Deseret News | Boise State should man up, play TCU

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Dick Harmon: Boise State should man up, play TCU

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Re: Better Not | 4:18 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

I agree. If Utah gets a top 5 team, so much for all the bragging about the MWC.

Let's get it over with... | 4:54 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Utah did not beat:

1) TCU: TCU lost
2) OSU: OSU lost
3) BYU: BYU lost

be a man, guys. Your teams lost fair and square to Utah.

Next year, I hope Utah will not beat any opponent it plays --just ends up the year with perfect record again and goes to another BCS bowl.

I love it when TCU, BYU, BSU fans are so jealous.

Crimson Club | 5:03 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

BYU is living right. Right into the arms of the Humanitarian Bowl.

Congragulations on your quest for perfection this season. I guess you did achieve success, if success means playing in a crappy 4th tier bowl that isn't televised.

Comments continue below

brian | 5:35 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

I must protest the amount of blogs you are putting up. Give us a break. The only thing I agree with you on is Mr thompson should look for a new line of work. All of us in the mwc. would then be (hear it comes) OVER EXHUBERANT.

frog fan | 5:38 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

attn Utah..i have been to SLC for a game...65k dedicated fans .....

tcu supporters numbered about 2, not including myself or the trainers mom.

there is such a thing as home field advantage.

its problem with tcu ..small school, fans cannot travel..but we sure can compete...and we got all the money in the world to dominate the MWC. we are now recruiting the texans who were looking at UT or OU...lots of oppty. for an overlooked HS star to stand out. did i mention LT before?

pea-lus....we got all kinds of pretty girls.

re; fresno in MWC..doesn't make sense.

we need teams with designs on long term bit-time football goals. big 12 north...baylor...UTEP..... smu could contend if they wanted to think gridiron again.

re:Crimson Club (millions) | 5:43 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Utah gets the BCS bid. (millions)

We all agree. We all know TCU, BYU and OSU beat themselves. Utah survived. We all saw the games.

So, let Utah go get their millions (yep, I have read your other posts, millions-- you need them because your endowment figures are made up -- millions) play a real team (millions), get beaten back into obscurity. Utah has a price for being nationally humiliated, worse than Hawaii last year, and it is millions.

We all know Utah is going to get their you know what's kicked. Utah is not a BCS quality team this year. It will be a fun party for about the first 5 minutes or so, then pure humiliation.

You know it, I know it, we all know it, so let's just get it done.

Anonymous | 5:57 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Mr. Harmon--Please do not reference Craig "I'm the worst commissioner in college football" Thompson as a viable source of information. This only damages your own credibility. You are taking quotes from a guy who "negotiated" a media package that offers less coverage than most division II conferences and agreed to a bowl game matching the PAC 10's #4 with the MWC's #1--basically acknowledging his belief that the MWC is garbage. Coaches get fired for poor performance--why is this Thompson guy still employed?

Brother Chuck Schroeder | 5:58 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

According to Wikipedia and Carnigie College Endowment List, the University of Utah's endowment is 610 million dollars. Crimson was correct.

I don't think Crimson Club was making that 610 million number up. It is easily verifiable with a web search.

frog fan | 6:19 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

endowment envy...tcu $1.2 billion

BTW...did i mention all the pretty girls and LT?

and a comment about TV...#8 utah vs. #14 on thrus. nite....where was the tv coverage?

mwc negotiated all these thrus games and it has ruined our record (1-5 on thurs. nites)

BSU is pathetic | 6:19 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Boise State has never beat a MWC team that finished better then fourth. They have beaten just one BCS team on the road while all the top MWC teams have multiple wins on the road. Utah leads all mid-majors with 16 wins vs. BCS teams while TCU is second with 15. Tell me BSU fans how many do the Broncos have since the BCS started? BSU's "smurf turf" looks like something that belongs at an elementary school playground and their stadium only seats a meer 32k with no other real competition from in state schools. Boise State has the academics of a community college therefore no chance of becoming a BCS school. Too bad they aren't intelligent enough to figure that one out. Boise State finished behind Utah and will watch the Utes bring in the millions... again

hoping and wishing | 6:22 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

please oh please play this game, we need to see how real boise state is, i still think tcu will take them to the woodshed though.

To Frog Fan | 6:28 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Yes, we Utes are aware, and envious, of TCU's 1.2 billion dollar endowment. We come in second with our 610 million dollar endowment. BYU is way, way down the list at 280 million.

Where did you get all that money? Was it from oil money or wealthy alumni? Just curious.

re:Bro Schroeder | 6:31 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

"Running Ute | 5:38 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

"Stop your whining. Have you looked at the University of Utah's endowment lately? It is 3 (three) times larger than BYU's endowment."

Made up, and you can get the figures at 2007 NACUBO Endowment Study Results.

Wikipedia???

Only Michael Scott on "The Office" quotes Wikipedia.

Buster | 6:41 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Everyone is googling endowments right now.

Can we understand this is not an article about Utah.

Utes are so insecure.

Everything is me, me, me.

And yes, I would love to see TCU play anyone, including Utah, BYU or BCU in a Bowl.

I am largely a BYU fan, but TCU deserves props.

Too bad about those missed FG's Gotta be tough on a freshman kicker.

TCU is the best team in the MWC this year.

re: Bro Schroeder | 6:45 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Just googled the 2007 NACUBO Endowment Study, according to the study, the University of Utah has an endowment of $610,469,000 (page 4 of 26).

According to your NACUBO study, Utah's endowment is a little larger than the 610 million dollar figure that Brother Chuck Schroeder stated.

Ouch for you!!

Brother Chuck Schroder | 6:47 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

The 610 million dollar endowment I quoted, comes from the NACUBO Study.

Obviously you didn't read that Utah's endowment was just over 610 million and ranks number 124 in the world in terms of size of endowment.

confused | 6:54 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

can anyone explain to me why the las vegas bowl gets first pick of the mwc teams and can choice any one that is bowl eligible? and why do they get the #4 ranked team in the pac10?

re:Bro Chuck | 6:57 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Can you now google seating capacity at LES and RES.

Then can you google National Awards in football for both BYU and Utah.

Oh, and then google the major cities and populations of Venezula...

(I mean, since we're all off topic)

THE SMELL OF FEAR! | 7:04 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

MWC fans are well aware of Boise State having a 12-0 record against them. They don't want Boise State in the MWC just for that reason.

BYU fans get off your high horse, missed FGs are part of the game, just ask the Buffalo Bills.

To: re:Bro Chuck | 7:06 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Your credibility has been completely shot down. You claimed that Utah's 610 million dollar endowment was made up, and invited people to look at the NACUBO Study.

Too bad for you, the NACUBO Study states that Utah has a 610 million dollar endowment.

You need to give up posting for the night. Nobody will believe anything you say.

Try googling "Credibility"

Non BSC schools need to bond | 7:14 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

It funny reading all the BSU beat this MWC school and that MWC school.

Bud, this does nothing for BSU or MWC. Get BSU in the MWC.

Worse case scenerio this year - BSU vs UTAH in BCS bowl. BSC conferences get a big laugh because it does nothing to show the strength of MWC or WAC, ie, the big boys will just say that two mid-majors went at it - so what.

If TCU and BSU play then maybe it will be a right of passage and BSU can enter the MWC with a win.

WAC = big west of old - waste of time being there - ask Fresno and San Jose that bolted - now they are back where they were with teams like Utah State and New Mexico State.

Red Cosmo | 7:19 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

I love the smell of fresh BCS money in the morning (twice).

BSC $$$ | 7:22 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

You BSU fans need to look at how BSC dollars are given out. The mid-major conferences get money even if no one goes from a mid-major conference. The equation gives the MWC the biggest piece of the pie.

The MAC gets more than the WAC. The WAC is third in $$$. Of course if you get to a BCS game, then your conference gets more.

Do a search - you'll find it.

re:Bro Schroeder | 7:27 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

"re:Bro Schroeder | 6:31 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008
"Running Ute | 5:38 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

"Stop your whining. Have you looked at the University of Utah's endowment lately? It is 3 (three) times larger than BYU's endowment."

Made up, and you can get the figures at 2007 NACUBO Endowment Study Results.

Wikipedia???

Only Michael Scott on "The Office" quotes Wikipedia."

So, what you are telling me is Utah's numbers are 3 (three) times that of BYU's???

Those are made up numbers.

Bro Chuck quoted Wikipedia, and I was just giving him a souce, that he re-quoted with my source.

I never once said the $610 million was wrong. Read what was posted.

It's just not three times BYU.

Are we finished being off topic now?

UTAH vs BSU | 7:52 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

The talk is that the BCS has plans to put Utah against BSU in a BCS Bowl. That way they can appear too be fair, 2 non-BCS teams invited to the party, but at the same time not risk anything. You read it here first. And Please DESNEWS, don't censor this.

Utah Man | 8:33 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

But all of the Newspapers articles should be about Utah.

Look at me. Look at me. Look at me.

I'm a Utah Man!!!

Vvoyage | 8:36 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Salt Lake sports fans still have not learned.

I grew up in Boise, but have been a Salt Lake-area resident for 20 years. I cheer for the Utes, but I also root for Boise State.

If Utah played Boise State this year, I have no doubt who would win. It would be BSU.

If you think I'm off my rocker, I understand. I used to be like you. The last three times Utah has played Boise State, I picked the Utes, whom I thought would win handily.

I attended all three of those games, the last time was a 36-3 BSU rout in front of 44,000 fans at Rice-Eccles.

People, stop making the same mistakes I did. Fact is, you must give BSU credit. The Mountain West is a great conference, but BSU would be 1st or 2nd every year if it was a member of the MWC.

The question isn't whether BSU can play with MWC teams. It's whether the MWC can play with BSU.

Stop making the same mistakes. Look at what's actually happened. BSU can play football, and does it better - AS A TEAM - than anyone around here.

BSU win over Oregon | 8:40 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Note to all the Utes trying to downplay the BSU win over Oregon by saying Oregon was injurede and a weaker team at the time. Do your homework.

Oregon Fielded the same team vs BSU as they did in the Oregon State schlacking. Jeremiah Masoli (11/17 274 yrds, 3 tds vs beavers) started the game against BSU. He didn't finish it because BSU's defensive knocked him out with a concussion. Jeremiah Johnson who ran for 219 against the Beavers was held to 94 yards against BSU. All in Autzen stadium.

The fact of the matter is that BSU has a very good defense, very similar to Utah. Combined with a very dangerous offense led by a Freshman quarterback, I like BSU's chances against any Mountain West opponent. I look forward to the next meeting. If the truth were known, I'm not so sure any MWC team is looking forward to the next meeting with BSU.

BSU vs OSU correction | 9:11 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Obviously, Oklahoma vs Missouri is for the Big-12 championship not the Big 10. Sorry.

re: COMMON SENSE | 9:21 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Instead of spouting rhetoric, let's look at facts:

Oklahoma beats Utah with 4 BCS poll ranked wins, but has 1 loss. No other school does this, though Penn State and Texas ties for wins.

# of Utah wins over currently ranked BCS poll teams (3)
# of Utah losses (0)

# of Texas wins over currently ranked BCS poll teams (3)
# of losses to ranked teams (1)

# of USC wins over currently ranked BCS poll teams (2)
# of losses to ranked teams (1)

# of Penn State wins over currently ranked BCS poll teams (3)
# of losses to unranked teams (0)

# of Florida wins over currently ranked BCS poll teams(2)
# of Florida losses to unranked BCS poll teams (1)

# of Alabama wins over currently ranked BCS poll teams (1)
# of Alabama losses (1)

# of Georgia wins over currently ranked BCS poll teams (0)
# of Georgia losses to ranked BCS poll teams (3).

# of SEC teams in the BCS top 20 (3)
# of MWC teams in the BCS top 20 (3)

Based on Alabama's performance against KY, Mississippi and LSU, I think they are the most overrated SEC

MWC, say no to BSU | 9:48 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

BSU has a great football program, but why add them to the MWC? The MWC is already loaded with inter-mountain schools. The last thing the MWC needs is another school with the same geography.

Look what TCU has added to the MWC, other than a top 25 football team - a recruiting pipeline to Texas and a top 10 TV market. If the MWC is to expand add a team that provides value beyond the polls. A team that can be a natural rival to TCU like SMU or Houston.

The MWC is a top conference this year because of the personnel playing for the top teams. Utah, TCU and BYU have athletes consistent with the top programs Nationally. Maybe not as deep but the athletes are very similar.

WAC vs MWC | 9:50 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

The BCS payout last year for Hawaii being in the BSC was 4.71mil to the WAC, the MWC got 3.53 - even without a team in the BCS.

Now with UTAH in and no one from the WAC the payout is 9.53 MWC vs 2.49 WAC.

Wac is third on the peaking order, so even when they send BSU or Hawaii the MWC still makes out good. Totally creams the WAC when the MWC sends a team. Dont feel to bad WAC, Conf USA gets even a worse cut even though they are a better conf (and more teams).

BSU knows this and will jump out of the WAC on the first chance the MWC gives it. Probably will get the MWC to BCS status, if not will probably still get the BCS to up the "Cut" the MWC gets each year.

frog fan | 9:51 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

as tcu fan I got to give kudos to utah

they deserve better than BSU in a BCS bowl.

they beat 2 top 15 teams and have a track record.

las vegas wants byu to guarantee a sell out. TCU can not sell out LV. so BSU at poinsetta works great for us.

re; endowment...oil, oil and more oil..

also wev'e been around since before Utah was a state.

next time you get a chance to go to FTW, try angleo' bar-b-que and stockyards and downtown to get rowdy as you want.

Pac 10 | 9:57 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

BSU, FSU should be in the Pac 10 maybe even the UTES

BOISE | 10:13 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

I moved to Boise, er neck ville seven years ago. Via my work I have season tickest to BSU games. BSU is not a good team. They play ONE good team a year. This year their strength of schedule was 97. Last year was 118. Yes they play well that one game, beat Oregon and their 5th string QB. If BSU played Oregon today, would get hammered. Nevada had a chance to beat BSU this year, yes that powerhouse Nevada. This year they beat Idaho State of the bis sky, Utah State, Idaho, New Mexico State, La Tech, Hawaii, ALL ranked 85 or above. Mark May was right, PLAY five decent MWC teams in a row and you would lose 3-4 of those games. The MWC does not need BSU, ESPN ranks their sports program at 81 out of 119.
BSU will not play TCU, are afraid to taint their 97 strength of schedule 12-0. Will stay on their PUKE TURF and play a 7th seeded ACC team.

Don't chicken out... | 10:21 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Don't chicken out Boise... let's see it.

Travesty | 10:42 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

Dick's column is underpinned by the assumption that TCU will be in the Poinsetia Bowl. If TCU is not invited to the Las Vegas Bowl, it will be a travesty. The best MWC team available should play in the league's top bowl game. How hard is it to figure that out?

So, Dick's column should be about a possible BYU vs. Boise State matchup. If he is sure that BYU is going to Las Vegas, the column should be about the injustice of BYU going to the top MWC bowl ahead of a clearly better team and about how the MWC must make sure that this doesn't happen again.

Dick should man up and squeal as loudly about injustices in his own back yard as about those related to the BCS.

For the record, the proper MWC bowl assignments are:

Las Vegas - TCU
Poinsetia - BYU
Armed Forces - Air Force
New Mexico - Colorado State

Provo Brothers | 10:51 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

The Pac 10 will pick Utah over BYU. Utah is a better fit BYU has to many silly rules to fit in.

MWC Fan | 12:21 a.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Utah and BYU are not getting invited to the Pac 10 anytime in the near future, so get over that fantasy! BSU is at least as consistent (or more) year in and out as any MWC team over the past 10 years and would likely help the conference strength significantly in trying to get an automatic BSC bid.

Those of you still thinking the MWC is so far below the power conferences, you also need to get out of the distant past of unlimited scholarships and Notre Dame dominance. Top to bottom there are obviously some stronger conferences, but a 10-2 Big Ten/SEC team is not always better than a 12-0 MWC/WAC team! These teams traditionally only play MWC/non BCS teams at home and that is not a fair measurement. Playing on the road is TOUGH, that is why these national powerhouses almost always lose a conference game or two, often to mediocre .500 teams they should not lose to ON PAPER! These same teams would likely lose a game or two in the MWC due to the difficulty to playing ON THE ROAD and not only at home! Check BYU & TCU's Long Term home records as Proof!

Cowboys | 12:32 a.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Wyoming is actually the best team in the MWC. Those teams didn't beat Wyoming, Wyoming lost those games by giving the ball away and missing FGs and letting the other team score TDs.

See how silly and stupid your rationalizations sound.

anonymous | 12:53 a.m. Dec. 1, 2008

its too bad that utah couldn't have lost to TCU so noone from the mountain west would have gone. too bad for that freshman kicker from tcu and mountain west wouldn't have anyone in... wouldn't that have been nice! much rather see boise in a BCS game then Utah on the other hand i would just rather see playoffs so their would be no debate.

Winning vs Losing | 5:17 a.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Utah is going to the BCS again!!

I love these arguments (and I use the term loosely) about how Utah has not won games . . . their opponents have just lost them. Notice a trend?

Utah plays you --> You lose
You are ranked and play Utah --> You lose
Play Utah close --> You lose
Bring your great offense to Utah --> You lose
Meet Utah in a bowl game in the last decade --> You lose

Gee. I wonder if Utah actually having a defense has anything to do with it?

BSU, you are one of the few teams (and BYU this year) who can accomplish getting ranked without a defense. This may have something to do with playing in a conference who is still trying to spell offense.

Did I mention that Utah is going to the BCS again??

frog fan | 6:16 a.m. Dec. 1, 2008

i repeat, in all honesty TCU can't fill up LV. BYU can, and has.

good point though above about widening MWC talent pool which there is lots of in Texas. 20 million pop. is alot to draw from....think of this...there are more people in Texas than all the other MW states combined.

i would put MWC up against big 12 north, acc and big east any day of the week, any week of the year.

in fact we are 6-2 against big 12, and we played OU twice, at home.

baylor has strong football traditon, are as joyless as the mormons, and easy to make fun of.

i guess there is a tendency for MWC to look west,but really, hasn't california caused you enuff heartache already. didn't half of you have to move into double wide and the other half back home with th folks?

BTW..anyone know is hawkins has started on the anti-depressants yet. he could have been king of Idaho!

ps re: whyoming...their parking lot is dirt, you can tie your horse up at the popcorn stand and their elevation is only 2500 ft. higher than denver. they should be playing in a himyala conference.

BS on Leaving the WAC | 8:24 a.m. Dec. 1, 2008

I think Boise State would be foolish to leave the WAC. Why should they? The Mountain West Conference is not that good of a program. Yeah, they have Utah, BYU, TCU but why not play them anyway and beat them and then stay in the WAC. Now if BSU could go to the PAC -10 then it would be worth it. But Utah, BYU and TCU would be bottom rung teams in the PAC - 10. BSU needs to stay with the WAC.

jim in New Mexico | 8:50 a.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Check BSU's record against MWC over the past seasons and then make your comments relavent. Why would they want to join a conference that is considered inferior to the big east by the BCS. Pay your tithes Brian and keep praying that BYU does not have to play BSU every year.

Texas Bob | 9:17 a.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Bye the way, the previous writer failed to mention that the bowl game that BSU beat TCU was played on TCU's home turf. Any team from Texas is better than a team in the MWC. BSU should try to make it the "Big 13".

BYU-BSU Fan | 9:57 a.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Is the MWC afraid of a little competetion? Utes and Cougars are the only REAL contenders. Why not have some fun?

Nice Try Donkies | 10:46 a.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Much more than football comes into play in conference affiliation. BSU brings nothing to the table other than a gimmicky field and trick plays. The school as an academic institution is second-rate. It's basketball is pathetic as are its other sports. Why in the world would the MWC want BSU? Move on Donkey fans, go whine some where else.

Boise Delusion | 10:52 a.m. Dec. 1, 2008

It must be so nice for Boise State. They play a joke of an OOC schedule every year and it is easy for them to go undefeated. Future years? More of the same. If I was a BSU fan, I would be pissed at the AD for not scheduling some better teams. Their toughest game is Oregon next year at home! Utah beat two BCS conference teams and beat a tough TCU team. Best BSU win? Oregon. Sure, impressive, but who else did they play? uhhh errr....

Boise State offers nothing else but good football to the Mountain West. They have horrible academics (students only graduate at a 24 percent rate in six years), the other sports programs are not that impressive either.

Give me USU | 11:13 a.m. Dec. 1, 2008

I don't want Boise State, give me USU!! lol.

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