SportsNation Blog Archives
Houston Cougars
University of Houston quarterback Case Keenun broke former Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell's NCAA record for career touchdown passes early in the second half of a 73-34 win against Rice on Thursday night. By the time it was over, Keenum came close to the single-game record, finishing with nine touchdown passes against the Owls.
- "The kid had a great game. However, it was against a team that has a D that is worse than the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins! What I don't understand is here we have Houston that is 8-0 and 4-0 in C-USA conference play. They are ranked No. 17, while Boise St. is ranked in the top 5 and doesn't come close to playing the type of team Houston plays!" -- SN commenter wallab50
- "Keenum is out to set records. Rice was just another team for him to build stats on. If Rice wants to complain, then how about they do better than pleading with Keenum to throw touchdowns? The coverage during that game was just miserable." -- SN commenter BlackfangLeopard
Case Keenum or Kellen Moore?
Boise State's Kellen Moore needs one more win to have one major record all to himself, but is Keenum's newest record the gold standard of college quarterbacking?
Will Keenum get a trip to New York?
Keenum received just three fifth-place votes in ESPN.com's Heisman Watch this week, but that was before the huge night against Rice.
A record marred by poor sportsmanship?
Keenum's ninth touchdown pass came with a 32-point lead in the fourth quarter. It was a short pass that Patrick Edwards ran with, but was it running up the score?
Should the BCS come calling?
The Cougars are the undefeated team few are talking about in the BCS picture. They beat UCLA, North Texas, Louisiana Tech and Georgia State out of conference.
- Vote: Are you a fan of the blue turf? | Would Boise State win the Pac-10?
- Rank 'Em: Which teams are the biggest threat to the BCS this season?
- Chat: Non-AQ blogger Andrea Adelson talks Mountain West, WAC and more, 2 ET
A lot of college football fans will tell you their two favorite teams are their team and whoever plays their rival that Saturday. But it sure feels like Boise State is gaining ground on the latter part of that equation.
There are a lot of things working in Boise State's favor as it builds a nationwide network of fans. The Broncos play at least five games on ESPN or ESPN2 this season, all on weekday nights when college football fans are craving something to tide them over until Saturday. And since it's safe to say the BCS isn't America's most popular institution, it only makes sense to support the team whose diverse playbook has helped poke holes in the system's flaws. Plus, let's be honest, who doesn't love them some blue turf?
So as long as they aren't playing your team, is Boise State America's team?
Brian (Greensboro)
Ivan, pretend that Boise State is any BCS conference this year...where do you rank them? Is it still third (AP), fifth (Coaches) or something else?
Ivan Maisel
I understand your point. But Boise State has won two Fiesta Bowls in the last four years. They have 20-plus starters returning from an undefeated team. I don't think anyone need apologize for ranking the Broncos high. And if they lose, we'll be wrong and we'll all move on. Full transcript
Jeremy (Corvallis)
How do you think Boise would do in the PAC-10? It's much easier to get up for 1 (max. 2) games per year, compared to having to show up every week (except against Wazzu).
Pac-10 blogger Ted Miller
Hard to say: Boise is a good team, and it is particularly good at preparing for big games. But as you say, playing a quality foe just about every week is something the Broncos have not done. I do think this year's Boise State team would finish in the top-third of the Pac-10, perhaps even win the conference. Full transcript
- Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25
- Vote on big topics: Charlie Weis' future | Auburn at Georgia
- Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
- More wraps: Mark Schlabach | Pat Forde | Mel Kiper | Ivan Maisel | Bruce Feldman
- Special guests: Brad Edwards | Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson
It won't be an easy weekend for BCS Cinderellas, even though they're all playing at home. Cincinnati faces No. 25 West Virginia, TCU gets the pressure of GameDay and No. 16 Utah, and Boise State deals with a surprising 7-3 Idaho (and a visiting AD who doesn't like to fly on planes with Broncos markings).
USC fans still have BCS hope, but know their team can't lose again. Boise State, Cincinnati and Iowa fans wonder what more their teams can do, besides pray for a loss by one of the top 3.
Now that Ohio State has two losses SportsNation thinks Ohio State is using Terrelle Pryor incorrectly. Fans, however, still think Sam Bradford is a first-round pick.
Florida State kicked off Week 8 with a needed win, and Alabama, Florida and Texas face opponents they shouldn't overlook.
- Vote: "GameDay" Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25
- Vote on big games: Tennessee at Alabama | Texas at Missouri
- Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
- Other wraps: Brad Edwards | Bruce Feldman | Ivan Maisel | Pat Forde | Mark Schlabach
“Mark Ingram is a good reason for [Alabama's] passing to be less of a factor. Wait until next year for any shot of a Vols upset.
” -- Beano Cook
“I pick Florida to win this game, but to be seen as legitimately No. 1, the Gators should win convincingly, even more so than against Arkansas.
” -- IdahoanTyke
“My ranking: 1. Iowa; 2. Florida; 3. Alabama; 4. Texas; 5. Virginia Tech; 6. TCU; 7. Boise State; 8. USC; 9. Oregon; 10. LSU.
” -- CheezusCrust
Fan blogger predictions for Week 8: nunyabiz81 | jodiemeeks23ppat54 | dfpsports | IdahoanTyke | codywin25 | gbirkem2 | utesfan2 | Sportsguru6
- Your Heisman Watch: Which players will challenge Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy?
- Tuesday's Chats: Non-AQ blogger Graham Watson, 1 p.m. ET | Pat Forde, 2 p.m. ET
Stanford has produced more than its fair share of famous alumni, from heads of governments in Japan (Taro Aso), Israel (Ehud Barak), Honduras (Ricardo Maduro), Peru (Alejandro Toledo) and the United States (Herbert Hoover) to our personal favorite, the late wine guy Robert Mondavi. The list of athletic alumni is hardly less impressive, including Tiger Woods and John Elway.
Toby Gerhart? Let's just say he's not quite there yet.
Gerhart is not, in fact, a midfielder with the United States national soccer team. Nor is he a goaltender for the Maple Leafs, a right tackle for the Packers or a reliever for the Twins. But try telling that to the nearly 70 percent of SportsNation that picked one of those options.
With 650 rushing yards through four games, including 334 against Washington and UCLA the last two weeks, Gerhart earned his place on ESPN.com's Heisman Watch. Now all he needs to do is introduce himself to SportsNation.
“If it weren't for the fact that Toby Gerhart is only 14 miles away from the Pacific ocean, he'd be at the top of the Heisman list.
” -- orangemochafraps
“I would like to know why this list is mostly offense. I know its pretty and scoring points is cool but defense wins CHAMPIONSHIPS
” -- rolltide_54
- ESPN.com Heisman Watch: Houston's Case Keenum moves solidly into third place.
- Your Heisman Watch: Do you have anyone ahead of Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy?
- Tuesday's Chats: Pat Forde, 2 p.m. ET | Big 12 blogger Tim Griffin, 3 p.m. ET
Colt McCoy has thrown five interceptions in four games. Tim Tebow has completed 19 passes against non-FCS opponents. And yet it's not all that easy to argue against the two of them splitting all 15 first-place votes in this week's ESPN.com Heisman Watch.
SportsNation tried to branch out in its rankings last week, giving the Heisman nod to Cal running back Jahvid Best, only to see him go silent in a bad loss at Oregon. Voters also ranked Jacory Harris third a week ago, ahead of McCoy. Miami's quarterback rewarded that faith by floundering at Virginia Tech.
So will this be strictly a two-person race, or is there room for more at the top?
Chaz (Chicago)
Is it possible that Jimmy Clausen is underrated? His numbers are amazing. His performance has been top drawer in every game this year. And he's proving to be one tough competitor playing w/ a tough injury for QBs. Yet, no one is talking about him for the Heisman-- when he should be in the conversation.
Mark Schlabach
He earned a lot of my respect Saturday night by going back into the game with the toe injury and throwing the winning TD. His numbers have been great. He'd probably be in my top five today, but the Irish couldn't lose another game for him to stay there. Full transcript.
“Mardy Gilyard for heisman, how many diffrent ways does the kid has to score to get some heisman buzz. Do they want him to teleport to the endzone? He is by far the most exciting player to watch since young & bush.
” -- lazarre11
“Tebow has less than impressive numbers and is a runaway Heisman favorite? The Gators would be dominant with or without him. He is getting far too much credit for the talent around him.
” -- bodhisamaya
You can't blame fans like OleMIssOurYear for getting their hopes up. It's happened to us all (as has a game like the loss at South Carolina).
Next up for bubble popping? Maybe Miami. Maybe TCU. Maybe Cal. Maybe Houston.
Fans blogged their predictions for these and other games this week. Check out the voices and reactions of fans from across the country.
Week 4 predictions: awesomewes1 | uclabruin094 | Sportsguru6 | nunyabiz81 | spoofybeme2005 | jjreynoldsii | schubaka23 | utfan089 | tjroundup | SeAGoBLin15 | JoeRevs300 | D1Fortune
Rankings: sundevil22820 (No. 1 Florida) | canesinla (No. 1 Florida) | ADEVARTS (No. 1 Florida) | pnthrsfn1012 (No. 1 Florida) | randomdude21 (No. 1 Florida) | Slaton_20 (No. 1 Florida) | CheezusCrust (No. 1 Miami) | jjreynoldsii (No. 1 Alabama) | pigtailedtigerpiccolo (Overrated teams)
“This year, it's all different. Darryll Clark is a totally different quarterback and Penn State's defense is more ready than ever before. Ricky Stanzi will have do it all by himself. Penn State 25, Iowa 12.
” -- tjroundup
“The Frogs are an exceptional red zone team, both offensively and defensively, so you can expect Clemson's rushing TD drought to continue. ... The Frogs' balanced attack and athletic defense will get it done in the second half. TCU 31-20.
” -- bassmannash
“This is tough. It's in Blacksburg, but I'm not sold on Tyrod Taylor. Can Miami continue this magical start? I say no. Virginia Tech 20-13.
” -- spoofybeme2005
“Texas Tech-Houston: Texas Tech. Why: Houston strikes me as a similar 'BCS-buster' type as teams like BYU, Ball State and East Carolina have been the past couple years.
” -- nunyabiz81
“Jahvid Best has at least two TDs and those will be the difference when Cal comes out of Eugene with a win. If Oregon had LeGarrette Blount this would be a closer game. Cal 35, Oregon 21.
” -- awesomewes1
Carrying Minnesota didn't help Walter Mondale much (add that reference to the Herschel Walker post, throw in some Cure and you've got yourself a retro day in SportsNation), but carrying in Minnesota may prove to be the launching pad for Jahvid Best's Heisman run.
Combined with USC's loss at Washington, which presumably puts Cal in the Pac-10 driver's seat, Best earned a lot of eyeballs with five touchdowns and 131 rushing yards on the road against the Golden Gophers.
And once again, under the guise of a reality check, a look at how SportsNation's Heisman top five looked at this point in the season two years ago.
1. Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky
2. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
3. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
4. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
5. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
- ESPN.com Heisman Watch: Best picks up six first-place votes to climb to No. 2.
- Your Heisman Watch: Do you have anyone ahead of Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy?
- Tuesday's Chats: Pat Forde, 2 p.m. ET | Big 12 blogger Tim Griffin, 3 p.m. ET
“Take Tebow out of the top 5. I don't care who replaces him, but Tebow doesn't deserve it yet. What a boring, not impressive in any way performance against a lame Tenn. team.
” -- callitirishdominance
“JAKE LOCKER. MOST YARDS IN THE PAC 10 AGAINST 2 TOP 10 TEAMS IN THE NATION. JAKE LOCKER NEEDS TO BE IN THE HUNT AT LEAST. VOTE JAKE LOCKER!!!!!!!!!
” -- fastdawgr
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