This Friday Night football game on ESPN2 held a lot more national interest than the usual WAC matchup on a Friday night might demand. Bosie State is ranked #7 in the polls and is looking to get into a BCS bowl game. There has been a big debate all week about whether Oregon should pass Boise State in the BCS standings even though Boise State had a decisive victory over Oregon earlier in the season. With all that as a backdrop, a few observations:
1) Boise State didn't do itself any favors tonight by only beating La Tech by 10, 45 - 35. A ten point victory on the road usually would be great, but with the vultures of the Big Six flying around, not enough to solidify their case.
2) Louisiana Tech, a middle of the road at best WAC team, played Boise State very tough, and to their credit never gave up when they had several opportunities to do so.
3) The good showing by La Tech actually hurts their program as it may well have knocked Boise State out of a BCS Bowl, and therefore La Tech's share of that big time money.
4) Louisiana Tech had a marquee game at home on a beautiful Friday night. A top ten team in Ruston to take on the home team. So what kind of support did they get? A crowd that looked like an average home crowd at Bryant High School, and a small crowd for Springdale High. It was really sad that the Bulldogs couldn't turn out more than that for this game.
5) The commentators even commented that Ruston is one very difficult place to get to. That in combination with the poor crowd, left a lasting impression on a National TV audience that La Tech is just not a prime time place.
6) And in comparison to what the nation saw the night before at East Carolina, where 45,000 fans were fanatical in their team's losing effort to Virginia Tech, if Louisiana Tech fans think that their crowd support tonight impressed anybody in the Conference USA, they better think again. Or, in the alternative, continue in what has become the standard for delusional visions of granduer for fans of a program.
7) I really hated to see the mediocre showing by Boise State, as I thought there was a very decent chance to have two outsiders in BCS bowls, TCU and Boise State. After tonight, I'm not so sure.
My two cents worth.
(11-06-2009 11:43 PM)PTJR Wrote: [ -> ]This Friday Night football game on ESPN2 held a lot more national interest than the usual WAC matchup on a Friday night might demand. Bosie State is ranked #7 in the polls and is looking to get into a BCS bowl game. There has been a big debate all week about whether Oregon should pass Boise State in the BCS standings even though Boise State had a decisive victory over Oregon earlier in the season. With all that as a backdrop, a few observations:
1) Boise State didn't do itself any favors tonight by only beating La Tech by 10, 45 - 35. A ten point victory on the road usually would be great, but with the vultures of the Big Six flying around, not enough to solidify their case.
2) Louisiana Tech, a middle of the road at best WAC team, played Boise State very tough, and to their credit never gave up when they had several opportunities to do so.
3) The good showing by La Tech actually hurts their program as it may well have knocked Boise State out of a BCS Bowl, and therefore La Tech's share of that big time money.
4) Louisiana Tech had a marquee game at home on a beautiful Friday night. A top ten team in Ruston to take on the home team. So what kind of support did they get? A crowd that looked like an average home crowd at Bryant High School, and a small crowd for Springdale High. It was really sad that the Bulldogs couldn't turn out more than that for this game.
5) The commentators even commented that Ruston is one very difficult place to get to. That in combination with the poor crowd, left a lasting impression on a National TV audience that La Tech is just not a prime time place.
6) And in comparison to what the nation saw the night before at East Carolina, where 45,000 fans were fanatical in their team's losing effort to Virginia Tech, if Louisiana Tech fans think that their crowd support tonight impressed anybody in the Conference USA, they better think again. Or, in the alternative, continue in what has become the standard for delusional visions of granduer for fans of a program.
7) I really hated to see the mediocre showing by Boise State, as I thought there was a very decent chance to have two outsiders in BCS bowls, TCU and Boise State. After tonight, I'm not so sure.
My two cents worth.
Some good points. You're certainly right, but it's still unfair that a team should be "hurt" by a 10 point road win. Traveling 2000 miles and playing on the road is never easy. They got the win and that's all that should really matter. It didn't seem like Florida was hurt much by needing a last second field goal to beat a 1-4 SEC team at HOME. Did't hurt Alabama who needed a block of last second field goal (the kicker was playing injured) to beat a mediocre Tennessee team. But I'm sure the voters, many of whom don't want an outsider to join the party, will use this against Boise.
(11-07-2009 09:46 AM)mjs Wrote: [ -> ] (11-06-2009 11:43 PM)PTJR Wrote: [ -> ]This Friday Night football game on ESPN2 held a lot more national interest than the usual WAC matchup on a Friday night might demand. Bosie State is ranked #7 in the polls and is looking to get into a BCS bowl game. There has been a big debate all week about whether Oregon should pass Boise State in the BCS standings even though Boise State had a decisive victory over Oregon earlier in the season. With all that as a backdrop, a few observations:
1) Boise State didn't do itself any favors tonight by only beating La Tech by 10, 45 - 35. A ten point victory on the road usually would be great, but with the vultures of the Big Six flying around, not enough to solidify their case.
2) Louisiana Tech, a middle of the road at best WAC team, played Boise State very tough, and to their credit never gave up when they had several opportunities to do so.
3) The good showing by La Tech actually hurts their program as it may well have knocked Boise State out of a BCS Bowl, and therefore La Tech's share of that big time money.
4) Louisiana Tech had a marquee game at home on a beautiful Friday night. A top ten team in Ruston to take on the home team. So what kind of support did they get? A crowd that looked like an average home crowd at Bryant High School, and a small crowd for Springdale High. It was really sad that the Bulldogs couldn't turn out more than that for this game.
5) The commentators even commented that Ruston is one very difficult place to get to. That in combination with the poor crowd, left a lasting impression on a National TV audience that La Tech is just not a prime time place.
6) And in comparison to what the nation saw the night before at East Carolina, where 45,000 fans were fanatical in their team's losing effort to Virginia Tech, if Louisiana Tech fans think that their crowd support tonight impressed anybody in the Conference USA, they better think again. Or, in the alternative, continue in what has become the standard for delusional visions of granduer for fans of a program.
7) I really hated to see the mediocre showing by Boise State, as I thought there was a very decent chance to have two outsiders in BCS bowls, TCU and Boise State. After tonight, I'm not so sure.
My two cents worth.
Some good points. You're certainly right, but it's still unfair that a team should be "hurt" by a 10 point road win. Traveling 2000 miles and playing on the road is never easy. They got the win and that's all that should really matter. It didn't seem like Florida was hurt much by needing a last second field goal to beat a 1-4 SEC team at HOME. Did't hurt Alabama who needed a block of last second field goal (the kicker was playing injured) to beat a mediocre Tennessee team. But I'm sure the voters, many of whom don't want an outsider to join the party, will use this against Boise.
I didn't watch enough of the game to notice the crowd- The "announced" attendance was 23,000, but based on your observation that was gross overestimate. Really should be able to fill their stadium for a Top 10, undefeated team. I am reluctant to criticize other school's attendance- let's see what perennial power Memphis draws in N. Little Rock next month.
(11-07-2009 10:08 AM)mjs Wrote: [ -> ] (11-07-2009 09:46 AM)mjs Wrote: [ -> ] (11-06-2009 11:43 PM)PTJR Wrote: [ -> ]This Friday Night football game on ESPN2 held a lot more national interest than the usual WAC matchup on a Friday night might demand. Bosie State is ranked #7 in the polls and is looking to get into a BCS bowl game. There has been a big debate all week about whether Oregon should pass Boise State in the BCS standings even though Boise State had a decisive victory over Oregon earlier in the season. With all that as a backdrop, a few observations:
1) Boise State didn't do itself any favors tonight by only beating La Tech by 10, 45 - 35. A ten point victory on the road usually would be great, but with the vultures of the Big Six flying around, not enough to solidify their case.
2) Louisiana Tech, a middle of the road at best WAC team, played Boise State very tough, and to their credit never gave up when they had several opportunities to do so.
3) The good showing by La Tech actually hurts their program as it may well have knocked Boise State out of a BCS Bowl, and therefore La Tech's share of that big time money.
4) Louisiana Tech had a marquee game at home on a beautiful Friday night. A top ten team in Ruston to take on the home team. So what kind of support did they get? A crowd that looked like an average home crowd at Bryant High School, and a small crowd for Springdale High. It was really sad that the Bulldogs couldn't turn out more than that for this game.
5) The commentators even commented that Ruston is one very difficult place to get to. That in combination with the poor crowd, left a lasting impression on a National TV audience that La Tech is just not a prime time place.
6) And in comparison to what the nation saw the night before at East Carolina, where 45,000 fans were fanatical in their team's losing effort to Virginia Tech, if Louisiana Tech fans think that their crowd support tonight impressed anybody in the Conference USA, they better think again. Or, in the alternative, continue in what has become the standard for delusional visions of granduer for fans of a program.
7) I really hated to see the mediocre showing by Boise State, as I thought there was a very decent chance to have two outsiders in BCS bowls, TCU and Boise State. After tonight, I'm not so sure.
My two cents worth.
Some good points. You're certainly right, but it's still unfair that a team should be "hurt" by a 10 point road win. Traveling 2000 miles and playing on the road is never easy. They got the win and that's all that should really matter. It didn't seem like Florida was hurt much by needing a last second field goal to beat a 1-4 SEC team at HOME. Did't hurt Alabama who needed a block of last second field goal (the kicker was playing injured) to beat a mediocre Tennessee team. But I'm sure the voters, many of whom don't want an outsider to join the party, will use this against Boise.
I didn't watch enough of the game to notice the crowd- The "announced" attendance was 23,000, but based on your observation that was gross overestimate. Really should be able to fill their stadium for a Top 10, undefeated team. I am reluctant to criticize other school's attendance- let's see what perennial power Memphis draws in N. Little Rock next month.
The only reason I make that observation is because of all the crap that has come out of La Tech fans in the past about being a big time football school that deserves to be in a better conference than its neighbors. Last night was a clear indication that La Tech is about like most of the non BCS schools around here like ASU, La-Monroe, La-Lafayette, etc. They have a loyal, but relatively small following, and aren't deserving of anything more than their neighbors are. No one claims that Little Rock deserves to be in the CUSA at present. Well almost no one, and the one that might, depending on the day, could just as easily advocate our dropping down in conference stature.
(11-07-2009 09:46 AM)mjs Wrote: [ -> ] (11-06-2009 11:43 PM)PTJR Wrote: [ -> ]This Friday Night football game on ESPN2 held a lot more national interest than the usual WAC matchup on a Friday night might demand. Bosie State is ranked #7 in the polls and is looking to get into a BCS bowl game. There has been a big debate all week about whether Oregon should pass Boise State in the BCS standings even though Boise State had a decisive victory over Oregon earlier in the season. With all that as a backdrop, a few observations:
1) Boise State didn't do itself any favors tonight by only beating La Tech by 10, 45 - 35. A ten point victory on the road usually would be great, but with the vultures of the Big Six flying around, not enough to solidify their case.
2) Louisiana Tech, a middle of the road at best WAC team, played Boise State very tough, and to their credit never gave up when they had several opportunities to do so.
3) The good showing by La Tech actually hurts their program as it may well have knocked Boise State out of a BCS Bowl, and therefore La Tech's share of that big time money.
4) Louisiana Tech had a marquee game at home on a beautiful Friday night. A top ten team in Ruston to take on the home team. So what kind of support did they get? A crowd that looked like an average home crowd at Bryant High School, and a small crowd for Springdale High. It was really sad that the Bulldogs couldn't turn out more than that for this game.
5) The commentators even commented that Ruston is one very difficult place to get to. That in combination with the poor crowd, left a lasting impression on a National TV audience that La Tech is just not a prime time place.
6) And in comparison to what the nation saw the night before at East Carolina, where 45,000 fans were fanatical in their team's losing effort to Virginia Tech, if Louisiana Tech fans think that their crowd support tonight impressed anybody in the Conference USA, they better think again. Or, in the alternative, continue in what has become the standard for delusional visions of granduer for fans of a program.
7) I really hated to see the mediocre showing by Boise State, as I thought there was a very decent chance to have two outsiders in BCS bowls, TCU and Boise State. After tonight, I'm not so sure.
My two cents worth.
Some good points. You're certainly right, but it's still unfair that a team should be "hurt" by a 10 point road win. Traveling 2000 miles and playing on the road is never easy. They got the win and that's all that should really matter. It didn't seem like Florida was hurt much by needing a last second field goal to beat a 1-4 SEC team at HOME. Did't hurt Alabama who needed a block of last second field goal (the kicker was playing injured) to beat a mediocre Tennessee team. But I'm sure the voters, many of whom don't want an outsider to join the party, will use this against Boise.
I agree with you 100%. But since when is the BCS fair? If you are a program outside the good ole boys club of six conferences, you have to be virtually perfect to get credit. The BCS doesn't give a damn about being fair and objective. Just listen to the crap that's coming out of some of the talking heads that Oregon should be ranked ahead of Boise State even though Boise State whipped, and I mean whipped Oregon on the field? Your last sentence says it all.
(11-07-2009 10:32 AM)PTJR Wrote: [ -> ] (11-07-2009 10:08 AM)mjs Wrote: [ -> ] (11-07-2009 09:46 AM)mjs Wrote: [ -> ] (11-06-2009 11:43 PM)PTJR Wrote: [ -> ]This Friday Night football game on ESPN2 held a lot more national interest than the usual WAC matchup on a Friday night might demand. Bosie State is ranked #7 in the polls and is looking to get into a BCS bowl game. There has been a big debate all week about whether Oregon should pass Boise State in the BCS standings even though Boise State had a decisive victory over Oregon earlier in the season. With all that as a backdrop, a few observations:
1) Boise State didn't do itself any favors tonight by only beating La Tech by 10, 45 - 35. A ten point victory on the road usually would be great, but with the vultures of the Big Six flying around, not enough to solidify their case.
2) Louisiana Tech, a middle of the road at best WAC team, played Boise State very tough, and to their credit never gave up when they had several opportunities to do so.
3) The good showing by La Tech actually hurts their program as it may well have knocked Boise State out of a BCS Bowl, and therefore La Tech's share of that big time money.
4) Louisiana Tech had a marquee game at home on a beautiful Friday night. A top ten team in Ruston to take on the home team. So what kind of support did they get? A crowd that looked like an average home crowd at Bryant High School, and a small crowd for Springdale High. It was really sad that the Bulldogs couldn't turn out more than that for this game.
5) The commentators even commented that Ruston is one very difficult place to get to. That in combination with the poor crowd, left a lasting impression on a National TV audience that La Tech is just not a prime time place.
6) And in comparison to what the nation saw the night before at East Carolina, where 45,000 fans were fanatical in their team's losing effort to Virginia Tech, if Louisiana Tech fans think that their crowd support tonight impressed anybody in the Conference USA, they better think again. Or, in the alternative, continue in what has become the standard for delusional visions of granduer for fans of a program.
7) I really hated to see the mediocre showing by Boise State, as I thought there was a very decent chance to have two outsiders in BCS bowls, TCU and Boise State. After tonight, I'm not so sure.
My two cents worth.
Some good points. You're certainly right, but it's still unfair that a team should be "hurt" by a 10 point road win. Traveling 2000 miles and playing on the road is never easy. They got the win and that's all that should really matter. It didn't seem like Florida was hurt much by needing a last second field goal to beat a 1-4 SEC team at HOME. Did't hurt Alabama who needed a block of last second field goal (the kicker was playing injured) to beat a mediocre Tennessee team. But I'm sure the voters, many of whom don't want an outsider to join the party, will use this against Boise.
I didn't watch enough of the game to notice the crowd- The "announced" attendance was 23,000, but based on your observation that was gross overestimate. Really should be able to fill their stadium for a Top 10, undefeated team. I am reluctant to criticize other school's attendance- let's see what perennial power Memphis draws in N. Little Rock next month.
The only reason I make that observation is because of all the crap that has come out of La Tech fans in the past about being a big time football school that deserves to be in a better conference than its neighbors. Last night was a clear indication that La Tech is about like most of the non BCS schools around here like ASU, La-Monroe, La-Lafayette, etc. They have a loyal, but relatively small following, and aren't deserving of anything more than their neighbors are. No one claims that Little Rock deserves to be in the CUSA at present. Well almost no one, and the one that might, depending on the day, could just as easily advocate our dropping down in conference stature.
How many bids does CUSA normally get? If they get more than two, that would be sort of like dropping down, since our odds of getting to the tournament might be better. And if we could get into the SEC, we'd have it made. We could probably finish in the Top six occasionally, which would probably make the tournament. So in reality, moving up could actually be dropping down. And I just got a call from the White House offering me a job in public relations. They figured that anyone that could put a positive spin on this deserves to be in Washington.
