Tagged with: Western Athletic Conference

Opening Game

Published Monday, Aug 30th, 2010 By Cliff Marks Jr.

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Monday night is the opening game for Boise State. There are arguments for and against whether or not this is the biggest game in the history of Boise State Football. This game is played on Labor Day Monday night with national coverage on ESPN. The Broncos travel to FedEx field in Washington DC. This game has had so may different spins put on it my head is spinning with stats and information. My spin will be defense – key to a victory in this particular game. Our defense should step up the way they finished last season and that is STRONG.

The ACC and the WAC are two very different conferences and have a variety of strengths as do both of these teams. VaTech is a strong running team, Boise State is well balanced with a great Special Teams strategy. Defensive play by Boise State will require an immediate containment of the Hokies Offense much like the Oregon game last year. This will allow the offense to get grounded and relaxed as they can be prone to slower starts.

This is the first game for both programs and the play will most likely be sluggish for the first quarter on both sides of the ball as each team will look to find their groove. If Boise can keep turnovers to a minimum and contain the explosive offense of Virginia Tech then this one is going in the win column. Whether or not the offensive line can give Kellen the time needed to execute plays will be a key component of a Bronco victory.

The talk of the biggest game in the history is in question from my point of view. It is an opening game against the top ten ranked opponent and that in and of itself is critical if Boise State is to make a run at the Rose Bowl. Yes, I said Rose Bowl. I personally do not think the BCS will not allow anything more from an undefeated WAC team. I’m making plans to go to Pasedena for a New Years celebration (this topic is for an entirely different time).

Going back to 1996 Boise State is 10-4 in their opening games. The biggest loses from BCS schools are Georgia in 2005, South Carolina in 2001 and UCLA in 1999. In fact last years win over Oregon was the first against a BCS school in this time frame. Maybe a new streak can begin with a win this year. In previous years Boise has traditionally opened with a I-AA schools. The 2010 Broncos are with out a question the most talent rich teams of years past only giving up one starter and he’s now playing on Sunday.

Dear Mr. Everson

Published Wednesday, Aug 25th, 2010 By Cliff Marks Jr.

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My nightmare on Wall Street! I should be sleeping to be fresh for training tomorrow morning, however I tripped over the WSJ article from Darren Everson. And I’m rather upset at the approach, thought and motivation behind this article. Does WSJ need to sell something? I re-tweeted the link in the hopes of stirring the pot. Mr. Everson spoke of a “Nighmare’ and if the college football heritage full of  large stadiums and billion dollar endowment programs was ready to be uprooted by what once was a Junior College?

The blue turf represents a blue collar work ethic and a program that wins against all odds. I must say I was appalled at the thought of deserving  a championship only because of your size and stature and television revenue potential. Yes sir Boise plays in the WAC and the win. Boise State is moving to the MWC and most likely will continue to win. Yes sir Idaho is a sparsely populated state and has little if any television ratings as compared on a national stage.

Notre Dame and Michigan are suppose to win because they have a larger stadium and more money? What you don’t realize is they lack the will, heart and character of a underdog continually fighting for attention, love, affection and mostly fighting for national acceptance.  I say as Gene does lets take it outside. Lets take it on the field and settle it. Bring it on I say – Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, Miami whoever you are all welcome to come play on the Blue Turf and see what we can do with 35, 500 crazed fans in the Bronco Nation.

Deserving yes. Able yes. Willing yes. Ready yes. Nightmare no! Here is the link to is WSJ article in its entirety. Please feel free to contact Mr. Everson and share your opinion.

41 Miles

Published Thursday, Aug 19th, 2010 By Cliff Marks Jr.

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There are just 41 short miles between the MWC and WAC offices. Carl and Craig are doing battle and at this point the winner is looking to be the MWC, with Carl and the WAC wondering how to hold it all or should I say whats left together. Remember the June wedding? Boise State marrying the MWC with as much hoopla as the Professional Basketball player that left the working class of the midwest for the bright lights, beaches and Salsa of Miami. The Broncos proclaimed a gold strike!

Then the PAC-10 decided to move inland and take Utah  and Coach Hawkins and the Buffs of Colorado. The MWC said were all good and we will be just fine with BYU and BSU and TCU holding the MWC out of the RED! Then BYU said its the 4th of July in SLC and we are declaring our independence. What would that do to the conference with no SLC representation? Craig stuck a pin in the WAC balloon by offering Nevada and Fresno the opportunity to play in a new sand box with long time friend BSU.

The strike from Craig across the WAC bow may have just stopped the departure of BYU to another pasture. There were grumblings of San Diego and Las Vegas going to the WAC and many other rumors are still floating around the internet.  The cause of all of this is neither Carl or Craig or their respective leagues. The cause is the quest for BCS status and the almighty dollar. It has been an interesting week!