Keep or Kick

Yes my friends I have now become an official member of the blogging world. For the last couple years I have been very involved with various sports and political blogs and finally decided it was time to start my own. My first post will re-cap the Aggie Football season to this point and consider whether to keep or kick out Coach Guy. After a disappointing season opening loss 27-17 loss to UNLV it looked to much of the same from my team. This was followed up by a 66-24 loss to #19 Oregon. It was nice to see the offense put up some points on a solid team, but still left much to be desired. This small moral victory was followed by one of the most embarassing home openers in the history of Aggie Football; a 58-10 loss to then #22, now #9 Utah. Needless to say, thinks were looking quite bleak. Then finally a ray of hope as the men in navy blue romped on the Idaho Vandals winning 42-17 thanks mainly in part to the dominating play by new starting QB Diondre Borel. At this point in the season it was quite obvious the Ags could not compete against the nation's top 25, but with a romp on WAC foe Idaho you felt there might be a few more wins to be had in conference play. The recent win was followed up by a somewhat impressive 34-14 loss to #8 BYU at home. I say somewhat impressive due to the fact that BYU had shutout their previous 3 opponents. But a loss is still a loss my friends. At this point in the season with the Ags 1-0 in WAC play headed to San Jose St., also 1-0 in the WAC, I was feeling pretty good. Without going into much detail, the next two games on the road were straight up ugly! Utah State layed to seiously huge eggs losing 30-7 at San Jose, CA and 44-17 at Reno, NV. Now we arrive at the ex-top 25 time Fresno St.; Homecoming 2008. After fighting hard all game and being down 24-13 in the fourth the Ags put together an amazing comeback scoring a quick touchdown and only allowing a field goal by Fresno to cut the lead to 27-20. With just over 2 minutes remaining Diondre Borel drove his team down the field to end up scoring on a 4th and goal 1 yard run with 39 seconds remaining. The extra point by Caldwell was money; 28-27 Aggies with 37 seconds left! On the insuing Fresno drive they made it down to their own 45 yard line setting up a 58 yard field goal with 2 seconds left. Now keep in mind, Fresno's place kicker had already missed on field goal on the night as well as 2 that would have put them over Wisconson earlier in the year and 3 that could have won the game over Hawaii. Us Aggies were feeling pretty good. After a timeout by Coach Guy to ice the Freshman kicker he lined up, gave the ball a boot, and much to the horror and dismay of the Aggie nation the kick was perfect, right down the middle, with plenty of leg. I, along with every other Aggie in the stadium, could not believe it! I have never felt that sick after a football game in my life, and I have seen some pretty bad ones. Fresno St. 30 Utah State 28. Ouch! The next week, just when I was about to give up all hope, I was pleasantly surprised to see us trounce on the reining WAC Champion Hawaii Warriors 30-14. Great win due in large part once again to the amazing ability of QB Diondre Borel. The latest and greatest had the Aggies again on the losing end to an amazing #9 Boise St. squad 49-14. Thrice the Aggies reached close to the Bronco 35 yard line only to give the ball away to a fumble or interception by QB Sean Setzer. Again the Ags showed they could play great team better than most had all season, but a loss is a loss. I am sick of losing gracefully! The Aggies end the season with a game at La. Tech followed by a bye, and a home game against New Mexico St. Both of these games a very winnable and will really tell the tale as to whether my team is making much needed progress. Now the big question, to keep or kick off Coach Guy at the end of the year. 4 wins would be the most the Aggies have had in many years, but can we really be content with winning only one more game each year? On the other side, what great coach wants to come to a struggling Utah State? Many have said that the ex Aggie John L. Smith is interested. He was successful in Logan, but then was mediocre at both Lousiville or Michigan St. How much good could he really do, and will the Aggies win automatically when they have to impliment a whole new system. There is also the issue of money to consider. If the Ags fire coach Guy they will have to still pay out his remaining $230,000 or so for next year. What to do, what to do? I am inclined to let Guy go one more year, but will it be much of the same. Beating a few mediocre teams, and losing restpectably to the big schools? Only time will tell, but if our coach can finish the year with two more wins I say give him one more year to make his case. I will let each of you make your own call in the end. And as always, Go State!!!