According to the Free Dictionary, an underdog is one that is expected to lose a contest or struggle, as in sports or politics. Americans have always supported the underdog.
In 1980, the United States Olympic Hockey Team shocked the world when it defeated the former Soviet Union. In 1998, Minnesotans shocked the country by electing former professional wrestler, Jesse “The Governing Body” Ventura (born James George Janos), as the state’s governor. In 2006, the George Mason University Patriots made it to the Final Four by defeating the top-seeded Connecticut Huskies. In 2007, Boise State University defeated the University of Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl in a double overtime thriller. In 2008, the Fresno State University defeated the University of Georgia in the NCAA Baseball College World Series. In short, the Hokie Guru loves it when David beats Goliath.
Here are three teams the Hokie Guru thinks could crash the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) party this year (emotions run high even for our congressional representatives on the BCS):
1. Fresno State University – Will this Western Athletic Conference (WAC) football team duplicate the baseball team’s success? The Hokie Guru would not be surprised to see the Bulldogs in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day. Fresno State has the single most underrated coach in America in Pat Hill. Pat Hill will play anyone, anywhere, anytime. The Bulldogs’ 2008 schedule includes games at home against the University of Wisconsin and on the road against Rutgers (who is down this year), UCLA (who is also down), and Boise State University. The Bulldogs are capable of winning every game this year, but can they beat Boise State University on the road? The Hokie Guru is skeptical. Take the time to follow this team. It could be a fun ride with 51 returning letter winners.
2. Brigham Young University – Brigham Young University (BYU) has had a long tradition of excellent quarterbacks. Jim McMahon, Steve Young, Ty Detmer, and USC offensive coordinator, Steve Sarkisian all played under center at BYU. This year is no different. Remember Max Hall. He is a player. BYU has 10 returning starters on offense. BYU has a VERY FAVORABLE schedule for a team that wants to crash the BCS. Its lone tough game is at the University of Washington (a team the Hokie Guru predicts will have a losing record) and the Guru thinks the BYU Cougars can run the table in the Mountain West Conference. Of the three teams listed here in this blog entry, the Hokie Guru thinks that BYU has the best shot of playing in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl.
3. Boise State University – Yes, the Boise State University Broncos (another WAC team) have a shot again to make the BCS, but they have some tough games (We all remember the marriage proposal by now senior running back, Ian Johnson, in the Fiesta Bowl… that was one of the best moments for the Guru in sports) on their 2008 schedule. The Broncos play the Universities of Southern Mississippi and Oregon on the road. The Broncos play Fresno State at home on November 28, 2008. The Hokie Guru plans to watch this class of mid-major titans during his Thanksgiving break. Use your AWS day to watch this game!!
Stay tuned for the Hokie Guru’s analysis of the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 College Football teams combined with our Week 1 picks (the Hokie Guru will be using the AP Top 25 instead of the USA Today Coaches Top 25 because the AP is more objective).
Got to root for the underdogs. I’m intrigued by Fresno State.
The Hokie Guru is skeptical and if this were the stock market, he would place Fresno on hold… the Guru would not sell at this point, but also would not buy a lot either. Fresno has a history of starting out fast and fading in the end. BYU has the favorable schedule and looks like the safe choice for a mid-major party crasher.
You are intrigued by Fresno State because they are playing Oregon, right? lol