Week 4: Thursday and Friday Night College Lights

Thursday, September 24th

• Cincinnati at Memphis 6:30 pm ESPN - AAC Thursday night show down!

Friday, September 25th

• Boise State at Virginia 7:00 pm ESPN - The Broncos head to UVA for a non-Power 5 vs. Power 5 showdown
• Stanford at Oregon State 9:00 pm FS1 - The Cardinal opened the season with a B1G loss; but rebounded in the Pac 12 opener vs. USC, as the Beavers look to get a Win in Pac 12 play!

Final Saturday of 2013 brings us four bowl games from NYC, NC, Orlando & Tempe

Saturday, December 28th

Pinstripe Bowl:

Notre Dame (8-4) vs. Rutgers (6-6) at 11 a.m. on ESPN (HD)

The Fighting Irish square off with future B1G, Rutgers in Yankee Stadium to close out 2013 season!

Belk Bowl:

Cincinnati (9-3) vs. North Carolina (6-6) at 2:20 p.m. on ESPN (HD)

The AAC vs. ACC in Charlotte, so basically a home game for the Tar Heels!

Russell Athletic Bowl:

Louisville (11-1) vs. Miami-FL (9-3) at 5:45 p.m. on ESPN (HD)

Louisville's Charlie Strong returns to Sunshine State to face the Hurricanes and coach Al Golden!

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl:

Kansas State (7-5) vs. Michigan (7-5) at 9:15 p.m. on ESPN (HD)

Bill Snyder's Wildcats face off with Brady Hoke's Wolverines in Sun Devil Stadium!

Friday night: Temple @ Cincinnati in AAC

Temple at Cincinnati 7:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) - The Owls are better known for basketball, while the Bearcats were good last year in Football... ugly loss at Illinois in OOC.

Happy Palm Sunday: Creighton vs. Duke in Philadelphia

The Big Day has arrived for the Creighton Bluejays in Philadelphia on Palm Sunday.

Last year, the #8 seed Creighton Bluejays faced #1 seed North Carolina in the Third Round in Tobacco Road.  North Carolina dominated Creighton and the road to the Sweet 16 was over for the Jays.  UNC advanced in 2012 and the Jays were sent back to Omaha.

The Creighton Bluejays lost one starter off the 2012 Missouri Valley Tournament Champions team.  Entering 2012-13, the Creighton Bluejays were on a mission to get back to the Third Round and another opportunity to break the wall and reach the Sweet 16 for the first time in tournament history.

Senior center Gregory Echenique battling for inside position vs. Cincinnati
in Creighton's 67-63 Second Round win in Philadelphia on Friday afternoon.

This year, Creighton is a #7 seed.  After defeating #10 seed Cincinnati 67-63 in a rugged game in the Second Round, which was a preview game of how the style of play will be for the Jays in the Big East next year.  The Jays advanced to face #2 seed Duke in the Third Round game of the Midwest Region in Philadelphia.  The game is scheduled to tip off at 8:40 p.m. Central Time on TBS.

Can Creighton beat Duke to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time in School History?

What a two weeks it's been for Creighton. 

On March 10th, Creighton won its 12th MVC Tournament title in school history.  Creighton beat Wichita State, who advanced Saturday night to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. 


On March 13th, a Jesuit Pope was named for the first time. 

On March 18th, the Creighton women's basketball team earned the MVC's first at-large berth since 2002 (CU defeated Syracuse in Knoxville on Saturday morning and will face the Tennessee on their home court). 

On March 20th, Creighton joined the Big East Conference (effective July 1, 2013). 

On March 22nd, Creighton men's basketball defeated Cincinnati, who were representing the Big East Conference in the NCAA Tournament.
        
Keep in mind that Sunday's match-up vs. Duke will be played on Palm Sunday, and feature Creighton playing a team known as the (Blue) Devils.  Like last year's NCAA Tournament, the Bluejays will be facing an ACC team from the State of North Carolina.  This year, the game will take place in Philadelphia, rather than in NC.

Creighton is making its 18th NCAA Tournament appearance, and ninth in the last 15 years. The Bluejays are 11-18 all-time in NCAA action, including Friday’s win.

Duke is making its 37th NCAA Tournament appearance and have made the field each year, since 1996.  The Blue Devils are 97-32 in NCAA action, including Friday's win over Albany 73-61 in the Second Round.  The Blue Devils have 15 Final 4 appearances and have earned four titles (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010) under Coach Mike Krzyzewski, who considered attending Creighton University as a college, before attending Army.

Sunday, March 24, 2013 – Approx. 8:40 pm Central 

#22 Creighton (28-7) vs. #6 Duke (28-5) 

Philadelphia, Pa. – Wells Fargo Center

Television: TBS

Match ups for Duke per Coach K:

C-#5 Mason Plumlee vs. #00 Gregory Echenique

PF-#34 Ryan Kelly vs. #3 Doug McDermott

G-#14 Rasheed Sulaimon vs. #10 Grant Gibbs

G-#30 Seth Curry vs. #1 Austin Chatman

G-#2 Quinn Cook vs. #12 Jahenns Manigat

2012-13 Creighton men's basketball team

The Creighton Bluejays roster will have to go deeper, than the game vs. Cincinnati on Friday afternoon.  Creighton will hopefully see sophomore center #31 Will Artino return from ankle injury.  He played in the MVC Tournament, but injured his ankle in practice and lost practice time and didn't play Friday afternoon.

Creighton's Greg
McDermott is in his third season
as head coach.

Sadly, senior guard Josh Jones will not be playing for the Bluejays, but his health is more important than continuing to play college basketball.  Hopefully, the Jays can raise their games as a team, play with great purpose and advance to the Sweet 16.

The winner of the Creighton vs. Duke game will face Michigan State in the Sweet 16 in Indianapolis.  Creighton coach Greg McDermott is 0-1 vs. Duke.  He faced Duke once previously, as head coach at Iowa State University.

The Creighton Bluejays and Duke Blue Devils have never meet in basketball before Sunday's Third Round game.  Neither team has faced a common opponent this season either.

Keys to Creighton's game vs. Duke:

L-R: Manigat, Gibbs, #1 Chatman
Echenique and McDermott

Senior Grant Gibbs fouled vs.
Cincinnati in 2nd Round.

1. Assist to turnover ratio: the Jays need to avoid unforced errors and distribute the basketball and finish.
2. Grant Gibbs needs to play with high sense of purpose and stay on his feet and upright.
3. Doug McDermott needs to remain efficient in his game.
4. Gregory Echenique needs to play strong and efficient on the boards, in the block and on defense
5. Creighton needs to play efficient on both ends of the court.



#3 Doug McDermott

6. Get to the free throw line vs. Duke.

A win over Duke would clearly be the biggest victory in Creighton's school history.  Creighton men's soccer program ranks as the school's best sports program.  They finished in the Final Four of the College Cup in 2012.

It will be the final game of the NCAA Tournament's Third Round.

Friday Night College Football Week 9

Friday, October 26th

Cincinnati at LOUISVILLE
7:00 p.m. on ESPN (HD) / espn3 - Big East showdown!

NEVADA at Air Force
7:00 p.m. on CBSSN (HD) - MWC showdown!

Friday Night Football: Utah show down on the eve of Cy-Hawk series in Iowa City on Saturday.

In Iowa, Friday night football is usually reserved for high schools throughout the State.  With the advent of television, we all know that certain conferences play an occasional football game on Friday night.  This week, it's a Pac 12 vs. WAC show down.

Friday, September 7th


Utah (1-0) at Utah State (1-0) 7:00 p.m. ESPN2 (HD) / espn3

We will take the underdog in this one!  The Utah Utes are enjoying Year 2 in the Pac 12.  Utah State is typically third fiddle in the State of Utah, behind both Utah and BYU.  But, tonight a sell out crowd will likely be on hand to root for the Aggies, when the play the Utes.  The Utes can't afford to over look the Aggies, with BYU up next!

***   ***   ***

Week 2 began Thursday night, with the Cincinnati Bearcats (1-0, 1-0 Big East) taking down the Pitt Panthers (0-2, 0-1 Big East) 34-10 to open Big East play for 2012.

***   ***   ***

Saturday, September 8th will showcase a great array of games, including the Cy-Hawk Series game for 2012 between Iowa (1-0) vs. Iowa State (1-0), in Iowa City.  Other games in College Football.

College Football Thursday Night: Big East Opener

Thursday, September 6th

Pittsburgh (0-1) at CIncinnati (1-0) 7:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3

It is Cincinnati's opener, while Pittsburgh lost home opener in Week 1 31-17 to Youngstown State.  Pitt needs to play better on defense, while Bearcats need to get rust off.

Two big games heading into Saturday in College Football

Week 8 of the College Football season

Times are Central Times

Thursday, October 21st

• UCLA at # 2 Oregon, 8:00 p.m. on ESPN (HD) / ESPN 3D

Friday, October 22Nd

• South Florida at Cincinnati, 7:00 p.m. on ESPN2 (HD)

There will be some outstanding Top 25 and other match ups on Saturday, but two games will wet the appetite as we head into Week 8 of the 2010 College Football season.

peace

Week 7 of FBS: Saturday, October 16Th

Who will end Week 7 in the BCS Ratings for the first time? That's right, the first BCS Standings come out at the conclusion of Week 7.

We have seen games earlier in Week 7, as we get going again in the 2010 College Football season.

• UCF took down Marshall on the road in C-USA play on Wednesday night.
• West Virginia opens Big East play on Thursday night with home win over South Florida.
• Cincinnati pulls off road win in Big East play on Friday night @ Louisville.

Saturday, October 16Th (Printable Schedule w/ DirecTV channels)
Times are Central Time

• Arkansas State at Indiana 11:00 a.m. ESPNU (HD)
• Boston College at #15 Florida State 11:00 a.m. ESPN (HD)
• Illinois at #11 Michigan State 11:00 a.m. BTN (HD)
• Maryland at Clemson 11:00 a.m. ESPN-GP *2 / ACC Network (cable)
• Miami (Ohio) at Central Michigan 11:00 a.m. ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable)
• Minnesota at Purdue 11:00 a.m. ESPN2 (HD)
• #22 Missouri at Texas A&M 11:00 a.m. FSN (HD)
• North Carolina State at East Carolina 11:00 a.m. CBSC (HD)
• Pittsburgh at Syracuse 11:00 a.m. SNY (HD) / MASN / ALT / ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable)
• Vanderbilt at Georgia 11:21 a.m. SEC Network / ESPN-GP
• UNLV at Colorado State 1:00 p.m. MTN (HD)
• Western Michigan at Notre Dame 1:30 p.m. NBC (HD)
• #12 Arkansas at #10 Auburn 2:30 p.m. CBS (HD) / cbssports.com
• California at USC 2:30 p.m. FSN (HD) / CSNB
• #13 Iowa at Michigan 2:30 p.m. (ABC *1 or ESPN *7) (HD)
• #19 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech 2:30 p.m. Fox Sports Plus (updated)
• SMU at Navy 2:30 p.m. CBSC (HD)
• Texas at #6 Nebraska 2:30 p.m. (ABC *1 or ESPN *7) (HD)
• Wake Forest at #24 Virginia Tech 2:30 p.m. ESPNU (HD)
• BYU at #3 TCU 3:00 p.m. Versus (HD)
• Idaho at Louisiana Tech 3:00 p.m. MASN / ALT2 / ESPN-GP / CST (cable)
• #14 South Carolina at Kentucky 5:00 p.m. ESPN2 (HD)
• #9 Utah at Wyoming 5:00 p.m. MTN (HD)
• Baylor at Colorado 6:00 p.m. DirecTV 617 / FCS Central (cable)
• Iowa State at #5 Oklahoma 6:00 p.m. FSN (HD)
• McNeese State at #7 LSU 6:00 p.m. FSS / SUN / ESPN-GP *2
• Mississippi State at #25 Florida 6:00 p.m. ESPNU (HD)
• #1 Ohio State at #17 Wisconsin 6:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) / ESPN 3D
• #20 Arizona at Washington State 6:30 p.m. Versus (HD)
• Florida International at North Texas 6:30 p.m. ESPN-GP *2 / (CSS & CST) (cable)
• #21 Air Force at San Diego State 7:00 p.m. CBSC (HD)
• #2 Boise State at San Jose State 7:00 p.m. ESPN-GP / KTVB (cable)
• Ole Miss at #8 Alabama 8:00 p.m. ESPN2 (HD)
• #23 Oregon State at Washington 9:15 p.m. ESPN (HD)
• New Mexico State at Fresno State 9:30 p.m. ESPNU (HD)
• #18 Nevada at Hawaii 10:30 p.m. ESPN-GP *2 / Oceanic PPV

Games not selected for nationally available networks.

• Akron at Ohio U. 1:00 p.m.
• Army at Rutgers 1:00 p.m. espn3.com
• Bowling Green at Temple 12:00 p.m.
• Buffalo at Northern Illinois 2:30 p.m.
• Eastern Michigan at Ball State 12:00 p.m.
• Houston at Rice 2:30 p.m. CSS (cable)
• Kent State at Toledo 6:00 p.m.
• Louisiana-Lafayette at Troy 6:00 p.m.
• Louisiana-Monroe at Western Kentucky 4:00 p.m.
• #25 Miami (FL) at Duke 12:00 p.m. espn3.com
• Middle Tennessee at Georgia Tech 2:30 p.m. espn3.com
• North Carolina at Virginia 5:00 p.m. espn3.com
• Southern Miss at Memphis 11:00 a.m. CSS (cable)
• Tulane at Tulsa 6:00 p.m.
• UTEP at UAB 3:00 p.m.

Enjoy Saturday of Week 7 - There are games to enjoy! It will be interesting to see how the rankings fall out after this weekend.

peace

It's another game night: Thursday, September 16 with a battle of ACC vs. Big East

Thursday, September 16th

Cincinnati at North Carolina State
6:30 p.m.
ESPN (HD)

The Big East had a tough Week 1 and the ACC had a tough Week 2, so who starts Week 3 on top? The Cincinnati Bearcats fell out of the Top 25, after a Week 1 loss at Fresno State. North Carolina State is seeking to get off to a strong start in '10.

peace

Week 1: CIDsports Top 25 Poll in College Football

Week 1 is now in the books, so how do we see the 2010 College Football season landscape, so early for the season? Well, we should look at last year's finish to a degree. One really doesn't know a whole lot after one week of play. Though, the Big East saw two schools go down hard, with former #22 Pitt and #23 Cincinnati losing games to #13 Utah (MWC) and unranked Fresno State (WAC), respectively.

There was only one conference game in Week 1. That is good news, since early games are best in out of conference. Play a couple of games before we see conference play begin. We like the way the Big Ten conference handles OOC and conference schedules, for example.

Here's our Week 1 Top 25 for 2010

1. Alabama (1-0) 1 - The defending BCS champion Crimson Tide tuned up for a Week 2 SEC-Big Ten showdown, with a solid 48-3 win over San Jose State (WAC), despite the absence of injured junior Heisman RB Mark Ingram. Next: vs. #20 Penn State (1-0) - a program that saw coach Joe Paterno face off with former Alabama coach Bear Bryant on four occasions ...


2. Ohio State (1-0) 2 - The Rose Bowl champion Buckeyes tuned up for a Week 2 Big Ten-ACC showdown, with a Thursday night win over Marshall (C-USA) by the score of 45-7. Next: vs. Miami-FL - which should showcase two junior QBs in OSU's Terrelle Pryor and Miami-FL's Jacory Harris. The 2002 season's BCS championship rematch should be a good one. OSU has lost two home games in five seasons to Top 5 OOC opponents.


3. Boise State (1-0) 3 - The Broncos go out East to Landover, MD and pull out a solid 33-30 victory over then #6 Virginia Tech on QB Kellen Moore's late TD pass. The non-BCS party remains, as Boise State gives the BCS a signal that they want to be in the discussion in 2010. Next: Bye week before 9/18 game @ Wyoming.


4. Iowa (1-0) 4 - The reigning Orange Bowl champion Hawkeyes opened the 2010 season with a solid 37-7 win over Eastern Illinois, a FCS program that won the Ohio Valley in '09. Next: The Hawkeyes will square off in the Cy-Hawk Trophy game vs. Big 12 opponent and in-state rival Iowa State. Iowa has held the Cyclones without a TD for 14 straight quarters.


5. Texas (1-0) 7 - The defending Big 12 champion Longhorns opened the 2010 season on the road in Houston vs. Rice (C-USA). The Longhorns took care of business with the Owls 34-17 at Reliant Stadium. Next: vs. Wyoming (1-0), who won opener 28-20 over Southern Utah, a FCS opponent. Texas won @ Wyoming 41-10 in '09 in Week 2.


6. Florida (1-0) 5 - The offense struggled in the Gators opener vs. Miami-OH winning 34-12. Next: vs. South Florida (1-0), a first-time match up between these two FL schools. The Bulls won their opener vs. Stoney Point, a FCS opponent, 54-14.


7. TCU (1-0) 8 - The Horned Frogs, the defending MWC champs, opened in Arlington at Dallas Stadium with a solid 31-20 win over Oregon State to build on their non-BCS resume for '10. Next: vs. Tennessee Tech (0-1), a FCS program who fell 3-44 @ Arkansas in their season opener.


8. Oregon (1-0) 9 - The Ducks, the defending Pac 10 champs, rolled in the season opener vs. New Mexico (MWC) 72-0, which is a sharp contrast to the '09 opener @ Boise State, where the Ducks struggled on offense in a 8-19 loss. Next: @ Tennessee (1-0), who opened at home with a 50-0 win over Tennessee-Martin, a FCS opponent.


9. Virginia Tech (0-1) 6 - The Hokies lose 30-33 as they give up a late TD pass to Boise State in Landover, MD on Labor Day evening. After falling behind by 17 points, the Hokies came back, but at the end, the Broncos were too much for the Hokies in Week 1. Next: vs. James Madison (1-0), a FCS program, that beat Morehead State 48-7 in the season opener.


10. Wisconsin (1-0) 10 - The Badgers won 41-21 @ UNLV to open the '10 season. The Badgers have a trio of RBs to throw at opponents with junior John Clay, sophomore Montee Ball and true frosh James White. Next: vs. San Jose State (0-1), who were rolled by #1 Alabama 3-48 in season opener.


11. Miami-FL (1-0) 11 - The Hurricane opened the 2010 season on Thursday night with a 45-0 win over Florida A&M, a FCS opponent. Next - @ #2 Ohio State in a rematch of the 2002 season BCS championship, where the defending champion Miami-FL team fell in OT to the Buckeyes. Will Hurricane upset the Buckeyes this time around in Columbus?


12. Utah (1-0) 13 - The Utes knocked off the former #22 Pittsburgh Panthers to open the 2010 season, in a rematch of the 2005 Fiesta Bowl. Like 2005, the Utes won with a 27-24 win in OT over the Panthers. Next: vs. UNLV (0-1) to open conference play in the MWC for the final time, since the Utes will join the Pac 10 in '11.


13. BYU (1-0) 16 - The Cougars took care of business in the home opener vs. the Washington Huskies with a 23-17 win. Next: @ Air Force (1-0) in the conference opener for both clubs. Air Force opened with a 65-21 win over Northwestern State, a FCS opponent.


14. Georgia (1-0) 14 - The Bulldogs won the home opener over UL-Lafayette 55-7 on Saturday. Next: @ South Carolina (1-0) to open SEC play in Week 2. The Gamecocks won their opener vs. Southern Miss 41-13 on Thursday night at home.


15. Nebraska (1-0) 15 - The Cornhuskers beat Western Kentucky 49-10 in the season opener on Saturday night in Lincoln. Next: vs. Idaho (1-0), who beat North Dakota, FCS opponent, 45-0 in their home opener.


16. Texas Tech (1-0) 17 - The Red Raiders won the first game in the Tommy Tuberville era with a 35-27 win over SMU on Sunday of Week 1. Next: @ New Mexico (0-1), who were victims in the most dominating loss of Week 1, losing 0-72 @ Oregon.


17. LSU (1-0) 12 - The Tigers held on to beat North Carolina in Atlanta 30-24 on Saturday night. The game become very tight at the end, despite UNC being down 13 players, due to violations or pending issues. LSU's offense was shut out in the second half, but the Tigers hung on to win. Next: @ Vanderbilt (0-1) for the SEC opener. The Commodores lost Saturday night at home to Northwestern 21-23.


18. Oklahama (1-0) 18 - The Sooners nearly were taken to the wire in another season opener from the State of Utah. This time it was Utah State, who the Sooners beat 31-24, unlike BYU in the '09 opener. Next: vs. #21 Florida State (1-0), as the Seminoles will offer a solid test to Sooners in Week 2 of the season.


19. Georgia Tech (1-0) 19 - The Yellow Jackets, the defending ACC champions, opened at home Saturday with a 41-10 win over South Carolina State, a FCS opponent. Next: @ Kansas (0-1), who lost in coach Turner Gill's debut for the Jayhawks against a FCS opponent, North Dakota State, who will open Missouri Valley Football play @ Northern Iowa (0-0) on Saturday.


20. Penn State (1-0) 20 - The Nittany Lions started a true frosh at QB for the first time in Joe Paterno's 45 years at the helm in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions won the opener over Youngstown State, a FBS opponent, 44-14. Next: @ #1 Alabama (1-0) in a Big Ten-SEC match up that should be one of the better games of the day, though the Nittany Lions will have a young QB under center.


21. Florida State (1-0) 21 - The Seminoles pounded Samford, a FCS opponent, 59-6 on Saturday, in coach Jimbo Fisher's debut as head coach in Tallahassee. Next: @ #18 Oklahoma (1-0)


22. USC (1-0) NR - The Trojans may be on probation, but aren't they deserving of a Top 25 ranking, though they will not be eligible for a bowl game in '10? The Trojans began the Lane Kiffin era with a 49-36 win @ Hawai'i. Next: vs. Virginia (1-0), who won the first game in the Mike London era, when the Caviliers defeated London's former team, the Richmond Spiders, a FCS program, 34-13.


23. Arizona (1-0) NR - The Wildcats headed to coach Mike Stoops' home state for a 41-3 victory @ Toledo. The Wildcats looked better on offense behind senior QB Nick Foles. Next: vs. The Citddel, a FCS program, who defeated Chowan in Bulldogs opener 56-14.


24. West Virginia (1-0) NR - The Big East deserves one team in the Top 25, after Week 1 don't they? The Mountaineers beat Coastal Carolina, a FCS opponent, 31-0 to open the season. Next: @ Marshall (0-1) on Friday night in an in-state rivalry.


25. Houston (1-0) 25 - The Cougars opened 2010 with a 68-28 victory over Texas State, a FCS opponent. Next - vs. UTEP (1-0) on Friday night to open C-USA West play. The Cougars lost last year to open C-USA play @ UTEP 41-58, so this rematch is very important in '10. UTEP won their home opener vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, another FCS opponent, 31-10.

Out of the Top 25 - The Big East saw two teams tumble out of the Top 25 with #22 Pittsburgh lost @ #13 Utah in OT 24-27, while #23 Cincinnati lost at unranked Fresno State 14-24 in Week 1. #24 Navy lost 14-17 to Maryland on Labor Day to fall out of the Top 25, as well.

There are some outstanding match ups in Week 2 of the 2010 College Football season. In Iowa City, we will see the Cy-Hawk Trophy game with #4 Iowa hosting Iowa State. But, there are some outstanding other games on the schedule...

• #1 Alabama hosting #20 Penn State


• #2 Ohio State hosting #11 Miami-FL


• #18 Oklahoma hosting #21 Florida State


• Michigan @ Notre Dame


• Three SEC conference openers, as well

peace

Happy Birthday Coach and One Week from Kick off of the NFL preseason

Today, August 1, 2010 is Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz's birthday. The Hawkeye coach, who is entering his 12Th season as head coach, turns 55 today.

The NFL kicks off the preseason in seven days. The Hall of Fame Game from Canton, Ohio will kickoff at 7 pm CT on NBC on August 8Th.

• NFL Hall of Fame Game: Cincinnati vs. Dallas from Canton, Ohio

Look for 'If the Stars Align' to hit area Hy-Vees this week. The Gazette is offering an Iowa football season preview magazine this season. Hy-Vee stores and drug stores will carry it for $3.95.

It worked at Nebraska, will the stars align for Iowa ever? Dr. Tom Osborne stayed the course and hit paydirt late in his career. Hawkeye fans often dream of the opportunity be in the top spotlight. Of course, only ten FBS schools have ever won a BCS title. Nebraska's success under Osborne came before the BCS Championships kicked off during the 1998 season.

For the University of Iowa football program, the Hawkeyes have noticed their own trend in the Big Ten Conference. Over the past five seasons, one team is always on top, though they have shared two titles:

• The Ohio State Buckeyes - going for their sixth straight Big Ten title in '10

A look ahead to Monday and Tuesday, August 2-3 and the Big Ten Kickoff ...

2010 Football Media Day - Big Ten Network
Tune in Monday at 11 a.m. ET for four hours of live coverage from Monday's media day and watch Saturday at 2 p.m. for our Big Ten Kickoff Special. ...

What to watch this week Big Ten to televise coaches' conferences ‎- Detroit Free Press
Big Ten football media days aren't just for media anymore, ...

2010 Big Ten media days primer - ESPN

peace

Our Take on the final Top 25 at end of the regular college football season and Final 2

What a regular season in 2009 ... five schools finish undefeated during the regular season, but only two can head to Pasadina for the BCS title game. Maybe this is the year that a +2 system for the BCS title game would better take care of business?

• Alabama
• TCU
• Texas
• Cincinnati
• Boise State

Clearly, everyone has Alabama #1 and at the top of the list after Alabama defeated Florida 32-13 in the SEC Championship game. Can we project RB Mark Ingram #1 in the Heisman ballots too?

The trouble comes for #2 in the final rankings. Who has Texas beat in 2009? Does the 2009 Big 12 Championship game with Nebraska warrant reconsideration for TCU, Cincinnati or Boise State as the #2 team, in place of Texas? Texas defeated Nebraska 13-12 on the final second with a 46 yard field goal in the Big 12 Championship game.

It would be more apparent today that the two non-BCS teams should get cracks at the BCS programs. Judging from the Texas-Nebraska game, TCU can be projected to be equal on defense to Nebraska and better on offense to the Cornhuskers. Place TCU in place of Nebraska vs. Texas and the projected outcome would be a TCU win over Texas. TCU beat Georgia Tech's final opponent (Clemson) on the road and took out Top 25 teams Brigham Young on road and Utah at home in MWC play.

The Big East conference game in a way came down to a miscue on a late extra point kick. Cincinnati defeated Pittsburgh 45-44 in the final minutes, after the Panthers missed their final extra point to take a six point lead. The Bearcats made all of their final possession marching down field to score their final touchdown and win by 1.

Boise State finished the regular season with a 42-7 win over New Mexico State in WAC play to finish undefeated in the regular season for the third time in four seasons. Boise State's marqee win was in the season opener at home vs. Oregon 19-8.

Congratulations to other conference championship game winners:

• Georgia Tech in winning the ACC Championship game in a 39-34 win over Clemson
• East Carolina in winning the C-USA Championship game in a 38-32 win over Houston
• Central Michigan in winning the MAC Championship game in a 20-10 win over Ohio U

The BCS Title Game would be better off as follows:

• #1 Alabama vs. #2 TCU, but most will project it a SEC vs. Big 12 affair again.
• We would suggest TCU would give Alabama a far better game than Texas.

Our Picks for the best BCS Bowl Lineup for the 2009-2010 season:

• BCS Title Game: Alabama vs. TCU
• Rose: Oregon vs. Ohio State
• Fiesta: Texas vs. Boise State
• Orange: Georgia Tech vs. Iowa
• Sugar: Florida vs. Cincinnati

Our final Top 25 teams at the conclusion of the 2009 regular season:

1. Alabama (13-0, 9-0* SEC)
2. TCU (12-0, 8-0 MWC)
3. Texas (13-0, 9-0* Big 12)
4. Florida (12-1, 8-1* SEC)
5. Cincinnati (12-0, 7-0 Big East)
6. Boise State (13-0, 8-0 WAC)
7. Oregon (10-2, 8-1 Pac 10)
8. Ohio State (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten)
9. Iowa (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten)
10. Georgia Tech (11-2, 8-1* ACC)
11. Penn State (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten)
12. Virginia Tech (9-3, 6-2 ACC)
13. LSU (9-3, 5-3 SEC)
14. Brigham Young (10-2, 7-1 MWC)
15. Arizona (8-4, 6-3 Pac 10)
16. West Virginia (9-3, 5-2 Big East)
17. Miami-FL (9-3, 5-3 ACC)
18. Pittsburgh (9-3, 5-2 Big East)
19. Oregon State (8-4, 6-3 Pac 10)
20. Oklahoma State (8-4, 6-3 Pac 10)
21. Utah (9-3, 6-2 MWC)
22. Stanford (8-4, 6-3 Pac 10)
23. USC (8-4, 5-4 Pac 10)
24. Wisconsin (9-3, 5-3 Big Ten)
25. Central Michigan (11-2, 9-0* MAC)

* Conference title game win or loss counted in conference record

Final kudos for one team for each conference in pecking order:

• ACC - Clemson (8-5, 6-3* runner-up)
• Big 12 - Nebraska (9-4, 6-3* runner-up)
• Big East - Rutgers (8-4, 3-4)
• Big Ten - Northwestern (8-4, 5-3)
• C-USA - East Carolina (9-4, 8-1* champion)
• Independents - Navy (8-4)
• MAC - Ohio U. (9-4, 7-2* runner-up)
• MWC - Air Force (7-5, 5-3)
• Pac 10 - California (8-4, 5-4)
• SEC - Mississippi (8-4, 4-4)
• Sun Belt - Troy (9-3, 8-0 champion)
• WAC - Nevada (8-4, 7-1)

* Conference title game win or loss counted in conference record

The 2009 regular football season had some wonderful moments. The Iowa Hawkeyes went 9-0 for the first time in the school's history, but injuries caught up to them in the tenth game. Overall, college football was down in many ways. Alabama appears to be clearly the team to beat nationally. They had an outstanding regular season and coach Nick Saban had his troups ready for every test this season. Congratulations to TCU, Texas, Cincinnati and Boise State for undefeated regular seasons as well.

peace

Who should Notre Dame hire to replace Charlie Weis?

"It is critical to this program and to its place in this university and
college football that we compete at the highest level, that we compete for
national championships." - Notre Dame Athletics Director Jack Swarbrick

Notre Dame Fires Charlie Weis - US News and World Report

First, is it realistic for an Independent in major College Football to compete for national championships in the current landscape and at the 85 scholarship limit for FBS schools?

Our first choice for the University of Notre Dame head football job would be Pat Fitzgerald of Northwestern University. Think how Ara Parseghian, who coached at Northwestern for eight years prior to moving onto University of Notre Dame, did in South Bend?


Rumor has it that AD Jack Swarbrick is partial to a defensive minded coach. Well, former NU linebacker, defensive assistant turned head coach Pat Fitzgerald would appear to fit that bill better than anyone in our opinion. The academic standards at Northwestern would go hand and hand with the standards at the University of Notre Dame.

Of course, the challenge may be getting Pat Fitzgerald to move on from his alma mater, but the success of Ara Parseghian would be a good role model to pattern young Fitzgerald after.

Other articles on the Notre Dame search and Pat Fitzgerald ...

Can Notre Dame find its savior? - National Football Post
Similarly, Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald, whose offense is gimmicky, hasn't been mentioned, but he's an intense, defensive-minded leader who has performed ...
The next Irish football coach will not walk into one of the nation's best ... - ESPN
The Next Notre Dame Coach is... - 1070 The Fan - Indianapolis
Charlie Weis never adjusted to college - The Detroit News

We know many say Brian Kelly, head coach at Cincinnati, but clearly Pat Fitzgerald is the head coach that Notre Dame should take a very close look at. The post-Weis era will be a challenge for whoever the University of Notre Dame land.

As a person more partial to Boston College, rather than Notre Dame, we would suggest Fitzgerald as a great candidate to build the passion of Irish Football back up. Fitzgerald's passion for the sport of college football would be a great selling point, in our opinion. His recruiting has been on the upswing and South Bend should only enhance his ability to recruit.


peace

We wrap up Thanksgiving weekend with another Top 25 adjustment in College Football

We will know a week from now who will make up the BCS Title Game for the 2009 college football season. Further, all the bowls will be known. There is still an outside chance for a non-BCS conference team to make the BCS Title Game.

The final candidates for #1 vs. #2 in the BCS Title Game for the 2009 season?

• Florida
• Alabama
• Texas
• TCU
• Cincinnati

Boise State is the final undefeated team, but appears clearly out of contention for the BCS title game for this year, based on the current BCS poll.

Here's our take on the current Top 25 in College Football ...

1. Florida Gators (12-0, 8-0 SEC) - They will face #2 Alabama (12-0, 8-0 SEC) in the SEC title game this Saturday. Did you know that Tim Tebew's first bowl game was vs. Iowa in the 2006 Outback Bowl? The Gators would match up extremely well vs. Iowa, better than 2006, when the Gators beat Iowa 31-24 in Tampa.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide (12-0, 8-0 SEC) - The Crimson Tide are a little dinged with star sophomore RB Mark Ingram tending to an injury. The game with the Gators in the SEC title game will be a challenge for the Crimson Tide. It would be interesting to see coach Nick Saban and Alabama face off in a bowl game this season. Saban faced Iowa, when he was at LSU in the 2005 Capital One Bowl. The Hawkeyes pulled off the upset 30-25 on the final play. Could a Bama-Iowa match up be on the horizon?
3. Texas Longhorns (12-0, 8-0 Big 12) - The Longhorns will face the Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-3, 6-2 Big 8) in the Big 12 title game. A loss by the Longhorns would have to go down as the biggest upset in Big 12 title game history. The Longhorns and Hawkeyes faced off in the 2006 Alamo Bowl, when the Longhorns beat Iowa 26-24. It's not likely the Hawkeyes will see the Longhorns in a bowl game this season.
4. TCU Horned Frogs (12-0, 8-0 MWC) - The Horned Frogs need help to find a spot in the BCS title game. They actually could fall out of the Top 4, if Cincinnati gets enough love in the Bearcats final game. A TCU-Iowa bowl game is possible, but not expected at this point.
5. Cincinnati Bearcats (11-0, 6-0 Big East) - The Bearcats close out the regular season @ Pittsburgh (9-2, 5-1 Big East) in what is basically the Big East championship game, where the winner will represent the Big East in the BCS. Can the Bearcats make it two year in a row?
6. Boise State Broncos (12-0, 8-0 WAC) - The Broncos have finished 12-0 in two of the three past seasons now, with a strong season in '09. Could an Iowa-Boise State match up be on the horizon in the Fiesta Bowl? Many are pinning their hopes on such a match up in the Valley of the Sun this season.
7. Oregon Ducks (9-2, 7-1 Pac 10) - The Ducks close out the regular season Thursday when the host in-state rival Oregon State (8-3, 6-2 Pac 10), in what is basically the Pac 10 championship game. The winner will represent the Pac 10 in the Rose Bowl vs. the Big Ten champ, Ohio State (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten).
8. Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten) - The Buckeyes are waiting to learn the news of who from the Pac 10 will face the Buckeyes in the 2010 Rose Bowl game in Pasadena. The Buckeyes captured the Big Ten birth this season with a OT win at home vs. Iowa two weeks ago.
9. Iowa Hawkeyes (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten) - The Hawkeyes need some help to figure in the at-large spot in the BCS bowls. An upset in the Big 12 title game would not likely be good for a Big Ten at-large team. Many are projecting Iowa vs. Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. We will find out next Sunday.
10. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (10-2, 7-1 ACC) - The Yellow Jackets will face Clemson (8-4, 6-2 ACC) in the ACC title game. The Yellow Jackets are going for their third straight win over the Tigers.
11. Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten) - The Nittany Lions are sitting and waiting to see, if they may be the 2Nd Big Ten team picked as an at-large BCS bowl invitee. Some project that the Nittany Lions may favor higher than Iowa for the Orange, should the Orange go with a Big Ten team as their at-large pick. Despite losing head to head to the Hawkeyes, the Nittany Lions may be favored in the Orange?
12. Virginia Tech Hokies (9-3, 6-2 ACC) - The Hokies regular season has concluded, but they will represent the ACC in a bowl game this season. The Hokies closed out the regular season with a 42-13 win @ Virginia (3-9, 2-6 ACC) that may be the final nail on the Al Groh era at UVA!
13. LSU Tigers (9-3, 5-3 SEC) - The Tigers closed the regular season with a 33-30 OT win vs. Arkansas (7-5, 3-5 SEC). The Capital One Bowl is a likely spot for the Tigers. Could a rematch be on track vs. Iowa, who squared off in 2005 in Tampa?
14. Pittsburgh Panthers (9-2, 5-1 Big East) - Despite the loss 16-19 loss @ West Virginia (8-3, 4-2 Big East) this Thanksgiving weekend, the Panthers still have a lot to play for. This week, the Panthers host #5 Cincinnati (11-0, 6-0 Big East) for a birth in a BCS bowl game. This would be the first BCS bid for Pitt, since the 2004 season, under former coach Walt Harris.
15. Oregon State Beavers (8-3, 6-2 Pac 10) - Can the Beavers play in their first BCS bowl game with a win @ Oregon? The Beavers @ #7 Oregon (9-2, 6-1 Pac 10) for the Pac 10 title and the birth in the Rose Bowl vs. Ohio State.
16. Brigham Young Cougars (10-2, 7-1 MWC) - The Cougars closed out the regular season with a solid 26-23 OT win over MWC and in-state rival Utah (9-3, 6-2 MWC). Could a bowl bid with Arizona be on the horizon again for the Cougars?
17. Miami-FL Hurricanes (9-3, 6-2 ACC) - The Hurricanes closed out the regular season with a 31-10 road win @ South Florida (7-4, 3-3 Big East). The Hurricanes await a bowl bid for the second straight season.
18. USC Trojans (8-3, 5-3 Pac 10) - The Trojans close out the regular season hosting Arizona (8-3, 5-3 Pac 10) in a final Pac 10 showdown of the regular season. The winner will finish in the top half of the conference.
19. California Golden Bears (8-3, 5-3 Pac 10) - The Cal Bears close out the regular season @ Washington (4-7, 3-5) in a final Pac 10 showdown of the regular season. The Huskies don't have a bowl game, so the Golden Bears need to be careful up North.
20. Houston Cougars (10-2, 6-2 C-USA) - The Cougars will face the East Carolina Pirates (8-4, 7-1 C-USA), who are the defending C-USA champs, in the C-USA title game. The Cougars are coming off a 73-14 blow out vs. Rice (2-10, 2-6 C-USA) to close out conference play.
21. Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-3, 6-2 Big 12) - The Cornhuskers will face #3 Texas (12-0, 8-0 Big 12) in the biggest game in the coach Bo Pelini era. Pelini is in his second season at Nebraska. A win in the Big 12 title game would be huge for the Husker nation. The Huskers are coming off a 28-20 win @ rival Colorado (3-9, 2-6 Big 12).
22. Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-3, 6-2 Big 12) - The Cowboys crashed and burned their BCS opportunity with a 0-27 loss @ Oklahoma (7-5, 5-3) over the Thanksgiving holidays. A solid bowl bid is likely, but the health of the Cowboys team is weakening, after a physical game with in-state rival OU.
23. Stanford Cardinal (8-4, 6-3 Pac 10) - The Cardinal ended Notre Dame's (6-6) regular season with a 45-38 home win to close out the regular season. Stanford has not been bowl eligible, since the '01 season. Coach Jim Harbaugh is in his third season at Stanford.
24. West Virginia Mountaineers (8-3, 4-2 Big East) - The Mountaineers pulled off a 19-16 home win over Pittsburgh (9-2, 5-1 Big East) in Big East play. The Mountaineers close out Big East play @ Rutgers (8-3, 3-3 Big East) to end the regular season this weekend.
25. (tie) Clemson Tigers (8-4, 6-2 ACC) - Next up for the Tigers is a ACC Championship game match up vs. Georgia Tech (10-2, 7-1 ACC). The Tigers are coming off 17-34 loss @ in-state rival South Carolina (7-5, 3-5 SEC), who has lost 10 of the last 12 vs. the Tigers.
    (tie) Utah Utes (9-3, 6-2 MWC) - The Utes concluded the regular season with a 23-26 loss @ Brigham Young to close out MWC play. The Utes await their seven straight bowl bid to close out the 2009 season.

peace

The Iowa Hawkeyes finishe regular season 10-2, 6-2 in the Big Ten for '09, what next?

The Iowa Hawkyeyes (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten) keep Floyd south for winter for the eighth time in nine seasons with a 12-0 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten) at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday. Could a Fiesta be on the horizon for the Iowa Hawkeyes? Time will tell.

Bowl predictions: Iowa, 3 others battling for two BCS spots - Gazetteonline

The Hawkeyes are 11Th in the BCS bowl currently, after Week 12. The AP and Coaches polls rank Iowa 13Th. Latest college football rankings and polls

How would cidsports rank the Top 25 after Week 12?

1. Florida (11-0, 8-0 SEC)
2. Texas (11-0, 7-0 Big 12)
3. Alabama (11-0, 7-0 SEC)
4. TCU (11-0, 7-0 MWC)
5. Cincinnati (10-0, 6-0 Big East)
6. Boise State (11-0, 6-0 WAC)
7. Georgia Tech (10-1, 7-1 ACC)
8. Ohio State (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten)
9. Oregon (9-2, 7-1 Pac 10)
10. Pittsburgh (9-1, 5-0 Big East)
11. Iowa (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten)
12. Penn State (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten)
13. Oklahoma State (9-2, 6-1 Big 12)
14. Virginia Tech (8-3, 5-2 ACC)
15. LSU (8-3, 4-3 SEC)
16. Oregon State (8-3, 6-2 Pac 10)
17. Clemson (8-3, 6-2 ACC)
18. Miami-FL (8-3, 5-3 ACC)
19. BYU (9-2, 6-1 MWC)
20. Utah (9-2, 6-1 MWC)
21. USC (7-3, 4-3 Pac 10)
22. California (8-3, 5-3 Pac 10)
23. Houston (9-2, 5-2 C-USA)
24. North Carolina (8-3, 4-3 ACC)
25. tie Nebraska (8-3, 5-2 Big 12)
    tie Mississippi (8-3, 4-3 SEC)

peace

The Final Seven Undefeateds through the first nine weeks of the 2009 FBS season

Who should be the Top 7 in College Football, after nine weeks of play and through the first two months of action?

The candidates, in alphabetic order:

• Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC)
• Boise State (8-0, 3-0 WAC)
• Cincinnati (8-0, 4-0 Big East)
• Florida (8-0, 6-0 SEC)
• Iowa (9-0, 5-0 Big Ten)
• Texas (8-0, 5-0 Big 12)
• TCU (8-0, 4-0 MWC)

Of the Top 6 BCS conferences, only the Big East, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC are represented. The ACC and Pac Ten have at least one loss or more among their members. Of the non-BCS conferences, the C-USA, MAC and Sun Belt have no representatives on the final seven, so it's up to the MWC or WAC member to carry the torch for the non-BCS teams. None of the three Independents are undefeated. Standings

Links to SOS rankings: CBSSports and Sagarin

So, entering November, who should be the Top 7 in College Football, why?

1. Florida Gators - The Gators are the defending BCS champions of a year ago. They hold the longest win streak in college football, losing to Ole Miss 30-31 in the fourth game of 2008 season. The Gators last OOC loss was in the Capital One Bowl at the end of the 2007 season, 35-41 to Michigan of the Big Ten. Florida already has locked up the SEC East spot in the SEC title game. Final three regular season games: @ South Carolina (4-4, 3-3 SEC), vs. Florida International (2-6, 2-3Sun Belt) and the in-state rivalry game vs. Florida State (4-4, 2-3 ACC). SOS rankings: #5 CBSSports and #27 Sagarin.
2. Iowa Hawkeyes - The Hawkeyes were 9-4 in 2008 and lost all four games by a total of 12 points. Iowa's last out of conference loss, was a 20-21 squeaker at Pitt in '08, prior to current QB Ricky Stanzi taking over from former Hawkeye QB Jake Christensen. The Hawkeyes in 2009 mirror very well with Alabama of 2008, as Phil Steele has pointed out before and during the 2009 season. The Hawkeyes beat the SEC's South Carolina 31-10 in last year's Outback Bowl. They have the second longest winning streak among FBS members. The Hawkeyes are 4-0 in 2009 in games trailing, while entering the fourth quarter. This week, Iowa scored 28 unanswered points vs. IU to beat Indiana at home 42-24. Unlike fellow Big Ten member, Ohio State, the Hawkeyes have beat a SEC opponent in bowl participation. For some number, OSU has never beat a SEC team in a bowl game, ever. Iowa's remaining games in the Big Ten are: vs. Northwestern (5-4, 2-3 Big Ten), @ Ohio State (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) and vs. trophy game rival Minnesota (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten). SOS rankings: #12 CBSSports and #22 Sagarin.
3. Texas Longhorns - The Longhorns have the third longest winning streak in FBS, behind Florida and Iowa. The Longhorns avenged their lone loss in '08 when they beat Texas Tech in game 3 of the season, 34-24 in Austin. The Longhorns last OOC loss was a 7-24 vs. Ohio State at home in '06. The Longhorns avenged that loss last year in the Fiesta Bowl, beating the Buckeyes 24-21. The final four remaining regular season games for the Longhorns are: vs. UCF (4-3, 2-2 Sun Belt), then three final Big 12 games: @ Baylor (3-5, 0-4 Big 12), vs. Kansas (5-3, 1-3 Big 12), @ Texas A&M (5-3, 2-2 Big 12) and a possible Big 12 title game, if the Longhorns take care of business in the Big 12 South. SOS rankings: #31 CBSSports and #43 Sagarin.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide - The Crimson Tide have taken care of business in '09 thus far. The Crimson Tide were undefeated in the regular season in '08, but lost 20-31 to Florida in the 2008 SEC title game, then lost 17-31 to Utah to end the 2008 season in the Sugar Bowl. Coach Nick Saban is in his third season as head coach at Alabama. Ironically, his final game at LSU was a 25-30 loss vs. Iowa in the 2005 Capital One Bowl, where Iowa won on the final play of the game. The Hawkeyes have done that once this season @ MSU. A rematch of Iowa's Kirk Ferentz vs. Alabama's Nick Saban, who beat Ferentz in his first Big Ten game as Iowa's head coach, could be very interesting in a bowl game or title game, for that matter. LSU faces it's biggest SEC West game this week vs. LSU (7-1, 4-1), which could determine who plays Florida in the SEC title game. The Crimson Tide are coming off bye week. After LSU, the Crimson Tide face games @ Mississippi State (4-5, 2-3 SEC), vs. Chattanooga (a 5-3 FCS program, 3-3 Southern) and @ Auburn (6-3, 3-3 SEC). SOS rankings: #34 CBSSports and #36 Sagarin.
5. Cincinnati Bearcats - The Bearcats continue to remain undefeated in '09. This is despite the loss of QB Tony Pike to injury, which happened in '08, as well. Further, the Bearcats began the '09 season with a new DC Bob Diaco, former Iowa player at LB, and ten new starters on defense, from a team that went 11-3 and represented the Big East in the BCS bowl lineup in '08. The ACC's Virginia Tech beat Cincinnati though in the Orange Bowl last season, 20-7, which is the Bearcats last loss. The Bearcats last regular season loss in the OOC was a 26-52 loss early in '08 at Oklahoma (Big 12). The Bearcats have four more regular season games: vs. UConn (4-4, 1-3 Big East), vs. West Virginia (6-2, 2-1 Big East), vs. Illinois (2-6, 1-5 Big Ten) and @ Pittsburgh (7-1, 4-0 Big East) for a challenging slate for the Bearcats to close out '09. SOS rankings: #46 CBSSports and #74 Sagarin.
6. TCU Horned Frogs - The Horned Frogs come from the MWC and last year, the MWC represented the non-BCS conferences, since Utah went undefeated and beat TCU 13-10 at home in conference play in '08. The Horned Frogs went to Poinsettia Bowl in '08 and beat Boise State 17-16 to finish 11-2 in '08. TCU's lone OOC loss in '08 was at Oklahoma (Big 12) 10-35 before beginning conference play in '08. TCU has won four straight bowl games, with wins over Iowa State, Northern Illinois, Houston and Boise State. TCU closes out the regular season in conference play: @ San Diego State (4-4, 2-2), vs. Utah (7-1, 4-0), @ Wyoming (4-4, 2-2) and @ New Mexico (0-8, 0-4). SOS rankings: #40 CBSSports and #46 Sagarin.
7. Boise State Broncos - The Broncos are undefeated in the past two regular seasons ('08 and '09), but they have one big loss, a 16-17 loss in Poinsettia Bowl to close out '08 vs. TCU. The Broncos have lost back to back bowl games with losses vs. East Carolina (C-USA) 38-41 in the Hawaii Bowl to end '07 and of course last year's loss vs. TCU (Poinsettia). The Broncos last OOC regular season loss was @ Washington (Pac Ten) in '07 10-24. Boise State may end up undefeated in '09 and they have an impressive 19-8 season opening win vs. Oregon, 19-8, but it is hard to see the Broncos with a resume for a BCS title game in '09. The Broncos close out conference play in '09: @ Louisiana Tech (3-5, 2-3), vs. Idaho (7-2, 4-1), @ Utah State (2-6, 1-3), vs. Nevada(5-3, 4-0) and vs. New Mexico State (3-6, 1-3). Will the Broncos close out WAC play on top? SOS rankings: #85 CBSSports and #80 Sagarin.

We begin November play in Week 10. There is plenty of action to play out to determine most of the conference champs and who are #1 and #2 in the BCS race for a date in the Pasadena's Rose Bowl BCS title game.

Breakdown of conferences: (Bowl eligible, bowl eliminated)

• ACC - 3, 0
• Big 12 - 3, 0
• Big East - 3, 0
• Big Ten - 4, 0
• C-USA - 1, 1
• Independents - 1, 0
• MAC - 3, 4
• MWC - 4, 1
• Pac 10 - 3, 1
• SEC - 5, 1
• Sun Belt - 1, 0, x
• WAC - 2, 0

x - Western Kentucky cannot become for bowl eligible in '09.

Eight programs are already home for the Holidays in '09: Rice, Miami-OH, Akron, Ball State, Eastern Michigan, New Mexico, Washington State and Vanderbilt.

peace