Dave in Green

It was not a pretty game, but it was intense. MTSU plays hard and physical (especially #14), and the refs let them get away with a lot early. After several hard falls and escalating tempers with the players, the refs then started over-calling to regain control of the game. The refs were as entertaining to watch as an old Keystone Cops movie at both ends of the court. MTSU has a bunch of athletic players who play hard and fast. They remind me a little of the Bobkitties, as they quickly pass the ball around a lot to get open shots, and their guards are fearless at driving the basket. This was a good test for the Zips. On the good side they hit better than 50% of their field goals. On the bad side, their 3-point and free throw shooting were below average. Worst of all, they let a smaller team outrebound them 30-22. Seriously, 22 rebounds in 45 minutes? You don't win many games going more than 2 minutes between rebounds! These are the kind of games the Zips need to win more regularly in order to gain respect. It's obvious they still have problems with teams that come at them non-stop with a swarm of speedy, physical athletes. But I think KD's decision to have the Zips practice executing a swarming defense has helped them handle swarming defenses from their opponents better than in the past. I don't think last season's Zips would have handled the pressure as well, and would have probably lost this home game as they lost at MTSU last season. It was especially good to see a healthy Rico leading the Zips today. Watching him making slicing drives to the bucket, stealing the ball away and generally playing a nice all-around game reminded me of how much the Zips struggle when he's slowed with an injury.

NIU is ranked 16th in the just-announced USA Today Coaches Poll. Harris Poll is not out yet, but it's not unreasonable to think that NIU might also be 16th there. Computer rankings are the killer. NIU had a ton of ground to make up there to make it to 16th in the BCS standings.

Odd link you posted there: http://http//eatatpinkys.com/

That's the title of a College Basketball Prospectus 2012-13 book excerpt written by John Gasaway that covers the history and inadequacies of RPI. It suggests that the NCAA, moving at their usual glacial speed, may be sorta kinda considering adapting a more sophisticated and accurate metric at some unforeseen distant future date. This article is a long but interesting read.

Thanks for that link, Dr Z. At the bottom of that story is a link to another MAC story that I hadn't seen, and which is pretty positive: MAC proving football prowess no longer reserved for big conferences

I'm seeing a lot of references on various sports news websites to MACtion, and some references in stories about last night's conference championship game living up to the MACtion "brand." Given that the MAC had two teams ranked in the BCS top 25 going into the conference championship game, and at least a few teams living up to the MACtion branding, is it possible that the MAC may be in the process of separating itself from some of the lesser conferences? Or is this just another of those cruel illusions that will quickly fade, leaving Zips fans convinced that UA needs to ditch the MAC for a greener pasture somewhere somehow? Can MACtion get traction?

Some stats that stood out to me: Spencer Keith -- 15-36 passing for 190 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions, and 8 rushes for -10 yards. Dri Archer -- 12 rushes for 15 yards, and a longest rush of 15 yards!

The UCLA loss helps NIU. But people who understand the computer rankings better than I do are saying that, while it's possible, it's not likely that NIU's computer rankings will improve enough to jump them all the way to 16th.

Stanford 27, UCLA 24, but with nearly 7 minutes still left.

Stanford 24, UCLA 24. Don't think I can take another OT game tonight.

UCLA leading Stanford 24-17. Will it end up being a BCS bust for the MAC so soon?

Calling Jordan Lynch: What have you done lately? EDIT: Ok, you're still in the Heisman conversation.

Black helicopter theory down in flames. The golden opportunity was to call Can't short of the first down.

When a team does just enough to get the job done game after game, they're running on borrowed time. For Can't, time will either run out tonight or in a bowl game.

1. Can they score a TD? 2. If they do, will they go for 2? 3. Who do you like in OT?

Time for Lynch to work on those Heisman credentials.

Danger! Danger! Warm up the black helicopter. Can't scores to close within 7 points with nearly 5 minutes left.

OK, seriously now, Jordan Lynch already has 160 yards rushing in this game to go along with his 169 yards passing. So this is the 11th straight game in which Lynch has rushed for more than 100 yards, extending his NCAA QB record for consecutive 100+ yard rushing games. If I'm a bowl official at this game, I'm thinking I like the idea of promoting Lynch as a big draw for my bowl game. He's a legit Heisman candidate even if he has no chance of winning it.

Hey, the full black helicopter theory is that the officials are told to look especially hard at the "stuff" Can't does when starting to run up a big lead. If Can't doesn't run up a big lead, they obviously aren't doing "stuff." Looking at the box score as the 3rd quarter runs down, NIU leads Can't in total yards gained, 368-72. Which team would you rather have playing in your bowl?

The halftime score (17-10) doesn't show it, but NIU is dominating Can't, as in such things as 15 first downs to 4. My quick halftime analysis is that Can't had a pretty fortunate season of just doing enough to win all but one game, whereas NIU appears to be capable of not thoroughly embarassing the MAC in a BCS bowl. But maybe it will turn around for Can't in the second half.

I couldn't find any info on the officials yet, but their names will be in the box score. In any case, the way NIU is running wild over Can't, I'm not sure any help from the officials will be required.

@Lee Adams, expanding on Zach's comment, much as Zips fans would prefer to have UA collect a share of a BCS bowl game loot from NIU qualifying rather than Can't, NIU's route is tougher. The odds are much more against NIU moving up from #21 to #16 or better than they are for Can't moving up from #17 to #16 or better. For those who like conspiracy theories, consider this hypothetical black helicopter attack: The NCAA doesn't want a dirty old MAC team to bust the BCS, and Can't has a better chance than NIU to do it. Therefore the officials for tonight's game are instructed to be especially watchful of Can't doing "stuff." Sure enough, the officials see Can't doing "stuff" and penalize them more than NIU at key moments. NIU wins the game due to fewer key penalties, but falls short of climbing to #16 or better. The NCAA is spared the embarassment of all the negative stories (that have already started appearing) about the weakest BCS bowl game ever.

Boise also outrebounded Creighton 31-18. Boise's only loss this season is to Michigan State by just 4 points, so they appear to be a cut above average.

Thanks for thinking of me. But they didn't need my help. It's too obvious that there are enough pros and cons on both sides of the typical sports debate to produce supporters and detractors regardless of the decision made. That's why sports forums are such great places to share thoughtful opinions.