Posts Tagged ‘ MWC ’

Preseason Bowl Chronicles: Las Vegas Bowl

July 23, 2009
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My call for BYU to win the MWC in 2009 begins and ends with these numbers, courtesy of Phil Steele’s preseason magazine: The last four times BYU has had a senior quarterback, they have won their conference title. Going back further into program history, whenever BYU has hd a senior starting QB they have a combined 106-23-2 record.

Good enough for me, especially with Max Hall back at the controls after throwing for a shade under 4,000 yards and accounting for 39 total touchdowns during his junior campaign.

I also like the fact that fellow offensive playmakers Harvey Unga and Dennis Pitta have healed from injuries which dogged them at different times in 2008. Behind this trio of stars, the Cougars will have no problem hanging 35 or more points against just about everyone on their schedule.

Defensively, look for one of the most experienced units seen in BYU iduringrecent years to improve upon last year’s results, which dipped from the previous two years efforts. After avergaing 4 returning starters over the last 5 years, the Cougars have eight back this season including two ALL MWC performers from a year ago at DE and LB.

The showdown with TCU that will turn the league race takes place in Provo, where BYU is riding an 18-game winning streak. Nobody has come within a touchdown of the Cougars during this streak. Sometimes thats the difference when you’re making bowl predictions in July.
 
 The one problem with the pick is that it puts the Cougars back in the Las Vegas Bowl for the fifth straight season. That just seems odd. Not to mention unimaginative of me. But, hey, its where the league champ is earmarked to go, so why overthink things? Read more »

Preseason Bowl Chronicles: New Mexico Bowl Seeks Cinderella

July 20, 2009
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Ed Note: We dont do ranking countdowns at justcoverblog. We count down Bowl Projections. With 34 bowls to project and only 45 days until the beginning of the season, we’ll unveil a bowl projection almost every day until then. Today, we breakdown which mid majors will convene for the New Mexico Bowl.

 

For the fourth year in a row, the Mountain West and Western Athletic conferences will swap paint in the New Mexico Bowl as part of the bowl extravaganza. This season, it will be the very first bowl played of the season on December 19. I trust you’re aware that we are within the 150-day window until that event. Of course, you are.

One thing history tells us about this matchup is do not be surprised if a team from far off the rail notches an invite. In 2006, San Jose State made an appearance after five straight losing records. Last year, Colorado State won this game on the heels of 4- and 3-win seasons.

I have no problem calling for another Cinderella run to Albuquerque and a 13th game. In fact, I’m grabbing a team from the deep end of the pool to qualify. Hey, it’s my first bowl prediction of the site. I might as well do something attention grabbing.

To that end, I’m calling for San Diego State to come out of the MWC to play the WAC’s Fresno State in the bowl season lid lifter.

San Diego State!?!? The same Aztecs team that has had 10 consecutive losing records? The same Aztec program that has seen two straight head coaches come and go without a winning season? You have got to be kidding me!

Yes, that one. San Diego State. University of. In San Diego. Read more »