Idaho Journalism At Its Finest.

As I perused the morning news on the interwebs about Ball State, most had to do with the failure of the Humanitarian Bowl to broker some sort of deal with the Cardinals about heading west and playing Boise State. Not surprising was the number of news outlets that picked up the story, and the general tone was one of disappointment that the game couldn't be worked out.

Amidst the lipstick spin-job that Boise State, the WAC, and the Humanitarian Bowl has put on this pig, was the fact that Ball State had all the power, and they simply didn't want to play Boise. Well... isn't that special. I can't imagine a lucrative game financially would have been turned down. I also can't imagine any AD in his right mind would have taken a monetary loss and ignored his coach's wishes to accept a strong arm deal from a midmajor school and lower tier Bowl Game. So spin it how you want, Boise, your offer sucked, and rather than rooting for you as I sometimes do, I will now hope that whomever you play mops the floor with you.

One article in particular stood out to me, though. It was Chadd Cripe' s "news story" in the Idaho Statesmen. Viewable here. Somewhere amidst the drivel that Cripe managed to send out from a snowy remote location in Idaho were these gems:

• There, the No. 9 Broncos (12-0) likely will face No. 11 TCU (10-2) - a higher-ranked and more-respected opponent than No. 12 Ball State (12-0).
• Ball State turned down its prove-it opportunity - deciding to play an also-ran in the Motor City Bowl in Detroit or GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., instead of traveling to Boise
• McDonald thought the problem would be navigating all the bowl contracts to create a dream matchup. Instead, the hang-up was the Broncos' 64-2 home record the past 10 years

Chadd, I'm not sure where you went to school and what they taught you there, but news, fact, and opinion are three different things. You seamlessly integrate all three in your story, though, so kudos for that, I guess.

This was my email to Chadd... I'm sure I won't get a response.

Chadd,

I read your article linked at http://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/story/592728.html and I have to say, I was a little surprised.

While surprised initially that Idaho even had a newspaper, I was truly surprised that your editor let you run a story that was basically backhanded slaps at Ball State rather than you know, reporting news. Which last I checked was the purpose of print newspapers. Though of course, it's hard to say what their purpose is anymore. I'll ask the next 60 year old who's reading one what he thinks.

Did you ever stop to consider that maybe it was a financial disaster for Ball State to travel to Idaho? How about contemplating that Ball State wanted to be loyal to its fans and conference which is why Boise wanted to stay? Of course, none of those angles crossed your mind because a real journalist would have investigated and found that out. Instead, you take the easy road and sit back and take potshots at Ball State.

Ball State and Boise State are totally irrelevant in the college football world. No one cares. The difference is our fans, and especially our journalists, don't lose sight of that fact. Boise State fans sit back and act like Oklahoma, dictating who plays whom and where and expecting us to cave. They shouldn't. You sit back and write pithy, half hearted tripe and expect anyone to think you're worthy of reading. You aren't. You write for a "respectable" newspaper and I've seen more impartial writing from football blogs from college students. Ball State told the Humanitarian Bowl and your bush league school and conference the same thing I am about to tell you...

Find your high horse, and ride it right into your silly ass.

Alan

What do you think about this story and the editor who let it run, Coach Gundy?

Edge's Weekend Rock Solids

Roving OTP Muncie Bureau Chief Edge checks in today with his Rock Solids of the weekend. As usual, bringing you up to speed in the world of footbaw with a rock and roll twist. - Ed.

Edge's Weekend Rock Solids

Welcome to the first edition of Edge's "Rock Solids". In this post, three teams or players will get a shout-out from OTP's resident rocker. And for more for your entertainment dollar (or to waste more time when you should be working), I'll give you some runners-up and even some of the worst of the week.

This week's Rock Solids are:

1) Sam Bradford - QB, Oklahoma. You, my friend, are a Rock Solid. You threw for an OU record 468 yards and three touchdowns. This performance was all the sweeter given the loss last weekend to Texas. You bounced back and took it out on Kansas. At least be a gentleman and call them in the morning.

2) Maryland. Um, where ya guys been? We've barely noticed you all year, and you come out to play against a top-25 team (by the way, Ball State says thanks). It wouldn't be worth a mention here except for the fact that you not only won; you rocked. And your QB's dad was in Ratt, so you're pretty much honorary Rock Solids for the year.

3) The Wannstache. No, not the man to whom you belong - I'm talking directly to you, crumb-catcher. You're like the perfect wife. You've stuck with your man for better or worse... and worse... and worse... then a little better... then worse... Now you've helped your man go 5-1 this season, and you know it's because of your lip-service. You rock, my hairy hero.

Now for some runners-up: the "Stone Toughs". You had moments of rock genius, but you can do better.

1) Kentucky. Wasn't pretty guys, but you did it. Down 10 with less than 6 to go, I decide to stop looking to watch the Red Sox-Rays. Fifteen minutes later... well, you know the story. Thank you, Hogs. I don't care about the Cats, but after this week at the OTP-Muncie bureau, that win felt personal. So, thanks Hog fans, it was fun. See you anonymous guys next year. And for the record, as an outsider looking in, Petrino really is kind of a bitch.

2) Georgia Tech. Again, not pretty. Clemson is a team on the ropes. Granted, GA Tech isn't an upper-echelon team, but I expected more.

3) Alabama. See Georgia Tech. The sad thing is that you're an upper-echelon team, and your performance comes close to:

The "Michael Boltons". You do not rock. Not one bit. You should think about hanging it up... and soon.

1) Inoke Funaki - QB, Hawaii. I don't even think words can express how much you did not rock Friday. Five interceptions. God. Damnit. Moving on...

2) Washington St. You lost 69-0. Yes, it was USC you were up against, but sweet Jesus, at least get a field goal or something. Or play some defense. Or forfeit before it gets that bad. But 69-0? Do you send your players to a shrink after that kind of loss? Rape counseling?

3) Syracuse. Get used to it. You'll be a Michael Bolton until September.

Weekend Carnage Report

7 days ago in this very space, I wrote about how my bloodlust wasn't quite satiated after a weekend that saw no marquee teams defecate the bed. Ask and ye shall receive from the football Gods, as the Top 3 teams in last week's OTP Blogpoll took the L. Capped off with a Ball State win, putting the Cardinals at 7-0, and aside from Kentucky's loss to South Carolina, the weekend turned out just like I hoped it would: bloody, exciting, bloody, thrilling, bloody, and bloody. Giddy up...

The Good:

• Texas has, for the moment, silenced the critics of Mack Brown. This blog pointed out in August that is was ridiculous that Brown was always mentioned as an underachieving coach, and he showed why it was ridiculous this weekend in the Red River Rivalry. Incidentally, when did it stop being called the Red River Shootout?
• Florida has, for the moment, made everyone forget about their missed extra point induced loss at the hands of Ole Miss. They took LSU to the woodshed, and the Tigers looked overmatched, outgunned, and outplayed. Big win for Florida, bigger win for Tebow's Heisman chances, as a loss would have meant near disaster.
• The midmajors just keep on keepin' on. BYU, Ball State, Boise State, Utah all got the win as they continue their surprising seasons.
  

The Bad:

• Idle seems to be the only way to get ahead. Teams like Alabama, Virginia Tech, South Florida, and Cal all were able to benefit by their idle status. The difference between winning and simply not losing is razor thin.
• The smart schools got knocked down a peg this weekend, as Northwestern and Vanderbilt both took their first losses of the season. A great storyline, still, but there is an uphill road in front of both of them for any chance at a conference title.

The Ugly:

• Notre Dame's loss at North Carolina this weekend marked the first time a UNC team has beaten Notre Dame since 1960. While part of me understands this is a rebuilding process for Charlie Weis and co. in South Bend, other programs seem to be turning it around significantly quicker. On a scale of 1-10 of worry, I'm about a 5.
  
• Clemson gets beat by Wake Forest 12-7. Though ugly on the scoreboard, uglier in the sense that Clemson's season has hit rock bottom. A team thought to have national title hopes at the beginning of the year will have to battle to get to a bowl.
• Toledo does it's best App State impression and knocks off Michigan. The one Michigan fan I know didn't return my text message, but I can only imagine the love affair with Rich Rod might be coming to an end.
  

Helmet Stickers:
From RV:

• SEC Speed - wait, what's that? SEC speed strikes again! Florida just looked that much faster than their opponent that was from...wait...the SEC? Hmm, maybe it really is mythical.
• Juice Williams - 503 total yards of offense...ridiculous. Granted, it was all in a losing effort. To Minnesota, but this Juice is loose.
• Cam Sexton - While putting up below average stats against the Irish, he put together drives when he needed to and didn't make mistakes. Big win for NC, and hopefully a little shot in the arm for Cam. If Juice can do it, anyone can
  

From Alan:

• Nick Moore, WR, Toledo: 20 catches. 20. 162 yards also in the upset over Michigan. 20.
• Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas: 112 yards on 11 catches and one gigantic 96-yard return for a score in the upset of Oklahoma.
• Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida: 2 INTs, one of which was returned 52-yards for the score in win versus LSU.