Football fans are the only people hurt by trying to prove a point

Dear Versus and DirecTV,

As a DirecTV subscriber, I would like to thank you for your ongoing battle that's keeping Versus off my television. As a result of your inability to reach an agreement, I was unable to watch last week's Florida State-BYU football game.

And I was saved several hours of agony.

Signed,

A loyal Cougar fan.

Gee, who would've thought?

(OK, that's not a real letter. But it might have been.)

DISH VS. DIRECTV: In the midst of all those DirecTV subscribers/BYU fans getting all upset about the Versus situation last week, I got an e-mail from one fan who went on and on about how he hates DirecTV and The mtn. And he won't buckle under to either of them. And he's glad he has Dish. And he'll watch the games that he can.

Good for him. If he can actually prove a point, great. But he won't. And he'll be missing a whole lot of football.

You can see at least 10 of BYU's football games this season on DirecTV, assuming you pay for the right programming package. If the satellite provider makes peace with Versus before Oct. 24, you'll be able to see 11.

If you subscribe to Dish, which doesn't carry The mtn., you'll be able to see six.

The numbers are similar for Utah — at least 10 games on DirecTV; seven on Dish. Possibly all 12 on DirecTV, pending the Versus situation.

Here in Utah, Comcast cable subscribers can see every Ute and Cougar game. But that's not true for most cable subscribers across the country.

Personally, I'd rather watch more games. Even if they're on The mtn. and I complain about the telecast from beginning to end.

And, if Utah or BYU sports is a priority for you, what message are you sending by subscribing to Dish, the satellite provider that still doesn't carry The mtn.?

I TOLD YOU SO: Two weeks ago, I told you that BYU was doomed — because ESPN football "experts" Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit had both done 180s and jumped on the Cougar bandwagon.

So last week's loss to Florida State should have been no surprise, given that the duo had heaped praise on BYU on "GameDay."

"BYU has too much firepower for the fast-but-overrated 'Noles defense. ... BYU by three touchdowns," Corso said.

And Herbstreit went even further, speaking with the enthusiasm of a convert.

"This BYU team, when they play with the intensity that they played with against Oklahoma, they sent a message to America that they are a legitimate team that needs to be taken serious. Looked at as a team that can not only compete for the BCS but maybe get a shot at the national title," he said. "If they play with the same intensity, they'll blow Florida State out."

Ah, well. Maybe in the wake of the big loss, Corso and Herbstreit will turn on BYU again. And the Cougars will start winning again.

e-mail: pierce@desnews.com