From Deseret News archives:
A quick reference guide to the '08 football season
So in the spirit of simplicity, I have pared down the data from the state's Division I football teams and compiled it into a clear, easy-to-read format.
Don't fret over details; I've already done that for you.
Forthwith is everything you'll need to know about Football 2008, in a modest, manageable and slightly random summary.
COACHES TO WATCH: That's easy. You need to watch all of them.
Each has an intriguing storyline.
BYU's Bronco Mendenhall is as hot as a Las Vegas parking lot. Two straight championships will do that. A third title would vault him into contention for a job at a high profile school like Washington, Iowa, Syracuse, Minnesota or Arizona.
He might even become the state's next Urban Meyer, choosing from among several lucrative offers.
And just like Meyer, he has a first name that plays well in the headlines.
Mendenhall isn't likely to stay in Provo forever, nor has he said he would. One ESPN.com columnist rated him the top non-BCS coach in the country.
There's a good chance he'll land another job before we get the chance to find out. Fifty miles north, there's Utah's Kyle Whittingham, who is an enigma, wrapped in a conundrum, wrapped in a Rubik's cube, wrapped in a fake blitz.
In other words, he's a hard guy to read.
On one hand, he's gold in the post-season, having won all three bowl games since becoming a head coach. On the other hand, he hasn't finished higher than third in the conference and it's not a terribly tough conference.
A third straight loss to BYU and/or another mediocre conference season will leave Whittingham vulnerable. A terrible year will leave him jobless.
In any case, if he gets to a bowl game, don't bet against him.
Meanwhile, Utah State coach Brent Guy's contract runs through the 2009 season but that doesn't necessarily mean his job does. Named the nation's worst team by Sports Illustrated, the Aggies say they are making progress. They did win their final two games of '07.
Still, with games this year against Utah, BYU, Oregon, Hawaii, Boise State, Nevada and Fresno State, the odds of breaking .500 aren't good.
In fact, they're downright remote.
Recent comments
Guys like East River Cat and the clown who responded with 'roid rage...
Anonymous | Aug. 26, 2008 at 11:28 p.m.
Rich.....You are right on with your analysis and comments.......
SOCAL1 | Aug. 25, 2008 at 4:43 p.m.
To Re: TJ
I really was not trying to say who is a better coach and...
TJ | Aug. 25, 2008 at 4:20 p.m.
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- U. wants home-court edge 11:38 p.m.
- BYU soccer coverage sparks debate 11:35 p.m.
- Grizzlies down Wranglers 11:34 p.m.
- Zone D giving Jazz headaches 11:09 p.m.
- Spectacular defense has RSL 11:08 p.m.
- 5A teams best of decade 11:05 p.m.
- TCU's motivation 11:02 p.m.
- Millsap a surprise on ballot 10:57 p.m.
- Vatican looks to heavens for aliens 10:56 p.m.
- Utah group finds homes for orphans
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
- Y. tight ends talented tandem
- Jazz blow big lead, hang on
- Utes get extra motivation
- Senators want food tax restored
- Hair-pulling raises more questions
- BYU soccer incident still popular
- Lobo land like home for BYU lineman
- U. hopes to keep clicking
- House passes health care bill
263 - TCU showdown has big implications
188 - Lobo suspended
185 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Senators want food tax restored
149 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
105 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
104 - RSL rallies to advance
103
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