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ESPN: College Football Rankings, Week 5

Personally, I like playing Bowling Green. When this series was originally scheduled BGU was cracking the Top 25 regularly. Recent seasons have not been so favorable for the Falcons, but this BSU/BGU matchup should not be overlooked.

Bowling Green comes into today’s matchup with the nations 11th ranked passing offense. Falcon’s QB Tyler Sheehan has thrown for an impressive 928 yards with 4 touches in BGU’s first three games.  For comparison, last week’s opponent Fresno St. QB Colburn has only thrown for 637 yards and 6 touches. The Bronco defense, tested heavily with a balanced attack last week, will be challenged with a more vertical and one-sided approach this week.

Look for Boise State’s defensive unit to rebound a bit this week, having seen their numbers take minor hits with last week’s defensive errors and lapses. They come into this game giving up only 284 yards a game, ranking 29th in the nation. When sorted for defense against the passing attack, Boise State moves up to 25th best defensive unit in college football.

Away games are never easy and Bronco’s fan would be smart not to overlook this matchup.

ESPN: College Football Scoreboard

(10!!) Boise State at Fresno State

The Bulldogs always find a way to make this game interesting. Have a few friends in the area who will be at the game.

Given the stats, Boise State will need to re-assert the run game to balance out the down field play. Otherwise, the game will be the nations 35th passing yardage team (BSU) against the nations 19th rushing yardage team (FSU). Still even then the Bulldogs may find trouble with BSU having given up only eight points so far.

One thing for sure… Bronco fans know not to overlook Fresno.

From ESPN:

Oregon RB LeGarrette Blount began the season carrying some character baggage thanks to a suspension last season for failing to live up to team obligations and the fact he came into spring practice overweight and out of shape, and his sucker punch of Boise State LB Byron Hout on Thursday night took those minor concerns and made them massive.

We talked last night to a college scouting director from an NFL team who said, “In the matter of five minutes, Blount just went from second- or third-rounder to completely undraftable.” Yes, he was egged on a bit by Hout, but big-name players deal with that kind of trash talk all the time without throwing punches in return.

On Friday, Oregon announced that Blount has been suspended for the remainder of the season. The suspension includes any bowl games; coach Chip Kelly said Blount will remain on scholarship. Reportedly, Blount was a no show for classes and at several team meetings before he was suspended.

How is LeGarrette still able to stay on the team and take a scholarship slot? If I was a donor to the Ducks Athletics fund I would be making a call- kick this guy off the team or I withhold my support. But then again the Ducks only need to keep one Booster happy.

Was the Boise State player wrong to slap Blount? We don’t know what was said between the two, but this much seems certain: a certain level of taunting is part of the game. If something racial or overly personal was said between the two then increased disciplinary actions should be taken against both. And for the record, it’s not like Byron Hout is getting of scott-free, but the Boise State sophomore also did not take punches at the opposing team, coaches, fans and even a police officer.

Consider this, the Idaho legal definitions of assault and battery. This was violence against the body and rights of other players, coaches, the fans and law enforcement. That no charges are being filed against LeGarrette speaks volumes to a certain level of acceptance regarding violence and character/behavioral problems in college athletics.

Another thought, Oregon may be quietly thanking LeGarrette. At halftime the Ducks had only 14 total yards to Boise State’s 185. They had no first downs. By the end of the game Boise State will have owned the ball for fourty two minutes and thirty two seconds, Oregon would have only six first downs and only 152 yards. LeGarrette taking up time in the highlight reel might keep the focus off the Ducks performance and help them hold a spot in the top 25.

Every year the college football season seems to start off with some unsportsmanlike conduct. As a Boise State fan I was excited that the Bronco’s would get to be the first salvo to open this year’s college football season. That out-of-game and cheap-shot violence ruined an otherwise great game, a game most Boise State fans have been looking forward to since last year’s win at Autzen, is not only deeply embarrassing, but a mar to the innocence that fans have in this potential BCS-busting team.

As a fan, Alumni, and supporter of Boise State Athletics I have full faith that Chris Petersen and Gene Bleymaier will take all necessary steps to make sure that this will not happen again. I would also hope that a potential rivalry game could continue as an ongoing series between both Oregon schools and Boise State (Did I mention we want in the PAC-10?). For any chance of that happening this incident will have to be throughly investigated to help cool down an otherwise great college football match up.

On Saturday, September 15th, 2009 Boise State University will play host to a speech by the American Founding Initiative.

The American Founding Initiative, as written by Boise State Professor and Director Scott Yenor:

If universities do no defend the practice of limited government and economic freedom, people committed to the practice of economic freedom will find themselves facing an uphill battle in real life. Without a defense of limited government in the realm of ideas, public policies will continue to be hostile to the practice of limited government and this impoverishes the country and our thinking. The Treasure Valley is uniquely situated to cultivate the next generation of scholarly defenders of the American tradition of liberty. Not only is the Valley filled with entrepreneurs committed to classical liberal principles, but its students thirst for connections between this commitment to classical liberalism and American constitutionalism. The American Founding Initiative at Boise State University systematically attracts, cultivates and educates these future defenders of American freedom so that freedom will have a future in our country.

The speech is titled “The Future Of Limited Government” and will feature Charles R. Kelser of The Claremont Institute. It starts at 6:00 pm and is free and open to the public.

Seriously. Yes, this was written by a college professor and a great man. Having sat through many of his lectures and classes at Boise State I can testify that Professor Yenor is well versed on this subject to help lead the charge to return to the Constitution.

That my alma mater would host such an event and help develop the defenders of liberty for this great nation gives me great joy.

Somewhat ironically, on the exact same day and time across the valley in Caldwell, David Horowitz will also be giving a speech on liberal bias on college campuses. That event is also free and open to the public.

Finally, the long summer off-season winds to a close. Pre-season scrimmages. Fantasy football drafts. NFL camps. The battle for the starting jobs playing out in every practice facility in America.

Football is back.

Sept. 3rd marks the most important home game in Boise State history when we play host to the (16) University of Oregon Ducks. I cannot recall another game of more importance in the regular season. Yes, we have had Division II playoff games and quadruple-overtime wins. But nothing like this.

Perhaps it’s mental. After all, the Broncos did go on the road last year and beat the Ducks at a sold-out game in Autzen stadium. Don’t let them get back at us. Keep the momentum going, carry last year’s win forward. Show that this team has earned its stripes on the field.

Sporting News notes that every position on the Boise State roster has at least one player with starting experience.

Another thing- we have young talent:

The Broncos ache for another shot at perfection, and they’ll do it with a young-but experienced-squad. Boise State had 76 freshmen or sophomores among the 104 players on its 2008 bowl roster and enters the fall with just five seniors. Cornerback Kyle Wilson, who considered entering the NFL draft before returning, might be the only senior starter.

How many teams can say that? How many college football teams out there right now can say that well over seventy percent of their roster could be around for another two years?

It’s exciting to think what things may be coming for Boise State, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We still have a game to play, a game that will define our season. We cannot rely on WAC scheduling to serve up a BCS invite without quality out-of-conference wins.

Going into last year’s game I think the general consensus was that we would have to wait to get the Ducks at home for a real shot at them. This year we have to keep from looking backwards and defend our near-perfect home record.

No matter the case, it will be good to have a welcome distraction to focus on. Something other than the economy, President Obama or the housing market. Something other than the imploding Republican party or the swine flu scare. Finally, we can permit ourselves a little fun and forget the struggles of the last two years.

Rejuvenation.

Seeing old friends at tailgates. Gathering with the neighbors and family to watch road games. Pouring your heart and soul into your team’s season. That subtle chill in the autumn breeze that seems to be tailor made for pigskin and astroturf.

Football is back. It’s about damn time.

This, as being reported by the Idaho Statesman, would be great news. ‘The Hokies have won 10 or more games in eight of the last ten seasons”. We will also be playing Oregon State at home in 2010.