NCAA Week 9 running thread: Dennis Franklin's Collarbone is fine, thank you

I'm rooting for Boise the rest of the season.

 

Well, I'm not an SEC apologist and I don't think the LSU-Bama loser should meet the winner in a rematch in the championship game.

But that still doesn't explain why Boise is more deserving of a spot in the title game than Clemson, Oklahoma State, Stanford or Kansas State if any of them finish unbeaten.

Thanks to the system everybody thinks is so unfair Boise will again play in one of the "big" bowl games as opposed to the Las Vegas Bowl as would have been the case pre-BCS.

 

They won't need the help.

 

On the other hand, if they get a 35-point smackdown from Alabama or LSU, maybe they'll go the F away for a few years.

 

The two games I'll mostly pay attention to this week:

#9 Oklahoma [6-1] @ #8 Kansas State [7-0]
There's 7-0 and then there's 7-0. Kansas State is 7-0 and please don't be that program apologist who defends the Wildcats flawless start with the tired "we can only play the teams on our schedule" reset. The truth is 73-year-old Bill Snyder has done a hell of a job leading his team into Week 9 undefeated. However, only one of those wins came against a rank team; a one-point victory over Baylor at home.

With quarterback Colin Klein leading their rush-first offense, the Cats still only rank 19th in rushing yards (213.9). If Oklahoma (116.6 rush yards allowed per game) neutralizes the ground game, K-State really doesn't have the passing attack (ranked 110th in passing) to keep pace with the up-tempo Sooners. The Wildcats' 23rd-ranked scoring defense (19.7 points per game) will have its hands full slowing down Landry Jones and company, especially after a heart-breaking loss to Texas Tech at home.

Unless something whacky happens at the top of the BCS standings, Bob Stoops' 6-1 Sooners are now playing solely for the Big 12 title and a sexy bowl bid. Jones continues to impress with nearly 2,600 yards passing and 21 touchdowns (five TDs in the loss to Tech in Week 8). The Sooners are averaging 44.3 points per game (seventh in FBS) and should have no problem reaching that threshold considering the Wildcats have allowed lesser opponents to score 21 or more points in four out of their seven games this season.

Oklahoma wins 38-24.

#11 Michigan State [6-1] @ #14 Nebraska [6-1]
Sparty shocked and awed us with their last-second, Hail Mary full of grace heave into the end zone that ricocheted off a face mask and into the hands of Keith Nichol. A few minutes later, an instant replay overturned the referees' call on the field and a late fourth quarter rally by Wisconsin was erased.

For Michigan State's next trick and bid to secure the top spot in the Big Ten's Legends Division, the Spartans must beat Nebraska in Lincoln. Kirk Cousins played a nearly flawless game against the Badgers; finishing 22 of 31 for 290 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. State's offensive efficiency can exploit a once-dominant Nebraska defense, now ranked 54th in scoring defense at 25.3 points per game, on Saturday.

The Cornhuskers come off a beat down of lowly Minnesota 41-14. Rex Burkehead, a hero in the team's rally against Ohio State three weeks ago, has emerged as the team's leading rusher ahead of Taylor Martinez. On 130 carries, Burkehead has racked up 752 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Michigan State wins 27-23.

 

I'd give Boise a shot simply because they've shown they can handle an SEC team - a decent one. Same with Clemson.

 

If LSU or Alabama put a 35-point smackdown on Oklahoma State or Stanford, will they "go the F away" for a few years? If OSU puts a smackdown on LSU, does LSU have to go away?

 

Those schools don't have people claiming that wins from 2007 entitle them to a shot at a national title. They also play more than one quality opponent a year, and winning those games would accelerate the rehabilitation process.

 

Yeah, that win over Georgia looks a little better than it did after Week 2. Hopefully the Doggies will skunk Florida over the weekend (yeah, like that ever happens) and it will look even better next week.

Go Boise!!!!

 

On the other hand, they've done nothing within the context of what they are able to do from their position to be forced out of the conversation. If they make it to "the" big game, or even a big game, this year, and get killed they have enough of a track record to still be in the conversation next year if they are again a dominant team in the MWC with wins over competitive BCS teams when given the opportunity to play them.

They are 2-0 in their previous chances at BCS bowls and they've been a competitive bowl team in general. One bad loss in a BCS bowl game does not invalidate them any more than it invalidates any other team in the BCS. Again, what if LSU makes the championship game and OSU hands 60 on them? Do we ignore past history and decide that LSU should go away?

 

LSU has a history of being competitive to dominant in a very difficult conference.

Boise State has a history of playing Toledo.

It's not a matter of being forced OUT of the conversation. It's a matter of what have they done THIS YEAR, not in 2007, to merit being IN the conversation. And the answer to that question is "not a whole hell of a lot."

 

I don't know which ongoing sports discussion I find more irritating:

A) Should Boise be in the BCS title game?

B) Which NFL team is going to finish with the worst record so they can draft Andrew Luck?

How 'bout we just let it play out, folks?