BigBlueBlood wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 10:14 am

All teams have had to prepare under the same circumstances, so I don't see any issue or excuse/reason on that front. As for talent, is there really that big of a gap in talent between USU and BSU right now? I can't believe that. We looked like a middle Big Sky team. The Aggies looked ill-prepared, soft, confused and without any direction, identity or fire, especially in the first half. We could not do anything. I don't want to be too hard on Shelly, but so far, only one game in, it appears we took a backup P5 QB, and traded him for a starting P5 QB. I know Andersen has had to seek a little balance in his life and back off of bit, but he just seems disinterested on the sideline. I know he's not, but he just looks that way compared to Andersen 1.0. Either Shelly did not want to pass, can't pass, or was not given much opportunity to do so when it was needed. (Wasn't this the knock on Shelly at Utah?). Even when we started running it really well, we never used it to mix things up and get the passing game going. Even with a first round, NFL QB the Aggies struggled last year. I shudder to think what we might be in for without one this year. The kicking game was bad, too.

I know I'm stating the obvious. It was just very disappointing to see the Aggies look like that. We looked like the Pre-Andersen 1.0 teams and it triggered my PTSD from those days.

YoungBloodAggie wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 10:23 am

BigBlueBlood wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 10:14 am

All teams have had to prepare under the same circumstances, so I don't see any issue or excuse/reason on that front. As for talent, is there really that big of a gap in talent between USU and BSU right now? I can't believe that. We looked like a middle Big Sky team. The Aggies looked ill-prepared, soft, confused and without any direction, identity or fire, especially in the first half. We could not do anything. I don't want to be too hard on Shelly, but so far, only one game in, it appears we took a backup P5 QB, and traded him for a starting P5 QB. I know Andersen has had to seek a little balance in his life and back off of bit, but he just seems disinterested on the sideline. I know he's not, but he just looks that way compared to Andersen 1.0. Either Shelly did not want to pass, can't pass, or was not given much opportunity to do so when it was needed. (Wasn't this the knock on Shelly at Utah?). Even when we started running it really well, we never used it to mix things up and get the passing game going. Even with a first round, NFL QB the Aggies struggled last year. I shudder to think what we might be in for without one this year. The kicking game was bad, too.

I know I'm stating the obvious. It was just very disappointing to see the Aggies look like that. We looked like the Pre-Andersen 1.0 teams and it triggered my PTSD from those days.

You need a prozac and a nap, amigo.

If you want to hard to hear truth, then yes Boise does have a considerable talent advantage over us. Their offense was replacing a lot of OL, but skill positions were experienced and the QB is one of the best they've had. We, on the other hand, had to replace our QB, RB, X-WR, and TE (not replaced, but out for this game) while trying to run a new offensive system that we didn't get to install during spring ball.

You, and everyone else on this board, need to treat this season for what it is really is: a preamble to 2021. We are installing a new scheme on both sides of the ball, are very young in key positions, and we had little to no time to get everyone on the same page with meaningful practices during the offseason.

On the bright side: AFA looked bad, WYO and NEV didn't look great, CSU and UNM likely aren't any better than last year, and Fresno looked downright terrible. There is no reason to think that we can't win 3-5 games this year. I don't know if we will go bowling, mostly because I don't know how many low-level bowls can afford to operate this year.

We are a developmental program, and our last coaching staff didn't leave much in the way of developed talent after the glut of talent on that 2018 team. If you don't want to be a developmental program, you'd better figure out how to donate a few million to the AD and get some of your millionaire buddies to do it too. Otherwise, we need to expect a little volatility in the results from year to year.

Aggie84025 wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 11:08 am

We are a developmental program. I know we want to compete with Boise, but they consistently have the top rated recruiting class in the league. We are generally in the lower half. They also have more resources. I want to beat them as much as anybody, but unfortunately unless they turn the ball over 7 times in a half then wins over them are going to be few and far between. Outside of Boise and to some extent SDSU we compete very well with our conference mates. There is no shame in that. I know people will give me flack, but fact of the matter is considering our resources and the ability to recruit to Logan if we finish .500 or greater most years with some 10 win years sprinkled in then I am happy. I don't think it is me settling, but rather having some perspective. I do think we can be more competitive with them, but let's see how things play out the next few weeks before we burn the program to the ground.

Last year we were 6-2 in conference with is really good. I realize the losses were really bad, but being 6-2 in the MW is nothing to scoff at.

oleblu111 wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 4:55 pm

There is a massive gap between the two programs, it is not even close, we beat them in one area we spend more school funds on athletics than what they do.

Does anyone here believe that a coach on the level of Chris Petersen would stay at USU if he won the same number of games?

It is a much easier place and program to recruit to. Many here do not want to hear why that is, but it is a fact. They beat us on budget, reputation, and location.

Was I happy with what I saw in the game no, but I expected it. They are one of if the finest G-5 program in the nation we are not even close to that.

Wake up and smell the coffee.

Aggie84025 wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 11:08 am

We are a developmental program. I know we want to compete with Boise, but they consistently have the top rated recruiting class in the league. We are generally in the lower half. They also have more resources. I want to beat them as much as anybody, but unfortunately unless they turn the ball over 7 times in a half then wins over them are going to be few and far between. Outside of Boise and to some extent SDSU we compete very well with our conference mates. There is no shame in that. I know people will give me flack, but fact of the matter is considering our resources and the ability to recruit to Logan if we finish .500 or greater most years with some 10 win years sprinkled in then I am happy. I don't think it is me settling, but rather having some perspective. I do think we can be more competitive with them, but let's see how things play out the next few weeks before we burn the program to the ground.

Last year we were 6-2 in conference with is really good. I realize the losses were really bad, but being 6-2 in the MW is nothing to scoff at.

Roy McAvoy wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 7:35 pm

Aggie84025 wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 11:08 am

We are a developmental program. I know we want to compete with Boise, but they consistently have the top rated recruiting class in the league. We are generally in the lower half. They also have more resources. I want to beat them as much as anybody, but unfortunately unless they turn the ball over 7 times in a half then wins over them are going to be few and far between. Outside of Boise and to some extent SDSU we compete very well with our conference mates. There is no shame in that. I know people will give me flack, but fact of the matter is considering our resources and the ability to recruit to Logan if we finish .500 or greater most years with some 10 win years sprinkled in then I am happy. I don't think it is me settling, but rather having some perspective. I do think we can be more competitive with them, but let's see how things play out the next few weeks before we burn the program to the ground.

Last year we were 6-2 in conference with is really good. I realize the losses were really bad, but being 6-2 in the MW is nothing to scoff at.

If we’re a developmental program the why are casting aside a guy who worked hard for 3 years to develop into a great QB for a guy that was part of a job developmental program and was moved out of the QB position?

Roy McAvoy wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 7:35 pm

Aggie84025 wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 11:08 am

We are a developmental program. I know we want to compete with Boise, but they consistently have the top rated recruiting class in the league. We are generally in the lower half. They also have more resources. I want to beat them as much as anybody, but unfortunately unless they turn the ball over 7 times in a half then wins over them are going to be few and far between. Outside of Boise and to some extent SDSU we compete very well with our conference mates. There is no shame in that. I know people will give me flack, but fact of the matter is considering our resources and the ability to recruit to Logan if we finish .500 or greater most years with some 10 win years sprinkled in then I am happy. I don't think it is me settling, but rather having some perspective. I do think we can be more competitive with them, but let's see how things play out the next few weeks before we burn the program to the ground.

Last year we were 6-2 in conference with is really good. I realize the losses were really bad, but being 6-2 in the MW is nothing to scoff at.

If we’re a developmental program the why are casting aside a guy who worked hard for 3 years to develop into a great QB for a guy that was part of a non developmental program and was moved out of the QB position?

Aggie84025 wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 8:04 pm

Roy McAvoy wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 7:35 pm

Aggie84025 wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 11:08 am

We are a developmental program. I know we want to compete with Boise, but they consistently have the top rated recruiting class in the league. We are generally in the lower half. They also have more resources. I want to beat them as much as anybody, but unfortunately unless they turn the ball over 7 times in a half then wins over them are going to be few and far between. Outside of Boise and to some extent SDSU we compete very well with our conference mates. There is no shame in that. I know people will give me flack, but fact of the matter is considering our resources and the ability to recruit to Logan if we finish .500 or greater most years with some 10 win years sprinkled in then I am happy. I don't think it is me settling, but rather having some perspective. I do think we can be more competitive with them, but let's see how things play out the next few weeks before we burn the program to the ground.

Last year we were 6-2 in conference with is really good. I realize the losses were really bad, but being 6-2 in the MW is nothing to scoff at.

If we’re a developmental program the why are casting aside a guy who worked hard for 3 years to develop into a great QB for a guy that was part of a non developmental program and was moved out of the QB position?

If you dont think we are a developmental program you are delusional. All us want to compete and beat boise regularly, but they are on another level. Trust me i would take HC for sure above Shelley, but he moved on. I am also a realist in terms of expectations, that does mean i am ok with the product displayed on Saturday because we can do better than that and we deserve better. We cant expect BMW 5 series results on a Ford Focus budget.

oleblu111 wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 4:55 pm

There is a massive gap between the two programs, it is not even close, we beat them in one area we spend more school funds on athletics than what they do.

Does anyone here believe that a coach on the level of Chris Petersen would stay at USU if he won the same number of games?

It is a much easier place and program to recruit to. Many here do not want to hear why that is, but it is a fact. They beat us on budget, reputation, and location.

Was I happy with what I saw in the game no, but I expected it. They are one of if the finest G-5 program in the nation we are not even close to that.

Wake up and smell the coffee.

Aggie84025 wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 11:08 am

We are a developmental program. I know we want to compete with Boise, but they consistently have the top rated recruiting class in the league. We are generally in the lower half. They also have more resources. I want to beat them as much as anybody, but unfortunately unless they turn the ball over 7 times in a half then wins over them are going to be few and far between. Outside of Boise and to some extent SDSU we compete very well with our conference mates. There is no shame in that. I know people will give me flack, but fact of the matter is considering our resources and the ability to recruit to Logan if we finish .500 or greater most years with some 10 win years sprinkled in then I am happy. I don't think it is me settling, but rather having some perspective. I do think we can be more competitive with them, but let's see how things play out the next few weeks before we burn the program to the ground.

Last year we were 6-2 in conference with is really good. I realize the losses were really bad, but being 6-2 in the MW is nothing to scoff at.

Tetonkatest wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 10:34 am

Aggie84025 wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 11:08 am

We are a developmental program. I know we want to compete with Boise, but they consistently have the top rated recruiting class in the league. We are generally in the lower half. They also have more resources. I want to beat them as much as anybody, but unfortunately unless they turn the ball over 7 times in a half then wins over them are going to be few and far between. Outside of Boise and to some extent SDSU we compete very well with our conference mates. There is no shame in that. I know people will give me flack, but fact of the matter is considering our resources and the ability to recruit to Logan if we finish .500 or greater most years with some 10 win years sprinkled in then I am happy. I don't think it is me settling, but rather having some perspective. I do think we can be more competitive with them, but let's see how things play out the next few weeks before we burn the program to the ground.

Last year we were 6-2 in conference with is really good. I realize the losses were really bad, but being 6-2 in the MW is nothing to scoff at.

Good take. Some MWC programs have to build up and are good every 3-4 years. In the MWC, I think USU is most similar to Air Force, Wyoming, CSU, and maybe Nevada.

Schools like Boise, SDSU and maybe even Fresno are in easier locations for recruiting and have a better shot at being good every year.

El Sapo wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 11:29 am

I do not see us overmatched physically by any team in the MW including Boise.

Boise State struck gold when they hired Chris Petersen, they kept him there 8 years. He developed their program.

That BSU program is the difference between USU and BSU. Not the players or the current coaches.

Maybe GA will bring us back. History for returning coaches tells us that isn't likely.

Aggie formerly in Hawaii wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 11:42 am

El Sapo wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 11:29 am

I do not see us overmatched physically by any team in the MW including Boise.

Boise State struck gold when they hired Chris Petersen, they kept him there 8 years. He developed their program.

That BSU program is the difference between USU and BSU. Not the players or the current coaches.

Maybe GA will bring us back. History for returning coaches tells us that isn't likely.

They have been great for much longer than Chris Petersen. That was their peak, but Dirk Koetter, Dan Hawkins and Bryan Harsin have all won a lot of games there. Before Petersen became Head Coach, their conference record the previous 7 seasons was 48-4. They are a step down from Peterson now with Harsin, but that step down is still winning 10+ games a year.

El Sapo wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 11:57 am

Aggie formerly in Hawaii wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 11:42 am

El Sapo wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 11:29 am

I do not see us overmatched physically by any team in the MW including Boise.

Boise State struck gold when they hired Chris Petersen, they kept him there 8 years. He developed their program.

That BSU program is the difference between USU and BSU. Not the players or the current coaches.

Maybe GA will bring us back. History for returning coaches tells us that isn't likely.

They have been great for much longer than Chris Petersen. That was their peak, but Dirk Koetter, Dan Hawkins and Bryan Harsin have all won a lot of games there. Before Petersen became Head Coach, their conference record the previous 7 seasons was 48-4. They are a step down from Peterson now with Harsin, but that step down is still winning 10+ games a year.

Program and culture, Petersen or the previous guy, they have "IT." Once you have "IT" it's contagious. Like those great Hawaii HS programs, or DeLa Salle HS here in Concord CA. They become something more than players and coaches. Boise has that, we don't

Aggie formerly in Hawaii wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 12:20 pm

El Sapo wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 11:57 am

Aggie formerly in Hawaii wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 11:42 am

El Sapo wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 11:29 am

I do not see us overmatched physically by any team in the MW including Boise.

Boise State struck gold when they hired Chris Petersen, they kept him there 8 years. He developed their program.

That BSU program is the difference between USU and BSU. Not the players or the current coaches.

Maybe GA will bring us back. History for returning coaches tells us that isn't likely.

They have been great for much longer than Chris Petersen. That was their peak, but Dirk Koetter, Dan Hawkins and Bryan Harsin have all won a lot of games there. Before Petersen became Head Coach, their conference record the previous 7 seasons was 48-4. They are a step down from Peterson now with Harsin, but that step down is still winning 10+ games a year.

Program and culture, Petersen or the previous guy, they have "IT." Once you have "IT" it's contagious. Like those great Hawaii HS programs, or DeLa Salle HS here in Concord CA. They become something more than players and coaches. Boise has that, we don't

I agree. They have a winning culture that has kept going for 20+ years now. Starting in 99 they have won 10 games every season except 4 and those seasons they were 8-4, 9-4, 8-5 and 9-4. Those are the type of seasons that are their "down years."

I hate to endlessly praise them because I cheer against them and am certainly not a fan, but it is what it is. They are night and day from where we are. They are basically the mid major equivalent of Ohio State right now.

Sl7vk wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 12:58 pm

Aggie formerly in Hawaii wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 12:20 pm

El Sapo wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 11:57 am

Aggie formerly in Hawaii wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 11:42 am

El Sapo wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 11:29 am

I do not see us overmatched physically by any team in the MW including Boise.

Boise State struck gold when they hired Chris Petersen, they kept him there 8 years. He developed their program.

That BSU program is the difference between USU and BSU. Not the players or the current coaches.

Maybe GA will bring us back. History for returning coaches tells us that isn't likely.

They have been great for much longer than Chris Petersen. That was their peak, but Dirk Koetter, Dan Hawkins and Bryan Harsin have all won a lot of games there. Before Petersen became Head Coach, their conference record the previous 7 seasons was 48-4. They are a step down from Peterson now with Harsin, but that step down is still winning 10+ games a year.

Program and culture, Petersen or the previous guy, they have "IT." Once you have "IT" it's contagious. Like those great Hawaii HS programs, or DeLa Salle HS here in Concord CA. They become something more than players and coaches. Boise has that, we don't

I agree. They have a winning culture that has kept going for 20+ years now. Starting in 99 they have won 10 games every season except 4 and those seasons they were 8-4, 9-4, 8-5 and 9-4. Those are the type of seasons that are their "down years."

I hate to endlessly praise them because I cheer against them and am certainly not a fan, but it is what it is. They are night and day from where we are. They are basically the mid major equivalent of Ohio State right now.

I guess one piece of good news in 2020 is that Boise won't be getting to 10 wins.

YoungBloodAggie wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 11:41 am

I've brought this up before, but here is the three-year history for teams that have won at least eight games in a season:

2019 - 56 teams won at least eight games. That is 43% of FBS-level programs.
2018 - 32 teams won at least eight games in 2018 and 2019. That is 25% of FBS-level programs.
2017 - 19 teams won at least eight games 2017-2019. That is 15% of all FBS programs.

Here are the 19 teams that have won eight-plus games in each of the last three seasons:

Memphis, UCF, Clemson, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Marshall, UAB, Notre Dame, Boise State, Washington, Georgia, Auburn, Alabama, LSU, and Appalachian State.

Does anything stick out about who is, or isn't, on that list?

If we are making bowl games 4/5 years and winning double digit games 1/5 years, I am a happy camper. When the kid that started Crumbl makes an eight-figure donation to the AD, then we can talk about higher expectations.

Aggie formerly in Hawaii wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 10:30 am

That was really par for the course against Boise State. Unfortunately we are a few steps below them.

Recruiting rankings certainly aren't everything, but chances are if you recruit much better than another team you are going to beat them the majority of times on Saturday. Here are some recent recruiting rankings for the MW:

https://n.rivals.com/team_rankings/2017/mwest/football

https://247sports.com/Season/2018-Footb ... nce=M-West

https://247sports.com/Season/2019-Footb ... nce=M-West

https://247sports.com/Season/2020-Footb ... nce=M-West

Boise State is at the top of the conference each year and other than 2019 we are not close. It isn't shocking that we usually not only lose to them, but are rarely competitive. This article is a few years old, but things are probably pretty similar now. It shows the revenue difference in the conference:

https://footballscoop.com/news/figures- ... enue-race/

Boise State is clearly ahead of everyone. I also agree with the line in the article that says "a season that ends with anyone other than Boise State winning the Mountain West means something went wrong in Boise." Compare that to USU where we have a chance to compete every few years, but are not built right now to compete with Boise State every year or win the conference every year. With good coaching, great development and finding the right guys that are overlooked, we can be a contender every few years.

If this makes me a "StanfordAggie" feel free to hate away, but it is a reality when judging our games vs Boise State.

AZ4AggieNation wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 6:47 pm

Aggie formerly in Hawaii wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 10:30 am

That was really par for the course against Boise State. Unfortunately we are a few steps below them.

Recruiting rankings certainly aren't everything, but chances are if you recruit much better than another team you are going to beat them the majority of times on Saturday. Here are some recent recruiting rankings for the MW:

https://n.rivals.com/team_rankings/2017/mwest/football

https://247sports.com/Season/2018-Footb ... nce=M-West

https://247sports.com/Season/2019-Footb ... nce=M-West

https://247sports.com/Season/2020-Footb ... nce=M-West

Boise State is at the top of the conference each year and other than 2019 we are not close. It isn't shocking that we usually not only lose to them, but are rarely competitive. This article is a few years old, but things are probably pretty similar now. It shows the revenue difference in the conference:

https://footballscoop.com/news/figures- ... enue-race/

Boise State is clearly ahead of everyone. I also agree with the line in the article that says "a season that ends with anyone other than Boise State winning the Mountain West means something went wrong in Boise." Compare that to USU where we have a chance to compete every few years, but are not built right now to compete with Boise State every year or win the conference every year. With good coaching, great development and finding the right guys that are overlooked, we can be a contender every few years.

If this makes me a "StanfordAggie" feel free to hate away, but it is a reality when judging our games vs Boise State.

I guess I will just add having gone through the recruiting process the past year+ with my kid and seeing multiple MW teams visit with Broc at his school and by phone/mail; he was prob most impressed with the USU and BSU staff/facilities, etc. and also UNLV.

Broc decided early-on he really wanted to play in the MW; his family is in AZ and he and I watched a ton of late-night MW high scoring show-downs on ESPN over the years!

In the end he narrowed it down to BSU and USU; Coach Harsin even came to his school the same week GA did. He felt BSU was just a bit "full of themselves"; I get why but that GA and his USU staff seemed genuine and were building something at USU...

So, yes he could be a "boy in blue in Boise" but he loves everything up there at USU so far (minus the Covid-challenges) and wants to be part of a team that keeps building/rising and whoops BSU's a%* over the next coup years...So, he is one potential Bronco rook that wanted more to be an Aggie instead and plans to contribute heavily to the teams success over them and MW foe for years to come!!!

(Thx for listening to the mild rant.....)

AZ4AggieNation wrote: ↑

October 27th, 2020, 6:47 pm

Aggie formerly in Hawaii wrote: ↑

October 26th, 2020, 10:30 am

That was really par for the course against Boise State. Unfortunately we are a few steps below them.

Recruiting rankings certainly aren't everything, but chances are if you recruit much better than another team you are going to beat them the majority of times on Saturday. Here are some recent recruiting rankings for the MW:

https://n.rivals.com/team_rankings/2017/mwest/football

https://247sports.com/Season/2018-Footb ... nce=M-West

https://247sports.com/Season/2019-Footb ... nce=M-West

https://247sports.com/Season/2020-Footb ... nce=M-West

Boise State is at the top of the conference each year and other than 2019 we are not close. It isn't shocking that we usually not only lose to them, but are rarely competitive. This article is a few years old, but things are probably pretty similar now. It shows the revenue difference in the conference:

https://footballscoop.com/news/figures- ... enue-race/

Boise State is clearly ahead of everyone. I also agree with the line in the article that says "a season that ends with anyone other than Boise State winning the Mountain West means something went wrong in Boise." Compare that to USU where we have a chance to compete every few years, but are not built right now to compete with Boise State every year or win the conference every year. With good coaching, great development and finding the right guys that are overlooked, we can be a contender every few years.

If this makes me a "StanfordAggie" feel free to hate away, but it is a reality when judging our games vs Boise State.

I guess I will just add having gone through the recruiting process the past year+ with my kid and seeing multiple MW teams visit with Broc at his school and by phone/mail; he was prob most impressed with the USU and BSU staff/facilities, etc. and also UNLV.

Broc decided early-on he really wanted to play in the MW; his family is in AZ and he and I watched a ton of late-night MW high scoring show-downs on ESPN over the years!

In the end he narrowed it down to BSU and USU; Coach Harsin even came to his school the same week GA did. He felt BSU was just a bit "full of themselves"; I get why but that GA and his USU staff seemed genuine and were building something at USU...

So, yes he could be a "boy in blue in Boise" but he loves everything up there at USU so far (minus the Covid-challenges) and wants to be part of a team that keeps building/rising and whoops BSU's a%* over the next coup years...So, he is one potential Bronco rook that wanted more to be an Aggie instead and plans to contribute heavily to the teams success over them and MW foe for years to come!!!

(Thx for listening to the mild rant.....)

BigBlueBlood wrote: ↑

October 29th, 2020, 2:52 pm

I disagree. I think the talent gap is there, but overstated by many on this board. Lack of talent, if it is there, does not explain how bad we looked last week. I think the new offensive system was an issue, but it didn't look like that was the main problem. Again, we looked, soft, confused and ill-prepared. GA agreed. I'm interested to see what he does about it on Saturday.