Boise State Wanted How Much?

I'm not one to jump on the bandwagon. I find a team I like and I pretty much stick with them through thick and thin. The latest to expand the bandwagon may be the fanbase of Boise State.

Many people have been torn by the recent success of the Broncos. Some "experts" are saying their #3 ranking is a joke while others say it's deserved. One thing I think both sides can agree on, Boise State is a legit football program.

Now I know the real Broncos fans are as devoted as any college football fanbase. I've watched a few of their games and that stadium is absolutely bonkers about their team. And they have every right to be. Chris Peterson has built an excellent program and he deserves a massive amount of credit. A program that was once known for the "Smurf Turf" has evolved into a top program.

That all being said, what I recently read on Omaha.com really threw me for a loop.

One of the cries from Boise State supporters is that no major college program will even give them the time of day. Boise wants to improve its non-conference schedule. But check out this excerpt from the article.

There’s been some bold talk this week out of the Boise State camp of supporters. Nobody in a big-boy conference will play Boise. You think that you can beat the Broncos? Give them a call. We dare you.

Nebraska called. Nebraska tried.

In the past year, NU tried to put together a series with BSU; two-for-one, home-and-home, one-way trip to Lincoln. Whatever. It ended up fizzling out. Why?

Because, according to NU Assistant Athletic Director Jeff Jamrog, Boise wanted a minimum $1 million to play in Lincoln.

Now...this is from an Omaha site, mind you, but it does leave you wondering. Wondering if Nebraska is merely blowing smoke or if Boise State has become that arrogant or if that's just now a sign of the economic times.

The one word that really struck a chord was "minimum". Dr. Evil would be so proud. Are you serious? A mill? What on earth can possess those in charge to demand such a thing?

Before everyone wants to chastise Boise State for such a demand, simply read this from a post on Bleacher Report from last December. You will quickly do an "about face".

Navy received a record payout by Ohio State, a whopping $1 million, for their game in Columbus this year. Generally Ohio State would not pay that much to a visiting team but the pageantry associated with a national service academy warranted paying Navy $1 million.

In the past, the Buckeyes have paid $750,000 to $850,000 in guaranteed money out of net revenues that run between $3.8 million and $4.5 million per game depending on weather and concession sales.

Arkansas State will receive $1 million for games at Auburn in 2010 and at Virginia Tech in 2011.

Neutral site games are also potential huge paydays. Boise State will receive $1.25 million for a game at Fed-Ex Field against Virginia Tech next year. The real whopper is that Texas A&M and Arkansas will each be paid $5 million per year to play their annual game at Jerry's World (Cowboy Stadium). That's better than BCS bowl money, and they don't have to share with the rest of the conference!

Navy got a mill. Arkansas State's getting the same from two BCS teams in two different seasons. Boise State did collect a decent payday just last week. And what is to be made of the cashflow that will be generated at Texas A&M and Arkansas?

I continually hear that "Boise State can't get anyone to play them" and after digesting all of this, I'm ill (and not from the two chili dogs I just consumed). I'm disgusted. It's not that nobody will play Boise State, it's that nobody will pay them.

We go the Gene Smith once again.

"In coming years, the going rate will be $1 million in guaranteed money," Smith said.

The coming years are already here, Gene. You and your BCS brethren better recognize that fact.

And Boise State does have the right to request that amount. Boise State has every right to play in big games outside of BCS games. Boise State has beaten BCS teams and that might still be the real reason Boise cannot attract competition. Boise State has proven they can at least "hang" with the BCS teams.

But here's the real fact.

The big boys are scared and don't want to dole out big bucks and face potential embarrassment.

First BCS Standings Show Gators on Top

The first "issue" of the BCS standings were released yesterday, and while we know these will change from week to week, there's always a couple of interesting points to debate. It's no different this time around. A quick peek of the top 5.

1. Florida (6-0) - The Gators used a field goal with 0:09 left to escape an upset bid from Arkansas in its last game (at The Swamp). They also survived one of the toughest atmospheres in all of college sports by beating LSU at night in Baton Rouge, 13-3. QB Tim Tebow (right) has been slowly coming along since his concussion against Kentucky, but the Gators do need more offense. Next up for the Gators: they travel to Mississippi State to face former offensive coordinator and the Bulldogs' new head coach Dan Mullen. Think Mullen knows a thing or two about Florida's offense? Also down the road is the party in Jacksonville against the Georgia Bulldogs.

2. Alabama (7-0) - The Tide jumped over Florida in the AP poll, but that poll is not a factor in the BCS' crazy formula, b ut it still commands attention. Pardon the pun, but maybe the tide is turning in Bama's favor. If things hold up, and at this time of year you just never know if it will or not, the Crimson Tide is on a direct collision course with Florida in the SEC Championship Game with the winner most likely holding down the BCS #1 slot along with a shot at the National Title. Nick Saban and crew have a interestng games ahead: #9 LSU, at Mississippi State, and at Auburn to close out the regular season. I do have this question: Why is hardly anyone mentioning RB Mark Ingram (left) as a legit Heisman candidate? Just thinking out loud, I guess.

3. Texas (6-0) - The Longhorns went to the Cotton Bowl and defeated Oklahoma, 16-13, in the Red River Rivalry. Although it wasn't prtty, QB Colt McCoy (right) and the Longhorns found a way to get the victory. The road to a potential National Championship game doesn't come without possible bumps in Texas' road. This week, it's a night game in Columbia against Missouri. The following week is another road tilt in Stillwater to face the #15 Oklahoma State Cowboys. They have #25 Kansas in Austin and the final regular season game at Texas A&M. If they get by those  lurks the Big 12 Championship Game. Lots a work ahead for Mack Brown and the boys..

4. Boise State (6-0) - The Broncos have the toughest task of any of the top 5 teams. QB Kellen Moore (left) and his Broncos teammates must run the table and have at least a handful of teams ahead and behind them stumble down the road. The hardest part of Boise State's schedule is somewhat behind them. Going to Louisiana Tech will not be a walk in the park despite the fact that Tech is only a 3-3 team. Two big home dates with Nevada and Idaho are games where quite possibly the Broncos can stabilize their ranking, but being at home may also hurt them as far as the BCS is concerned. Exactly how far can an opening week win at home against #16 Oregon carry these guys? It's got the Broncos this far and if the Ducks continue to play well, it can carry Boise State pretty far.

5. Cincinnati (6-0) - The Bearcats hopes could hinge on the health of QB Tony Pike (right) and his wrist. A plate was inserted in Pike's non-throwing wrist last year and during the Bearcats last game at South Florida, Pike took a ht and fell on that wrist. He was forced to leave the game and his chances of playing in UC's next game against Louisville was doubtful at best. That may change as UC head coach Brian Kelly tells The Cincinnati Enquirer that Pike may play. He states that fact at the end of the linked article. The Bearcats cn enhance their chances with games remaining against #23 West Virginia at home and at #20 Pitt. If yu read the article that I linked, you also read where some are saying that Cincy isn't legit. Win the rest of the games and there will be no question even if UC plays in the Big East.

Rounding out the top 10 are #6 Iowa (7-0), #7 USC (5-1), #8 TCU (6-0), #9 LSU (5-1), and #10 Miami (FL) (5-1).

Blount to be a Duck again?

It was the punch that everyone saw. You saw it on SportsCenter. You saw it on YouTube. You might have even had a friend email it to you. You were absolutely in awe of what had happened. Yet, there's a chance that the guy that threw the punch will be back playing this season.

This is what I'm referring to if you haven't seen this already.



Oregon Ducks running back LeGarrette Blount took a shot Boise State's Byron Hout after an exchange following the Broncos 19-8 win over the Ducks on September 3. What makes this "shot" more apalling is that the NCAA had members of each team participate in an pregame handshake as a show of sportsmanship. Blount was one of the particpants in this ceremony.

Today Ducks head coach Chip Kelly is addressing the media after today's practice regarding Blount's status. I'm sure this press conference will be highly attended. I will give Kelly credit on this aspect: Blount has been attending class and participating practices as a member of the scout team. Keeping Blount involved was the best thing to do. This way, Kelly was showing Blount that he wasn't going to let this incident (and there's been another) ruin Blount's life.

When this first occurred, I mentioned on a post from September 4th that Blount had previously been reprimanded and suspended for "failure to fulfill team obligations" in February. Apparently Blount was not holding up his end of the bargain as far as winter workouts were concerned. Some will say that Blount had already been given a second chance and that the Ducks program should have washed their collective hands of him. First, the suspension and then the punch.

It looks like that may not be the case. Kelly has had a "plan" in place to potentially reinstate Blount prior to the end of this year. But Blount has been receiving advice from some very prominent individuals including Tony Dungy, Kermit Washington, and Harry Edwards. Kelly might not have the pull to get Blount on the proper track, but these guys do.

We know of Dungy's working with Michael Vick and that in itself should raise some eyebrows. Washington is the perfect person to help Blount because he's been exactly in Blount's shoes. On December 9, 1977, Washington threw a punch at Rudy Tomjanovich during an on-court altercation. Washington received a 60 day suspension for his part and Tomjanovich received $3.2 million.

Edwards, I think, is the key. His focus has been on African-American athletes and their experiences. Edwards is also a prime advocate of African-Americans being involved in sports management. In an interview with Time from March 6, 1989, Edwards delivers a most thought provoking statement:

"We must teach our children to dream with their eyes open," he said. "The chances of your becoming a Jerry Rice or a Magic Johnson are so slim as to be negligible. Black kids must learn to distribute their energies in a way that's going to make them productive, contributing citizens in an increasingly high-technology society."

Edwards has also served in a consulting role for the San Francisco 49ers and the Golden State Warriors. His primary role was to recruit African-American talent for positions within the front office of those organizations. He still is greatly admired and since the early 70's has been greatly involved in the sociology of sports.

The main force behind Blount's reinstatement has been those attending the Ducks games. "Free Blount" T-shirts were seen at the Ducks last home game.

In baseball it's three strikes and you're out. What about football?

Football has four downs. Blount's on third and long.

Oregon tailback LeGarrette Blount: Caught on Tape

Update: Oregon announced that Blount has been suspended for the season. At one time, Blount was being touted as a dark horse Heisman candidate. While I was watching ESPN, Robert Flores said the one NFL individual told him that Blount went from being a second or third round pick to undrafted. No hopes of Heisman and the chances of an NFL career are truly slim.

Everyone's probably seen it. This is a full version (along with highlights) of the events that transpired after the Oregon-Boise State game last evening. The principals involved are LeGarrette Blount of Oregon and Byron Hout of Boise Sate.



The most bizarre and ironic part of this story is what transpired before the game. Someone in their wisdom found it necessary to have a pre-game ceremonial handshake as a gesture of good sportmanship. Blount was one of the participants.

If you watched the full 3 minutes, you noticed that Hout appears to slap Blount on his shoulder pad and say something in Blount's direction. It's almost as if Hout was taunting Blount. Then, the infamous punch was thrown. A punch all of the world would know see and remember.

What degree of blame does Hout have in this dreaded incident? He does bear some. Very little, but some. A grade school teacher once taught me that not only are there sore losers, but sore winners as well. That appears to be the case with Hout. But Blount showed the ultimate display of being a sore loser.

Blount's future as an Oregon Duck remains clouded. Blount was suspended in February for "failure to fulfill team obligations". Those team obligations were reportedly winter workouts. Not a big deal considering last night's developments.

Oregon athletic director Mike Bellotti said he would confer with Pac-10 officials before making a decision. Oregon's new head coach Chip Kelly had this statement after the events:

"There's no place in college football for that," Kelly said. "…This [Boise State] is a heckuva football team. It shouldn't be marred by something after the fact. They beat us, and to react poorly after the game is not what we're all about. I just told the kids in the locker room that we have to learn how to play with emotion, not let emotion play with us. When you go out and get beat in a football game, you go out and shake that guy's hand and you go in the locker room and prepare for your next opponent. That stuff has no place in our program and won't have any place in our program."

And what does Blount have to say of his actions?

"I should have handled that situation a lot better than I did," Blount said. "I apologize. We will never have a game like this again. … The game as it went on, just got more frustrating and more frustrating for me in general. I shouldn't have said anything. I shouldn't have done anything."

The game was extremely frustrating for Blount: 8 carries for -5 yards. Not a stat line any running back would be proud of having. But Blount might not get another chance to handle a similar situation "a lot better". While his apology will most likely be accepted, his actions will be what everyone remembers.

And his actions could lead to his dismissal from Oregon's football program.