Broncos remain No. 6 in BCS and USA Today, AP, Harris polls; you can vote for Pettis for national award
By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com
The Boise State football team remained No. 6 in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll, The Associated Press Top 25 and the Harris poll Sunday but lost more ground to No. 4 TCU in all three.
The Broncos also stayed at No. 6 in the Bowl Championship Series standings. TCU is No. 4.
The Broncos have 1,183 points in the USA Today poll — down 17 from last week. TCU has 1,277 points — up 15 from last week.
The top nine in the Coaches’ Poll stayed the same from last week.
The Broncos have 1,213 points in the AP poll, down 15 from last week. TCU has 1,307, up 36 from last week.
Alabama regained the No. 2 spot in the AP poll. Texas is No. 3.
In the Harris, the Broncos lost 32 points and the Horned Frogs gained 55 points.
•••
Boise State wide receiver Austin Pettis is one of four nominees for the AT&T Player of the Week award. To vote, you have to text message VOTE to 345345.
Pettis had four touchdown catches, blocked a punt and threw a two-point pass against Idaho.
Here's some info.
•••
Here’s the USA Today Coaches’ Poll:
1 Florida (48) 10-0 1460
2 Texas (4) 10-0 1397
3 Alabama (7) 10-0 1388
4 TCU 10-0 1277
5 Cincinnati 10-0 1219
6 Boise State 10-0 1183
7 Georgia Tech 10-1 1127
8 Ohio State 9-2 1019
9 Pittsburgh 9-1 997
10 LSU 8-2 956
11 Oregon 8-2 875
12 Penn State 9-2 772
13 Oklahoma State 8-2 750
14 Wisconsin 8-2 630
15 Iowa 9-2 584
16 Virginia Tech 7-3 558
17 Stanford 7-3 516
18 Brigham Young 8-2 404
19 Clemson 7-3 274
20 Oregon State 7-3 256
21 USC 7-3 239
22 Houston 8-2 229
23 Utah 8-2 212
24 Miami (FL) 7-3 156
25 Nebraska 7-3 107
25 North Carolina 7-3 107
Here's the AP poll:
1 Florida (36) 10-0 1463
2 Alabama (14) 10-0 1429
3 Texas (10) 10-0 1424
4 TCU 10-0 1307
5 Cincinnati 10-0 1247
6 Boise State 10-0 1213
7 Georgia Tech 10-1 1139
8 Pittsburgh 9-1 1030
9 Ohio State 9-2 990
10 LSU 8-2 968
11 Oregon 8-2 918
12 Oklahoma State 8-2 754
13 Penn State 9-2 689
14 Stanford 7-3 652
15 Iowa 9-2 633
16 Virginia Tech 7-3 559
17 Wisconsin 8-2 547
18 Clemson 7-3 442
19 Brigham Young 8-2 344
20 Oregon State 7-3 338
21 Miami (FL) 7-3 255
22 USC 7-3 223
23 Utah 8-2 183
24 Houston 8-2 149
25 Rutgers 7-2 145
Here's the Harris poll:
1 Florida (78) 10-0 2,793 Beat South Carolina 24-14 Florida International 1
2 Texas (19) 10-0 2,711 Beat Baylor 47-14 Kansas 2
3 Alabama (16) 10-0 2,694 Beat Mississippi State 31-3 Chattanooga 3
4 TCU (1) 10-0 2,479 Beat No. 16 Utah 55-28 at Wyoming 4
5 Cincinnati 10-0 2,349 Beat No. 24 West Virginia 24-21 Idle 5
6 Boise State 10-0 2,317 Beat Idaho 63-25 at Utah State (Fri) 6
7 Georgia Tech 10-1 2,168 Beat Duke 49-10 Idle 7
8 Ohio State 9-2 1,960 Beat No. 12 Iowa 27-24 (OT) at Michigan 8
9 Pittsburgh 9-1 1,895 Beat Notre Dame 27-22 Idle 9
10 LSU 8-2 1,813 Beat Louisiana Tech 24-16 at Mississippi 11
11 Oregon 8-2 1,699 Beat Arizona State 44-21 at Arizona 14
12 Penn State 9-2 1,467 Beat Indiana 31-20 at Michigan State 17
13 Oklahoma State 8-2 1,408 Beat Texas Tech 24-17 Colorado (Thu) 18
14 Iowa 9-2 1,176 Lost to No. 8 Ohio State 27-24 (OT) Minnesota 12
15 Wisconsin 8-2 1,134 Beat Michigan 45-24 at Northwestern 20
16 Virginia Tech 7-3 976 Beat Maryland 36-9 North Carolina State 21
17 Stanford 7-3 946 Beat No. 10 USC 55-21 California NR
18 BYU 8-2 793 Beat New Mexico 24-19 Air Force 22
19 Clemson 7-3 578 Beat North Carolina State 43-23 Virginia 25
20 USC 7-3 576 Lost to Stanford 55-21 Idle 10
21 Utah 8-2 568 Lost to No. 4 TCU 55-28 San Diego State 16
22 Oregon State 7-3 492 Beat Washington 48-21 at Washington State NR
23 Houston 8-2 484 Lost to UCF 37-32 Memphis 13
24 Miami (FL) 7-3 442 Lost to North Carolina 33-24 Duke 15
25 Nebraska 7-3 169 Beat Kansas 31-17 Kansas State NR
Here’s my AP ballot:
1 Florida
2 Alabama
3 Texas
4 Boise State
5 Cincinnati
6 TCU
7 Georgia Tech
8 LSU
9 Oregon
10 Ohio State
11 Pittsburgh
12 Virginia Tech
13 Iowa
14 Oklahoma St
15 Wisconsin
16 Penn State
17 Clemson
18 Miami
19 Oregon St
20 Stanford
21 Rutgers
22 North Carolina
23 BYU
24 California
25 Arizona
Dropped out: Houston, USC, Utah, South Florida, Fresno State
Also considered: West Virginia, Temple, Navy
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HIlarious
Nothing like hometown homerism in the polls. There is no reason to have BSU higher than TCU. If you want to rate them 6th, go for it. TCU deserves to be 4th
And
How is that hometown homerism? I don't see anything that says BSU should be higher than TCU, just that we lost some ground on the points. TCU absolutely deserved to be where they are. I guess I don't understand you headling "hIlarioius", but whatever....
TCU is ranked higher because...
they are a better team and also play better competition. There is a reason that BSU is ranked last out of all of the undefeated teams.
True Blue!!!
TCU?
TCU stands for Texas UN-Christian like University.
Hey squirt blood in someones eyes.. Cool.
TCU is ranked higher
in the polls, but the hometown idaho statesman vote which appears above has bsu 4th. which is complete homerism.
And you don't think for a minute those
homers in the other cities and towns don't vote "their" teams higher than what most of us think they should be?? However, I do agree that TCU should be ahead of us...Sunny...
Home town writers
They certainly do vote for their hometown teams and their hometown conferences. Always have and always will.
My Bad
Just saw Cripe's ballot....well, like sloper said, all towns vote their teams high.
Chad
You lose credibility when you write the article that you wrote last week and then vote the way you do in the polls. Three things jumped out at me. In your article you alluded to the fact that you might see voting TCU ahead of BSU depending on the outcome of the TCU-Utah game. I don't think I need to say anymore about that. Second, you wouldn't be giving Oregon so much love because that is the Bronco's signature win of the year would you? I actually think this one is merely your opinion, and I can actually come up with valid reasons to put them where you do, so I will give you that one. Third, when will you admit that Fresno St. is just a bad team. They got worked over pretty good by Nevada. However, Nevada is looking good and may be peaking at just the right time. Looks like the Broncos may get their second signature win of the season if they can beat Nevada.
TCU #1
I don't see why TCU can't be #1. They seem like they are playing the most solid football of all the teams. For that matter why couldn't BSU be #1. Just a point, don't you haters go off. There needs to be a play-off. I really do wonder though if TCU is the best team.
Politics
I'm okay with TCU being ranked higher than BSU after watching last nights game. In fact TCU SHOULD be playing for the NC. But you have got to be kidding me with Cincinatti. Haters say what you will, but I think BSU would own Cincy here - there - or neutral site. BSU should be no lower than 5 period.
Totally agree
I don't see what justifies Cincinnati to be #5 either.
I am also cool with TCU at #4, although I think they are the best team in the nation. Yes, better than Florida, Alabama and Texas. In fact, the only true competition would be against Alabama. But, that's not gonna happen.
Haters
Chad's poll is pretty close with the exception of TCU. I'm guessing all of you haters are making hay out of this because of yesterday's BOHICA. I'm watching the game again today on TIVO - make a great weekend into an awesome one.
not pc is correct
we would own cincy. georgia tech as well. in fact, any of the teams behind would get spanked by the broncos. if they don't like bsu ahead of them, they should schedule us.
Seriously?
BSU plays garbage every week aside from one...maybe two teams per season.
Let’s think realistically here.
P.S. The shift button is on the left hand side of the keyboard.
True Blue!!!
Actually, there is a shift
Actually, there is a shift key on both sides of the keyboard. Do you honestly care that much about whether someone capitalizes their sentences or not?
As far as the garbage the BSU plays every week everyone needs to put up or shut up. If they don't like who BSU plays, then schedule them. If they lose those games by a LARGE margin then say BSU is a fraud, but until those teams agree to play BSU everyone has to quit complaining. I would be willing to bet that TCU will start to have a hard time scheduling these games after this season as well.
Someone please, just prove that BSU is not that good or give them the opportunity to prove that they are.
Oh Snap!
Thanks for the correction. I can now use the shift button on the right side of my keyboard when I type SOS. Have you heard of that before? Strength of Schedule? Maybe not. Oh well.
I guess my U of O education has made me pay a little more attention to punctuation than the average joe...err Bronco.
True Blue!!!
Just wondering...how many WAC teams are ranked? I am sure there are plenty, ya know, since WAC wins say so much about a team.
U of O???
Hopefully that would be Ohio. Must be, we already own Oregon.
Fail.
Or Oklahoma? Let me guess...BSU owns them too, right?
True Blue!!!
Fail??
OK is on the L side but own them? Naa, we have to play them again first. Think they will schedule us?
Ya, BSU does
Or they have in the past. They would beat Oklahoma this year, especially now that "Brittle" Bradford is out for the season.
Let's cut to.....
the chase boys, and girls. If it's a pissy, backbitting comment it only comes from one of two places: 1. Crybaby duck fans who can not accept the fact that the Broncos own them. (Duckies lose on the road, and at home to Boise State). 2. Our favorite, long time losers, vandal fans. They will forever say that their team is better than Boise State, but have nothing to back up their weak comments. You two groups of fans give your schools a bad name. The facts remain the same, the Broncos are your daddy for a reason. Get a life, and please stop all the snivling !
Hey Cluck Fan
Who cares about the rest of the WAC and if their ranked, the only thing that counts is there's one WAC team that's ranked higher than the Clucks, sorry meant Ducks. You are a TOOL!!!!
Please explain
how Nevada can get a 1 for 2 with CAL starting next year and bsu is unable to schedule an open date in 2011. That is such B##! S@!t coming out of bsu AD admin. bsu doesn't want to tarnish their smoke and mirrors BCS NC yammering about being a red headed step child. I am cheering for bsu to win out in the WAC and go to the Fiesta to play IOWA, a lowly big10 team that is barely scrapping by at 9-2, and that had to block two field goals to beat FCS UNI earlier this season. Write this down, you won't score a TD against the Hawkeyes. And don't talk to me about Oklahoma, just look at their bowl record, they're 1-5 in the last 6 bowl games, kinda like bsu's 1-4 bowl record. Hope the ref's take pity on your BCS dream against the WolfPack, you'll need it.
Do some research
Actually the fact that BSU was having a hard time getting a game came for the WAC commissioner, not the BSU AD admin. I too hope tht BSU gets in a BCS Bowl game, although I'm fairly certain that Iowa aka "the luckiest team in america" will not. It's not rocket science. Teams from the AQ conferences get their SOS from conference play. Therefore they only schedule teams they are 90% plus sure they're going to beat. BSU has proven they can play with anybody and most AQ teams will not risk a shot at the NC game to play us.
More "Smoke and Mirrors"
Stop with the "WAC Commissioner can't get a BCS game" B.S. It's all smoke and mirrors. If the Statesman would research the TRUE facts and ask the following of the commissioner then the truth would be known:
1. What 'quarantee' was BSU looking for in $?
2. Who turned them down and why?
3. Did they call Notre Dame who has two openings in 2011?
4. Are not about 90% of all the 'elite' teams schedules already done -- and were done FAR in advance?
5. If you want to play with the 'big boys' don't you need to start negotiating schedules FAR in advance? (like 5-10 years?)
Bleymaier was quoted as saying "we'll play anybody in the country home and home?" Does he REALLY think the 'elite teams' would agree to come to Boise and play in front of standing room only crowd of 33,000 when they can schedule home and home with a team that pulls in 75,000 t0 100,000? Isn't it really all about the money? If BSU is looking for home and home scheduling then they should only look to those teams with fairly comparable (from 33,000 to 55,000) ticket sales average. How about Cincinnati? TCU? Oh, I forgot. Those schools probably negotiated their schedules FAR in advance. Right?
It's too bad because this program deserves the right to compete against some of the great football programs in the country and because BSU is so late in trying to schedule an 'elite program' for 2011 they are going to have to lessen their guarantee demands or the Broncos will be faced with playing another tough Division II opponent like UC Davis.
Get your facts straight
Boise isn't looking for a home and home, they are willing to play away. Stop ranting if you can't get facts correct.
Politics
Think you're right on the teams behind us but also think I'd like to see us play the teams ahead of us. If they all bring their A game I still see us beating them. Won't happen because of the politics though. They won't play us.
We're probably going to get stiffed in the BCS with (if things stay the same) OR, OK Sate or Penn being taken instead. The only way we'll get in is if Obama scares the BCS committee and that all in itself will take credibility away.
Give me a break
Obama will be effective as he was bringing the Olympics to Chicago. He's a puppet with no real strength, and no clue.
Go Figure........
BSU annihilates a decent 7-3 Idaho team and............
Drops 15 points in the AP
Drops 17 points in the USA
Drops 30 Points in the Harris
Then you have BYU, they barely get by an 0-9 New Mexico team 24-19 (NM even had more first downs, more total years, and an astounding 35:49 to 24:11 advantage in time of possession), and.......
Gain 125 points in the AP
Gain 188 points in the USA
Gain 325 points in the Harris
(What makes this even worse is the combined record of the teams they have beat....Drum roll please..... 24 and 46)
One more example would be LSU, getting by Louisiana Tech (yes the one from the WAC) 24-16 while LT dominated on the field (First downs 23-15, Yards 322-246, TOP 36:20-23:40).
Yet, they
Gain 82 points in the AP
Gain 118 points in the USA
Gain 169 points in the Harris
Go figure.......
Voters trying to find a way
Voters trying to find a way to make it look better to leave BSU out of the BCS again?
They are beginning to hate you
They hate the whining, they hate the blue turf, the fact they had a bad potato with last night's dinner. They hate the PR firm tactics... imagine starting off your morning at the LA Times by getting a call from a backwater PR firm whining about the Boise State ranking in the football polls.... especially a PR firm that can't find there... never mind. They're sick of you. Stop whining!
Typical nonsense
You don't know why BSU drops a few and BYU picks up some points? Seriously? Nobody ahead of BSU lost, though Cincy had a close game. TCU destroyed a top-20 Utah. Therefore, BSU probably gained a few points from Cincy, but lost some votes to TCU, giving them a slight net drop in the votes.
As for BYU, several teams ahead of BYU got beat allowing BYU to pick up several points in the polls. No bias. Just common sense from the typical voter who didn't watch all the games this weekend.
SensicalThoughts
Really, then explain why the 4 teams directly behind BSU all gained points yet no one lost in front of them?
You make interesting points.......
I agree that all this seems rather strange, especially the LSU points after the La Tech game. Let's face it, voters (sports writers, coaches, etc.) are going to cut the 'elite' programs a whole lot of slack where the schools like BSU are going to take the hits. Why? Well, the elite programs have the history of playing the better schedules and the 'image' of those programs gets 'locked in' where the image of a Boise State suffers because of the lack of both conference and out of conference scheduling. I know some of you think that the blue turf is the greatest thing since sliced bread but it does a lot more harm than good. It was an interesting (and successful) gimmick when they first put it down but now that the 'gimmick' has run it's course it hurts that BSU 'image' that is so important. Boise States 'image' is that of a decent football program that plays inferior opponents (compared to the 'elite' teams) and plays on some weird blue field. Do you really think the blue turf HELPS the Broncos 'image' of being a great team? Or....do you think the blue turf HELPS their 'image' with these voters. Fact of the matter is that it shouldn't matter what color the field is ... but sorry, it does. Overall, it does not HELP the Broncos at this point because they just don't need the 'gimmick' anymore to market the program. I'm guessing here but I would think that out of 100 voters maybe 10 might like the blue -- but -- 30-35 don't like it at all and probably 10 of those HATE it. If BSU wants to be considered an 'elite' program and burn a positive image into the minds of those who vote in the polls then they need to consider ALL the elements that make up that 'image.' Please don't get me wrong here -- I would LOVE to see Boise State's football team get the recognition it deserves this year because frankly I think they deserve a BCS invitation if they can get through the season undefeated. But let's all remember that the season isn't over and nothing really matters until all is said and done especially for BSU with a team like Nevada lurking in the shadows.
So....
good teams honestly will not play BSU? How can BYU have Arizona State scheduled [2009] and make a change in February to play Oklahoma in Texas? BSU must be the exception in NCAA....no one wants the blue turf OR BSU is unwilling to play a quality opponent on the road [lesson learned from the wood shed beating in Georgia--right].
What is the combined record of the teams BSU has played this year? Fresno State is the only team from the Worst Athletic Conference willing to play quality teams so do not justify your confernce opponent records based on "one quality opponent" scheduled. A one loss team from ANY other conference is better than an undefeated Bronco and will get my vote every year. There is absolutely no reason BSU should not be scheduling 2 high caliber teams for non-conference when playing in the WAC. Stop powder-puffing your non-conference schedule. And you can make changes every year to the schedule--simnply takes effort.
Just like you, your vote is
Just like you, your vote is worth nothing. Where has Fresno States play anyone anytime got them? They will never have a chance at a BCS bowl/payday scheduling the way they do. Respect? That won't get them to a BCS bowl. BSU's AD is a very smart man and the rest of the WAC benefited from it in 2006 and may benefit from it this year and next.
GO BRONCS!!!
Disagree with you......
How many teams that have one or even two loses are still in the running for a BCS invitation? Because of BSU schedule the HAVE TO WIN every single game. Period. Do you think by playing a UC Davis they are better prepared to play one of the elite programs (should they get lucky and get an invite to a BCS bowl) or would they be better prepared if they had played a Wisconsin (for instance) or a Missouri (as Nevada did) or even an LSU as La Tech did? Don't you think TCU had an advantage over BSU in last year's bowl game because they had played tougher teams thus were better prepared to play another very good team? If I were the coach of a team like BSU I would rather have my players experience a win over a quality program than a win against a lackluster push over team that you're supposed to beat by 35 points or more.
PIGSKINS A TOOL!!!!
Nothing more needs to be said. The subject line above says it all!!!!
Cripe's rules of voting
In his article last week, Cripe listed 3 reasons why TCU was ranked higher than BSU.
1) TCU has been more dominant than BSU. Cripe disagreed, which is why he votes BSU ahead.
2) The Mountain West is better. Cripe agrees to a degree, but still votes BSU ahead.
3) TCU plays the tougher schedule. Cripe agrees for now, but still votes BSU ahead.
He concludes by stating that he will consider revising his opinion based on how TCU and BSU perform this weekend, as well as how their quality opponents perform.
TCU's case:
TCU dominated Utah.
BYU won.
Clemson won.
BSU's case:
BSU dominated Idaho.
Oregon won.
Fresno State would've won if they 39 more points.
Yet still BSU is ranked higher than TCU in his ballot.
My big question is why is Cincinatti still higher than TCU in the ballot?
He's the biggest homer with a vote.
Brassfrog, you hit the nail on the head. What is really choice is that he votes BSU's opponents as high as he can to make their schedule look better. And for all the chuckleheads who say that every voter shows bias, you need to go place youself in a BCS school town for a football season and immerse yourselves in press clippings. They are brutal on their own teams. The other one I liked in his article was the comparison of the teams BSU plays who are not in the top 5o to the teams that TCU plays who are not in the top 50. He made the mistake of noting that BSU plays 10 teams NOT ranked in the top 50 and TCU plays 8. That would mean that TCU plays 2 more teams in the top 50 than his Broncos. That should answer his SOS questions right there.
Well pigskin.....
1.)Do you really think Oklahoma would take BSU over BYU if given the choice?! You really don't know CFB if you do.
2.) BSU has been going door-to-door in the so called high-rent district since summer for a road BCS 2011 opponent, no luck. And don't bring up the $1M fee, that is a bargain for a top 15 team.
3.) You bringing up the opening game of the 2005 season shows your ignorance.
4.) Fresno State is not the only WAC team to play good non-conference schedules. San Jose played USC, Utah, and Stanford, Nevada played Notre Dame and Missouri, La Tech played Navy, Auburn, and LSU.
5.) Please e-mail the teams above and ask why they will not schedule BSU. If they tell you money, and you believe them please see number 3.
"5.) Please e-mail the teams
"5.) Please e-mail the teams above and ask why they will not schedule BSU. If they tell you money, and you believe them please see number 3".
Don't you think that it is a bit odd that BSU has come out with these statements, but won't release the names of the schools that he has been turned down by? If we knew which schools they were, we could email them for you and ask.
I believe that Gene is blowing smoke to drum up some attention and "respect" from the BCS voters and Bowl representatives. The short of it all, he is being a politician. BSU knows that their schedule is a joke and they are getting ripped nationally for it. To defend their schedule, Gene comes out with this story about nobody wanting to play BSU, even on their own terms. The fact of the matter is, many teams around the nation schedule these schools without any problems, why does only BSU have problems?
Until we see the list of names, I am calling B.S.!
JocDoc
Check your story. Gene did not "come" out with this, the WAC Comish did. Gene was actually traveling and when ask the following day about what the "Comish" had said he was somewhat pissed, although his only comment was that yes BSU was having difficulty filling its 2011 schedule. You should be smart enough to realize why Gene does not want the schools he's talk with to end up in the paper, that happens and they won't even take his next call. Again you are on the right track, why can Idaho, Fresno State, Nevada, San Jose State, etc. get BCS games and not BSU....... You want so bad for BSU to be the answer, the real answer is going right over your head.
Just a thought, but I wonder why Gene has not already signed a UNLV or New Mexico for the 2011 opening, what could he possibly be waiting for?
tfunk is drinking far too much of the Bleymaier kool-aid!!
You gotta back off all that kool-aid that good ol' Gene is serving you! Really now....do you think he REALLY didn't know the commissioner was going to say something??? Wow. The commissioner was only the front man in this for obvious reasons ... it was so Gene could say "......but, but, but I really tried to schedule a big time program but....but.....but they're all scared of us!!!!"
There's a whole lot more to this little story than you know -- and there's a very good reason why you don't know too!
Who were the schools that turned down BSU?
What was the financial 'guarantee' BSU was asking for?
Did they call Notre Dame who has two openings in 2011?
Why DID the commissioners even mention this to a reporter? To get some 'elite' program to call and say "we'll play ya!"? Like I said; it's a whole lot of 'smoke and mirrors' .....
Well said. I also think the
Well said. I also think the asking price is too high. The day BSU gets a million to go play an away game is the same day the pay someone a million to come to your little town. It's not gonna happen. Lower your asking price and I'll bet you might get a few more takers.
cah83713
No other top ten team over the past 2 years would answer the phone for less than a million (THAT IS A FACT). BSU was given over a million to play VaTech next year in DC. The market was not set by BSU and your argument looks much like whining.....
TheTruthTeller
My kool-aid vs. your black helicopters.
Hate to say it but there are
Hate to say it but there are some valid points raised here. If Benson wasn't prepared to "Name Names" he should have just kept it to himself.
I think TCU has it in the bag, and they have earned it. If they ever come up with a one game playoff just for a situation like this (multi undefeated mid majors) then it could be proven who the better team is, but it's not in the cards this year. I won't be bitter, and I hope TCU beats the crap out of whoever they go against and makes an even stronger case for more mid major inclusion.
Knuckles
It seems to me that Benson is in panic mode. Maybe its me, but he sure seems to be feeling the pressure on his conferences' lack of quality (top to bottom) and the talk of his marquee team bolting to possible greener pastures. Frankly, He should leave BSU and TCU be (they will take care of themselves) and try to expose how the rest the two conferences match-up, which is pretty even.