People Will Remember The First Miami Beach Bowl

((HT: ESPN/KSL-TV))

For the wrong reason, probably...

The game itself was fantastic.

Memphis scores on a 4th Down and 4 with ten seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime at 45.
Both teams kick field goals in the first, and Memphis holds off BYU with another field goal and interception in the second overtime for the 51-48 win.

But here's what went down afterwards- and it was UGLY!


BYU AD Tom Holmoe took to Twitter to apologize for his team's behavior.

What will come of this...???

Don't know, really...

But the HQ figures that anything that happens will be internal...

BYU Accepts First Bowl Bid Of The CFB Season, The Miami Beach Bowl

The weather was below freezing in Provo, Utah Saturday night as the BYU Cougars dominated the UNLV Rebels 42-23.  That win though earns a trip to tropical Miami in a month.

BYU accepted an invitation to play in the Miami Beach Bowl at Marlins Park December 22nd.


"We are excited for our football team to have the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Miami Beach Bowl against a team from The American," BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe said. "Marlins Park is a fantastic facility and we look forward to being in Miami in December."

Who wouldn't look forward to being in Miami December and a football field will be retrofitted onto a baseball field.

Yes I know, nothing new, used to happen all the time. (Still does in Oakland.)

The Orange Bowl used to reside on the property Marlins Park occupies now.

"We are looking forward to being part of the inaugural Miami Beach Bowl," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "Our team is excited about the opportunity to play in the postseason for a 10th straight season, and anticipate a strong match up against an American Athletic Conference opponent at Marlins Park in Miami."

Here's what you need to know about the Miami Beach Bowl:

The Miami Beach Bowl is a college football postseason game that is owned and operated by the American Athletic Conference. The Miami Beach Bowl will match an American Athletic Conference team against an opponent from Conference USA, the Sun Belt Conference or the Mid-American Conference. Institutions from other conferences across the country as well as Independent schools will also have the ability to participate.

The game is played at Marlins Park, a state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2012 and serves as the home of Major League Baseball's Miami Marlins. The stadium features a retractable roof, climate controlled temperatures and a pristine natural grass playing surface. 

Taysom Hill Fractures Leg Vs. Utah State

((HT: ESPN))

BYU was supposed to be one of those possible gate crashers to the college football playoffs party, but the injury to all-world QB Taysom Hill might have just crashed that idea for this year.

In tonight's game against Utah State, he was dragged down and it wasn't pretty...

Here's the injury


After initially being told the injury was to an ankle, the school confirmed it was a fracture.
Christian Stewart is now in charge for the foreseeable future...

Just How Bad Is Texas Football Right Now...???

And by "Texas," the HQ means specifically the Longhorns...

We get that Charlie Strong is disposing of a lot... No, A LOT!!!... of Mack Brown's recruits in a cleaning house of massive proportions- 8 so far with four more players that were "suspended" for the game against BYU Saturday night...

The larger questions was: Just how many guys were left to chase after Cougars QB Taysom Hill...???

Answer: Not enough...

It was ugly and it was the most points allowed by a Texas team since they gave up 66 to UCLA

Charlie Strong took the blame for the "embarassment..."
((HT: KVUE-TV))
KSL-TV's Alex Kirry gives the game-day grades, and the HQ imagines they're a lot of "A's"

Not Your Average Ordinary Bicycle Kick

((HT: FC Tucson their own selves))

Odaine Sinclair did this against for the USL PDL side against BYU the other night
And it is awesome!!!


See...???

Told ya...

"Hungry" Huskies Down The Cougars In Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

It's been a wild mouth at U-Dub.

Head coach Steve Sarkisian leaves abruptly to take the Southern California job, Chris Petersen is hired to take over from Boise State and former Washington quarterback Marcus  Tuiasosopo is name interim head coach and has no idea where he will work next year.

Not the ideal situation but Washington overcame all the chaos to defeat BYU Friday night 31-16 in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.

"We wanted it." Tuiasosopo said after the game.

New Washington head coach Chris Petersen did not attend the bowl game and let Tuiasosopo run the show.

I'm sure the new coach liked the results.

"How about our guys here, and this coaching staff." Tuiasosopo said. “Nine wins! ... I’m fired up for them. When all that went down, they regrouped. They wanted to finish as winners. They wanted to finish with nine wins. And they did.”

It was a painful final game as a Husky for quarterback Keith Price.  Playing through what he thought was a broken rib and receiving an injection at halftime, Price was damn near perfect.  

Price's final numbers for the game were 17-22 passing for 123 yards, one interception and one touchdown.

Bishop Sankey ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns to earn bowl offensive MVP honors.

Here are the highlights

Thanks PAC 12 Network

We Have Our First Bowl Bid... And BYU Has It As Cougs Beat Boise

((HT: 4Utah.com))

Taysom Hill had over 400 yards of total offense, but more importantly, what has happened to Boise State these days...???

The Cougars knocked off Boise 37-20 last night and accepted a bid to the Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco in late December.
BYU also snaps the Broncos 50-game October win streak that dated back to 2001...

Here's your highlights...


“We’re thrilled that BYU will be playing in this year’s Fight Hunger Bowl,” FHB Executive Director Gary Cavalli said after the game. “When BYU announced it was going independent a few years ago, we were in contact with Tom Holmoe about 30 seconds later to offer an opportunity to play in our bowl. BYU has one of the country’s proudest athletic traditions, a tremendous fan base and a great bowl history. We anticipate a terrific matchup on December 27 with a quality Pac-12 opponent.”

BYU has been bowl eligible in each of the nine seasons under head coach Bronco Mendenhall- going 6-2...

Texas Had No Clue How To Stop Taysom Hill, BYU Stuns Horns (UPDATED: Saban To Austin Talk Starts Anew...Diaz Reassigned)

Pardon Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz if he has nightmares of Taysom Hill.  Diaz's Longhorn defense had no clue how to stop the BYU quarterback.


On 17 carries Hill rushed for 259 yards and 3 touchdowns as BYU stunned the Texas 41-21. 

 “We expected to run on them, we didn't expect to break the school record." Hill said.

BYU's 550 yards rushing total broke the school record however, a Texas defense has never given up that many rushing yards ever.

“I’m disappointed in them, disappointed us." Texas head coach Mack Brown said.  "We didn’t stop the run, couldn’t make third and fourth and short, and that’s the story of the game."

With such a pitiful defensive performance by the Texas defense their seems to be real doubt about the future of Diaz.

When asked after the game if Diaz is the right person to lead the Longhorn defense Mack Brown responded,  “I didn’t think our coaches or our players lived up to what we needed to do tonight to win … including me.”

When Diaz was asked the same question he said, "That’s not even a topic to talk about.”

It just might be very soon.




And, now the larger question is one the HQ has brought up before:

"Does Texas back up the truck to bring Nick Saban in?"- especially if he wins another national title in Tuscaloosa...

The HQ has heard all the talk about Miss Terri not liking living in Alabama any more... and, usually, what the Boss says goes...

What...??? $10-million a year...???

The buyout money for Mack Brown could be brought in at the beginning of business Monday without anything more than a snap of the fingers... and since Mack makes $5-million, Saban could be turning his crimson in for burnt orange...

Quickly...

But Manny Diaz gets fired first...

1800 UPDATE: He did... or was reassigned, depending on your point-of-view...

Greg Robinson was given the battlefield promotion from his quality control position

"Our performance on defense last night was unacceptable, and we need to change that," Mack Brown said in a written statement. "Greg will be here tonight and get with the staff and players to start preparing for Ole Miss. He will be running our defense immediately. We're very fortunate that Greg has been around, watched all of our practice video and has a good scouting report moving forward. His familiarity with the staff and players should make for a smooth transition. He knows this place, did a terrific job in leading our defense before, and I'm excited to have him back on the field. We're back at it and working hard to beat Ole Miss this weekend."

OSG College Football Crystal Ball Part 2

Eastern Kentucky at #8 Louisville

What does Louisville head coach Charlie Strong think of Eastern Kentucky?

“It’s a solid football team.”

The Colonels did whip Robert Morris 38-6 last week.  Expect EKU to take the six figure check from Louisville and take a whoppin’ themselves

Louisville 55, Eastern Kentucky 3

UAB at #9 LSU

13 years ago the Blazers defeated the Tigers 13-10.  No way in hell that happens again.

LSU 42 , UAB 14

#12 Florida at Miami

Al Golden is yet to have a signature win during his tenure at Miami.  Saturday is the Hurricanes chance to make a statement and provide the benchmark win for Golden.

“It’s obviously a big game, but worrying about anything on the outside is not going to change what happens in between the lines.” Golden said.

A ton of Hurricane recruits will be in Sun Life Stadium too and Golden would like to make an impression on their young minds.

Florida head coach Will Muschamp also wants to leave a mark on South Florida.

“They have players every year, you take Broward and Dade county, those two alone, the number of players that sign out of there every year.” 

So instead of the Seminole War Canoe the two teams played for annually until 1987 the Gators and Hurricanes play to impress high school players.

It will be a close on but the “Canes prevail.

Miami 31, Florida 28

#13 Oklahoma State at Texas-San Antonio

When Mike Gundy was the quarterback for the Oklahoma State Cowboys Larry Coker was his offensive coordinator.

 “I have always enjoyed being around Coach”  Gundy said.  “As a player, I enjoyed his approach to certain plays. He kept the game simple and as a player I really enjoyed that."

“Mike has done a great job there.” UTSA head coach Larry Coker said. “He was a very smart player and tremendously competitive. He was a playmaker when there weren’t plays to be made. He was an outstanding player. He’s very confident and you can see that in their team now.”

Oklahoma State is in San Antonio for two reasons, get a win and impress recruits in Southwest Texas.

“They do a great job at recruiting Texas and I think they want to continue that.” Coker said.

The Cowboys will do both.

Oklahoma State 49, UTSA 6

#14 Notre Dame at #17 Michigan

“It's a great and historic rivalry that we'll be playing this Saturday, so let's get that out of the way right away so we don't have to answer any more questions about this rivalry.”  Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelley said.

Sounds like the Notre Dame head coach is bored with the rivalry with Michigan.

Michigan head coach Brady Hoke understands the whole nation watches this one.

 “….it must have some sort of national appeal.” Hoke said. “ Coaching in a lot of places, and maybe it's just me, but I know that whenever Michigan and Notre Dame was on TV, I was going to be watching it. I know people in Corvallis, Ore., were going to be watching it.”

And those people in Corvallis should see a Michigan win.

Michigan 21, Notre Dame 17

#15 Texas at BYU

I bet you didn’t know this, BYU has a 2-1 edge in the series.  The last time the “Horns played the Cougars in Provo they lost.

“I think it's a unique place.” Texas head coach Mack Brown said. 

Yes it is coach Brown but Longhorn nation should like the result.

Texas 35, BYU 31 

Tradition, Honor, And Spirit At BYU... Well, Only Once A Year...

((HT: KSL-TV))

BYU head football coach Bronco Mendenhall wanted to do something different with his football jerseys this season...

Instead of last names, he went with three catch phrases to personify his approach (and hopefully his players as well) to the success in the program. Instead, Mendenhall caught 50 layers of hell from former players, boosters, fans and anyone else with a voice. They didn't like it and wanted it stopped post haste...

Or sooner...

Well, Mendenhall has acquiesced... for most of the home schedule, anyway...
Instead of the slogans/catch phrases being on all season long, they're now only on for the homecoming game...

Here's what the players thought on camera, anyway...
((HT: BYUTV))

BUZZER BEATER: Dellavedova With The Shot Of The Year (So Far)

St. Mary’s is in the middle of staking their claim to the top of the West Coast Conference.

Wednesday night the Gaels played at one of the toughest venues in college basketball, BYU’s Marriott Center and senior guard Matthew Dellavedova stunned the Cougar fans with a game winning bomb.

Dellavedova’s parents had made the long trip from Australia to attend the game in Provo, Utah.  What they saw was a gem and perhaps the best buzzer beater of the year.

"First of all, you don't get to play in a place like this when it's packed very often.” St. Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett. “That's a dream for guys growing up. Then, to win in this place. Then, to hit the last second shot. It doesn't get any better. When your parents are from Australia, they don't get to see you all the time and you are a senior... It was a storybook ending for us and for Matt. It was awesome."

“I thought this was a great college basketball game.”BYU head coach Dave Rose said.  “It all came down to a guy making a really tough late in the game. We have to congratulate Saint Mary’s.”

How 'Bout A Do-Over...??? Boise, San Diego, and BYU Looking At Mountain West...???

Not that this is a surprise...

But Brett McMurphy over at the four-letter is saying those three- currently in the Big East and an independent for football are looking at the Mountain West Conference for a home now...

When the new alignment that the Big East came out with (two divisions really spread apart), the HQ could see completely and totally why...

Add to that the idea that the Bee-Cee-Ess commissioners voted that the highest-rated non Power Conference would have the same weight as the Big East champ and you can see why it would be a lot cheaper and geographically desirable for them to stay out west.

For BYU, they would have to leave their deal with ESPN on the table. For the other two, there would have to be an exit fee- supposedly $10-million- that would be challenged in court, certainly...

Brian Murphy caught up with Boise AD Mark Coyle after their Senior Day game for his piece in the Idaho Statesman:

“In the 11 months I’ve been here, we’ve talked about how all of us are trying to make long-term decisions with a shifting foundation. That foundation continues to shift for all programs, not just Boise State,” Coyle said. “I think that’s one of the challenging aspects of this job across the country for all ADs. You’re trying to make long-term decisions on a shifting landscape.”

Oh, did we mention that the Big East's TV deal is in play now that ESPN let the negotiating window pass...???

Here's Coyle talking about the move to the Big East back when that happened...
((HT: KTVB-TV))

So, How Much Time Does Paul Johnson Have Left On The Flats...???

((HT: KSL-TV/SportSouth))

Some Georgia tech fans thought that things were looking up when "Groh Must Go" turned into "Al-Gone, Take Me Away..."

Not so fast... apparently...

Jamaal Williams rushed for four scores and the Cougars defense held Tech without a rushing touchdown for the first time in two years. It was also the first time Tech didn't score an offensive TD since 2008.

How's that for reasons of optimism...???

Georgia Tech (now 3-5) has lost four of their last five- including games to Miami and Middle Tennessee. They didn't convert on any of their 3rd-down chances...

And if you thought that getting rid if Al Groh has helped... not really...
The defense gave up 411 yards...

Here's the highlights, if you're a BYU fan...


So, the HQ begs to ask the question...
Does CPJ go as well...???

And who does Tech get as their new boss...??? Someone who can run the system with the athletes Paul Johnson has already recruited or someone entirely different trying to put square pegs into round holes...

Faithful reader, we ask...

Where's The Offense? BYU Over Utah State 6-3

Talk about a contrast in college football last Saturday we were treated to the West Virginia – Baylor game that ended up 70-63 and you wondered if anyone played defense.

Friday night BYU defeated Utah State 6-3 and now you wonder what happened to the offenses.  Heck this is a score you expect from the defensive dominant SEC than out west where the offenses are known to explode.

Those of us are old enough to remember when BYU put a lot of points on the board and put up some ridiculous offensive yards.  1946 was the last time the Cougars won a game scoring six points.

This was a game that featured more punts (13) than total points (9).

The only touchdown of the game was Taysom Hill’s three yard pass to JD Falslev in the second quarter.

I think I lost a couple years off my life because of the stress, but any way you get a win, we come out smiling.”  BYU defensive back Preston Hadley said.

“It was a fantastic game and an excellent rivalry game.” BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “We are lucky, and I’m glad that we won. I’m fortunate to coach this team.”

Here’s the highlights.  (Thanks BYU-TV Sports)

 

BYU Chows - Down On Hawaii 47-0

For 27 years Norm Chow was an assistant coach under Lavell Edwards.  Friday night Chow returned to Provo, Utah as the head coach of Hawaii and his Warrior team was pummeled by the Cougars 47-0.

“We couldn’t get it going defensively.”  Chow said.  “We couldn’t move the ball on offense, very disappointing.”

And that in a nutshell describes Hawaii’s performance against BYU.

Here’s Chow addressing the media.  (Thanks Hawaii Athletics)

BYU freshman quarterback Taysom Hill started the game and rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown.  Hill also threw for 112 yards and two touchdowns.

BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall decided to start Hill as incumbent starter Riley Nelson rests and injured back.

“If Riley is capable and ready to play, then he will be our starter.” Mendenhall said after the game. “He was hurt this week. He has been the whole week, so we made the decision to sit him out.  If Riley plays like he has been playing, he won’t get better, but he will improve with rest, so that’s what we’re planning on. Taysom is doing his part, but there isn’t as much history between he and I like there is between Riley and I. The biggest decision is going to be how Riley is feeling.”

Do we have a quarterback controversy stirring up in Provo?  It appears Nelson will remain the starter but it’s hard to ignore the dynamics Taysom Hill brings under center.  Hill doesn’t appear to be caught up in the hype.

“I’m not sure about starting.”  Hill said. “ That is not my decision, and I won’t get caught up in that right now. Riley has been through this and has been a big help. He knows the team and what I was going into. He has been giving me pointers all week and was a set of eyes for me from the sideline all night.”

Here’s the highlights from last night. (Thanks BYU Productions)

Boise State Wins With Defense Over BYU 7-6

How can you tell the defense was dominant for both teams, a touchdown by a nose guard was the difference in the game.

Early in the third quarter Boise State nose guard Mike Atkinson intercepted a Riley Nelson pass and took to the distance 36 yards for the Broncos only touchdown.  Atkinson did a little free lancing to get the pick six.

“I wasn’t really supposed to drop…it just worked perfectly.” Atkinson said.  “We always talk about getting interceptions – we’re going to take it to the house no matter what.”

It was one of many big plays by the Bronco defense, who forced three turnovers from the BYU offense all interceptions from BYU quarterback Riley Nelson.

Nelson’ backup freshman Taysom Hill guided the Cougars to their only touchdown late in the fourth quarter.  Hill took the ball in the end zone from four yards.

BYU decided to go for the win and try a two point conversion.  That wasn’t successful.

“We got the call and we went in and did our best to execute.”  Hill said. “ It’s a tough environment; we had the momentum there so I don’t blame Coach [Bronco] Mendenhall for doing it. It’s just a tough break.”

Boise State prevails over BYU 7-6.  Here’s the highlights (Thanks KTVB Boise, ID)

Wazzou Loses To BYU In Mike Leach's Coaching Debut

Mike Leach’s debut as Washington State head coach did leave a milestone.  The Cougars didn’t score a touchdown in its season opener for the first time since 1971.

Washington State did put up some impressive offensive numbers totaling 229 yards passing.  Cougar quarterback Jeff Tuel completed 30 of 45 passes but two interceptions.

The run game, well that will get some attention this week in practice.  Wazzou -5 yards rushing.  Ouch.

The BYU defense was dominant.

“I don’t think coaching-wise we had them prepared to play, for whatever reason,” Washington State head coach Mike Leach said. 

BYU quarterback Riley Nelson torched the Wazzou defense.  Nelson completed 25 of 36 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns.

"Riley [Nelson] is competitive and so tough," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "He has great leadership and that suits him really well. He demands respect, and when it's hurry up, he gets everyone to the line and pushes the ball forward."

Here’s the highlights.  (Thanks BYU Productions)

 

 

 

Mike Leach Will "Swing His Sword" Against Alma Mater BYU

Mike Leach makes his Washington State coaching debut Thursday night.  Leach’s Cougars travel to Provo, Utah to face BYU, which happens to be Leach’s alma mater.

Here’s Leach talking about the upcoming game. (Thanks KREM-TV, Spokane, WA)

Leach’s Washington State team will toss the football around the field.  Other than that Wazzou doesn’t have a whole lot.  There are concerns about the Cougar offensive line and the defense is just not up to par.

BYU is a veteran team and head coach Bronco Mendenhall likes how physical his team is. While BYU’s secondary will be tested by Wazzou’s receivers their trio of linebackers, Kyle Van Noy, Brandon Ogletree and Uona Kaveinga are pretty darn good.  Van Noy is the star of the group.

Bottom line Wazzou will do some good things but BYU will wear down the Washington State defense and should win this game rather easy. 

OSG predicted score: BYU 48, Wazzou 10

Busy Day For BYU: Helmetless Block Leads To Score, Fake Spike For Win

While we wait for the Riley Nelson-fake spike to score the game-winning TD in the BYU-Tulsa game, we give you effort from a D1 independent chasing after a 10-win season...

Watch the lineman...
((HT: ESPN/youtube/mattgrifith72))


Nelson threw 3 TD's to Cody Hoffman on the day, and it was the 5th 10-win season in head coach Bronco Mendenhall's 7 seasons...

You go, Matt Reynolds...
And here's Riley Nelson's game-winner...
((HT: ESPN/youtube/ParadigmShift35))

ESPN/FOX tells Big 12: No BYU

((ht:stltrib.com))

Don't let anyone convince you that this whole "Galactic Realignment" in college football isn't driven by TV money. Or more specifically ESPN and FOX Sports.

Why do we say that? Multiple reasons really, but here's one that isn't being spoken of then denied like what Boston College AD Gene DiFilippo did when he said then denied the ACC expansion was dictated by ESPN.

Today's case, we give you BYU.

According to a story in the Salt Lake Tribune, both ESPN and FOX Sports told the Big 12 to steer clear of adding Brigham Young University in their next round of expansion. The two TV entities supposedly did not like the slightly different rules and restrictions they would have to work around with the Mormon school.

Read the STLTrib.com story RIGHT HERE

Ironically, BYU does have its own network BYUtv and it is already cleared in some 60 million homes, millions more than Texas's Longhorn Network, which was an impetus for all of this change in the first place. They also have a deal with ESPN in place as well.

This is just another piece of the crazy realignment puzzle. The TV component has been mentioned in a few places and should be mentioned in more. Because really, it is the prime driver behind all the change.

ESPN can no longer objectively deny any involvement in these moves, and yet they still do. They keep doling out millions and millions of dollars for these games and for teams to be in specific conferences. And we guess technically, there is nothing that says they can't do it. Just don't hide behind "Journalistic Integrity" when it gets called into question.

It sucks that college football on TV is becoming all about who is the best TV draw. But it is the reality of the system these days. The part that is difficult is they pretending that everyone has a chance to participate in it.

They don't.

Unless you go to a "BCS" school or apparently a school that ESPN deems good enough to be on TV, you'll never get to go to the Orange Bowl or the Rose Bowl or Sugar Bowl. You'll play in a lower tier bowl and you'll be banished to the hinterlands of TV if you are on TV at all. Or unless you are playing one of the "BCS" teams, then you'll get your chance.

We could go on rambling about the inequality here forever. Big-time football has become a professional business. College, at least the "Big" schools deny it, but think about it. They generate or make for both themselves and the networks a ton of money, money that the kids never get a chance to see.