Falling off the bus

Since the beginning of the season everyone has talked about the Boise State bus. I was a happy rider of that bus believing that if the Broncos finished the season as one of two undefeateds they should have a spot in the BCS national title game. I still believe that. Unfortunately for Broncos fans, two missed kicks means no undefeated season. That sting will last quite some time and it looks more and more like BC may be the team taking the brunt of that sting should both teams end up in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl (I swear they are just drawing names out of a hat now for these bowls) as many predict.

But then yesterday, Boise got another kick in the teeth (all apologies to Kyle Brotzman for the "kick" reference). TCU is moving to the Big East starting in 2012. I'm not going to go into the idea of a team from Texas being a part of the Big East as geography has ceased to matter in conference affiliations for a while now (Louisiana Tech is in the Western Athletic Conference?? Seriously??). But for Boise this is a disaster.

Going into this season, the Mountain West was on the cusp of attaining auto-qualifier status for the BCS. They had Utah & TCU, two teams that have been to BCS bowls and, in Utah's case, won twice. Another team in BYU which has had stellar seasons in its long history with a legitimate chance to make a BCS bowl in the future. Boise State looked to add itself to this hearty resume and push the Mountain West over the top. But then, Utah leaves for the Pac 12, BYU decides it should be independent and now TCU has left for the Big East. With Nevada and Fresno State coming with BSU to the Mountain West, it has essentially just recreated the WAC. The level of competition is mildly better (Air Force & San Diego State step up every once and a while) but Boise is still going to be kings of a second-rate conference and come no closer to the legitimacy they were seeking by joining the Mountain West to begin with.

So next year will be another year of touting for the Boise bus - complete with new kicker.

Writer's block

I'm not a writer. Ask anyone. I don't write. It was my nemesis when I was in school. In college I intentionally skipped classes that had large writing components. Yet I have this blog. Which I have neglected for a month and a half. Not because stuff hasn't been happening (worst rated World Series in history, Jeter winning another Gold Glove he doesn't deserve, the Dallas Cowboys, the BCS, Cam Newton's pay-for-play), I just haven't been able to write anything. I have ideas at bad times. On the train, driving to the grocery store, as I'm falling asleep. When I find time to write, the ideas are gone. And hence, a month and a half hiatus. My good friend the Pobble can appreciate writer's block. Alas, she is a writer. Does it for a living. But not me. But now I'm back - no diatribe today, just some random thoughts.

- Cam Newton. We are perhaps watching one of the biggest tragedies in college sports in quite some time. Here is a kid with all the talent in the world. Runaway Heisman Trophy candidate at this point. Team in the national title picture which hasn't happened for Auburn in years and it may all be for naught. With the speed (or lack thereof) that the NCAA operates none of the charges will be proven or not against Cam or his increasingly slimy father until well after the season is over. Which means Auburn could go to the national title game (taking a spot from Boise or TCU), win the national title, Newton can be the Heisman winner, and it could all go away. If Auburn paid over $100,000 to get Newton, which is more horrible than I care to express, they will be stripped of the title, Newton will be stripped of the Heisman and Oregon will get a title they didn't earn, TCU and Boise will cry foul for not getting a chance and another Heisman will be left vacant. Part of me wants Auburn to lose to Alabama or South Carolina in the SEC title game just so that can't happen. I hope its all wrong. I hope Auburn paid nothing. But, the more you hear, the more you worry about the truth at the heart of the story. Because if it is true, one of the greatest NCAA D-I seasons in history will disappear for the books like it never happened.

- I want to believe in the BC hockey team, but they are making it hard. Since going to Denver and taking an impressive 2 game sweep the Eagles are 4-4. And not looking very impressive doing it. One of the highest scoring offenses from last season has only scored more than 3 goals twice so far this season. Not inspiring. And they dropped games to Merrimack (who may be better than expected) and a Vermont team that had yet to win this season. Now comes a two game tilt against Maine at home. They need at least 3 points out of this weekend to get some consistency going. The team some thought could win 40 games is going to be fighting for their playoff lives in February if they don't right the ship soon.

- Speaking of believing in BC, there are some bright spots. The football team is now one win from bowl eligibility, something thought impossible after the 2-5 start. However, I think they are starting to gel and Chase Rettig looks better every week. The find of the second half of the season has been Max Holloway who almost single-handedly shut down Duke with a dominant performance on Saturday punctuated by the knock-down of the crucial 4th down pass late in game. Both of BC's final opponents are beatable. Finishing 7-5 would be nice but the reward may be a date with Nevada in a bowl game. Not sure that's what the Eagles want to see. And the women's soccer team has moved on the the round of 16 for the 3rd straight season. We'll see this weekend if they can breakthrough to the final four.