Number1Ute | 1:34 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Way to go Kyle! Props for a great season, and another great recruiting year. Keep up the good work. Let's win one more game in January!
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Brian Johnson? | 1:59 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
I guess he needs to be recognized because of the Utes great year, but he was NOT the offensive player of the year. BJ had a lot of talent around him that made the team successful, it wasn't him. I can think of several other more deserving players, but it must be an unwritten rule to give it someone from the conference champs.
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Spoils | 7:22 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
To the victor go the spoils. Utah deserves the recognition for an undefeated conference championship.

Brian wasn't the outstanding offensive player, but he did lead his team to 12 straight wins and made key plays in win over Air Force and Oregon State, so I have no problem with Johnson getting the nod as Offensive Player of the Year.

Congrats to all of the players and coaches who received MWC recognition and good luck to all MWC teams in their bowls.
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Key stat... | 7:27 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Brian led the nation in "total wins" and "winning percentage." I haven't done the research to be sure, but I believe that he also led the league (and maybe the country) in "winning drives in that last 2 minutes."

I it fine to be the fan of another team, or player, but if the vote for Johnson as Offensive Player of the Year is not obvious to you then you don't know football. --I refer you to the comments of opposing MWC coaches.--
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Brian Johnson?? | 7:59 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Come on. If TCU had made their field goals against Utah, B. Johnson would not have been given this award. For some reason this seems to always go to the most prominent (not necessarily the best) offensive player on the conference champion.

Collie had a much bigger impact on his team and on the conference. Collie also leads the nation in receiving yards. He should have won this award. Although Utah was clearly the better team, Collie was the best player on either team in the BYU-Utah game...much like Weddle was the best player on the field a few years ago when BYU beat Utah.
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Brian Johnson? | 8:16 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Brian Johnson is a good player! Offensive player of the year? No way. His team won all of their games, but not because of Johnson's offense. The defense stepped up and won many games through great defensive stands.

Johnson isn't even in the top ten in most statistical quarterback categories, in the nation, let alone in the MWC.

Collie should win for his incredible offensive season. Leading the nation in receiving yards, and leading the top receivers in catches. But, once again we see the spoils of war going to the victors of the season, so better luck next year.
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Heisman Voting | 8:44 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
It looks like the MWC votes like the Heisman voters...for the most visible player on the team with the most wins. As a result, individual accomplishments take a backseat to the accomplishment of the team. I think it is safe to say that Austin Collie was the best offensive player in the conference, but I think Johnson deserves to be recognized for leading an undefeated team. Collie will have his moment when he is announced to one of the all-American teams, which in my mind is a far greater individual honor than being named MWC offensive player of the year. But let Johnson enjoy the award because he deserves to be recognized for a great year. We will get to see how good he is if the Utes get matched up with a quality BCS opponent.
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T-roy | 8:44 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Biran Johnson had maybe 2 good games...the rest of the year he was ridiculed for all of his "mistakes" and "high school play," and we all heard how it was the defense that was saving Utah! No way does he deserve it!!!!
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Utah deserves credit.... | 8:45 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
but I dont know about Johnson as offensive MVP. He did come up big a few times, but that doesn't seal the deal with me.

Austin Collie is a step ahead of the rest in the MWC. Everybody knows who he is and that he's a playmaker, and this guy is still getting 100+ yards a game. He leads the NCAA in receiving yards. I think they were just trying to give the Senior QB some recognition, which he deserves...but not offensive MVP recognition.
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RE: Brian Johnson?? | 8:46 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
You coug fans are so bitter. Always making excuses for the Utes perfect season. Regardless of whether or not TCU makes field goals, Utah was still down and had to come back to win the game. The game wasn't handed to the Utes, Brian Johnson led the Utes down the field and scored to win the game. That deserves offensive player of the year.
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Collie had a good year, but | 8:48 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
But he's a cog in a system. Had Collie gone down early, Reed would have had those yards. That Texas Tech offense always produces big numbers in average players.

The offensive player of the year should have gone to the UofU wide receiever corps. Six amazing and unselfish players.
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re: Collie had a good year | 9:12 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Take off the crimson-colored glasses... there isn't a single receiver on Utah's team that is even close to Collie in terms of talent and production.

Even in losing efforts, Collie had over a 100 yards receiving against the stellar defenses of TCU, New Mexico and Utah. Austin also had a 70-yard kickoff return against the Utes.

Collie will be playing in the NFL in a year or two. None of Utah's receivers will even get a tryout for an NFL team.
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john | 9:15 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
you people crack me up. in his biggest games he played his best & had no turnovers in those games. brian had an amazing year! beating up on softies doesnt make you tough max small & collie.
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Crimson Club | 9:34 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Collie is a great player, but there is no way that the MWC would have selected the offensive player of the year from the 3rd place team in the conference. It's not going to happen in a million years.
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Crimson Club | 9:37 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Utah scored more offensive points this season (and against a tougher schedule) than BYU. This was also a consideration for the MWC to select Johnson as the offensive player of the year.

Stats don't lie. Utah had a better offense statistically than BYU.
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SWEET | 9:40 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
It is so great that Bronco got coach of the year, and for Austin Collie to get Offensive MVP, and our fearless leader Max Hall is a First Team All Conference member. This was a great year got the cougars, Undeafeated and headed to the BCS just like our T-Shirts say.............Wait?
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John Lambert | 10:09 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Quest for Perfection. Need I say any more?
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Collie | 10:27 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Collie was an amazing reciever... and one that I must admit I was nervous to go up against this year. But I agree that the offensive player of the year is just not going to be awarded to the third place team in the conference. Had BYU won the two games they lost... Collie would have deffinitely won this award. With Utah finishing the season as the MWC champs... it makes sense that these awards went to the Utes.
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Utah Man | 10:40 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Collie definitely deserves first team recognition. But OPOY eluded him because his team was third place in the conference. Sorry... wins count. Johnson is a winner and LED his team to three wins that made the Utes season. Collie got 100+ yards against Utah and 0 (ZERO) TDs. That, and losing the conference championship to Utah, probably killed him.
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What determines OPOY? | 10:42 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
It hurts to see our brethren from the TDS so upset over the throttling they got from the Utes. It hurts so good. The moaning and groaning and silly rhetoric they use to try to make themselves feel better - entertaining. It's so pathetic it's almost cute. If you want to determine the guy with the best skills - have them do a skills challenge. Maybe Max could win the long throw. But the OPOY is the guy that MAKES IT HAPPEN for his team on the field. No one else is even close to BJ in this regard. Surprised he wasn't the unanimous choice (as well as King Louie). Plus, according to Collie, I guess our guys are just living better. And surely that makes BJ all the more deserving.
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