Boise State tops ESPN's non-BCS rankings
Boise State has got the pads on now, making fall practice feel a little more like football and less like a summer passing league.
The Broncos donned full gear for Sunday’s practice and the defense was very impressive to me. So much is made of the Boise State offense — and the numbers it has produced over the last decade are stunning — but it is the defense that can lift the Broncos back to the BCS.
One other note from practice: Cornerback Kyle Wilson and wide receiver Titus Young are getting to see a lot of each other on drills. It can’t help but make both of them better as Young gets to practice against one of the top corners in college football and Wilson gets a good look at the type of speed he will see in the NFL next year.
• ESPN announced its first two College Gameday locations for the 2009 season. The gang will be in Atlanta on Sept. 5 for Alabama-Virginia Tech and will be in Columbus, Ohio on Sept. 12 for USC-Ohio State.
Hard to argue with either of those choices.
Still it would have been pretty cool to have Chris, Lee and Kirk (and Desmond) in town for the Oregon game. Of course, the game would have needed to be on Saturday and not Thursday, but you get the point.
Links from around the country
• New Oregon coach Chip Kelly has made a big deal about the pace of practice. Also in this notebook: news about Duck injuries.
Much has been made in the Oregon media about Kelly’s pace of practice. But Boise State coach Chris Petersen is constantly pushing for a quicker tempo at Bronco practices as well. It is a common refrain from coaches throughout the nation.
• Oregon must replace three offensive line starters, but there is high hope for the new guys.
• In this odd Mountain West preview, College Football News’ Pete Fiutak says the biggest obstacle to a Mountain West team going to the BCS is Boise State. Then, he picks a one-loss BYU to make the BCS.
• ESPN’s Graham Watson has Boise State atop her non-BCS power rankings list. Last year, the Broncos were No. 5 (behind Fresno State) in her preseason poll.
At No. 16 in the coaches' poll, Boise State is the top non-BCS team in that rankings as well.
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I'm getting excited about this next season
I think the 2 toughest games will be Oregon and Nevada, with Nevada being the more difficult game. I think Oregon is a worthy opponent, but just has too much going against them. I think the game will be good, with Boise State winning by 14 points.
I predict:
Kellen Moore will have 300+ yds passing, 4 TDs, 2 INTs (1 returned for TD)
DJ Harper 85 yds, 1 TD
Titus Young 8 Rec, 2 TDs
Austin Pettis 10 Rec, 1 TD
Kyle Wilson 1 INT
Jeron Johnson 1 INT (and wont get ejected)
Brandyn Thompson 1 INT
Final Score: Boise State 45, Oregon 31
Fresno State
Obviously Oregon is the biggest game of the year, but I think it is a mistake to think that BSU will just roll Fresno State in Fresno. Sure we knocked them around last year, but Fresno always plays tough at the beginning of the season. I hate Fresno State, but respect them a heck of a lot more than I do the wolf pack.
wide receiver
Titus Young appears to be in the background until he satisfies the coaching staff that he should be forgiven. From what I've been reading, he is outplaying Kyle, one of the best corner backs around. I hope Peterson doesn't shoot himself in the foot by keeping Titus on the bench, especially during the opener.
I don't know if Titus will
I don't know if Titus will ever be an every down receiver. He's a deep ball threat and a decoy, but you can't use those strengths on every down. At any rate, I'd trust Harsin and Pete to maximize their assets, they usually do.
Like you said, I think he
Like you said, I think he will not only be huge for the deep ball, but just having him on the field as a decoy will force teams to think about double teaming him, leaving a receiver open or a run possibility. Especially with BSUs whole shifting offense and Kellen making play calls.