The Wiz of Odds

Utah State

Utah State is thinking big after its 2-0 start, which included last Friday's overtime victory against Utah. Up next is a trip to Wisconsin. A win in Madison would certainly catch the attention of the college football world.

Thanks to Brian.

Utah State

Gary Andersen has guided Utah State to 4-8 records in each of his first two seasons as coach and Aggie fans are looking for a breakthrough season in 2011. Utah State hasn't been to a bowl game since 1997.

Thanks to Ryan. Click the image for an enlarged view.

Brigham Young and the WAC: How It Nearly Came to Be

Brigham Young had plenty of co-conspirators in its planned move out of the Mountain West Conference. Utah State for one. ESPN for another.

Yes, that's right. The four-letter network was involved from the beginning.

Documents and email correspondence obtained by the Salt Lake Tribune through an open records request detailed how the Cougars planned to declare their independence in football and join the Western Athletic Conference in all other sports.

Utah State president Stan Albrecht, who has been criticized for not accepting an offer to move the Aggies from the WAC to the Mountain West after news of BYU's planned move began to trickle out, had incentive to stay the course. He had masterminded with WAC commissioner Karl Benson, BYU president Cecil Samuelson, Fresno State president John Welty, Nevada president Milt Glick and ESPN to spring the Cougars.

Nothing Can Compare to WAC Football

There were better places to be last Saturday than Ruston, La., but when that craving for Western Athletic Conference football strikes, a man has to do what he can to satisfy the urge. How else can we explain Wiz correspondent Greg deciding to travel to this burg of 20,546 for the Utah State-Louisiana Tech game?

Yes, this is where Terry Bradshaw and Fred Dean spent their college years. Bradshaw even had hair back then.

Greg actually saw an entertaining game, with the Bulldogs rallying for a 45-38 victory to become bowl eligible. Aggie coach Brent Guy, pictured just before kickoff, saw his team fall to 2-9. On Monday, Utah State decided Brent was the wrong guy for the job. He was fired, effective at the end of the season.

Game face? This guy looks like he means business.

Women, you ask? Southern beauties were easy to find.

Check out the little tikes getting ready for kickoff.

Louisiana State games have been known to bring out the beast in fans.

Ruston's version of the Blue Man Group.

The Bulldog statue must be of supreme importance.

A look at Karl Malone Court. Yes, the big guy played here. It also gives us another chance to plug our new college basketball site, The March to Madness.

A look inside Joe Aillet Stadium about an hour before kickoff.

Fresno State Wins by a Foot

Could not let the week pass without a look at the incredible feat of Fresno State freshman Kevin Goessling, who kicked a 58-yard field goal on the final play to lift the Bulldogs past Utah State, 30-28. The video starts with Utah State taking a 28-27 lead with 38 seconds left, then jumps to Goessling's kick.

Goessling had missed three field goals in Fresno State's 13-10 loss to Wisconsin and three more in a 32-29 overtime loss to Hawaii.

What College Football Needs Is John L. Smith

Keep your fingers crossed. It's a possibility. The former Michigan State, Louisville, Utah State and Idaho coach was spotted Saturday in Logan, taking in Utah State's 58-10 loss to Utah.

As Brad Rock of the Deseret News writes: "Don't laugh. It could happen. You think he came all the way to Logan just for the Aggie Ice Cream?"

Smith coached Utah State from 1995-97 and had a record of 16-18. That's no great shakes until you compare it to current coach Brent Guy, who is 6-32. It's clear at this point that Guy, whose team has lost 12 of its last 13 games at home, is the wrong guy for the job.

Smith is residing in Louisville and doing a radio show with Drew Deener on 790 WKRD. Smith's name came up last winter in connection with openings at Hawaii and Washington State.

Please, Utah State. Do the right thing. Fire Guy, hire John L. College football isn't the same without him.