Deseret News | BYU, Utah Utes football: BYU, Utah predicted to be MWC's top teams

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BYU, Utah Utes football: BYU, Utah predicted to be MWC's top teams

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Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!! | 1:17 p.m. July 21, 2008

Here we go again, "Our D1AA team is better than your's!!!!" says the kewgar fan. As if that means anything. Hello? They are BOTH D1AA teams. Repeatedly defending the replacement of Nevada with Northern Iowa by mocking Weber State makes you sound like a moron.

Nobody is going to look at byU's schedule and say, 'hey, that Northern Iowa team was a good opponent.' So stop trying to say that they are good.

Mike Johnson Fallon NV | 1:17 p.m. July 21, 2008

I hope I get my wish--Utah and BYU undefeated when they play each other in November. That would make a great game. Of course, I want Utah to win it.

Utah and BYU have a great rivalry and for the past three years, they have been pretty even overall.

With the current BCS rules, a non-BCS team should be able to break in as witnessed by Hawaii last year. It is time for a Mountain West team to do it again and it might as well be the winner of the Utah-BYU game.

Utes= | 1:19 p.m. July 21, 2008

Whambulance!

Comments continue below

@ Good Luck | 1:23 p.m. July 21, 2008

"You'll never have my respect"? Wow. Sounds more like someone who chose to root for Utah, more because they hate BYU, than because they like Utah. I suppose that is normal if not original. A person who doesn't respect their opponent shouldn't feel like they accomplished anything when they beat them right? So, I'm sure you are just uninterested in the game each year? I doubt it. Keep your dishonest smack talk in the Junior High school shower where it originated and make sure you wash behind your ears.

A shutout indeed | 1:24 p.m. July 21, 2008

You don't have to look very far into the past to find the last time the utes got shutout. Remember UNLV? Yeah, UNLV! The team picked to finish last in the conference. Yeah, the utes got shutout by them! But, it was oh so much more than a shutout. UNLV went ahead and dragged the utes up the field and then back down the field and then up the field again. I scored just as many points that day as the utes did, and all i had to do was sit and watch the game in my living room. Speaking of which, remember when you played Boise State and your quarterbacks threw more yards to the other team than to your own? That was awesome! Face it, your team is pathetic, your fans are pathetic (because they don't go to any games), and your coaches are pathetic!

Just remember, you got shutout by UNLV!!! LAST SEASON!!!

It's just going to keep happening until your coaches (the same coaches who helped you get shutout by UNLV and get slaughtered by Boise State) figure out how to make you suit up for more than 1 game a year!

Re: Shutout | 1:25 p.m. July 21, 2008

And one of the best team in Utah history, a team that had been averaging over 31 points per games, scored a measly 3 points.

3 points.

Against one of the worst BYU teams in 40 years.

First shutout in 32 years, 0-3, by a 5-6 team (5 years ago) to a 10-2 team vs an 8-4 team shutout last, 0-27, by a 2-10 team.

No contest. Utah wins the shame award by a landslide.

RE: kitties | 1:37 p.m. July 21, 2008

Just a couple of responses to your post:

1. No BYU fan has claimed anything about going to the "BSC". It's the BCS they are aiming for.

2. Michigan is rebuilding with a new coach, so a win over them isn't much different than a win over a rebuilding, new coached UCLA.

3. You say bringing in Oregon St. makes your schedule better than BYU's? No offense, but anyone across the nation will treat a victory over UCLA much better than a win over Oregon St.

I truly wish both BYU and UTAH luck throughout the season. I'm hoping for the "Holy War" to be the deciding game for one of the teams busting the BCS.

Re: shutout | 1:43 p.m. July 21, 2008

Yeah, and while I was watching the game at home in my living room, I scored as many points as the utes, but I also didn't get 27 points scored on me, so frankly, I think I played a better game than the utes did, and I did it from my couch!

Great rivalry | 1:52 p.m. July 21, 2008

All of the hate-filled comments make for an exciting rivalry, but I'm one die-hard Cougar fan that hopes the Holy War is a clash of undefeated Top 10 Non-BCS programs from the same conference. If Utah handles Michigan and Oregon State and BYU handles Washington and UCLA, it's gonna happen. And then it's not about a BCS bowl. Strength of schedule will easily put the winner into the BCS National Championship.

Wait a second, did I just say National Championship? Considering that the SEC is a bloodbath (undefeated teams are VERY unlikely) each, year, as is the Big 12 this year (Who do you like? OU? Texas? Texas Tech? Missouri? Kansas? Holy crap...), and the Rose Bowl will be played on Sept. 13 (Ohio State at USC). No way will a two-loss team preempt an undefeated BYU-Utah winner. BYU's legacy as the king of non-BCS football and Utah's 2004 trouncing of Pitt will create way too much interest.

Here's hoping for a 3rd Straight BYU Victory!!!

WOW!!! | 1:58 p.m. July 21, 2008

SIX BYU players on the preseason all-MWC-conference Offense.

The Defense and Special teams will be very good also.

I'm totally psyched for the coming season.

Good luck COUGARS...

and Utes...

cya, in November.

what happened to CSU? | 1:59 p.m. July 21, 2008

The rams were so good for quite a while and basically dominated the MWC. Now they are predicted next to last in the conference. Kinda sad really and it would have been much better for the conference if they could have stayed stronger longer. Now they are just another MWC cupcake.

re: Laugh Now | 2:04 p.m. July 21, 2008

Wow that is some strong blue koolaid your drinking. You said "Good luck covering Fui and Harvey up the middle, AND J.J. sprinting around the end." -
You must be kidding right. There won't be any laughing just crying from little J.J. when he meets the Hawaiian Hurricane Fotu off the end. You can take that to the bank!

AzCougFan | 2:06 p.m. July 21, 2008

Good luck Utes in the Big House! Follow App St's lead and take out the Wolverines! With the Cougs and Utes at the top of of the MWC conference and some very close Holy War games, this is shaping up for another good Holy War game. If BYU/UT want to get any consideration from the PAC 10 they need to have success together, as they are a package deal.

@ RE: kitties | 2:07 p.m. July 21, 2008

I'm quite sure Utah's overall SOS will be tougher than BYU's this year.

Going by last year's end of season Sagarin rankings, Utah faces Oregon State (16), BYU (17), and Michigan (21).

BYU faces UCLA (33), Utah (34), and Washington (55).

The rest of the schedule is a wash or DI-AA opponents. Utah facing three teams in the top 21 while BYU's three teams are 33, 34, and 55 will have Utah with a better overall SOS (based on 2007 results).

Now, if these teams that were decent last year prove to be bad this year, then all bets are off. But, it's silly to say winning in Ann Arbor is the same as beating UCLA in Provo. And, OSU was ranked higher than UCLA last year so I don't know why people across the nation would treat a UCLA victory better than an OSU victory.

Dear Ute Fans, | 2:07 p.m. July 21, 2008

It's so funny listening to all of you go on about how close you came to beating BYU the last two years--as if that even matters. Don't forget that BYU has also won the last four basketball games against ya'll. Maybe your teams should start focusing more on how to beat the Cougars and less on running your mouths.

could be a bad year for the MWC | 2:11 p.m. July 21, 2008

The out of conference schedule that the conference has this year could do some damage to the respectability of the conference. The teams, taking the advice of our all knowing commisioner a few years ago all have pretty beefed up schedules and will likely have poor records. I'm not talking about the big 3 (byu, utah, and tcu) but the other teams will probably have losing records outside of conference and will make the strength of schedule for the BCS hopeful big 3 look poor.

I think all of the big 3 will lose 1 ooc game anyway (tcu to OU, BYU to UCLA & UW, and Utah to Mich) so BCS dreams may have to wait another year for the MWC.

CrimsonUte | 2:09 p.m. July 21, 2008

Blah blah blah about the '03 game. It was a friggin blizzard, and Utah won by a field goal. Done.

B.J. is more fragile | 2:14 p.m. July 21, 2008

I can't help but notice everyone saying BYU is an average team without Hall. This is probably more true when it comes to the U with Johnson. They are a below .500 team w/o Johnson. Also, based on precedent, B.J. being a glass doll, it is more likely that Johnson gets hurt.

my prediction..for what its wort | 2:22 p.m. July 21, 2008

The home/away will be the difference.

1. Utah 10-2 (7-1) lose at NM
2. TCU 10-2 (7-1) lose at utah
3. BYU 9-3 (6-2) lose at TCU, at utah
4. UNM 7-5 (6-2)) lose to TCU, at BYU
5. Wyo 7-5 (4-4) lose to top 4, 3-1 ooc
6. CSU 5-7 (3-5)
7. USAFA 5-7 (2-6)
8. SDSU 4-8 (1-7)
9. UNLV 1-11 (0-8)

Anonymous | 2:32 p.m. July 21, 2008

No - byu and utah have not been even the past three years. I'll grant you that the games between them have been even but utah has NOT been even with byu within the conference. byu has not lost games to unlv, wyoming, and new mexico the past two seasons, utah has.

Dalllas Reynolds | 2:40 p.m. July 21, 2008

I guess no one was watching Dallas Reynolds get beat time and time again around the outside for Max Hall to get hit in the back. The linemen in this conference must be really weak if he is all conference.

some thoughts | 2:40 p.m. July 21, 2008

I dont really care about BYU and Utah but from what i have read Utah has better defense and better special teams. BYU has better offense. Utah seems to have mental lapses and can always count on at least 1 upset loss, probably within the MWC. BYU is not quite as good on the road and have a tough road schedule. UW has a stud QB and UCLA is much improved so BYU will lose to one or the other, probably UW on the road. Michigan could be terrible but could be pretty good but probably not in week 1. Utah is playing them at an ideal time and could sneak out of the big house with a W. I think utah has the edge over byu because they are playing at home. probably no BCS busters in college football this year, unless they get in with 1 loss.

Ute Losses | 2:47 p.m. July 21, 2008

Right now I'm watching a game from last season in which Utah was shut out by UNLV (yikes!) For that reason alone, I refuse to believe that Utah is going to compete with BYU this year.

SOS BS | 2:47 p.m. July 21, 2008

Clueless fans talking about SOS, as if it were significant in getting an invite to a BCS game.

BYU will start the season ranked about 14th preseason. If they beat Northern Iowa, Washington, and UCLA, they'll be ranked in the top 10, guaranteed. Provided they go undefeated the rest of the season, BYU will be a lock for a BCS game.

Utah will start the season ranked somewhere between 25th and 30th. If they beat Michigan in the Big House, they'll jump to at least 20th. If they finish their season undefeated, they'll be ranked in the top 10 and be a lock for a BCS game.

If both teams go undefeated until November, the rivalry winner will be a lock for the non-BCS BCS invite.

SOS will only be a determining factor in a bid to the National Championship game.

A MWC or WAC will only EVER be a factor in that game IF the MWC or WAC is undefeated, is ranked #1 or #2 (probably #1) in the human polls (which is 2/3 of the equation), and NO BCS conference teams are undefeated.

Could be Great | 2:52 p.m. July 21, 2008

This is starting to look like what could be the best rivalry game ever. Both Utah & BYU have a chance to do some special things this year and doing special things in the same year would make the game a must see across the nation! If [and it might be a dream] both can come in unbeaten then ESPN just might be on the hill again in SLC! I hope that this dream happens. BTW, I'm a Ute.

For the uneducated....stop with the what would have, could have and possible injuries. It makes you sound stupid. Both Ute fan and Cougar fan should want two unbeaten teams facing each other as the winner would have a better shot in the BCS. BYU deserves the top spot in the pre-season as they are two time defending conf champ. Utah can end that this year with a win in SLC!

Wiley Old School | 3:02 p.m. July 21, 2008

Two good, strong teams with solid potential... but very unlikely that either will be undefeated by 11/30. BCS speculation should begin in November, any such talk right now is just dumb. And the few BYU-fan halucinations of playing in the BCS championship game (even if undefeated) suggest there's some serious glue-sniffing going on. (Yes, two 2-loss BCS conference teams would get the nod over any non-BCS entrant, especially with a low soc and especially after Hawaii's performance last season).

Re: Dallas | 3:03 p.m. July 21, 2008

With another year's seasoning, the dominant offensive line that everyone expected last year, will be there this year, with Dallas Reynolds much improved and playing a key role.

Re: the Hawaiian Hurricane Fotu...

will have a very hard time tackling J.J. while he's lying on his back after being pancaked by an offensive lineman (BYU's starting offensive line this season is expected to average 6'5", 330-pounds).

BYU Fan | 3:06 p.m. July 21, 2008

It won't look like such a great rivalry game when BYU wins 56 to 0.

I expect problems... | 3:16 p.m. July 21, 2008

I expect BYU to have problems this year. They lost practically everyone on defense. The defense was what set them apart last year. It will be a down year. Oh well, we got two wins over the Utes the last two years. It don't matter anyway, the conference winner goes to a meaningless bowl.

Anonymous | 3:18 p.m. July 21, 2008

To the person who belittles the U's victory over the Y in that 3-0 game, you go play a game of football in those conditions. See how many points you score.
The U has a great shot at beating Michigan this year. The Wolverines don't have a quarterback to run RichRod's system.
I feel bad for Olson on UCLA. He has to go through Y fans' taunts all over again, for leaving to a different school after his mission. But, of course, that sort of thing is perfectly fine if the player is going from one school to the Y (Hall from ASU, the new kid from Utah State).
I bet the Y overlooks that Washington team. Locker, the Huskies QB, is a poor man's Tebow, who turned down USC to play for his home state school.
Oregon State has a 4 game bowl winning streak and beat USC a few years back, ending the Trojan's winning streak. UCLA beat USC, true, but is 1-3 in their last four bowls, beating only Northwestern and losing to a bad Florida state team, Wyoming, and BYU, in a game that the Bruins probably should have won.

Re: BYU Fan | 3:26 p.m. July 21, 2008

wow, you are so cool and i look up to you. great prediction. yeah right, go utes!

thank magic for robert annae | 3:42 p.m. July 21, 2008

The byu OC robert annae is much more valuable to the BYU program than Bronco. Sure bronco comes up with the catchy slogans and inspires the fanbase (an maybe some of the players) but it is annae's offensive schemes that makes the cougars legit. Sure there is some talent on the BYU offense but having met austin collie, max hall, that overfed O-line, and harvey unga-well, they just dont seem to pass the eyeball test and in no way appear to be elite athletes. They are system players and annae is good at identifying his players strenghts and magnifying them. All cougars better be thanking whoever or whatever it is they thank for that man and hope he doesnt leave BYU or bronco anytime soon.

Re: headcases | 3:44 p.m. July 21, 2008

--on BYU winning 56-0:
The game will be one of the most intense games in BYU/Utah rivalry history, and regardless of who wins, it will be a close, hard-fought victory.

--on being a down year for the MWC:
Nothing could be further from the truth. BYU and Utah will both have very good seasons, and with a little luck, and a whole lot of skill and determination, both could have outstanding seasons. TCU will be very good and I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see one or two MWC teams, besides BYU, Utah and TCU, getting wins over BCS conference teams.

--on Strength of Schedule:
An undefeated BYU or Utah team, this year, will have a very good chance of getting into the BCS National Championship game if there are no undefeated or one-loss BCS conference teams. Both BYU and Utah have the potential of having 2 or 3 wins over teams ranked in the top 25 at season's end. An undefeated team with 2 or 3 wins over top 25 teams will be hard to ignore.

All red | 3:47 p.m. July 21, 2008

What a crock. How is it a team with 3 returning defensive players gets ranked not only to win the conference but to go undefeated and to a BCS game. I will tell you how---almost every sports beat writer and tv personality within this state graduated from BYU. Now, I went to school there too but please, give me a break. We are talking about college sports where anything can change. the only negative I see here is each time these so called sports writers claim something this grand, the team usually implodes which I sure hope is the case with the team from the South! Go Utes!

Re: Conditions | 3:57 p.m. July 21, 2008

"To the person who belittles the U's victory over the Y in that 3-0 game, you go play a game of football in those conditions. See how many points you score."

I was at the game and I've seen games played in MUCH WORSE conditions.

BYU beat Utah 44-0 in Logan in 1985 in a blinding snowstorm in which they used a snowblower to clear the sidelines and goal lines to make sure they could tell where the playing field was.

The BYU and Utah offenses were pathetic in the 2003 game.

BYU's offense was terrible all year and was one of the worst offenses I've seen at BYU since before LaVell.

But, I was surprised at how inept Utah's offense was.

Utah Ute 72 | 4:01 p.m. July 21, 2008

I agree with Dan Shelton of KUTV, never has so much undefeated hype been given to a team that lost eight players on defense. And yes, BYU and Utah are two fairly even, good teams. BYU has done better in conference and has the two titles to show for it. Utah has done better against OOC teams (particularly on the road) and in bowl games (3 to 2). Both teams will need to shore up the weaknesses if they hope to have a chance to move up the bowl heirarchy.
But keep telling us how BYU is the bestest team to by gollie ever grace a field and how three very close games are indicative of their superiority, we never get tired of hearing that.

re: 3:03 pm | 4:01 p.m. July 21, 2008

I think the Utes are shaking in their boots after you told us about the mighty cougar offensive line. Fotu has already dealt with 300 lb linemen quite nicely. Just ask the 6'3" 320 lb CSU lineman during the Utah/CSU game that he picked up and threw into the QB for the sack. The only pancakes thrown down by the Y's lineman will be for breakfast. Never underestimate quickness! Go UTES!

hopin Utes pull it out | 4:15 p.m. July 21, 2008

The Cougar to watch this year is Harvey Unga. With a year of experience and the coaching staff finally buying into his play (why didn't he play more minutes last season?), he could bring home some national awards, not to mention he'll probably be the best back in the MWC. The only problem will be how much he's going to get the ball with Max Hall as QB. Cougar offense is loaded, but watch out for the weak spots.
Ute's have an advantage with their coaches and their D. If Bryan Johnson can play to his potential, he'll allow the D to do their thing and the utes will win several close games. If the Holy War was played today, it looks like it will go to BYU, but as the season nears its end, a lot of things can change. Utah was clearly the better team on the field in the last two battles, but they still lost!
Prediction, both Utah and BYU make it into top 25 at end of season by winning bowl games. Too bad the biases against the non-BCS schools will continue and they'll play teams ranked lower than them.
Good luck to the MWC.

the problem with BYU | 4:15 p.m. July 21, 2008

BYU is great in conference, but the cougs seam to embarrass the MWC in out of conference play. Only Utah and TCU have saved the MWC on the National stage. In the last 5 years, Utah has more wins over BCS teams than any other non-BCS teams and more than the bottom feeders of our league combined.

Byu did crush Oregon (thank you) and did win a miracle against UCLA (after losing to them earlier). Please now that the national media is tuned in donï¿½t pull a Tulsa!

Utah is picked by many national talkers to beat Michigan and Oregon State I just hope the cougs can do their part (history though says otherwise)

Johnson blind sided | 4:38 p.m. July 21, 2008

7-5 season if Hallis blind sided huh? They have good back ups to fill in, guess it could be like the blind side Johnson took last year and Utes went down for the count.

andrewute1 | 4:41 p.m. July 21, 2008

To byu's 330 pound offensive lineman-

They might be big but can they move? From what I hear, Paul Kruger is coming into camp ridiculously fast, running sprints with the receivers! They guy is like 6-5 260, and is running that fast is incredible! How can any lineman stay with a d-end that fast, and if your going to question his strength go watch the film last year against ucla when he picked the lineman and through him into the qb for a sack.

Re: Re: Conditions | 4:45 p.m. July 21, 2008

I was also at the game and it was unbearable sitting there. The temperatures were well below freezing and it was snowing. I remember driving home from that game about 2mph because the roads were pure ice. I've lived in Utah county all my life and have rarely seen conditions so bad.

my 2 Cents | 4:54 p.m. July 21, 2008

I don't see why fans pay so much attention to preseason polls. Wasn't Michigan picked to win the title last year? I will buy into all the BYU hype when their young defense proves they can play. In my opinion, I think they will be good but their inexperience will cost them a game or two. Look what happened to them last year against Tulsa. There were a couple of other close games last year as well that BYU could have easily lost because their defense almost dropped the ball.

Also I think that Utah will be very very good this year if they can keep everyone healthy. BYU fans should be especially afraid. Look what happened last year... B. Johnson wasn't close to 100%. Brent Casteel and Matt Asiata were both out and they gave the Cougars everything they could handle (even with an experienced defense). I just don't see the cougs being as good as everyone thinks they will be.

Re: CSU | 5:02 p.m. July 21, 2008

CSU used to compete but has had some severe difficulties lately.

Big Problem was that the Head coach -now retired- could not or would not fire an assistant no matter how lame. Problem Solved with a new Coach who cleaned house. Coach Fairchild former QB for CSU who played against McMahon then became the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills is the new coach.

Biggest event for CSU last year was beatiing the Wyoming Cowboys in the Border War.

I think Coach Fairchild will inject some energy into the Rams and they may re-surface some day.

I think it would be unwise for Utah and BYU to underestimate them because they do have some talent at running back and several other positions and the new coach may pull them together...And what do they have to lose?

Dios | 5:14 p.m. July 21, 2008

None of this matters. Football is worthless.

reliable preseason | 6:00 p.m. July 21, 2008

In 2005, TCU was NOT the preseaqson pic to win conference, and neither was BYU in 06

Join the WAC | 6:25 p.m. July 21, 2008

and BYU and Utah upgrade to a better conference. I don't know why fans think BYU or Utah could even get into the PAC-10, O doubt the WAC would even take them.

Re: reliable preseason | 6:36 p.m. July 21, 2008

In the 9-yr history of the MWC, the preseason media prognosticators have only picked the league champion TWICE...Colorado St. in 2002, and Utah in 2004.

The '03 Utes, and the '05 Horned Frogs were both picked to finish 5th in the preseason during those respective conference championship years.

to:Mike Johnson Fallon NV | 7:22 p.m. July 21, 2008

BYU at best 1 and 2 to start the season and probably 0 and 3. 2 tp 3 touchdown losses to both UCLA and Washington, and a field goal loss to the 1-AA team from Iowa. Mark my words.

Wyoming will Surprise | 7:41 p.m. July 21, 2008

Where is the love for Wyoming. We have a pretty favorable schedule with many of the tougher teams at home. BYU will overlook us as well. I believe we'll surprise most of the teams. Can't wait for the PUtes to come into town. The whole state will be waiting. Win or lose, the PUtes will leave hurting from the team or the fans.

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