thought the athletic event proposal was cheesy? Unfortunately, Johnson will not be able to duplicate the feat this year, since he doesn’t play for BYU. Hey-O!


Intangibles:
Blue turf: -2
Potatoes: +5
Soft powder: +3
Not Montana: +2

Bowl slogan: “A bowl game for all!… residents of San Diego County. Get a free checking account with four tickets!”

Little known fact: TCU was founded by a pair of brothers who were Confederate officers after the Civil War. I looked that up. I’m like a historian or something. Or maybe I’m like “The Librarian” with that Carter guy from ER where I fight ancient demons. That’d be awesome. But I’d probably have to leave my apartment.

Watchability 1-5 (1- Ghost Rider, 5-Smokey and the Bandit): 4.5

The Pick: TCU 28, Boise State 24

Thursday night

Currently, I'm splitting time between TCU-Utah and the Browns-Broncos (neither of which is in HD. Sob!)

- TCU-Utah has been a solid defensive game with the Horned Frogs holding a 10-6 lead at half. TCU should probably be up more but penalties have slowed them. Utah finally got a little offense going towards the end of the half.

UPDATE: Good win for Utah, which was helped immensely by TCU missing two easy field goals in the fourth quarter. The Utes put together one good drive late in the game and then picked off a TCU pass to end it.

- The evil Maryland has shown up tonight on the WorldWide Leader, where Va. Tech is pounding the Terps 20-3 in the third quarter. Haven't seen much, but Maryland does not appear to be threatening to make a game of it.

UPDATE: The Terps made a game of it, but just didn't have enough offense.

OFF-TOPIC UPDATE: Everyone associated with the Cleveland Browns should be fired. The players, the coaches, the GM and the owner. Can you fire an owner? I hope so.

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.