Wednesday News and Notes

Wednesday, November 1, 2006

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CFB

Fresno-Boise

Cy McCormick

People close to the Boise program tell me they feel them must annihilate Fresno to have a chance at a BCS bid. They have a very week schedule and this is the closest they have to a remaining “statement” game.

Tuscaloosa News

The 14^th-ranked Broncos look to avenge last season’s defeat to Fresno State when they host the struggling Bulldogs in a WAC matchup.  Boise State has been unstoppable at home as well, winning 34 straight games there dating to the 2001 season, including all 22 WAC contests since joining the conference that same year. The Broncos, though, had their 31-game WAC winning streak end last season with a 27-7 loss at Fresno State (1-6, 1-2). They now get to face the Bulldogs at home, where they’ve outscored them 100-37 in winning the last two matchups. Boise State has scored 40 or more points in every home game this season, averaging 459.5 yards per game there. The Broncos are third in the nation in scoring with 39.8 points per game and sixth in rushing offense with 225.6 yards. They’ve been stellar on the other side of the ball as well, leading the WAC in scoring defense (16.1 points), total defense (310.6 yards), rushing defense (76.8 yards) and pass efficiency defense (115.4 rating). Boise State should have a good chance at continuing that success against a Bulldogs squad that has lost six straight and is coming off its worst offensive showing of the season. Fresno State was held to a season-low 211 yards, including 77 on the ground, in a 38-6 loss at then-No. 14 LSU on Oct. 21.

NBA

Pacers-Bobcats

Lexington Dispatch

With Stephen Jackson facing a felony charge and Jermaine O’Neal and Jamaal Tinsley fighting off injuries, the Pacers open the season against the Bobcats at Conseco Fieldhouse on Wednesday. With three of the league’s more promising youngsters, Charlotte also may need some patience as it deals with growing pains after a 26-56 season and with Michael Jordan in his first season making the final call on personnel decisions. Emeka Okafor, Raymond Felton and rookie Adam Morrison are the Bobcats’ last three first-round picks and all were taken in the top five.

Hornets-Celtics

Times-Picayune

There are seven new players, including Bobby Jackson, who were signed through free agency, obtained in a trade or drafted, eagerly awaiting their first regular-season game with the Hornets. Three-time All-Star Peja Stojakovic, who agreed to a five-year, $64 million contract during the summer, said he was counting down the days until the opener like Jackson. The Celtics swept the Hornets in two games last season, with Boston forward Paul Pierce averaging 22 points. The Hornets are expected to be a more efficient running team, and Chandler is ready to see how successful they can be, especially on the road. The Hornets play at Indiana on Friday night.