No reason to delay our Week 1 Cidsports Top 40 College Football ratings: as #20 VA TECH @ #19 Florida State kicks off tonight in Tallahassee

Week 1 of the 2018 College Football season concludes with a Top 20 match up in Tallahassee tonight, as Labor Day weekend concludes with a ACC showdown between #20 Virginia Tech (9-4) @ #19 Florida State (7-6). The Hokies lead by head coach Justin Fuente, entering his third season, were 5-3 in the Coastal Division in 2017. While the Seminoles were 3-5 in the Atlantic Division in 2017, they enter the Willie Taggart era, as the former USF and Oregon head coach returns to lead Florida State into the 2018 season.

#20 Virginia Tech @ #19 Florida State, 7 PM CT on ESPN.

Monday, September 3rd
#20 Virginia Tech at #19 Florida State	7:00 pm	ESPN

The dean of college football, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, won his 144th
game for the Hawkeyes, as first year player and now special teams coach
LeVar Woods celebrate, at the end of the Iowa-Northern Illinois game on
Saturday, at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes turn their focus to in-state rival,
Iowa State, as the Cy-Hawk game kicks off on Saturday in Iowa City.

1. Alabama (1-0) (2) - we push the Crimson Tide back into the #1 slot, after a 51-14 win over Louisville (0-1) by the defending national champions in Orlando. Week 2 - vs. Arkansas State (1-0) Red Wolves, who won over SE Missouri in the season opener.
2. Clemson (1-0) (1) - the Tigers fall back, after a 48-7 win over Furman (0-1) to kick off the 2018 season. Week 2 - @ Texas A&M (1-0), as the Aggies opened with a 59-7 win over Northwestern State in College Station. 
3. Georgia (1-0) (3) - the Bulldogs opened 2018 with a 45-0 win over Austin Peay (0-1) on Saturday. Week 2 - @ #28 South Carolina (1-0), where Bulldogs take a three game win streak in this series into the 2018 game
4. Oklahoma (1-0) (4) - the Sooners rolled then #25 FAU (0-1) 63-14 to kickoff 2018. Week 2 - vs. UCLA (0-1), as the Chip Kelly era opened at home to a 26-17 loss to Cincinnati (0-1).
5. Auburn (1-0) (6) - the Tigers took down then #5 Washington (0-1) 21-16 in Atlanta on Saturday. Week 2 - vs. Alabama State (1-0), as this is the first meeting between FBS and FCS schools from the same state.
6. Ohio State (1-0) (7) - the Buckeyes won 77-31 over Oregon State (0-1) in Columbus on Saturday, as interim coach Ryan Day lead the squad. Week 2 - vs. Rutgers (1-0), as the Big Ten opener squares off against the Scarlet Knights, who won their opener 35-7 over Texas State (0-1). Ohio State took down Rutgers 56-0 last year, so Week 2 may not be much different than Week 1.
7. Wisconsin (1-0) (8) - the Badgers won 34-3 against Western Kentucky (0-1) on Friday night. Week 2 - vs. New Mexico (1-0), in the first meeting, as the Badgers have won 40 straight home non-conference games by an average of over 27 points per game. 
8. Washington (0-1) (5) - the Huskies drop opener 21-16 to then #6 Auburn (1-0) in Atlanta, so the margin of error for the College Football Playoff gets slim for the favorite in the Pac 12. Week 2 - vs. North Dakota (1-0), in the first meeting between these schools. The Huskies are 27-5 in home openers.
9. Stanford (1-0) (12) - the Cardinal beat then #45 San Diego State (0-1) by the score of 31-10 to avenge last year's 20-17 loss to the Aztecs. Week 2 - vs. #14 USC (1-0), another payback game for the Cardinal ... last year's 42-24 loss on road against the Trojans!
10. Notre Dame (1-0) (13) - the Fighting Irish defeated Michigan 24-17 in South Bend to open 2018 on Saturday night. Week 2 - vs. Ball State (1-0), first meeting ever between the two schools located in Indiana.
11. Michigan State (1-0) (9) - the Spartans were tested in the season opener on Friday night, but pulled out a 38-31 win over Utah State (0-1). Week 2 - @ Arizona State (1-0), as the Sun Devils opened up the Herm Edwards era, with a 49-7 win over UTSA (0-1). A battle in the desert that typically has favored the local Pac 12 school ....
12. Penn State (1-0) (10) - the Nittany Lions had to scramble back and force OT, as PSU beat Appalachian State 45-37 in Happy Valley on Saturday. Week 2 - @ Pittsburgh (1-0), a game that went to the Panthers 42-39 two years ago. 
13. LSU (1-0) (17) - the Tigers took out then #11 Miami-FL (0-1) 33-17 in Arlington on Saturday to win in Week 1. Week 2 - vs. Southeast Louisiana (0-1), as the Lions lost 34-31 @ Louisiana Monroe (0-1).
14. USC (1-0) (15) - the Trojans beat UNLV (0-1) 43-21 on Saturday. Week 2 - @ #9 Stanford (1-0), as the series opens in Week 2 again this season.
15. UCF (1-0, 1-0 AAC) (23) - the Knights won @ UConn (0-1) 56-17 on Thursday night and we will bump the undefeated 2017 program, since they did finished 13-0 last year and new coach Josh Heupel has the offense rolling already. Week 2 - vs. South Carolina State (0-1), as UCF won in the 2016 season opener 38-0 over the Bulldogs.
16. TCU (1-0) (16) - the Horned Frogs pounded Southern (0-1) 55-7 in the season opener on Saturday. Week 2 - @ SMU (0-1), as the former SWC schools square off for their annual showdown on Friday night. The Mustangs lost 46-23 @ North Texas (1-0) in the AAC vs. C-USA showdown.
17. Northwestern (1-0) (35) - the Wildcats opened Thursday night in the Big Ten @ then #36 Purdue, pulling off a 31-27 win for last year's #17 team. Boost them back up. Week 2 - vs. Duke (1-0), who beat the Wildcats 41-17 in Durham, as this year's game returns to Evanston, where Northwestern won 24-13 in 2016.
18. Mississippi State (1-0) (18) - the Bulldogs won 66-3 over Stephen F Austin (0-1) to kickoff 2018. Week 2 - @ Kansas State (1-0), who struggled in the season opener against South Dakota (0-1) 27-24, as Coyotes miss a tying FG late.
19. Florida State (0-0) (19) - the Seminoles host #20 Virginia Tech to close out Week 1. Week 2 - vs. Samford (1-0), as the Seminoles have hosted at least one FCS program the past ten seasons.
20. Virginia Tech (0-0) (20) - the Hokies travel to Tallahassee to open 2018 @ #19 Florida State tonight. Week 2 - vs. William & Mary (1-0), as the Hokies square off in the 64th meeting in this series.
21. Boise State (1-0) (21) - the Broncos opened 2018 with a win @ then #40 Troy (0-1) 56-20. Week 2 - vs. UConn (0-1), as the Broncos return home, before a Week 3 road trip to P5 Okie State. 
22. Oklahoma State (1-0) (22) - the Cowboys won 58-17 over Missouri State (0-1) to kickoff 2018. Week 2 - vs. South Alabama (0-1), who lost home opener against LA Tech (1-0) 30-26, as they fall in back to back years against the Bulldogs.
23. West Virginia (1-0) (27) - the Mountaineers beat Tennessee (0-1) in Charlotte 40-14 on Saturday to kickoff 2018. Week 2 - vs. Youngstown State (0-1), as WVU looks to win their 15th straight home opener and eighth under coach Dana Holgorsen.
24. Iowa (1-0) (24) - the Hawkeyes opened 2018 with the 144th win under Kirk Ferentz, as he opened his 20th season, as head coach and past Hayden Fry in all-time win in a 33-7 win over Northern Illinois (0-1). Week 2 - vs. #31 Iowa State (0-0), as the Cyclones come to Kinnick Stadium for the annual Cy-Hawk trophy game. The Hawkeyes pulled out a 44-41 OT win last year in Ames. Twenty years ago, the Cyclones ended a 15 game losing streak to end the 20 year reign of Fry in the State of Iowa, back in 1998.
25. Miami-FL (0-1) (11) - the Hurricane lost 33-17 to then #17 LSU (1-0) in Arlington on Sunday. Mark Richt has struggled in big games, dating back to his 15 seasons at UGA. Week 2 - vs. Savannah State (0-1), as Tigers were pounded 52-0 by UAB (1-0).
26. Michigan (0-1) (14) - the Wolverines debuted new QB Shea Patterson, but they fell short chasing then #13 Notre Dame, in a 24-17 loss in South Bend on Saturday night. Week 2 - vs. Western Michigan (0-1), as the Wolverines have won 25 of last 28 home openers.
27. Oregon (1-0) (29) - the Ducks opened the 2018 season with a 58-24 win over Bowling Green (0-1) Week 2 - vs. Portland State (0-1), as the Ducks continue a non-P5 non conference slate, ahead of hosting #9 Stanford in the Pac 12 opener in Week 4.
28. South Carolina (1-0) (28) - the Gamecocks win opener 49-15 over Coastal Carolina (0-1) in the season opener. Week 2 - vs. #3 Georgia (1-0), as the Bulldogs seek to win their first SEC home opener, since 2013 over Vanderbilt.
29. Texas A&M (1-0) (NR) - the Aggies won 59-7 over Northwestern State, after being left off inadvertently from our preseason ratings. Week 2 - vs. #2 Clemson (1-0), as new HC Jimbo Fisher wins his debut, just in time for the first showdown. He is 4-4 vs. Clemson, while he was at Florida State. 
30. North Carolina State (1-0) (30) - the Wolfpack won 24-13 over James Madison (0-1) to kickoff 2018. Week 2 - vs. Georgia State (0-1), who were ruffed up by then #8 Wisconsin (1-0) in the road opener.
31. Iowa State (0-0) (31) - the Cyclones, like the Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-0), both witnessed each season openers get called for thunderstorms on Saturday night in the Heartland. Week 2 - @ #24 Iowa (1-0), while the Cornhuskers host Colorado (1-0) in Lincoln. Can a Dec 1st twelve game be arranged between these former Big 8/12 opponents to make up the season opening cancellation?  
32. Boston College (1-0) (32) - the Eagles beat UMass (1-1) 55-21 to kickoff 2018 with a victory. Week 2 - vs. Holy Cross (0-1), as Eagles enjoy back to back home games, before a Week 3 Thursday night ACC road opener @ Wake Forest (1-0).
33. Utah (1-0) (33) - the Utes beat Weber State (0-1) 41-10 to kickoff 2018. Week 2 - @ Northern Illinois (0-1), who are looking to rebound after a disappointing 33-7 loss @ #24 Iowa.
34. Washington State (1-0) - the Cougars opened 2018 with a road win @ Wyoming (1-1) 41-19. Week 2 - vs. San Jose State (0-1), first meeting, since 1996. Cougars have dropped three of last four home openers under Mike Leach.
35. Ole Miss (1-0) (NR) - the Rebels opened the 2018 season with a 47-27 win over Texas Tech (0-1) in Houston on Saturday. Week 2 - vs. Southern Illinois (1-0), in their third meeting, ahead of the SEC home opener in Week 3 against the defending national champions.
36. Kansas State (1-0) (34) - The Wildcats pulled out a narrow win over North Dakota (0-1) 27-24 to open 2018. Week 2 - vs. #18 Mississippi State (1-0), as the Wildcats host a Top 25 SEC team for the first time in Manhattan, since the 2014 Week 3 game against Auburn, which they lost 20-14 in route to a 9-4 season under Bill Snyder.
37. BYU (1-0) (NR) - the Cougars won 2018 opener @ then #37 Arizona (0-1) 28-23 on Saturday. The Cougars opened 2016 with a 18-16 win over the Wildcats on the way to a 9-4 season, back in HC Kalani Sitake's first season at the helm in Provo. Week 2 - vs. California (1-0), as the Golden Bears are coming off a 24-17 home season opener against North Carolina (0-1).
38. Houston (1-0) (38) - the Cougars won 2018 season opener @ Rice (1-1) 45-27. Week 2 - vs. Arizona (0-1), as the Wildcats fell short in new HC Kevin Sumlin's debut 28-23 against BYU (1-0).
39. Memphis (1-0) (39) - the Tigers beat Mercer (0-1) 66-14 to open the 2018 season. Week 2 - @ Navy (0-1), as the Midshipmen fall 59-41 in the season opener @ Hawaii (2-0).
40. Kentucky (1-0) (42) - the Wildcats won the 2018 opener 35-20 over Central Michigan (0-1). Week 2 - @ #41 Florida (1-0), who opened the Dan Mullen era, with a 53-6 win over Charleston Southern (0-1). The Wildcats pulled off the home win 28-27 last season over the Gators.

Game watch in Week 2 outside the Top 40

• Georgia Tech (1-0) @ USF (1-0) - winner is good candidate for Top 40 ... USF ended 2017 at #21 in both major polls.
• Colorado (1-0) @ Nebraska (0-0) - in many ways it is fitting the Scott Frost debut will now come against former conference mate, the Buffaloes, as the two teams kickoff at 2:30 pm CT in Lincoln on Saturday. Both programs were sub-.500 in 2017.

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost saw his team rained out on Saturday. His first
official debut will now come Saturday in Lincoln against Colorado (1-0).

Thursday Night College Football

Thursday night of Week 3 has a little Iowa flair this evening, with North Texas hosting Louisiana Tech at 7 p.m. on CSBSN. LA Tech is lead at quarterback by senior Iowa transfer Cody Sokol. North Texas is coached by former Iowa alum and Hayden Fry assistant Dan McCarney. Fry coached at North Texas ahead of taking the job at Iowa for the 1979 season.

Tonight's games:

Louisiana Tech at North Texas @ 7:00 p.m. on CBSSN
Houston at BYU @ 8:00 p.m. on ESPN

A future Big Ten team, a Big Ten team and an Independent face Bowl opponents

Military Bowl: 

Marshall vs. Maryland at 1:30 p.m. on ESPN (HD) 

3M: final bowl game as an ACC team for Maryland, ahead of joining Big Ten for 2014!

Texas Bowl: 

Minnesota vs. Syracuse at 5:00 p.m. on ESPN (HD)

Golden Gophers open B1G bowl season vs. 2012 opponent, Syracuse!

Fight Hunger Bowl: 

BYU vs. Washington at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN (HD) 

The Cougars and Huskies square off in a bowl game ...

Friday Night College Football

The Cyclones and Hokies both won on Thursday night, who looks good on Friday night?

Middle Tennessee at BYU 8:00 p.m.ESPNU (HD) - the Cougars are a tough team at home...

Utah State at San Jose State 8:00 p.m.ESPN (HD) - a little Mountain West match up on Friday night!

Two College Football Games are better than one for a Friday Night!

Friday, October 5th

• Pittsburgh at Syracuse 6:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3

• Utah State at BYU 9:15 p.m. ESPN (HD)

Last week, BYU blew out an opponent on Friday night!  It was the only game on TV.  Tonight, two games in College Football are on!
***  ***  ***
The three public schools that make up the Cedar Rapids Community Schools are a combined 3-15 this year.  Each school has one victory a piece.  That will change tonight, as Washington faces Jefferson at Kingston Stadium.  Go Warriors!

Washington knocks off #4 Stanford on Thursday, as Friday night College Football stays West

Friday, September 28th
Hawaii at BYU 7:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3 

Some are asking will Week 5 be upset Saturday, with Washington taking down #4 Stanford 17-13 on Thursday night?

We shall see ...

It was supposed to be a showdown of two Mountain West teams, but Independence for one as Boise hosts BYU

Both teams BYU and Boise State have been talked about as Top 25 teams in the regular season for 2012.  But, the body of work seems too limited to say either is worthy right now.  Will one rise to the Top 25 after Week 4?

Thursday, September 20th

BYU at Boise State 8:00 p.m. ESPN (HD)

Both teams have one loss heading into Week 4.  Can the road team pull one off tonight?

The Top non-BCS Bowl of the 2010-11 College Bowl season from Las Vegas

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl

Utah (10-2, 7-1 MWC) vs. Boise State (11-1, 7-1 WAC)
Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium
Dec. 22 - 7 p.m.
ESPN or ESPN3.com

ESPN has it's top broadcasting crew for what should be an outstanding bowl game from the Utah Utes from the MWC and the Boise State Broncos from the WAC. The top runner-ups from each conference square off in Las Vegas in the 2010 MAACO Bowl.

The Utes will join the Pac 10 in 2011, while the Broncos will move to the MWC, as the Utes and BYU exit. Sorry Bronco fans, our choice are the Utes from Utah.

peace

The 2010-11 Bowl Season begins with a Trifecta of Blow Outs to start off Bowl Play

The New Mexico Bowl kicked off the 2010-11 Bowl line up with the soon to be FBS Independent, BYU from the Mountain West Conference, taking on a C-USA West opponent, UTEP. The Gazette headline in the Sunday print newspaper said it all: "BYU caps a big turnaround", as the BYU Cougars (7-6) defeated the UTEP Miners (6-7) 52-24. More news on the New Mexico bowl win from Albuquerque.

It was a coming out party for the BYU Cougars , after a sub prime start with 1-4 start in 2010. Next year, the BYU Cougars will be an Independent, no longer affiliated with the MWC. The Cougars will join Army, Navy and Notre Dame as the four FBS Independents in Division I.

The independent BYU Cougars will kick off the 2011 season at Ole Miss (4-8, 1-7 SEC East in '10). BYU's 2011 schedule

The Cougars were lead in 2010 by freshman QB Jake Heaps. There should be a lot of excitement for BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall in 2011, with a young signal caller back and the hype entering College Football as the newest FBS Independent.

In 2012, the BYU-Notre Dame series will begin, among the top two FBS Independents, outside Army-Navy.

Next up in the opening day Trifecta of college bowl games took place in Boise, ID with the 2010 Humanitarian Bowl. The MAC runner-up Northern Illinois faced off from team WAC fourth place team, Fresno State, on the Smurf blue turf, home of the Boise State Broncos.

Northern Illinois 40, Fresno State 17 - news

With the win, the NIU Huskies (11-3, 8-0 MAC West), who lost their head coach, Jerry Kill, to the Minnesota Golden Gophers for the Humanitarian Bowl and the 2011 season, finish an outstanding 2010 season. Tom Matukewicz lead the Huskies as the interim head coach for the bowl game and 40-17 win over Pat Hill and Fresno State.

The Fresno State Bulldogs (8-5, 5-3 WAC), under coach Pat Hill for his 15Th season in 2011, will regroup and face a solid OOC schedule next season, with Cal, @ Nebraska, Ole Miss and @ San Diego State among FBS opponents. The Bulldogs will head to the MWC in time, but remain in the WAC for 2011, due to a $5 million buyout clause.

The finale of the blowout first weekend of the 2010-11 college bowl line up was live from New Orleans in the 2010 New Orleans Bowl. The MAC representative, Ohio U. Bobcats vs. the Sun Belt co-champion, Troy Trojans. It was all Troy (8-5, 6-2 Sun Belt), in a 48-21 win over Frank Solich's boys from Athens, OH. The Trojans lead 38-7 at the half over Ohio U. (8-5, 6-2 MAC East). More news on the Troy win over Ohio U.

Next Bowl Game in 2010-11:

Beef O' Brady's Bowl from St. Petersburg

Southern Mississippi (8-4, 5-3 C-USA East) vs. Louisville (6-6, 3-4 Big East)
St. Petersburg, Fla. at Tropicana Field
Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. Central Time on ESPN

peace

Funny road to Independence for 1-4 BYU

The Brigham Young football program will become an Independent in 2011. But, after five games in 2010, the final season in the MWC, the Cougars are 1-4. The weakest start for BYU, since 1973.

BYU has lost four straight games, after losing @ Utah State (2-3) 16-31 on Friday night. Utah State won for the first time in 10 games vs. BYU, in this in-state rivalry.

Is becoming an Independent really the right thing BYU? After all, Notre Dame is 1-3 as an Independent heading into Week 5.

A great Week 5 in College Football is coming up on Saturday!

peace

Homecoming High School Football to Homecoming Hawkeye Football in Eastern Iowa starts now

It's Thursday, September 30Th and a great MVC match up kicks off tonight at Kingston Stadium with Iowa City High @ Cedar Rapids Washington High School in prep football. It's Homecoming for Washington and the University of Iowa this weekend.

– Iowa City High at Cedar Rapids Washington. No. 3 City High (5-0) has won 19 consecutive games. Ronald Thompson is the team’s leading rusher with 668 yards.

Ronald Thompson: City High's talented back
Washington (also 5-0) is an offensive powerhouse led by Alex
Carr (906 yards, 18 TDs rushing). Check your calendar, this is a Thursday
game. Both teams are ranked: Wash is No. 10. - The Des Moines Register

Tonight and Tomorrow in College Football

Thursday, September 30th (Central Time kickoffs)

• Hampton at Delaware State
  6:30 p.m.
  ESPNU (HD)


• Texas A&M at Oklahoma State
  6:30 p.m.
  ESPN (HD)


• DII: West Liberty at Fairmont State
  7:00 p.m.
  CBSC (HD)
  

Friday, October 1st

• BYU at Utah State
  7:00 p.m.
  ESPN (HD)

Saturday night at Kinnick Stadium, it's Homecoming for Iowa, as well, as the Big Ten opener with Penn State coming to Iowa City for a national game on ESPN at 7 p.m. More game info.

peace

FBS Football: Conference reallignment continues with BYU and two members of the WAC

It began earlier this year with one WAC program announced it was moving to the MWC. Then, it was the two Big 12 teams leaving and one MWC leaving. Now, there is news out of the MWC and WAC again ...

• Boise State was moving from the WAC to the MWC, after '10


• Nebraska is moving from the Big 12 to the Big Ten, after '10


• Colorado is moving from the Big 12 to the Pac Ten, after '10


• Utah is moving from the MWC to the Pac Ten, after '10

Now, BYU is planning to become an independent in football and will move to the WAC for all other sports. The decision isn't official yet, regarding BYU, but the discussions are clearly on the table. While the MWC is going to likely lose both Utah and BYU, the WAC will lose not only Boise State, but Fresno State and Nevada appear headed now to the MWC, as 2010 is turning out to be a big year for conference realignment.

@Mark_Schlabach Fuzzy math....MWC sits at 10 for '11
(Utah, BYU gone; Boise, Fresno, Nevada coming in). Need two more for conf. title
game .. if BYU leaves ~ Twitter from Mark Schlabach of ESPN

BYU's quest for independence proves conference realignment isn't over - ‎NewsOK.com
BYU's happy feet are merely the latest example of why conference realignment has not checked in its equipment. It's only taken a timeout. ...

Latest: MWC invites Fresno and Nevada, and Fresno accepts while ... ‎- Salt Lake Tribune (blog)
Fresno State and Nevada-Reno to join its conference, an obvious shot across the bow at the WAC for taking BYU. ... In fact, it is changing by the minute.

Video: MWC-WAC dance resumes - KRQE.com
Sources: BYU to join WAC for all sports except football ‎ - The Herald Journal
Fresno St., Nevada plan to join Mountain West - ESPN
Report: Fresno State has agreed to join the Mountain West Conference ‎ - Los Angeles Times (blog)
Nevada, Fresno State accept offers to leave WAC and join Mountain West ‎ - USA Today

peace

Who are the best 2010 Surprise Teams in College Football?

The Sporting News has announced five teams, with the University of Iowa at the top of the list of Surprise Teams for 2010.

Iowa leads list of five teams that could land surprise spot in college football title game - Sporting News

• Iowa (11-2)
• Pittsburgh (10-3)
• Oregon State (8-5)
• Florida State (7-6)
• Auburn (8-5)

Phil Steele' 2010 College Football Preview likes the following 12 teams as 2010 Surprise Teams (page 22):

1. Oklahoma (8-5)
2. USC (9-4)
3. Georgia (8-5)
4. Notre Dame (6-6)
5. Auburn (8-5)
6. Miami-FL (9-4)
7. West Virginia (9-4)
8. North Carolina (8-5)
9. Arkansas (8-5)
10. Wisconsin (10-3)

Two Long Shots per Phil Steele ...

11. South Carolina (7-6)

12. Michigan (5-7)

Phil Steele's Top Non-BCS teams for 2010 (page 22):

1. TCU (12-1)
2. Boise State (14-0)
3. Houston (10-4)
4. Utah (10-3)
5. Nevada (8-5)

No Brigham Young Phil? The BYU Cougars (11-2) have won at least 10 games the past four seasons under coach Bronco Mendenhall. This will be a younger BYU team than recent teams, but can we count the Cougars out?

The 2010 College Football season will kickoff on Thursday, September 2Nd. Some of the top opening games on Thursday, September 2nd (times are Central Time):

• Marshall at Ohio State, 6:30 p.m., BTN (HD)
• Minnesota at Middle Tennessee, 6:30 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• Northern Illinois at Iowa State, 6:30 p.m., (CSNC / FSMW / FSSW) (HD)
• Southern Miss at South Carolina, 6:30 p.m., ESPN (HD)
• Towson at Indiana, 6:30 p.m., BTN (HD)
• Pittsburgh at Utah, 7:30 p.m., Versus (HD)
• USC at Hawaii, 10:00 p.m., ESPN (HD)

peace

The College Bowl spotlight continues on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 with the MACCO Las Vegas Bowl: BYU vs. Oregon State

A 7 p.m. kickoff from Las Vegas on ESPN on Tuesday, December 22ND ...

MAACO Bowl Las Vegas
12/22/2009 - Maaco Bowl Las Vegas The Matchup: OREGON ST. (8-4, 6-3 Pac-10) vs. BYU (10-2, 7-1 MWC) Dec. 22, 2009, 5 PM PT, ESPN Sam Boyd Stadium Las ...

The Mountain West vs. Pac-10 with Brigham Young vs. Oregon State in a game that should be exciting to watch.

Brigham Young finished the 2009 season at 10-2 overall, second in the MWC with a 7-1 mark. While Oregon State finished 2009 with a 8-4 overall record, 6-3 in the Pac 10, tied for second place with Arizona and Stanford. The BYU Cougars lost two games at home to Florida State and TCU, while Oregon State lost to Cincinnati and Arizona at home and on the road @ USC and @ Oregon.

BYU looks to rebound in 2009, after losing in the 2008 Las Vegas Bowl to Arizona 21-31. BYU is playing in their fifth straight Las Vegas Bowl and is 2-2 in those previous games. Oregon State won the Las Vegas Bowl in 2003 over New Mexico 55-14. The Cougars should be a stronger foe for the Beavers in 2009. Oregon State won the 2008 Sun Bowl over Pittsburgh, 3-0.

Prediction for the 2009 Las Vegas Bowl:

Will the BYU coach get his alma mater? The crystal ball is a little foggy on this one ...

Brigham Young 30

Oregon State 28

peace

Week 5: A couple of Friday Night Light games in College Football

Friday, October 2ND

• Pittsburgh at Louisville
  7:00 p.m.
  ESPN2 (HD)
  
• Utah State at #21 BYU
  8:00 p.m.
  Mtn.

The first Friday of the 4Th quarter and EPSPN2 and the MTN Network each have a game between Big East teams and an intra state rivalry, respectively. The Pitt Panthers took care of business last year 41-7 over Louisville, but will a road test to open the Big East slate of the season for the Panthers be a 'trap' for coach Dave Wannstedt's team?

BYU has won nine straight in this in-state series. Last year, the Cougars won on the road 34-14. The last time in Provo, it was a BYU win 38-0 in '06

peace

Sagarin Ratings for Week 2: Iowa #23 and UNI #65 in Football

Okay, do we will think Florida is only #11 in the Country after Week 2?

Nope, but Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa get love. - Sagarin Ratings

USC #1

BYU #2

Florida #11 what?

PSU #17

Iowa #23

Arizona #29

UNI #65

Michigan State #67 ouch!

Iowa State #122

peace

Week 2 Recap: Great games and here this week's Top 25 ...

The Big Ten Conference appears to be just fine. They are not the top conference, but they are competitive as they develop younger teams at the moment. The Big Ten is 18-4, after Week 2. Yes, Purdue, Michigan State and Ohio State all lost games in Week 2, but to good teams or in tough venues, in the case of Purdue, who is not projected as a very strong Big Ten team. In the four losses, only one was a clear upset. By the way, Michigan (2-0) and Iowa (2-0) picked up solid rivalry wins on Saturday.

What is happening in the Big Twelve after two weeks? Texas is the cream of the crop, which isn't a surprise, but both Oklahoma teams have already stumpled. They were beat by two good non-BCS teams in Week 1 and Week 2, respectively. Iowa State fans need to stick with new coach Paul Rhoads and the Cyclones ... dispite the 35-3 loss to the University of Iowa. Games with Kansas State and Colorado should give the Cyclone nation some hope of erasing the 0-8 campaign from last year in conference play.

USC has a good team, but 18-15 at Ohio State isn't earth breaking. Is the Pac Ten overrated? What's up with Oregon? The Pac Ten picked up a very nice win at Tennessee with UCLA on Saturday. Of course, UCLA won last year vs. the Vols too.

Want to talk about an underperforming conference, I would point to the ACC. Which went through a similar story in '08 as well. They have improved, but I would put the best the Big Ten above the best in the ACC right now. I guess the Indiana at Virginia game later this season may give some bragging rights between the two conferences. By the way, the top two teams in the ACC have each picked up a loss thus far.

Let's look at the Top 25 after Week 2.

Florida is a very solid #1. Texas is a very solid #2 as we complete Week 2 of the 2009 college football season. Week 3 should be just as interesting folks.

1. Florida (2-0) LW 1 - The Gators win solid 56-6 over Troy (0-2), who was supposed to be the frontrunner in the Sun Belt in '09. Next up: Tennessee (1-1) for the SEC opener in The Swamp. The Volunteers will be licking their wounds from a losing fight with UCLA (2-0), again. The Gators have been pretty strong over the past three years stopping the Vols run game.


2. Texas (2-0) LW 2 - The Longhorns went on the road @ Wyoming (1-1) and pulled out a 41-10 win, after a slow start in the game. Next up: Big 12 opener vs. Texas Tech (2-0), who cost the Longhorns their likely shot in the BCS title game in '08, with the Red Raiders winning 39-33 over Texas in Lubbock. Are the Red Raiders ready to step up in this series, which the Longhorns have won five out of the last six?


3. USC (2-0) LW 3 - The Trojans win the first of two Big Ten-Pac Ten match ups in Week 2. (Oregon nipped Purdue by 2 at home), with a 18-15 final minute touchdown over then #5 Ohio State (1-1) in Columbus. The Trojans haven't lost to a Big Ten opponent, since '96. Next up: Pac Ten opener @ Washington (1-1), who may give the Trojans a good test, remember the 27-24 game in '07 in Seattle. The Trojans have had some scares in the Pac Ten Northwest, so is it the Huskies turn?


4. Alabama (2-0) LW 4 - The Crimson Tide took care of business in their home opener 40-14 over Florida International (0-1). Next up: another Sun Belt match up with North Texas (1-1) heading to Tuscaloosa.


5. Brigham Young (2-0) LW 10 - The Cougars appear pretty high here, we know. BYU won 54-3 @ Tulane (0-2) in back to back trips to the South. Next up: vs. Florida State (1-1), as Bobby Bowden's club scored 12 points in the 4Th quarter in a close 3 quarters vs. Jacksonville State.


6. LSU (2-0, 1-0 SEC) LW 6 - After a trip to the Pacific Northwest, the Tigers opened SEC play at home with a 23-9 win over Vanderbilt (1-1, 0-1 SEC). Next up: vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (2-0), who beat the Big 12's Kansas State (1-1) 17-15 on a late FG and appear to be caring the Sun Belt banner for now. Can the Ragin' Cajuns take down back to back BCS schools?


7. Penn State (2-0) LW 7 - The Nittany Lions beat Syracuse (0-2) 28-7 to continue the home swing with three straight OOC game at Happy Valley, before opening the Big Ten season, also at home. Next up: vs. Temple (0-1) in the final tune up before the revenge match up with Iowa (2-0) in the Big Ten opener on 9/26.


8. California (2-0) LW 10 - The Golden Bears took down Eastern Washington 59-7 in a Week 2 tune up to a Big Ten-Pac Ten showdown at home in Week 3. Next up: @ Minnesota (2-0), who followed up their Week 1 OT win @ Syracuse, with a 20-13 home opener over Air Force (1-1). The Gophers are coming off a big emotional back on campus game, so how will they respond vs. the Golden Bears?


9. Boise State (2-0) LW 11 - The Broncos beat a weak MAC team, Miami-Ohio (0-2), by the score of 48-0, with QB Kellen Moore throwing 4 TD passes. Next up: WAC opener @ Fresno State (1-1), who fell victim to a double OT loss at Wisconsin on Saturday. Hopefully, the Bulldogs didn't fall victim to the flu bug too that the Badgers were suffering?


10. Ohio State (1-1) - LW 5 - Are the Buckeyes the top program in the Big Ten in '09? We won't know until the Big Ten season is played out, but the defense and offense didn't get it done in the 15-18 loss to #3 USC at home. Next up: vs. Toledo (1-1) in Cleveland. First year coach Tim Beckman picked up his first win in Week 3, with a home win over the Big 12's Colorado (0-2).


11. Oklahoma (1-1) LW 19 - The Sooners were bounced too far, after their Week 1 loss vs. now #5 BYU. After all, they only lost the game 13-14 in Arlington and the Sooners have been one of the most solid programs this decade in college football. The Sooners took care of business 64-0 over Idaho State in their home opener. Next up: vs. Tulsa (2-0), who will want to carrier on the banner that fellow C-USA member, Houston, did in Week 2 vs. OU rival, Oklahoma State. Could this be a dangerous game for OU at home? Or, is it only MWC or WAC teams that have Bob Stoops numbers at times?


12. Mississippi (1-0) LW 12 - The Rebels were idle Week 2 and we can't see much merit in bumping the Rebels up this early in the season, as compared to OU or the other programs ahead of the Rebels. Week 1 opponent Memphis is now 0-2. The Rebels will open back up in Week 3 hosting a FCS opponent, Southeastern Lousiana (2-0) at home., before the SEC opener @ South Carolina (1-1, 0-1 SEC) on 9/24.


13. Utah (2-o) LW 13 - The Utes picked up a 24-14 win on the road @ San Jose State (0-2) in Week 2 for their 16Th straight win in football. They hold the longest win streak right now in College Football. Next up: @ Oregon (1-1), who defeated Purdue at home, after an ugly opener in Week 1 at Boise State.


14. Virginia Tech (1-1) LW 14 - The Hokies rebounded with a 52-10 win over Marshall (1-1) at home, after the Week 1 loss to Alabama in Atlanta. Next up: vs. #21 Nebraska (2-0), who the Hokies beat in Lincoln 35-30 last year.


15. Georgia Tech (2-0, 1-0 ACC) LW 15 - The Yellow Jackets picked up a nice 30-27 win over then #25 Clemson (1-1, 0-1 ACC) on Thursday night at home. Next up: ACC road opener @ #18 Miami-FL (1-0, 1-0 ACC), who the Yellow Jackets rolled up 472 yards on the ground at home in last year's 41-23 win in the final regular season ACC game.


16. Georgia (1-1, 1-0 SEC) LW 16 - The Bulldogs turned around from Week 1's road loss at Oklahoma State to pull off a huge home and SEC opener vs. South Carolina (1-1, 0-1 SEC) by the score of 41-37. Yes, Georgia lost to #19 Oklahoma State, but they won the bigger SEC game. Next up: @ Arkansas (1-0), who beat up on a FCS opponent in Week 1 and has had more than a week to prepare for their SEC opener.


17. TCU (1-0) LW 17 - The Horned Frogs pick up a nice 30-14 win @ Virginia (0-2), in a nice non-BCS vs. BCS match up. The Horned Frogs were idle Week 1. Next up: vs. Texas State (1-0).


18. Miami-FL (1-0, 1-0 ACC) LW 18 - The Hurricanes were idle in Week 2 and will open more ACC play by hosting #15 Georgia Tech (2-0, 1-0 ACC) in another conference showdown on Thursday night at home. The Hurricanes have lost four straight to the Yellow Jackets.


19. Oklahoma State (1-1) LW 8 - The Cowboys couldn't take the momentium of the opening season win over #16 Georgia (1-1) into Week 2. The Cowboys lost 35-45 at home to one of the C-USA's better teams, Houston (2-0). Next up: vs. Rice (0-2).


20. Iowa (2-0) LW 20 - The Hawkeyes traveled to Ames for the Cy-Hawk series game with Iowa State (1-1), winning 35-3, for the the first victory in Ames, since '03. Iowa showed potential in their first road game, despite a off day by QB Ricky Stanzi. Next up: The Hawkeyes return to Kinnick to host Arizona (2-0) in the third Big Ten-Pac Ten showdown.


21. Nebraska (2-0) LW 21 - The Cornhuskers won their second home game of the season vs. a Sun Belt opponent with a 38-9 win over Arkansas State (1-1) in Lincoln. Next up: @ #14 Virginia Tech (2-0), in the Cornhuskers first road test of the year under coach Bo Pelini.


22. Oregon State (2-0) LW 22- The Beavers held on and won @ UNLV (1-1) 23-21 on Saturday. Next up: vs. #25 Cincinnati (2-0, 1-0 Big East), in an important Pac Ten-Big East showdown before Pac Ten play begins. The Beavers won the '08 Sun Bowl 3-0 over the Big East's Pittsburgh (2-0 in '09).


23. West Virginia (2-0) LW 24 - The Mountaineers avenged last year's loss at East Carolina (1-1), with 35-20 win over the Pirates at home. Next up: @ Auburn (2-0), who WVU beat at home last season by the score of 34-17.


24. Houston (2-0) LW NR - The Cougars pulled off a 45-35 mild upset @ then #8 Oklahoma State (1-1) on Saturday to avenge last year's 37-56 loss also in Stillwater. The Cougars get a bye week before hosting another Big 12 opponent, Texas Tech (2-0) on 9/26.


25. (tie) Cincinnati (2-0, 1-0 Big East) LW NR - The Bearcats beat SE Missouri State (0-2) 70-3 in Week 2, after a solid 47-15 Big East road win @ Rutgers (1-1, 0-1 Big East) in Week 1. Next up: @ #22 Oregon State (2-0) for a huge Big East-Pac Ten showdown.
    (tie) Kansas (2-0) LW NR - The Jayhawks picked up a nice road win 34-7 @ UTEP (0-2). Will they succesfully defend their Big 12 North title from last year? We will have to wait until Big 12 play. Next up: vs. Duke (1-1), who took care of business at Army, after opening loss vs. FCS foe.

Iowa is in our Top 25, with wins at Kinnick vs. what may be the FCS #1 program and the road to win for the mythical state title in Iowa. Head to head they would be very competitive vs. teams #21-25. A win vs. the Pac Ten this week, with the opener at Penn State for Iowa to follow: Iowa could very well be in the position to follow where they left off in '08.

Teams to Watch in Week 3: North Carolina: Remember, the Tar Heels were 2-0 at this point last year, but didn't get by East Carolina, who is up next for UNC.

Michigan (2-0) was 3-9 last year and the win Saturday over then #23 Notre Dame (1-1) was a good boost. By the way, Notre Dame lost their top WR, who was giving the Wolverines fits. Michigan beat Notre Dame 38-0 the last time they visited the Big House. Let's see what happens on the road for the Wolverines, who are certainly better than last year, but Top 25 right now?

Missouri (2-0) has wins over Illinois (1-1) and Bowling Green (1-1) to start the '09 season. The Tigers face Furman (2-0) at home, before a tough road test @ Nevada (0-1) to finish OOC play. We don't see three Big 12 North teams among the Top 25 in '09; two may be too many.
Teams who are currently ranked in Top 25 AP and/or Coaches' Polls, but not ranked here.

Exiting our Top 25 in Week 2: Notre Dame (1-1) LW 23 (L, 34-38 @ Michigan). Clemson (1-1) LW 25 (L, 27-30 @ # 15 Georiga Tech).

FCS wins over FBS in Week 2: None, but a couple near misses in the ACC, after 2 wins in Week 1. Florida State and Maryland, who were taken to the fourth quarter and OT, respectively, were almost victims three and four in the ACC this season.

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Week 1: Our Top 25 College Football teams

The kickoff of the 2009 College Football arrived over the past Labor Day weekend, as Week One is now in the books. Who surprised and who fell down after Week 1?

"College Football is an imperfect sport" - Mack Brown, Texas head coach.
Brown also commented about the close of the Iowa-UNI game on ESPNU today.

Look for some interesting games in Week 2 of the College Football season.

1. Florida (1-0) LW 1 - The Gators, the defending BCS champions, opened '09 by rocking Charleston Southern (0-1) 62-3 in Gainsville. Next up: The Gators host the Sun Belt's top program, as the Troy Trojans (0-1) play the Gators again ('07, UF won 59-31). Another tune up until next week's SEC opener in Gainsville?


2. Texas (1-0) LW 2 - The Longhorns kicked off the '09 season with a 59-20 win over Louisiana-Monroe (0-1) from the Sun Belt. The Longhorns hit the road @ the Wyoming Cowboys (1-0) for Week 2. Is Colt McCoy ready to make a bid as the Heisman guy for '09?


3. USC (1-0) LW 3 - The Trojans kicked off at home beating San Jose State (0-1) by 56-3 with first year QB Matt Barkley getting the start. Next up: the Trojans travel to the Horseshoe to face the #5 Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0) to defend last year's 35-3 home victory. How will the true freshman Barkley handle his first road test in '09?


4. Alabama (1-0) LW 4 - The Crimson Tide repeat an outstanding start for the '09 season in Atlanta with 34-24 win over then #7 Virginia Tech (0-1). The Tide open at home in Week 2 hosting a Sun Belt program, in Florida International Panthers (0-0), who were idle Week 1, after last year's 5-7 record. Coach Nick Saban has never had back to back double digit win seasons. Will it happen in '09?


5. Ohio State (1-0) LW 6 - The Buckeyes opened the '09 season in the Horseshoe holding off Navy (0-1) 31-27. It doesn't get any easier, as the Buckeyes host #3 USC Trojans in the Horseshoe in the biggest game of the '09 season to date. It was tough going for the Buckeyes at USC in '08 ...


6. LSU (1-0) LW 8 - The Tigers survive the Pacific Northwest trip @ Washington 31-23. Next up: the Tigers open in the SEC at home vs. the Vanderbilt Commodores (1-0), who haven't met, since '05, where LSU won 34-6 in Nashville.


7. Penn State (1-0) LW 9 - The Nittany Lions opened in Happy Valley with a 31-7 win over the Akron Zips. Next up: the Nittany Lions host the Syracuse Orange (0-1), who are coming off a tough OT loss vs. the Minnesota Gophers in the Carrier Dome. PSU won last year @ Syracuse 55-13 and open '09 with four straight in Happy Valley!


8. Oklahoma State (1-0) LW 10 - The Cowboys won the home opener over then #13 Georgia 24-10 to pick up a solid victory to start the '09 season. Next up: the Cowboys host a solid C-USA program in the Houston Cougars (1-0).


9. Brigham Young (1-0) LW 22 - After defeating then #5 Oklahoma (0-1) 14-13 in Dallas, we are moving the Cougars to the #9 spot that they finished the final AP Poll last year. The Cougars have to turn around and head to New Orleans to play @ the Tulane Green Wave (0-1, 0-1 C-USA)


10. California (1-0) LW 12 - The Golden Bears opened the '09 season at home vs. Maryland with a 52-13 win. The Golden Bears host the Eastern Washington Eagles (1-0), a FCS foe, in Week 2.


11. Boise State (1-0) LW 11 - The Broncos past the first real test in the '09 season with a Thursday night opening win at home over then #16 Oregon Ducks (0-1) 19-8. Next up: The Broncos continue their OOC schedule by hosting the Miami-OH RedHawks (0-1).


12. Mississippi (1-0) LW 14 - The Rebels went on the road in the season opener @ Memphis (0-1) to pick up a solid 45-14 victory over their border rival to go 47-10-2 in the series. The Rebels will take the week off to get ready for Week 3 game vs. Southeastern Lousiana Lions (1-0), a FCS foe.


13. Utah (1-0) LW 19 - The Utes picked up from last year's success defeating in-state rival Utah State (0-1) 35-17 on Thursday night. Next up: The Utes hit the road @ the San Jose State Spartans (0-1), who face back to back Top 25 teams.


14. Virginia Tech (0-1) LW 7 - The Hokies couldn't hold on vs. Alabama in Atlanta in Week 1, losing to #4 Alabama (1-0) 24-34. Next up: the Hokies head home to Blacksburg in Week 2 to host the Marshall Thundering Herd (1-0), for the first time, since '05, when the Hokies won 41-14.


15. Georgia Tech (1-0) LW 15 - The Yellow Jackets opened the '09 season with a 37-17 win over FCS foe, Jacksonville State (0-1). Next up: the Yellow Jackets face the #25 Clemson Tigers (1-0) on Thursday night at home in the ACC opener. The Yellow Jackets won on the road last year over the Tigers 21-17.


16. Georgia (0-1) LW 13 - The Bulldogs fall @ then #10 Oklahoma State 10-24 to lose the season opener. Next up: the Bulldogs return to Athens to open SEC play vs. the South Carolina Gamecocks (1-o) in the SEC East. Georgia won last year, but lost at home in '07 12-16 the Gamecocks in Week 2.


17. TCU (0-0) LW 17 - The Horned Frogs were idle Week 1. They travel to the Virginia Cavaliers (0-1), who are licking their wounds from a Week 1 loss to a FCS program, to open the '09 season in Week 2.


18. Miami - FL (1-0, 1-0 ACC Coastal) LW NR - The Hurricanes squeeze out a victory @ then #18 Florida State (0-1, 0-1 ACC Atlantic) 38-34 as the Seminoles pass in the end zone goes incomplete as time elapses. The Hurricanes will be idle Week 2 as they get ready to host the #15 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1-0) on Thursday, September 17 in Week 3 to continue ACC play.


19. Oklahoma (0-1) LW 5 - Yes, we are dropping the Sooners downward, after the Week 1 loss to then #22 BYU (0-1) in Dallas. They will miss QB Sam Bradford for 2-4 weeks, due to the shoulder injury he sustained in the 1st half. The Sooners will open at home Week 2 vs. Idaho State Bengals (0-1), a FCS foe.


20. Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0) LW 20 - Why should the Hawkeyes remain in the Top 20, after a near loss to FCS foe, the University of Northern Iowa (0-1)? Well, the final score was 17-16 and a win. The key in Week 1 is finding a way to win, especially in games you should. UNI is a solid FCS program looking to get back to the FCS Championship finals again. Next up: the Hawkeyes face in-state rival the Iowa State Cyclones (1-0).


21. Nebraska (1-0) LW 22 - The Cornhuskers opened the '09 season at home vs. Florida Atlantic (0-1) with a 49-3 win for coach Bo Pelini as he enters Year 2 in Lincoln. Next up: another Sun Belt opponent arrives in Lincoln, as the Arkansas State Red Wolves (1-0) arrive to face the Cornhuskers.


22. Oregon State (1-0) LW 23 - The Beavers beat FCS foe, Portland State, 34-7 to open the '09 season. Next up: the Beavers hit the road @ the UNLV Rebels (1-0).


23. Notre Dame (1-0) LW NR - The Fighting Irish picked up a solid win to open the '09 season in South Bend beating a WAC program, Nevada (0-1) 35-0. Next up: the Fighting Irish head up to Ann Arbor to face the Michigan Wolverines (1-0) in a classic showdown between two long-term OOC rivals


24. West Virginia (1-0) LW 24 - The Mountaineers opened '09 with a win over the Liberty Flames (0-1) by the score of 33-20 in Year 2 under coach Bill Stewart. Next up: the Mountaineers will host the East Carolina Pirates (1-0) this time in a rematch of last year's 3-24 loss.


25. Clemson (1-0) LW 25 - The Tigers won the '09 opener vs. Middle Tennessee State (0-1)37-14 to stay in our Top 25. Next up: a huge ACC opener @ #15 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, who has won the past two meetings in this conference series.
    

Teams to Watch in Week 2: North Carolina, Cincinnati, Kansas and Missouri who are currently ranked in Top 25 AP and/or Coaches' Polls.

Exiting our Top 25 Week 1: Oregon Ducks (0-1) LW 16 (L, 8-19 @ then #11 Boise State). Florida State (0-1, 0-1 ACC Coastal) LW 18 (L, 34-38 vs. Miami-FL).

FCS wins over FBS Week 1: William & Mary (1-0) 26-14 @ Virginia (0-1), while Richmond (1-0) 24-16 @ Duke (0-1).

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College Football '09: A look at the Mountain West Conference

Does the Mountain West Conference make BCS noise again in '09? Who is the candidate for '09? How does the conference breakdown in '09 for MWC?

• The MWC is ranked #10 by Jeff Sagarin among the FBS conferences



• No non-BCS conference team has ever played in the BCS Title Game and not likely anytime soon

• The MWC in '08 put into question a little the viewpoint: Why does the Big East have automatic BCS bowl slot compared to the MWC this year?

• Will there be another BCS bid in '09 for the WAC?

Ranked teams in the AP and Coaches' preseason polls:

• TCU at #17
• Utah at #19 and #18, respectively
• BYU at #20 and #24, respectively

Preseason magazines like other MWC teams in the Top 25 preseason:

none, but the 3 Top 25 are well liked by most magazines too

Teams rebuilding in the MWC in '09

• Colorado State

Teams in the MWC not ready for prime time in 2009?

• San Diego State
• Wyoming
• New Mexico

Will the MWC finish this way in 2009??

1. Utah * (8-0 in '08) (11-3 in bowls)
2. TCU (7-1) (11-13-1)
3. BYU (6-2) (9-17-1)
4. Air Force (5-3) (8-10-1)
5. UNLV (2-6) (3-0)
6. Colorado State (4-4) (5-7)
7. New Mexico (2-6) (3-7-1)
8. San Diego State (1-7) (1-4)
9. Wyoming (1-7) (5-6)

denotes 2008 MWC champs (source for above list)

Last BCS bowl participant

• Utah went 12-0 during the 2008 regular season (W, Sugar over Alabama 31-17)

Kickoff Game of the Season

Thursday, September 3rd

Utah State @ Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah at 9:00 PM CT

TV: Mountain

Final Look at the MWC teams, using the preseason Jeff Sagarin NCAA football ratings:

1. Utah (#12 in Sagarin ratings) - Coach Kyle Whittingham lead the Utes to their first BCS bowl, since the '04 season under former coach Urban Meyer. Whittingham is entering his 5Th season in '09 after finishing 13-0 last season. The Utes return 54 letterwinners, with 5 OFF and 7 DEF from last year's team that beat Alabama 31-17 in the Sugar. Utah opens the '09 season vs. Utah State, @ San Jose State, @ Oregon and vs. Louisville before a bye week and opening MWC play @ Colorado State.
2. TCU (#16) - Coach Gary Patterson is entering his 9Th season at the helm for the Horned Frogs after finishing 11-2 last year. The Horned Frogs return 46 letterwinners, including 6 OFF and 4 DEF plus both kickers from last year's team that beat Boise State 17-16 in the Poinsettia. The Horned Frogs don't open until week 2 of the season when they open @ Virginia, vs. Texas State, @ Clemson and vs. SMU before opening MWC play @ Air Force.
3. BYU (#23) - Coach Bronco Mendenhall enters his 5Th year at the helm for the Cougars after finishing 10-3 last season. The Cougars return 45 letterwinners, with 4 OFF and 8 DEF plus PK from a club that lost 21-31 to Arizona in the Las Vegas. The Cougars open '09 with a big game vs. Oklahoma in Arlington (Dallas Cowboy's new stadium), @ Tulane, vs. Florida State, vs. Colorado State to open MWC play, then close OOC play vs. Utah State.
4. Air Force (#55) - Coach Troy Calhoun enters his 3rd season at the helm for the Falcons after finishing 8-5 last year. The Falcons return 44 letterwinners, with 6 OFF and 6 DEF from the squad last year that lost to Houston 28-34 in the Houston. The Falcons open the '09 season vs. Nicholls State, @ Minnesota, @ New Mexico and vs. New Mexico to open MWC play, returning to OOC play @ Navy. Air Force concludes OOC play vs. Army in November.
5. New Mexico (#74) - The Lobos welcome new coach Mike Locksley to Albuquerque. Locksley is the former OC from Illinois. The Lobos return 44 letterwinners, with 6 OFF and 3 DEF plus both kickers from a squad last season that finished 4-8. The Lobos open '09 play in the OOC @ Texas A&M, vs. Tulsa, then open MWC play vs. Air Force, then back in OOC play vs. New Mexico State and @ Texas Tech.
6. Colorado State (#79) - Coach Steve Fairchild enters his 2nd season at the helm for the Rams. The Rams finished 7-6 last year and return 45 letterwinners, with 7 OFF and 5 DEF from a squad that beat Fresno State 40-35 in the New Mexico. The Rams open '09 season in the OOC @ in-state rival Colorado, vs. Weber State, vs. Nevada, then open MWC play @ BYU, before finishing OOC play @ Idaho.
7. Wyoming (#98) - First year coach Dave Christensen enters Laramie after holding the OC position at Missouri. The Cowboys return 43 letterwinners, with 8 OFF and 8 DEF plus both kickers from a squad that finished 4-8 last year. The Cowboys open '09 play in the OOC vs. Weber State, vs. Texas, @ Colorado, before opening MWC play vs. UNLV. Wyoming closes in the OOC @ Florida Atlantic.
8. UNLV (#104) - Coach Mike Sanford enters his 5Th season at the helm for the Rebels. The Rebels return 46 letterwinners, with 7 OFF and 7 DEF plus PK from a squad that finished the season 5-7 last year. The Rebels open the '09 season in the OOC vs. Sacramento State, vs. Oregon State, vs. Hawaii before opening MWC play @ Wyoming. UNLV is @ Nevada to finish OOC play in '09.
9. San Diego State (#110) - New coach Brady Hoke moves over from leading Ball State for '09. Hoke replaces Chuck Long for the Aztecs. The Aztecs return 48 letterwinners, including 8 OFF and 7 DEF plus both kickers from a team that finished last year at 2-10. The Aztecs open the '09 season in the OOC @ UCLA, vs. Southern Utah, @ Idaho, before opening MWC play @ Air Force. They finish OOC play vs. New Mexico State followed by a bye week before resuming the heart of the MWC schedule.

A look back at last year's statistics in the MWC.

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Marion sophomore grabs TD catch in Iowa scrimmage

It wouldn't be right to leave out a Hawkeye highlight from Cedar Rapids area TE Allen Reisner (sophomore from Marion H.S.) during today's Iowa football scrimmage.

The 2008 college football season gets started in roughly 17 days for the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes season opener is August 30th vs. the Maine Black Bears at Kinnick Stadium.

While the 2008 Northern Iowa Panthers team will travel to Provo, Utah to face Top 25 Brigham Young Cougars.

The Iowa State Cyclones will open things on Thursday August 28th. The Cyclones will host the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Jack Trice in an opening day of the five day first weekend for the 2008 college football season.

Reisner figures to be one of the top 3 TEs for the Hawkeyes in '08. The former Marion Indian athlete was one of 12 true freshmen to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes in '07. Iowa played 31 freshmen, redshirt or true, during their 6-6 (4-4 in the Big Ten) campaign in 2007.

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