Wk 04: Coaching Diatribe

OK, OK - so my ranting about the Top 10 last week and this weeks results show why I have a college football blog and not my own website or TV show. Just when I thought I was going to be able to prove some of those professional voters wrong, I get humbled. That is the unpredictability of the game. So I will have to whine about something else this week: BYU coaching...

W E E K L Y   W R A P
But first a wrap-up of the top teams: With the exception of #6 Oklahoma losing to #15 Kansas State and #2 LSU just squeaking by a now 1-3 Auburn, the rest of the Top 10 proved worthiness to be there. I have now changed my mind about FSU; they played a tough Clemson team and came from behind to take the win. National champs? Not in my mind but I can now see why some think so. The SEC top teams begin playing each other soon and that will shuffle up the Top 10 (Florida, LSU, Georgia and SCar have rough 4-game stretches starting next Saturday). USC and Oregon have a do-able October but November will answer some questions. Oregon State and Notre Dame are looking like real contenders. Ohio State and Miss State are looking like pretenders.

W E E K L Y   W H I N E

Team colors contrast.

I was there. Lots and lots of blue (two shades). Very avid and welcoming fans. A record crowd. Two teams known for high scoring offensive games. The final score: Boise State: 7, BYU: 6. (Although if they gave points out for Special Teams play and defensive stands, BSU would have never stood a chance). Was I upset after the game? Not really. Sure I wanted BYU to win. But I am a fan of the game more than certain teams. What a great defensive stand from both teams and a great, unpredictable, controversial, odd and unforgettable ending. Everything I like about college football.

Now I am not a football coach. I have never coached football. I haven't even played organized football since 7th grade. I can't predict game outcomes nor do I even think for a moment I could handle the pressures and split-second decision making required in a game. And I know there is a thousand things going on all at once that factor in to coaching decisions. But sometimes I would really like an explanation of the lack of clock control, poor TO control, the lack of confidence in a strong defense, play calling that ranged from uber-conservative to gutsy beyond belief, etc.

You can't see the Drill Team either!

The first was the 40-second let-the-clock-run-down at halftime. We were moving the ball (sort of). Our defense was solid. We were getting the ball back to start the 3rd. Why not use those last 40-seconds and take a shot at scoring? To stand there and watch the seconds tick away was odd to say the least...and almost embarrassing as I sat there with BSU fans.

And what is this loyalty the coaches seem to have for starters and seniors? They are good players and bless their little hearts they have worked hard to be the starter. But when you leave a QB in after two and then three turnovers (that were his fault) it's time to shift your loyalty to the team and not the one lost sheep.  It's a team sport...they all want the win and they don't care how they get it. Of course they all want to be the game hero but deep down they just want the team to win.We all have off days and it was just not Nelson's day...and leaving him in was not going to make it his day. He was rattled and unable to focus. It happened last week at Utah, too. Let's hope it doesn't happen again.

Color-coded fan sections...that's cool!

And lastly: After BYU's touchdown with a chance to tie, just as BYU lined up for the 2-point conversion you could almost hear a collective "WTF" gasp from everyone in the stadium (not just BYU fans). Did the coaches not trust the kicker? Did they not think the defense could hold BSU the last 2-minutes? Your defense just pitched a shutout*, why not let them finish it off in OT? It was a deflating feeling. The BSU fans we spoke with felt sort of ripped off - like it cheapened the win. They didn't want to win like that; they wanted the challenge and excitement of OT. I have done my share of whining in the past about conservative play calling from BYU but this was overboard. Gutsy, yes. Smart, no.

My 2 new best friends!

E N D Z O N E
I loved the BSU fans. We had a great walk-to-the-field chat ("Will Idaho taxes prevail over tithing?" Yes...it did) and plenty of ribbing with our stadium friends. We had friendly back-and-forth with restaurant waitresses and parking lot attendants and a hearty welcome into the stadium (even a couple of cheerleaders willing to have a picture with "the enemy"). There was not a single derogatory remark about the game, the Y sticker on my car, or even any boasting about the win. Yes. I'll be back. Thanks, Boise State fans.

I was also impressed with the Boise State tailgating. I attend the BYU home games and see tailgating - but nothing compared to what I saw at BSU. Fans dressed to the hilt in blue and orange from head to toe. Blue and orange clowns, blue and orange "Nacho Libre", blue and orange hair, a group of Smurfs welcoming visitors to the Smurf Turf, etc. And they were all nice and welcoming and not afraid to show the fanatic side of being a fan.

Serious tailgating.

And after the game? Oh they were not packing it all up and headed home. Oh no - it was like the party had just begun. At 10:30 on a Thursday night they left the stadium and went back to their tailgating tents and had another round while they discussed the game. Or they hung out on the streets and in the local eateries to keep the exciting evening alive. No one seemed rush to get home and call an end to gameday. True fans of their team and the game.
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* BSU was 0-5 on 4th down attempts, shut down after four chances from the 1, BSU offense did not score a single point, etc.