So i've realized that I need my Football. Its been way too long without Football in my life and i've got to give into this sweet sultry addiction. Time to break out the old Tennessee jersey, get the College Football 2008 game out, and enjoy the fact that Saturday IS the best day of the week!
Now as a College Football fan, one thing I followed heavily last year was Hawaii's run for an undefeated regular season. This team was anchored by its record setting QB Colt Brennan and their ringleader of a coach June Jones. They also had a phenomenal trio of WR's in Ryan Grice-Mullen, Devone Bess, and Jason Rivers who posed threats to any challengers.
Though Hawaii was slaughtered by Georgia, they still showed it was possible for a Non-BCS team to pull an undefeated season and get into the bowl they righfully deserved.
They didn't help the upcoming "Mid Majors" in the fact that they were supposed to make a good game out of it and were blown clean out of the water. It still opened the door in the end.
Now we all know Colt Brennan is gone along with June Jones now so Hawaii's chances to repeat as claim stakers to the Non-BCS "At Large" Bid are all but diminished, there are still some hungry teams out there ready to have their shot as David against the perenial Goliath.
Here are 5 teams that you may want to keep tab of during the College Football season as teams that could earn the bid and slay the dragon.
#5 TCU
Big Games: at New Mexico (8/30), vs. Stanford (9/13), at Oklahoma (9/27), vs. BYU (10/16), at Utah (11/6)
Why they will succeed and earn the bid: They have it in place, QB Andy Dalton improved greatly through the season last year along with a dynamic tandem at RB with Joseph Turner and Aaron Brown who should provide the offense with a sense of stability and balance. They also have Jason Phillips and Stephon Hodge as All- Conference performers coming back to their defense.
Why they will fall short in their attempt: This is not the Horned Frogs' first time having it set up like this, there have been a couple of years (2006 and 2007) where they had a hyped team coming in, but injuries and under performances have led to their downfall. If they can stay the course, they have a good shot to run under the radar and have a great season.
#4 Utah
Big Games: at Michigan (8/30), vs. Oregon State (10/2), vs. TCU (11/6), vs. BYU (11/22)
Why they will succeed and earn the bid: They have Brian Johnson returning at QB and set to have a huge year in Coach Wittingham's offense. If they are able to come in to the Big House for a second year and pull off the opening upset, that would vault them greatly in rankings and publicity.
Why they will fall short in their attempt: With an extremely tough schedule it will be tough for them to come out undefeated, but if they are able to maintain a good conference record, it all falls on whether they can hang with the big boys.
#3 Central Michigan
Big Games
25 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
MARK COOPER about 1 year ago
Great article, good insight, but I think you've underestimated Utah. But hey, thats what makes college football so fun. So with that, here are my thoughts on these teams. I would replace Central Michigan and maybe even Fresno State with Boise State; But I'm a homer. Fresno State has beaten BSU once in six years and have been favored in most of those games. This year they have to come to Boise where we own the best home field record in the last five years. Four years ago we were one of the youngest teams in the country and went undefeated and flew under everyones radar and lost to Louiville by 4 points with a shot to win the game on a final play that didn't work out, a team that ended the season 5th in the BCS. Boise State has every single skill position returning, except our QB (little detail, just kidding) and have proven to be one of the most consistant programs in the country. TCU has proven to be one of the most overrated and under achieving teams that embarass sports writers year in and year out, including the year Boise State beat them in the Fort Worth Bowl. Utah is very talented but you never know what team will show up, the team that destroyed UCLA last year or was shut out by UNLV in the same season. Coaching and consistency are key to college football. That is why I like your pick with BYU and give them their due credit as a Mid Major favorite. Their program is on the way up and Bronco Mendenhall has the program back on the map in his two years as the head coach. My picks would be as follows, #1 BYU, #2 Boise State, #3 Utah, #4 Fresno State, #5 Central Michigan. Thanks again for the article and the opportunity to talk college football in june, even though you missed a shot at saying "I told you so" with Boise State.
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Gage Arnold about 1 year ago
Thanks, I'm gald you enjoyed it . :) And yes about Boise being in there, they very well could have, i was just unsure of the QB position, and I very well could have given them the spot over TCU and/or Utah. Not completely sold on how they're going to replace Tharp, but then again that whole process could go as smoothly as last year, and then I'm going to be kicking myself. I love their home mark as you mentioned too, they are deadly on the blue turf.
Now off to BYU, I really love what Bronco has going on, great character, great work ethic, the offense and defense roll great together, just seems like they could make the jump, and as you stated they are already on the map.
And no problem, I love talking football in June, nothing like it. :)
Thanks for the feedback, I love to get it, whether it be positive or negative, anything I can tweak to make you the reader more interested is in my best interest.
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Jeremy about 1 year ago
Mark, totally agree about Utah, if this team can stay healthy and do not have let down which they have had in the past 2 years especially with last years mind boggling27-0 loss to UNLV. As for TCU their QB situation is anything but secure Andy Dalton has another year experience, but did not show too much talent last year.
Even though BYU is the flavor to make the BCS keep in mind they have not won a road non conference game since 2002 when they beat Utah State and they have not beaten a BCS team on the road since 2001 when the beat Cal, and those games have been the burden on BYU for the last two years.
Also, how can Central Michigan be included when they have to play at Georgia and at Purdue. The Chips will be good but not BCS good this year.
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Gage Arnold about 1 year ago
Well Andy improved last year, may not have been to the level we all may have wanted, but he still improved and got familiar with everyone.
And great facts about BYU, with Max being seasoned and them returning a good bit of their skill position players, and Bronco's really worked these guys, the streak very well could be snapped this year.
And Central Michigan fell to Purdue last yaer in their bowl game, 51-48, i really like them, if they just had a defense. I agree they have a very tough schedule, but if they run the table in their Confrence and only lose to Georgia then they have a very good shot at earning the bid, but that will be an EXTREMELY tough path to go.
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MARK COOPER about 1 year ago
Central Michigan will lose to Georgia and not by a little bit. I agree with reggie in his comment that any of the Mid Majors will have to go undefeated in order to have a shot at a BCS game. Boise State destroyed Oregon State who later beat USC (Sorry Reggie, for another USC shot) and we barly made it under the revised rules having gone undefeated. We wouldn't have qualified as Utah did if they didn't revise the rules.
I know our QB situation is a great big "IF" but look at our last three QB'S. Ryan Dinwiddie, now playing in the Canadian Football league and still holds the NCAA record for efficiency (with coach pete as our Offensive Coordinator), Jared Zabransky, now playing for the Steelers, and a very slow, weak arm, 5th year QB taylor tharp who had a pretty good season last year. My point is that our coaching staff and offense system can make any QB shine, especially considering our projected freshman starter is the highest rated QB and player in our programs history. We started six freshman on last years team and have a ton of talented players that grayshirted from our fiesta bowl recuiting season that should make a big impact this year. Even if I'm wrong about our very, very young program this season, look out next year. When your a Mid Major program your going to have a down year every once and a while, ours was last year at 10-3. Thats why we "Rebuild" and the programs like USC, Georgia, Florida "Reload".
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Reggie Garcia about 1 year ago
Utah (if Johnson can stay healthy) will make a good run at a BCS bid, but for any non-BCS school to make a BCS bowl, undefeated needs to happen, and BYU seems like the only team that can roll without a loss. That Game between Utah and BYU will go a long way determining who gets it and who does not. Although I am a USC, you just cant help rooting for the Utah's and BYU's of the world.
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Gage Arnold about 1 year ago
Yea thats whats great about College Sports, the underdogs and these cinderellas are just amazing to see and watch and root for. As I posted in a previous article, there's nothing like witnissing a grave upset, to the likes of Fresno Baseball over Georgia, or George Mason over Connecticut, or even Stanford over USC last year, they all are great reasons to watch the sport and draw us sports lovers attention.
Sorry about the USC bit, had to throw that in there. :)
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Drew Roberts about 1 year ago
Boise State cannot be left out of any Non-BCS discussion. They crashed the BCS party in '06 and could do it again. They are young, but talented and a somewhat disappointing '07 may have refocused them. Boise State will yet again defeat Fresno State.
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Jeremy about 1 year ago
dont forget with Utah about JUCO transfer Matt Asiata who was to be the starter last year, but broke his leg and then star WR Brent Casteel who is great and runs the ball as well missed 9 or 10 games last year.
The Utah/BYU game the past 3 years have either gone to OT with Utah winning or BYU winning on near impossible plays. This season should have a ton of good non-BCS teams.
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Gage Arnold about 1 year ago
In retrospect now that I look at it, Boise could have and probably should have been put on the list, as they are the perenial BCS Busters. If they can come in and have a smooth transition at QB, then I definetely see them up on the list espically with a healthy Ian Johnson.
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P Dizzle about 1 year ago
wow. I want to simply thank you for the class and correct opinion in this article. Hawaii got their ass kicked in the sugar bowl...i was there...front row so you idiots laughing tell me something I don't know.
But make no mistake we deserved that bid and earned that trip. We went undefeated, soft schedule? yes. Our fault? No. We offered the teams to play us (MICHIGAN, MICHIGAN STATE, USC, MISSISSIPI STATE, etc.) and they didnt. We beat Boise State for the 1st time since they joined the WAC and won our first outright championship, won @ Nevada with back-up Tyler Graunke where we had never won before, and came back countless times. Down 21 points against Washington, yes not the greatest team but still anyone down 21 points and comes back against whoever shows true character.
You people who predicted that Hawaii would get blown out, you won. You get to parade around like you knew what you were talking about and say i told you so. But nobody on this island that actually watches ALL the games UH plays could've predicted the offensive line would've gotten pwned like it did. and that was the demise. If Colt had time, we could've made it a real game. But I'm a believer that everything happens for a reason. The domino effects of the sugar bowl loss, June Jones gone, AD Herman Frazier fired have all led up to a REAL change in the athletic department. Hawaii is now finally willing to shell out the time effort and MONEY to make Hawaii a top player in the country. I'm not predicting National Championships or anything like that but we'll be equals with Boise State and a consistent Top 25 contender.
Just giving you guys a heads up, Hawaii isnt rebuilding we are re-loading. we are still the WAC champs and we will be in the Hawaii Bowl come December to rape another mediocre Pac-10 team like ASU in 06.
As for this year, I don't like BYU because of bias against rival. Fresno State also a rival, but at least they didnt sell out like the other assholes to the Mountain West. So I don't think it'll happen but you never know. Anything is possible. So sure, why not?
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Jimson Cuenta about 1 year ago
"wow. I want to simply thank you for the class and correct opinion in this article. Hawaii got their ass kicked in the sugar bowl...i was there...front row so you idiots laughing tell me something I don't know.
But make no mistake we deserved that bid and earned that trip. We went undefeated, soft schedule? yes. Our fault? No. We offered the teams to play us (MICHIGAN, MICHIGAN STATE, USC, MISSISSIPI STATE, etc.) and they didnt. We beat Boise State for the 1st time since they joined the WAC and won our first outright championship, won @ Nevada with back-up Tyler Graunke where we had never won before, and came back countless times. Down 21 points against Washington, yes not the greatest team but still anyone down 21 points and comes back against whoever shows true character"
What are you talking about???
In my opinion, the 2007 Hawaii Warriors showed TERRIBLE CHARACTER. Just look at this:
"SEPTEMBER 8: No. 20 Hawaii 45, Louisiana Tech 44
Hawaii had many close calls on its slate in 2007, but none was closer than its game in Ruston. Hawaii NEEDED OVERTIME to defeat head coach Derek Dooley’s upstart Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
In a decision reminiscent of Boise State’s in the Fiesta Bowl, Tech decided to go for two in the first overtime, figuring it would be next to impossible to keep Colt Brennan from scoring again. The conversion pass was deflected and the Warriors escaped."
This ONLY PROVES to me that the 2007 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors had a VERY BAD ATTITUDE :)
"Hawaii is now finally willing to shell out the time effort and MONEY to make Hawaii a top player in the country. I'm not predicting National Championships or anything like that but we'll be equals with Boise State and a consistent Top 25 contender.
Just giving you guys a heads up, Hawaii isnt rebuilding we are re-loading. we are still the WAC champs and we will be in the Hawaii Bowl come December to rape another mediocre Pac-10 team like ASU in 06.
As for this year, I don't like BYU because of bias against rival. Fresno State also a rival, but at least they didnt sell out like the other assholes to the Mountain West. So I don't think it'll happen but you never know. Anything is possible. So sure, why not?"
What are you talking about???
The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors DEFINITELY going to be REBUILDING, during the 2008 College Football season :)
In fact, I think that YOU are REALLY DELUSIONAL... IF YOU seriously think that the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors will even MAKE a bowl game, during the 2008 College Football season :)
I PREDICT that the 2008 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors will finish the season with a 1-12 record... In fact, I believe that the 2008 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors will start the season 0-10 :)
By the way, I ALREADY PLANNED A HUGE PARTY/PARADE [in Lumberton, New Jersey] on SEPTEMBER 7th... because that day will be my friend Krista's 17th birthday, and the day that I watch Weber State WILL BEAT Hawaii :)
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P Dizzle about 1 year ago
LMAO...first of all you're in New Jersey. On the other side of the damn country so don't act like you know Hawaii football. No I don't hate the east coast or any of that b.s. in fact my dad is from New Jersey and he believed the Warriors were pretty decent last year.
Make all the excuses but Hawaii WON all 12 regular season games. No other team in the country did. Yes, we did beat La Tech in OT. But again you have no clue how grueling travel is for UH. La Tech doesnt belong in the WAC they are way too far out there. but ne ways, yeah we won the game in a place where we hadn't won before. It's not really the team, its the travel that makes Hawaii shitty on the road.
Hawaii has a bad attitude? I think you're gonna be the only person (besides obnoxious georgia rednecks) who will say the warriors have a bad attitude...coming back from deficits to win games EVERY TIME requires a pretty tested and incredible character...
Hawaii losing to Weber State? Somebody has been drinking way too much Hawaii hatorade. Enjoy life on the east coast in the cold and only dream of paradise.
You people will be surprised by Hawaii's season this year. We will be back in the Hawaii bowl.
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Gustavo Destro about 1 year ago
Don't forget Boise State! They have a senior laden team and will probably win the WAC (Boise St. Vs. Fresno St. will be the best non-BCS game of the year).
Unless injuries bite, expect boise to be in the running to crash the party once again.
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Jeremy about 1 year ago
Gustavo, have to slightly disagree with the best non bcs game. Just look at the past 3 games with BYU and Utah. The Boise/Fresno game will be awesome but the only reason not as good is because of the rival between the Utah schools.
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MARK COOPER about 1 year ago
hey P, Don't feel bad about your warriors. June Jones budget for recruiting was $50.000 compared to Georgia's $500,000. and counting up to the game. June didn't leave the island once the whole season for even one recruit. It is also my opinion that Georgia was the toughest and most consistant team in the country the last 5 games of the season. Keep in mind that they also thumped Florida, Auburn, Kentucky (which was ranked 1st or 2nd in the country at one time) and georgia tech (instate rival game) in their last 5 games and won by almost a 20 point margin and the games weren't as close as the scores would reflect.
Even with an increase in your budget, you'll have to start keeping your states top athletes on the island before you'll see the results you want. The Island is a great recruiting tool, but it ends there. Your games are almost never televised, out of state parents will almost never be able to attend a game, and good teams out of the conf. don't want the expense to travel to hawaii and potentially lose to a good team that they're supposed to beat. Everyone in college football knows how tough it is to play hawaii in hawaii. It's a lose-lose proposal. If they win, they were expected to. If they lose, it goes down as a bad loss. It'll be nice if BSU, Fresno State, Hawaii, and Nevada can be consistant. We need to get the bottom half of the WAC to raise there level of play.
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P Dizzle about 1 year ago
yeah, Hawaii's isolation is our biggest downfall. Getting teams here will be hard as hell, so I'm thinking we gotta start putting out more home and home offers. Hawaii should always play 1 BCS road game every year in my opinion. We eventually gotta win one lol.
Before the sugar bowl, I believed in Hawaii winning that game as much as I believed that the sun is real. My power of belief collapsed that night. I didn't say I word till the next day...when we were in Houston Airport.
The rest of the WAC does need to get itself together. I keep believing in New Mexico State but they keep failing...sigh...maybe this year they can put a bowl caliber season on display...probably not. Utah State is just pathetic. Idaho is also pathetic but it's not impossible in that state looking at their very famous in state rivals. San Jose State isn't too bad. Dick Tomey is doing a respectable job over there. Now he needs more consistent winning but honestly I think they only thrive when Fresno has a down year like 06. This year sure as hell wont be a down year for Fresno.
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MARK COOPER about 1 year ago
Jeremy, Even though I'm a Boise State fan, I agree with your comments. The last 2years-games between Utah and BYU have been insane. Hollywood would be able to write those scripts; Lead changes, come from behind, impossible plays and the games being decided on the last play of the game both times (If i remember correctly) but I know I'm very close. I think the difference between BSU/Fresno and Utah/BYU rivalry games has been that outside of instate bragging rights there haven't been big implications on the Utah/BYUs games. I love how much Utah and BYU hate each other. BSU/Fresno have a lot of respect for each other. BSU fans have sold out their own statdium in two of Fresno's bowl games played at Bronco Stadium and cheered for Fresno very loudly. Utah fans would love to see BYU lose their BSC dreams to Portland State, William St. Mary's ect. Everyone new BYU didn't stand a chance the year you went undefeated. Boise State upset Fresno 4-5 years ago when Fresno had a couple of major upsets prior to the BSU game and were ranked 12th when BSU beat them. Everyone was wondering whether Fresno would crush our BCS dreams. Not to mention BSU averages 4-5 games on ESPN each year and no one sees Utah's games due to your horrible televison contract that people in your own state barely get to watch. It's not a stretch to imagine that Utah, BYU, Fresno and Boise State could all be undefeated at the end of the year. Both games are the final games of the regular season for all the teams. That would get both of our programs a lot of attention and recognition. Good luck!
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Gage Arnold about 1 year ago
I agree, both of these rivalries are just amazing games, but there's nothing like the good, clean, old fashioned hate you get from the BYU-Utah games.
And what a site that would be if all were undefeated at the end of the year, that would definetey bring some well deserved and interesting attention to the programs.
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Jimbo about 1 year ago
Very well written article, Gage. Fun topic. :)
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Gage Arnold about 1 year ago
Thanks Jim, and yes, a fun topic indeed. :)
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Lisa Horne about 1 year ago
Good stuff! I like Central Florida in there instead of Central Michigan, and don't laugh, but freaking Florida Atlantic rocks! They went bowling last year and have a killer coach with a few rings (Super Bowl and Florida Gators). FIVE STARS THIS PIECE!
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James Doker about 1 year ago
I agree, watch out for the Owls. Maybe give them another year, but they're definitely on the way up. Schnellenberger was essential in building both Miami and Louisville football to what they are now, so I'm guessing he'll take advantage of South Florida high schools and get FAU up and coming quickly.
(note: he didn't ever coach at Florida)
UCF is a similar situation: good recruiting grounds, experienced head coach. If the Big East ever looks to expand, both of those teams should be on the short list.
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MARK COOPER about 1 year ago
Is Central Florida supposed to be any good this year. I know very little about your program other than they come out of no where and were good. Didn't you lose a lot of your seniors last year. You're recruiting out of florida, you should be good every year.
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Lisa Horne about 1 year ago
Yeah, they are good. They aren't my team, by the way, I just have them as a BCS Buster.
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