Week 8 in the O5

  I can't resist a military matchup. AFA (MWC) will remain undefeated when they visit a slowly improving Navy(AAC) this Saturday. E Michel will rush for 100 for AFA. AFA 27 Navy 19

MWC: Rebels stay hot at home. Maiava has a solid game at QB. UNLV 30 CSU 20

MAC: Two teams that are 3-0 in MAC play. I'll roll with Gabbert slightly over Finn in an aerial show. Miami O  24 Toledo 21.

Sunbelt- Plenty of tough matchups this weekend. GA St looks hot.  Marcus Carroll will rush for nearly 100 yards.  GA St 23 ULL 20

Oct 22, 2023

E. Michel 22 ATTs, 69 YDs didn't reach 100 yards, but AFA handled Navy 17-6.

UNLV needed 6 FGs to outlast CSU 25-23

Gabbert was injured during the game. Toledo 21- MO 17. My only incorrect pick.

Carroll rushed for 110 yards. GA ST 20 ULL 17. 

Other results: Tulane got a big AAC win at home over NTX. Pratt tossed 3TD passes. San Diego St lost to Nevada 6-0. in MWC action.

Oct 24, 2023

It's Tuesday in the CUSA, and I'll go with "Do it all" Pavia leading New Mex St to a close win at Ruston, LA. NM ST 23 La Tech 21. Coach Kill has the Aggies in gear.

Well Pavia was so-so, but his team won NM st 27- LA Tech 24. Bachmier, who leftt Boise, was the Bulldogs QB.

In other CUSA action, Liberty(8-0) beat WKU 42-29.

Dipping my toe into O5 hoops for 2021/22 season

 I've been consumed with Turkey weekend pigskin, but seeing that Georgia Southern(SunBelt) nearly upset GTech (ACC) yesterday gave me a jolt.

AAC: Mixed day: Big win by the Wichita St Shockers over Missouri(SEC). Tulsa beat Ark-LR, but ninth ranked Memphis got beat 78-59 by Iowa St (Big12).

MWC: New Mexico lost to little Towson U (Colonial), which is located a few miles from my home.

For new readers of this blog. O5 = non P5 football conferences: AAC, CUSA, MAC, MWC, and Sunbelt.

Nov 28, 2021

Andrew Taylor( MRSH - G 20 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST) had a solid game but the #herd couldn't keep up the pace and fell to Indiana(B10) 90-79.

Rough day for the AAC: ECU needed a last minute jumper to escape Coppin, a small MEAC school on the west side of Baltimore City. Cincy lost to Monmouth(MAAC), and Temple eked out a one point win over Delaware(COLONIAL). UCF gave OK (B12) a scare but lost by two points.

Dec 4, 2021

AAC woes continue: USF lost South Carolina St (MEAC) and Tulsa fell to Boise St (MWC).  Houston's AAC path looks easy at this moment.

 CUSA has a hard time with WAC with the UTEP loss to New Mexico St, and the UTSA loss to UTRGV.

Dec 9, 2021

I'm curious about how Buffalo(MAC) continues to move on after losing Coach Oats to Bama after the 2018/19 season. They made it to the NIT last season. Last night Josh Mballa had 19 points for Buffalo in a 77-67 win over Western Kentucky(CUSA).

Dec 11, 2021

 Memphis(AAC) is on a four game losing streak: Iowa St, Georgia, Ol Miss, and Murray St.  They face Bama next on Dec 14.

Dec 14, 2021

Houston (AAC) remains in the top 25. Pretty cool to see Colorado St(MWC) make an appearance after a recent win over Miss St(SEC) raised their record to 10-0.

Dec 15, 2021

What a way for Memphis(AAC) to snap its 4-game losing streak. Deandre Williams scored 20 points for the Tigers in a 92-78 win at Bama.

Dec 24, 2021

two games straight against a non-conference opponent is a rarity. South Bama (Sunbelt) split a series  against Tarleton St, coached by Billy Gillepsie, of the WAC. 

Dec 31, 2021

Covid has screwed with xmas hoops, but how about this: Darin Green Jr. scored a career-high 27 points, and Brandon Mahan added 26 to help UCF(AAC) beat Michigan 85-71. Johnny Dawkins got the best of Juwan Howard in the coaching battle.

In CUSA news, Cobe Williams scored 22 points for La Tech which extended its home win streak to eight games, beating Marshall 79-56.

Jan 11, 2022

Tyler Harris scored 20 points for Memphis in an 87-80 win over Cincinnati in AAC play. Their roller coaster season rides onward when they face UCF tomorrow.  Their only conference loss is to Tulane. Houston 3-0 - 14-2

Memphis 3-1 0.5 9-5

Tulane 3-1   0.5   6-7

Jan 13, 2022

Jaylen Forbes led Tulane (7-7, 4-1 AAC) scored 20 points to a 68-67 conference win over Wichita St. Ron Hunter is starting to turn the Green Wave program around in his third season since leaving Georgia St(Sunbelt).

UCF beat Memphis 74-64.

Jan 16, 2022

Reality checks in AAC with a USF blowout of UCF, and ECU edging Memphis. Houston remains undefeated in AAC play.

Odd to see Marshall, who lost to Rice yesterday, sitting in the CUSA cellar.

Coach Odom, who left my alma mater UMBC, for Utah St (MWC), is finding hoops life bumpier out West. Utah State (10-7, 1-3 MWC) lost Wyoming 71-69 yesterday.

Jan 19, 2022

I haven't looked at the MAC often this season. Ryan Rollins scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in Toledo's 83-70 win over beat Ball State last night. The Rockets are 6-1 in the MAC and 14-4 overall including a win over Tulane. Their next game is against Ohio (5-0 MAC, 14-2). Ohio rolled Miami O by a score of 86-63 last night.

Jan 20, 2022

Hunter Maldonado had 20 points and 12 assists for Wyoming (3-0 MWC, 14-2 overall) in a 69-60 over San Jose State. I watched some of their win over Nevada on Monday night and was impressed with how hot they can get. Their two losses are to Zona and Stanford.

Jan 24, 2022

UTSA is also winless in CUSA play. Jamal Bieniemy had 18 points and 11 rebounds for UTEP in a 59-54 win over UTSA yesterday. 

Jan 28, 2022

UAB 7-1 in the CUSAW is and have won four in a row. They face the #herd tomorrow. The Blazers HC Andy Kennedy was an Asst with Huggy at Cincy before moving onto Ol Miss and UAB.

Feb 1, 2022

I checked on the Wyoming game on FS1 to see Maldonado who started slow but finished with 35 points for the Cowboys in an 84-78 win over Colorado St. 

Pitino Jr's move from Minnesota to New Mexico has been bumpy San Diego State(12-5, 4-2 MWC) 72 New Mexico(8-14, 1-8 MWC) 47

Feb 4, 2022

 I tuned into the ODU/MU game and was disappointed. ODU won mostly cuz the Herd were bad. A bit surprised that WKU blew out Charlotte.

O5 off-season: Hoops and Pigskin

   Calling BS on Coastal Carolina's DeVante' Jones, Sun Belt PoY, using this in his goodbye ,a coach advancing his career by taking a job at a different institution. Why, because it wasn't Head Coach #CliffEllis who left CCU. Assistant coaches are often looking  to become head coaches.  Jones is in  the transfer portal and hoping to be drafted by the NBA this year.

  #TonyBarbee  left Calipari staff at UK for the HC gig at C. Michigan. So I mentioned two former Auburn Head coaches , Barbee and Ellis. in one blog.

april 25, 2021

 Colorado(Pac12) and Colorado State(MWC) have agreed to play each other six more times in a new deal  for the  Rocky Mountain Showdown rivalry that will kick off in 2029. I'm uncertain as to why there's such a gap in years in the intrastate rivalry. The existing deal resumes in 2023 in Boulder, followed in 2024 by the Buffaloes’ first visit to Fort Collins since 1996.

april 27, 2021

I missed this move: Marshall U(CUSA) grad transfer Jarrod West , a 5-11 point guard who averaged 12.5 points and 6 rebounds this season ,  committed to Louisville .

april 28, 2021

Georgia transfer D'Wan Mathis wins Temple (AAC) quarterback competition . Late April is an early time to make that decision.

april 29,2021

I missed this one. Utah State(MWC) hired  head coach Ryan Odom  away from  UMBC,  a school a few minutes southwest of Baltimore City. Odom is best known for coaching the 16th-seeded Retrievers to an upset of 1 seed Virginia in the 2018 Dance. It will  be interesting to see how he recruits out west.

april 30, 2021

Buffalo U football gets raided by Kansas again . In 2006 Kansas hired Turner Gill and today they hired Lance Leipold .

May 5, 2021

DeVante' Jones leaves CCU for Michigan hoops.

May 9, 2021

Buffalo U hired Michigan co-DC Maurice Linguist, who just joined MU's staff in January, to replace Leopold. He coached Buffalo U's defensive backs in 2012 and 2013.

May 18, 2021

There are so many transfers occurring that I take notice of a young man who re-considered a move. #jeremy Singleton decided to return to the Houston Cougars in 2021. His stat line is 55 receptions for 761 yards and five TDs, and he has two years of eligibility remaining.

May 21, 2021

Cain Madden ,a former #herd walk-on and a second-team OL AP All-American in 2020, is using the "super senior" clause to transfer.

May 29, 2021

#artieHenry , a 6-foot-1 wideout who was featured in the Thundering Herd's receiver rotation in each of the last three years, totaling 45 receptions for 517 yards and six touchdowns over his career, is transferring.

June 2, 2021

Buffalo U rewards AD Mark Alnutt with 5-year contract extension before he exits. They lost Football HC Lance Leipold to Kansas a month ago. In 2019, they lost hoops HC Nate Oats to Alabama.

June 3 2021

Kent St(MAC) extends contract for hoops coach Senderoff who has a 196-129 in 10 seasons . He’s also been an assistant at Indiana, Towson, Yale and Fordham. He's recovered nicely from a 2007 NCAA 30-month show-cause penalty for his role in the Kelvin Sampson Hoosiers' scandal.

June 6, 2021

Cool #herd games on CBSSN TV schedule. @ Navy on Sept 4. Hosting UAB on Nov 13

June 12, 2021

#RontaviusGroves , former UNC receiver heads to Texas State (Sun Belt) for his final year of eligibility as a graduate transfer. His best season in Chapel Hill came in 2019 when he caught 27 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown. Good move!

June 15, 2021

Luke McCaffrey transfer: Ex-Louisville, Nebraska quarterback lands at Rice(CUSA). He left Louisville after a few weeks because he wouldn't be the starting QB. These kids are allowed huge shopping privileges.

Cain Madden leaves the #herd for Notre Dame.

june 18, 2021

I missed this move from last Xmas: #grantGunnell , a 6'6 qb who entered the transfer portal after Arizona fired coach Kevin Sumlin, will have a good chance to start at QB for Memphis(AAC). Brady White , last year's starting Memphis QB, was a transfer from Arizona St in 2018, and attended the Titans (NFL) 2021 rookie mini camp.

June 30, 2021

Guess who's coming back? Larry Brown, who got into some trouble while raising SMU (AAC) level of play a few years ago. Memphis (AAC) men's basketball coach Penny Hardaway is likely to hire Larry Brown as an assistant coach.

July 14 2021

frank solich is retiring from Ohio u due to health issues. Solid football career (Nebraska and ohio) . Oc Tim Albin has been promoted to HC, having already agreed to a new four-year contract.

July 16 2021

Cisse, a five-star recruit and AAC RoY after a freshman season in which he averaged 6.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, is transferring from Memphis to Ok St.(B12). I'm not sure how those stats qualified him for any awards.

July 23, 2021

Even kickers make the news. Brooks Buce, a backup kicker for Georgia(SEC) is transferring to Troy(Sunbelt).

July 28, 2021

I guess the service academies have changed their commitment status. Jamale Carothers who was productive during his last two seasons with Navy(AAC), rushing for 1.092 yards and 16 touchdowns, transferred to Western Kentucky(CUSA).

July 29, 2021

Big 12 sent a desist letter alleging ESPN conspired to damage the league by luring Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC . Commissioner Bowlsby claimed that ESPN has actively engaged the (AAC) to pursue "3-5" Big 12 members join the league, suggesting it would be rewarded with future television proceeds. OK and TX could leave earlier with less penalty payments if the B12 were to weaken or collapse

The AAC has an eleven year deal with ESPN. B12 has a split deal with ESPN and Fox Sports.

I tend to rarely believe ESPN on any topic.

August 12, 2021

Coastal Carolina and ULL , both from the Sunbelt, are in some pre-season Top 25 polls

August 26, 2021

Well Penny will have no excuses if Memphis (AAC) doesn't have a great season? He just signed Emoni Bates, No. 3 in ESPN 100 for 2021, to play hoops this season.

aug 30, 2021

Oklahoma transfer #TannerMordecai beat out highly recruited freshman Preston Stone for the SMU starting QB job. Garrett Riley, Lincoln's(OU HC) brother is SMU's QB coach.

Heading toward O5 conference tourney time in 2021

 Central Michigan( 7-15, 3-12 MAC) got 26 points from Caleb Huffman scored  and  then Meikkel Murray made a go-ahead put-back with 2.3 seconds left  for the 81-79 upset of Toledo(19-7, 14-4 MAC)

Buffalo(13-7, 11-5 MAC) edged Akron(14-7, 12-6 MAC) 80-78

It's looking like Memphis may be the team who could upend Houston and Wichita St in the AAC tourney. Memphis (15-6, 11-3 AAC ) defeated South Florida(8-11, 4-9 AAC) 73-52 for its sixth straight winand they'll face Houston on Sunday in the final regular season game.

March 4

Trey Wade scored a career-high 23 points on 9 of 12 shooting for Wichita State in a 78-70 AAC win over Tulane 78-70. That's 6 straight Ws for the Shockers.

In the MWC SDST got by UNLV in a so-so performance, while Colorado St  defeated  UNM and is the hottest MWC team heading into the conference tournament.

March 5

UTEP(12-11, 8-8 CUSA) accepted a call to play a game at # 13 Kansas(B12) and built an early 15 point lead before crumbling in the final 12  minutes of the game in a 67-62 loss. Bryson Williams led the Miners with 23 points and 13 rebounds. 

FAU crushed MTSU 80-50.

March 9

Michael Almonacy scored a career-high 32 points with six 3-pointers for App St in its 80-73 upset of Georgia State  to win the Sun Belt Conference championship and return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2000. The Mountaineers were in the Southern Conference and coached by Buzz Petersen during the 1999/2000 season.

March 12, 2021

MWCT: Nevada popped Boise St bubble hopes and SDST barely survived Wyoming .

MACT:  Top seeds move forward: Akron, Buffalo, Ohio, and Toldeo

AACT-  Tulane got by Tulsa, and I bet their HC, Ron Hunter, thinks he can pull off one of those miracles  that his GA St squads pulled off in the SunBeltT for years.

mARCH  14, 2021

Cincy edged Wichita St  and if they beat Houston in  AACT, a bubble team possibly SMU will feel the pain. 

Jason Preston scored 22 points for Ohio in a 84-69 victory  over Buffalo, which was trying for a record third straight MAC title.

North Texas beat WKU 61-57 in overtime on Saturday night to win the CUSAT title game and earned its first Dance ticket since winning the Sun Belt tournament in 2010.

San Diego State beat Utah St 68-57 victory  to win the MWC title and secure the league's Dance ticket.

march 15,2021

Belmont, Furman,  and two CUSA teams, Marshall and UAB, are listed as replacement teams for the NIT.

March 18 2021

 NIT: Hollingsworth (21 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST)led Western Kentucky(CUSA) to a 67-63 win over St Marys while Toledo(MAC) lost to Richmond

March 21, 2021

NIT: La Tech does the CUSA right with a win over OL Miss. Buffalo (MAC) lost to Colorado St (MWC) and Memphis (AAC) beat Dayton.

March 23

NIT down to 8 teams.  Four matchups on 3/25 including  two CUSA teams LAtech vs WKU.  Thde only game w/o an O5 team is Richmond(A10) /Miss St(SEC). Colorado St(MWC) faces NC St(ACC) and Memphis(AAC) plays BoiseSt (MWC).

I was bit surprised to see the CBIT is going on in Florida and Coastal Carolina(SunBelt) plays Stetson today.

March 25,2021

Darryl Polk Jr. had 19 points and five steals for  Pepperdine in an 84-61 romp over Coastal Carolina in the CBI final.. Pepperdine finished fourth in the WCC, which Gonzaga ruled.

March 26, 2021

NIT down to four teams: In a battle of CUSA teams Kalob Ledoux scored 20 points, making 6 of 7 3-pointers for Louisiana Tech in a 72-65 win over Western Kentucky 72-65  and will play Mississippi State, a winner over Richmond, on Saturday in Texas.

Colorado ST (MWC) got by NC St and will play Memphis(AAC), a winner over Boise St(MWC).

March 28, 2021

The NIT final is set, and it will be Memphis(AAC) vs Mississippi State(SEC) on Sunday for the title. Memphis rolled Colorado State(MWC) 90-67 and  Mississippi State rolled  Louisiana Tech(CUSA) 84-62.   Ben Howland has a decent stint at Miss St since 2015(116–81 )(.589)

La Tech will face CSU in a matchup for third place.

March 29 , 2021

It wasn't a blowout but Memphis  was in control most of the game in a 77-64 win over Miss St  for the NIT title. Boogie Ellis MEM - G (23 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST)

La Tech  defeated  Col St 76-74 for 3rd place  on a buzzer beater by Kenneth Lofton Jr. LT - F(27 PTS, 13 REB, 3 AST)

April 1, 2021

Coaching news, no foolin: MAC:Akron Zips extend head coach John Groce through 2026 season. He's had more success in the MAC with Ohio and Akron, then the seesaw years at Illinois(Big 10). Ariz St assistant Rashon Burno is on his way to NIU

MWC news: New Mexico hired Richard Pittino quickly after Minnesota fired him, but I don't see it as a good fit. UNLV promoted Kevin Kruger, Lon's son, to HC.

April 7, 2021

This happens from time to time. UTEP(CUSA) head coach Rodney Terry is stepping down and will join Beard's staff at TX. He was a Texas assistant under former head coach Rick Barnes from 2002–11.

April 8, 2021

San Jose State(MWC) replaced Jean Prioleau with  Tim Miles who had some success  at Nebraska(2012-19), a hard gig.

In the MAC Central Michigan fired Keno Davis and Eastern Michigan fired Rob Murphy .

April 13, 2021

E. Michigan(MAC) hired Stan Heath as its new men's basketball coach.

He's an an EMU alum and has previously the coach at Kent State, leading that program to the Elite Eight in 2002. He also guided Arkansas to the NCAA tournament in 2006 and 2007. And did the same at USF in 2012 when they were in the Big East.

April 15, 2021

For years I saw a concrete slab with the Marshall Thundering Herd logo on it standing  in the side yard of a house I'd walk by every two weeks, then a few months ago it was gone. Today, it was back up but in the front yard.  It looks something like this but with more color  and a bull. 

Groundhog Day to the AAC and the O5 hoops

 Houston, we have a meltdown. East Carolina (8-6, 2-6 AAC). #JaydenGardner had 21 points and 15 rebounds for ECU in an 82-73 upset of fifth-ranked Houston  (15-2, 10-2 AAC). Wichita St(6-2), Memphis(7-3), and SMU(6-4) won their conference games  to stay close to the Cougars.

Here's my pre-Groudhog Day blog https://busterother5.blogspot.com/2020/12/o5-football-conferences-hoops-teams-as.html 

feb 6, 2021

Checking in the CUSA: #herd were outscored 54-30 in the 2nd half of a 82-81 loss to ODU. MTSU upset Charlotte and UAB(8-1) keeps trolling with a win over UTEP, but La Tech(8-3) stayed on the Blazers' heels with a win over  North Texas(5-2)

Feb 7 

Nice bounce back the #herd with a strong first half. MU 87 ODU 67. NTX beat La Tech and UAB rolled UTEP.

Feb 9 2021

ECU  crashed quickly after upsetting Houston a few days ago with losses to Memphis and SMU in AAC play.

Moving to the  MWC: Jordan Schakel scored 23 points for the SDST Aztecs in an easy 85-54 win over SJST and UNLV edged AFA.  Aztecs are staying in the MWC hunt. 

feb 11, 2021

Wichita State(12-4, 8-2 AAC) barely survived UCF(5-10, 3-9 AAC) 62-61 last night. Alterique Gilbert scored 17 points including Wichita State's last five points. Houston cruised by USF

Kalu Ezikpe( 22 PTS, 4 REB, 3 STL) led ODU((10-5, 6-3 C-USA) to a 78-76 win over Charlotte and moved the Monarchs to within a half games of WKU in the CUSA East.

Feb 12, 2021

Michael Flowers posted 18 points and seven rebounds for South Alabama in a 73-70 win over Troy . GA St beat Ga Southern. TX St over UTA. ULM over ULL. #sunbelt

feb 17, 2021

#akron appears to be  the rising star in the MAC.  Bryan Trimble Jr. scored 22 points for Akron(13-4, 11-3 MAC) in an81-76 win over NIU. Toledo(17-6, 12-3 MAC) beat Miami O, and Kent State

(13-5, 10-4 MAC) beat WMU.

feb 19. 2021

The Shockers (13-4, 9-2) defeated  Houston (17-3, 11-3) 68-63 and moved into first place in the AAC standings. Tyson Etienne and Alterique Gilbert each scored 16 points for the victors.

feb 21

South Bama beat App St by two points  in each of the back to back games and sits atop at the Sunbelt East at 10-5.

San Diego St(17-4,11-3). swept Fresno St in back to back games and is ranked in the top 25. Boise St(18-4, 14-3) is unranked but  has a better MWC conference and also overall record. Boise will try to rectify  that when they visit SDSU for back to back games.

feb 22, 2021

Houston (18-3, 12-3 American) took out its anger on Cincinnati(7-8, 5-5 American). Quentin Grimes had 20 points and eight rebounds for HU in the 90-52 win.

DeVante’ Jones scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Coastal Carolina(7-5) in a 65-55 win over Georgia Southern and stay tied in the loss column with South Bama(10-5), but it will have to be resolved in a Conference tournament due to all the unbalanced schedules.

feb 24, 2021

MAC tightens up: Ben Roderick and Ben Vander Plas scored 17 points apiece for Ohio in a  90-73 win . Buffalo crushed NIU. 

feb 27,2021

I watched  the first half of the Marshall /NTX game and am not surprised the Herd lost 77-65. They played matador D and, made a ton of turnover s on O. NTX is 9-2 in CUSA play, but La Tech(11-4) and UAB(11-4) won their respective games to stay in the hunt in West .  ODU(9-4) is right there with WKU(8-5) in the West after  Kalu Ezikpe recorded 14 points and 13 rebounds in a 67-61 win over MTSU.

March 1

A flew blowouts yesterday. HOU 98 USF 52 in AAC action. WKU 91 FIU 58 in the CUSA. Utah St 87 Nev 66 in the MWC.

Memphis(14-6, 10-3 AAC) beat Cincy yesterday for its fifth win in a row.

March 2

Guess who's making a late run in the MWC.  David Roddy posted  22 points and 12 rebounds for Colorado State(16-4, 13-3 mwc) Air Force 74-44 win over AFA. CSU is tied with SDSU for first place.

MWC hoops enters 2020

I didn't do my annual MWC prognostication but I'll try to catch up. New Years day conference  games
R. Washington SJST (25 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST) had a big night in a mild (88-85) upset of New Mexico.
San Diego State ( 14-0,3-0) beat Fresno St 62-51
J. Jessup BOISE ( 20 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST) was the key in a 65-54 win over Wyoming.
B. Hamilton UNLV 20 PTS, 6 REB was the key in a 70-53 win over Utah St
Harris scores 20 to lead Nevada over Colorado St. 67-61. Steve Alford, who replaced Eric Musselman who took the Arkansas job, has Nevada  2-0 in MWC play and 9-5 overall
Air Force was idle.

Jan 10

 San Diego St(16-0, 5-0MWC) is 7th nationally. Malachi Flynn (16.1 PTS)(3.4 REB)(5 AST)

Jan 15

#MalachiFlynn (22 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST )  rolls on for SDST((18-0, 7-0 MWC) in a 64-55 win over Fresno St . Jalen Harris scored 20 points including the winning layup for Nevada with nine seconds left. NEV 68 WYO 67

jan 18

 A dash of NBA with MWC hoops: Kawhi Leonard will attend the Feb 1 game against Utah St and become the first San Diego State basketball player to have his jersey retired. SDST is 7-0 in conference play this season and has 1.5 game lead on UNLV(5-1).

jan 26:

While Boise St and the MWC battle over football TV $$, the Blue-turfers hoops team romped over Fresno St 87-63.  Zouzoua scored 20 for Nevada in a 76-74 win over New Mexico. San Jose St beat AFA, and Utah St beat Colorado St. San Diego St (9-0) and UNLV(6-2) were idle in MWC action yesterday.

jan27

 Flynn scored 21 points, Pulliam added a career-high 18 points and the fourth-ranked Aztecs (21-0, 10-0 MWC) held off  UNLV (11-11,6-3MWC) for 71-67 win. UNLV and Nevada are tied for second with 6-3 MWC records.

Jan 30

San Diego St  crushed New Mexico 85-57 to remain undefeated, and is four games up on Colorado St, a winner over Nevada, and Boise St, a winner over San Jose St. UNLV was idle and is 3GB .

Feb 13

San Diego St is a lock for the dance, but   Nevada (16-10, 9-5 Mountain West) has an outside shot and got a much needed win  over UNLV(12-14, 7-6 Mountain West). Jalen Harris had a solid night for Nevada ( 29 PTS, 14 REB, 5 AST) In other action Fresno State (9-16, 5-9 Mountain West)  defeated San José St (7-18, 3-10 Mountain West) 84-78 in OT.

Feb15

San Diego St deserves a 1 seed at the Dance if they finish the season undefeated. They have OOC wins over Creighton, Iowa, and BYU.

feb 19

If MWC  gets a second dance ticket, it will likely be Nevada(17-10, 10-5) who won 88-74 at  New Mexico thanks to a big night from Jalen Harris(28 PTS, 11 REB, 2 AST). Nevada is tied for second with Utah St..UNLV (9-6) blew out Col. St (9-6) 

feb 23

Nevada eked out a win over Fresno St to hang on to second place ahead of UNLV who handed SDST it's first loss of the season and Colorado St who defeated SJST. Nevada and Utah St are tied for second with 10-5 records.

Feb 26

Aztecs recovered from their first loss and beat CSU.  Nevada  and UTAH St, two 12-5 teams are around the bubble after wins respectively over  Wyoming and SJST.

March 6

MWCT Round1:Wyoming burst any bubble chances Nevada had .K. Marble II (24 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST) led WYO to a 74-71 win.  Boise St and Utah St kept their hopes alive with wins. SDST kept rolling. BSU 67 UNLV 61. Utah St 75 UNM 70. SDST 73 AFA 60

March 7

Utah St held off pesky Wyoming and Utah St  beat Boise St. to set up the MWCT final. Utah St should get the 2nd ticket  if they play the Aztecs close. Big night for Sam Merrill USU - G(27 PTS, 4 REB, 7 AST)

March 8

 Sam Merrill (27 PTS, 6 REB, 1 STL) hit a trey with 2.5 seconds left on the clock  for Utah St in a 58-55 win over SDST  in the MWCT final. The Ags are going to the Dance, and the Aztecs won't be a 1 seed.

April 1

AFA brings back Joe Scott who coached them to the Dance in 2004 . Scott has been an asst at Georgia for the last two seasons.

Week 10 Five pack-Other 5

Sunbelt: Georgia Southern has a solid running game and has played well lately but App St behind the passing of Zac Thomas and the running of D. Evans will pull off a 27-23 victory.
AAC: SMU Mustangs travel to Memphis . Can the Mustangs  contain the passing of Brady White or will they suffer their first loss? Memphis D isn't much better. Buechele will outduel White in a 40-39 SMU win.
CUSA: The passing of Reynolds and the running of Lemay have made Charlotte competitive and they 'll give MTSU a good game but fall 30-28
MAC: Slim schedule: Harbison has solid running game for NIU in a road win at C.Michigan.
MWC: Patrick Obrien will lead the  resurgent Colorado St  Rams  to a 40 26 win over the  fading UNLV Rebels. UNLV has struggled since upsetting Vandy

Nov 1

One game , one pick wrong.  Ga Southern's option attack was decent in the first half then got two touchdown runs of 68 and 55 yards from #wesleykennedy  in the third quarter to give them a 24-7 lead. GS 24 AppSt 21.

Nov 3

Wrong on SMU  NIU
Buechele and White each tossed three TDs  in a wild game in which Memphis survived a late SMU rally for a 54-48 win.
CMU had too much O for NIU . Ward and Lewis rushed 281 yards for CMU in a 48-10 win
Correct on  Colorado St and Charlotte
# AnthonyHawkins returned  the opening kickoff for 99 yard touchdown for CSU who went on to a 37-10 win over UNLV.

The rushing duo of C. Lewis(104 yards 2TD) and A.McAlister (103 yards  1TD) led Charlotte to a 34-20 win over MTSU

Week 9 Five pack- Other 5

AAC: Battle of QBs: Justin McMillan (TULN 92-160, 1229 YDS, 9 TD) visits Malcolm Perry (NAVY 124 CAR, 792 YDS, 14 TD). Both teams have been spanked by Memphis this season. Navy win 27-24.
CUSA:  Brenden Knox will rush for at least 125 yards and his Marshall Herd will hold off Ty Storey and the his WKU teammates 22-19
MAC: I'm going to go with Drew Pitt the Ball St Cards again this week. This time they'll hold off Nathan Rourke and the Ohio Bearcats 27-26.
MWC: Fresno St led by QB Josh Reyna is coming off a big offensive win over UNLV. Colorado St  needs this game to stay in contention in the Mountain Division . Marvin Kinsey Jr will get 100 yards, but that won't enough as his Rams will fall to the Bulldogs. 30-20.
Sunbelt: Kaleb Barker (143-223, 1670 YDS, 16 TDs)  leads the Troy Trojans into Atlanta for a shootout that Dan Ellington, the Georgia St QB, will win in a 27-26 squeaker.

Oct 25: 

 AAC: SMU gave up a 96 yard pass play TD with five minutes left but survived Houston 34-31 to remain undefeated. I didn't think the game would be that close.

Oct 27

McMillan led a he!! of a Tulsa comeback  but Navy scrambled into position for a late game winning field goal that made the final score 41-38.
Rohrwasser kicks 53-yard FG for the #herd to survive #wku 26-23. 
Nathan Rourke and the Ohio Bobcats put the brakes on Ball St three gave winning streak in a 34- 21 victory. 
Patrick O'Brien CSU (23-42, 322 YDS, 2 TD) handled Fresno St 41-31
 Tra Barnett GAST (34 CAR, 242 YDS, 2 TD) rolled the Trojans 52-33 
I was 3-2 for the week

Week 4 Other5 OOC matchups

Wyoming(MWC) @ Tulsa(AAC) Two solid RBs ,Brooks of Tulsa and T.Smith of Wyoming, will each go over 100 yards rushing. Home team will win 24-23 and hand the Cowboys their first loss this season
South Alabama(SunBelt) @ UAB(CUSA) This intrastate matchup may turn into an aerial show beat the Jags Johnson and the Blazers Johnstston.  UAB 41 USA  33
Toledo(MAC) @Colorado St (MWC). Rams  get in gear and win 20 17 at home. look for Collin Hill to have a big aerial day for CSU at home.
sept 19- I'll stick with #CSU rams despite just learning that Hill suffered his third torn ACL since 2016 during last week's loss to Arkansas. Coach Bobo  will likely start Patrick O’Brien, a transfer from Nebraska.
sept 20: Meanwhile in AAC play Tulane stunned Houston  38-31 on a 53 yard reception by Mcleskey. 

sept 21 review

Tulsa blew a 17 point lead but got it together late with a Brooks' 19-yard touchdown run and a fumble recovery at the 3-yard line during the final minute in a 24-21 win over Wyoming. 
Johnston threw for 313 yards and 3 Tds in the Blazers 35-3 win over South Bama.
OBrien threw for 405 yards and 1TD and Marvin Kinsey Jr. rushed for 246 YDS, 2 TD
but it wasn't enough to stop Toledo who got  228 rushing yards, 3 TD from Bryant Koback and 119 rushing yatds and 1TD from Mitchell Guadagni. TOL 41 CSU 35

sept 23

 How about San Jose St grabbing five INTs and  winning 31-24 at Arkansas? The last time SJST beat a power conference opponent was in 2006 when the Spartans beat Stanford. 

MWC 2018 football predictions

MWC West

Fresno State-  HC Tedford may have found a home . QB Marcus McMaryion leads an exciting offense. The D is solid
Nevada QB Gangi turned the corner late last season. Solid receiving corps!
San Diego State- Solid D , solid rushing attack
UNLV Rebels' promises running thin? Is rushing tandem, Charles Williams and Lexington Thomas, going to get them a bowl ticket?
San Jose State 14 returning starters
Hawaii Nine returning starters

MWC Mountain

Utah State rides the love (QB Justin Love) train to the MWC title game
Boise State : Broncos are talented, but I'm not sold on Coach Harsin
Colorado State Coach Bobo has tuned up the O but can the Rams D step up?
New Mexico Lobo slide continues
Wyoming Replacing QB Josh Allen will be tough
Air Force  Limited passing game catches up with the Falcons.

Aug 6: Will the #sdst still be able to play at  SDCCU Stadium, the former home of the Chargers, after 2019? San Diego is trying to get more than the $1.1 million rent hike from the Aztecs for the 2020 season.
Aug 14- Meanwhile San Jose State moves Oct 13 home game in aging CEFCU stadium  vs. Army to Levi’s Stadium, home of the 49ers.
Aug 25 - Just rolling my eyes that this intrastate rivalry #coloradost  / #colorado is taking a brief hiatus in 2021-22. Rocky Mountain Showdown will continue in 2023-24.
aug 26: Big opening night win for #Hawaii:  C.McDonald  threw for 418 yards and 3 TDs in a 43-34 a surprise Rainbows  win over Colorado St., led  Samuels who  threw for 537  yards and 5 Tds .  Nico Evans ran for 206 yards and two touchdown in a #wyoming win in a non -conference game at N Mexico St.
sept 1: #Love and the #utahst hurry up/don't sub Offense had Sparty on it's heels for the first 25 minutes, but couldn't prevail as MSU scored a late TDfor the 38-31 victory.  Nevada crushed Portland St. Rough night for SDST who lost 31-10 to Stanford, and Colorado St who lost 45-13 to Colorado.
sept 2: Hawaii Rainbows' offense is the big news in the #MWC.  #cole mcdonald threw for 428 yards and 6 TDs in a 59-41 win over Navy. He has nine TD passes in two weeks. #Boise rolled Troy 56-20.  New Mexico beat Incarnate, Fresno crushed Idaho, and Wyoming was thrashed by Wash St

oct 2

Hawaii remains the biggest surprise #MWC  team (5--1) and 2-0 in conference play. Cole McDonald has toss 24 TD passes and should lead the Rainbows to a home win over the Wyoming . Colorado St has been a disappointment and their season could get worse if they don't beat SJ ST. Utah St has big intrastate game against BYU (Independent). Boise St/SDST is getting all the ink, but Fresno St has an improing offense and will beat an erratic Nevada squad

oct 7

AFA crushed Navy, Hawaii edged Wyoming, Aztecs over the Blue Turfers. Fresno held Nevada to 3 points. Jones (New Mexico) and Samuels (Col St) each threw four tds in wins over respectively ,UNLV and SJST.

O5 teams bowl games thru Dec 16, 2017

New Orleans Bowl: Mason Fine will toss a few TDs leading #northtexas (CUSA) to a  23 -21 win  #troy (Sunbelt)
Auto Nation Cure Bowl: #wku (CUSA) has too much offense for  the erratic Georgia St Sunbelt squad .WKU 31 Ga St 19
Las Vegas Bowl: #boisest  (MWC) doesn't have enough O to keep pace with the Oregon Ducks
New Mexico Bowl :#herd special teams have  been a major role in a decent CUSA season for Marshall (CUSA),  but look for #nickstevens to lead the CSU Rams (MWC) to a 30 20 win.
Camelia Bowl: A healthy Stocksill at QB  will lead #mtsu (Cusa)  to a 27-22 win over Arkansas St (Sunbelt)

Dec 17

If you went against my picks, you went 4-1 yesterday.
Stocksill was decent and #mtsu found enough D to slow down Hansen  for a 35-31 win over #arkst.
Now for my wrong selections.
Silvers  threw 4 TDs and Troy was too much for NTX from the start in a 50 -30 win
Manning threw a few TD and GA St D created a few turnover in a 27-17 win over WKU.
Rypien to Wilson show was key in the BSU win over Oregon
#keion davis rushed for a 141 yards and the #herd D survived a late comeback by Stevens and the CSU Rams. for a 31-28 win

O5 week 5 conference matchups

Conference play starts to pick up  in week 5 and here are my hunches for a games of the week.
AAC: USF is steadily improving and Cincy continues to confuse everyone. Cincy won't contain Q. Flowers, USF multi-purpose QB,  USF 22 Cincy 21
CUSA: Stocksill will lead MTSU to a 36 to 26 road win at North Texas, who beat Rice last week,   but that doesn't mean much this season.
MAC: Miami (OH) gave Cincy a scare last week and will need a lot of passing yard if they 're going to upset a solid Ohio squad. Ohio 24 Miami (OH) 16
MWC: Josh Allen is off to a slow start for Wyoming  who will lose a close one at Colorado St  20-19. Maybe  Coach Bobo (CSU) find some answers on O this week?
SUNBELT: App St 27  GA St 22. Jalin Moore, who ran for 257 yards in the App St win over Akron last week will be a workhorse against GSU who nearly upset Wisconsin two weeks ago.
________
Oct 1 MAC note: BYU 55 Toledo 53 in regulation. #kareemhunt 's 146 yds and 1TD rushing wasn't enough for as Toledo lost a last second BYU FG.
____
Oct 2
AAC: USF 45 Cincy 20  Flowers and Mack had two rushing TDs each for #USF
CUSA: MTSU 30 NT 13 Stocksill did enough and the #MTSU D was solid.
MAC:  #OHIO 17 MIAMI(OH) 7. Bobcats did enough to get the W.
MWC:  Big time wrong on this one .Props to Cowboys RB #BrianHill (166 yards 1 TD) in #Wyoming 's  38-17 win over Colorado St
SunBelt: #Appst 17 GA ST 3 It toook quite awhile for either team to score.
Special mention for #southalabama in a big  win over #sandiegost  (MWC) 42-24. #ColeGarvin, a transfer from #Marshall,   came off the bench and threw for three  TDs and 245 yards

A peak of 2016 MWC football

MOUNTAIN
Colorado St. Coach Bobo turns the corner this season and guides an explosive offense led by QB Nick Stevens.
Boise St. is the pundits darling, but I'm not sold. QB Rypien will get his numbers.
New Mexico Coach Davie got the Lobos to a bowl game behind some exciting play by a versatile QB, Lamar Jordan.
Utah St.: If the Aggies had a better D, I'd pick them to grab the division title.
Air Force  won't repeat it's surprising 2015 division title run
Wyoming  Cowboys will struggle again

WEST
San Diego St. Coach Long D and a solid rushing attack will help the Aztecs repeats as MWC champs.
UNLV- Sanchez Rebels were a bit of a surprise and should be in contention most of the season
San Jose St: QB Kenny Potterhad the highest MWC completing % in 2015. Spartans may be turning the corner.
Nevada visits Notre Dame on Sept 10, a good test for the Wolfpack and the MWC
Fresno St.- New coordinators won't be enough
Hawaii- No pot of gold over the Rainbow this season.

SD St edges Colorado St in the MWC title game.

Aug 26

Long plane ride for Hawaii/Cal game in Australia today, then Hawaii plays Michigan at Ann Arbor, MI on Sept 3, Who made this schedule?

Aug 27

Cal  51 Hawaii  31 . David Webb, a transfer from Texas Tech, didn't miss a beat (4 passing TDs, one rushing TD) replacing Jared Goff, 1st round pick of the LA Rams. It's going to be a long season for Hawaii's D

9/3/16

Colorado St, my pick to win the MWC Mountain division  , got crushed by Colorado in the intrastate rivalry game . Rams Coach Bobo nailed it 

"It's embarrassing. Totally embarrassed our name," 

9/3/16