Photo via Idahostatesman.com, Joe Jaszewski

Joe Southwick Haters:
It amazes me how many people are still bitching about Joe Southwick. He’s not Kellen Moore and he never will be. Get over it. In fact, chances are slim we’ll ever see a quarterback like Kellen again. Joe is clearly the best quarterback on the roster and he’s performed well after struggling in his first career start in a very hostile environment (who wouldn’t?). Do some of you people honestly believe the coaches wouldn’t play the best available option? Oh, and whoever is heckling him at the grocery store should probably stop.

Taylor Kelly Lovers:
Did you see him play last night against Oregon? After ASU quickly capitalized on Oregon’s turnover (a 28 yd TD pass), Kelly finished the night: 9/17, 65 yards, 2 Interceptions, sacked 5 times and 16 carries for 38 yards. Are you still crying that Coach Pete didn’t offer him a scholarship? Recruiting is a tricky process – sometimes you hit and sometimes you miss. The coaches evaluate and offer who they believe the better/best prospects are and they obviously thought Hedrick was the better option (if you buy into recruiting rankings, he was the higher rated recruit). Quit bitching.

Chris Petersen Critics:
Coach Petersen (you know, the guy with a 78-7 career record who has brought the program to new levels, winning two Fiesta Bowls in the process) has done more than enough to earn the benefit of the doubt from “Bronco Nation”. He’s had to replace how many assistant coaches over the last couple seasons and all the program does is continue to win. There are about 115 other programs in the country that would die to have him as their head coach.

Is the offense scoring points like we’re used to seeing? No. Are they struggling in goal-line situations? Yes. Are they hitting as many long passes as we’d like to see? No (even Kellen struggled with this). Has the running game been inconsistent? Yes.

On the other hand, the re-tooled, young defense has played outstanding, the special teams coverage units have been excellent (even the kicking game looks improved from last season), players are gaining experience and God forbid, the games have actually been close and exciting!

The team is 5-1 and possibly in line to earn a BCS Bowl birth if they can win out. The offense and defense should continue to improve and evolve through the next six weeks and who knows what the team will look like by the end of the season.

Some of you (not all of you) need to quit acting like a bunch of spoiled brats. Sit back down in your chair and appreciate what we have.

/End Rant

Enjoy the blackout and sick unis on Saturday! Go Broncos!