NCAA Football: Contender or Pretender Part II

[Schaddy]

I know it was tough to wait for the second edition, so here it is, folks. We've discussed who the contenders and pretenders for the national championship are, and the next step is to figure out who has a shot at a BCS bowl game, and who is merely set up to disappoint. Here's the second gaze into the Red and White magic ball, and a look at the BCS: Contender or Pretender?

[osu9bucks]

Boise State Broncos


Yep, sign me up for the bandwagon. They may not play thoughest schedule in the nation, nor do they come from the most competitive conference, and yeah, they did lose the greatest coach in their history. No problem. QB Jared Zabranski has silenced critics who said he regressed in 2005, completing 61.5% of his passes for 885 yards, with 7 scored and only 2 picks. Sophomore RB Ian Johnson would be a Heisman candidate if he played for Florida State or Oklahoma. He's got 714 yards on the ground, the third best total in the nation so far. WRs Drisan James, Legedu Naanee and Jerard Rabb have kept opponents from stacking the box against Johnson; each has double figures in catches, and TE Derek Schouman has averaged 15.7 yards per catch with two scores. Defensively, the Broncos feature a srong front seven, led by DT Andrew Browning and LBs Korey Hall and Colt Brooks. The secondary is none too shabby, also, with underrated corner Orlando Scandrick and ballhawking safety Marty Tadman. The Bronco defense is undersized at a few spots, but currently ranks #14 in the nation. The only potential losses on BSU's schedule are Fresno State, a disappointment this season, and at Nevada the last week of the season. If the Broncos can find a way to finish the season undefeated, they will make a strong case to be included in the BCS party for the first time. It's too bad the guy who built this program, Dan Hawkins, decided to jump ship when he did.


Here's Boise State's first 5 games: Sacramento St., Oregon St., Wyoming, Hawaii, and Utah. If Boise is a contender, why isn't Wake? I think Wake's schedule is about the same as Boise, but Boise's is a little easier. The Deacs have always been pesky and this year they've just opened up the season like they always seem to finish it.

[datruth55]

Here's Boise State's first 5 games: Sacramento St., Oregon St., Wyoming, Hawaii, and Utah. If Boise is a contender, why isn't Wake? I think Wake's schedule is about the same as Boise, but Boise's is a little easier. The Deacs have always been pesky and this year they've just opened up the season like they always seem to finish it.
Wake's not a contender simply because they haven't strung any winning season's together. I like Wake, I like their coach (Jim Grobe) but they don't have any respect right now and frankly they haven't earned it yet. This week they play Clemson. Should they pull off the upset (and yes I know Wake is undefeated and Clemson has a loss but Clemson is ranked higher therefor it would be an upset) they will gain some respect and get on the college football map. And before anybody thinks Clemson will run away with this one let me point out to you that Clemson is basically the same team as last year with the only major difference being Proctor at QB instead of Whitehurst. Wake Forest beat that team last year in Death Valley. This year it's at Wake.

[osu9bucks]

Wake is a tough place to play. I like Clemson, but I still don't think you can make a valid arguement about strength of schedule with the schedules BSU and Wake have played. I think BSU's a better team, I just didn't think the arguement made any sense.

[Wolverine]

Im really surprised to see Georgia up there.. SEC is tough as always, and they have a QB problem. You can't beat SEC teams like Florida and LSU if your juggling in-experienced QBs like you did with an Ole Miss or a Colorado.

[Schaddy]

I was thinking the same thing for the first part of the season, Wolv. Then I thought about the Bears last season. Look how far their defense and special teams took them despite bumbling QB play for most of the year. And the Dawgs have an underrated ground game, IMO. Maybe the QB problem will hold them back, I can definitely understand people who are skeptical. I just think that this is a team that will surprise people.

[osu9bucks]

I think Boise's only on there because they had a game on national TV and that Ian Johnson kid EXPLODED.