The amount of trash talk, worried tweeters and shaken confidence coming from the Ole Miss camp less than two weeks before the matchup with Boise State is a microcosm of the current state of both programs.
The feeling emanating from Oxford, Miss., is a mix of weary enthusiasm and unsupported confidence. My favorite comment came via Twitter from @TheNotoriousJON: "@JRodrigues89 but this Boise State team isn't of the same caliber that beat Georgia back in the day. To big a game for a first year coach..." https://twitter.com/TheNotoriusJON/status/501008268375105536
We can't overlook this one, either: "@Rafter17 @JRodrigues89 pretty sure Harsin is not on the level of Peterson Boise's 10 minutes of fame is up..." https://twitter.com/TheNotoriusJON/status/501030644718534656
Now, we can't put too much emphasis on the thoughts of some random tweeter with 271 followers, I did a little bit of research.
Since the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, the game that catapulted Boise State into the national spotlight, the Broncos have gone 79-13, winning four bowl games, including the 2010 Fiesta Bowl over TCU. The Rebels have a record of 42-41 with four bowl wins as well, none of which were BCS Bowls.
Now before I hear any, "But we play in the ESS EE SEE PAWWWWWWWL! The best conference in the history of the world PAAAAAAAAAAWL!!!!" Comments, let's look at success another way.
Again, since 2007:
First-round draft picks-
Boise State: 4
Ole Miss: 3
Total NFL Draft picks-
Boise State: 13
Ole Miss: 13
How about that? As Kris (@lostriver76) put it: "Pretty sure BSU's "10mins" of fame are 9 1/2mins longer than any Ole Miss has had." https://twitter.com/lostriver76/status/501040945413255168
By no means am I guaranteeing a win over Ole Miss on August 28. In fact, I've said multiple times Boise State has a lot working against it and a victory would almost be a miracle. Clearly, however, Boise State is far from an afterthought for the Rebels. And any notion, talk or claim that Boise State's 10 minutes of fame" coming from an Ole Miss fan is laughable.
If nothing else, these stats show Boise State is on par or above the success rate of many SEC teams. Win or lose in Atlanta, the Broncos have made a name for themselves, regardless of what Ole Miss fans say.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Thursday, August 7, 2014
The effects of "Power-5" autonomy on the FCS
For the record, I am 100 percent in support of the NCAA allowing conferences to vote for their own autonomy. This is the best thing that could happen to college football.
After all, the person who takes their ball and goes home in a fit of anger is my absolute favorite (like BYU. If the Pac-12 won't take us, we'll go play by ourselves). If you don't like the rules, why not change them? It's a win-win for everybody!
If you can't tell, I'm joking. This stuff has me more upset than when Friends ended.
I do not claim to be any sort of expert on the business side of college athletics, but my experience as a beat writer for an FCS football team does give me some insight. Let's explore.
If your team plays in one of the "less fortunate" conferences, I'm sorry to say this: At this point, you have to be wondering if your players will even have scholarships available much longer. Without the revenue sharing from bigger conferences, each school is left to fend for themselves. Of course, their conferences will jump to the aid. But, and excuse this comparison, but a bum doesn't have much financial backing to help support a hobo.
I covered the Idaho State football team for three seasons. This "Power 5" autonomy vote even affects the FCS level. Schools in the Big Sky, as well as other FCS teams, play one or two "body bag" games a season. They earn hefty sums of money that is used to fund their entire athletic department. With the autonomy given to power FBS schools, the likelihood of these money games continuing is very, very small.
When it comes down to it, however, FCS schools are in a better position than FBS programs in non-Big 5 conferences. Sure, there will be long-term effects, but that level of football is secure. Big Sky commissioner Doug Fullerton said so on numerous occasions during meetings and press conferences I attended.
In fact, remember back in 2010 when Montana (and Montana State, as a necessity of maintaining a rivalry) considered jumping to the FBS level and joining the WAC? The Grizzlies said no and continue to be an FCS playoff stalwart.
Think about this: To date, the only football programs to move from Division 1AA (now FCS) to Division 1A (now FBS) and have success are Boise State and to a lesser degree Nevada. That's it. The rest have done nothing note-worthy, including Idaho.
Getting back on track, Montana's decision to stay put was incredibly smart. It will be even harder to succeed at the FBS level without membership in a "Power-5" conference.
Will the non-power conferences return to an FCS-type of membership? Will they accept the change or fight back to be included? Will conferences support their teams or will it be a fend-for-yourself deal?
Regarding Boise State, the Broncos have the national notoriety, money and ability to stay close to on par with the "Power-5." Who knows how long they can keep it up or if an invite to join the "elite" will ever come.
Seriously consider this: Would it be the worst thing in the world to accept defeat (if it comes to that) and join a stable conference, albeit at a lower, less money-driven level? Seriously. Consider the options.
After all, the person who takes their ball and goes home in a fit of anger is my absolute favorite (like BYU. If the Pac-12 won't take us, we'll go play by ourselves). If you don't like the rules, why not change them? It's a win-win for everybody!
If you can't tell, I'm joking. This stuff has me more upset than when Friends ended.
I do not claim to be any sort of expert on the business side of college athletics, but my experience as a beat writer for an FCS football team does give me some insight. Let's explore.
If your team plays in one of the "less fortunate" conferences, I'm sorry to say this: At this point, you have to be wondering if your players will even have scholarships available much longer. Without the revenue sharing from bigger conferences, each school is left to fend for themselves. Of course, their conferences will jump to the aid. But, and excuse this comparison, but a bum doesn't have much financial backing to help support a hobo.
I covered the Idaho State football team for three seasons. This "Power 5" autonomy vote even affects the FCS level. Schools in the Big Sky, as well as other FCS teams, play one or two "body bag" games a season. They earn hefty sums of money that is used to fund their entire athletic department. With the autonomy given to power FBS schools, the likelihood of these money games continuing is very, very small.
When it comes down to it, however, FCS schools are in a better position than FBS programs in non-Big 5 conferences. Sure, there will be long-term effects, but that level of football is secure. Big Sky commissioner Doug Fullerton said so on numerous occasions during meetings and press conferences I attended.
In fact, remember back in 2010 when Montana (and Montana State, as a necessity of maintaining a rivalry) considered jumping to the FBS level and joining the WAC? The Grizzlies said no and continue to be an FCS playoff stalwart.
Think about this: To date, the only football programs to move from Division 1AA (now FCS) to Division 1A (now FBS) and have success are Boise State and to a lesser degree Nevada. That's it. The rest have done nothing note-worthy, including Idaho.
Getting back on track, Montana's decision to stay put was incredibly smart. It will be even harder to succeed at the FBS level without membership in a "Power-5" conference.
Will the non-power conferences return to an FCS-type of membership? Will they accept the change or fight back to be included? Will conferences support their teams or will it be a fend-for-yourself deal?
Regarding Boise State, the Broncos have the national notoriety, money and ability to stay close to on par with the "Power-5." Who knows how long they can keep it up or if an invite to join the "elite" will ever come.
Seriously consider this: Would it be the worst thing in the world to accept defeat (if it comes to that) and join a stable conference, albeit at a lower, less money-driven level? Seriously. Consider the options.
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