One Bronco Nation Under God

Memphis, UCONN basketball to play Boise State in new four year home-and-home series

2012-02-09T18:16:36Z

Memphis, UCONN basketball to play Boise State in new four year home-and-home series

Everybody, back on the bandwagon!

OBNUG roundtable: Kellen's future

2012-02-09T16:00:33Z

Kellen Moore's storied NCAA career is at an end (story illustrated by Maurice Sendak) and his NFL draft future is uncertain, so I thought we'd be remiss to not at least attempt to analyze Kellen's potential in "the league". Guys that matter (Toddy McShay, Tony Pauline, Wes Bunting) seem to (mostly) like what Kellen Moore has to offer (anticipation, accuracy, awareness) while a few ~~hacks~~ writers at Bleacher Report loudly proclaimed Moore to be undraftable. So which "analysts" are right about Moore? The guys paid to do this for a living, or the guys that fulfilled two of the 3 requirements to write for B/R (working keyboard, internet connection, ability to make slideshows)? And what of Kellen's NFL future? Will he be a great backup, a future starter, or a Canadian hero? I'm too emotionally invested in Kellen Moore to start this roundtable as I took each Senior Bowl jab at KM personally. What are your thoughts on the matter? First person to mention Kellen's height gets a knuckle sandwich!

Kevan: I think I saw (read?) that Bleacher Report slideshow: Ten Ways Kellen Moore is Like Danny DeVito." I got halfway through, started getting accosted for not providing an email address, then left.

The Kellen Moore - NFL debate is one that I have had in my head for quite some time now. I've been afraid to have it out loud for fear of my brain saying something my heart resents. Like this: I don't know if Moore will make a good pro quarterback or not. Stupid brain! Shut-y!

I do know this: Kellen Moore will be on an NFL roster in minicamp. That's not saying much, considering Tommy "Touchdown" Brandstater was on an NFL roster, but still. Moore will get his shot at the next level. If the debate is whether or not he'll get drafted, it's hard to say. I understand the logic in saying that all it takes is one team to like him and that team will draft him. But the thing is that a team isn't going to draft a player once that team gets wind that no one else is going to draft the player. That's why rookie free agents exist. At this point in the roundtable, I'll say Moore will be drafted in the sixth or seventh round AUUGH MY BRAIN TYPED THAT LAST SENTENCE. HEART SAYS NO. 1 OVERALL!

Drew: The "Kellen Moore is undraftable" camp seem to be overly hung up on what Kiper types like to refer to as "measurables"...which, in my humble opinion, is exactly what is wrong with the NFL draft. Allow me to name a few QBs that had "off-the-charts" measurables: Ryan Leaf, Jamarcus Russell, Rick Mirer, Brady Quinn, NATHAN ENDERLE! Forgive me for shouting the last one, but seriously, Nathan Enderle got drafted...a guy with a college completion percentage a full 20 points lower than Kellen's in 2011. A guy who threw just 10 fewer interceptions his freshman year than Kellen threw in his entire career. Lest you think I'm jumping on Enderle because he's a Vandal, I could find dozens of quarterbacks with similar statistics whose only draftable quality was that they were at least 6'4" and possessed a rudimentary knowledge of football. Kellen's a freakin' wizard with a football but doesn't have to stoop to get through doorways and NFL scouts want nothing to do with him? I just don't buy it. I'm resigned to the fact that many lesser QBs will get the call on draft day(s) before Kellen, but if he slips past the 5th round, I give up.

A first-rounder if I ever saw one (the one on the right)

Kevan: The NFL likes its measurables and its prototypes because generally those shapes and sizes of players perform the best at the next level. For every Ryan Leaf, there is a Peyton Manning. For every Nathan Enderle, there is a ... John Friesz? I don't know about that one.

Point being, the NFL likes to play it safe and cover its bases by picking players based on a Jell-O mold of type. Even still, I don't think Kellen Moore's size alone will prevent him from being drafted as highly as he deserves. The Drew Brees argument is far too valid for teams to simply disregard him completely based on size.

What will hurt Moore the most is his lack of athleticism and his purportedly weak arm strength. Teams will take a flyer on a short quarterback if he has gazelle limbs for legs or a howitzer for an arm. But a career winning percentage in the mythological god range? That's not gonna cut it.

Drew: Lots of money is at stake, so I see why it's less of a gamble to pick up a quarterback that could play tight end *cough* Tebow *cough* if he doesn't work out under center, but Kellen's game tape should more than assuage any fears teams might have about his command of an offense, or his longevity for that matter—he's not fast...but he rarely gets sacked. And do you mind if we just dispel the arm-strength myth right here and now? While I have no doubt that being able to throw the ball more than 10 yards is a desirable trait for an NFL QB...scouts act as if QBs are routinely asked to throw from one endzone to the next...from their knees. Kellen has plenty of arm strength to get the ball downfield. Does he have Favre-like "zip" on his ball? No. He may even float sideline routes from time-to-time, but this is the one area of Kellen's game he can improve. Look, he's not getting any taller or faster...but I'm sure he can learn or train to put a bit more velocity on the ball. QBs aren't born and the die with the same arm strength. Kellen can fix any strength or mechanical issues he may have. But your dumb 6'6" QBs that already possess cannon arms aren't going to get any less dumb.

"Did somebody say 'dumb'?"

Kevan: There is a certain unquantifiable quality to Moore's game. Precision? Anticipation? Goofiness? I don't know. I can't quantify it.

Unfortunately for Moore, the NFL Draft is a business of quantifying. If it wasn't, then coaches and GMs would go off of game tape and not need to see Kellen Moore in his undies on a scale. The NFL is weird, man. And its weirdness is very deep-rooted and thorough (see: sock height fines).

There is every reason in the world to draft Kellen Moore. I'm afraid that NFL teams will only bother looking at the few reasons not to.

Drew: I'm afraid of the same thing, Kev so it looks like this is less of a roundtable and more of a "2 dudes sitting at a lunch counter" type situation. Also...what does "quantifiable" mean?

Your turn

If you can put your rabid homerism aside—where do you see Kellen landing (besides a coaches chair)? Will a team take a no-brainer gamble on our diminutive hero? Let us know in the comments.

Wake up, Bronco Nation: Boise State football links and things, 2-9-12

2012-02-09T14:51:23Z

Memphis officially announced as new member of the Big East

They are slated to join in 2013 along with Boise State and could even be in Boise State's division. This is great news for me since I'm in Nashville and only 3 hours away from Memphis. This is not so good news for everyone else. One more western team would have been nice.

Stewart Mandel looks at how a 4 team playoff would have looked in the past

And some of the match ups he comes up with are certainly appetizing. Change seems to be on the horizon for college football but I'm trying to not get my hopes up too much yet.

Rutgers and Syracuse could play each other twice next year

With the possibility of West Virginia leaving for the Big 12 next year becoming more and more realistic, Rutgers and Syracuse could play each other twice next year because there would be no one else available. Awkward. There's at least one other team with an opening next year.

Boise State's Big East schedule looking strangely WAC-like

2012-02-08T17:36:57Z

With the news that the Memphis Tigers - all five wins in three years of 'em - will join the Big East with Boise State in 2013, Bronco Nation would be excused for taking one look at the Tigers and thinking, New Mexico State? Adding an awful team to a conference of mostly average-to-good teams is not exactly a recipe for BCS automatic bids or, say, respect. To prove my point, check out what Mr. Dr. Saturday wrote upon hearing the news:

As the realignment dominoes settle into a sustainable status quo, that line is beginning to look much sharper. Now that there's nothing left worth poaching, the Big East is about to be left to its fate with the other Have-Not leagues that have never pretended they're anything but.

That laughter you hear is Karl Benson at his Shari's mobile office.

The Tigers and Broncos figure to be tied together in the west division of the Big East-ish along with the other newcomers and a disgruntled Louisville. To wit, here is what Boise State's conference schedule could look like in 2013:

vs. San Diego State
vs. Memphis
vs. SMU
vs. Houston
vs. Louisville
vs. UCF
vs. Rutgers
vs. Cincinnati

Those last three teams could be switched and swapped with UCONN and South Florida. It's no SEC schedule, per Captain Obvious.

Now, I think the Broncos knew what they were getting into when they joined the Big East - a conference on the verge of complete breakdown or BCS auto-bid. It was a risk that Boise State was willing to take to keep up with the Joneses (and the Sabans). But with Memphis joining the fold, did the Boise State football team join a basketball conference? It's hard to see any other reason to add the Tigers unless Big East commish John Marinatto has been to the future and it is one strange, Memphis-fueled football utopia.

So, has Memphis's rumored inclusion in the Big East changed your opinion of Boise State's move? Comments are welcomed. For me, I knew the move was a risk from the get-go. And adding Memphis certainly does nothing to change that.

Your turn

What does Memphis in the Big East mean to you? What do you think of Boise State's proposed Big East schedule? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Wake up, Bronco Nation: Boise State football links and things, 2-8-12

2012-02-08T14:39:28Z

Official Combine invite list released

As expected, Boise State will have a record 7 attendees with a list of Kellen Moore, Doug Martin, Nate Potter, George Iloka, Shea McClellin, Tyrone Crawford and Billy Winn. I was hoping that Chase Baker and Kyle Efaw could snag an invite too, but 7 players overall is not too shabby at all. Alabama had 9 invitees and LSU and Wisconsin have 8 each.

Cory Yriarte granted 6th year of eligibility

This was another expected ruling from the NCAA but good to have it official. Yriarte was part of a group including DJ Harper, Jerrell Gavins and Dan Paul that were held out of Senior Day festivities anticipating an extra year of eligibility.

Craig James looking to meet with "anyone that has money"

Looks like things are right on track for former ESPN talking head and Boise State hater turned Senate candidate Craig James. He's apparently getting bombarded with questions/accusations about his playing days at SMU and accepting improper benefits. I'm glad people in Texas don't have short memories.

CBS reports Memphis joining the Big East in 2013

2012-02-07T18:40:21Z

CBS reports Memphis joining the Big East in 2013

All Memphis sports are headed to the Big East. Does this make Memphis football the new New Mexico/UNLV?

The 2012 Boise State football team is a mystery wrapped in an enigma, according to some

2012-02-07T15:25:00Z

This, according to SB Nation writer Bill Connelly:

Behold the power of six returning starters. The only team to return even as few as seven starters in 2011 was Auburn, and they dropped off the map, from national title contender to the Chick-fil-A Bowl. The effect of extreme numbers of returning starters, either good (20) or bad (six), is typically rather exponential, which does not say good things about the Broncos' 2012 season, even if 61st is almost certainly too low.

Connelly had the Broncos at No. 15 in his way-too-early Top 25, based on factors like Boise State's' legacy of success and Coach Pete's inexorable charm. His formula-driven Top 25, based on statistics and lies, had the Broncos at No. 61.

To his credit, Connelly believes that Boise State is far closer to a Top 25 team than a Top 60 team. He even goes so far as to compare the upcoming Bronco season to TCU's 2011 season, a comparison that is both sorta flattering and sorta mean.

Breaking in that many new starters certainly makes projections for Boise State a giant crapshoot, no matter how well you or I think we know how BSU's new starters. But for a football program that just wins no matter the circumstances or surroundings, is the trivial matter of 16 new starters really going to turn 2012 into an Angela Lansbury miniseries? The luxury of a winning system is not one that all schools can rely when they have to essentially rebuild the roster. Boise State may be a mystery next season, but there is a giant mound of forensic evidence that makes me think the Broncos will be just fine.

Your turn

Do you think Boise State is one of college football's biggest mysteries? What makes you nervous and what gives you hope about next year? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Wake up, Bronco Nation: Boise State football links and things, 2-7-12

2012-02-07T14:41:55Z

Follow Boise State's new Twitter accounts

New AD Mark Coyle is already making his mark. We knew he was big on Twitter and now he's showing it. Boise State has unveiled an official twitter account for every sport. Check them all out but follow @BroncoSportsFB for sure. Now when is the official Coach Pete twitter account coming?

BCS spent a record $350k lobbying in D.C. last year

This was more than four times what they spent just three years ago. I would like to think this is in part due to the relentlessness of our friends at the Playoff PAC who exposed corruption at the Fiesta Bowl and John Junker and has continued to pursue the Sugar and Orange Bowls.

Could the Big Ten actually be in favor of a playoff?

Sources told the Chicago Tribune that a Big Ten plan would involve taking the top 4 of the BCS standings and staging semifinal games at the higher ranking school. This is almost too good to be true so I'm not getting my hopes up yet, but playoff games with schools hosting would be a huge step forward.

Happy Birthdays

A special happy birthday to reader The Hammer and Bronco Nation Podcast proprietor and reader JT Ray. Wish for something good, you guys!

If you have a birthday you'd like to add to the OBNUG birthday list, drop us an email at tips@obnug.com