Reader comments
Rivalry week: Coaches weigh in on game's matchups

Anonymous | 12:41 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

This is a bit off the topic, but I don't know how else to find out. If BYU wins, their record will be 11-1 and Utah's record will be 11-1. TCU's record (if they beat Air Force) will be 11-1. That means that they all would be tied for the best record in the conference. BYU would hold the tiebreaker over Utah by virtue of winning the game. But TCU would hold the tiebreaker over BYU and Utah would hold the tiebreaker over TCU. Would there be a 3-way conference champion?

AK Cougar | 12:54 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Great article with the other conference coaches weighing in. I think most will give the edge to Utah without bing committed. Anyway, it will be a great game. I give the cougars the edge even though they are the underdogs. They do not have to prove anything, unlike Utah who has everything to lose. Cougars by 3, 24 - 21.

Blah | 6:19 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Yes, I don't follow the shared conference title conversation either. Frankly, if they all have the same record at the end, give the title to the person who is ranked highest = UTAH!

Comments continue below

No tie-breaker needed | 7:13 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Since there is no automatic berth to anything for MWC football teams, there is no need for a tie breaker.

The Las Vegas Bowl has first pick of available MWC bowl eligible teams. They could pick UNLV if the Rebels become bowl eligible. That would be an unwise choice, but it's entirely up to the Las Vegas Bowl to choose whichever team they want.

The Poinsettia Bowl has second choice. The Armed Forces and New Mexico Bowls, and probably Humanitarian Bowl, follow.

It would be a tie | 7:16 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

If BYU wins, it's a shared conference championship; a 3-way tie.

Mendenhall | 7:22 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

has better prepare his team better than he did against TCU. BYU has been so inconsistent all year on defense. I like BYU but would like to see a Mountain team be the bowl buster. No chance that BYU will with one loss but with no loses Utah will. So lets hear it for Utah for the sake of the rep for the Mountain.

BYU @ PSU | 7:31 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

To answer the questions about the shared conference championship if BYU and TCU win on Saturday: The Mountain West Conference doesn't have a tie-breaker clause in its rule for determining conference champion. There would literally be a three way tie for the conference champion (I don't think it's really the best way to do it, but it is what it is). This is partially the reason that the contract with the Las Vegas both doesn't specify that the "conference champion" be selected, but rather the Las Vegas both simply has first pick of ANY bowl eligible team in the conference (it would make sense that they would pick the champion, if there is a clear cut champion, but they don't have to).

Anonymous | 7:34 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Huh! Give the title to the team ranked the highest? National rankings have nothing to do with conference rankings and who is more deserving.. The nonsense is painful to read on these boards!

NO MTN. | 7:56 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I'd like to weigh in on something: put this game on Versus or CBS College Sports so more people can access it! This game is far too big to be broadcast solely on the Mtn.

For the record | 7:58 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

TCU's record isn't 11-1, it is 9-2 with the possibility of going 10-2 if they beat Air Force. Like BYU and Utah (after this weekend) they have only one conference loss.

azcavalier | 8:09 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

To Blah!

Umm...if BYU beats Utah to create a three way tie for the conference championship, then Utah WON'T be the highest ranked team. BYU will move up, Utah will move down. Chances are that BYU will just Utah in the polls. Utah would probably wind up around 14, and BYU will probably jump up to 11 or 12.

Not that it matters.

Correction | 8:22 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Some posters have been correct. There is no 'tie-breaker' in the MWC; however, there is a 'tie-breaker' equation that is used in conference play and if the scenario plays out where both TCU and BYU win, there will be a three way tie, but the trump card will be held by BYU. If in any other conference, Cougars would win the conference title.

San Diego Poinsettia Bowl officials have publiclly stated that "it is time for BYU to come back to San Diego". Jeff Call, in his article today, is not correct. If BYU wins, they could still be a BCS buster. A marquis win over Utah would jump computer rankings for them to 10 or 11. The variable is of course BSU. Hard to guess what the computers will do with wins over Nevada and Fresno, but likely will win out over BYU. One mis-step on the part of BSU and BYU would go to a BCS game. The Marquis match-up would be this: Utah goes BCS busting (no, no, no! Go Cougars!!) and BYU goes to San Diego and plays a 12-0 or 11-1 BSU. THAT game SHOULD be sold out. TCU goes to Vegas.

Voters | 8:33 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

It's a no brainer if BYU beats Utah then they'll be voted higher than Utah, and will receive a huge boost with the computer rankings. The game will be hard fought. Both teams know how to win close games. The only thing is that Utah has everything to lose in this game and BYU has everything to gain. BYU's defense will stun the critics as they always do during this matchup. Cougs take it home.

BYU 31
Utah 27

TCU would be | 9:15 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

10-2 if they beat Air Force on Saturday (NOT 11-1). Because of the OOC records, BYU would be listed at the top of the 3 way tie if they defeat UTAH. BYU would also get a BCS birth if Nevada or Fresno State defeat Boysenberry State. BYU would probably rise 2-3 spots in the BCS poll with a victory and UTAH would drop two or three spots.

Several other teams AHEAD of BYU and UTAH must play 2 or more big games before the Bowl season, so one or more MWC teams COULD easily end up in the top 12 even with 1 loss. That would NOT be the case for Boysenberry State. A loss this weekend to Nevada would drop them to around 17-19 in the BCS Standings.

There is NO CHANCE that BALL STATE, a MAC team would move ahead of a MWC team even if undefeated. The MAC is lower than the WAC and the WAC is weak.

question | 9:46 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

if tcu gets beat byu air force and byu beats utah wouldnt byu be the outright MWC champ with the head to head victory over utah and tcu having 2 mwc losses??????

Honest | 9:58 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

It is obvious that there are 7 MWC teams routing for Utah this weekend. They want the money that comes with being a mediocre (Air Force, CSU) or terrible team (Wyoming SDSU) that plays in the same Conference as a BCS bowl team much like Duke, Baylor, Indiana, Syracuse, Washington St. Mississippi St.

I like the fact that Gary Patterson is honest and says of course he is routing for BYU to create a 3 way tie. I do not mind a tie for the championship. If you have 3 teams with one loss and they all beat each other, how can you give it to one over the others? Utah has the obvious advantage by playing the top 2 contenders at home. While BYU has the disadvantage of playing on the road.

hey | 10:25 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

beck scrambles.... scrambling.... he throws touchdown harline!!!! oh and... 4th and 19.... utahs corner.. oh wait.. gotta cover the receiver.. collie open... four plays later.. TD HARVEY. THATS WHATS UP

Thro It For Sure | 11:00 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Utah will throw it long and hard all day long. YOU CAN COUNT ON IT. BYU has no way, ABSOLUTELY NO WAY to stop the long pass. It will be a day of BIG NUMBERS for Brian Johnson. Likely he will pass for over 400 yards!! I feel sorry for anyone dressed in BLUE in the defensive secondary. They will have a long and tiring day. It will be a day of utter embarrassment. BETTER THAN CHRISTMAS DAY. I CANNOT WAIT!!!!

Re: Correction | 11:01 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

There is no tie-breaker to determine the conference champion there is only a tie-breaker to determine bowl selection.

BYU would NOT hold any trump cards since the bowl selection tie breaker goes like this.

#1. Head to head. There would be three teams tied with each other TCU, BYU and Utah all having gone 1-1 against each of the other teams. Result Tie.

#2. The next highest common opponent is selected, in this case Air Force (assuming TCU wins). Each team will have beaten that opponent. Result Tie.

#3. You continue going down the list (UNLV,CSU, New Mexico, Wyoming, SDSU) Result Tie.

#4. After all the tie breakers are done if there is still a tie then it's a tie and the LV Bowl can chose from any of the eligible teams.

COLLIES OPEN - but he dropped it | 11:04 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Collie can't hold onto balls in big games. I predict he will drop at least 3.

branrusa | 11:13 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

It TCU loses, and BYU wins it is still a two way tie. Even the head to head matchup doesn't change anything.

The Utes clinched at least a share of the title by beating SDSU last week. The best TCU and BYU can hope for is a tie. Utah is the only team that can win it outright.

RE:COLLIES OPEN-but he dropped | 11:21 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

4 & 18.......Big enough game for ya? Collie is going to pick apart the man defense.... This year its not going to have to come down to a 4 & 18

Corrected Correction | 11:28 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

THERE IS NO BOWL SELECTION TIE-BREAKER for the MWC, PERIOD!!!

Is that clear enough???

The Las Vegas Bowl gets FIRST CHOICE and the Las Vegas Bowl selection committee can select ANY bowl eligible MWC team they choose.

If UNLV and Colorado State finish 6-6, the Las Vegas Bowl could pick the Rebels or the Rams if they wanted.

Only in your dreams... | 11:34 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Collie is more likely to make a one-handed circus catch in big games, than he is to drop a ball.

When Collie's open, Utah fans will be cursing the result.

TCU and Utah State | 12:07 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I saw Collie drop 4 against TCU and 3 against Utah State. He will probably drop a few against Utah as well.

Collie? | 12:12 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Who is Collie? Is he a receiver? I've heard of Reed and Pitta.

COLLIE IS THE BOMB dropper. | 12:20 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

He can do it on the big stage.

I love it ... Win or Loose | 1:05 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Win or loose ... BYU Wins. Either way they most likely will end up in Vegas and collect that paycheck. But if they win they get bragging rights and if they loose they get a BCS check curtesy of Utah.

BYU has had the bragging rights for the past two years so I can handle trading it for a check this year. Especially with how Utahs basketball team is playing :)

Oh and if you don't know Collie, just look at the list of top recievers in the nation. He is still #1 in recieving.

Mike B. | 1:16 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Obnoxious ute fans who think Collie is just average. Remember last year he was the guy that got away. The best reciever in the league! Ya better than yours. Every coach has played again'st him the last 3 years and the consensus is he is the best! So if he gets away a few times your not going to rock us. I am a knowledgeable football fan and I think you have the edge, but that being said its a rivalry game anything I mean anything can happen. Goodluck to both win or lose it should be a great game. Both will represent the conference well whereever they go. It is good for the state of Utah. It puts us on the football map and someday maybe we will be in the BCS mix soon.

Jayron | 1:17 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Bcs Birth. ha ha.

Secondary | 2:21 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I think the most interesting part of the article is the point coaches make about BYU's secondary which was already mediocre and has some injury problems. They play not to give up the deep ball and I think that the short passing game will be there for Utah all night. Combine that with good speed around the edges and Utah should be able to put up a lot of points. The game really comes down to whether or not BYU can put up the points on the Utah defense. BYU should be able to power run and pass deep, but if Pitta doesn't play BYU loses their most clutch receiver (for the record, Collie's great but watching all of BYU's games this year with the game on the line I want Pitta getting the ball). I see a close, high-scoring game. The exact opposite of TCU-Utah.

go cougs!!! | 2:35 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Has anyone else ever noticed that most die-hard Yewt fans only root for the Yewts because they couldn't get into BYU?

RE: go cougs | 2:59 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I got into both, but the U had a better program for me (Geology, BYU doesn't have much in the way of earth science I found out) and I'm a die hard Ute fan. Tone down the hate talk a little buddy, let's just enjoy a good game!

More Re: go cougs | 4:10 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Actually, some people, even some LDS people, made a CONSCIOUS CHOICE to not attend BYU so we wouldn't have to associate with dorks like you who act like they're better than everyone else just because they go/went to BYU.

I've posted this elsewhere - the hardest part of my mission was having to spend 2 months in Provo right across the street from stinkin' BYU! Get over yourself already!

And oh yeah, GO UTES!!

Re: Thro it for sure (11:00) | 4:17 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Yes, I agree, it would be a very long and embarrasing day for anyone dressed in blue in BYU's defesnive secondary. It would be embarrasing to have forgotten your white uniform for a road game.

CAKEWALK | 6:47 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

WITH A BIG RED CANDLE..the y just hasn't prepared well enough...it's speed , speed , speed and special teams. your too predictable y. and that is y!

Re: CAKEWALK | 7:01 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Just curious, but how do you know how well BYU has prepared? Been to a practice? Do you know their gameplan? You might be right about the cakewalk, but don't blame it on preparation BEFORE the game actually happens. If BYU looks terrible (ie TCU), then you can talk about poor preparation as much as you want.

re: go cougs | 8:59 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Really? I'm a die hard Ute fan, and I not only got admitted to BYU, but I was offered the Presidential scholarship. I picked the U instead, and I'm very glad I did!

CAKEY BOYS | 9:09 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

BYU's cakey boys are eatin it every chance they get. Check out the bellies on the front line and even cherry PITTA IS SPORTIN ONE.

mike utah | 10:12 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

byu kitties need to quit talken till they win this one. if byu can pull this off i give respect to the cougs. However as it looks now Paul Kruger will make a laughing stock of max hall and the other kittys

2008 Utah's year 2009 BYU | 11:34 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

this is Utah's year. They have a pretty good senior QB and they are playing at home. Next year BYU will have Hall and Collie and Pitta and Unga etc... all coming back plus the Y will get TCU and Utah at home where BYU does not lose so 2009 will be the year of the Cougar. Also, expect Bronco to fix his defense for next season and get some size and speed.

hard to be a fan other either | 11:44 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

I have had several kids graduate from the U but I still cannot get myself to root for the Utes. Maybe it is because of the low class, jack mormons that make up a large portion of the Ute fan base? I don't know. All I know is I can't root for Utah no matter who they play. I DO like the school I just can't stand the fans. As for BYU, I am NOT a big fan of the arrogant students and alums but I do like the athletic teams. Sort of the reverse of my Utah policy. I am a die-hard sorts fan and former college athlete but I just as soon find something else to do during the game. Too much silly emotion involved for my taste.

wait till next year!! | 11:47 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

in 2009, BYU has HAll,UNGA, COLLIE, PITA and many others returning plus they get TCU and Utah at home. Utah graduates Johnson and has to play BYU and TCU on the road. Hmmm, better enjoy while you can EWUUUUTES!!

Question: | 12:28 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

If you're a "die hard Ute fan" why would you even send your papers in to get admitted to BYU?

Also...some Non-LDS people make a conscience choice NOT to attend the UofU *gasp* So what! What kind of stupid argument is that?

What IS interesting is that someone would ACTUALLY say they didn't go to BYU so they "wouldn't have to associate with dorks like you who act like they're better than everyone else"

He is basically saying that he is better than BYU students simply because he doesn't attend BYU. Isn't this exactly what he SAYS he's angry that BYU students do? BYU fans are better because they DO attend...he is better because he does NOT attend. Same thing. This is the definition of HYPOCRISY!

Somehow it's worse if you like BYU...but it's ok to feel you're better just because you go to the U.

mmmmmmm....

Seems to me that Ute fans calling BYU fans "holier than thou" = hypocrites!

RED Man | 1:39 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

I bought some red undies just for the game. I will show them to whoever wants to see on 11/22.

fishguyd | 7:44 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Anyone who plays the our school is better than your school is just stupid. The Y has an amazing Business program, and I would bet good programs in other area's. The U has a great med school, etc,,, so the better school argument is out the window. The students at the U go there because they can't get into the Y is assinine at best. I was a student at the U and would never attend the Y can't blame them for it. All that matters is the game. My belief is that statistics and speed favor the U, I think they have a better team as well. But this game always come down to the intangibles no matter the statistical superiority of one or the other. But since I hate listening to your zooby whining, but it is still music to my ears. GO UTES.

Speed | 10:18 a.m. Nov. 22, 2008

Speed is not the problem for BYU, it's execution on assignments. Try not to get all of your information from sports talk hacks. If you keep your assignments, it will limit speed. BYU is a bit slower than Utah at certain positions, but not slow enough to counteract great assignment football. Collie did not beat McCain last year because he was faster, but because McCain blew his assignment. This game comes down to three things 1)BYU keeping their defensive assignments, 2)BYU protecting Max Hall and 3)Hall not making stupid plays. So far BYU has not done those three things in big games, and so you would have to pick against them. But we'll see what happens.

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