We’ve been asking a few Georgia players this week whether they know much about Idaho. Demarcus Dobbs initially said he had no idea “what’s up there,” then added:
“Potatoes, or something?”
Caleb King was asked what the closest he’s ever been to Idaho.
“Georgia?” the junior tailback said, smiling.
King was then reminded he had been to Colorado just last month. Considering King’s hand in how that, ahem, ended, you can understand why he’d want to forget.
Aron White, who's from Missouri, was also a bit at a loss.
“Don’t they have a lot of potatoes or something like that? I mean I don’t know anything,” White said. “Not to talk bad about our opponent or anything like that. There are certain states you don’t know a lot about. But I’m sure they’ve got a great program.”
Well, not really.
The Bengals – so named because of the epidemic of Bengal tigers running around Idaho – are 1-7 this year, and rank last in the Big Sky Conference in scoring offense, total offense, rushing offense, passing offense, sacks (by and against), first downs and penalties.
On the other hand, their coach is named John Zamberlin, and that does have a cool football ring to it.
Also, they have a pretty famous NFL alum: Jared Allen, the all-pro defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings.
A few other facts about Idaho State:
- It is located in Pocatello, located in the southeast portion of the state, with a population of just over 50,000.
- Other notable alumni: Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis; ESPN commentator and former NFL fullback Merril Hoge; and William Peterson, the star of CSI.
- Idaho State won the 1981 Division I-AA national championship, a year after Georgia won the I-A national title.
- The Bengals have fallen on harder times since then, not recording a winning record since 2003.
- This year, Idaho State has a return man named Tavoy Moore who is quite good.
Tavoy Moore is second in the nation in punt returns, averaging 20.15 per return. OK, now that’s actually pretty astounding. He has 13 returns this year, and has taken two into the end zone, with a long of 84.
Moore has also returned two kickoffs for touchdown, with a long of 100, and his 27.5 yards per kick return is 17th in the nation.
- The Bengals also boast the nation’s best punter (he gets a lot of practice, apparently). David Harrington is first in the NCAA at 45.1 yards per punt.
- Over the past decade or so, they have played 15 1-A (or FBS) teams, including Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Boise State, Oregon State and Kentucky. Their only win came against Utah State in 2000.
- There's also a more famous football program in the state of Idaho, which may have been referenced in the above paragraph, and might be ranked in the top 25 right now, perhaps even in the top 5. But any mention of such team in the Southeast results in tons of invective flying at the computer screen, so we'll go ahead and avoid mentioning them.
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9 comments:
I haven't been coming to the blogs much since Saturday. Just too painful.
But I'll go ahead and say this: I think Boise State would mop us up on the football field these days.
Oh and it's gonna be awfully painful to watch the Auburn game! You can always rely on us beating Tech though.
Seth, I'm starting to wonder who is more obsessed with Boise State... 1.) SEC fans, or 2.) You? You sure do bring them up a lot these days. Twitter, several of your blog posts... just a factual observation.
(I hope this comment doesn't violate any of your profanity or personal attack rules...)
I think we know better than to say that Idaho State has the best punter in the nation.
"The Bengals – so named because of the epidemic of Bengal tigers running around Idaho"
This is terrible! No wonder nobody really goes to Idaho! I didn't realize it was so dangerous!
And as bad as we are right now, we'd still beat Boise St. like a drum.
I've actually been to Idaho! (If airspace counts).
Anon 4:17
I am pretty obsessed with Boise. If they see the #1 or #2 spot this year, I hope whoever plays them beats them bad enough that voters think twice about putting them there again. Every time they play a team in their bowl game, I hope they lose 150-0.
I think Tcu is the unbeaten team from a crappy conference that should be getting all the hype. They play Utah which is also unbeaten and in the top ten. Also tcu is having an all time great defensive season.
Either Boise or tcu would be killed by Alabama if they make the nat title game although I think tcu would have a better chance. Bama did lose to Utah a couple of years ago though so you never know.
David - people didn't seem to forget about Ohio State, no matter how badly they get beaten in championship games.....just sayin.
I am looking forward to this game.
If we don't turn the ball over, we should see a lot of the Drew Butler vs. Tavoy Moore match up, which should be a good one.
However, Georgia's inability on defense to get off the field on third down may keep Idaho State from showcasing its other best weapon, David Harrington.
It would be a shame for the fans if it plays out that way.
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