Air Force to play at Michigan in 2012

Quick Links: Jan. 26th

Some quick notes from around the West:

• The Mountain West officially announced there will be no expansion at this time.  This came on the heels of speculation that Utah State and possibly San Jose State could be added soon.
• Also officially annouced from the MWC is a schedule move that changes the lone in-conference matchup between TCU and Boise State from Fort Worth to Boise. 
• Ex-Michigan QB Tate Forcier has included San Diego State and New Mexico on his list of possible transfer destinations.
• Speaking of the Aztecs, new head man Rocky Long has named Andy Ludwig the new offensive coordinator. After four years at Utah, Ludwig has been the OC at Cal for the last two years.
• New uniforms for Utah? Here was our discussion yesterday about the matter.

Utah to get new football unis? And does it indicate a departure from Utes imagery?

Rumors are swirling as a mock-up that seemingly has come from Under Armour for new Utah football unis is making its rounds on the interwebs.  Here is the mockup:

Here is what people are saying about this on the wide world of Twitter:

MWC: No expansion for now

SDSU @ BYU: By The Numbers

BYU Photo

The lines of students have already formed in Provo for tomorrow night's marquee MWC matchup between San Diego State and BYU.  Just like TCU @ Utah in football this past season, the matchup will be the first-ever in-conference meeting between two Top 10 teams for the conference.

Here is a rundown of the matchup by the numbers:

Boise State and the new MWAC

With the reports of Utah State and San Jose State's imminent promotion to the Mountain West Conference, many Boise State fans are noticeably upset at just how disastrous their expansion move has ended.  Back in the summer of 2010, Boise State joined a MWC with TCU, Utah, and BYU still a part of the coalition.  With the addition of a fourth top-tier football program, the MWC looked like it was on its way to automatic qualifying status to the BCS.  Then....EXPANSION CRISIS!

Report: Utah State and San Jose State to the MWC

Jared Eborn, friend of The Upset and former Deseret News employee is reporting that Utah State will be invited to the Mountain West Conference.  Current DNews reporter Kraig Williams added that San Jose State would also be added, giving the Mountain West Conference 12 teams and the ability to hold a football championship game.

Quick recap of the Mountain West / Western Athletic expansion soap opera:


Leaving the Mountain West:  BYU (2011) Utah (2011) TCU (2012)
Leaving the WAC for the MWC: Boise State (2011) Fresno State (2012) Nevada (2012) Hawaii (2012 football only)
Rumored squads leaving the WAC for the MWC: Utah State (?) San Jose State (?)

If the rumors are true, the Mountain West Conference would have 12 football members and 11 basketball members moving forward.

The Western Athletic Conference, on the other hand, is dealt another deathblow and the football programs of New Mexico State and Idaho look to be the chief martyrs.

Check back with The Upset for continuing coverage of EXPANSION CRISIS 2011!

Utah marketing dept. has some explaining to do

We saw this hat at a local Lids while doing some hat shopping today.  Yes, you see it correctly, a blue Utah hat. Had the U drum and feathers on the back.  Interesting choice. What should we think of this?

UNLV evaluating on-campus stadium options

The Las Vegas Review-Journal is reporting that UNLV is in talks with private entrepreneurs to build a new football stadium and entertainment complex, in addition to upgrading the Thomas & Mack Center.

This would be a huge development for the Rebel football program in its ability to attract recruits.  It would also be huge for the university.  An attractive and sizable football venue in such a fantastic travel destination would be perfect for the Pac 12 Football Championship Game and other big-time events such as the NBA All-Star Game.  It could also lead to the Vegas Bowl becoming a higher-profile bowl game.  Personally, I think these investors are on to something. All of these things could lead to quite a large cash-flow, and if it's a public-private partnership, the university would see some of the money as well.

NCAA Rules: WAC can keep auto-berths

The NCAA has ruled that the WAC will be able to keep its automatic NCAA berths into the future, as long as the conference retains its members that currently have no plans to leave.  This was done by abolishing the clause that states a conference must keep a core membership of six schools for at least five years.

In that rule's place, the NCAA now requires conferences to have seven active Division I members, all of which sponsor men's basketball, and six that sponsor at least five other sports, including football.

Boise State will be leaving the conference this July, and Nevada and Fresno State will leave in July 2012.  The lineup of Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, San Jose State, and Utah State is set to be expanded shortly thereafter with Denver (non-football), Texas-San Antonio, and Texas State.

Utah hires OL coach, BYU inside WR/TE coach

As Utah tries to sort out the contractual details of hiring Norm Chow, they have hired Tim Davis to be offensive line coach for the Utes.  Davis was the offensive line coach at Minnesota under Tim Brewster before Brewster was fired and is a former Utah player.

An email has also gone out to media saying that BYU will announce Joe Dupaix as its new inside wide receivers and tight ends coach in the next 48 hours. Dupaix has been serving as the slot receivers coach at Navy and has strong ties to BYU as he is good friends with new offensive coordinator Brandon Doman.

Chow to Utah: Not quite a done deal

Yesterday, InsideTheUtes.com (the Utah page of Scout.com), reported that Norm Chow has been hired by Utah to be the offensive coordinator for the Utes as they enter Pac 12 play.  As of today, it appears that Chow and UCLA will have some legal matters to work out before this can happen.

Boise State gets home-home with Washington

Boise State and Washington have agreed to a two-game, home-and-home series that has Boise traveling to Washington to open the 2013 season, and Washington giving a return trip in 2015.

Boise gets the honors of opening the 2013 season at Washington, as it will be the first game UW hosts in a completely-renovated Husky Stadium.  Renovations are so vast that Washington will be playing at the Seahawks' Qwest Field for 2011-12.  Washington showed they were serious about the home-home series that they agreed to a $1 million buyout for the 2015 game in Boise.

"The Upset" Bowl Mania Final Standings

Here are the final standings for our Bowl Mania group.  Thank you all for participating, but unfortunately there will be no prize awarded as our own DJ Beckett was the winner.  We humbly mention that all three of The Upset contributors finished in the Top 10, two in the Top 3, a good finish to our predictions to top off our 82% average from the regular season. Here is how everyone finished:

Hoke to the Victors: SDSU coach hired by Michigan

After rumors swirled of Jim Harbaugh and Les Miles, the University of Michigan hired Brady Hoke as its new head coach today.  Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said that while discussions were had, the job was never offered to Harbaugh or Miles, and Hoke was Plan A from the beginning.  Hoke was said to have told SDSU brass that his heart was at Michigan, and if they ever came calling he would go without hesitation.
Mark Snyder from the Detroit Free Press has the story.

This comes as a big blow to San Diego State, who just won their first bowl game in what felt like the first time, it had been so long for the Aztecs.  The future of SDSU defensive coordinator Rocky Long seems to be unclear, although it has been rumored that the university would be ready to offer him the job if Hoke left.

Petersen staying in Boise

After some speculation that Chris Petersen was the front runner for the open job at Stanford, Boise State announced that he will be back as head coach of the Broncos.  Also, Brent Pease, after accepting the job to be offensive coordinator at Indiana 12 days ago, has said he will now be returning to Boise State to be the offensive coordinator and QB coach to step in for Bryan Harsin, who left to be the offensive coordinator at Texas.  Read the story here from Chad Crippe of the Idaho Statesman.

Carta-Samuels leaves Wyoming

Wyoming QB Austyn Carta-Samuels has not enrolled this semester at Wyoming and intends to transfer to a junior college. Eric Schmoldt from the Casper Star-Tribune has the story on his transfer.

Also, an email Austyn Carta-Samuels sent to Mr. Schmoldt as well.

BCS Title Game Predictions

#2 OREGON (12-0)

vs. 

#1 AUBURN (13-0)

Jan. 10 -- 6:30 pm MT -- ESPN

Fight Hunger Bowl Predictions

#15 NEVADA (12-1)

vs. BOSTON COLLEGE (7-5)

Jan. 9 -- 7:00 pm MT -- ESPN

MWC/WAC Recruiting Update

With the U.S Amry All-American Bowl currently airing on NBC we take a look at the current state of recruiting in Western Non-AQ land.

2011 MWC Rankings
33. TCU
44. Utah
55. BYU
78. Colorado State
83. San Diego State
94. Wyoming
97. Air Force
102. New Mexico
112. UNLV

2011 WAC Rankings
62. Boise State
82. Louisiana Tech
96. Nevada
99. Fresno State
101. Utah State
103. Idaho
104. New Mexico State
106. Hawaii
116. San Jose State

These numbers are available via Scout.com.

For a little context to these rankings think back to the Boise State class of 2007. It was ranked as the 57th best in the country. Who was in this class? Kellen Moore, Titus Young, Austin Pettis, DJ Harper, and Doug Martin.

This is simply an overview of individual recruiting and we will bring you further analysis as we get closer to signing day.

MWC/WAC Coaching updates

All eyes have been on coaches this week between the New Year's Bowls and the BCS title game.  There has been some news in our neck of the woods:

--Earlier this week, BYU announced the promotion of QB coach Brandon Doman to offensive coordinator after the resignation of Robert Anae, who has since been hired as co-offensive coordinator at Arizona.
--Just today, Boise State offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin accepted Mack Brown's offer to go to Texas to be the co-offensive coordinator and primary playcaller.
--TCU has just locked up head coach Gary Patterson until 2018 after TCU announced he has signed a contract extension.  Horned Frog fans can stay excited about their move to the Big East.
--San Diego State's Brady Hoke continues to be in the discussion for Michigan's open head coaching job

Cotton Bowl Predictions

#11 LSU (10-2) vs. 

#17 TEXAS A&M (9-3)

Jan. 7 -- 6:00 pm MT -- FOX

Sugar Bowl Predictions

#6 OHIO STATE (11-1)

vs. #8 ARKANSAS (10-2)

Jan. 4 -- 6:30 pm MT -- ESPN

Utah CB Burton to enter NFL Draft

Utah junior cornerback Brandon Burton announced today that he will be entering the NFL Draft.  Click on the post title for the piece from Dirk Facer of the Deseret News.

Former BYU OC Anae lands at Arizona

After officially resigning from the BYU coaching staff a few days ago, Robert Anae has been hired by Mike Stoops at Arizona to what appears to be the position of co-offensive coordinator. Click on the post title to link to the piece from Jeff Call from the Deseret News.

Orange Bowl Predictions

#4 STANFORD (11-1)

vs. #13 VIRGINIA TECH (11-2)

Jan. 3 -- 6:30 pm MT -- ESPN

Frogs come up Roses: TCU 21, Wisconsin 19

LB Tank Carder led TCU's defense in a statement performance
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

In a game where many felt TCU would be unable to withstand Wisconsin's power, the Horned Frogs' defense proved worthy en route to a 21-19 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday evening at the Rose Bowl, completing TCU's perfect 13-0 season.

Jan. 1 Bowl Previews

Even though New Year's Day is not nearly as awesome as it used to be, we still have a slate of six bowl games to enjoy today:

TICKETCITY BOWL - Northwestern vs. Texas Tech
OUTBACK BOWL - Florida vs. Penn State
CAPITAL ONE BOWL - Alabama vs. Michigan State
GATOR BOWL - Mississippi State vs. Michigan
ROSE BOWL - Wisconsin vs. TCU
FIESTA BOWL - Connecticut vs. Oklahoma