Most likely BCS Buster

[cubuffsman78]

Hey guys. Just thought I'd share my most recent column that I wrote for the newspaper. Any comments or debate are welcome.

Last year, it was Boise State. In 2005, it was Utah. Year after year in college football, there is a school from a mid-major conference — such as the Western Athletic Conference or the Mountain West Conference — that plays the role of BCS Buster. The term BCS Buster refers to any team not from a Bowl Championship Conference that manages to earn a spot in a BCS bowl game. With the exception of Notre Dame, it is more difficult for a non-BCS team to reach one of the series’ bowls that it is for a team from a major conference. Several teams over the years have threatened to play the buster role, but only two have succeeded — the 2004-05 Utah Utes and the 2006-07 Boise State Broncos. Both of those teams would have been considered busters by just making it into the BCS’ Fiesta Bowl, but each took advantage of their opportunities and proved that they belong with the big boys. Utah had the easier game. They actually went into the 2005 Fiesta Bowl as favorites over the Pittsburgh Panthers. They easily covered the spread with a 35-7 rout. However, Boise State was considered an underdog heading into the 2007 Fiesta Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners in January. The Broncos didn’t believe the hype and produced one of the most memorable finishes in college football history. It was truly a matchup of David and Goliath with David’s stone coming in the forms of an overtime forcing hook-and-ladder play and a statue of liberty play for a two-point conversion to give the Broncos the 43-42 victory. Each season media members and college football fans will pick a likely BCS Buster. This season is no different and there are three teams that seem most likely to play the role — the TCU Horned Frogs, the Hawaii Warriors and 2007’s busting Boise State Broncos. Of those three teams, TCU pops out to me as the favorite. The Horned Frogs return nine starters from a defense that ranked in the top 10 in every major statistical category last season. They’re led by defensive end Tommy Blake, who is considered by many as a sure-fire first-round draft pick in next year’s NFL draft. Blake finished among the national leaders in sacks and tackles for loss. His presence in opponents’ backfield is so common that he should be forced to apply for permanent residency. Teams would love to throw double teams Blake’s way, but are unable to because of fellow defensive end Chase Ortiz. Together, Blake and Ortiz might make up the best defensive end combo in the country. TCU plays a 4-2-5 defense that depends heavily upon the versatile play of the team’s safeties. The Horned Frogs lost their top safety, Marvin White, to graduation last season. However, David Roach and Brian Bonner return to keep TCU strong at the integral position. Bonner is the most accomplished of the two. He’s solid in coverage, but also shows a knack for blitzing, recording 4 1/2 sacks last season. Offensively, the Horned Frogs aren’t nearly as talented as Hawaii or Boise State. Hawaii boasts Heisman-candidate quarterback Colt Brennan, while Boise State returns last year’s national scoring leader, running back Ian Johnson. However, TCU will feature a potent running game featuring running back Aaron Brown. Brown split carries last season with Lonta Hobbs, but will become the featured back this season following Hobbs’ graduation. Brown was TCU’s leading scorer despite the split of carries. He’ll run behind an offensive line that returns three starters and nine lettermen. TCU’s line allowed just 15 sacks last season, while averaging 194 rushing yards per game. Predicting the Horned Frogs to run the table and bust the BCS means they must pull off an upset of former Southwest Conference rival Texas. The Longhorns are ranked fourth in the nation to start the season, but will find themselves on the losing end if they take TCU for granted. If the Horned Frogs can make it past Texas in the second week of the season, then a BCS berth should be well in reach, provided they can avoid upset bids by Brigham Young and one-time BCS busting Utah along the way. However, if TCU should fall, the hopes of another BCS Buster falls to Hawaii and Boise St. Both teams could be undefeated when they meet November 23 in Hawaii with a possible BCS berth on the line.

[NYJets30]

Good article. You love that permanent residency line lol I've seen you use it often

The Boise State-Hawaii game should be fun to witness

[cubuffsman78]

Originally Posted by NYJets30 Good article. You love that permanent residency line lol I've seen you use it often The Boise State-Hawaii game should be fun to witness

Haha. Yes, yes I do. First time I've used it in a column for the paper though. Means I won't be able to use it again for a while. But oh well. Tommy Blake is worth it.

[porky88]

Hawaii has a chance to run the table but I don't think they have the schedule to make it into a BCS game.

[cubuffsman78]

Originally Posted by porky88 Hawaii has a chance to run the table but I don't think they have the schedule to make it into a BCS game.

Was Boise St.'s schedule strong enough last year? Their toughest games were against Oregon St. and Hawaii. They caught the Beavers at the beginning of the season before things weren't really clicking for them too.

This year their schedule is even weaker with Hawaii and Washington coming up as the toughest games. Actually, San Jose St. might present more of a challenge than Washington will.

Hawaii has pretty much an identical list of opponents to Boise St. this season. Boise St. made the BCS cause they managed to get ranked high enough obviously. They have respect from the voters because of the reputation of the program over the last few years. This year, Hawaii will pick up respect from the voters because of Brennan. They'll sneak into one. Likely the Fiesta Bowl against a Big 12 opponent again.

I didn't put this in the column, but I'm actually expecting two teams to be BCS Busters this season. TCU and Hawaii. I decided that after I wrote the column.

[porky88]

Oregon State beat USC though and that helped Boise State a lot last year. Hawaii is going to walk all over the WAC i think. I like Nevada a little bit but outside of that it's really not that good of a conference in my opinion. I don't think you'll ever see two BCS Busters in one season.

[darealdeal21]

I think Hawaii makes a BCS bowl, simply due to their WEAK schedule and the medias love fest with Brennan.

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