After two straight weeks with no Boise State game in the Pick 'Em, the Broncos return for Week 10, complete with a three-touchdown spread over a conference opponent. Back to business as usual, I guess.
A Boise State welcome and some Week Nine congratulations are in order after the jump, as well as my take on the TCU-Utah game and how its handling may impact the Broncos in coming years. If you think WAC Sports Network is a bad shake, you might want to keep reading.
This week's games, last week's winner, and the complete standings are after the jump. Click the link directly below to fill in your picks for Week 10.
Woe to Mountain West fans
TCU and Utah match up this weekend in a game to decide the Mountain West title and be used as fodder against anyone who suggests that Boise State should be ranked higher.
Where can you catch this matchup of Top 5 teams that has national title implications? Anonymous old CBS College Sports - not the less anonymous Versus, which the MWC TV contract also has. Now Versus may not be near the level of distribution as an ESPN, but to my knowledge it is on most major cable carriers and even included in their base cable packages, which means you may not even need a digital box to access it.
Since this perplexed me so much, I decided to check and see what was so pressing that was airing on Versus this Saturday at 2:30 MST and forcing the MWC to exile its Game of the Year to CBSCS. The answer: Penn at Princeton. Yep, looks like the Ivy League gets preference over the Mountain West on Versus.
We already know the MWC TV contract is less than optimal being comprised of Versus, CBS College Sports, and the Mtn, but this is extremely disheartening for the future. Versus is the network with the most widespread distribution, and if the MWC can't figure out how to get their most high profile game each week on Versus, then it's especially troubling. There is no excuse for this.
So, Bronco fans, let's enjoy the remaining 2010 schedule and ESPN's coverage because it's going to be a long time before Boise State gets this type of TV exposure again.
Week 9 Winner
We had a four-way tie for first this week with four users going 7-1 on the week.
- DARTHPROPHET
- EGNOWIT
- RUSU
- RYANVM
Week 10 Games
After a two-week layoff of picking Boise State games, the Broncos are back with an especially tricky spread this week.
#4 TCU at #6 Utah (+4.5)
Pick: TCU
Utah had a close game in their first real test against Air Force last week.
Washington at #1 Oregon (-35.5)
Pick: Oregon
Oregon's last test could be Oregon State in the Civil War since Locker is out for this game.
#5 Alabama at #12 LSU (+6.5)
Pick: Alabama
How great would it be if LSU won this game? Pollsters wouldn't know what to do with them.
#22 Baylor at #19 Oklahoma St. (-7.5)
Pick: Oklahoma St.
How lucky is TCU that Baylor is good this year? Proof that scheduling is a crap shoot.
New Mexico St. at Utah St. (-17.5)
Pick: Utah St.
New Mexico state is coming off a win, but surely this game shouldn't be close.
Fresno St. at Louisiana Tech (+1.5)
Pick: Louisiana Tech
LaTech showed some fight last week. I like them with the extended layoff and being at home.
#25 Nevada at Idaho (+11.5)
Pick: Nevada
Idaho needs to win three games become bowl eligible. This could impact Boise State if the BCS snubs them and the H-Bowl won't let them out since they don't have Idaho to fall back on it. It could happen.
Hawaii at #2 Boise St. (-21.5)
Pick: Hawaii
This spread is way too high for my liking. This game scares me. I hope I'm wrong.
Overall Standings
Here are the overall standings with the lowest week dropped including 0 wins for missed weeks. And if you see duplicate user names, let me know in the comments.
| User Name | W | L |
|---|---|---|
| BROW7237 | 47 | 25 |
| EGNOWIT | 46 | 27 |
| NERDGLASSES | 46 | 24 |
| TOOMUCHYOUNG | 46 | 24 |
| TITORAY | 45 | 27 |
| KILLTACULAR | 45 | 26 |
| MREFFICIENCY | 43 | 29 |
| MOUNTNGROWN | 42 | 28 |
| MESSS17 | 42 | 30 |
| LONESAUSAGES | 42 | 30 |
| EAST BOISE SKYLINE | 42 | 28 |
| SOCALBSUFAN | 41 | 29 |
| TITANBRONCO | 40 | 30 |
| D_SUMMIT | 40 | 32 |
| GREEKPADRE | 40 | 30 |
| MIKRINO | 40 | 26 |
| JAHKASS | 39 | 25 |
| JOE BOB PRIDDY | 39 | 32 |
| BSOM | 39 | 27 |
| THESHREWDONE | 39 | 31 |
| RIVERRUNSBYIT | 39 | 31 |
| RED IVAN | 38 | 32 |
| BUCKY BRONCO | 38 | 33 |
| ETTGUY | 38 | 33 |
| GPMIKESMITH | 37 | 33 |
| LOQUEBSU | 37 | 33 |
| RYANVM | 37 | 33 |
| SPUDSFAN | 37 | 35 |
| TREK7K | 37 | 29 |
| TWITCHDOG | 37 | 33 |
| THEGLOAMING | 36 | 34 |
| JRIG | 36 | 34 |
| MARKTGARTEN | 36 | 28 |
| DUKE02DEUCE | 36 | 35 |
| FLYFISHFERG | 36 | 35 |
| BELEXES | 36 | 34 |
| BLEEDBLUE | 36 | 34 |
| THENIGHTMANCOMETH | 35 | 35 |
| RANDOMTASK | 35 | 27 |
| NPOW81 | 34 | 38 |
| GOBLUEBRONCS | 33 | 39 |
| BSUBUFF | 33 | 33 |
| FIRST_DOWN | 32 | 41 |
| BRONCO_BLAZE | 31 | 31 |
| MIKEGREGG | 31 | 33 |
| MOSCOW MUTILATORS | 30 | 34 |
| BLOWMAGE | 30 | 32 |
| CAMDIZZLE | 30 | 32 |
| THE COLLINATOR | 30 | 32 |
| CBKAY | 29 | 42 |
| FORUM8USA | 29 | 34 |
| MYDADTEACHESATBSU | 29 | 39 |
| KRAZYNLUCKY | 28 | 34 |
| KEVANLEE932 | 27 | 37 |
| JRAS31 | 27 | 31 |
| SPECTRUMMAGIC | 27 | 35 |
| KELLEN'S80'SHAIRCUT | 26 | 36 |
| MAGNANIMOUS MATT | 26 | 36 |
| LONDONLETMEDOWN | 26 | 36 |
| AVI HOMPSO | 26 | 36 |
| MUXTER | 25 | 37 |
| NACHOTAY | 25 | 40 |
| PEADIDDY | 25 | 46 |
| HISCORE | 25 | 31 |
| TURFTOEJOE | 25 | 39 |
| RYNEBECKER84 | 24 | 40 |
| MOOREBRONCOS | 24 | 38 |
| BOISE3981 | 24 | 38 |
| FINLOOPIO | 24 | 46 |
| BSUFLYBOY | 24 | 40 |
| GIVEMESOMEMOORE | 23 | 39 |
| DUFFMANA | 23 | 35 |
| ANDERJOSH | 23 | 39 |
| MKINGERY | 23 | 39 |
| GRINDHOUSE | 23 | 39 |
| I_THOUGHT_THE_COCAIN | 23 | 39 |
| JETSROCKETVICTORY | 23 | 35 |
| SURBER | 23 | 39 |
| TRICITYBRONCO | 23 | 37 |
| MIKETHETRANSPLANT | 22 | 40 |
| BOISEFANSINCE98 | 22 | 40 |
| GLANZMAN | 22 | 32 |
| BUBBLE SCREEN TO BUR | 22 | 40 |
| BOIBLUE | 21 | 42 |
| POLYNIKES57 | 21 | 41 |
| JAYWESTON | 21 | 50 |
| SCRAPPYMCFIESTY | 21 | 41 |
| SEABRONCO | 21 | 38 |
| STATUELEFT | 21 | 50 |
| SPAYNEUTER | 20 | 41 |
| BLUETWO | 20 | 43 |
| BLEEDBLUE75 | 20 | 42 |
| FUTURE_DEMAGOGUE | 20 | 43 |
| BLUEANDORANGE1 | 19 | 44 |
| OJ'S BRONCO | 19 | 39 |
| PRESTONTHOMSON | 18 | 44 |
| NOEL.DIGGITY | 18 | 45 |
| **DRD** | 18 | 45 |
| CAPTAINBRONCO | 18 | 44 |
| THE HOUT | 18 | 45 |
| SUMMITKOPP | 17 | 54 |
| BOBIPS | 17 | 46 |
| NJKROES | 17 | 48 |
| HKYSTAR35 | 17 | 46 |
| KBOI_J | 16 | 49 |
| DIRTYMULE | 16 | 46 |
| BMC1983 | 15 | 44 |
| HUSKER_NUTT | 15 | 48 |
| KEVANLEE | 14 | 57 |
| KEVASH325 | 14 | 51 |
| MAGIC823 | 14 | 57 |
| MHIGBEE | 14 | 47 |
| BRONCOCNORB | 14 | 49 |
| RUSU | 14 | 57 |
| ZANDERSON | 14 | 48 |
| BUBBLE SCREEN TO BURROUGHS | 13 | 50 |
| FRESHBREFF | 12 | 59 |
| BRONCOTWIN253 | 12 | 59 |
| APPLESHAMPOOID | 12 | 50 |
| MAGNANIMOUS M@TT | 12 | 51 |
| KY. COL. SHIBLEY | 12 | 46 |
| JAMARAY | 12 | 51 |
| OBNUG LORD OF LURKER | 10 | 51 |
| PRETENDHUMAN | 10 | 55 |
| BRONCO JAKE | 10 | 52 |
| DARTHPROPHET | 10 | 61 |
| DIRTJUMP132 | 9 | 53 |
| BLU BLOOD | 9 | 62 |
| PHARMERROB17 | 9 | 53 |
| I_THOUGHT_THE_COCAINE_WAS_GUM | 9 | 62 |
| WHJDMUM | 9 | 62 |
| RJOHNSON_JL | 8 | 51 |
| GSCHEIFE | 8 | 55 |
| PAC 10 ALUM | 8 | 63 |
| BERKLEYAN | 8 | 55 |
| BSUBLUE | 8 | 57 |
| BUSTERBRONC | 8 | 50 |
| DOWN | 8 | 55 |
| CHUMPY | 7 | 55 |
| AZBRONCOFAN | 7 | 55 |
| BAD_DUDE | 7 | 56 |
| ADSCOTTAM | 7 | 55 |
| BRONCOFEVER | 6 | 57 |
| BRONCOS=NC! | 6 | 57 |
| BUCKET T | 6 | 57 |
| OBNUG INTERN | 6 | 56 |
| KENTMSC | 6 | 57 |
| VANDAL HATER | 6 | 57 |
| WSANDERSON | 5 | 58 |
| REFLECTIVITY | 5 | 57 |
| GPMIKESMITH` | 5 | 58 |
| JASONHABERMAN | 5 | 58 |
| PRESTIGEWORLDWIDE_BO | 5 | 57 |
| MAJORMIKE53 | 5 | 58 |
| BSOOVERU | 5 | 57 |
| 7398JACOB | 5 | 57 |
| ABOMBWS | 5 | 58 |
| ACASH83 | 5 | 57 |
| DIRTYBRONCOBIRD | 4 | 59 |
| DKP | 4 | 59 |
| FARMERBOY | 4 | 58 |
| MAGNUM2199 | 4 | 59 |
| LIONSFAN20BS | 4 | 58 |
| RED4USMC | 4 | 58 |
| ROCK HOPPER | 4 | 59 |
| SPUDNIC | 3 | 60 |
| SW337 | 3 | 60 |
| PDMARTIN86 | 3 | 60 |
| CEXEKO | 3 | 59 |
| BUSTERSBFF | 3 | 59 |
| I_THOUGHT_THE_COCAINE_WAS_GUM | 3 | 60 |
| BECKARIGBY | 3 | 60 |
| CAMDON KAY | 2 | 61 |
| GWALLER | 2 | 61 |
| ZELF112 | 2 | 61 |