Week Of Upsets

This past week was a week of notable upsets in the college ranks, showing the pundits are no better than picking teams than us every day people.



A week ago Saturday found the unranked Boise State Broncos in Autzen Stadium a 10 point underdog to the 12th ranked Oregon Ducks.



Oregon was featuring two stallion running backs and on their first scoring drive, they made the pundits look smart. They ran through the Bronco defense at will and marched the ball with a classic leap over a defender into the end zone.



Then it was Boise's turn and the red shirt freshman Kellen Moore answered the call, lighting up the Duck defense for 386 yards with 3 TDs and 1 pick.



Going into the 4th quarter it was BSU 37 Ducks 23.



The Ducks burned D. Thomas's red shirt and put him at the end of the third period. He almost saved the day for Oregon. He returned Kellen Moore's favors lighting up the Boise State defense for 210 yards 3 TDs and 1 pick, bringing the score to Boise 37 Oregon 32.



This was the first time Bellotti had lost to a WAC Team and that Boise had beaten a WAC Team on the road in their house.



Thursday this week found the Oregon State Beavers ready to make their own claim to fame this season.



They entered Reeser Stadium unranked and a huge underdog 25 point with a 1 - 2 record, hosting powerful Pac 10 Conference mate the formidable USC Trojans from Southern California.



So. Cal entered Reeser undefeated and ranked #1 in the college polls, with the expectations of being in the national title game.



However the Men From Troy had memories of visiting Reeser and the Beavers in 2006 and coming away with a loss, suffering an embarrassing upset. Could lightning strike twice?



Yes, in the form of a 5'6 198 lb red shirt freshman running back named Jacquizz Rodgers, who ran at will through the mighty Trojan defense. Rodgers ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries against a defense that was allowing 51.5 yards per game on the ground, sixth best in the nation. Gaining more yards on the men from Troy since Vince McMahon the QB from Texas torched them for 200 yards in the 2006 Rose Bowl.

Last night we saw Alabama like the Phoenix rising from the ashes of the Shula era defeat the undefeated Georgia Bull Dawgs between the hedges in Athens, Georgia.

From the opening kickoff it was apparent that Nick Saban and his crew came for blood, Bull Dawg blood and drew many pints in the early going, taking a 30 - 0 lead into the half.

The second half was a different game, seeing Georgia rally and come back, winning the second half 30 - 10 but losing the game in a thriller that ended 41 -30.

This was certainly a week of upsets, proving as in the pros on any given day, the underdog, regardless of who they play can bring home the win. Which is why college football is so exciting.

The Mid Major BCS Picture.....Clear As Mud

Those of us that follow the mid majors are in for treat this season. This season offers a BCS Busters play off.

Unlike 2004 when Utah and Boise State both finished the regular season undefeated, The Utah Utes were awarded the first BCS Buster game, meeting and easily defeating Pitt in the Fiesta Bowl.

Boise State became the 2nd team to crash the party, going undefeated and meeting the Oklahoma Sooners in the Fiesta Bowl, providing giving college football fans arguably one of the greatest finishes in college football lore.

Last season we saw a mini one game elimination round in the quest for becoming the next BCS Bowl Buster, featuring WAC Conference mates Hawaii v Boise State.

Despite having one loss earlier in the year to The Washington Huskies, the Broncos were told if they beat Hawaii, they were in and would play in a BCS Bowl in Cajun Country, the Sugar Bowl. Hawaii won and met a southern buzz saw, the Georgia Bull Dogs who handed the Hawaii Warriors their hats.

Offering the 1 loss team Boise State Broncos a chance to be a BCS Buster changes the rules to get to the Big Party.. No longer does a mid-major have to be perfect to get tote Big Dance.

Given the rule change, in week 4 we have a scenario that can end as clear as mud.

The Mountain West Conference has three undefeated BCS Bowl contenders in BYU, TCU and Utah. No way can all three conference mates end the season undefeated, however it is possible for a two way tie for the conference championship and end the season 10 – 1. Giving each team a valid claim to the BCS party, providing Boise State does not go undefeated.

Without showing bias for one team over the other, it is possible for BYU to beat TCU and lose to Utah ending the season 10 – 1. Should Utah beating BYU and losing to TCU would also be 10 – 1.

The WAC Conference has provided the last two BCS Busters with Boise State and Hawaii and could possibly supply this years entry to the BCS at large berth.

Currently Fresno State is 3 – 1 with its only loss to Big 10 Wisconsin and the Broncos are 3 – 0 coming off a big win over the 17th ranked Oregon Ducks. Since they meet regular season, it is possible for them to each finish the season 10 – 1.

Should the above scenarios take place, the Mountain West should send their rep to the BCS. The MWC this year is a better conference than the WAC having three teams in the top 25 and better quality OC wins than the WAC.

Even though I am a 40 year Boise State die hard fan, the Broncos should only make the BCS if they are undefeated and the top contenders from the Mountain West finish the season with two losses or more.

Now that we know in week 4 of the season the BCS Buster picture is as clear as mud, let the games continue and may the best team win.

Football Refs Should Call The Game Not Decide The Game

Bad calls and missed calls are all part of the game. What should not be part of the game, is refs making blatantly bad calls supported by the replay booth and change the out come of the game.

This season in college ball I have seen two patently bad calls, one supported by the replay booth. One may have changed the games out come the other could have.

September 6, 2008 BYU v Washington at Huskie Stadium. Both teams fought a hard tough game, each having alot on the line for the seasoner opener.

BYU wanting a quality win over a PAC 10 team to maintain their nationa ranking and to establish their course as a BCS Buster. Washington, to get last season behind them and start off on a winning note for the home town fans while knocking off a nationaly rated team.

This was a hard fought game that went down to the wire. With just 2 seconds left on the clock, Huskie quarterback Jake Locker gets it into the end zone making the score 28 - 27 BYU. Washington now only needing the pat to send the game into overtime.

As Locker gets up, he flips the ball over his shoulder and celebrates with a team mate, he is immediatly flagged for unsportsman like conduct. Not for taunting or getting in the face of BYU players, but for flipping the ball over his shoulder.

Did this call change the complexion og the game, it had to. Instead of the usual pat, Washington was looking at a 35 yard pat.

BYU blocked the kick winning the game 28 - 27 and yet the biggest play in the game, is not Locker fighting off tacklers to score, setting the Huskies up to go into overtime. Not the fantastic push by the Cougars and blocking the extra point, perserving the win. No the biggest play of the game is the unsportsman like conduct call from the officials.

The rules are very specific and yet vague enough to allow an officials interpretation of the rules.

After a score or any other play, the player in possesion immedialty must return the ball to an official or leave it near the dead ball spot.

Rule C is the part of the celebration rules that effected this call and game. According to rule C players are prohibited from throwing the ball high into the air. Very subjective, what is high in the air? According to the Washington - BYU officials tossing the ball over the shoulder meets the standard.

My opinion, bad call, Locker did not throw the ball high into the air, he simply tossed it over his shoulder and celebtrated with his team mates.

The next call we review is the "incomplete pass" call by WAC Officials at Bull Dawg Stadium Saturday night September 13, in a game featuring Fresno State v Wisconsin.

Again it was a tight game with alot on the line for both teams. Fresno marketed the game as the biggest regular season home game in Bull Dawg history.

A win over the #10 rated Wisconsin Badgers moves #21 ranked Fresno up the polls with a qualtiy win over a Big Ten Team. Advancing their quest to be this years BCS Buster.

A Wisconsin win gives them a road win over a nationaly ranked team and a leg up in their quest to play in the NC game in January.

It was first and ten Fresno ball, they were passing it down the field down 13 - 7 with 3:22 left third quarter.

The Bull Dog QB connects with his receiver who tucks the ball away starts up filed taking two steps. Wisconsin strips the ball and recovers fumble. Pat Hill, the Fresno coach challenges the play in what is clearly a clean strip and recovery.

The replay officials overturn the call, allowing Fresno to continue its drive. Fresno settles for a frield goal making it a 13 - 10 game, which is how the game ended.

Had the Bull Dogs scored 7 the game may well have ended 14 - 13 Fresno damaging Wisconsin both in the polls and creating a similar situation like the Oklahoma Sooners v the Oregon Ducks September 16, 2006.

The setting was Eugene, Oregon's Autzen Stadium where the Oregon Ducks were trailing the Oklahoma Sooners 20 - 33 late in the 4th quarter.

Oregon mounted a drive and scored making the it a 27 - 33 game. With 1:12 left on the clock Oregon needed an onside kick followed with a miracle.

Both teams lined up for the expected onsides kick. A Duck player clearly touched the ball on the 45 yard line. One yard short of the required 10 yards the ball must travel, making it Sooners ball. Furhter more Oklahoma recovered the ball, assuring their posession and would be able to run out the clock, escaping with a win.

What happened next is unbelievable. The PAC 10 refs sent this game pivitol play up to the replay booth. The replay officials ruled Oregon's possession. the Ducks went onto score winning the game 34 - 33.

Not only did this call effect the game it changed the landscape for the national title game. Oklahoma finished the regular season 9 & 2 instead of 10 & 1 as they should have. The Oregon game cost Sooner Nation a bid for the NC game.

Missed calls will always be part of football, that is inevitable. Bad calls and hometown calls have no place in the game and can have a negative impact on more than just the game being played.

Bob Stoops and the Sooners have said they will never again travel to a PAC 10 stadium and play a game refed by PAC 10 officials. To this day they have held true to their word, denying all PAC 10 fans the chance to see the storied Sooners in their house.

WAC teams such as Fresno State have trouble getting BCS teams to visit their stadiums, last Saturdays call will only add to that challenge.

Oklahoma was a legitimate national title contender, however that loss in Oregon cost them their bid.