To Boise or Not To Boise?

Coach

I am a fan of the Boise State Broncos. This is for two reasons, one which is rather self-serving,     and the other which is pseudo-moral. First I cheer for the Broncos because they can throw a gigantic monkey wrench into the fiasco that is the B.C.S. I don’t know anyone who likes the B.C.S., or if they do support it hide like a closet democrat in east Tennessee. The B.C.S. is about nothing but money, and lots of it! The cities in which B.C.S. games are played enjoy massive boosts to their respective economy. I have absolutely no problem with that, but what I do have an issue with is the NCAA (better known as the High and Mighty Dark Overlord of College Athletics) acting as an agent for these communities and sharing in the profits while dictating what is and what’s not acceptable conduct any time money and student athletes are mentioned in the same sentence.

Secondly, I cheer for the Broncos because they’re the underdog, and who among us doesn’t love a good underdog story? These kids have won 17 straight games and haven’t sniffed the “national championship” game. If they were in the PAC-10, SEC, Big-10, or Big 12, there would be monuments erected in their honor. This is a good football team, regardless of conference. (This coming from the biggest SEC honk there is) Boise State would beat any team in the SEC tomorrow, except for Alabama. Chew on that one for a minute!

Mike

Well I do have to agree with the ole Coach on this one.  At least one of his thoughts is valid on this topic.  He is correct that Boise St. is very fun to watch and that blue field is definitely a treat for these baby greens.  I will say that I always hesitate on their channel when I see the Big Blue Machine to see how things are looking for them.  However, and this is a VERY BIG however..... Boise St. could possibly beat any ONE team in the SEC today.  TODAY folks - I think they could catch them in a one and done, but I implore you to bring them over to the Southeastern Friggin Conference to play government ball with the big boys. (Side note: If you don't know what government ball is - please see Kiffin, Lane or Carroll, Pete to see what they did to their last respective teams.  That is government ball.)  Point is - they wouldn't be able to play in the big leagues without doing some government work.  Taxes are expensive week in and week out on this side of the country and that blue field would be stained red every home game the Buckin' Broncos had a home game.  I'm sure the Coach would possibly agree with me on this one, but his pride for the underdog will not allow it.  All in all though - I do hope the boys of fall in Boise help throw the BCS out the window with the bath water.  Just think there might be a lil too much green being tossed around by the dinosaurs to allow that to happen. 

Brock-tober is almost upon us Boiler Room faithful.  I can't tell you how happy I was to hear that Mir KO'd Mirko.  Just one step closer to getting him back into the ring with my big Viking (or at least the descendant of Vikings doin' work. 

Good talks folks - until next time.

Coach

Government ball? Is that at all like government cheese? My dear Shogun, the mighty Boise State Broncos will likely go undefeated this season, barring a MAJOR upset. While the Tide will lose one game somewhere along the line. So the question then becomes, as has already been debated, "Do you take an undefeated Boise State team with a less-than-stellar schedule (which is no fault of their own) or do you take a one-loss Alabama team who's gone through the gauntlet of the SEC?

Make no doubt that the powers that be WANT that one-loss 'Bama team because they have a larger following and will bring more money to the "national championship" game where ever it's held this season. The Broncos will have a good following too, but nothing compared to the rabid 'Bama fans, hungry for a repeat title.

So my premise remains; the national title game is a complete farce and has nothing to do with the two best teams in college football "settling it on the field" but has much more to do with who can bring the larger crowd to a given city and pump revenue into the local economy; plain and simple. If you honestly think the "championship" is truly about the to best teams in football playing, you're just not paying attention.

Mike

Brother, it is EXACTLY like govt cheese!!!!  I'm completely fine with Boise St going undefeated for the regular season - except for the fact of strength of schedule. Let me back up one second!  I in no way think we have a good system in place right now(read:BCS). But, since we have it we have to understand it's quirks and how things will shake out.  I for one (and you make two) applaud Boise St for all they have accomplished to get where they are. I just think that their strength of schedule is where the proverbial monkey wrench comes in. Do I think that the Broncos should be rewarded with a Nat'l champ game just cause they posted a goose egg in the L column?  I completely agree that the Nat'l champ game doesn't have a perfect system to give us the best 2 teams but it is what it is!!!  Think less about dollars and how it makes cents and more about how you think the Buckin' Broncos would fare against even say UT's strength of schedule.  I realize it's a pipe dream to think that all teams should be judged based on how they do and less on current justifiers. As it stands now - teams are so scared to go outside the box when scheduling non-conf games due to the way they're rewarded for going undefeated. Here's a radical idea - build the system like UFC currently runs.  Yes - teams will get beat but judge them on who they're beat by and go forward. Then, we'll have a regular season that all these "believers"(read:kool aid drinkers) in the BCS can say is worthy of holding off a playoff system. 

Good talks - good time Beef!

Will They or Won't They?

Chris



I’ve got my chips. I’ve located my adult beverage. I’m ready to veg out on the couch for the entire day and soak up all that is COLLEGE FOOTBALL!


That’s right boys and girls, it’s time for football; college football. And as I prepare myself for “battle”, I find myself wondering how my beloved Volunteers are going to fare this season. We’ve got (another) new head coach, a new O-line, a new quarterback, and lost the face of the program, Eric Berry to the NFL. I would be dishonest with myself if I thought that the Vols would win more than 5 games this season. Now I fully understand that there’s always the chance for an upset, but if the Vols don’t do exactly that, pull an upset, they will be watching the Bowl season from the comfort of their own dorm rooms, yet again this season.


We start off with U.T-Martin this evening. The anticipation is running high since no Vol fan truly knows what to expect. Of course, Martin isn’t exactly a measuring stick on which to base the entire season. Next week, Oregon (not Orgeron) comes to Knox Vegas. They will likely be ranked in the top 10, if not just a bit outside it. This will be the first true test of the team, and will undoubtedly result in a 14-20 point beat-down at the hands of the Ducks.


As I look at U.T.’s schedule, there’s just not many games that are winnable. I predict that they will beat Martin, and they will beat Memphis. Other than that, it’s really a coin toss. They might beat Vanderbilt, there’s a chance they can beat South Carolina, and as long as Jeremiah Masloi tears a major knee ligament sometime between now and then, we could beat Ole Miss. There’s a hole lot of ifs and maybes in there dear reader.


All I’m saying is not to get your hopes to high this season, or next. By year 3 of the Dooley era, we should be back to competing with the best teams in the SEC.




Mike


Howdy folks! I gotta disagree with The Ole Coach on this one. I feel like UT is going to embrace this underdog role and kick a lil ass this year! I say were gonna go with at least 7 wins this year! Call me crazy but I remember last year we played with all the big boys and barely lost. If not for Mt. Cody and his removable helmet last year - we possibly best the Tide. If not for Superman - I think the Vols ate the gators lunch. Just couldn't find the Kryptonite.


Disillusioned Vol fans have long thought we were a team that should be vying for the national championship yr in and yr out but we need to establish ourselves as a Top 10 team again first and then we can start talking about titles again. I have to admit I wrote this blog a day late and a dollar short after watching UT play the JV team.


Here are some thoughts I have:


New Ball Coachilla - I liked Lane’s enthusiasm but I think he had the wrong road map to success. The one with "Carroll’s Cliff notes to Succeeding - IE - Winning for dummies (cheating)"


Not having a head case qb. I felt like we were in great shape for at the play calling position.


Loved seeing us going for it on 4th down - even if the game was well in hand by that point. Gets us those reps for when we need it. Shotgun formation no less.


Bryce who?!? - I think were just fine at the tail as well even without the primadonna Bryce Brown back there. Props to Dooley for making these boys understand there will be some law and order under Sheriff Dooley!


Looking forward to a fun season either way and looking especially forward to exchanging barbs with my wonderful buddy Chris "Beefcake" Barbour. You guys are in for some treats.


Chris


Pretty good points, Ninja, but I’m looking at the season as a whole here. Spit the Orange Kool-Aid out and listen to me just for one minute….


Let’s take it game-by-game, and maybe, just maybe that will make my point.


Next game Oregon at Neyland Stadium. The only legitimate chance we have of winning this game is if the team is killed a plane crash on the cross-country flight to K-Town! I’ll be shocked if the spread isn’t 12-14 points.


Florida: They’ll be hitting on all cylinders by the time that land in Knoxville.


U.A.B.: O.K., this one we should win…for no other reason than we’re Tennessee and they’re not!


L.S.U.: U.T. will lose this one despite Les Miles’ best efforts to hand it to us!


Georgia: If this one were in Knoxville, maybe…but it’s not.


Ala-damn-bama: Not on our best day this year….


South Carolina: The Ol’ Ball Coach owned Phil Fulmer, and beat U.T. with lesser talent. This one’s in Columbia, expect him to dog pile.


Memphis: Maybe we win this one. I’ll give us the nod here.


Mississippi: Jeremiah Masloi will be firmly entrenched as the QB by the time The Rebs roll into Knoxville. They’ll still be looking for revenge for that Jacksonville State debacle. We lose a close one.


Vandy: We should beat these bookworms….just like we always do.


Kentucky: Joker Phillips is going to be out to prove a point; along with Mr. Cobb.


That’s four wins by my count. MAYBE five is we pull an upset along the way. I know this, if Derek Dooley gets this team to a bowl game; ANY bowl game this season, they should build a statue of him and place it beside the flame carrier at the top of the hill. I love my Vols, I’m just being realistic.


Mike


Your constant glass is half empty outlook on our beloved Vols never fails. I've known you for the start of three seasons and each one has brought the gloom and doom out of you. While I concur that we have seen better days - I also see the light at the end of the tunnel. I feel like we're on the right track to restore glory to our University. By all means - the stadium looks GORGEOUS now so why can't the team play well to assist all our hostesses and the looks of the stadium. A few W's wouldn't do too bad in recruiting the talent to the Smokies. Mark my words(because I may end up eating them and I don't want to be able to deny them) - I think we're in for one helluva season this year. You've made some VERY good points about the teams we play, but I also think you're basing a lot on what happened last season. I think we've improved in all areas, but at the same time - we do have a lot we can work on. Without further ado - BRING ON THE #7 Ducks.






PS - That's not Kool-Aid I'm drankin' - it's Duck Blood(new mixture I brewed up for the tailgate this weekend). Hope to see my co-host down there. Toss the ole pigskin around.