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With Louisville’s timely graduation to the BCS (if you can refer to the Big East as such in more than deference to its Miami/Virginia Tech glory days) and Utah’s return to earth a year separated from the Alex Smith era, there is a power vacuum in the Mid-Major ranks that is being filled by the Western Athletic Conference.
And while the most pub the WAC is currently getting has to do with having the least Mormon of all the Mormons in Utah (Read: Utah State Football Loves Pot!), the WAC, more so than Conference USA, the Mountain West or the MAC, is flying under the radar as the Mid Major of consequence this season. The obvious reasons are conference powers Boise State and Fresno State. Both programs have big expectations for the season.
Fresno State will assume its typical giant-killing posture with high profile non-conference matchups against Oregon, at Washington and a nasty roadtrip to Louisiana State.
BSU was picked to win their fifth straight WAC title and with a relatively easy schedule (Fresno State and Oregon State visit the blue turf) expectations are high for a 12-0 regular season and the second bid ever for a Mid-Major to play in the BCS. Coming off a national setback in an embarrassing season-opening performance at Georgia last season, the pressure on Boise State has never been greater to regain national relevance. And with Dan Hawkins departed for Colorado, these are fine times to be breaking in new coach Pete Petersen. But he’s an offensive madman, and the Broncos are deep on offense and defense, returning a shit load of starters, so the table is set.
Hometown pride is at an all-time high at Boise. The Idaho Statesman, the local Gannett rag, is pretty modest in all facets except for its new awesome Boise State Football page on its website. Seriously, this is pretty amazing as far as local coverage goes. Check out the Michigan coverage in the Detroit News if you don't agree.
Still, Boise and Fresno are old news, and the recurring criticism of the recent-era WAC has been that as a conference it’s a two-trick pony. (Similar arguments could be made for many conferences and, should West Virginia wash out, the Big East could be characterized as a rare, no-trick pony. And that, Dave Wannstadt, is one ugly hooker.)
But for the first time in recent memory, this may no longer be valid as the conference is developing some depth in emerging powers Nevada and Hawaii. Each of whom will also get to test their mettle against nationally prominent opponents like Alabama, Purdue and Arizona State. Hawaii's got this guy Colt Brennan, who figures to be more prolific than Timmy Chang, and they can usually manage to defeat a jetlagged BCS team out in the Islands. Just ask Alabama or Michigan State.
The bottom of the conference is like any other, but I’d take San Jose State over a Jay Cutler-less Vanderbilt any day because WAC teams can score some points. But from the top to the bottom, the WAC's also a Petri Dish for coaching talent: the Boise State strain dating back to Pokey (RIP) Allen, counts Houston Nutt, Dirk Koetter, and Dan Hawkins among its ranks; according to ESPN Radio Pat Hill is one of only eight mustachioed coaches in D-1A (and its a great mustache); Mike Price revived his career at UTEP when they were in the conference. And now Dennis Erickson at Idaho (coming off rebuilding Oregon State) will try to do the same.
While Leinart sits looking for more money, Jay Cutler, who some believe is better, makes a fine start for Denver.
Cutler impressive, but Lions edge Broncos
NFL wire reports
DETROIT (Aug. 11, 2006) -- Rod Marinelli remembers scurrying along the sideline before The Star-Spangled Banner, making sure the Lions were standing and holding their helmets properly.
Before Marinelli knew it, his debut as a head coach at any level was over.
Each of the Lions' quarterbacks -- Jon Kitna, Dan Orlovsky and Josh McCown -- led scoring drives and Detroit's defense caused three turnovers in a 20-13 victory against the Denver Broncos.
"I love to win," said Marinelli, a former defensive line coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "If we're playing marbles, I'm going to get you."
Third-string quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt drove Denver deep into Detroit territory in the final minute, but on a fourth-and-goal at the 9 his pass behind David Kircus was dropped.
"You couldn't have a better way to finish," Marinelli said. "I like pressure."
Kircus, a former Lions receiver competing for a spot on Denver's roster, had six catches for 76 yards and a score. But he only lamented his final opportunity.
"Any time you get a chance for the ball, have it touch your hand in the end zone on the last play of the game, it's heartbreaking when you don't bring it in," he said.
Even though his team lost, Broncos safety John Lynch was happy to see one of his former coaches get a chance to lead a team.
"This opportunity has been long overdue," Lynch said. "He was a defensive line coach with the Bucs, but he was more than that to guys on both sides of the ball. He's a special coach, and a great guy."
Damian Gregory (93) and Claude Harriott gang up on Denver's Bradlee Van Pelt.
The Lions led 10-0 early in the second quarter and, after losing the lead, went back ahead 17-13 midway through the third. Artose Pinner's 2-yard run was the go-ahead score, set up by Mike Williams' 24-yard catch from McCown. After Denver's third turnover, Matt Prater's field goal early in the fourth quarter gave Detroit a 20-13 lead.
Jay Cutler had a solid debut for the Broncos. The 11th pick in the draft was 16-for-22 for 192 yards and a touchdown.
"He played well, executed the offense," Denver coach Mike Shanahan said. "Both teams were very vanilla in their approach, so you don't get too excited. But a guy's got to go out there and perform, and I thought he showed a lot of poise."
Both starting quarterbacks, Kitna and Denver's Jake Plummer, played only one series and each moved the ball about 60 yards.
Kitna, signed as a free agent to replace Joey Harrington, converted consecutive third downs with an 18-yard pass to Roy Williams and a 10-yard run to set up Jason Hanson's 36-yard field goal.
Plummer got the Broncos past midfield with a 16-yard pass to Darius Watts, then Mike Bell fumbled two plays later -- less than a week after the undrafted rookie moved past Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne to become the No. 1 running back.
"We didn't like the fumble, but that's typical of young guys in the NFL," Shanahan said. "It's similar to what Clinton Portis went through as a rookie. That's why you play those guys in these situations."
Marinelli said earlier in the week McCown would be the second quarterback to play, but Orlovsky took snaps after the coaching staff decided to change plans. The second-year pro made a 24-yard pass to Corey Bradford on his first play and ended his first possession with a good read and accurate toss to running back Arlen Harris for a 20-yard TD and a 10-0 lead.
Cutler took advantage of a turnover by threading a pass through a zone to Tony Scheffler for a 15-yard gain, which set up Jason Elam's 36-yard kick. With 44 seconds left in the half, Cutler threw three passes for 27 yards and Tatum Bell had a 15-yard run before Elam made another field goal to make it 10-6 at halftime.
Tatum Bell finished with 26 yards on five carries and Mike Bell had 20 yards on seven rushes.
Denver went ahead 13-10 early in the third quarter. Cutler looked right and threw left to a wide-open Kircus.
The Lions had 16 players inactive, including five starters on defense and two first-string linemen on offense.
Denver had seven inactives, including receivers Javon Walker (knee) and Rod Smith (hamstring), cornerback Champ Bailey -- coming off a season slowed by shoulder and hamstring injuries -- and defensive end Courtney Brown, whose latest knee surgery was Aug. 9.
GAME NOTES:
After an impressive training camp and one reception for 9 yards, Broncos rookie WR Brandon Marshall left the game in the first half with a strained right knee. Shanahan said he didn't think the injury was serious.
Detroit TE Casey FitzSimmons, who had moved past Marcus Pollard on the depth chart, might be out for two weeks with an injured left wrist.
Denver Broncos Schedule
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