Mid-Season Rankings and Conferences

After regularly reviewing the mid-season polls, I have come to the conclusion, that they just don't mean much to me. Sure it means something to the BCS voters at the end of the year. But I feel I know where teams sit, regardless of what the polls say. How can you even keep track anymore due to the plethora of polls that are out there. Instead of making my own poll lets review the conferences.

Before I go there I just wanted to touch on conferences. Below I have ranked them and rationalized some of my decisions, others are just there.

Evan's Conference Rankings:

1. Big 12 (4 teams in the top 7, I don't think anyone can argue with that)

2. MWC (Obviously BYU & Utah and TCU who will likely get back in the top 25 soon. They have an outstanding record against the Pac-10 (6-1) and are looking good. Although let us not forget about that crap call the Beavs got on the 2 point conversion.

3. SEC (As much as it pains me, they are deep and we need each team to have 2 losses to help BYU's chances)

4. tie, BIG EAST/PAC-10 (WV already lost to Colorado & East Carolina. Oregon sucking this year is not helping the pac out any. Together they account for 43 losses, ouch)

6. BIG 10 (Similar to the WAC, without Penn St I wouldn't have even put them on the list. Ohio State I strongly dislike)

7. ACC (stick to bball)

8. WAC (horrible this year, my Rexburg Idaho flag football team could compete with everyone but the Bronco's)

Now where I am really wanting to go with this post, is to create my own Conference called, the BIG EC (Evan Carlile). Below are the teams in my conference and where they would be currently ranked.

1. Missouri Tigers. Offense is the best in the nation. averaging 53.4 points/game. There defense still has question marks, but with that offense that may be okay. Tigers play at Texas on the 18th.

2. Brigham Young Cougars. In my opinion, the complete team. Excel on both sides of the ball and special teams. Outscoring there last three opponents 137-14.

3.-10. in this order would be of course the Beavs, Boise State, USC, Oregon, Florida, Washington, Ohio State, and Utah

Some of you may be wondering about some of those teams, opposition in all things. It would just really help me get up for each game playing my dreaded teams every week.

Old Hatred Renewed...

Former Utes:
I know my grandpa was Ute, I know President Monson and Hinckley were Utes, but times have changed. Utah has evolved into that school that is known as: cheap shot artists, we are not BYU and never will be, too tight of clothes wearing, both fans, coaches, and players are all annoying, etc etc.

Excuses:
Granted I am not a big excuse guy, and we should have won that game 3-4 different times. But when you are a school like Oregon State and you don't have enough scholarships to give out it hurts in the skill positions. The place where that showed and we were most exposed last night, special teams! Kick off gave up an 80 yard return, an average of 38 yards/punt, do we even need to talk about the kicker?

My quick recap:
Fairly predictable game. We couldn't get the run game going up the middle. Play calling I was just not agreeing with on either side of the ball. Get the ball outside to the edges, bring more blitz packages, and we couldn't contain Utah running outside around the corners. Quiz still had over 100 yards rushing and 82 receiving. Moevao's height disadvantage was exposed, 4-5 batted down passes. He still played pretty well though 313 yards, 2 TD's, and 0 INT's. Brian Johnson is not good, our pass rush struggled, especially in the 4th quarter. Too much beer after last week's stunner.

Final Point:
The ref's lost the game for us. If you watched it you exactly what I am talking about. The Utah 2 point conversion. The pass was about 5 yards behind the intended receiver (uncatchable) plus the receiver ran into the LB who was covering, not the other way around. A total bail out call, even the House and Senate would have denied that Bail Out plan! Richard Chapman would not have thrown his yellow hanky, and is there a better ref out there? NO!

One more thing:
Did Utah really celebrate like they just beat the #1 ranked team in the nation? I love the Beavs, but we were 2-2 at the time, including a loss at Stanford. They were ranked 15 in the nation. You were supposed to win, in fact you were supposed to win by at least 12 points.

Lastly:
I am angry. My BYU at Utah prediction is BYU 52 - Utah 13. Last night they showed they don't have a change, even if it is at Rice-Eccles. Go Cougs.

Meet the Droid

Alright ladies and gentlemen, Ev has asked me to be a contributor to this sports blog and I gladly accepted this invitation. In this post, I want to talk about my credentials and then, what I think about sports.

First things first, Ev and I go way back and have spent many sporting hours together. He and I are the only players on our intramural football team to touch the ball every offensive play and it is helping the team to victory. My credentials for this job are as follows: 13th man on freshman bball team (for all of you that don't know, that is the last kid to get cut), 3 years Powderpuff coach, 2003 City League basketball MVP, the brother of the founder of courgarcrazies.com and thousands and I mean, thounsands of hours of Sportscenter watched.

Now on to the important stuff, the sports. I love football! I love college football and the NFL but I have more of a passion for college. I love a few teams and I hate a lot of teams. I am a Oregon Duck first(yes this means that there will be some Duck posts on this blog), BYU Cougar second, OSU Beaver third and then Pac-10. Some may call it a west coast bias but I prefer to refer to it as "I hate anything east of the rocky mountains." I don't like the SEC, ACC, Big 10, Big12 or Big East. In the top 10, I like BYU and USC. I can stand Missouri but that is only because they are new. The worst on that list is Oklahoma at #1. I always feel like the west needs more love. I swear almost every year, the Pac-10 gets shafted in one way or another and then there is the problem with the Mountain West and lack of love for the Cougs.

Later in the year, you'll be hearing about basketball from me, especially college, but I am a Blazer fan like Ev. Basically, you'll be hearing from me about football, basketball and anything else in the sports world that catches my fancy.

OSU has USC's number baby...

After watching USC pounce Virginia and Ohio State (a combined score of 87-10) I was obviously nervous for our Thursday night, nationally televised game. USC has so much depth, their recruiting vs Oregon State recruiting is two different worlds.

USC World: In LA, where every young college athlete wants to be, sunshine, play almost weekly on national TV, celebrities, Hollywood, lots of $$$ (we know they are getting cash just like old Reggie Bush), they have an airport close to campus, facilities, a reputation, always in the top 10, NFL drafted players by the dozens, etc etc.

OSU World: Corvallis Oregon, population 50,000 and a 90 minute drive from the nearest airport. A tiny recruiting budget compared to USC and most D1 schools, rain, rain, rain, rarely on national TV, no celebrities (other than the Linn County DA himself), and known as a school who is always in the bottom of the PAC-10 (even though in the last 10 years, that is completely false).

September Slumber: The Beavs are notorious for their September Slumber, as I call it. Since Coach Mike Riley has been at the helm, every year, we get better as the season goes on. I do not know what it is, but I like much better than Mike Bioloti who always starts hot, and finishes seasons horribly. (By the way I am still upset that we finished 3rd in the pac-10, including a win over the Ducks last season, and still Oregon got a better bowl, the Sun Bowl, and we got the Emerald Bowl.)

Beavs this season: So, we lost in week one vs Stanford on that stupid rule, where when you fumble it out of bounds out your end zone its the other teams ball on the 20 yard line. Then in week two we got killed (45-14) by Penn St, who made us look horrible.

USC/OSU history and OSU vs top 10: This section will be short and to the point. The last four times USC has come to Reser Stadium, they have lost three times (that 75% for the math guys out there). In the last 8 seasons, seven top ten teams have come to play at Reser Stadium, only one has left victorious, yes that is correct doctrine ONE! To all those people who say its a miracle, those stats speech for themselves, just ask Chad Johnson, TJ Housh, Derek Anderson, Dennis Erickson, or Steven Jackson. And did you watch the game? We clearly were the better team last night. We ran the ball all over that defense that has only allowed 10 points all season, and we scored 21 in the first half. Also one other note, Pete Carroll has the best turnover ratio of any current coach (its like +102). Last night the Beavs won 2-0 in regards to the TO battle.

The Game:

1st Downs	16	22
3rd down efficiency	2-10	7-16
4th down efficiency	1-1	0-0
Total Yards	313	343
Passing	227	167
Comp-Att	18-29	18-28
Yards per pass	7.8	6.0
Rushing	86	176
Rushing Attempts	22	45
Yards per rush	3.9	3.9
Penalties	7-84	5-27
Turnovers	2	0
Fumbles lost	1	0
Interceptions thrown	1	0
Possession	25:10	34:50

M. Sanchez

18/29

227yards

3 TD's

1 INT

L. Moevao

18/28

167yards

2 TD's

0 INT

J. Rodgers

37 carries

186 yards

5.0 yards/play

2 TD's

15 LONG

My quick game recap: We absolutely dominated the 1st half. Ran all over them, mixed it up on offense and defense, forced 3 and out on USC's first three possessions. We had zero turnovers, for anyone who watches Beaver football knows just how huge that is. "Quiz" Rodgers is the man, by brother in law said he runs like Barry Sanders. I agree, that is actually his favorite player, who he studies frequently and trys to mirror his running style. Did anyone notice on one 3rd and 6, and one 3rd and 5, we handed the ball off up the middle and got the first down both times! WOW! We let USC comeback a little at the end, dumped the Gatorade too early, missed the extra point, but still help on and partied hard in Corvallis.

Impact: Huge, but remember last year folks, all those top tens that continued to fall. Its only September, calm down. The Mizzou's, Sooners, Penn St, Florida, basically the SEC and Big 12 this will help. Maybe eventually this might even help the Cougs. Just so readers are clear, I love the Cougs. I know they will all be huge Beaver fans with me Thursday when we travel to UU.

Haters: To all of you out there who are Beaver haters, who are bandwagon USC, Mizzou, etc fans, to all of you who say, "how can you like Oregon St" they rarely get on National TV, they have nothing except rain. Oh you people FOF me. The Beavs are here to stay, and could really shake things up for the remainder of the season. Could the Beavs win out? Considering the weak year the PAC-10 is having its possible. Oregon is our biggest threat I think, and they have to come to Reser with their 9th string QB.

Conclusion: Oh how I love the Beavs. Oh last night was a great night. I think I embarrassed my wife a bit with my post game celebration. And I did win a bet I made with my wife, if the Beavs win I get an 8 minute back massage, if they loose I have to give it. Well lets just say my back feels great today.

Beavs 27, USC 21

I just wanted my few readers out there and those who came here from Triz's post on CougarCrazies that a post on this game is coming in the next few hours.

Just a few things early, this was not a miracle, it was not the luckiest win ever. Please you save it (Duck fans, USC bandwagoners, etc). You are just showing your ignorance in regards to college football. I am not a pro like Triz and Adam who appeared on the radio this week, but I like to think I know a little bit.The Beavs have offically come out of the September Slumber. Watch out Utah, Thursday night.

More detailed post to come very soon.

Does Anyone Else Listen to the Radio?

This summer has sure been interesting. We have been living in barn without the likes of TV or the internet. As you read this think how lucky you are to always have the world wide web right at your finger tips, it truly is a blessing. Although I must say it sure is fun to see all of the creative things you will do with your wife (yahtzee, cooking, talking, etc)

The reason I bring these things up is because this summer have listened to a plethora of radio. From Rush to DP (Dan Patrick), from Glenn Beck to the Herd (Collin Cowherd) all the way down to Isaac and Sook, to Wheels after work (love Brian Wheeler and his blazer knowledge). It has been great. I love to listen the radio.

To me music is great. But I can count on one hand the number of CD's I have boughten over the course of my life. Jock Jams, Boys to Men, Rip City back again, and EverClear. Listening to music on the radio/CD's/I-pod's seems so predictable. With talk radio you just never know what you are going to get so you have to stay on your toes.

I would be lost without the radio this summer. Constant updates on the Olympics, on the health of B-Roy and G.O., what Nate (McMullian) is drawing up for the "Redeem Team" in Beijing, what number Gold medal Michael Phelps is approaching, other huge upsets like James Blake beating Roger Federer (who some call the best tennis player ever), I could go on and on.

I did not intend for this to be a long post, but rather to just have you ponder the role radio has played thus far in your life, and what it can do to your future.

The the Radio (mainly the AM Radio and 95.5 The Game), I say thank you for a great summer.

ps- Go U.S.A., BEAT China!

Blazer Preview

Summer is a time when people just moan about how boring baseball is. Then later in the summer they start football talk early. Well being back in Blazer country has been great for me. I am all up on everything Blazer, well most of it, as much as work will allow. I know in my family we have some casual Blazer fans, so this post is for you.

Some players you need to get familiar with:

1. Greg Oden. Nickname: GO
Sure this may seem obvious, but some mistake Greg for a 40 year old retired NBA veteran. Greg's knee is doing great, and is my top candidate for Rookie of the Year this season. He is over 7' tall and has beefed up a lot since college. Many fans and media think the hype will be too much for GO, I do not. He is a very mature 19 year old, he alone will be at least 5 more wins this season. All he needs to do is rebound, block shots, and play defense.


2. Rudy Fernandaz from Spain.
I like to say that Rudy and I are built identically (6'5 - 185 lbs) he can grow a lot more facial hair than I can. The Blazers drafted him last year, but he played in Europe because he could make more money there (due to our cap space) plus we didn't really have room for him. Do not be surprised if he finishes as a co-Rookie of the Year with GO. Yes he is that good, the complete package.


3. Jerryd Bayless - Arizona. (who we traded up for and got 4th in this years NBA draft)
He is 6'3" and 200lbs (actually that is more close to me with my new body, haha). Though everyone wants Jerryd to be our point guard, naturally he is a two guard. KP (The league's best GM, Kevin Pritchard) says right now they just want to let him play and experience the NBA game. Rather then trying to change his game and this crucial point in his career. He is averaging 27 points in summer ball, yes it is summer ball, but still I have been pleasantly surprised. He actually attacks the basket very similarly to B-Roy, a slasher very quick off the bounce.

Others are Nicolas Batum of France who is very young but looks very promising. He is still a few years away. Still undecided if he will make the 15 man roster this year or return to Europe where he can make more money. Also new assistant coach Joe Prunty who has had a lot of success in his NBA career. Most recently came from Dallas, and is currently coaching a our summer league squad in Vegas.

I just wanted to give you a little taste of Rip City in the off season. The time is now, not next year or someday in the future. I predict 50 wins this year and multiple all-stars. Did I mention that FOUR of our players were selected to the Team USA practice squard: B-Roy, Lamarcus, GO, and Bayless. Brandon is not attending because he is in Grad School in the summers, and GO is healing his knee, but Bayless and Lamarcus are both playing.

By the way USA will bring home the gold next month. Opening ceremonies for the Olypmics are 8-8-08.

Rise with us.