Former BYU Standout to Ravens

Earlier this month the Baltimore Ravens signed free agent, and former BYU Cougar standout QB, John Beck. Beck had spent the previous 2 years with Miami, playing on only 5 games in 2007, and not at all in 2008.
I'm a huge John Beck fan, but I don't know how well this is going to work out for him. Baltimore already has a "set in stone" starter in Joe Flacco, and a solid young backup in Ohio State product Troy Smith. Neither Smith or Beck have really had a chance to prove themselves at this level, but when it comes down to game time if Flacco gets sidelined, it would be tough for me as a coach to not put in the quick footed Troy Smith.
The Baltimore Sun reported that about a half-dozen teams were interested in Beck, and he chose the Ravens over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Now I trust John Beck. But I'm not sure that this was the best move for him. Sure, he has a good relationship with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. Beck knows the system. But, Baltimore is set on Flacco. He's they're guy, and they're his team. He had a good rookie season last year, and this year plan on him being more confident. Beck's relationship with Cameron is only going to help him maybe land the backup job. The Jags on the other hand aren't as set at the helm. Beck would have at least had a shot at competing for a starting job within the next couple years.
Unless there is a huge accident, or Joe Flacco decides that $1.5 million and an NFL starting job isn't good enough, I don't see John Beck finding his true NFL home for a few more years. By that time it may be too late.

Test

Uploaded by www.cellspin.net

Test

This is a test. I just downloaded a mobile blog application for my iPhone and I wanted to test it out. Stay tuned for my thoughts on the OU TCU game.

Don't Go Out This Weekend!!!!

Stay at home and watch College Football all day long! Here are my top 5 games to watch this weekend, and my picks for the outcome.

#5 - Rice at Vandy

This game hasn't been getting as much hype as it should. Rice is out to prove itself for the first time in a long time, against a quick SEC opponent. But to be honest, Vanderbilt isn't the first team that pops into my head when I think of the SEC.

Both teams are undefeated, each with a win on the road. Rice is averaging 461 yards a game, while Vandy is only gaining about 300 yards a game. That could make a difference.

I pick Rice to take this one 34 - 27

#4 - 13th ranked Kansas at 19th ranked South Florida

This is going to be a good one. Kansas has a great QB receiver mix in QB Todd Reesing and WR Dezmon Briscoe. This year they have hooked up for 201 yards on 16 receptions, and 4 TDs. Look for 2 more from these guys tonight.

But in the end South Florida is going to get to Reesing. DE George Selvie is so explosive and will put some great pressure on the Kansas offense. And on the other side South Florida DE Jarriett Buie will handle Kansas Freshmen OTs Jeff Spikes and Jeremy Hatch with ease. Defense wins ball games.

South Florida beats Kansas 34 - 21

#3 - 10th ranked Wisconsin at 21st ranked Fresno State

This is a big one for Fresno State. They're getting alot of hype as a potential BCS buster so the Bulldogs need a big victory at home against a tough top 10 Wisconsin team.

I like Fresno State in this one. Even though history shows that Wisconsin has the better team statistically, Fresno State just matches up.

With questions surrounding Wisconsin's ability to pass the ball, look for Fresno States talented DBs to step up and make some big plays. Wisconsin will have to rely on their running game. But in the end they wont come up with enough big plays to slow down Fresno State QB Tom Brandstater who has put up some fairly good numbers, but is still looking for his first TD of the season.

Bulldogs 21 - Badgers 14

#2 - UCLA at 18th (should be 15th at least) ranked BYU

As we all know, I am a die hard BYU fan. I wonder who I'm going to pick!

UCLA is looking for some revenge after last years dramatic finish to the Las Vegas bowl which they lost to the Cougars 17 - 16 on a blocked field goal. While BYU looks to carry on in it's "Quest for Perfection" which thus far, although they're undefeated, has looked far from perfect.

In their past 2 meetings UCLA has used it's hard-nosed deffense to gain an edge over the Cougars. But this year BYU is returning most of it's starters on offense from last year. Including standout Quarterback Max Hall, who has been outstanding the past 2 weeks. He has been decisive and precise in his passing. Look for Hall to hook up with favorite target TE Dennis Pitta, and WR Austin Collie.

About 2nd half Craft. I have to give him props for pulling it together after a dismal first half against Tennessee. But this week there is even more pressure on him then there was last week. Last week no one expected much from him. This week we do. If he cant put up the kind of numbers he did in the second half last week then he'll fall apart. Expect BYU to come at him with a lot of different looks to confuse him and pressure him into some bad passes.

UCLA's only real hope is their defense, but I just don't think they can handle BYU's stellar offense this year.

BYU wins at home 37 - 24

#1 - 5th ranked Ohio State at 1st ranked USC

Without Bennie Wells the Buckeyes don't stand a chance. Marc Sanchez is having a great year.
'Nuff said....

USC wins 37 - 20. Sorry Buckeyes No BCS title this year!

Some of you people...I swear!!!

******DISCLAIMER*******
I'm pretty worked up right now!!!

I am sick and tired of the Associated Press, and the friggin ESPN polls, and the BCS polls, and the Coaches polls, and the strippers polls that are so quick to crucify BYU Football for any and every reason they can.

This week BYU went into Husky Stadium in Seattle, WA ranked numer 15 in the nation, and took on a PAC 10 opponent in the University of Washington, and they won. Now they're ranked numer 18? Are you serious?

Sure UW isn't the toughest of teams from the PAC 10 conference, but it's still a PAC 10 team, and BYU still won. I guess we dont reward teams for victory anymore. The least they could have done was left us at number 15. Utah stayed at 22, and they beat an even less impressive UNLV squad from a non-BCS conference. Why y'all gotta be pickin' on my coug's like that, huh?

Okay, so BYU only won by a point, and that was even controversial, but get ready, I'm about to go off about that.

NCAA College Fooball Rules
SECTION 2. Noncontact Fouls
Unsportsmanlike Acts
ARTICLE 1. There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct or any act
that interferes with orderly game administration on the part of players,
substitutes, coaches, authorized attendants or any other persons subject to
the rules, before the game, during the game or between periods.
a. Specifically prohibited acts and conduct include:
1. No player, substitute, coach or other person subject to the rules shall
use abusive, threatening or obscene language or gestures.....
2. After a score or any other play, the player in possession immediately must return the ball to an official or leave it near the dead-ball spot. This prohibits:
(a) Kicking, throwing, spinning or carrying (including off of the
field) the ball any distance that requires an official to retrieve it.
(b) Spiking the ball to the ground [Exception: A forward pass to
conserve time (Rule 7-3-2-d)].
(c) Throwing the ball high into the air.
(d) Any other unsportsmanlike act or actions that delay the game.
PENALTY—Dead-ball foul or live-ball foul treated as dead-ball foul. 15 yards [S7 and S27] from the succeeding spot. Flagrant offenders, if players or substitutes, shall be disqualified [S47]. If a player or an identified squad member in uniform commits two unsportsmanlike fouls in the same game, he shall be disqualified.

I've taken the liberty of highlighting they key points to the Unsportsmanlike conduct rules of the NCAA. Now here are my thoughts.

1) This is insane. You might as well tell the players that they can't smile after a score. The rule needs to be changed ASAP. And by the way, the soonest time possible to address and change rules is at the end of the season.

2) In the case of UW and Jake Locker vs. the NCAA and the PAC-10 officiating crew we find the NCAA and the PAC-10 officiating crew not guilty....Even though it is a dumb rule, and the rule caused UW much pain, and anger, the refs followed the rules, and they did not step outside the line. BYU and UW both went into the game expecting that the refs would follow the letter of the law in their officiating, anything less would have been unjust. Therefore if the official would have made a better "judgement call" like all UW fans, and BYU haters are calling for, then BYU would have gotten screwed. And I'm not saying that out of selfishness. The call was justified, the outcome of the game was within the rules, and was just. Nothing could have or should have been changed.

3) Take a look at the image to the right. This is a photo of UW's extra point attempt (after of course the 15 yard penalty was assesed ) . We can clearly see Jan Jorgensen's (#84) hand very easily blocking the attempt, but I want to point out a few other things while we're here.
Please note that there are 3 other Cougars in prime position to block the kick. They include #42 Shawn Doman (upper center) and #52 Russell Tialavea (upper right). So don't give me this lower kick for distance mumbo jumbo. THAT KICK WOULD HAVE BEEN BLOCKED FROM THE ONE YARD LINE. Why don't we give some credit to BYU's special teams unit for making a second clutch, game-winning block, against yet another PAC-10 opponent. BYU won the game. Let's give them some credit. More that a 3 spot drop in the top 25 poll. They deserve more than that.

I would argue that this conroversy hurts BYU more than it hurts UW. Why you say? Because it turned the world against BYU. Everyone is blaming the Cougars who tried their best and played a good game. BLAME THE RULE MAKERS!!! I can tell you who they are if you want to write them a letter:

NCAA Football Rules Committee
* Not eligible for re-election.

Chair
Mike Bellotti
Division I (FBS)
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
97403
Term expires
9-1-09*

Secretary-Rules
Editor
Rogers Redding
Division I (FBS)
Southeastern Conference
Birmingham, Alabama 35203

Frank Carr
Division III
Earlham College,
Richmond, Indiana
47374
Term expires 9-1-10*

Gil Cloud
Division II
Upper Iowa University
Fayette, Iowa 52142
Term expires
9-1-10*

Randy Edsall
Division I (FBS)
University of Connecticut
Storrs, Connecticut 06269
Term expires
9-1-11*

Chris Hatcher
Division I (FCS)
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia
30460
Term expires
9-1-11*

Todd Knight
Division II
Ouachita Baptist University
Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71998
Term expires
9-1-11*

Tony Samuel
Division I (FCS)
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701
Term expires
9-1-09

Ron Prince
Division I (FBS)
Ron Prince
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas 66502
Term expires
9-1-09*

Rocky Rees
Division II
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania 17257
Term expires
9-1-10*

Ky Snyder
Division I (FCS)
University of San Diego
San Diego, California 92110
Term expires
9-1-10*

Welcome

So here it is....I've had a blog for almost a year now, and I'm not going to lie, I think about 4 people have EVER read it...EVER. So I decided to create a new blog, one that people actually might want to read. There are some things you need to know
1) This is a SPORTS BLOG. If you're looking for recipes, or ideas for decorating your
house,you are in the wrong place.
2) I'm VERY biased! This is an opinion blog. I will defend BYU Sports to my grave. In this
blog BYU will always have a chance. But at the same time not all of my posts will be about
BYU. I want this to be as well rounded as possible, so if there is anything you want my
opinion on, leave me a note or comment. I'll do my best to voice my absolutely, brutally
honest, off the wall opinions.
3) I really want people to read this, so tell your friends, and give me feedback!