Boise State Might, Finally, Have a Chance
By Eddie Mayrose
After years of controversy regarding the BCS exclusion of Mid-Major conferences from 
consideration for the BCS Championship game, Boise State, the poster child for successful, smaller programs with title aspirations, looks to have its fate in its own hands. Ranked as high as #2 in major College Football polls as well as #1 by CollegeSportsView.com, the Broncos seem to be in a position to have a perfect season rewarded.
Led by legitimate Heisman hopeful Kellen Moore, Boise brings as much talent and depth to the table as any of the elite programs. Head Coach Chris Petersen is as innovative as any coach in the country, they play an up-tempo style on both sides of the ball and their blue field, (Smurf Turf) is just plain cool. Everything is in place for the Broncos to stake their claim to the College Football throne, if they can just get past Week One. Continue reading »
Locks Return for 2010 College Slate
CollegeSportsView.com
They’re back. The Lock family, Gil, his wife Jill and nephew Pad, have agreed to return to 
CollegeSportsView.com for another stellar season of College Football prognostications.
When we last left the locks, Gil, of Ryno Rife Sports Handicappers, had spent most of the season sullying the family name. It was for this reason that his wife, Jill, started to submit her own weekly selections, as Gil’s picks had become a source of embarrassment. Good thing, too, as Jill was a winner two-thirds of the time. Then, nephew Pad Lock got into the act, helping to bump up the record even further. Perhaps inspired by their performance, even Gil started to come around by Bowl Season.
So, here they are again, fresh off a 2009 campaign that returned an exceptional 55-45-1 record. The season kicks off tonight and, true to form, the Locks are all over the Thursday night action. Good luck!! Continue reading »
College Football Bowls Conspire To Protect BCS System
Boise State vs. TCU in the Fiesta Bowl? With the sleight of hand used by a magician, the College Bowls make 
themselves appear to be magmanimous by granting a sscond BCS bid to a non-conference school while diverting our attention from their bigger goal; protecting their wallets by diffusing the uproar for a playoff system to determine a champion in the NCAA Bowl Championship division. Nice try, guys.
With five unbeaten teams headed into the Bowl Season, anti-BCS sentiment was running at an all time high and figured to ramp up to an intolerable level if as many as four were left standing after their Bowl Games. A likely scenario, as contracts between the Bowls and certain conferences should have had Cincinnati facing Georgia Tech in the Orange, TCU against Florida in the Sugar, Boise matched up with Iowa in the Fiesta with Texas and Alabama deciding the Championship. While the loser of the BCS title game would have dropped from the ranks of the undefeated, it wouldn’t have surprised anyone if all of the other perfect teams finished that way. How then, would the powers-that-be quell the demand for a playoff?
Here’s how. Using loopholes to get around the conference agreements, the Sugar Bowl drafted Cincinnati as its BCS at-large team and the Fiesta paired Boise State with TCU; robbing both schools and college 
football fans of the opportunity to see how these “outsiders” would fare against the big boys. What they did create, though, was a scenario where only one team beside the champ is unbeaten. TCU is much better suited to handle Florida than the boys from Cincy who’d have had a much easier time with Georgia Tech in the Orange. Considering that the Bearcats will head into the Sugar Bowl without their head coach, beating Florida will be difficult. As for the Fiesta, the loser is out of the conversation.
Every year we hear the same nonsense from NCAA officials about the logistical difficulty of staging an eight or sixteen team playoff. Travel and academics are the two obstacles most often cited. They’d have merit, too, if only the NCAA’s lower divisions didn’t already participate in a 32 team format. What’s the old saying? When they say it’s not about the money, it’s always about the money.
By Eddie Mayrose
Does BCS Stand For “Boise Can’t Stay”?
Fans of the College Football Bowl season were spared a post-season stinker last Saturday when Oklahoma State was drubbed by Oklahoma 27-0 and saw its BCS aspirations dashed. Those in the know expected that
State would receive a bid to the Fiesta Bowl; creating a matchup with one of the Big Ten’s overrated, weak sisters, Iowa or Penn State. Representatives of the Fiesta Bowl were prepared to snub an undefeated Boise State squad for the second consecutive year and completely ignore the Broncos’ heroics in their 2007 Fiesta victory over Oklahoma; possibly the best Bowl Game ever played.
It’s a ridiculous system employed by the NCAA when it comes to football. There are playoffs at every level except the highest, where multiple teams with unbeaten records are denied an opportunity to play for a title. That one of College Football’s most successful teams needed help to get an invite over a school with three losses is as ridiculous as it gets. We’ll count our blessings, however, that things broke the right way and saved Fiesta Bowl officials from their own stupidity.
Conference Championship Weekend
Five of the six BCS conferences will have their championships decided this weekend; three in conference title games and two by way of convenient scheduling. Only the Big Ten, wrapped up a few weeks ago by Ohio State, won’t crown a champ on Saturday. In addition, Army and Navy will battle for the Commander-in-Chief Trophy in Philadelphia while Johns Hopkins travels to Delaware for the Division III quarterfinals. Johns Hopkins? Read on.
SEC Football Championship: Florida vs. Alabama
This is the one we’ve waited for all year as the two schools have been ranked 1 and 2 for most of the 
season. The anticipation seems to have distracted fans from the fact that both have suffered lapses; especially the Crimson Tide. Florida football fans expect the world from QB Tim Tebow but will have the title delivered by the Gators’ dominating defense, especially if ‘Bama RB Mark Ingram can’t rebound from the bruised hip that limited him to just 39 yards vs. Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Florida 23 – Alabama 13
ACC Football Championship Game: Clemson vs. Georgia Tech 
Both teams come off disappointing losses in intra-state rivalry games; perhaps caught looking ahead to this rematch. Georgia Tech knocked off Clemson in Week 2 on a last second field goal that gave the Yellowjackets a 30-27 win. Clemson will look to RB C.J. Spiller to pull the upset but Tech’s Josh Nesbitt will lead his squad to the Orange Bowl.
Georgia Tech 34 – Clemson 27
Big 12 Football Championship Game: Texas vs. Nebraska
Heisman front runner Colt McCoy should have no trouble continuing the recent Texas football tradition 
of playing for a National Championship. While Nebraska has played well recently in capturing the Big 12 North title, they’ll be no match for the Longhorns. Texas, currently enjoying its second week atop the CollegeSportsView.com Top 25, has barely been challenged in the Big 12 all season. Saturday will be no different.
Texas 48 – Nebraska 20
Pac Ten Football Championship: Oregon vs. Oregon State
This year, the Civil War will determine who goes to the Rose Bowl. Ducks’ QB Jeremiah Masoli has emerged 
as the league’s most important offensive player after leading blowout wins over Cal and USC. A slip vs. Stanford served as a wakeup call, one that rang the alarm bell for Oregon’s run to Pasadena. Their gutty, overtime win over a desperate Arizona squad on the road last week served notice as to the team’s resilience. That they’ve managed to navigate such a tough conference without their best player, LeGarrette Blount, spells big trouble for Ohio State on New Year’s Day. Besides, is there a college football fan anywhere that’s not waiting to see Oregon’s Rose Bowl uniforms?
Oregon 38 – Oregon State 34
Big East Football Championship: Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh 
While Pitt took one on the chin vs. West Virginia last week in the Backyard Brawl, the loss had no impact on its Conference Title chances. Cincinnati QB Tony Pike returned to the starting lineup and celebrated with a school record six TD passes. However, Cincy has surrendered quite a few points over the last two weeks and can’t help but be distracted by Head Coach Brian Kelly’s flirtation with Notre Dame. Dion Lewis runs wild as Pitt heads south for the Orange Bowl.
Pittsburgh 31 – Cincinnati 28
Army-Navy 
It’s a good thing that the tradition is the big sell in this matchup as it’s been a long time since Army’s been able to compete in this one. Navy’s ground attack, behind sophomore OT John Dowd, will be too much for the Cadets to handle as the Middies grab their eighth straight victory in the series. No matter the outcome, don’t miss the singing of the Alma Maters after the game as it’s the best moment of the College Football season. Always emotional, it’ll be the last game for the Army seniors while just a bowl game remains for the Annapolis grads before many find themselves in harm’s way. Godspeed. John Dowd
Navy 37 – Army 10
NCAA Division III Quarterfinals: Johns Hopkins vs.Wesley
It’s been a wild ride over the last two weeks as Johns Hopkins has knocked off two previously unbeaten 
teams on its way to the third round of the D-3 playoffs. Operating behind an offensive line led by junior guard Ryan Lino (right), the Blue Jays have gained more than 400 yards in each game with a balanced attack run by QB Hewitt Tomlin. RB Andrew Kase has posted consecutive 100 yard games, as has WR Dan Crowley. Their last minute heroics vs Kentucky’s St. Thomas More in Saturday’s 31-29 victory put K Alex Lachman in position for a game winning 42 yard FG as time expired. They’ll have their hands full this week, however, taking on a Wesley team ranked third in the nation. If Lino and Company can continue their dominance and give Tomlin enough time to throw, Crowley should turn in another big game and it’s on to the Final Four for the Hops.
Johns Hopkins 26 – Wesley 24
CollegeSportsView Top 25
1. Texas 12-0
2. Florida 12-0
3. TCU 12-0
4. Alabama 12-0
5. Boise State 11-0
6. Cincinnati 11-0
7. Oregon 9-2
8. Ohio State 10-2
9. Georgia Tech 10-2
10.Pittsburgh 9-2
11.Virginia Tech 9-3
12.BYU 10-2
13.Oregon State 9-3
14.Miami 9-3
15.Iowa 10-2
16.LSU 9-3
17.Penn State 10-2
18.West Virginia 8-3
19.Houston 10-2
20.USC 8-3
21.Nebraska 9-3
22.Central Michigan 10-2
23.California 8-3
24.Oklahoma State 9-3
25.Stanford 8-4
Five to Watch
Johns Hopkins 10-2
Navy 8-4
Mississippi 8-4
Northwestern 8-4
North Carolina 8-4
By Eddie Mayrose
Lock Family Continues Winning Ways Despite Gil’s Bungling
It was another 5-4 week for the Locks as they continue to produce winning Saturdays; albeit by the closest of margins. Once again, 
however, it was the vaunted Gil Lock of Ryno Rife Sports Handicappers who dragged down the rest of the team. But for his season long ineptitude, the Lock team would be clipping along at a success rate of sixty-seven percent.
“I just haven’t been a good judge of pace”, said Gil in a hapless attempt to exp[lain his miserable record. “I can’t put a finger on the hot team or player. It’s affecting my whole life. I can’t even shop anymore.” Asked to explain, Gil started to ramble. “The other day at the supermarket, I bought enough groceries for a month. At the checkout, I noticed an enormous bag with a big handle, put everything in it and left the store. Turns out it was the manager’s hat. He was so pissed, he banned me from the store; even after I tried to smooth him over with some cash I’d won in Atlantic City. It’s been an ugly year.”
Ugly, maybe. But at least his family has been there to prop him up. There’s still a few weeks left for Gil to straighten things out. Here’s how he plans to start.
Locks of the Week
Gil Locks (10-13-1)
Iowa -10 over Minnesota
- In just two short weeks, Iowa football fans have seen their boys blow a shot at the BCS title game as well as the Rose Bowl. They’ll take out their anger on a Minnesota football team that struggled last week with South Dakota State.
Notre Dame -6 over Connecticut
- Haven’t backed Notre Dame football all year but something’s got to give for poor Charlie Weis. The much maligned defense of the Irish actually looked a little better last week and UConn football isn’t exactly run and shoot.
Rutgers -8 over Syracuse
- Say this for Rutgers football: They may play a high school schedule to start the year but they always finish strong. Bad news for Syracuse, one of the worst teams in the nation.
Jill Locks (16-8)
LSU +3 over Mississippi
- LSU’s two losses came in close games against the nation’s #1 and #3 teams. Ole Miss, on the other hand, has failed to deliver on its pre-season promise. LSU big.
Nevada – 31 1/2 over New Mexico
- Here’s some “Arifemetic” for you. Became a believer in Nevada after they cruched Fresno, a very good team. They’re playing great right now; averaging 50 PG over their seven game winning streak while New Mex has scored just 16 TOTAL over their last four.
TCU – 31 1/2 over Wyoming
- Every week I look at the TCU line and think it’s too big. Last week I even went against them as they destroyed a good Utah team. I won’t be fooled again.
South Florida – 11 1/2 over Louisville
- Ever heard of “The Ville”? Neither had I until I saw the ridiculous moniker across the chests of the Louisville players last week. The only thing more ridiculous is the notion of Louisville as a Division I football team. South Florida has had a tough season but has managed to work its way through injuries to post a very good record.
Pad Locks (6-3)
UTEP – 6 1/2 over Rice
- While UTEP has lost three straight, they’ve scored more than 30 points in each game; led by the nation’s second leading rusher, Donald Buckram. Rice comes in at 1-9 averaging just 17 PPG while allowing 41. “Arifemetic” strikes again.
Ohio – Northern Illinois over 43.5
- Uncle Gil has always been a MAC football fan and it’s rubbed off on me. Both teams come into the game with 7-3 records averaging better than 24 PPG. Simple “Arifemetic” says this one’s going over.
Oregon -5 over Arizona
- Can’t believe that Oregon will let this one slip away. Arizona spit the bit last week as far as a Pac Ten title is concerned and will have to rally to get ready for a Ducks’ team that should be welcoming back LeGarrette Blount.
