This Week in Pageantry...

While you were wondering why they don't call it "University of West Florida"...

A Baylor Assistant Couldn't Wait in Line...

Arizona State's National Championship push ended before it got started...

Purdue did their best Appy State impression BEFORE last Saturday's game

Nebraska fired their AD, which should help their run defense tremendously

Cal fans said I told you so

Coach Fran tried to enlist some VIPs

The WAC had a WACky Weekend with Boise State and Hawaii surviving.

and Rocket Ismail compared Notre Dame's football season to a Big Mac...

Projected Postseason Top 25: #16 Boise State

To the casual sports fan, Boise State's win over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl was a nice story and an excellent game. To college football fans it meant a new attitude towards the elite teams in non-BCS conferences. To Boise State it meant redemption for football's recent most successful program and some new clout on the national football landscape. Boise State used to play everyday of the week just to get their blue turf on any ESPN channel the tables have turned somewhat on that In terms of the national polls Boise State's eminent run through the WAC will no longer be viewed with skepticism so while this year's team isn't as good and won't be as special as last year's. They should carry more respect through the season and should forge an annual spot in the top 25.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 12-1 Beat Virginia in MPC Computers Bowl

Who they'll beat: Weber State (Home), Washington (Road), Wyoming (Home), Southern Miss (Home), New Mexico State (Home), Nevada (Home), Louisiana Tech (Road), Fresno State (Road), San Jose State (Home), Utah State (Road), Idaho (Home), Virginia (Boise, ID)

Who'll beat them: Hawaii (Road)

When they Pass: The irony about the 2007 Broncos is that losses of personnel may take away a lot of the wide open passing offense that caught everyone's attention January 1. There is no clear cut replacement yet for Jared Zabransky but senior Taylor Tharp appears to be the favorite. No starters or seniors return at wide receiver either. Whoever leads the offense should get plenty of time to throw the ball from First Round prospect Ryan Clady and four returning starters on the offensive line.

When they Run: Well no one will be asking "Ian who?" this season. The newlywed will be a Heisman candidate all season long and his touchdown numbers will backup his household name. Perhaps Ian and Chrissy Johnson can renew their vows at the Yale Club in New York City.

When their Opponents Run: The Broncos could be vulnerable up the middle replacing starters at defensive tackle and middle linebacker. Defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox emphasizes stopping the run first so whoever does fill in should be ready by the start of the season.

When their Opponents Pass: In the pass happy WAC, the Broncos are primed for success. Defensive ends Nick Schlekeway and Mike T. Williams are the WAC's best and both cornerbacks return

When they Kick: Redshirt Freshman Kyle Brotzman takes over the kicking duties and possibly the punting duties if no clearcut candidate emerges.

When they call Timeout: While Dan Hawkins built this program and the team that beat Oklahoma on January 1, Chris Peterson coached it to its biggest victory. Peterson seems like the type who recognizes the good thing he has in Boise and won't be taking his trick plays to the Pac Ten where there is so less to gain and so more to lose. And now that the Broncos are America's college football team, where else is more prestigious to go?

The Banner

The banner you see on top is my own creation using my very novice Photoshop skills.

From Left to Right:

Ernie Davis, Syracuse's only Heisman Trophy winner wearing the trademark '44' jersey which Syracuse used to give to only an elite group of Running Backs before throwing away the tradition and any kind of recruiting leverage it could have had by retiring the number in 2005. Syracuse is my alma mater and I will write my first team post about SU before focusing on programs in college football which are actually relevant.

Script Ohio, Ohio State's classic ritual of it's "Best Damn Band in the Land" to spell out "Ohio" with a tuba player dotting the i. Ohio State is my brother's alma mater, he invites me once a year to Columbus to watch REAL college football. It is only the school I know of where the band members have a decent chance of getting laid. Traditions like this are part of the "Pageantry" that lures me to college football as much as the game itself.

Florida Quarterback Chris Leak holding the BCS National Championship Trophy, this one hurts my brother and hurts me too but Florida is the king of our mountain going into 2007. The controversial system which the trophy Leak is holding up represents is always on the mind of anyone who covers college football and rightly belongs in the center of everything.

Georgia Quarterback Matthew Stafford holding an Empty Keg as if it WAS the National Championship Trophy, some may take this to represent the difference in goals between the Gators and the Bulldogs. That is unintentional. This mildly controversial picture of Stafford represents the sort of harmless and humorous news that will come on this blog from time to time providing amusement to all fans nationwide.

Ian Johnson taking the Statue of Liberty to Beat Oklahoma, the end to the Greatest College Football Game of All-Time. Yes, I'll say it. Not just for the trick plays and miracle comeback but for what it represented. The endless possibilities that arise every Thursday or Saturday when two teams representing universities get together.