Part 4 of 4 - The Stretch - USU football

And so it comes to this...

USU football's fourth quarter of action in the 2009 season. To this point we stand with 3 wins and 6 losses. Close losses, but still... losses. If USU wants to get to a bowl game, they must win the final three games of the season. Likely? No... You'll see why in a moment.

But anything is possible - even miracles.

Opponent #10: San Jose State University Spartans

Prediction: USU 14-10 SJSU

This game, more than anything, will be a defensive battle. SJSU's defense is pretty efficient against the pass. Last season, they were a top-10 defense against the pass and 21st overall in total defense. USU will bring a new, revamped defense coached by the defensive wizard, Gary Andersen, to bear against a mediocre passing game with an offensive line that allowed 2 sacks a game on average last year and had a hard time coming back.

If USU manages to get a two touchdown lead in this game at anytime in the second half, put it in your book as a win for the Aggies.

That, however, I don't believe will happen. USU by this point could be overlooking SJSU and have their eyes on a somewhat bigger prize, Boise State. They will play Boise the week after in the first nationally televised game in Romney Stadium in years (if at all). But I digress...

SJSU is a team that did very very well in 2006. They had a bowl game win and won nine games in the second year of their head coach's tenure. Since then, they've wallowed in mediocrity. If USU is able to come in to this game with four wins on their sheet, they have a very good chance of winning this one, especially since it's in Logan.

Watch the lines in this game. If USU can penetrate and run the ball well on offense, they'll do well. USU's defense needs to focus on the run as SJSU doesn't have a solid quarterback and finds itself embroiled in the middle of a in-house competition for QB. We all know what that means - both suck.

Opponent #11: The Boise State Broncos.... uggghhh...

Prediction: USU 10-49 BSU

Given my deep-seeded hatred for Bull **** University (BSU, people, come on. I think Idaho houses more cows than people, anyway. I've been there before.) it is awfully painful to have to say that the enemy from up north is going to come in to our house and humiliate us once again, but I have to.

Even Gary Andersen knows that we're way, way behind the broncos - this quote pretty much sums it all up.

"We're probably not even nipping at their heels. We're a puppy running 10 yards behind them."

Coach Andersen said the preceding at the WAC media day in SLC about the Broncos.

The question here is this: How do you stop a team which has only two conference losses in the last seven years, one of them to a BCS team, in your own house on national television?

When we find the answer to that question, I drive to Boise and burn a big block A into the smurf-turf! Who's with me?!

Shoot. I hate Boise State almost as much as I hate the University of Utah.

Opponent #12: The Vandals of the University of Idaho

Prediction: USU 49-10 Idaho

After getting beat up by one Idaho team, it will be a fresh relief to pound on the red-headed step child of the Idaho System of Higher Education. I mean, they play their basketball games at the same place they play their football games, and the stadium is indoors! Hilarious, much? Yes. Yes, it is.

This game should be a cake walk for the Aggies. They beat Idaho in each of the last two seasons, last year by about 30 points. They can't pass, they can't run, their lines stink, their defense is worse, and their return teams are much less than worthy. USU should be able to run their socks off with the dual-threat quarterback Borel, unless (Heaven Forbid) Borel and Turin get injured... But let's not worry about such things until they happen.

Epilogue

So, what have we learned here?

USU is going to have a record year this year! 5 wins! Something to celebrate?! Absolutely! Especially after having the abysmal years of 1- and 2-win seasons behind us.

I have spoken with several sources around the football team. There's a new energy here that hasn't been seen in the program for a long time and a new sense of optimism that will stay. This team understands that the winning process takes time, and the team's goals are clearly outlined in stone. This team wants to hunt down Boise State and eventually win a WAC title. I believe that Gary Andersen has the stuff to do it in five years. He can be the man to bring this team out from the doldrums and back into the national spotlight that it was in 50 years ago. It is very difficult, but it is possible.

I think, when all is said and done, we must try to retain, always retain, a positive vibe about the possibilities of this season. Remember, only a fool would hope for more than six wins, but six is possible, even if it is unlikely.

By the way, if we do get six wins this year, I vote we rename 1000 North in Logan, Andersen Avenue. That's just me, though.

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