Thursday night kickoff of the 2016 College Football season

Cedar Rapids, IA -- Well, here's our projected Final 4 for the College Football Playoff, we can dream, can't we, for the 2016 College Football gods can give a little love for the home team?

• Clemson
• LSU
• Oklahoma
• Stanford or Iowa (actually, I said Washington from the Pac 12, since the 2016 Rose Bowl is history) ...

It is hard to pick two from the same conference, but with the strength throughout the Pac 12 and Big Ten, we may see a chance for the ACC and SEC will argue for two programs from the same division, as the season plays out?

Now, a look at the first kickoff in Week 1, Thursday, September 1st : 

Rankings are from Stassen.com preseason consensus polls. Forty-eight teams were picked in at least one Top 25 poll heading into the 2016 College Football season.

Popular tradition in the State of Utah:
The Beehive Boot.

• Charlotte at #21 Louisville 6:00 pm on FSN Affiliates / (ACC-RSN) - The bottom of the C-USA East travels to take on the #3 projection in the ACC Coastal ... pick the favorite!
• Maine at UConn 6:00 pm on (NESN+ / CSCA) / espn3 / ASN (affiliates) - Kirk Ferentz at Iowa got his first head coaching start at Maine in 1989. UConn coach Bob Diaco is a former Iowa player, so the Huskies should take care of business here! 
• #42 Appalachian State at #7 Tennessee 6:30 pm on SECN - Can the #1 choice in the Sun Belt upset the #7 ranked Volunteers ... is this 2007 and Ann Arbor ... we can only dream right?
• Indiana at Florida International 6:30 pm ESPNU - The Big Ten kicks off the 2016 College Football season, with two games on tap this evening. IU took care of business in Bloomington, but how will an early road test be for these Hoosiers? The Hoosiers are coming off a bowl season, for the first time, since 2007. FIU is picked #6 in the C-USA East ... 
• Rice at #41 Western Kentucky 7:00 pm on CBSSN - A conference opener against cross-division opponents in Conference USA ... Go WKU!
• South Carolina at Vanderbilt 7:00 pm on ESPN - Kickoff the 2016 SEC East season for the Gamecocks and the Commendores in Nashville ... both teams are picked by many to fight it out for the cellar in the East!
• Southern Utah at #40 Utah 7:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - It is the battle for the Beehive Boot tonight in Utah ... well, not quite, since Southern Utah isn't BYU, Utah or Utah State, but they are the #23 program in the FCS heading into 2016 ...
• Montana State at Idaho 8:00 pm ALT / espn3 - Could this be a FCS upset over a FBS program tonight?
• Oregon State at Minnesota 8:00 pm on BTN - One talking head over at ESPN suggests the Golden Gophers could be the #1 team in 2016 in the Big Ten West race. The Beavers are picked for the cellar again in the Pac 12 North in 2016 ... Pac 12 vs. B1G!
• South Dakota at New Mexico 8:00 pm on RSNW / RSRM - Another, FCS vs. FBS match up ...
• Jackson State at UNLV 9:00 pm on on MWC Video - The Rebels need to win games against programs only receiving votes in the FCS ...
• Presbyterian at Central Michigan 6:00 pm on espn3 - The Chippewas kickoff 2016 at home against an FCS program ...
• Tulane at Wake Forest 6:00 pm on WatchESPN - Tulane is picked last in the C-USA West, while Wake Forest is picked second to last in the ACC Atlantic ahead of Syracuse ...
• UT Martin at Cincinnati 6:00 pm on espn3 -The Bearcats are picked #3 in the AAC East heading into 2016 ...
• Weber State at Utah State 7:00 pm on MWC Video / Twitter Video - Clearly, this would be a disappointing FCS upset over a middle of the road MWC Mountain opponent ...
• William & Mary at North Carolina State 6:30 pm on WatchESPN - A #10 FCS program against an ACC Atlantic program picked #4 in the division ...

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!

Creighton men qualify for 22nd NCAA Soccer Tournament in 23 years

OMAHA, Neb. – The Creighton men’s soccer team earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the 22nd time in 23 seasons when pairings were announced on NCAA.com on Monday afternoon.

No. 12 seed Creighton (14-3-2) will face the winner of a first-round contest between Denver (11-7-1) and Oregon State (11-7-1). The Bluejays will host a second-round match in the 48-team tournament on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 12:30 p.m. CT inside Morrison Stadium. Creighton is 3-0-1 all-time against Denver and 1-0-1 against Oregon State.

Creighton, 10-2-0 at home this season and is 11-2-0 all-time in NCAA Tournament matches played at Morrison Stadium. The Jays were one of four BIG EAST squads to make the 2014 NCAA field joining No. 8 seed Georgetown, No. 11 seed Providence and Xavier. CU owns a 2-3-2 record against fellow NCAA Tourney teams this season.

The Jays came into Selection Monday at No. 9 nationally in the latest RPI released by the NCAA on Nov. 9.  The Bluejays’ at-large selection is their second consecutive since joining the BIG EAST Conference.

Creighton is now 28-18-6 overall in the NCAA Tournament all-time. The Bluejays have advanced to at least the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals in six of their last 11 appearances. The Jays have made five total NCAA College Cup appearances (1996, 2000, 2002, 2011 and 2012).

Elmar Bolowich, the head coach of the Bluejays, recently guided teams to five consecutive NCAA College Cup appearances (Creighton – 2012, 2011 and North Carolina - 2010, 2009, 2008) and won a national title with the Tar Heels in 2001. This will be Bolowich's 19th NCAA Tournament appearance as a head coach.

Creighton won its first BIG EAST men’s soccer regular season title this year with a 7-1-1 conference record and 14-2-2 mark overall. The Jays blanked 18 of 19 opponents in the first half this season and only once surrendered more than one goal in a match this year. CU posted 10 shutouts this season and allowed only 10 goals through 19 matches in 2014.

CU ranks at No. 3 nationally with a team goals against average of 0.51. The Jays rank No. 11 in shutout percentage at 0.53 and are No. 13 in save percentage at 0.836.

CU sophomore forward Fabian Herbers earned a unanimous selection from the BIG EAST coaches as the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year. Junior Timo Pitter claimed BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year honors while Creighton’s coaching staff shared BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year honors with Xavier.

Herbers, Pitter and senior Jose Ribas were unanimous All-BIG EAST First team selections this season. Additionally, freshman Lucas Stauffer was also a unanimous selection on the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team.

Pitter and Herbers were also named to the BIG EAST All-Tournament Team following the Bluejays’ 1-0 downfall to Providence in a conference semifinal on Friday.

Ticket Information

Men’s soccer season ticket holders can purchase their regular season seat locations for Sunday’s second-round match by stopping by the Wayne and Eileen Ryan Athletic Center Ticket Office today from 2 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Season ticket holders can also purchase their regular season seat locations for Sunday afternoon’s second-round match by stopping by the Wayne & Eileen Ryan Athletic Center Ticket Office tomorrow through Thursday from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Seats not purchased by season ticket holders by 12 p.m. on Friday will be made available to the general public starting at 1 p.m. on Friday. If season ticket holders are not able to purchase their season ticket locations during the allotted dates and times listed above, they are welcome to send someone down on their behalf to the Wayne and Eileen Ryan Athletic Center Ticket Office to fill out a short order form and purchase the tickets.

Ticket prices for the second-round NCAA match are $20 (upper level adult reserved), $12 (upper level youth reserved), $10 (lower level adult reserved), $9 (lower level adult general admission), $7 (lower level youth reserved, ages 3-18) and $6 (lower level youth general admission, ages 3-18).

Starting tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. fans that are not season ticket holders can purchase available tickets to the second-round match at all Ticketmaster locations (Baker’s, Younkers), Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster and charging by phone at 800-745-3000.

Parking Information

Men’s soccer supporters who received a packet of 2014 parking passes to Morrison Stadium’s Lot S or Lot C should use the one marked “Match 16 - NCAA Round 2” for entry to that area on Sunday.
Should Creighton win its second-round match Sunday afternoon and earn the chance to host a third-round match, that match would be played on Sunday, Nov 30 at 1 p.m. inside Morrison Stadium.

Christmas Eve in Hawaii: Boise State vs. Oregon State

Hawaii Bowl:

Boise State (8-4) vs. Oregon State (6-6) at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN (HD) 
Boise State will be without their head coach and starting QB, as the Broncos face the Beavers in this Mountain West vs. Pac 12 showdown.

Preview: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/bowls/2013/12/24/preview-hawaii-bowl-boise-state-oregon-state/4173571/

Two Sunday games, while 8 FBS programs fall to FCS teams in Week 1

Two more days of the Labor Day Holiday Weekend.  The NFL kicks off on Thursday night, so the only football today is in the College ranks.

Ohio U at Louisville 2:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) - Last year the Bobcats opened with an upset victory at Penn State, but coach Charlie Strong should have the Cardinals ready in this MAC vs. AAC match up.

Colorado vs. Colorado State in Denver 5:00 p.m. CBSSN (HD) - The battle for Colorado bragging rights is on the line in Denver today.

No FCS vs. FBS match ups today, but a great first weekend for many FCS programs knocking off the big school.  Eight FCS programs went on the road and defeated FBS teams to open the 2013 College Football season.

#1 FCS North Dakota State nailed Kansas State 24-21
Southern Utah downed South Alabama 22-21
Towson beat UConn 33-18
Sanford defeated Georgia State 31-21
Eastern Washington beat Oregon State 49-46
McNeese State drilled South Florida 53-21
Eastern Illinois downed San Diego State 40-19
Northern Iowa beat Iowa State 28-20

There will likely be more upsets before the end of the season.

Bye Week for Iowa: Changes the routine for the Day

How will #14 Iowa @ #21 Michigan be next week in Ann Arbor?

• #17 Michigan State is playing well against in Ann Arbor heading into 4Th quarter
• #1 Alabama is in another dogfight heading into the 4Th quarter @ #16 South Carolina
• Does #13 Arizona keep winning, with a game vs. Oregon State in Tucson?

You have to love Week 6 in College Football for drama. Wow, Illinois wins big in Happy Valley! Georgia gets a win big over Tennessee! Sometimes those down can pick up the boot straps and pull it off ...

peace

Upset Alert for Week 6: Does Oregon State continue to get #13 Arizona's number in Football?

It's 9 of 11 for Oregon State over Arizona isn't it? Oregon State enjoyed a win the last time in Tucson in 2008, with a 19-17 win, kicking a 24 yard FG as time expired.

Will it be three's a charm for the Oregon State offense? They have already faced the #1 and #3 defenses in College Football. #2 is next!

Our #13 ranked Arizona Wildcats team is ranked #2 in team defense. WR James Rogers for Oregon State should be back per ESPN, after the injury he sustained in Week 4 @ #3 Boise State.

James Rodgers should play at Arizona - ESPN (Blog)

Oregon State was able to beat Arizona State at home without James Rodgers. Will his return from a concussion be enough for the Beavers to record an upset at No. 9 Arizona on Saturday ...

Arizona did beat Oregon State last season on the road, in junior QB Nick Foles, first start in the Mike Stoops era. Foles hit 25-34 for 254 yards and 3 TDs.

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

75th Sun Bowl: Oregon State (8-4) vs. Pittsburgh (9-3)

The 2008 Sun Bowl hosts a match up of the Oregon State Beavers (8-4, tied for 2Nd in the Pac 10) vs. the Pittsburgh Panthers (9-3, tied for 2Nd in the Big East) in El Paso. The Pac 10 is going for their fifth straight win in the Sun Bowl, after Oregon won the one game vs. a Big East opponent, with a 56-21 win over USF last year.

Oregon State is playing in their third straight bowl game, after back to back wins in the '06 Sun Bowl and '07 Emerald Bowl with a one point win over Missouri and a 7 point win over Maryland, respectively. Pittsburgh is playing in their first bowl game under coach Dave Wannstedt, after seeing it's five year bowl streak end after the 2004 season. Pitt beat Oregon State 36-13 in the 2002 Insight Bowl.

Pittsburgh's three losses were vs. Bowling Green, in season opener, vs. Rutgers and at Cincinnati. Oregon State's four losses were at Stanford and at Penn State to open the season, then at Utah and vs. Oregon in the finale. Ironically, Oregon State was blasted at Penn State, while Pittsburgh beat Iowa at home. Iowa beat Penn State 24-23 this season. It doesn't mean much in this game, but it did cost the Nittany Lions a birth in the BCS championship game.

Experience favors the Beavers, with coach Mike Riley in his eighth season and winner of four consecutive bowl games. Ironically, the one bowl loss at Oregon State this decade was vs. Pittsburgh in 2002. Look for a good 2008 Sun Bowl celebrating the 75Th Anniversary of the bowl game.

Cidsports' Prediction

Oregon State 28

Pittsburgh 24

cidsports

peace

Emotion plays a huge role in College Football

The Oregon State Beavers are up 14-0 on #1 USC Trojans at home with around 3 minutes left in the first half. Emotion is a huge role in college football and playing at home is often completely different, than playing on the road.

Penn State clocked Oregon State at home. USC is facing a real test in the Pac 10 opener on the road... wow!

Now up 21-0 at halftime after Oregon State capitalizes on USC fumble.

peace

Top College Football Games: August 30, 2008

In Ames, Iowa, the Iowa State Cyclones kickoff the 2008 season at home.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the first day in College Football for 2008:

Top Games:

1. Oregon State at Stanford in Pac Ten showdown
2. Troy at Middle Tennessee in Sun Belt showdown
3. Vanderbilt at Miami-Ohio
4. North Carolina State at South Carolina
5. Wake Forest at Baylor
6. UTEP at Buffalo

Ugly Game:

1. Charleston Southern at Miami-Florida

Other Games of Interest:

1. South Dakota State at Iowa State
2. Hofstra at Connecticut
3. Jacksonville State at Georgia Tech
4. Eastern Kentucky at Cincinnati
5. Eastern Illinois at Central Michigan
6. Northeastern at Ball State
7. Indiana State at Eastern Michigan

peace

Oregon State wins back to back CWS titles!

The Oregon State Beavers beat the University of North Carolina to win their second straight College World Series title on a 3rd strike call pitch.

For over 20 years, I have a good friend who has been heading over to Omaha each year to catch the series. Attendance continues to grow.

If you have not attended a College World Series before, it's well worth the trip. The City of Omaha puts out the red carpet each year for the Series.

peace