Mid-Major's Shine in Senior Bowl
by dwick on Feb 1, 2010 8:51 AM PST
0 comments
The North squad dominated the South in the Senior Bowl this past Saturday in
Wide Receiver Jeremy Williams out of Tulane led the South team with 82 yards on six catches, along with a 27-yard gain on an end around. Williams led the struggling South offense and was selected as the South’s Most Outstanding Player.
LeFevour, Miller and Williams certainly helped boost their draft stock throughout the Senior Bowl practice week and in the showcase. LeFevour boasts the highest ranking of the latter prospects to date as the #6-ranked quarterback in the 2010 class. Williams is currently the #14-ranked wide receiver, while Miller is the #15 running back.
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Shake-Up in the WCC
by dwick on Jan 31, 2010 11:35 AM PST
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Gonzaga’s win streak against West Coast Conference opponents was snapped Saturday night at 22 games by the
With the Gonzaga loss, Saint Mary’s moves up a spot in
Pepperdine tied for fourth (3-4), LMU and San Diego tied for sixth (2-5) and Santa Clara rounding out in eighth (1-6).
Four weeks into conference play and the
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Mid-Major College Basketball Power Rankings
by aGent37 on Jan 16, 2010 8:24 AM PST
in College Basketball
4 comments
ow that we've passed the mid-way point in the 2009-10 college basketball season and are well into conference play, we will be releasing a bi-weekly ranking of the top 10 Mid-Major teams. Why did we wait so long? Because just like in college football, its rather pointless to rank teams without knowing how they preformed legitimate number of games. Furthermore, its important to realize that unlike most polls, these are not projections. It is simply an aggregate ranking of the Top 10 teams, as they are playing today, and not how they are projected to finish at the end of the season.
1. Northern Iowa
The Northern Iowa Panthers land at the #1 spot for two reasons. Firstly, they are owners of the best record in Mid-Major college basketball at 15-1, including rattling off 14 straight wins. Secondly, the Missouri Valley has in the past, and certainly is today, the strongest Mid-Major conference in college basketball. So the 6-0 league start definitely adds credibility to the resume, but they will be tested next week with their game at Missouri State.
2. Gonzaga
The poster child of the successful mid-major, the Gonzaga Bulldogs has not disappointed in the 2009-10 season, currently holding 13-3 record and #14 national record. With wins over Oklahoma, Illinois, Wisconsin and Cinnci, the Zags have one of the best non-conference resumes in all of college basketball.
3. Butler
Not surprisingly, the second most tradition rich mid-major program of the last decade, Butler University, follows Gonzaga at the #3 spot. With a record of 12-4, including 6-0 in conference, the Bulldogs are ranked #22 in the national polls. Admittedly, their only solid non-conference wins are against Ohio State and Northwestern, but the Butler Bulldogs should have no problem steam rolling their way through the Horizon League once again.
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Fiesta Wrap-Up: Glass Ceiling in the Desert?
by dwick on Jan 6, 2010 11:41 AM PST
in College Football
11 comments
The battle of unbeaten mid-major conference champions culminated Monday night in an intriguing, yet deceptive, match-up in Glendale, Arizona. Sixth-ranked Boise State (14-0), of the Western Athletic Conference, outlasted third-ranked TCU (12-1), of the Mountain West Conference, 17-10 to claim its second Fiesta Bowl victory in four years and become the second team in college football history to finish with a 14-0 record.
In a game dominated by defensive prowess and sub-par offensive output, Boise State employed trickery reminiscent of its 2007 win over Oklahoma in the same venue. With the score locked at 10-10, nine minutes left in the fourth quarter and both offenses struggling, Boise punter Kyle Brotzman connected with tight end Kyle Efaw for a 29-yard pick-up and a Bronco first down in Horned Frog territory. The fourth down gamble by Broncos coach Chris Petersen paid off, as running back Doug Martin dove in for Boise's lone offensive touchdown of the game and swept away any momentum had by TCU.
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Mid Major Bowl Breakdown: Fiesta Bowl
by AgentZer0 on Dec 26, 2009 11:32 AM PST
in College Football
2 comments
Fiesta Bowl:
Boise State vs. TCU
Although a shot at one of the major conference opponents escaped both of these teams, this could turn out to be one of the best bowl games of them all. Some can consider this one to be sort of a dull ending two two seasons, 
but we still get to see a matchup between two teams with top offenses and top defenses. The Horned Frogs are the only team that rank in the top four in total offense and total defense. Their nasty front line is led by defensive end Jerry Hughes and linebacker Daryl Washington, who contribute to allowing only 23.2 yards per game. TCU's offense averages 40.6 points per game and 469 yards per game, which makes this team an unbelievable threat on both sides of the ball. Boise State brings to the table the nation's top ranked scoring defense, allowing just 44.1 yards per game. Their offensive line does an outstanding job protecting QB Kellen Moore (3,325 yards, 39 touchdowns, 3 interceptions) and allows just .38 sacks per game. The Broncos are second in the nation in the air and are number two in turnover margin. Look for Boise to try and take advantage of the Frogs in that category. We could find ourselves staring down the throat of another Poinsettia Bowl (last year TCU won 17-16) or we could be witness to an offensive shootout. TCU will look to utilize the ground game as they are 5th in the nation in rushing yards, while Boise will be attacking through the air behind the nation's top rated passer in Moore. This will be a fantastic game with both teams putting on a great show, but I am going to have to take TCU on this one, as they look to continue their dominance and prove not only that they are one of the best defenses in the nation, but one of the best teams as well. TCU wins by a few ... 30-24.
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Mid Major Bowl Breakdown: GMAC Bowl
by AgentZer0 on Dec 24, 2009 11:35 AM PST
in College Football
9 comments
GMAC Bowl:
Central Michigan vs. Troy
This will be a classic battle between two stellar quarterbacks and their powerful offenses. Interesting story for 
Central Michigan though, as they will be facing the Sun Belt Conference champion without the coach who led them to their first national ranking. The Chippewas are the MAC champs for the third time in four seasons, and now they look to finish the season strong against a tough Troy team. Central Michigan is led by four year starter QB Dan LeFevour, who has thrown for 27 TDs and run for another 14 this year to bring his career total up to 147, which sets the major college football mark. His best weapon and favorite target, receiver Bryan Anderson has caught at least one pass in an NCAA record 53 consecutive games. Throw in receiver Antonio Brown who has team highs of 97 catches for 1,020 yards and nine touchdowns, and you have an offense that is hard to beat. I have a feeling however that the Troy offense may be able to keep up. Troy throws the ball just as good as any non-BCS team aside from Houston, and over their last six games averaged a total of 41.2 points.QB Levi Brown leads the charge and is second in the nation in passing yards per game at 322.3, and he tallied a total of 3,868 passing yards, the most in Troy's or Sun Belt history. This is the first meeting between the schools, and it is going to be explosive. Troy has won (at least a share) of the Sun Belt title for the fourth consecutive year, while the Chippewas will be entering their fourth consecutive bowl game. I am going to go with Central Michigan on this one simply for this fact: Troy's defense is not what it has been in recent years, and LeFevour looks to finish off his spectacular career by taking advantage of any and every opportunity given on game day. Expect LeFevour to launch away, but Levi Brown will be close behind ... Central Michigan wins 38-34.
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Mid Major Bowl Breakdown: Liberty Bowl
by AgentZer0 on Dec 22, 2009 9:29 AM PST
in College Football
2 comments
Liberty Bowl:
Arkansas vs. East Carolina
This game will give East Carolina a chance to record its first 10-win season since 1991, an opportunity they let slip last season after blowing a 16-3 lead against 
Kentucky to lose the game 25-19. Arkansas looks to add a to their season resume during their first bowl appearance under second year coach Bobby Petrino. Unfortunately, the Pirates will go from QB Case Keenum to Razorback QB Ryan Mallett, who leads the nation's 10th ranked pass offense with 3,425 yards and 29 touchdowns. You can bet that Mallett watched the Conference USA championship game tape and was taking notes at Houston's air attack and Case Keenum bombing away. The Pirates will have their hands full with Mallett, especially with the nation's 110th ranked pass defense. Just assume Mallett will throw for over 300. However, this one could be interesting as East Carolina finds ways to win with its defense (see: Houston; C-USA championship game) and has an offensive that may be timely enough to get the job done. Bad things usually happen when C-USA teams face the SEC, but East Carolina is 1st in the conference and 6th in the nation in turnover margin, so in order to keep this one close and pull out a W, they need to be at least plus 2 in that category. I am going to take Arkansas on this one, as they look to gain some momentum going into 2010 ... 35-27.
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Mid Major Bowl Breakdowns: Texas, Armed Forces Bowl
by AgentZer0 on Dec 20, 2009 12:23 PM PST
in College Football
1 comment
Texas Bowl:
Missouri vs. Navy
A great way to start your New Year's Eve celebration early...
Missouri is bringing a three game winning streak into their fifth consecutive bowl game appearance. Navy is 
bringing its most victories in three seasons to their academy-record 7th straight bowl game appearance. This game has all the symptoms of an exciting, high-scoring offensive shootout. Although this is the first meeting between these two teams since 1961, contrasting offenses should make for a great game. Navy is fourth in the nation in rushing yards at 272.5 yards per game, and their powerful option offense is led by junior QB Ricky Dobbs. Dobbs rushed for 1,037 yards himself, and set a single-season record for rushing touchdowns by a QB with 24. Dobbs will certainly be facing one of his biggest tests, as he faces a Missouri rush defense that is 12th in the nation, allowing only 96.4 yards per game on the ground. Missouri brings to the table a powerful passing game that ranks 14th in the nation with 298.4 yards per game. Sophomore QB Blaine Gabbert had an unbelievable season, throwing for 3,302 yards, 23 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions. His favorite target was senior receiver Danario Alexander, who caught 107 balls for 1,644 yards and 13 touchdowns. Navy will have their hands full trying to stop the nation's hottest receiver in Alexander. Navy puts in the effort, but I am going to have to go with Mizzou on this one, because they are just too hard to stop if they get it going early. Navy can be hit-or-miss, winning games against Notre Dame but losing to Hawaii. I'll keep it high-scoring and close, just for entertainment's sake ....Missouri wins ... 39-31.
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