In 1984, the Cougars were in the lightly regarded WAC. They did play Pitt, ranked No. 3, but that Panther team went on to win just three games. Baylor won five, Michigan six. Now look at BYU's schedule: Mississippi, Texas, Oregon State, TCU, Utah and a Central Florida team that was ranked in some preseason polls. BYU won't run the table on that, even if those teams are having down years.
Beyond 2011, BYU's schedule includes games against Georgia Tech, Texas, Notre Dame, Boise State, Utah and Oregon State. If the Cougars scale back to two or three big-conference opponents a year, and a bunch of WAC teams, I don't see them getting in the BCS championship game, either — even with ESPN's constant promotion.
Still, I applaud the approach. BYU has done everyone a favor by simplifying the formula and being honest about it. Now all it needs to do is schedule wisely, win every game and campaign like there's no tomorrow.
email: rock@desnews.com
twitter: therockmonster
facebook: rockmonsterunplugged
DeseretNews.com encourages a civil dialogue among its readers. We welcome your thoughtful comments.
— About comments
Brad Rock, a.k.a. "Rockmonster," has been a sports columnist at the Deseret News since 1994. Prior to that he worked as a beat writer, covering the Utah Jazz (1990-94). He has covered the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, NBA more ..
- High school football: Reigning Mr. Football...
- Dick Harmon: Bronco Mendenhall and Cecil O....
- Ready to roll: US national soccer team ready...
- Utah Jazz: Massive, state-of-the-art...
- BYU football: Cougars must secure their own...
- Twitter reaction: U.S. men's soccer team...
- Rock On: Getting up to speed at BYU, Jazz's...
- A closer look at the Utah Jazz's 2013...
Subscribe
Mobile
RSS
- BYU football: Cougars must secure their...
149 - High school football: Reigning Mr.... 42
- Dick Harmon: Bronco Mendenhall and... 29
- Phil Steele ranks USU 2nd-most... 28
- Trevor Reilly, Jake Murphy to represent... 22
- Teen's family apologizes to family of... 21
- Austin Collie's workout with San... 18
- Dick Harmon: Dick Harmon: Unprecedented... 18
I can see why someone would set a goal that high. I can also see why someone would think it is stupid to set a goal that high. All in all, I think Bronco is right on this one. Something spectacular is usually acheived through goals. Jimmer's goal More..
BYU aims for national championships, and 1984 is an excellent example of why you set high goals.
Good for Bronco and good for BYU!
Go Cougars!
Let's see, what has changed?
In the past, if we lost a game or two, we still ended up in the same bowl. Now we can lose up to six and end up in the same bowl.
In the past, even if we only lost one game, we wouldn't end up in a More..