Selected Topic: Blog Swap

Blog Swap with teeth!

Published Monday, Sep 20th, 2010 By Cliff Marks Jr.

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Jason from OSU Beaver Football Blog has agreed to do a Blog Swap with BTN. Check out the site it pretty good! We are looking forward to receiving his questions and providing some good feedback. These are our questions.

  1. Your practicing on blue turf does the team really think this will help?
  2. How does the fan base feel about ESPN’s College Game Day showcasing the game?
  3. I have predicted Boise State will go to the Rose Bowl and play the winner of The Civil War, how would you feel about a rematch in Pasedena?
  4. How has the Beaver fan base received the new Nike Pro Combat uniforms?
  5. What do you predict the outcome at the end of the game to be?

Cowboy Chronicles: Questions – Asked and Answered

Published Thursday, Sep 16th, 2010 By Cliff Marks Jr.

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The results of our recent blog swap. A Q&A with Robert Gagliardi of Cowboy Chronicles. Click here to read BTN’s answers to Cowboy Chronicles questions and below are Cowboy Chronicles answers to BTN’s questions. A big thanks from BTN to Robert Gagliardi of Cowboy Chronicles for allowing us this opportunity. Good luck on Saturday (the 25th as you battle with the Air Force Falcons).

What are the biggest obstacles still ahead for the Cowboys as they look to the future?

I would say building the overall talent level throughout the program. You can never have enough speed and athleticism and Wyoming got better in the off-season in those areas at receiver. But more is always needed. Wyoming also needs to become more physical along both lines. The defensive line is rebuilding after losing its top four guys last season who were seniors. Keeping coaches in Laramie always is a challenge, especially when they win. That always will be an issue here. But in a more broader picture, Wyoming’s athletics budget is at or near the bottom of the Mountain West. It will never be at the top, but it needs to be closer to the middle for it to continue to be able to be competitive and relevant in Division I athletics.

The game is sold out, what can Bronco Nation expect from the Wyoming fan base?

Fans that love their Wyoming football and loves to see good teams come to Laramie. If Wyoming stays in the game early the fans will be a factor in terms of noise. Wyoming athletics is the only show in town (or the state) for the residents of this state. Many will drive eight hours one-way to see this game. There will be a lot of gold in the stands, but I also imagine a decent smattering of Blue and Orange from Boise State fans.

With a mobile quarterback will there be a different strategy of play against Boise State?

If QB Austyn Carta-Samuels is the only consistent running production for Wyoming, then there might be a different strategy. But if the Cowboys can get their run game going with the running backs, coupled with what Carta-Samuels can do then that could keep the Broncos on their heels somewhat. Carta-Samuels is very good at improvising and freelancing when a play breaks down or coverage is good down field. I think the Wyoming coaches would like to see him take less hits and less chances, but they also don’t want to take away his competitiveness, either. Carta-Samuels also has a way of making things happen late in games. He led Wyoming to five come-from-behind victories in the fourth quarter last season as a true freshman. None were against the caliber of team like Boise State, but Fresno State found out first hand in last year’s New Mexico Bowl. No matter what, Carta-Samuels needs to make some plays with his feet — and his arm — for Wyoming to have a chance. But he also can’t do it all by himself. He needs some help.

What impact will Boise State joining the MWC will have on the conference?

To me it’s impact will be big with the BCS prowess the Broncos have had in the past. Sure, Boise State doesn’t have the history in terms of longevity as Utah or BYU, but in this day and age college football and the BCS is a “What have you done for me lately” business and its tough to argue against Boise State’s track record. Boise State still makes the Mountain West relevant in the national picture despite losing Utah and BYU. Will it have the same type of success in the MWC as the WAC? I think it will be more difficult, but that doesn’t mean its not possible.

What is your prediction for the outcome of the game?

If Wyoming plays well it has an outside shot at an upset. I expect Wyoming to play well and do some nice things. But in the end Boise State wins. I see a game kind of like the previous two between these two teams: somewhat of a defensive struggle.

Final score: Boise State 27, Wyoming 16

Blog Swap – The Cowboy Way!

Published Friday, Sep 10th, 2010 By Cliff Marks Jr.

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Up next for the Broncos is a visit to Laramie Wyoming. I guess it’s fitting for the Cowboys to try and ride the Broncs. Robert from Cowboy Chronicles – The Wyoming Cowboys Blog and I have agreed to do a somewhat traditional pre-game blog swap. What should I ask him about the Cowboys?  Do I talk about their fans, their program, the elevation or how they feel about Boise State joining the MWC. I invite you to take a look at their blog and maybe offer up some suggestions. Check back for more on this.

Cowboy Chronicles

Gobbler Country answers a few questions from BTN

Published Sunday, Sep 5th, 2010 By Cliff Marks Jr.

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BTN: What is a Hokie?

GC: I am.

BTN: How long have you been running Gobbler Country and what got you started?

GC: I started it around February of 2008. As a former writer, I needed an outlet and the blog was a lot cheaper than therapy. Writing about the Hokies gave me the chance to talk about something I loved and knew about without having to be unbiased. Writing about Tech football came naturally because a friend once told me he wished he was as passionate about anything as I am about the Hokies.

BTN: How do Hoke Fans celebrate during the game, is there a special chant or something?

GC: Yeah, there are a few. We have a couple of chants that go along with two of our fight songs. In the middle of Tech Triumph, the fight song, we’ll yell “Go Tech!,” and at the end you’ll hear “Rae, Rai, V-P-I!,” which is also at the end of the official school chant. During another song the band plays, the Power Closer, you’ll hear us chant “Go Tech! Go Tech! H-O-K-I-E-S, Hokies!” However, our favorite chant comes when the offense is in the red zone and has been banned by the administration though you’ll still hear people trying to get it started. We yell “Oh!” six times and then “Stick it in! Stick it in! Stick it in!” accompanied by pelvic thrusts. Yeah, the administration really doesn’t like that one.

BTN: What did you think of the Nike Pro Combat uniforms?

GC: I like the black and think it’s a nice tribute to the Corps of Cadets and to Virginia Tech’s military tradition. However, I think they should have just stuck with that instead of adding the circuitry to the numbers and the shoulder stripes. I also think the matte finish helmets look figgin sweet. Hey, it could have been a lot worse.

BTN: Prediction for the outcome of Monday night’s game?

GC: I’ve said this since the game got moved. If it were played on Oct. 2, I think there’s no way we lose. However, since we have to replace so much and you guys … uh … don’t, I think you guys will take advantage of some of our new defense starters. I went with a final score of 31-28, but wouldn’t be surprised if it was something like 38-28.

A big thanks to Gobbler Country for playing along! On behalf of the team at BTN – We wish you all the best after Monday nights game! Go Broncos!

GobblerCountry.Com blog swap with BTN

Published Sunday, Sep 5th, 2010 By Cliff Marks Jr.

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While I was in New York earlier this week for the Nike press conference I wanted to meet some of the bloggers for the teams Boise State would be playing. The event moved along so fast, by the time I actually got around to it I didn’t have much luck finding anyone.

When I got into the airport transportation vehicle I could not believe my luck or fate. I met to creator of Gobbler County and we had a great conversation about our passions as bloggers. We also agreed to a blog swap. He shared that GC has already done one with Kevan of OBNUG (One Bronco Nation Under God) as they are both SB Nation sites. I explained that BTN was a little different and asked if it would be okay to work with an independent blog. I emailed these questions and I’m awaiting a response.

  1. What is a Hokie?
  2. How long have you been running Gobbler Nation and what got you started?
  3. How do Hoke Fans celebrate during the game, is there a special chant or something?
  4. What did you think of the Nike Pro Combat uniforms?
  5. Prediction for the outcome of Monday night’s game?

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