Tag Archives: Boise State Broncos

Boise State Broncos vs TCU Horned Frogs: Fiesta Bowl Pick

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As I wrote in my stream of conscious article right after the BCS games were announced, this is the best worst game of the bowl season. These are two of the best teams in college football, despite their conferences, and their “small college” “mid-major” status. TCU has one of the better defenses a college team has put together since Miami was paying kids to play back in the day, and Boise State just comes out and beats just about every damn team they play – aside from TCU, last season, when the Broncos lost 17-16.

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This season, the two “big-time-small-schools” get to play each other, again, with absolutely no way to prove anything at all except that one of these teams is better than the other on Monday, the 4th of January, after a month between games. And it has no chance of proving to anyone that the Horned Frogs or Broncos should be in the hunt for a national championship, because they can’t pull a big upset over a top ranked BCS school. Oh no they can’t.

But these are two great teams, and while it will certainly be a solid match-up, I think the Horned Frogs will get the best of the Broncos once again. Boise State has a very solid offense and an underrated defense, but TCU’s better in both aspects. They might not throw it better, but they are more efficient and they will control the clock in this one. Eventually, they’ll pull away, and win this one by double digits.

Boise State Broncos VS Texas Christian Horned Frogs (-7)

BCS National Championship Preview: Wronging a Right

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Before I get started on my frustrated rant that ends up with me crushing my own soul by suggesting these idiots actually got it right, here’s a list of the 10 schools that will be enjoying BCS Bowl money this coming New Year, and the match-ups in their selected Bowls. I’ll be doing free picks, write-ups for each game later in the month:

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BCS National Championship Game: Alabama Crimson Tide vs Texas Longhorns

Orange Bowl: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Iowa Hawkeyes

Fiesta Bowl: TCU Horned Frogs vs. Boise State Broncos

Sugar Bowl: Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Florida Gators

Rose Bowl: Oregon Ducks vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

First and foremost, lets get the obvious out of the way: there is now way in hell anything without a playoff could ever really be called a “Championship”. If the Yankees never had to play the Red Sox, or if they didn’t have to play the National League, it would be pretty damn hard to call them the National Champions or even better yet, the “World Champions”, now wouldn’t it? Pitting the two “top rated” teams against each other,  based on an absurd ranking system that relies almost completely on coaches that don’t even vote, and that are supposed to vote a certain way based on their conference loyalties, in a system that brings into account “PRE-SEASON Rankings”, seems like an interesting way to crown a champ to me.

But like I said, that is obvious, and since this fine country is almost completely money driven, it makes sense that colleges would keep selling the souls of their athletes for as much cash as possible, and keep this “clever” bowl system going for as long as possible. Here’s to you Mr. Obama – it may not be high on your list, but I’ll be impatiently hoping for your mark on the college game. So we’ll just agree to agree here, it is impossible to do teams’ justice in this format, especially when their are multiple undefeated teams. IMPOSSIBLE.

Now lets get into these match-ups and how they are absolutely right in the worst way. I personally would have matched up TCU and Florida, Cincinnati and Boise State – and lets be honest, I could careless about the other match-ups right now, because matching TCU, Cincinnati, or Boise State up with Georgia Tech or Iowa wouldn’t show anybody anything. And the Rose Bowl is the Rose Bowl and it’s looking like it always will be despite how despicable the Big 10 becomes. I’m willing to accept that, and think Ohio State and Oregon will be a fun match-up. But I have good reason for changing the match-ups around a little.

My problem with the TCU vs. Boise State match-up is that it won’t prove anything except who is the best “small college” school in the country. But for arguments sake, instead of calling it “Small College”, lets go with “Can’t Possibly Win a National Championship College” – because that better describes the them and their situation. If you put Boise State or TCU up against Florida, and the other up against Cincinnati – then you would have two great “CPWaNCC’s” against two bigger and more distinguished schools (though the Big East has almost as little respect as the “small conferences”). That would give the small colleges a chance to prove themselves against top competition, and it would, maybe in the future, give them more respect with voters. The problem with a match-up like this is that it would have a chance of doing exactly what I suggested, making the “other” colleges gain some respect, and thus giving them a chance at the National Championship. Oh, you don’t think that’s a problem? Too bad for us, because “the Man” does.

Unfortunately for me, they probably got the match-ups right on the dot, based solely on the quality of teams. BYU and TCU have proven to me that they are 2 of the top 4 teams in the Nation, and if they can’t play for the National Championship, that means that, in my book, they are the next two best teams and thus should play each other. Cincinnati is very good, but I believe they are 2nd to both of the colleges that can’t possibly win a national championship. Florida might be the best team in the Nation, but laid an egg last week, getting absolutely handled by Alabama, thus losing their chances for a Top spot. I don’t think Texas is as good people give them credit for, but being a “Big Conference” school, and undefeated, will put them in the Big game, and it’s hard to argue with that.

The biggest problem with this is the match-ups are right. Football-wise, talent-wise, they are probably all right. It’s terrible that BYU and TCU are proving their worth against each other, an impossible task considering the only thing they could possibly do to prove their ability would be to oust a top ranked “Big College” team. But it’s probably right. I would rank them 2 and 3, (ahead of Texas), based on what I’ve seen from all three teams this year – so they are the next best teams, and that’s what a Bowl should be looking for. But give them a chance to fight for the small schools, come on. It may be the right match-up (Kudos to “them” for getting something right), but it’s wrong on every other level, and gives two of the best teams in the country almost nothing to gain with a win in January.

Nevada Wolf Pack vs Boise State Broncos Pick & Preview

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Nevada Wolf Pack (+12) @ Boise State Broncos Pick & Preview: As I imagined, this line has moved in my favor. You can get the Wolf Pack at +14, and those extra two points could be very big.

Am I saying that the Wolf Pack are going to come in and down the Broncos perfect season? Are they going to clear up the BCS small school picture with a single HUGE upset over Boise State in Boise? In Boise? Boy, that’s tougher to call, but in a game that is often close (or at least has been over the last 2 seasons) I think the Wolf Pack have one hell of a chance to put a wrinkle in time.

First of all, let me give some credit to the Broncos. They are one hell of a team, and they can really move with any team in the Nation on both sides of the ball. They showed early in the season what they can do to an elite rushing attack like Oregon, and they’ve proved all season long that they know how to win, even when things don’t go there way. Boise can run the ball – they’ve out-rushed all but two opponents all season long, and they have one of the most accurate and efficient passers in all of college football, the stud lefty Kellen Moore. Moore has 33 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions, and will almost certainly eclipse the 3000 yard mark in this game. Boise is grand.

But Nevada is coming in on one heck of a run. They’ve won 8 straight, covered six of those games, and out-rushed their opponents in every game, by 200 or more yards in 6 games. They can really run the ball. They have a great quarterback to their own right, a rushing and throwing elite athlete in Colin Kaepernick. Nevada has been getting closer and closer, and I think they give the Broncos a game in Boise.

Boise State Broncos vs Utah State Aggies Free Pick

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Boise State Broncos (-24.5) @ Utah State Aggies Free Pick: Like I said in my Just Picks Newsletter, the Broncos are out for blood and embarrassment every time they lace them up and walk onto a football field. They are a GREAT team and have almost no chance at a National Title. They know that if they put up a stinker, even in a winning fashion, against a team like Utah State, their dream scenario has no chance of coming true. Just look at what they’ve done lately. They’ve won by at least 38 points in 3 of their last 4 games. Last week’s destruction of a solid Idaho team just shows what they can too when given a chance to prove themselves.

This week it’s Utah State – an underrated Aggie team that hasn’t lost by more than 18 points all season long. Now, they haven’t played a team like Boise State, but still, you have to think they’d be a decent value considering their ability to stick within a couple scores of every team they’ve played.

Against great small school teams like BYU and Utah, Utah State held their own losing by 18 on both occasions. There’s a chance that happens again here – but with their winning-margin being important, I know Boise State will do their best to drop 50 on Utah State. With how focused and sound their defense is, I don’t see the Aggies scoring more than 3 touchdowns – even that’s a stretch. 52-17 is about what I expect. The Broncos are too good. The fact that you can get this game for -23 at most books makes Boise even more likely to cover. 45-21 covers for -23 bettors. I need even more.

Boise State Broncos vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Pick

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Boise State Broncos (-20.5) @ Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Pick & Preview: Trap game? Friday Night stinker? Running into the Bulldogs playing pretty solid offensive football? Sure, all those things are something to consider, but as Friday Night comes around, I have to like the Broncos to continue slamming the competition like some hulking barbarian carny with a sledge hammer. Bring it.

Does it bother me that 68% of the public agree with me on this one? Not really, the Broncos are a spread gobbling bettor’s darling, putting up points in a fast and furious manner that could pull Vin Diesel out of family films and back to the car racing, ass kicking, ass getting, big “bad” brawler films that originally got him those high-paying kid flicks. During their 8-0 run to start the season, the Broncos have covered enormous spreads often, going 6-2 ATS.

Boise State has covered against the Bulldogs in 4 of the last 5 meetings. The Broncos have beaten the Bulldogs 7 straight times, destroying them by more than three touchdowns 4 times. Now, the Bulldogs have only lost two games by 21 points or more so far this season, but those two games were against the best La Tech has played, Nevada and Auburn, and neither of those teams are as good as Boise State.

The Broncos have been double digit favorites five times this season, they covered 4 of those games. They’re not a stranger to big spreads, and they don’t take any prisoners when beating up on lesser teams. I think the Bulldogs make this a game early, but Boise will come on too strong to oust the Bulldogs by the three touchdowns needed to cover.

Boise State Broncos vs Tulsa Golden Hurricane Free Pick

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This week there’s a great Wednesday match-up in College Football. 5th Ranked Boise State plays a talented and fast Tulsa team looking to deliver a crushing upset to the Broncos. As many have seen, anything can happen mid-week in NCAA Football and this is my free pick.

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Boise State Broncos @ Tulsa Golden Hurricane (+9): I like the Golden Hurricane to put up enough of a fight to keep this one close. Each of the last two meetings between these two programs have been close games. While Boise has won both, Tulsa has covered easily. Both defenses have a lot of speed and come second to their own offenses when people talk about these teams. It’s a Wednesday Night game, which makes me think it will be close. Tulsa can put up points, and they’ve done so in every single game besides their blowout at the hands of Oklahoma. I’m not sure they were ready for that game, but they will be for this one. Tulsa is 12-2 at home over the last couple seasons, and they always play well on their home turf. Both offenses are relatively mistake free, and I think that benefits the big home dog in this one. The Broncos haven’t really been tested yet this year, as even in their closest contest (an 11 point win over Oregon), they were in control all game long. Anything can happen mid-week on the road, and I expect this one to be a lot closer than Boise fans are expecting. That being what it is, I’ll take the home team and the points.

NCAA Free Football Picks: Week 7

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Well if I were taking Thursday games, my underdog romp would be put to the test – that would mean bet Clemson and UAB, though I’m not sure if UAB +18 is that good of a bet. Regardless, I’m not betting Thursday Games this week, but I have to follow the Thursday underdog card for my lean, so Clemson and UAB would be the ones if I had to pick em. Right now I don’t though, and I get to choose a couple bets to work with. Here are the ones that interest me…

Texas Longhorns @ Oklahoma Sooners (-6.5): I don’t think Texas is a Top 10 team in the country, I think Oklahoma is the best team we’ve got in this game – so I have to take the home team at less than a touchdown favorites. I have a feeling this could be a lot like USC/Ohio State – with the Sooners running away with it. We’ll see, certainly, but I love OK in this one. I’m not the only one though, 63% of the public is riding Sooner maroon.

Arizona Wildcats (-6) @ Stanford Cardinal: This may not be great value, but if the Wildcats play to their potential and Stanford plays to their potential, then Arizona wins this game by three touchdowns. The Wildcats are good folks, one of the top 4 teams in the Pac 10.

Washington State @ Oregon State (-30): The Cougars are so bad it’s unbelievable. Last week against a bad UCLA team the Cougars could only manage a field goal while giving up 4 scores. I don’t think Oregon State is the best value at -30, but I think they’ll win by more than 4 scores, so I have to take them here.

Nebraska Cornhuskers @ Texas Tech Red Raiders (-20): I just think Nebraska is a bad blond joke, really. They gathered a little too much love after starting the season with a nice record. They lost at home to a Virginia Tech team that can’t score, and they gave up 35 points in the process. Texas Tech has one of the best offenses in the field, taking them here makes sense, even with all those points to cover.

LSU Tigers (+6) @ Florida Gators: I like LSU. I think they are better than the Gators, because defensively they can stop anyone. Tim Tebow hasn’t really impressed me this year, as he looks a step behind himself last year, both throwing and running. The Gators sure have lots of talent, but they’ll never be as physical as the Tigers. I think LSU pulls the upset here.

Penn State Nittany Lions @ Wisconsin Badgers (+5.5): If the Badgers proved anything last week, it’s that they play great football at home. The Lions have been fantastic thus far, looking almost unbeatable, but that might just change in Wisconsin this week, and at +5.5 the Badgers hold all the value in this one.

Boise State Broncos (-10.5) @ Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles: I like Boise in this one. I don’t think the Broncos will sleep on coach Larry Fedora for one second, and they are the much more talented team. The Broncos beat a good Oregon team and a quality Bowling Green team. SMU just lost home tilts with Marshall and UTEP, back to back. Their only wins are against Arkansas State and a decent Louisiana Lafayette team. The Broncos are too efficient in what they do, and I think they make a statement against SMU in this one – Not in year one Mr. Fedora!

Tulsa Hurricane (-24.5) @ Southern Methodist Mustangs: Tulsa is a nice team. They can really throw the ball. They can run it. They put up lots of points, and considering the amount of possessions their defense has to play, they stop opponents as well. They haven’t played anybody really good yet, but then again the Mustangs aren’t really good. Tulsa has beaten similar mediocre to bad teams by bout 28 points (if you don’t count their 63-7 win over Bowling Green. I think that margin is about right, giving the Hurricane a nice 5-5 point value here.

Idaho Vandals @ Fresno State Bulldogs (-34): I’ll say it again, that’s how bad Idaho is. Think the Detroit Lions of college football. The Bulldogs have played below their talent level the last couple games, I bet that trend doesn’t continue in this one. The Vandals put up 14 poitns against Nevada last week, that alone was amazing, they still lost by 35 points though. In their 5 losses this year, the Vandals haven’t been closer than 23 points – and that was against Western Michigan. Brutal. FSU 54- Idaho 10…

Air Force Falcons (-10.5) @ San Diego State Aztecs: Air Force is good, SD State is bad. Air Force played tight with a very good Navy team (lost by 6) and an even better Utah team (lost by 3) – they should trounce the Aztecs.