Mid-Major Madness

Conference Tests Determine Post-Season Lives

2010-03-08T06:14:09Z

In the dawn of March Madness and the many post-season college basketball tournaments, mid-major conference tournaments are either underway or about to tip-off to crown a champion around the country. CollegeInsider.com's Mid-Major Top-25 rankings (found here: http://www.collegeinsider.com/mmpoll/) feature teams from a number of conferences all over the nation, with many teams vying for a post-season tournament opportunity. Here's a look at some top-conference tourney action and potential post-season members:

The Big South saw the Winthrop Eagles (19-13) shocked top-seeded Coastal Carolina (28-6) in a 64-53 upset to capture the school's ninth conference championship in twelve years on Saturday. The third-seeded Eagles, only the second #3 seed to win the Big South Conference Tournament title, also secured the Big South's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Coastal Carolina, the Big South regular-season champion, will now represent the conference in the National Invitation Tournament.

The Missouri Valley Conference also crowned a champion this weekend as the University of Northern Iowa, led by MVC Coach of the Year Ben Jacobson, defeated Wichita State 67-52 in St. Louis, Missouri. #1 seed Northern Iowa (28-4) rolled through the MVC tournament to face #2 seed Wichita (25-9) Sunday, capturing the school's second-consecutive conference title and solidifying its spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers held the Wichita Shockers without a field goal for over 12 second-half minutes during a 25-3 run that ultimately put the game away. Wichita will have to wait until NCAA Tournament selection day to learn its post-season fate.

More drama unfolded in Colonial Athletic Conference action Saturday night in Richmond, Virginia as #2 seed Northeastern (20-11) out-battled #7 seed Hofstra (19-14) 74-71 in a double-overtime thriller and the longest Colonial tournament game since 1999. Northeastern will advance to the Monday semi-final contest following their snapping of Hoftstra's seven-game win streak Also in quarterfinal play, the third-seeded William & Mary Tribe (21-9) topped #11 seed James Madison (13-20) 70-65 Saturday also to move on to semi-final play.

The West Coast Conference Championship in Las Vegas featured fifth-seeded Loyola Marymount (18-14) knocking off fourth-seeded University of San Francisco (12-19) to advance to a semi-final match-up with #2 seed St. Mary's (24-5). Top-seeded Gonzaga (25-5) will face #3 seed University of Portland (21-9) in the other semi-final game this week.

The Big Sky Conference Championship has also been underway out west in Ogden, Utah. Sixth-seeded Portland State (13-18) upset #3 seed Montana State (15-14) 68-65 Saturday night on a three with 3.7 seconds left. The upset allows the two-time defending champion Portland State to attempt to stay alive in the semi-final round against top-seeded Weber State (19-9) this Tuesday, March 9^th. Fourth-seeded Montana (20-9) dominated #5 seed Northern Arizona to also advance, where they will meet #2 seed Northern Colorado (24-6) on Tuesday as well.

While some conferences have crowned their champions, others are just tipping-off. Southland Conference Tournament action will begin in Katy, Texas beginning Wednesday March 10^th with #7 UT-Arlington facing the defending 2009 regular-season and conference tournament champion in #2 Stephen F. Austin. Wednesday will also feature #6 UT-San Antonio against #3 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, #8 Nicholls State against #1 Sam Houston State and #5 Texas State against #4 Southeastern Louisiana. Semi-Final match-ups are slated for Thursday, with the championship scheduled for Saturday, March 13^th in Katy.

Also tipping-off this week is Mid-American Conference Tournament action in Cleveland, Ohio. #9 Ohio will face #8 Ball State, #12 Toledo will battle #5 Buffalo, #10 Bowling Green will meet #7 Western Michigan and #11 Northern Illinois will take on #6 Eastern Michigan in First Round play. Kent State, Central Michigan, Akron and Miami-OH will await their Quarterfinal round opponents as the top four seeds. Quarterfinal and Semi-Final rounds are slated for Thursday and Friday, with the championship planned for Saturday, March 13^th in Cleveland.

Streaks Snapped in Friday Upsets

2010-02-15T04:42:47Z

The date Friday was the 12^th, yet it seemed like Friday the 13^th with the madness of mid-major upsets in college hoops. In Ivy League play, the 4-15 (3-2 Ivy) Penn Quakers added a spark to an otherwise dismal season with the upset of the year over the 20-4 (6-1 Ivy) Cornell Big Red 79-64 in Philadelphia. Meanwhile in Niagara, New York the MAAC was shaken up as well. The 14-13 (7-8 MAAC) Niagara Purple Eagles upset the 21-5 (14-1 MAAC) Siena Saints 87-74 to snap the nation's longest overall winning streak at 15, along with an impressive 18-game streak against MAAC opponents.

Penn, who started the season 0-10, found its rhythm from the outside, shooting 56 percent from the field, 52 percent from 3-point range and 82 percent from the foul line. Leading the Quakers effort was sophomore guard Zack Rosen who posted 22 points, five assists and three steals. Cornell standout Jeff Foote had 10 points, 11 rebounds and blocked 3 shot despite being double-teamed by the Quaker defense throughout most of the game.

Niagara was led by senior leaders Tyrone Lewis and Bilal Benn, who had 24 and 15 points apiece. Lewis grabbed 11 rebounds as well, notching his 10^th double-double of the season. As a team, the Purple Eagles shot a season-best 54 percent from the field and put up an impressive 48 points in the second half to put the game away.

Cornell, nationally-ranked at #22 going in to Friday's game, will certainly drop out of the top-25. Both upsets snapped the momentum of Cornell and Siena's respective winning streaks while potentially compromising each team's bid for at-large births in the NCAA tournament. The losses will not help the team's arguments as they each still lack victories over RPI top-50 opponents. Tournament bids are still attainable through automatic births as conference champions.

The Value of a Coach

2010-02-11T19:12:22Z

Taking a 0-28 team to a 15 win season in less than four years is an accomplishment that is pretty hard to miss. This is something Horace Broadnax was able to do with the Savannah State University men’s basketball program. Something even more compelling was Broadnax’s ability to do this with the second lowest basketball budget in all of Division I (339 out of 340)! But what does it really mean in comparison to the rest of college basketball?

Coach	School	Basketball Budget (2008)	Total Wins (08-09)	Average Price-Per-Win
Horace Broadnax	Savannah State	$376,968	15	$25,131
Ben Howland	UCLA	$6,625,357	26	$254,821
Buzz Williams	Marquette	$8,958,040	25	$358,322
Bill Self	Kansas	$9,386,335	27	$347,642
Billy Donovan	Florida	$7,815,425	25	$312,617

Broadnax’s 2009 season produced argubly the best Dollar-Per-Win ratio in modern college basketball. With 15 wins and a budget of $376,968, it came to roughly $25,131 per win. This may sound like a lot, but when you compare Coach Broadnax to his colleagues it is pretty apparent he may be the best bang for your buck in college basketball. Compared to the likes of big names like Howland, Williams, Self, and Donovan, Broadnax’s productivity is astounding. The bottom line is for less than one tenth the cost of the coaches just named, Horace Broadnax can get you a win.

One point of hot contention is whether completely turning around a program or doing it on such a meager budget is greater accomplishment? Regardless, Horace Broadnax has proved himself amongst the coaching ranks. It is hard to imagine what this guy could do with a little financial support and a program with an already well-established tradition as some of the heavy hitters listed above possess. The only disparity in Broadnax’s case is in the wins columns. His 15 wins is less than the generously budgeted basketball powerhouses mentioned above were able to achieve. This raises the question, how did Broadnax compare to coaches with the same number of wins?

Coach	School	Basketball Budget (2008)	Total Wins (08-09)	Average Price-Per-Win
Horace Broadnax	Savannah State	$376,968	15	$25,131
Pat Knight	Texas Tech	$4,160,262	14	$297,162
Fred Hill Jr.	Rutgers	$3,724,976	11	$338,634
Todd Lickliter	Iowa	$5,174,351	15	$344,957
Greg McDermott	Iowa State	$3,778,669	15	$251,911

Above is a chart reflecting teams with similar records to Broadnax’s tigers in 08-09. Remarkably all these team except for one spent over ten times as much on their programs to achieve the same number of wins or less. This is reflected in the average price per win column. Broadnax’s price-per-win- was at least 1/11^th the cost than that of Knight, Hill Jr., Lickliter, and McDermott yet he was able to win at least as many games as these coaches. In the case of Iowa, Broadnax’s price-per-win was less than 1/13th the price-per-win of Todd Lickliter!

Looking at the schools, it is evident there is a disparity in conference schedule strength. However, considering the talent and funding these programs receive compared to Savannah State, Broadnax and the Tigers greatly outperformed in comparison. All of these schools are ranked in the top 65 in division one funding compared to Savannah State’s 339^th ranking, yet the win column is the same? Clearly, Broadnax has done a superior job coaching Savannah State and making the most out of his situation.

Let us take the analysis a step further and make it even more relevant. How does Broadnax compare to a set of mid-major programs with similar RPI and even similar athletic budgets? Take the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Western Division. During the 2008-09 season, all six head coaches in the division failed to lead their programs to as many wins (15) as Broadnax did.

Coach	School	Basketball Budget (2008)	Total Wins (08-09)	Average Price-Per-Win
Horace Broadnax	Savannah State	$376,968	15	$25,131
Charles Ramsey	Eastern Michigan	$1,127,976	8	$140,997
Ernie Zeigler	Central Michigan	$1,369,131	12	$114,094
Steve Hawkins	Western Michigan	$1,419,033	10	$141,900
Gene Cross	Toledo	$1,336,303	7	$190,900
Billy Taylor	Ball State	$1,519,045	14	$108,503
Ricardo Patton	Northern Illinois	$1,442,231	10	$144,223

Despite the lack of financial support, Broadnax maximized his resources by winning 15 games and achieving a winning season at the University for the first time in 25 years! This is clearly a testament to Broadnax’s coaching ability and resourcefulness.

Broadnax’s ability to make a lot of out a little makes him an attractive pick for athletic directors. His average price-per-win (basketball budget/total wins) was a mere $25,131. Comparing Broadnax to coaches in the MAC conference whose budget was at least 3 times the size of his reveals just how impressive a feat this really was. He won more games than any MAC West coach and his price-per-win was less than ¼ of all MAC West coaches last season. The numbers don’t lie.

Skeptics of Broadnax’s accomplishment will point to the disparity of competition between Savannah State and MAC West teams. Yet such an assertion is completely false as Savannah State ended with a higher RPI (255) than its closest competing MAC West School, Ball State – a 262. In fact, Savannah’s RPI finish was well over 50 spots higher than the MAC West average because of a stronger-strength of schedule. This makes their 15-win season all the more impressive when weighed against the MAC West schools’ performances.

As a side note, the Middle American Conference 2008-09 Champion was East Division member Bowling Green University. Bowling Green dropped a 57-54 decision to Savannah State University on December 1st, 2008.

* Information on athletic budgets, wins and losses, and RPI were obtained through: http://www.bbstate.com, http://www.statsheet.com, http://realtimerpi.com/*

Big Thanks to www.SportsAgentBlog.com for this piece

Mid-Major's Shine in Senior Bowl

2010-02-01T16:51:18Z

The North squad dominated the South in the Senior Bowl this past Saturday in Mobile, Alabama 31-13. The North was lead by record-setting Dan LeFevour from Central Michigan. LeFevour, the FBS all-time leader in touchdowns (150), was 5-10 passing for 97 yards and a touchdown, with another touchdown on the ground. LeFevour continued to impress and out-duel his BCS counterparts as he was chosen as the North’s Most Outstanding Player. Also highlighting the North squad was running back Lonyae Miller out of Fresno State. Miller posted a game-high 44 yards rushing on nine touches.

Wide Receiver Jeremy Williams out of Tulane led the South team with 82 yards on six catches, along with a 27-yard gain on an end around. Williams led the struggling South offense and was selected as the South’s Most Outstanding Player.

LeFevour, Miller and Williams certainly helped boost their draft stock throughout the Senior Bowl practice week and in the showcase. LeFevour boasts the highest ranking of the latter prospects to date as the #6-ranked quarterback in the 2010 class. Williams is currently the #14-ranked wide receiver, while Miller is the #15 running back.

Shake-Up in the WCC

2010-01-31T19:35:25Z

More photos » Ben Margot - AP

about 1 month ago: San Francisco's Dior Lowhorn, right, Moustapha Diarra (22), and Michael Williams (5) celebrate the upset win over Gonzaga at the end of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Browse more photos »

Gonzaga’s win streak against West Coast Conference opponents was snapped Saturday night at 22 games by the University of San Francisco. USF was led by guard Dior Lowhorn’s 22 points en route to their 81-77 upset of the WCC-leading Zags. Lowhorn, the WCC’s leading scorer the past two seasons, led the USF attack that took the Zags into overtime before closing out the victory. Freshman Elias Harris led the Zags effort with 21 points, while fellow standout Matt Bouldin posted 15 points and 12 rebounds. The upset marks an end to USF’s three-game losing streak and simultaneously snaps Gonzaga’s nine-game winning streak, along with their impressive conference run.

With the Gonzaga loss, Saint Mary’s moves up a spot in WCC standings. The Gaels and Zags are now in a lock for first place with identical 6-1 conference records. Next in line sits Portland in third place (5-2), USF and

Pepperdine tied for fourth (3-4), LMU and San Diego tied for sixth (2-5) and Santa Clara rounding out in eighth (1-6).

Four weeks into conference play and the WCC has continued to solidify its presence on the national stage. With Gonzaga, St. Mary’s and Portland all ranked in CollegeInsider.com’s Mid-Major top-25 as of January 31^st (#1, #8, and #22), the WCC continues to make its case as a top conference amongst mid-major and BCS competition. The WCC has even outplayed its Western-region counterparts of the Pac-10, WAC and Big West against BCS conference teams. Posting a 14-17 record against teams from the six major conferences, the WCC is ahead of the Pac-10 (9-24), the Big West (2-19) and the WAC (0-7) in that respect.

Mid-Major College Basketball Power Rankings

2010-01-16T16:24:14Z

ow that we've passed the mid-way point in the 2009-10 college basketball season and are well into conference play, we will be releasing a bi-weekly ranking of the top 10 Mid-Major teams. Why did we wait so long? Because just like in college football, its rather pointless to rank teams without knowing how they preformed legitimate number of games. Furthermore, its important to realize that unlike most polls, these are not projections. It is simply an aggregate ranking of the Top 10 teams, as they are playing today, and not how they are projected to finish at the end of the season.

1. Northern Iowa

The Northern Iowa Panthers land at the #1 spot for two reasons. Firstly, they are owners of the best record in Mid-Major college basketball at 15-1, including rattling off 14 straight wins. Secondly, the Missouri Valley has in the past, and certainly is today, the strongest Mid-Major conference in college basketball. So the 6-0 league start definitely adds credibility to the resume, but they will be tested next week with their game at Missouri State.

2. Gonzaga

The poster child of the successful mid-major, the Gonzaga Bulldogs has not disappointed in the 2009-10 season, currently holding 13-3 record and #14 national record. With wins over Oklahoma, Illinois, Wisconsin and Cinnci, the Zags have one of the best non-conference resumes in all of college basketball.

3. Butler

Not surprisingly, the second most tradition rich mid-major program of the last decade, Butler University, follows Gonzaga at the #3 spot. With a record of 12-4, including 6-0 in conference, the Bulldogs are ranked #22 in the national polls. Admittedly, their only solid non-conference wins are against Ohio State and Northwestern, but the Butler Bulldogs should have no problem steam rolling their way through the Horizon League once again.

4. Cornell

Representing the smart kids, the Cornell Big Red takes the #4 spot in our rankings. After taking #1 Kansas down to the wire last week, any quibbling that Cornell couldn't hang with the big boys was silenced. With a 14-3 overall record, including wins against St. Johns and Alabama, Cornell should capture the Ivy League title if it can take care of Harvard. Even if they fall, expect no less than an NIT bid (if not a possible NCAA at large) for the Big Red.

5. Wichita State

The team with the coolest nickname in all of college basketball, Wichita St. Shockers has already matched its win total from last year, boasting a gaudy 16-2 record and a chance to take over the #1 spot in the league with a win against UNI this week. Although Wichita State's non-conference schedule has been lack luster their win against Texas Tech provides the Shockers with a solid point on their resume.

6. Old Dominion

Winners of last year's inaugural CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, the Old Dominion Monarchs has gotten off to a 13-5 start with solid non-conference wins over Georgetown, Marshall and Charlotte. The Monarchs have as good a team as anybody in the CAA and should be in the title hunt till the very end.

7. Saint Mary's

After cruising to a 15-2 record, the Saint Mary's Gaels fell to perennial league champion Gonzaga in its toughest test on the season. Regardless, since losing to Gonzaga seems to be the status quo around the WCC, Saint Mary's should still contend for the league title if the Zag's slip up against the way. A win against Portland should solidify their chances at capturing at least a share of the league title this year.

8. William and Mary

After putting together 4 wins in 7 days to open up Colonial play, including going 2-1 in 3 games decided by a single point, the William & Mary Tribe has solidified itself as a conference contender in the CAA. With strong non-conference wins against Wake Forest and Maryland, the Tribe should be able to challenge league favorite Old Dominion for the leagues coveted auto-bid to the NCAA tournament. Even if the conference championship eludes them, they should be all but locked for a NIT or CIT bid.

9. Siena

The mid-major darlings of the last two seasons, in which they progressed to the second round of the 2008 and 2009 NCAA tournaments, the Siena Saints are in good shape to capture their 3rd league title and 3rd NCAA tournament bid in as many years. Admittedly, at 13-4, the team lost every non-conference test they faced so a loss in the league tournament would lead the Saints on the outside of the NCAA bubble looking in.

10. Western Carolina

The surprise mid-major team of the season, the Western Carolina Catamounts have gotten off to a fast 13-3 start, including a victory at Louisville. Western should have no trouble putting away the rest of the Big South and should challenge Charleston and Chattanooga for the league and tournament title and an NCAA bid. Regardless, you can pencil in the Catamounts for a CIT bid at the very least.

Fiesta Wrap-Up: Glass Ceiling in the Desert?

2010-01-06T19:41:15Z

The battle of unbeaten mid-major conference champions culminated Monday night in an intriguing, yet deceptive, match-up in Glendale, Arizona. Sixth-ranked Boise State (14-0), of the Western Athletic Conference, outlasted third-ranked TCU (12-1), of the Mountain West Conference, 17-10 to claim its second Fiesta Bowl victory in four years and become the second team in college football history to finish with a 14-0 record.

In a game dominated by defensive prowess and sub-par offensive output, Boise State employed trickery reminiscent of its 2007 win over Oklahoma in the same venue. With the score locked at 10-10, nine minutes left in the fourth quarter and both offenses struggling, Boise punter Kyle Brotzman connected with tight end Kyle Efaw for a 29-yard pick-up and a Bronco first down in Horned Frog territory. The fourth down gamble by Broncos coach Chris Petersen paid off, as running back Doug Martin dove in for Boise's lone offensive touchdown of the game and swept away any momentum had by TCU.

The mastery of Petersen's call aside, the match-up Monday night lacked the anticipated fireworks. Both teams averaged over 40 points per game while posting 200 yards both on the ground and through the air entering the game. Defense dominated, however, and both teams put up just over 300 total yards and 20 points offensively.

There is no denying that the highly-anticipated battle of the mid-major powers may well have been the best match-up of the bowl season with evenly matched undefeated teams squaring off. However, the pairing of two top-ten-ranked mid-major programs against each other epitomizes the glass ceiling in effect by the BCS committee. The possibility of one mid-major upset over a major BCS conference team draws plenty of controversy and is apparently acceptable, evidenced with Utah's dismantling of Alabama in last year's Sugar Bowl. Two mid-major upsets, on the other hand, would be unfathomable for the BCS and the heads of BCS conferences. This would double the cry and pressure for a playoff format in college football, while tarnishing the reputation and respectability of "greater" BCS conference schools.

Essentially, the prospect of both TCU and Boise State being placed in separate bowl games, against say Georgia Tech and Iowa, is a lose-lose situation for the BCS system. Wins by TCU and/or Boise in that instance would display the legitimacy of top mid-major teams compared to major BCS-caliber programs. Utah's argument for national recognition and equality in the BCS would only be strengthened and progressed with more mid-major upsets and the potential for financial dismantling from major changes to the BCS system would grow.

The Fiesta Bowl seemed more a play for appeasement by BCS bowl-makers than equal opportunity for TCU and Boise State. Both undefeated teams were awarded with a BCS game, yet playing another mid-major denied both quality teams the opportunity to prove themselves for national respectability against quality programs of BCS conferences.

The Broncos and Horned Frogs certainly came close to the pinnacle of the BCS atop the national rankings this season, yet both were restricted and hopefully appeased beneath the glass ceiling of the BCS. Both programs came within reach of the top, only to be paired together and left with the illusion that they were competing for national prominence. Until a mid-major breaks through the ceiling of the BCS, the Utah's, TCU's and Boise State's have no choice but to keep scheduling, keep winning and refuse to be satisfied.

Mid Major Bowl Breakdown: Fiesta Bowl

2009-12-26T19:32:20Z

Fiesta Bowl:

Boise State vs. TCU

Although a shot at one of the major conference opponents escaped both of these teams, this could turn out to be one of the best bowl games of them all. Some can consider this one to be sort of a dull ending two two seasons, but we still get to see a matchup between two teams with top offenses and top defenses. The Horned Frogs are the only team that rank in the top four in total offense and total defense. Their nasty front line is led by defensive end Jerry Hughes and linebacker Daryl Washington, who contribute to allowing only 23.2 yards per game. TCU's offense averages 40.6 points per game and 469 yards per game, which makes this team an unbelievable threat on both sides of the ball. Boise State brings to the table the nation's top ranked scoring defense, allowing just 44.1 yards per game. Their offensive line does an outstanding job protecting QB Kellen Moore (3,325 yards, 39 touchdowns, 3 interceptions) and allows just .38 sacks per game. The Broncos are second in the nation in the air and are number two in turnover margin. Look for Boise to try and take advantage of the Frogs in that category. We could find ourselves staring down the throat of another Poinsettia Bowl (last year TCU won 17-16) or we could be witness to an offensive shootout. TCU will look to utilize the ground game as they are 5th in the nation in rushing yards, while Boise will be attacking through the air behind the nation's top rated passer in Moore. This will be a fantastic game with both teams putting on a great show, but I am going to have to take TCU on this one, as they look to continue their dominance and prove not only that they are one of the best defenses in the nation, but one of the best teams as well. TCU wins by a few ... 30-24.

Mid Major Bowl Breakdown: GMAC Bowl

2009-12-24T19:35:59Z

GMAC Bowl:

Central Michigan vs. Troy

This will be a classic battle between two stellar quarterbacks and their powerful offenses. Interesting story for Central Michigan though, as they will be facing the Sun Belt Conference champion without the coach who led them to their first national ranking. The Chippewas are the MAC champs for the third time in four seasons, and now they look to finish the season strong against a tough Troy team. Central Michigan is led by four year starter QB Dan LeFevour, who has thrown for 27 TDs and run for another 14 this year to bring his career total up to 147, which sets the major college football mark. His best weapon and favorite target, receiver Bryan Anderson has caught at least one pass in an NCAA record 53 consecutive games. Throw in receiver Antonio Brown who has team highs of 97 catches for 1,020 yards and nine touchdowns, and you have an offense that is hard to beat. I have a feeling however that the Troy offense may be able to keep up. Troy throws the ball just as good as any non-BCS team aside from Houston, and over their last six games averaged a total of 41.2 points.QB Levi Brown leads the charge and is second in the nation in passing yards per game at 322.3, and he tallied a total of 3,868 passing yards, the most in Troy's or Sun Belt history. This is the first meeting between the schools, and it is going to be explosive. Troy has won (at least a share) of the Sun Belt title for the fourth consecutive year, while the Chippewas will be entering their fourth consecutive bowl game. I am going to go with Central Michigan on this one simply for this fact: Troy's defense is not what it has been in recent years, and LeFevour looks to finish off his spectacular career by taking advantage of any and every opportunity given on game day. Expect LeFevour to launch away, but Levi Brown will be close behind ... Central Michigan wins 38-34.

Mid Major Bowl Breakdown: Liberty Bowl

2009-12-22T17:29:14Z

Liberty Bowl:

Arkansas vs. East Carolina

This game will give East Carolina a chance to record its first 10-win season since 1991, an opportunity they let slip last season after blowing a 16-3 lead against Kentucky to lose the game 25-19. Arkansas looks to add a to their season resume during their first bowl appearance under second year coach Bobby Petrino. Unfortunately, the Pirates will go from QB Case Keenum to Razorback QB Ryan Mallett, who leads the nation's 10th ranked pass offense with 3,425 yards and 29 touchdowns. You can bet that Mallett watched the Conference USA championship game tape and was taking notes at Houston's air attack and Case Keenum bombing away. The Pirates will have their hands full with Mallett, especially with the nation's 110th ranked pass defense. Just assume Mallett will throw for over 300. However, this one could be interesting as East Carolina finds ways to win with its defense (see: Houston; C-USA championship game) and has an offensive that may be timely enough to get the job done. Bad things usually happen when C-USA teams face the SEC, but East Carolina is 1st in the conference and 6th in the nation in turnover margin, so in order to keep this one close and pull out a W, they need to be at least plus 2 in that category. I am going to take Arkansas on this one, as they look to gain some momentum going into 2010 ... 35-27.

Mid Major Bowl Breakdowns: Texas, Armed Forces Bowl

2009-12-20T20:23:15Z

Texas Bowl:

Missouri vs. Navy

A great way to start your New Year's Eve celebration early...

Missouri is bringing a three game winning streak into their fifth consecutive bowl game appearance. Navy is
bringing its most victories in three seasons to their academy-record 7th straight bowl game appearance. This game has all the symptoms of an exciting, high-scoring offensive shootout. Although this is the first meeting between these two teams since 1961, contrasting offenses should make for a great game. Navy is fourth in the nation in rushing yards at 272.5 yards per game, and their powerful option offense is led by junior QB Ricky Dobbs. Dobbs rushed for 1,037 yards himself, and set a single-season record for rushing touchdowns by a QB with 24. Dobbs will certainly be facing one of his biggest tests, as he faces a Missouri rush defense that is 12th in the nation, allowing only 96.4 yards per game on the ground. Missouri brings to the table a powerful passing game that ranks 14th in the nation with 298.4 yards per game. Sophomore QB Blaine Gabbert had an unbelievable season, throwing for 3,302 yards, 23 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions. His favorite target was senior receiver Danario Alexander, who caught 107 balls for 1,644 yards and 13 touchdowns. Navy will have their hands full trying to stop the nation's hottest receiver in Alexander. Navy puts in the effort, but I am going to have to go with Mizzou on this one, because they are just too hard to stop if they get it going early. Navy can be hit-or-miss, winning games against Notre Dame but losing to Hawaii. I'll keep it high-scoring and close, just for entertainment's sake ....Missouri wins ... 39-31.

Armed Forces Bowl:

Air Force vs. Houston

Why a combination of talent, excitement, offense and defense will make for a must-see football game:

After last year's showing between these two teams, it comes as no surprise they are pitted against each other in this year's Armed Forces Bowl. We could realistically expect over 1,000 yards of total offense and an exciting back to back scoring game between these two opponents. Houston is terrible against the run, so they wont' fare well against an Air Force team that ranks 3rd in the nation with 273.6 rushing yards per game. However, even with the nation's number one pass defense, Air Force will have their hands full with Houston QB Case Keenum and the Cougars passing game, which ranks first in total yards, (581.2) passing yards, (460.5) and touchdown passes (43). Don't forget second in the nation in points scored at 43.2 per game. It is hard to sing the praises of Keenum in only a paragraph, but his resume is among the nation's best. (If not the best). The Falcons have lost back-to-back Armed Forces Bowls, while Houston went 3-0 against BCS opponents this season. (Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Mississippi State). Either side has the potential to run away with this one, as Houston's high powered air attack does not always lead to points, but Air Force does not have the passing game to play catch up if Keenum heats up early. I'll take Houston here ... 42-28.

Mid Major Bowl Breakdown: Las Vegas Bowl

2009-12-18T17:44:23Z

Las Vegas Bowl:

BYU vs. Oregon State

Could be good, could be bad ... only one way to find out:

BYU is no stranger to the Las Vegas Bowl, as this will be their fifth straight appearance, going 2-2 against Pac-10 teams in the bowl. This game also has special implications for Cougar coach Bronco Mendenhall. Should BYU win this one, and he will be defeating the team he played for over 20 years ago. Oregon State has won five straight bowl games, but has to be disappointed they are not closing out their season in the Rose Bowl. BYU boasts a powerful, high-scoring offense that ranks 18th in the nation in total yards as well as 13th in the nation in both passing yards and points per game. The Cougars will expect big things from QB Max Hall who set a school record for victories by a QB at 31. Hall will be throwing to Tight End Dennis Pitta, who leads the team with 57 catches, 784 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Beavers' QB Sean Canfield looks to be equally impressive, after throwing 21 touchdowns, and leading the conference with 3,103 passing yards. BYU's rush defense needs to be on point, as they face a major problem in Beaver RB Jacquizz Rodgers, who ran for 1,377 yards and a school record 20 touchdowns ... as a sophomore. His older brother James led Oregon State in receptions with 87, and had 1,007 yards and 9 touchdowns. I've got to with Oregon State in this one. When BYU has been bad this season, it has been miserable. If QB Max Hall has a bad game, the Cougars have no chance. BYU would love to make a statement against a Pac-10 team, but they are up against Canfield and the Rodgers brothers. Close game, but the edge goes to the Beavers ... 31-30.

Mid Major Bowl Breakdown: Poinsettia Bowl

2009-12-18T01:26:32Z

Poinsettia Bowl:

Cal vs. Utah

This one will actually be a good matchup. Here's why:

Both of these teams are relatively similar. They are similar in total offense and points scored per game, and they are similar in the fact that both teams have to be disappointed with how their seasons turned out. Both squads entered the season with BCS bowl dreams dancing in their heads. However inconsistent play soon followed and those hopes were squashed quickly. Utah will try to extend the nation's longest postseason winning streak to 9 against the Golden Bears. Under Coach Jeff Tedford, Cal has reached a bowl game for a school-record 7 consecutive seasons, while winning the past four. Cal will have some trouble in this one without the help of star tailback Jahvid Best who is sidelined after a nasty fall and concussion last month. RB Shane Veeren filled in for Best, tallying 444 yards and should get most of the touches against a Utah team that allows 141.3 rushing yards per game. Look for Cal to keep it on the ground, as QB Kevin Riley should have some trouble against a Utes team that led the Mountain West with 15 interceptions and held opponents to 172.8 passing yards. Freshman QB Jordan Wynn will start for the Utes, but expect them to utilize the ground game as well. Utah RB Eddie Wide led the Mountain West in rushing with 1,032 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. The Golden Bears rush defense has given up 365 yards on the ground in the past two games. Running games aside, I'm gonna have to give the edge to Utah. They lost three games this year, two of them to BCS teams (Oregon and TCU) and the third to BYU in overtime. Cal got blown out by sub-.500 Washington at the end of the season, and when the Bears are bad ... they're really bad. If Cal shows up for this one, it'll be a close one. Utah takes it ... 29-27.

Mid Major Bowl Breakdown: New Orleans Bowl

2009-12-16T18:26:32Z

New Orleans Bowl:

Southern Mississippi vs. Middle Tennessee State

Why you shouldn't miss out on this one:

This bowl could be surprisingly one-sided either way, but at the same time has all the necessary factors to be a sneaky good one. Southern Miss will be making their second consecutive trip to the New Orleans Bowl, in which they are 3-0 all time. This also marks their 12th bowl appearance in 13 seasons. Don't expect Middle Tennessee to take this one sitting down, as they boast a nasty front seven that leads the nation in tackles for a loss at 8.83 and is fourth in the nation in sacks at 3.17. The difference in this one might come down to defense, as Southern Miss is equally strong off the ball. The Blue Raiders have exceeded all expectations this season. After getting off to a 3-3 start, they look to grab their seventh straight victory against the Golden Eagles. Blue Raiders QB Dwight Dasher has been outstanding, recording nearly 300 total yards of offense per game, ninth best in the FBS, and tallying 2,627 yards and 21 touchdowns. Southern Miss will turn to QB Martevius Young, and RB Damion Fletcher (who needs just 63 yards to become the ninth player to reach 1,000 in all four seasons) for the answers on offense. Both teams have had good seasons, but besides a win over Maryland, MTSU's second best win of the year came against ULM. I'll have to take Southern Miss on this one, but not by much ... 30-27.

Mid Major Bowl Breakdowns: St. Petersburg, Hawaii

2009-12-16T03:02:54Z

St. Petersburg Bowl:

Rutgers vs. UCF

Why you are more than welcome to finish that last minute shopping:

Central Florida is happy to even be in the St. Petersburg after a one year absence. This will be Rutgers fifth consecutive bowl game as they look to take their fourth consecutive win, facing the Knights for the first time. Rutgers will be pushing for a nine-win season, but this task will not come easy. UCF is a good football team. The Knights have a terrific run defense, an aggressive defensive front, and can execute play in the backfield. Coach George O'Leary's pass defense needs some work, so expect Rutgers QB Tom Savage to have a solid day. Knights QB Brett Hodges looks to finish his senior year with a solid performance, after throwing for 705 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions in his final three games. I doubt this one will be a high scoring game, with UCF going 0-2 against BCS teams this year, and Savage having an inconsistent season. Although this is virtually a home game for UCF, I have to go with Rutgers on this one ... 24-21.

Hawaii Bowl:

Nevada vs. SMU

Why you should wrap those last minute gifts in front of the tv:

Nevada is very fun to watch. This will be a game of firsts for SMU. First bowl game since 1984, and SMU Coach June Jones return to the islands for the first time since leaving Hawaii for SMU two years ago. Unfortunately, his return will not be a pleasant one. SMU will face a Nevada team that boasts the number one rushing offense in the nation as well as three 1,000 yard rushers. They are also 2nd in the nation in total offense and 1st in points scored. SMU had quite a turnaround this season after some early season injuries (QB Bo Levi Mitchell, shoulder) and will look for big contributions from those same players who stepped up. This includes RB Shawnbey McNeal who rushed for 1,125 yards and nine TDs. Wolfpack QB Colin Kaepernick has been great this season, and Nevada's running game is worth the watch. Expect them to post around 450 yards, but SMU will have a big day in the air against an awful Wolfpack pass defense. Nevada closes the gap early ... 45-28.

Mid Major Bowl Breakdowns

2009-12-12T02:43:31Z

Little Caesar's Bowl:

Marshall vs. Ohio

Why you should spend this time decorating your Christmas tree:

Both teams do not do any one thing particularly well, collectively ranking 78th (Marshall) and 98th (Ohio) in total offense. Ohio has been quite a surprise this season, led by the stellar play of QB Theo Scott, who threw for 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. However, aside from Scott, Ohio does not have much of an offense, and Marshall has lost 4 of their last 6 games. Throw in the fact that Marshall head coach Mark Snyder resigned following the last regular season game after putting together a decent season, and we can forgive you if you happen to miss this one. Ohio has been awful against the run, and that will mean a big day for the Thundering Herd's RB Darius Marshall who is back after missing games due to an ankle injury. Although the Bobcats' offense started to gel late in the year, I have to give the edge to Marshall on this one ... lets say, 24-20.

International Bowl:

Northern Illinois vs. USF

Make sure and tune-in off and on, this one may be exciting

After disappointing finishes for both of these squads, this Bowl game looks to serve as the one smooth patch of pavement for the winner, at the end of a rocky road. After starting the season 5-0, South Florida hit the wall to finish at just 7-5. Now they will be facing a MAC team that also finished 7-5, and lost out on a shot at the MAC title, by losing their final two games. The upside? This International Bowl won't be miserable. Northern Illinois is 17th in the nation in rushing yards per game at 202.4, so keep an eye on RB Chad Spann as he looks to have another breakout game. USF QB B.J. Daniels has also put up decent numbers, and does a good job getting some wins when the Bulls punch up the score. Both teams have much success when scoring over 30 and over 40 a game, so USF will be favored if they can control the clock and spend most of the day in the endzone. USF 38 ... NIU 24

New Mexico Bowl:

Fresno State vs. Wyoming

If you've got nothing better to do...

This one could be over quickly. Fresno State is a powerhouse offensively, ranking 19th in the nation in total offense, 7th in rushing yards per game, and 15th in points per game. They also boast the nation's leader in average rushing yards per game with RB Ryan Mathews, and have one 7 of their last 8 games.The plus-side for Wyoming? They're in a bowl. Head coach Dave Christensen is the only first year Mountain West coach to get his team into a bowl. Another plus? Fresno State is horrendous against the run, one of the nation's worst, but Wyoming has virtually no offense at all. Mathews should have a field day against a Wyoming rushing defense that allows 170.5 yards per game, so if he starts to break out early, go ahead and change the channel. Fresno State 35 ... Wyoming 13

Mid-Major Coach Sit Down: Kevin Easley - High Point University

2009-12-01T20:11:50Z

Mid Major Madness sits down with Kevin Easley, one of the top mid major assistants in the country and North Carolina coaching veteran.

MMM: What do you plan to bring to High Point this season?

Kevin: Soon after joining the High Point family, I was overwhelmed by the growth and vision of the University. The vision starts internally from the leadership of Dr. Nido Qubein, the President of High Point University. He and his staff have done a wonderful job of providing an ideal environment for the student athlete of the University. HPU was recently voted by News and Report as the "#1 Up and Coming School in the South." Craig Keilitz, Director of Athletics, also has a strategic plan to take HPU Athletics to the next level. I knew with Mr. Kelietz's plan, I would have an opportunity to bring energy, enthusiasm, and a winning attitude to a distinguished and notable University. There is no doubt to me that the men's basketball program has a lot to uphold at HPU therefore, I try to be better than I was the previous day. This is truly a promising situation for me because this is the first time I have been on a new staff. I believe that finding a niche' and blending in with the rest of the staff is key.

MMM: Everyday coaches are learning from one another, what do you hope to learn from Coach Cherry?

Kevin: It was an honor for Coach Cherry to ask me to be a part of his staff for his first head coaching job. I have known Coach Cherry for a few years, and have always respected his knowledge and passion for the game of basketball. He has been a part of a National Championship team as a player, helped lead a mid-major program to a final four and sweet sixteen. He has been around a numerous amount of quality coaches (Dean Smith, Jim Larranaga, Darrin Horn). With that being said, I knew that High Point University would be an opportunity to advance my knowledge of the game and take another step as a coach.

MMM: What has been the most life changing experience in your time so far as a coach?

Kevin: I wouldn't say I have had a life changing experience yet, but I have had very fulfilling moments. It's great to know that the knowledge that you have passed on to another student athlete has been taken in. You work every day to instill lifelong lessons to your players, in hopes that they listen. To me the most fulfilling aspect is receiving feedback from former players, telling you thanks for the lessons you tried to provide over the years. I still talk to many of my former players and try to serve as a strong role.

MMM: What do you think is the most important value you can pass on to a player?

Kevin: I firmly believe that there is nothing better than being a student athlete, especially at the Division I level. You have the opportunity to build lifelong relationships, travel to different cities, and most importantly receive a free education. I have been blessed to have many opportunities that I contribute to the game of basketball. Basketball enabled me to earn two degrees, build relationships with life-long friends, and meet my wife. However, you have to make the most of your experience and not take it for granted. Many young players want to play professional basketball. I applaud the work ethic and aspirations for achieving goals but if you look at the percentage of athletes that actually make it to a professional league it is unlikely that it will actually happen. My advice to young players that I took from a mentor is to "use the game, don't let the game use you.) Meaning earn your degree and take your education seriously without doing just enough to pass. Collegiate basketball can last a maximum of fivr years but education will last a life time.

MMM: What do you do when you are not working hard at coaching?

Kevin: Believe it or not, I am a big DIY(do-it-yourself) guy. My wife and I recently purchased a home, so I love finding new projects to do around the house. They always don't turn out like I want but I really love to put together different things. When I'm not using my drill or hammer, I'm spending time with my family. Family is very important to me. We have a 3 year old, and a two month old, so they keep me very busy. My wife is a warrior because she holds down the fort for months while I'm chasing my dream.

Mid Major College Football Breakdown Week 13

2009-11-27T17:41:02Z

Mid Major Game of the Week:

Nevada vs. Boise State

This matchup features two teams that have won a combined 19 consecutive games. Nevada has won eight in a row and has averaged 51.6 yards per game and won those contests by an average of 29 points per game. Boise State is 11-0 and averaging a nation's best 44.4 points per game. The Broncos are winning games by an average of 27.1 points per game. The key matchup in this game will be Nevada's rush offense vs the Boise State rush defense. Nevada leads the nation in rushing offense at 373.2 yards per game, and is the first team in mid major college history with three 1,000 yard rushers. In the past two games, Nevada has thrown for a total of 141 yards and rushed for 1,035. Boise State had trouble stopping the run against Fresno State and Idaho, but also won those contests by a combined 55 points. Given Nevada's horrible pass defense, the Wolf Pack must run wild to keep it close.

Another Mid Major Notable:

Southern Miss vs. East Carolina

The Conference USA East is up for grabs, with a trip to the title game on the line. The likely opponent is Houston, who would clinch the West with a win over 2-9 Rice. Southern Miss has dealt with injuries to its top three offensive players at various times this season, but the Golden Eagles still boast one of the top offenses in the C-USA. Backup Martevius Young has become comfortable at QB with 1,312 yards, 12 touchdowns, and one interception in the past six games. The Eagles have struggled on the road though, going only 1-4 away from Hattiesburg. East Carolina's offense is not as dominating as the Golden Eagles, but the Pirates get the job done on defense and special teams. Junior receiver Dwayne Harris, who has accounted for 12 Pirate touchdowns this season looks to have a big game this weekend.

Player on the spot:

Utah's true freshman QB Jordan Wynn will be making just his fourth start Saturday against BYU in one of the nation's fiercest rivalries. Wynn was actually going to redshirt this season until coaches threw him into the mix during the Utes' eighth game. Wynn has been playing relatively steady, but his coaches don't want him to have to win this game, especially in Saturday's environment. If Wynn is backed into a corner and forced to do all the work, Utah is in trouble. They have to run the ball effectively and use Wynn as a game manager in order to pull out a win.

Mid Major Picks of the Week:

Central Michigan 31 Northern Illinois 20

Bowling Green 41 Toledo 35

Wyoming 23 Colorado State 19

Nevada 38 Boise State 52

UCF 21 UAB 16

East Carolina 27 Southern Miss 17

Mid Major College Football Breakdown Week 12

2009-11-20T00:59:48Z

Mid Major Game of the Week:

Air Force vs. BYU

Air Force will look to put a stop to the Cougars five game win streak this weekend. The key matchup for this game will be Air Force defense vs. BYU QB Max Hall. There is no doubt that Hall is a player and can win games, as he looks to set a school record this week for victories by a QB. However Air Force has allowed 20 points or more only once this season, in an overtime loss to then number 19 Utah. Look for plenty of pass rush and sticky coverage in the secondary. Air Force also boasts an option offense that is fourth in the nation in rushing, averaging 279.2 yards per game. Couple that with Air Force's ability to keep the turnovers to a minimum, (tied for 2nd in the nation for lowest turnovers with 7), and this should be an interesting game for the Cougars who look to extend their win streak to six.

What to expect as Bowl Games approach:

Usually, second and third place teams in the Sun Belt Conference and fifth and sixth place teams in the MAC do not get much attention. But keep an eye out for Middle Tennessee, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisiana-Lafayette, Northern Illinois, Kent State, and Ohio University because three or four of these teams will be bowl-bound this season. Other conferences such as the ACC, Pac-10, Mountain West, and Big Ten could have trouble filling their bowl slots, so officials will be turning to non-affiliated teams with winning records, and those teams are coming from the Sun Belt and Mid American Conferences. There are still about 4 spots open in bowl games left for the ACC (2), the Big Ten and the Mountain West. Watch out for Kent State and Northern Illinois especially, as these squads still have legitimate conference title hopes, and may fall into some of these remaining bowl slots.

Player on the spot:

UAB QB Joe Webb will be under the spotlight this week as the Blazers need one more win for bowl eligibility. They play at East Carolina this week, followed by a home game against UCF. Unfortunately for UAB, ECU leads the conference in total defense and UCF is number 2 in the conference. Webb will be the key factor in determining whether the Blazers can get that key win. He has rushed for 10 TD's and thrown for 16 this season. In the Blazer's three losses however, he has thrown for just four and run for three. All six of his interceptions have come in losses as well. UAB's shot to win depends on Webb's performance over these next two weeks.

Mid Major Picks of the Week:

SMU 21 Marshall 24

UAB 24 ECU 20

Tulsa 17 Southern Miss 28

Boise State 38 Utah State 21

Air Force 27 BYU 31

Mid-Major Coach Sit Down: Elwyn McRoy - Arkansas State University

2009-11-16T19:08:30Z

Mid-Major Madness sits down with Arkansas State University assistant coach Elwyn McRoy this week to get inside the mind of one of the best recruiters in Mid-Major college basketball.

MMM: Recruiting has been one of your specialties. What advice would you give to a young high school basketball player looking to play college basketball?

Elwyn: My advice to a HS athlete would be to do the little things that others aren't willing to do. Such as diving on the floor, being a good teammate, handing the ball to the refs, playing through bad calls with no facial expressions or negative body language, always giving eye contact to his coach when being spoken to and be coachable. In short be uncommon, do things that set your self apart from everyone else.

MMM: What are your expectations for the team this season?

Elwyn: My expectations for this team is to compete and execute at a higher level, be closer as a team on and off the floor and improve our win total by how many ever games we can. We started off great last year, but then hit a wall and couldn't finish. We need to fight through the adversity better and make sure we don't tail off at the end of the season again.

MMM: What is the most important thing for a player to remember on and off the court?

Elwyn: I think the most important thing for a player to remember on and off the court is to be accountable. Basketball is a team sport, and more often then not a player can forget just how many people are depending on him. The ones that learn how to be a true team player are the ones that end up making the biggest impact.

MMM: How do you think having played college basketball has improved your coaching ability?

Elwyn: I believe it has improved my ability to relate to the players on and off the court. More times then not I have felt the same as they do in a lot of situations, so it helps me explain why they need to do it this way or why they don't need to do something. Also I think it has helped by not having unrealistic expectations of what could and should be accomplished, because the same things were asked of me as a player

MMM: If you weren't coaching basketball, what would you be doing?

Elwyn: I would probably be teaching at a high school or college. I enjoy being around different people on a daily basis. Or I would be a social worker because I enjoy the task daily of dealing with different issues that arise and helping people see things from a different point of view that may benefit them.