BCS Busters Week One Preview

Game of the Week * #19 Oregon Ducks @ #16 Boise State *

Thursday September 3rd * ESPN * 10:15 PM EST

Players to Watch: Oregon: Jeremiah Masoli (QB), Oregon; LeGarrette Blount (RB), Oregon; Walter Thurmond (CB); Boise St.: Kellen Moore (QB), Boise St.; Ryan Winterswyk (DE), Boise St.; Kyle Wilson (CB)

What a terrific game to the start the season. Oregon will need great performances from quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and running back LeGarrette Blount to win this game. Boise State’s blue turf field can be a rude awakening for some teams because it plays so fast. Some teams tend to over-compensate as they’re used to playing on grass fields, which can be slippery and play slow at times. If the Ducks’ defense can adjust to the turf, then they will come out victors. On the flip side, the Broncos need to have an outstanding performance by quarterback Kellen Moore to have a chance in this matchup. He needs to have good protection from his veteran offensive line; which will allow him to keep making smart decisions as he did in 2008. The defense will also have to have a great performance. This will be a big test for the inexperienced defensive line and should be a good measuring stick as to how far they have come during fall practices. They will have a hard task at hand in stopping “The Wrecking Ball”, Blount, who has a punishing running style. This should be a fun one to watch, with stars on both sides of the ball for each team looking to get off to a fast start.

Prediction: Oregon 37, Boise State 24

Other Games to Watch:

BYU vs. Oklahoma: BYU quarterback Max Hall will look to match Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford throw for throw, as the Sooner takes his first step at making a second run at the title game. This game will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas so home field advantage is taken away, which should make for an entertaining matchup even though there will be more red in the stands than blue.
Prediction: Oklahoma 47, BYU 20

**Upset Special**
Nevada @ Notre Dame: The high-powered Nevada offense takes aim at one of the most storied programs in college football. Led by quarterback Collin Kaepernick and tailback Via Taua, the Wolf Pack will look to get the ground game going early in this one and will need to if they have a chance at winning in South Bend.
Prediction: Nevada 40, Notre Dame 33

Western Michigan @ Michigan: There's a classic drop back passer who will have NFL scouts watching closely in this one-but he's not wearing Maize and Blue, it's Western quarterback Tim Hiller. The senior takes on a perennial power in Michigan, with Rich Rodriguez looking to bring them back after a disappointing 2008 campaign.
Prediction: Michigan 42, Western Michigan 17

Florida Atlantic @ Nebraska: The Owls quarterback Rusty Smith will need to avoid turning the ball over against a tenacious Cornhusker’s defense. Wide receiver Cortez Gent will have to play like the No.1 wideout he was in 2007 when he eclipsed the 1,000 yard receiving mark if they have a chance at winning in Lincoln.
Prediction: Nebraska 34, Florida Atlantic 13

Central Michigan @ Arizona: Dan LeFevour will need time in the pocket to pick the underachieving Wildcat secondary apart and move the chains. Ball control will be a key factor in this game and LeFevour has two great wideouts to keep drives alive in Antonio Brown and Bryan Anderson.
Prediction: Arizona 28, Central Michigan 14

Mississippi @ Memphis: The Tigers look to down the one team that beat national champion Florida last season. They will need to rely heavily on running back Curtis Steele to eat up some clock and have quarterback Arkelon Hall be better than he was a year ago if they have a chance at taking down the Rebels.
Prediction: Mississippi 30, Memphis 17

Photos Courtesy of Media Relations Boise St. University and Jaren Wilkey/BYU

Player Anatomy: S Louis Delmas, Western Michigan

By MATT MILLER

Delmas has been starting in Western Michigan’s secondary since the second he stepped on the field as a freshman. His experience matching up against pass-oriented teams throughout the Mid-American Conference cannot be understated. A do-it-all player, Delmas is a high character guy who could fly up draft boards.

Character / Leadership Ability: Was named a team captain heading into the 2007 season. Is an outspoken leader who challenges his teammates to perform at their highest level. Delmas suffered through a tough childhood but has developed a rock-solid character over the years.

Competitive Nature / Work Ethic: He possesses a non-stop motor and rarely looks winded on the field. He works hard to help his teammates and to better himself as a player.

Football Intelligence: Delmas needs to do a better job when it comes to his pre-snap reads. He’s a smart player on the field and makes sure his teammates are in the correct position. He understands how to make in-game adjustments.

Size: Delmas possesses average size and needs to bulk up, but has the frame to do so relatively easily. He looks slender, especially in the legs.

Athletic Ability: He has a very good vertical leap and is in ideal physical condition. Delmas needs to add both upper and lower body strength but may be able to get by on athletic ability alone as he transitions to the pro game.

Toughness / Durability: Tougher than most other safeties at his size, Delmas could be prone to nagging injuries down the line, but has shown that he’ll fight through them on the field.

Speed: Should time fairly well but plays even faster on the field. Has excellent closing speed and covers ground in a hurry.

Agility: Delmas possesses quick feet and a great change of direction ability. He gets low to the ground on his cuts and is hard to contain if he’s got the ball in his hands.

Body Control: He looks very fluid in his back peddle but doesn’t always leave his feet when he should—he could stand to improve on going up and fighting for the ball at it’s highest point.

Instincts / Recognition: Seems to know where the ball is at all times, and is rarely out of position. Reacts well to running plays but has a tendency to over-pursue at times.

Pursuit: He takes very good angles and can catch up to ball carriers with ease. Is a reliable last line of defense, and rarely gets beat in a footrace.

Tackling: He’s a smart tackler who will usually go for the sure takedown rather than a big hit. He prefers to go low on ball carriers but is not afraid to get physical to make a play. Delmas was one of the most productive tacklers the MAC has seen in recent years.

Ball Skills: The WMU product has a nose for the ball that not many other safeties can match. He’s a playmaker in every sense of the word, regularly making game changing tackles, hauling in interceptions or forcing fumbles. He is a relentless ball seeker.

Pass Coverage: Delmas can play zone- or a man-coverage, but has cover skills similar to a cornerback. He could flourish in man coverage at the next level due to his ability to cover the entire field.

Run Support: Has all the tools but still doesn’t excel in this area. He adjusts to the run well and puts himself in a good position but needs to get stronger to stop the run at the next level.

Photo Credit: GS Photo

Texas Bowl: Western Michigan vs. Rice

By J.J. Pesavento
December 30 * 8:00 PM * NFL Network

The Rice Owls have not won a bowl game since 1954 and will look to end that streak with their record-breaking offense led by quarterback Chase Clement. Clement accounted for a total of 52 touchdowns in 2008. His primary weapons will be Jarrett Dillard and James Casey, who combined for 183 receptions, over 2,400 yards receiving and 31 touchdowns. Casey is also a threat in the running game (six scores), as is Clement (11 scores), who had nearly as many carries as leading rusher C. J. Ugokwe. If there is a concern for Rice, it lies on the defensive side of the ball. The Owls rank near the bottom in every major category on defense. Western Michigan will also be looking to end a streak. The Broncos have only appeared in three bowl games and they’ve never won one. They also live by the pass with quarterback Tim Hiller leading the aerial attack. Hiller has a number of targets in Jamarko Simmons, Schneider Julien and Juan Nunez. The Broncos also have a solid back to tote the rock in Brandon West, who can be a threat coming out of the backfield as well as returning kickoffs. The Broncos’ defense is also weak against the pass, but they defend the run better and allow fewer points per game than Rice.

Inside the Numbers – Pass, Run & Catch

Western Michigan Broncos (9-3, 6-2)
Pass: Tim Hiller – 2,527 yards, 34 TDs
Run: Brandon West – 970 yards, 8 TDs
Catch: Jamarko Simmons – 98-1,184-7 TDs

Rice Owls (9-3, 7-1)
Pass: Chase Clement – 3,812 yards, 41 TDs
Run: C.J. Ugokwe – 755 yards, 2 TDs
Catch: Jarett Dillard – 79-1,224-19 TDs

Photo Credit: Rice University

This Date in College Football History

Dec. 3, 1999: Marshall beats Western Michigan 34-30 in the MAC Championship Game in Huntington. Down 30-27 with 0:04 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Thundering Herd quarterback Chad Pennington (1999 Draddy winner) throws his 100th career touchdown pass to Eric Pinkerton as time expires claiming Marshall's third consecutive MAC title.

Credit: The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame