First Real Test

This week marks Utah's first real test of the season. Sure, they played a tough game against Pitt, but the 2 teams have gone in opposite directions since than and Pitt now looks more like a chihuahua at 4-3 right now. (get it, pitt, chihuahua, man I'm funny.) Utah is another beast all together. Rolling into Air Force at 7-0 and ranked 14th in total offense and 5th in total defense. The schedule the Utes have run so far this season though has not been pretty. They have the 119th (out of 120) strongest schedule based on opponents thus far. Yah, the MWC is no where near going to get a BCS birth. Not with New Mexico, Wyoming and UNLV in the conference. They are three of the worst teams in the NCAA right now. But, in 2008, Utah faced this same schedule and barley squeaked out most of those, albeit they were better versions of the same teams, still though, Utah is blowing these guys out of the water and giving valuable playing time to the backups. But here comes the meat of the schedule. First is Air Force, who has the top ranked rushing offense in the nation. With Utah being ranked 6th in rush defense, something has to give. Typically, in this matchup, both will. Utah will give up yards and field goals, but no TD's. With how good Utah is, I am saying Utah will not only win, but win the points as well. They are favored by 5 but will win by 14.

Utah State is a 24 point dog at Nevada. All I can say is bet the wolfpack. And bet big.

Nationally, there aren't a whole ton of interesting games. Except the fact that most of the top 10 are AT somewhere rather than hosting. Auburn is at Ole' Miss and could be interesting because Ole Miss can score and but I think Auburn will outscore them. Oregon is at USC, sounds daunting, but Oregon's strength's line up with USC weaknesses. Oregon by 21 here. TCU at UNLV, ha ha, not going to be close, unless TCU is looking at Utah next week, which I doubt. Even than, TCU by 21 because they slept through it. Michigan State is at Iowa which may prove to be the most interesting match up yet. Iowa is a 4.5 point favorite, I would bet Michigan State here, at least to cover the spread. This one may be won by a kicker. Missouri is at Nebraska, and with how Nebraska played last week, this one might get crazy as well. I want to say Nebraska by 3, but... I don't know, it's a pick um game and I say over time. Unless Mizzou blows them up early, which they could. Oklahoma is hosting Colorado, and go Sooners big. Ohio State at Minnesota, well, go Buckeyes. Stanford is visiting Washington and is going to just blow of the huskies because they have had trouble with bigger, more physical teams. They can out "cute" you but they can't take a punch in the mouth and Stanford comes out swinging with both fists.

Nothing really compelling except those 2 in the middle, and I'm hoping for both undefeated teams to lose.

Biggest Joke of the Weekend

Wow, after the first couple weeks of the NFL season, I would have called you a liar if you told me the Seahawks would be 4-2 after 6 games. I still don't believe in them being a good team yet, however they did beat the Bears last week so who knows?

Utah beat up CSU 59-6. Well, that's a bit more than my 32 point prediction. I will say though, this is the most impressive I've seen a Utah team since 2004. Even in 2008 when they finished 2nd in the voting as the only unbeaten team in football, they barely squeaked some games through and didn't hit their stride till after the TCU game (which they only won because of some Horn Frog botched field goals). Utah is getting into the meat of their schedule however and it looks to be a little tougher from here on out. AF next week, than TCU, ND, SDSU, and finally BYU.

Speaking of which, I should have bet this game. BYU beat Wyoming in Provo 25-20. More than my 2 point opinion, but Wyoming covered.

I said Hawaii by 5? Well, I meant 50. Hawaii 45-7. Go Aggies!

Missouri beat Oklahoma 36-27 effectively knocking them out of the National Championship contender position.

Auburn beat LSU 24-17.

Wisconsin 31- Iowa 30.

Nebraska over Oklahoma State 51-41. I thought Nebraska had a good defense? I guess not.

The biggest surprise to me this weekend in college football was not on the field. It was the joke of BCS rankings. Auburn jumped everyone and got to the #1 spot when Oregon should be there. I really hope it works itself out to where you see Oregon vs the winner of Utah/TCU (because Nevada finally beats Boise). I still don't believe the SEC is all it's cracked up to be and I think they are even more over rated when I see a team like Auburn, who has zero defense, vault in the poles. They don't face another real challenge until the end of the season either. Their last game in against Alabama, which they will lose big and than Alabama will pole vault over who ever is left unbeaten. Even if it is Oregon form the Pac-10. The SEC is a joke and they don't deserve to have a National Championship contender this year.

BCS rankings:

#1 Auburn

#2 Oregon

#3 Boise State

#4 TCU

#5 Michigan State

#6 Missouri

#7 Alabama

#8 Utah

#9 Oklahoma

#10 Wisconsin

It's a joke at how high these guys rate the SEC teams. I hope LSU goes on to lose against Alabama and Arkansas and Alabama loses to Mississippi State. And Auburn loses to Alabama would make it so no SEC team has fewer than 2 loses. NO SEC IN TITLE THIS YEAR! This all hinges on Oregon going into LA this week and taking care of business against the Trojans, but hey, wouldn't it be funny if the winner of Utah/TCU is ranked 1 and Boise is ranked 2 because the previous happens and Oregon loses to USC but beats Arizona and Michigan State loses to Iowa and Missouri loses to Nebraska? Ok, I am dreaming, but it could work!

Welcome to the Big Time

The Pac-10 announced today that they will have 2 divisions when Utah and Colorado join to form the Pac-12. It will be split north and south. North division will consist of Washington, Washington State, Oregon, Oregon St., Stanford and California. South will be Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Arizona St., UCLA and USC. What this means for Utah? I am not really sure anything for now. I think the divisions are fairly equal as far as power structure, as opposed to the Big XII as of late with Texas and Oklahoma both being in the south division. The media and school representatives have all been clamoring "Don't split us from southern Cal!" I think that sentiment is over rated. They all want to stay playing in southern Cal every year for recruiting purposes. With whatever TV contract they get, they will be on TV and that is truly all that matters for recruiting. If you are going into a kids home and telling him that he could play at Utah and compete for a Rose Bowl or National Championship and play games in either the same time zone or within a cheap flight to SLC, it's going to be easy either way.

With a similar idea, Oregon is at half time right now against UCLA and I know UCLA isn't great, but watching Oregon and their ever changing uniforms is awe inspiring. I just can't believe that the offense is that good, I mean 5 drives, 372 yards, 32 points in 10 minutes time of possession. I don't know how in the world they are not #1 in the BCS pole. Oklahoma?! Really?

With that being sad, here are my picks for the week.

Utah is hosting Colorado State. Utah is a 31 point favorite and I agree with that. CSU is an up and coming team that needs more experience along the O-line. They look like a middle of the pack team in the MWC next year. But not this year. Utah by 32

BYU is coming into the point in their schedule that can make you think they are a decent team. They play Wyoming at home this week and are favored by 10. They both have pretty similar stats but Wyoming has played a much tougher schedule. I will pick BYU because they are at home but I still haven't seen anything from the Cougars offense to think they can score more than 24 points. So I will say BYU by 2. Prove me wrong Cougars.

Utah State is hosting Hawaii and the odds have it Hawaii by 3.5. I want to say the Utah State will jump up and bite Hawaii in the butt, however I can't see any angle that tells me that. Hawaii by 5.

I am going with some extra picks this week because it's a big week for some of the top BCS teams. I mean some BIG games. #1 Oklahoma is playing at #11 Missouri with OU being a 6 point favorite. I am not sure Mizzou can beat them but I haven't seen anything from OU this year that tells me they are #1 in anything. OU by 2.

#6 LSU is visiting #4 Auburn. Auburn scored 63 points in regulation last week against Arkansas but it was the first time I think the offense "clicked". They won't be able to do that against LSU's defense, which is why they are still undefeated. But I don't think LSU's Gary Crowton* offense can generate enough points to match them. Auburn is a 4.5 favorite and 51.5 point over/under. It won't get anywhere near that high. I am guessing Auburn 23- LSU 17.

#15 Iowa hosting #13 Wisconsin. Iowa by 3

#16 Nebraska at #14 Oklahoma State. Big time offense against a pretty good defense. In this game, offense wins, OSU by 6.

* means to look here for a rant.

So, this week I heard a local radio host ask BYU fans if they wanted to keep current OC Robert Anai or bring in Gary Crowton to be the OC. "Are you kidding me?" I thought. "What BYU fan would want that mess to bring back memories of the worst times at the program since before Lavell. I was shocked when the majority said they would only as an OC, but they would. I repeat, "ARE YOU BLEEPING KIDDING ME?!" I will tell you a funny story. There was a guy who was a head coach at Louisiana Tech and had an awesome offensive attack for 3 years. After that, he became an OC in the NFL with the Bears. The first year was good, they ranked 3rd in the NFL in total offense and the Bears have yet to eclipse the total yards for that year. The next year however, is a different story. They were one of the worst offenses in the NFL with the most penalties. (sound familiar?) He than became a head coach at a major college football program with a very good history of winning. Most BYU fans want to forget everything in that time frame but I will remind them anyway. 2 years of AWESOME offense... than it all fell apart. Bad, undisciplined teams on the field, and off the field, well, it was even worse. Players being suspended, expelled and arrested. Even a sex scandal (gasp). Than he went to Oregon as an OC and had 2 years of excellent offense and than 2 years of really bad offense when LSU bailed him out again. Guess what, he had 2 years of awesome offense and the last 2 years? Well, LSU ranked 112 in total offense last year and this year is currently ranked 92nd. Really? BYU fans want that in Provo?! Ok guys, you are probably glad that Bronco or Tom Holmo would NEVER bring that joke back into town.

Surprising Weekend

Utah beat Wyoming in Laramie for perhaps the last time ever. The weather was nice and Utah looked bored while beating down the cowboys. With a great defensive effort, the Utes won 30-6. Not the beating I thought, but still strong enough to move the Utes to 9th in the AP, Coaches and BCS polls. Pretty good, and if they continue to win, they'll continue to climb. They also covered the line so if you bet on my prediction, you won!

BYU's defense again provided a spirited effort against the Horned Frogs. It wasn't enough however and TCU rolled the Cougars 31-3. That one was also a surprise because TCU looks really strong and BYU looks barely breathing. They are coming back to life though in surprising fashion.

Auburn and Arkansas combined for over 1000 yards in a wacky offensive game. They also combined for 108 points. I was wrong again in this one as Auburn beat the Razorbacks 65-43 in regulation. It was a crazy game, especially for an SEC game.

Dan Mullin of Mississippi State coached his team to a victory against his friend and mentor Urban Meyer and the Gators. They won a defensive battle 10-7 that seemed more like a traditional SEC game than from 2 of the people who created the spread option attack. Mississippi State looks like an upcoming team to beat in the SEC though and I'm looking forward to the traditional powers losing their seats to teams like S. Carolina and Miss State.

Also though, #1 Ohio State got beat by #18 Wisconsin, which was their first real test. Texas also knocked of #5 Nebraska which is why Utah was allowed to climb to #9 in all the polls. Now that the BCS standings are out, I will be focusing more on that as well. So here is the first BCS Standings release through the top 10:

#1 Oklahoma 6-0

#2 Oregon 6-0

#3 Boise State 6-0

#4 Auburn 7-0

#5 TCU 7-0

#6 LSU 7-0

#7 Michigan State 7-0

*8 Alabama 6-1

#9 Utah 6-0

#10 Ohio State 6-1

What a Joke

All right people. I am sick and tired of being pointed at as a group and being told I am one way or another because of my religious affiliation. It's wrong, I'm not allowed to do it to others, it shouldn't be done to me. But I'm not here and you don't read this for political commentary, but I have to say, I hope this guy loses his job. His reflection on San Diego State University coupled with the crappy way the student section treated BYU fans last time they went to Cox arena breeds hate on both sides. It needs to stop, it needed to stop decades ago. I just want to link a few things that may prove my point about this guys "love" of mormons.

From his blog.

From his show earlier this week. And that is only part, he went on for about 30 minutes degrading BYU and anyone associated with them because of a blown call. I think everyone should email his show and program director if you think that breeding hate on the radio needs to stop!

How Can This Happen?

Before I go into what I think is a dog weekend in college football, I want to discuss what happened last Saturday while BYU was hosting San Diego State.

In the 4th quarter, with BYU leading 17-14, JJ Diluigi ran off the right guard for an ok gain and the view I got from my spot on the couch, the next thing to happen was an Aztec D linemen getting up with the ball. Much to the chagrin of Coach Hoke, the call on the field was down by contact. He challenged the play, giving the TV guys, from the Mountain Network I might add, plenty of time to look at lots of different angles of the play. The only angle that didn't show the ball on the ground BEFORE his knee, was the first angle they shot the play from with a big o-linemen in the way. Diluigi fumbled and the same guy who stripped the ball from him had full control of the ball while on the ground being contacted by Diluigi. After listening to both announcers say that the call would be overturned for about 3 minutes (double the time they say it should take to review a play), I heard the official announce that the call on the field stands. I was dumbfounded and even told my dad, who I was on the phone with at the time, that San Diego should file a complaint with the league because that could cost them the game. And it very well might have. BYU continued the drive and ended it with their final score of the afternoon, a 1-yard run by Bryan Kariya to go up 24-14.

Everyone who saw that play has to admit that it was a fumble, if you can't please stop reading now, go to the bathroom, remove the blue colored contacts with a Y in the middle. Are they gone? OK, now re-watch the play with this link (it's about 1:45) but put a red jersey on the RB and a blue jersey on the d-lineman. Now you can see it's a fumble. Good for you True Blue Cougar, you have made the first step in not being a moron.

Now knowing that, understand that the MWC actually suspended 3 people from officiating in this week's games. The head official, the replay official and the BYU videographer. They also told SDSU that a controversial Pass Interference call after the Aztecs had stopped BYU on 3rd down should not have been called. I agree with that as well. I normally don't blame the officials for games and I normally agree with what Urban Meyer once said while here in Utah. "You have to play so officials don't matter, you have to make your own luck." That was paraphrased because I can't find where he said it nor the exact wording, but you get the gist. Even when Seattle lost Superbowl XL, I didn't exactly blame the officials. They only "blew" one call in my opinion and the others were just close calls that usually aren't called. This is different however, this could be something of an issue when the officials are actually suspended. I applaud the MWC for taking a stand on a most egregious call and holding the zebras responsible. Why the BYU videographer was involved in the first place, I don't know. I can guess it has something to do with the HD capabilities that BYU has that no one else does, but I don't know. Why was he suspended though? Did he do something... untoward? Did he not live correctly off the field? I hope to find out soon, and I hope that this sets a precedence that officials can and will get punished for bad calls just like the athletes get punished for playing poorly.

Ok, now that's off my chest, my predictions for this week:

First is Utah at Wyoming. Well, for the Cowboys sake, let's hope the Utah 1st teamers miss the bus, even than, T Cain will lead the 2nd team Utes to a huge win. The line is 20.5 right now, I think it's much worse. Utah takes the 3rd scoring offense against the 97th ranked scoring defense. it's going to get ugly and stay ugly. Utah by 31.

Second is BYU going into Ft. Worth Texas to play TCU. If you read my blog often, you know how good I think TCU is. If you want stats, just click here, but this game is going to be the worst loss for BYU since Boise State in 2004. Man that was a cold game. Anyway, the line is TCU by 29.5. Nope TCU by 35.

Utah State has a bye week so they shouldn't lose this week.

My national picks this week are going to be a little different. I want to pick relevant games to the local teams. So, because this pits #7 against #12, I'm going with Auburn hosting Arkansas. Sadly, I think the Razorbacks win it. I say sadly because they would jump Utah, although Auburn might drop past them if that does happen, but Arkansas is just a better all around team. Yes Auburn has Cam Cameron, but have you seen that defense? Yuck.

The other is the Mississippi State at Florida. The reason why it's relevant to us is the coaches. Urban Meyer against Dan Mullin. They were both here in Utah together (Mullin being the QB coach) and they were both in Florida together (Mullin being the OC). Florida has the better Defense and Miss State has the better offense, but I think that Mississippi State smells blood in the water and the Bulldogs are ready for this one. Florida is a 7.5 point favorite and if you bet, bet Mississippi State, they will at least cover and I think they will win.

Go Utes and former Utes!

More to Come

Huge happenings down in Provo and in the MWC with officiating. I will hit on it bigger tonight but this is a huge deal that could have and maybe should have cost BYU the game.

In reality, well, MY reality

The University of Utah football team is ranked 3rd in scoring offense right now behind only Oregon and Oklahoma State. What does that mean? They put up lots and lots of points. However, they are only 29th in total offense thus far. What does that mean? It means they have a really good offense that can and will score from wherever they get the ball. They just have been getting really short fields. That means 2 things.

1: Utah has a good defense. I mean better than expected good. They are currently 10th in total defense. That means a lot of offenses go 3 and out and punt to Utah. The problem for them is Shaky Smithson, which brings us to number 2

2: Shaky Smithson, Shaky Smithson and oh, Shaky Smithson mixed with a dash of Reggie Dunn and Reggie Topps. Utah has 3 punt returns for a touchdown and 1 kickoff return in 5 games. Shaky also has 2 punt returns that he was pushed out inside the 10 yard line.
The great thing about that is how quality of a guy Shaky Smithson is. Not just a great football player, but an excellant human being. He is now the gaurdian of one of his siblings and was the focus of an HBO documentary "Hard Times at Douglas High." He is just a quality guy that I route for everytime he touches the ball. His success on the field has proven that great guys (with good talent) can finish first.

What this means for Utah though, is that they can be REALLY good. They have aspects to their team this year they didn't have a year ago and I would not be surprised if they stunned TCU in Salt Lake. I also wouldn't be surprised if they didn't. TCU is damn good. This is my blog though and I say Utah is going to win it! I'll go into more detail of why it's a possability later, but I really believe it.

In reality though... GO UTES!

Who the...? What the...?

Utah State made me a liar once again. In a 24-6 loss, they apparently had an emotional let down. Come on guys! *sigh*

Missouri blanked Colorado 26-0 showing exactly what I thought earlier. Neither is as good as their record, but Missouri is better than Colorado. By a lot it seems.

New Mexico. Wow, they are better than I thought. They only lost by 2 and actually scored 14 points! To bad they lost to their bitter rivals in New Mexico State (they even have a football program?)! Once again though, they proved that they truly are the worst team in College Football.

After being down 14-10 after the first quarter, and me sweating my prediction, Utah turned on the jets to demolish the Cyclones 68-27. My 24 point prediction was a little, well, under estimated to say the least. They racked up 598 yards on offense (that's NOT including the great kick returns), and it seemed like everyone on the team got in on at least one offensive possession. They went into the Big XII country and came out with another notch on their belt. Go Utes!

Now for the Who the...? BYU beat Sand Diego State. No, check that. They over powered San Diego State. Yes, I said BYU over powered someone. WHAT? A week after Heaps threw 55 passes against Utah State in a losing fashion, he went 15/22 for 126 yards and 1 INT. And boys and girls, this is the BEST I've seen BYU look this year. And it's not even close. BYU ran the ball 62 times. 62 TIMES! When was the last time you saw a BYU team run the ball 62 times? I don't think I ever have. They protected a freshman QB the way I think they should have all year long, running the ball. I think they found a go-to back in Bryan Kariya as well. He didn't have the numbers that JJ Deluigi had, but he was in there when it counted. Also, the defense looked inspired. The made tackles, they took great angles on faster SDSU guys and they covered the best WR combo in the MWC. Over all, this looks like a completely different team than I have seen up to this point. Don't get cocky though Cougar fans, TCU looms on the horizon.

What the...? Alabama got beat? Not only did they get beat, they were not really ever in the game. I know the score was 35-21, but after the Game Cocks opened up a 14-0 lead, they played even the rest of the game, matching them score for score. So there goes my pick for the National Champion... unless the BCS figures a way to keep both an undefeated Boise State and an undefeated TCU/Utah out of it. So let's all join hands and pray for all the SEC teams to lose at least 1 game and hopefully 2! Here's hoping for a non SEC National Champion this year!

Thursday's Predictions and a side note

Let's start this week a little different. I want to go after my 2 national game picks first.

Let's start with one that might peak some local interest. Colorado at Missouri. The reason that this will be of interest locally is that the national media will be comparing Utah to Colorado starting next year. You know, the Pac-12 newbies. Missouri is 4-0 and is putting up some interesting numbers. However they have only played one respectable defense (San Diego State) and put up 27 points on them. CU is 3-1 with a wins over Georgia (not as good as you think), Hawaii and Colorado State. The loss was a blowout 52-7 by Cal. I don't think either team is as good as their record but Mizzou is better than CU. Not really defensively but offensively. If Mizzou can get out to an early start and make CU one dimensional, it could get ugly. Missouri by 17.

This one really has no interest to me, other than how bad can it get for a team. It's like watching a train wreck. New Mexico @ New Mexico State. You can't watch this game. I wouldn't watch this game if you paid me. Well, maybe if you paid me a salary, but... I would say for two really bad, I mean REALLY bad football teams, this may be either teams best chance to get a W. Sadly, it will go to State because they just aren't AS bad as NM. NMS 10 NM 6.

Utah State @ Louisiana Tech. This game is either going to be a carry over from the success last week for USU or a let down from an emotional win. Because this is a Biased Sports Report, I am going to say it's the former. Utah State is better than Louisiana Tech. They have better defensive numbers (surprisingly) even though they have played better teams. They have a better offense even though they have played better teams. They are on the cusp of growing their program much like the Utes did when they hired Ron McBride. This will be a route. Aggies by 24.

BYU is hosting San Diego State. I would love/hate to pick BYU here. I can't do it. They have yet to prove to me anything and SDSU is showing life in that program for the first time since Marshall Faulk. They are favored by 4.5. I doubt it. BYU is 96th in total offense and 101 in total defense. SDSU is 7th in total offense and 22nd in total defense. I'm going to say blowout. Sorry Cougar fans, all 65 thousand who will be at the game, this is going to be ugly. The only hope I see for a close game is that the defense wakes up under the tutelage of Bronco. I don't see it and I think SDSU by 24 because they let off the gas in the 4th.

Utah is playing in Big 12 country at Iowa State. The Cyclones offense can't even dream about scoring a ton on the 7th ranked defense in the country. With their own defense ranked 84th, I doubt they can stop the offense which is ranked 45th, but I think Shaky and the defense have a lot to do with the lower ranking because of the field position. Well, and those damn turnover's. Utah is favored by 6 and if I were a betting man, this would be my game of the week. Go Utah and go big. Utah may only win by 24 because they run the ball the entire 3rd and 4th quarters. Utah is really good. Not only because I'm biased, but they are ranked 10th in the nation because other people think so as well.

On a side note, Utah and BYU inked a deal today to play each other in football and basketball over the next 2 years. I love it, I really do. However, there is a but. The games are both going to be in Sept. I don't love that idea at all but the worst part about it, it's not even going to be the opening game of the year. 2011 is Sept 17th in Provo and 2012 is in Salt Lake on Sept 15th. Possibly the 3rd week of the season. I hate it! The only hope to that is that it's just a 2 year deal. If they wish to keep the national consideration for this game being as big as it is, they need to fix it before they sign another deal. I understand why they did it that way right now, Utah has to feel their way around the Pac-12 and BYU has some limitations right now. Let's hope that Utah can get some clout and say they need to be playing BYU in November instead of early in the year. I mean, they do it for Notre Dame against both Stanford and USC. They have done it for UCLA vs. both Utah and BYU. They can release certain dates upon request and I really don't want to see Utah playing Colorado in the last game of the year in some made up rivalry. It should be the same week that UW plays Wazzu, OU plays OSU, ASU vs AU, USC vs UCLA, Stanford Cal. Colorado can even talk CSU into playing them that week instead of the opening game every year. RIVALRY WEEKEND! PLEASE FIX THIS before you sing the next contract.

The other thing, with BYU, Utah, Utah State, Weber State, Southern Utah, UVSC (or whatever it's called now) all having legit (using the term loosely for Utah) Basketball programs, they need to do an instate tournament every year. A round robin style that every one plays each other and the 2 with the best record play again. Or even bracket it, with Utah State and BYU on either side of the bracket so they would meet in the end if they both won out. That would prove the true best team in the state every year. I would go to that tourney wherever it was held! Hold it in Saint George, I don't care, HOLD IT! It needs to get done TOMORROW!

Saturday Results and an Early Reaction to Sunday

I've already chronicled my first pick and I would rather not get into it again. So here we go with the other 2 picks. I was a little off on the Oregon Stanford game. OU took Stanford's best hit right on the nose, and when their eyes were cleared they were down 21-3 early in the 2nd quarter. They than rolled off a 49-10 run and blew up any critics word and how good this team really is. They jumped Boise State in the rankings and should have jumped Ohio State.

With that being said, Alabama proved again that no one should underestimate them. They are easily the best team I have seen in college football this year. Oregon, Boise State and TCU should all be right there behind them, but still choking on the dust they are kicking up. 'Bama's defense handled the mediocre Florida offense just fine and their offense showed glaring flaws in a defense I thought was really good. These guys are really well coached and are great athletes. This team is for real, maybe the best team in College Football since the 2005 USC team. And I hate saying that since I think the SEC as a whole is over rated. How is Ole' Miss better than Utah, TCU or even BYU (not this year though).

Early sunday thoughts on the NFL. I don't comment much on the NFL just because I love NCAA much more, however, I still am a fan. *crying* Why do the Seahawks suck so bad on the road? Or, conversely, how can they beat anyone at home with how bad they are? I just want them to become respectable again. I am starting to feel like a browns fan over here! COME ON GUYS! GET IT TOGETHER! Also, is the Colt's reign of terror over? They are a lowly 2-2 and don't look as sharp as I am used to seeing them. What about the NFC East? They were suppose to be the toughest division in football. They don't look like it right now. The Packers offense looks really good and even though the defense has some playmakers, it's a little like swiss cheese, holes all over the field. If they can patch it slightly, they will be a force because they can score anytime, anywhere. Speaking of scoring anytime, anywhere, the Saints are barely squeaking by and Brees has an MCL tear? Why does anyone put there face on the cover of Madden anymore? Did he think that New Orleans Voodoo would keep him safe? History shows that the Madden Curse is the strongest curse in the universe.

Here is the start

BYU started a change today in the firing of defensive coordinator Jaime Hill. In an article posted by KSL, Hill was quoted by saying "I was fired, I didn't resign, I'm OK, I'll be fine." This is the first move made by the hapless Cougars and I don't think it will be the last. If the offense continues to struggle the way it has, we may see some changes on that side of the ball in the off season as well. Maybe not Robert Anae, but someone will be going.

BYU blues

Another loss for BYU. And it wasn't even close. They showed no fight, no energy. My wife looked at Jake Heaps in the 4th quarter and said "He looks like he wants to puke, his team has let him down." Perfectly said. Too many dropped passes, it sounds like a broken record, but I'll keep playing it till it stops. One of the picks was the receiver cutting the route short and Heaps noticed it mid throw and lofted it to the middle of the field. I'm not saying that Heaps played perfect either. He threw one ball that should have been a pick six but it got dropped, he was even starting to run to angle on a tackle. He over shot and under threw receivers. But over all, he was the only player that showed anything on the field tonight for BYU. On the other side of the ball the defense had too many missed tackles, too many blown coverages. Utah State punched BYU in the mouth, dragged them behind the woodshed and emerged 3 hours later shaking the dust off their hands. It was an absolute drubbing. Good for the Aggies, they looked like they turned a corner tonight. Was that just because it was BYU or could they carry it into the rest of the season? It remains to be seen but for their sake, I hope it carries. It would be good to see 3 good programs in the state of Utah. I would relish it in fact.

I'm going to look at BYU's schedule again:

vs. Washington W 23-17

@ Air Force L 35-14

@ Florida State L 34-10

vs. Nevada L 27-13

@ Utah State L 31-16

vs. SDSU Prediction: L (the team that beat up the team that beat BYU up)

@ TCU Prediction: L (worst loss of the year here, could be 56-0)

vs. Wyoming Prediction: W (only because it's at Lavell Edwards)

vs. UNLV Prediction: W (it's still UNLV)

@ Colorado State Prediction: W (still CSU)

vs. New Mexico Prediction: W (Bingham AND Alta could beat that squad)

@ Utah Prediction: L (Not a freakin chance)

When was the last time BYU only won 5 games? 2004, the last year under Crowton. Yes Cougar fans, it's THAT bad right now. My questions right now if I were a Cougar fan would not be if we can salvage this year, but what about next year? Will that offensive line be able to pick up blocks better? Are there enough WRs out there to fill a spot that needs to be binged? Are the LBs ever going to get better? Can the defensive line eat a block already? Who will Heaps hand the ball off to? At this rate, Harvey Langi would be better than anyone they have, and he looks to be committing to Stanford. (I hope to hell NOT! He needs, I mean needs to be a UTE!)

Hat's off to the Aggies though. They played great and hopefully they continue the success the showed tonight.

Late report.

Sorry for the day late report. I'm on lunch right now so I'll be quick.
Utah is off this week so... they win!
BYU is visiting Utah State and one of my favorite websites Thepredictionmachine.com says this game is pretty much a pickum. Which is sad for BYU but great for USU. However, I think BYU can fix some offensive woes against this team. But, I also think Utah State will have some offensive success. Both defenses have been dissapointing at best. If BYU can score 37 points, they win by 3. This game though is to close to call.
My national picks starts off this week with the matchup of Stanford at Oregon. Even though I love what Stanford has done, and this game is HUGE for the Rose Bowl and possably National Championship concerns, I just don't think they have enough speed for Oregon. It's strength vs speed though in this match up and we'll see who wins it. I say Oregon kicks a late feild goal to sucure the win by 9.
The other Game is Florida at Alabama. I really want to pick Florida here because of the defense. However, 'Bama has a similar defense, though not as opportunistic, but a much better offense. A lot more poised as well. I think Alabama big. 17 points.