Watch Your Words Boise State

Boise State is preparing to play its last season in the WAC and though the football season doesn't start for another month their is already controversy as the Broncos don't seem to be ones who like to maintain in-state rivalries.

"Why would we (go to Moscow)?" Broncos Coach Chris Petersen. "I don't think our fans even like to go up there. Most of Idaho's fans are in Boise anyway."

Boise State President Bob Kustra added, "I frankly don't care whether we ever play 'em (Idaho) again as long it goes. I don't see any reason to do it in Boise, but if somebody sees a reason to do it in Boise, fine.”

"It’s a culture that is nasty, inebriated and civilly doesn’t give our fans the respect that any fan should expect when visiting an away game," Kustra continued.

Really?! Have you ever been to one of your own football games? Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of good friends, who are good people and Boise State fans, but the two times Boise State has come to Logan to play my Aggies, Bronco Nation has been the "nasty, inebriated" culture that doesn't give even the home teams fans respect. If the people up in Moscow are as bad as Kustra says, it must be hell on earth and I highly doubt that. Florida and Florida State, Texas and Oklahoma, USC and UCLA, play each other every year and I am sure those fans are a lot worse to each other than some farm boys in Idaho are to each other. If you have read my blog before you know I am all for rivalries and tradition which makes me all against not playing this game! Yes, Boise State has won 11 straight games but Idaho is an up and coming team winning eight games last year. Overall BSU only holds a slight advantage at 21-17-1. Idaho continued to play BSU when the series was 17-10. So stop making excuses.

This whole ordeal is nothing out of the ordinary for the Broncos. In 1994 Boise State University made plans to move out of Division 1-AA's (now FCS) Big Sky Conference and into Division 1-A's (FBS) Big West Conference beginning in 1996. The team was off to a hot 6-0 start before coming into Holt Arena of Idaho State University. Two years earlier in 1992 the Bengals unvieled a play called the "Globe of Death," which led Idaho State only its 5th victory over the Broncos, and still had Bronco Nation upset. The game was dubbed by BSU officials as the "last visit to Pocatello."

Well as it stands, it was also the Broncos last lost in Pocatello. The Bengals had ended the Broncos perfect season in a 32-31 victory. Luckily for Boise State their run at a National Championship because of the playoff system in Division 1-AA. The loss to the Bengals was their only loss besides in the 1-AA National Championship.

So let it be that on November 12 in Moscow, ID if Boise State loses this time, the hopes of a national championship are out the door. Maybe Coach Pete and Pres. Kustra need to be a little more cautious before running their mouths or history just may be relived.

Motocrossed

My uncle owns the motocross track in Pocatello and though I am not huge into the sport, tonight was the seasons big race so my sister and I went out to help with it. It was a a blast! The riders are fearless. Here are some pics from the races. My sister is in the pink and my little cousin, Colter, is the racer in the bottom two pictures.

New Jazzmen

The Jazz made some big moves this last week with the acquisitions of Al Jefferson and former Jazzman Raja Bell. I was a little worried that the Jazz were not going to do anything this off-season and just watch key players head off to the Chicago Bulls.

Jefferson is a 6'11" Forward/Center who was originally played for the Boston Celtics but was shipped off to Minnesota for Kevin Garnett. Jefferson averages 17 points and 10 rebounds per game. "Big Al" is two years younger and a million dollar a year cheaper than keeping Carlos Boozer.

Bell previously played for the Jazz from 2003-2005. He brings a 41 percent shooting percentage from beyond the arc and "good perimeter defender." Bell will replace rookie sensation Wes Matthews who signed a very good deal with the Portland Trailblazers.

It will be interesting to see how the team takes shape this fall. Draft pick Gordon Hayward was announced as the best rookie at the Orlando Summer League and could make a big splash on the team. I doubt there will be anymore big free agent signings and it is still unclear if Memo will be healed in time for the start of the season. That being said I believe this team is slightly better than last years but still will only get the fourth seed in next years playoffs. Here is my expected starting line-up for the 2010-2011 campaign.

C- Al Jefferson

F- Paul Milsap

F-Gordon Hayward

G- Raja Bell

G- Deron Williams

I think Kirilenko and Okur will come off the bench with C.J. Miles and Ronnie Price to add veteran support to the younger players.

AT&T Park

AT&T Park
Home of the San Francisco Giants San Francisco, CA
Date Opened: April 11, 2000- Los Angeles Dodgers 6, San Francisco Giants 5
Capacity: 41,915
Games Attended: June 14, 2010 Giants vs. Baltimore Orioles 10-4

Location & Accessibility (0-5): 5
Just going to throw this right out there, I love AT&T Park. Located in downtown San Fran, we hopped on a bus at our hotel and were dropped off just a block away from the park. The park is right on the bay, simply beautiful.

Historic Value (0-5): 3
Barry Bonds hit his record breaking 756th Home-run and many other significant jacks here. The park hosted games three through five of the 2002 World Series when the Giants faced the Angels in the Fall Classic. AT&T Park played host to the All-Star Game in 2007. Originality (0-5): 5 As I mentioned the park is right on the bay. Its the only place that a player can hit a home-run into a natural body of water. The Giants have hit 52 balls into the awaiting kayakers in McCovey Cove, while opponents have added another 20.

Fans (0-5): 4
Always cold when I go to baseball games but the difference in San Fransisco is that the fans are used to it. There was a large crowd out on a Monday night when the team was playing a poor team. The fans are very supportive of their team. They have the coolest hats with ear muffs that look like panda bears in support of third baseman Pablo "Panda" Sandoval. The outfield fans are very rowdy and lead cheers throughout the game.

Fun Factor (0-5): 4
A huge coke bottle with slides in the outfield along with many other games for the kids. The park also has A Build-a-Bear workshop where you can build mascot Lou Seal. The night we attended a game was "Halloween in June." A female fan was an exact look-a-like of "The Freak," Tim Lincecum.

Concessions & Restaurants (0-5): 3
I didn't find any unique restaurants at the park and the general concessions were a little over-priced. However, the smell of garlic coming off the the Gilroy Garlic Fries was irresistible and they tasted as good as the smelled.

My own Subjectivity (0-5): 5
This was a great place to take in a game. The atmosphere is amazing, the people are fun and the team is good. Dress warm and be ready for a great night at the ballpark.

Total Score (0-35)= 29

Criteria for "The Ballpark Series" can be found here.

And here is why I love baseball stadiums!

"King" putting on a Jesters Show

I hate the Los Angeles Lakers. I hate how they always win. I hate Kobe and his cocky attitude. And I hate Laker fans. Besides the New York Yankees there is no professional franchise I hate more.

That was until this last week, when LeBron James signed with the Miami Heat. I understand that LeBron needed to leave Cleveland because he didn't want to be "31 with bad knees and no championships." I just hate how he did it. A one-hour TV special to announce his decision, literally bringing many Cleveland fans to tears. Then to top it all off, a huge coming out party for the "Three Kings " in Miami. I would like a party like this next time I sign up for classes, before I ever receive an A, take a test, or even step foot in the classroom. Get what I am saying? At this moment the Heat don't have enough players signed to play a game much less win a championship. What else would we expect from a man who proclaims himself "King" with no rings though?

So if it comes down to it this next June and James and the Heat find themselves playing Bryant and the Lakers, it will be the only time I won't be chanting Beat LA.