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BYU football: Can team avoid another 1-2 start?

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AK Cougar | 1:47 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Best of luck on Saturday. Many in Alaska will be cheering loudly for the Cougars especially over an PAC 10 team in Washington. A great start 3 - 0 would make a memorable season with a great finish. Go Cougars.

Reality | 2:20 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Your analysis is all wrong, yes it is true that BYU has had a hard time starting out the season, but why? Because BYU cannot beat a quality non conference team, and never has been able to, except on rare occasions. Last year the cougs lost to an extremely overrated UCLA team and some scrubs. The year before that they lost to Arizona which finished like 8th or 9th in the pac-10. Why canï¿½t any BYU fans realize this, it is soooooo obvious. BYU has little to no respectability outside the MWC and mormonland because of this. And every BYU fan always complains about the lack of respect on the National stage. Well, beat someone. I really donï¿½t like Utah but I know they have a better reputation national because of their record against BSC teams. Face it BYU you cannot beat a quality non conference team and until then noone outside the MWC takes you seriously.

Patata Brava | 6:48 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Here is the thing - the Husky fans are really, really hungry for a win. They are desperate. There could be 65,000 in attendance on Saturday. The Husky players also know that their coach's job is on the line. Next week the Huskies play Oklahoma, so if they don't win on Saturday, they will probably go 0-3 to start the season and then he will probably get fired. People are already talking about it.

SO - the key to this game is for BYU to get a very, very fast start. I think that if they could build an early lead and make it look like the Huskies won't come back, by the second half I am confident that the local crowd will turn on Willingham. It could get really ugly.

Good luck Cougars! Take care of business up north!!

Comments continue below

chester blue | 6:56 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

I think this will be a hard game. Washington started out pretty good against Oregon in the first quarter but the Ducks poured it on for the remainder. Look for Andrew George to have a big day and our receivers like Collie and Reed. Don't be surprised if Chambers gets some touches on offense too. Of course we'll need Harvey and Fui to play consistently good and they will or at least Unga will. Fui could be the surprise back in this game though. This is a good test but I expect BYU to walk out win a W. BYU 31 Washington 23

reality | 7:12 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

reality, you make some good points but all interest is lost in your bigotry and generalizations. try rethinking your analysis.

REAL QUESTION | 7:19 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

The real question is whether the utes defense get up the courage to tackle the UNLV running back? Have they gotten over their fear from a year ago?

Shut out | 7:24 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Washington is going to take a beating of a lifetime Saturday. BYU 42-0. Nuff said.

Anonymous | 7:44 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Reality sounds like a Utah or Utah State fan trying to disguise himself. He must be pretty bored to read a Cougar article just to try and insult them. Here's some reality: get a job.
This could be a breakthrough game for us and hopefully should give us some good confidence going on the road. The Huskies will be motivated. We're going to need to bring it.
Go Cougars!

geezer | 7:44 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

RE: Shut out

Utah fan? BYU has never come close to beating the Huskies at Huskie Stadium. Washinton's young team will play better in their own stadium. I look for a close game and don't expect a Cougar blowout at all. The key for the Cougars could be whether or not they can establish the run.

coach carter | 7:51 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

after watchin the replay of the byu game last week, im not really sure byu is as good as they think. the lb's were slow to react and the db's looked terrible. niu was horrible, yet they were in it till the latter parts of the 3rd quarter. dont overlook uw cougs or your bcs dreams will be shot. as for utah, continue to play defense with the same tenacity as last week, and you will return the favor to unlv.

BoiseCougar | 7:59 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

There is no denying that Utah has had very good success in some out of conference games as well as bowl games. Congrats to them for that. But to say BYU's out of conference struggles means they have no national respect is to deny what is in black and white. BYU ended the last two seasons in the top 15 and sit at number 15 today. Yes, to get to that next level we need to win these games - most have been very close and it is time to pile up some wins. But the respect is there - for both programs as Utah sits in the top 25 as well. BYU wins 45-27 and Utah wins 38-17 Saturday.

Re. Reality | 8:12 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

The real reality? BYU has more wins over big names teams in the last 40 years than the best 3 teams in the MWC combined!

Ted | 8:34 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Thank goodness for NIU, Utah State and Weber State!

George | 8:33 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

I am true blue. BYU will have their hands full Saturday. If they get ahead early, I hope they remember to not slide after that. And all the BCS talk is not only way early but problematic for the team. We have a good team but they must defeat big name schools to gain respect outside the MWC as Reality correctly put it.

Texas Fan | 8:42 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

To Reality,

I live in Dallas, which is full of Big 12 fans. BYU has a lot of respect amongst those fans. What is the basis of your statement that "BYU has little or no respectability outside the MWC and mormonland"? What is your evidence?

Hmmm... | 8:40 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Patata Brava | 6:48 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008
"There could be 65,000 in attendance on Saturday."

I wouldn't be surprised if 1/5 to 1/4 of the crowd was BYU fans from Washington and Oregon. There are a lot of members of the church up there who are excited to see BYU play. If the game sells out, it won't be Washington fans filling the remaining seats.

geezer | 7:44 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008
"I look for a close game and don't expect a Cougar blowout at all. The key for the Cougars could be whether or not they can establish the run."

I agree with both points. I think the BYU team will be slow to start, but so will the young Washington offense. If Harvey Unga rushes for over 100 yards, I think BYU leaves Seattle with a win. Otherwise it might be close.

Belgie | 8:49 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

I'm not complaining about a lack of respect. 15th in the polls seems pretty respectful to me.

True Reality | 8:55 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Why does everyone keep talking about the yewts beating such great opponents? Let's look at this closely.

2008...Utah eeks out a victory against a down Michigan team (I'm sure we will find out how down Michigan is as they get exposed in the upcoming weeks).

2007... they beat a sub par Louisville team that finished 6-6 in probably the worst BCS conferences. They beat UCLA in Rice Eccles. BYU also beat UCLA, eventually, on a neutral field.

2006... only non-conference wins came against a non division 1 Northern Arizona team and one of the worst division 1 teams, Utah State.

2005... only so-called quality win came against a mediocre 7-5 Georgia Tech team.

2004... even yewt fans admit they did not play any real tough teams including Pitt (who finished 8-4) in their BCS game.

In fact, going back the last 10 years, the yewts have not beaten any non-conference teams that had a 10 win season!!! They have only beaten 1 non-conference team that had 9 wins.

When trying to make a point about BYU's lack of quality wins, don't make the comparision by using the yewts becasue they really aren't that impressive!

This is the test | 9:11 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

I think that this is the time for BYU to earn their place in the polls. With the next 2 wins over Pac-10 teams, that will be the real indicator that BYU football does belong in the top 15 or even the top 10 this year.

Anonymous | 9:57 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

I'm no coaching expert (after all I don't coach little league footbal) but I agree with the above comments that the cougs looked a little slow at times against NI.

It will be tough for them to crank out a win . . .

A Fast Start will be the key | 10:16 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Saturday in Seattle. BYU needs to score early and often and not let UW hang around too long. Hopefully, Coach Anae will not spend too much time trying to establish the run, but use their controlled passing game to open up the run game.

The time is right for BYU to reverse their typical early season woes, as well as their very mediocre record against BCS opponents.

UW will be tough at home, UCLA will be much tougher than anticipated and ranked(wonder what Norm has cooked up for us during their bye week?), but 3-0 is very doable.

Go Cougs!

Just Win | 10:24 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Any kind of a win is big for BYU in this one. I espect the Huskies to be tough at home. A loss will mean an exit from the top 25. Can the Cougars win a big game on the road against a tough opponent? They'll have to if they want national respect. BYU 30-27

Re: Re: Reality | 10:26 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

"The real reality? BYU has more wins over big names teams in the last 40 years than the best 3 teams in the MWC combined!"

Does that mean you don't condsider BYU one of the three best teams in the MWC?

Todd Norfolk | 10:35 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

This week is a go and show. No more sissy talk. BYU has an awesome team this year. Their offense will go inflict its will and dominate the Husky D-fense. This week is only an opportunity for our D-fense to show it can contain a big money speedster. Next week is the true test for our offense. GO COUGARS!!!!

Sanity | 10:56 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Cougs by 30!
BYU will light up the folks in Washington.

Re: Re: Re: Reality | 11:01 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

When it comes to football, it not necessary to specify that BYU is in the top 3 of MWC teams because it's automatically implied that they are the best team. I mean c'mon, they have won the conference more than any other team! Generally speaking the team that holds the trophy at the end of the season is the best, right? BYU has held it 4 times!!!

WA COUG | 11:07 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

I live in WA and will be at the game along with 20 thousand other coug fans, everyone is making the trip to see our cougs play. Should be a great game and cougs will play a much better second half to seal the deal this week. Cougs by two touchdowns.

MAx hall meet | 11:17 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

the new and highly improved defense! the same one that brought it on monday night agianst SEC power Tennessee. Max hall is going to hate life come saturday.

Re: MAx hall meet | 11:29 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

one week off buddy!

Re: true reality | 11:47 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

You mention all the problems with the BCS teams that Utah beat the past few years but which BSC teams has byu beat other than bottom feeder pac-10 teams? Utah does have more victories over BSC teams than any other non-BSC team since the start of the BSC. Plus that 2004 season the las vegas sportsbooks had the Utes third in the country being very competative against USC and auburn.

You heard it here first BYU wins at WU but loses at TCU and Utah, the two best teams one their schedule this year

Re; Re Reality | 11:49 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

You lose all credibility with silly names like zoobiew or yewts. I like a serious discussion, but I can't have it when UCLA goes from the best team in the country when the beat us, to the most over rated team in the country when the U beats them, back the "best" 6-6 team in the nation when we beat them in a bowl game. I mean, I don't think either team has had a really impressive win in quite a while. Looking back at it, the 2004 Utah team was probalby the best chance the MWC had at playing a real top program and beating them, they just didn't get the chance.

The last few years, both teams have laid too many eggs to brag at all (i.e., loss to UNLV, Tulsa, pathetically beating an shorthanded UCLA in a bowl). If I'm on the outside looking in, what has either team really done in the last few years?

Where's Stocton??? | 11:49 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Ref: reality and geezer

Boy's.... I think your both a little dazed and confused here......Don James is no longer coaching at Washington.....we're talking Willingham here....remember he's the guy who couldn't cut it at Stanford or Notre Dame and hasn't shown much promise up there in Washington either......you guys need to relax a little and come down out of that smoke filled cave you've been holed up in, for a couple of decades or more.........get some fresh air for pete's sake.........broaden your minds a little....it's a whole new world out there.

Mountain Worst | 11:52 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

LOL. You guys are all pathetic, hearing you argue over who is the best team in the worst conference. The Mountain Worst is a joke, any half-way decent team from the SCC or ACC would win every MWC team by 3 TD's every game. The U and the Y would be lucky to break 6-6 if they were in a real conference. Both teams are totally overrated and only get there because their conference is so weak it makes their record look descent.

I haven't seen either team play well against any good oponent, they can beat sub-par BCS teams, but if they played a real top 2-3 team from a real conference, it would be a big time blow out. Sorry, but you can't argue with the results, your conference is too weak to produce a team of any consequence.

Anonymous | 11:58 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

15th in the nation of no consequence? ...hmm...
Who's the pathetic one who's commenting on our comments?
Why don't we play the top teams? They won't play US! Because we'll win...
The elitism displayed by BCS schools is laughable at best. They wouldn't dare play the elite WAC and MWC teams, because they know they very likely may lose.

Steve | 12:00 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

I think 15+ times ending the season nationally ranked versus Utah's mere 4 or 5 shows that the national respect has and is there for BYU. Utah has made big strides in the last decade or so to make a national name for themselves, but BYU had been a more recognized and respected team already. They obviously fell off a bit the last decade, but are putting it back together now. The next two weeks will be a good measuring stick. Of course, winning the next two games and then dropping a MWC game or two would be detrimental to BYU's attempt to regain any national acclaim.

UNI not NIU | 12:03 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

"niu was horrible, yet they were in it till the latter parts of the 3rd quarter."

"Thank goodness for NIU, Utah State and Weber State!"

BYU played against the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and NOT against NIU (Northern Illinois University). UNI is an FCS team (formerly Division I-AA) from the Gateway Football Conference.

NIU is an FBS team (formerly Division I) from the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

There's this thing called the Internet. You can look up all kinds of stuff before you go spouting off like you know stuff.

Anonymous | 12:06 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Reality- talk to us when you're utes have taken on the number 1 team in the country and beaten them. Or gone on the road to Georgia and won, or even played a game in SEC country for that matter. BYU has had plenty of games against top 20 teams throughout the yeara and have won a decent share of them. It'll come back around again soon.

RE: Anom @ 11:58 | 12:10 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Uh, show me a real team that either one has beaten. Why would a good team play you when their mid-teir teams usually beat you. Utah got more $ from playing at Michigan than your pathetic little Vegas "bowl" grossed for the whole conference. You can start to talk as soon as your teams play and beat a real team. Until, talk is cheap.

What would be the incentive to play a MWC team? We become their biggest game of the year when it's a nobody for us. Not a real incentive there. I now live in Utah, but miss the big school college atmosphere of other places I've lived in, that's all.

Just ... | 12:16 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Just shut up and play football... Actually just watch football because I am sure no person blogging is on one of the teams.

No predictions, no name-calling, no historical irrelevant stats or stadium capacity bragging.

Any team in the major NCAAF category can potentially beat any other team on any given Saturday or Thursday

Thanks to the competent, calm bloggers for intelligent posts... but the majority of bloggers are just blabbing and throwing vile. It ain't politics it is college football.

Aaron | 12:17 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Oregon beat UW with their 3rd and 4th string quarterbacks, we better beat them.

Utah Fan | 12:21 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

I went to the U. I'm all about the rivalry. However, I'm also all about the MWC looking good, so I was hoping for BYU to take out Washington on Saturday. That was until I had the conversation with my very good friend who is a BYU fan (though she goes to a different school, but she's LDS so...) Now I want BYU to go down hard, because she got all mental on me, as zoobies do. Do we really have to hate all things BYU/U because we are fans of the other? Well, then count me in as part of the mob. Go Utes! Clobber UNLV while the kitties eat Washington turf and it will be a good saturday indeed.

Ernest T. Bass | 12:22 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Ok here's what I think we should do. When BYU plays an OOC road game they can have Kyle as their coach that week to help them win. And when we play UNLV or Air Force we could borrow Bronco to help us win those games. Sound like a plan? See how great it is when everybody works as a team!

Of course I don't know what we're going to do during rivalry week since we can't seem to beat BYU anymore. We can beat other big name teams but not those guys. Why is that? Oh, well.

The past | 12:24 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Isn't it great how easy it is to make the past look better for one team over the other. We bring up all of these pointless stats, of course leaving out the "non-important" stats that don't look so good for our school.

BYU has the "We are better over the last 40 years" and "We won the National Championship".

Utah has the "We busted the BCS" and "We have beat more BCS Schools in the last decade".

The fact is, national recognition is not a given for Mountain West teams. The BCS schools are given the respect (sometimes undeserved) based on "History" but winning one national championship 20+ years ago and busting the BCS once does not give these teams national credibility year in and year out. It takes consistent winning to do that. Notice how BYU finished 2006 in the top 20 and weren't ranked to start 2007. It took finishing top 20 2 years in a row to start ranked. Both BYU an Utah need to consistently schedule and beat BCS schools and create the history year in and year out. Stop living in the past, it isn't good enough!

Re:Mountain Worst | 12:35 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Other than a few perennial powerhouses from the BCS conferences, the majority are nothing special. BYU, Utah and TCU would have their way with them. The Big East is a joke of a conference yet they get an automatic BCS bid every year. That's gonna change when BYU and Utah end up in the top 20 this year. Respect is coming! In the meantime, run off to your little hole and hide.

Anonymous | 12:43 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Utah Fan, go home. You are disingenuous to pretent that you want BYU to do beat Washington, but after talking to a BYU fan you changed your mind.

Riiiiiiiight.

If you can't post honestly, don't post at all.

Utah Fan | 12:54 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Too funny! You got rejected by a pretty BYU fan and now you want the Y to 'go down'. No wonder she dissed you. You sound like a nut case. Too funny!

Steve | 12:54 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

So let me get this straight: When BYU or Utah beats a BCS team it is only because they are the SEC, Pac 10, ACC or Big 10 or 12 bottom feeders. But, when it is Florida, LSU, Ohio St. or whoever else taking advantage of those same sorry teams every single year we are supposed to ooh and ahh at their greatness? Obviously there are some better teams at the top of those conferences, but there is ALWAYS a chance for humility. Boise State over Oklahoma a couples years ago, BYU over Miami, and plenty of other instances. These so-called big boys schedule plenty of patsies to build themselves up too. Of course they are better conferences, but the MWC is no "joke". I would say they compare pretty well with the Big Least for example.

RE: RE Mountain Worst | 1:00 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

I think you guys are the ones trying to climb out of a "little hole." We're alredy out in the sunlight buddy. Again, start talking when either one of you guys beats a real school. That's all I'm waiting for. You talk about how great you are etc... etc..., but it doesn't mean anything until someone beats a real team. What is so hard to understand about that?

Re: true reality @ 11:47 a.m | 1:02 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

If you actually READ through my comment, I never once stating that BYU's non-conference wins are good, in fact, I even admitted that BYU has a lack of quality wins! The whole point of my comment was to show that Utah's wins are not that impressive either!! I would be agreeing with everyone about their "quality wins" if Utah could have beaten AT LEAST one non-conference team that finished with 10 wins or AT LEAST more than one team with 9 wins. Bottom line, Utah's wins are very overrated and the yewts know it!

Re: Mountain Worst | 1:03 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Please dont tell us that the ACC is a quality football conference. Isn'the ACC 1-8 in their last 9 BCS bowl games? Gimme a break. When you're teams are tough enough to travel west and get it handed to you, let us know.

The MWC may not be great top to bottom, but the top teams can compete against anybody...at least this year they can.

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