BYU football: It's GameDay, and everyone's pumped up

PROVO — It took a while, but ESPN's College GameDay has finally found its way to BYU.

While the all-sports network will be showcasing the school and the football program today as part of its coverage, the first-ever appearance here of the popular Saturday morning highlights-analysis-and-predictions show speaks volumes about the importance of today's showdown between No. 10 TCU (6-0, 2-0) and No. 16 BYU (6-1, 3-0).

It features a pair of nationally ranked teams. It has Bowl Championship Series implications — the Horned Frogs are in the hunt for a BCS berth — and Mountain West Conference championship implications.

Beyond that, the Cougars are looking to avenge an embarrassing, bitter 32-7 loss last season at TCU.

The fact ESPN has decided to descend on Provo also says plenty about the national respect the MWC, and both programs, have garnered in recent years — despite the fact the game will be televised by Versus. The long-standing television deal between ESPN and the MWC ended a few years ago.

"This is a big deal," said BYU tight end Andrew George. "Coach (Bronco) Mendenhall told us, 'This isn't something that just happened. It's something you have earned, based on how you've played over the last few years and the way TCU has played the last few years.' It's recognition for our conference, which is awesome. For us to get national recognition and have a chance to play in a BCS bowl, we need recognition for our conference.

"It's great to have GameDay in Provo to show the nation who our fans are. Even if people can't watch it on TV, they'll be paying attention to this game."

"I'm excited. I think everybody's excited," said Cougar quarterback Max Hall. "It's the first time College GameDay has ever been at BYU. It gives us a real chance to spotlight our program and hopefully play well in front of the nation. Obviously, it's a great opportunity. We just want to take advantage of it."

BYU has already played in big games this year on a national stage — the season-opener against Oklahoma and the home-opener against Florida State — with markedly different results. The Cougars shocked the then-No. 3 Sooners, 14-13, but got drilled by the Seminoles, 54-28.