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Collie has made his All-American case

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Anne | 10:14 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Hey BYU fans, don't get yourself all bent out of shape over one stupid post. We all know Collie caught the 4th and 18 pass, and that he is an excellent receiver. I hope he receives the recognition he deserves.

Overall, it has been a great year for football fans in Utah, and happily there is still more football to be played.

A few bad Utes | 10:19 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

such as "Ute # 1" and "bigutefan" tend to skew our view of our neighbors to the north.

Fortunately the overwhelming majority of Utah fans are very classy (eg. "Congrats from a Ute fan" and CClub), but it is the few morons who spoil our view.

And of course, we can say the same thing about the few sophmoric BYU fans-who just keep on talking trash long after trash talking time is over.

No doubt that Austin Collie had a great year and we are proud of him and his accomplishments.

As a BYU fan and resident of Utah, I am also very proud of the outstanding season turned in by Coach Whittingham and his squad. Congrats on busting the BCS and good luck in New Orleans or Tempe or wherever you end up. Do yourselves, the state, and the MWC proud by continuing your amazing bowl winning record.

As for Mr. Collie, please stay one more season!

BYU fan agrees with | 10:43 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Agree with a few bad utes! I would rather see a Utah school and a school in the MWC crack the BCS then some other school in another conference.

Congrats Utes and we will be back next year to take your place. :) Good luck!

Comments continue below

Boise State fan - go Collie! | 10:45 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

When we could find a sports bar or pub in Boise that broadcast The Mtn. Network, my sons and I watched most of BYU's games this year. Collie is the finest collegiate receiver I have seen in many years. If he isn't an All-American receiver then who could possibly qualify?

There are many Bronco fans here in Boise who have ties to both Utah and BYU. As this year, it was exciting to watch the recent Weddle and Beck years.

Clearly, Utah is better than BYU this year and the Bronco fans are pulling for Utah to do well this year in the BCS.

Unfortunately, Ohio State will jump over 12-0 and higher ranked Boise State for non-football reasons and take the other BCS slot. It is highway robbery.

Equally unfortunate, either Boise State or TCU, won't have an opportunity to test a BCS school. They are forced to play each other in San Diego, while a lesser qualified Ohio State will go to a BCS bowl keeping the wealth for the big guys and saving another BCS conference from getting beat by a Boise State, Utah or TCU. All three would beat Ohio State this year.

Good luck Utah.

Free Pub | 11:12 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Way to go Dick, with the free pub for the TDS. Isn't going to happen. You have to end higher than third in your conference to be an All American. Try again next year.

re: Free Pub | 11:35 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Austin didn't finish 3rd in his conference...his team did. All American honors are individual awards and Austin was by far in first place in the conference as far as receivers go. And was (as Dick points out) statistically worthy of the national honors listed as well. Voters will decide it though so we can't ever get our hopes up.

re: Free Pub | 11:49 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Ever since "4th and 18", the JUG has been obsessed with bitterness toward Collie for what he did to them. Despite their best efforts to rip Collie every chance they get, Austin's success continues to haunt them. They will continue claiming that Collie isn't any good, but, secretly, every one of them is hoping that Collie turns pro after this season so the Utes won't have to be embarrassed by him next season.

pathetic | 12:51 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

I read the headline of the article and didnt even need to read it I skipped right to the comments to confirm my suspicion. Hate filled expressions, come on guys were better than this, Arent we? Credit where credit is due.

Anonymous | 12:59 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Anonymous 7:32-

If Collie was at USC or some other football powerhouse, he wouldn't see action. Yes, he's the best receiver in the Mountain West, but are there any receivers in the conference who would get significant playing time at a Big 12 or SEC school? No. He deserves credit, no doubt, but as for projecting his numbers if he were to play at some other school, stop. He should stick around for another year, because the NFL will not be kind to him.

RE: Im stupified by utah fans | 1:08 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

no sir, i am stupified by you. Welfare check huh, nice one, i can do mormon sterotypes also, how was church hahahahaha, see how funny i sound. Also are you serious about that game. Even if Max Hall didnt have 6 turnovers BYU would have still found a way to lose, your d could not stop anything. It is fans like you that make me want to discredit Austin Collie. Austin Collie will never compare to what Steve Smith has done in the NFL, so you can toss that comment out the window. Also Collie will struggle in the NFL based on the fact that he is not very phyiscal and is a "Big Play" reciever, which the NFL does not want. He needs to develop into a possion reciever. Also He is the only target Hall would throw to and not even check to anyother wide reciever. Thus seriously inflating his numbers. I am sorry to Other BYU fans for discrediting Collie, he is a good reciever that had a great year. It is just fans like this that no nothing about the game.

Kiyoshige | 1:20 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Anonymous
Which Big 12/SEC schools are you talking about?

Tennessee, Arkansas, Kansas, Kansas St? Before y'all get too enamored with these other conferences, the MWC is AT LEAST in the top 5 conferences this year (pending our bowl game performance, but I would put $$$ that the Big 3 all win their bowls, even if TCU plays BSU). Many wsay we are the 4th toughest conference, behind SEC, Big 12 and Big 10 (yes, tougher than PAC 10 this year). I'm a homer, so I think that we are the 3rd best conference in the nation, above the Big 10.

Collie, as well as Freddie Brown, Casteel, Mike Reed and the other good receivers in the MWC would get signficant playing time at most other schools, no matter what conference they are in. Collie would start at any school in the country (yes, even USC, Florida, Alabama, Texas, OU or Texas Tech) - Comparisons to Eric Weddle in the above comments are not a far cry. Weddle would have started for any team in the country.

Stop acting like the MWC is an FCS conference. When we become a BCS conference in 2012, you can remember I predicted it first.

JB | 1:33 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Coogs, go back and watch the Utah game (I know it may be difficult) and see how many catches Collie had when Sean Smith was covering him, this is the type of corner (even better) he will face at the next level.

Re: RE: Im stupified by utah fan | 1:33 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

You're deaf dumb and stupid if you think Collie can't be succesful in the NFL. You say he's not physical he could probably kick your white trash all over the field, Collie was known for his physical play and mental and physical toughness. Plus he probably doesn't need to be a "poison" receiver or whatever you were trying to say he can run every kind of route there is AND make big plays. His hands are good, he's freakin fast, he runs his routes perfect, and he also has the unique skill of being able to read a DB, fake them out, and get out into space. Every intrinsic and extrinsic skill a receiver needs to be talented, Collie has. To say he will "never" compare to steve smith is stupid, there are no future facts I guess they don't teach that at the U with their education level. And to say we wouldn't have found a way to win without the turnovers is even more stupid, Utah found a way to loose the past 2 seasons. The turnovers were doubtless the difference in the game, it was an evenly matched game for 3 quarters, the numbers show it.

akk | 1:44 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Rah... rah the cheerleader is just earning his letter. Don't write about anything important... rah...rah

Latest report | 1:56 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

After learning that the Las Vegas Bowl was planning to invite TCU, a Boise State official flew to Las Vegas to try to pursuade the Las Vegas Bowl committee to pick BYU instead, so the Broncos could play TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl.

Be careful what you wish for BSU, TCU may be the best team in the MWC this season.

I'm stupified... | 2:03 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

by the childish, grade-schoolish, verbal spitwad shooting that is scribbled daily on this blog by the adolescent Utah and BYU fans.

Grow up a little a try acting like you've at least made it to middle school.

Re: Re: RE: Im stuified by utah | 2:13 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

No, "future facts" is not a course at the University of Utah. We do have courses that will help you learn to spell and create a proper sentence.

The numbers also "show" that one team won the game by 24 points. Were you aware that turnovers are part of the game? Ask UCLA about turnovers.

BYU had trouble with the two athletic defenses they faced this season. Utah was clearly the better team this year and deserved their win. Please remove your royal blue shaded glasses (which ever shade you are sporting, changes almost annually) and look at the score, 48 - 24.

Now back to Austin Collie, he is an outstanding possession receiver with 4.6 speed. He runs excellent routes and has great hands. You are correct when you say he will never be compared to Steve Smith. Steve Smith runs a 4.3 40 and has breakaway speed. Smith is clearly one of the best and most exciting receivers in the NFL.

Calling people deaf, dumb, stupid and white trash is very rude and childish. I'm not sure why your post was allowed.

Good luck Austin!

A humble Ute Fan | 2:22 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Dear Austin Collie:

Please move on to the NFL, I will support your decision! I don't have warm feelings about you burning us some more next year.

re:stupified by utah fans | 1:08 | 2:23 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Did you really say the NFL doesn't want big play receivers? Are they against big play kick returners? Big play running backs? The only thing close to this retarded I've ever heard is when Buddy Ryan released Cris Carter in Philadelphia because all he did was catch touchdowns!

NCAA | 2:29 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

excepts from the official list:

AP National Champions
Year School Selecting organization
1938 Texas Christian AP

Consensus National Champions
Year School Selecting organization
1983 Miami (Fla.) AP, FWAA, NFF, USA/CNN, UPI
1984 Brigham Young AP, FWAA, NFF, USA/CNN, UPI
1985 Oklahoma AP, FWAA, NFF, USA/CNN, UPI

Bowl Championship Series
Year School Selecting organization
2005 Texas BCS
2004 Southern California BCS
2003 Louisiana State BCS

plus:
2003 Final AP Football Poll
Rank Team WLT PTS
1 Southern California(48) 12-1 1,608

Re: JB | 2:29 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Austin Collie won't be facing corners very often at the next level, because mark my words when he goes to the next level he'll be put in the slot and not wide out and will burn outside LB's and safeties all day, he'll be the next Wes Welker, Or Dallas Clark. Just give it a year or so

Re: McUte 10:11 | 2:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Nice try. McCain has absolutely no basis from which to determine that Collie is "by far the best wide receiver in the nation."

That statement has BYU written all over it. Here's a few others...

Cougar 'NATION'
The WORLD is Our Campus
The Daily UNIVERSE

I am sooooo incredibly grateful that I am not associated with this non-sense.

Re: Re: Im stupified...1:33pm | 2:42 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Can you explain to me what a "future fact" is? Is that where BYU fans say that Utah is going to lose to TCU? Or Utah is going to lose to BYU? Or Utah is going to be blown out in their BCS game?

Do non-existent "future facts" apply to BYU fans too?

Maybe Collie will leave school early and show all just how good he is as an NFL receiver. Can you just imagine Max Hall looking around and seeing only red shirts to throw to? Oh, wait, he already experienced that.

No Doubt | 2:45 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

It is extremely difficult to get 100 yards receiving. But to do it consistently is amazing. Especially when your being double teamed every game. BYU didn't play a game this year where he wasn't the best player on the field. I guess you had to give the offensive MVP to a ute because of the year they had. But there is no question who the best offensive player in the leagues was this year, his initials are AC.

Collie Is Great! | 3:13 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

I the Cougars (players/coaches) could have made the adjustments in the final game against the Yewts, Collie would have punctuated his year with some great stats, and no doubt the Cougars would have prevailed in the game. Unfortunately, Max Hall self-destructed, along with the OL. Ths game was won in the trenches. I put the major part of the blame on the BYU coaches, who could not figure out...or if they did figure it out, could not communicate a remedy to the players. In the final analysis, we have to give the Yewts their props, and say they were the best team in the MWC. The TCU squeaker at home is my only argument against their being a top ten team. Oklahome blew out TCU, so how can anyone in their right mind vote the Yewts to BS er BCS status. It's just wrong.

Tarheel Ute | 3:32 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

A. Collie's a good receiver, NFL quality, probably along the lines of Ed McCaffrey of New York Giant and Denver Bronco fame. Ed was a very decent guy, was an All-American at Stanford before being drafted by the NFL in the 3rd round. Like McCaffrey, Austin has soft hands is tough off the line, is a sharp route runner, and seems to be able to find the open seems, albeit with pretty good speed as well.

All American? - assuming the numbers are correct - why not. Will he win, probably not. There will be those that look a some stat and suggest that even as a junior he not sufficient to the task against better defenses.

I would like to see any MWC player get honored as such.

re: No Doubt | 3:42 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

It seems clear that BYU-dom didn't get to vote on the offensive MVP. I guess it can be difficult when those who do the voting (a.k.a. those who matter) don't agree with your opinion.

Take a look at the photos of the BYU vs Utah game taken and posted by Des News. There is one in there where Collie is chasing Smith (to be clear...Utah's Smith, intercepted the ball). PRICELESS!

Courgar 4 | 3:43 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Great season Collie. It is amazing to watch you play around with DB's. You are easily one of the best in the country.

Makes my day | 4:12 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

When any Ute fan wins with class that really makes my day. I really struggle when fans show absolute lack of maturity and class. There are a few out there who I truly respect.

Idahoan | 4:13 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

If being as good as Steve Smith means punching your teammate at practice and getting suspended, I hope Austin Collie isn't as good as Steve Smith.

A Few Names | 4:25 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Michael Crabtree
Jeremey Maclin
Dez Bryant
Percy Harvin
Casey Fitzgerald
Austin Collie

He should in no way be a First team, Maybe a second or third team reciever, Watch some college football outside of the mountain west please

Any good receiver would have | 4:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Collie's stats with the schedule BYU played. Quick somebody cover Molasses over there, Collie is NO ALL AMERICAN. All Provo High maybe but certainly no all american, all MWC maybe but no no no All American:)

Living Right | 4:36 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Austin Collie, All-American DB?

good luck | 4:48 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

as his going to need it , judging by all the super recievers you guys have put out...and he sure ain't no STEVE SMITH for sure!! NEXT!!

Collie is good | 4:49 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

But would have as good as stats in the BIG 12? Nah! He would still be good, but not as good as Michael Crabtree or Percy Harvin.

Memo | 4:53 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Only 1 touchdown against Utah in three games, check 2004, 2007, 2008.... Give Collie him 4th and 18 any day. Meanwhile Utah's two other games against collie have had a combined total score of 100-45 points, not impressive collie! Utah two wins, which he did not do much to help his team win, have lead Utah to the BCS!

Collie has played TCU twice in his career, and has he scored against them? NO

That means when Collie plays a good team with a good defense, i.e. Utah and tcU, he has only scored once in 5 attempts. Oh yea, he is only 2-4 against those teams. Not a really good record.

Can you say it byU fans: BCS, BCS, BCS,

Let me guess: next year right????

Ute #1; Get A Grip | 4:55 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

"Utes #1 | 1:07 a.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Collie has not proved diddly squat. Maybe when he delivers a win over Utah, he'll be worth mentioning for an award. Brian Johnson is the MWC POY and should at least make hon mention AA this year. Collie hasn't earned it. Get back to us when you win some big games, Austin. Till then you are just another product of the system, like Wyoming's McGuffy, Yarborough, etc. Choke on that one Cougs"

Hey, "Utes #1", fans like you are the reason that almost every non-Utah bubba hates your team. Austin Collie didn't pile up all those stats by being lazy, being scared to catch the ball, by playing only against losers (as you argue) because if that's the case, you're beloved Utes played the same pathetic losers BYU did (feel happy now?), by dropping balls or not piling on yards after the catch.

He's waaaay good and you're just too blind and/or arrogant (take your pick) to acknowledge the fact that a BYU player you despise is just plain freaking incredible.

RIDICULOUS!!! | 4:56 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Nobody came close to posting Collie's numbers in the MWC. Yet a lot of receivers posted big numbers in the BCS conferences. So to the moron who said that anyone could have posted those stats against BYUs schedule...um, nobody else did. Whereas a handful posted those numbers in the BCS. The numbers just don't lie. And I'm not even a BYU fan. RIDICULOUS LOGIC.

Mike B. | 5:06 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Collie will play on Sunday. How will he be?? This remains to be seen. He has good football speed and is strong. He can beat you deep for big gainer's also. He is not a burner though. Some WR in the NFL run 4.3 or 4.4 consistently. Collies a 4.5 guy and will probably always be, but he has the intangibles that great reciever's have. He will make some team better. Collie will stay for his senior season, because he and the team have more to accomplish. I think next year will be the year that they could have just like the utes did. I think it all hinges on the type of athlete bronco can get to shore up the LB'S and the DB'S. That was our down fall this year, and cost us dearly. Also please get some press cover people instead of this give them 10 yards on the edge. If Bronco has'nt learned that this year his BCS dreams will go out the window. Like it or not Kyle Whittingham gets it. He will keep recruiting the speed that he needs to get to the BCS. Bronco please get with the program.

Hopefully he leaves! | 5:07 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Lose your best WR and lose 4-5 on the offensive line. Play Florida State, maybe Oklahoma, TCU and Utah.

This all means: 7-5 or 8-4 next year! This will be great when byU finishes in 4th or 5th place next year.

Total to date:

Hall: 0 TD passes to 6 ints (2007,2008)
Collie:1 TD against Utah in 3 games!(2004,2007,2008)
Pitta: 0 TD against Utah in 2 games!(2007,2008)

Utah's defense has smacked around byU the past two years, and Utah has 9/11 starters returning on defense next year! With or without Collie byu losses.

1-Biggest Utah/byu game ever!
2-First time Utah/byu for MWC Championship!
3-First time for a BCS game!

Hall throws 5 pick: priceless!

Don't worry byU fans, Collie is still open, as well as Harline, BUT HALL IS STILL TRYING THROW THE BALL WITH HIS HANDS AROUND HIS THROAT IN THE BIGGEST UTAH/BYU GAME EVER!

It is funny how 7 or 8 weeks ago all you byu fans were talking about playing in the National Championship this year, what a joke!

BCS, BCS, BCS

Props from A Ute | 5:21 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Austin Collie is an outstanding reciever. Reminds me of Detmer because they both delivered in the clutch. Without a doubt he's the best WR in the MWC. Lets be balanced... the unfortunate thing about Collie is his stupid righteous living comments from last year. His mouth ranks right up there with Lenny Gomes and a handful of dizzy cougar fans.

In response to the worn out Harlene is still open chant... Utah's defense is STILL open

Utah Fan | 5:32 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

I'm a Utah fan who agrees with BYU fans that Collie is the best in the conference. But listen to yourselves coog fan, all you can come up with these days is 4th and 18 again and again. There's 40 posts in a row siting 4th & 18. Is that what you are going to say every year for the next 100 years.

Call Ute fans drunk or whatever but some of you BYU fans are truley pathetic. Look in the mirror before you start throwing your stones criticism. It's not 4th and 18 anymore... it's KRUGER is WIDE OPEN

ThanksUTEFANS | 5:52 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

I knew most intelligent people who happened to like the U of U had more class and the YEWTS who spend their time slamming anything to do with the Y are morons who never made it out of high school. Their total lack of respect for good athletes who happen to go to other schools shows they are wusses who never played competitive sports beyond jr jazz or t-ball. No true athlete puts down his competitors like that--to do so PROVES you are a moron and a LOOSER! this goes for y posters as well. ALL sports are mostly for fun and physical conditioning-very few lucky people actually get paid in sports.The purpose of sports is NOT to vent deep and disturbing personality flaws and total lack of human civility!
good luck ute football players!
GO COUGARS!

Mr. BYU | 6:00 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

You people trying to compare Austin Collie to Steve Smith in the NFL need to GROW UP! What you're really saying is if Austin Collie isn't as good as Steve Smith that he can't play in the NFL!

Once again...GROW UP!

There are a number of NFL receivers who are not as good as Steve Smith which means that Austin Collie just needs to be better than one or two of them and he would have a place in the NFL!! Of course we are assuming that he would have another year playing college ball and have time to get even better!

He may not be the best in college football but he is easily among the top 5 as we can see by the numbers.

re:Utah Fan | 5:32 p.m. | 6:02 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

I won't bring up 4th and 18.

Here is the Utah fans problem on this. They are going to a BCS Bowl, second time, right.

But the only real Ute story is their coach is bolting to USU.

Here, they think their team should be getting all the stories in the papers, and they pick it up, and it's always BYU, BYU, BYU.

Ute fans are insecure and jealous. They cannot understand why their little run is not earth shaking.

It took BYU years and years of quality football to build the fanbase to fill LES. In the meantime Utah had no product on the field.

Now they do, and they are building a fanbase, but these young Utah fans need to understand that no matter how passionate they are, BYU has the history.

Quote the head to head, the 70's and 80's were when college football was getting big on TV. That is why they are a National Brand.

That is why BYU continues to draw large crowds, have National Prestige, Recognition, etc.

Utah fans, it will come, but not overnight.

In the meantime your little rants are just idiotic and immature. Grow up there little Ute Brothers.

Patience.

Ute Fan | 6:07 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Collie deserves to be All-American. If he doesn't get it, it's because of three letters: mtn.

I hope Collie goes pro. Or at least that Max Hall stays another year so he can keep it out of Collie's hands and in the hands of Ute defenders.

Cougar Fan | 6:12 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Congrats Utah on winning THE game, for this year Utah was the better team. That doesn't change the fact that Collie had an amazing year! There isn't a receiver on your squad that compares to him, if any of you Utah fans took off your red goggles just for a moment there isn't a WR on your team you wouldn't trade for him. There have been posts on here saying if he didn't get some many balls thrown to him by Max Hall he wouldn't have those numbers... Well no kidding!! That is really brilliant of you!! Just like Crabtree or Bryant or any of those guys wouldn't have caught as many if their QB hadn't thrown the ball to them so many times. That's brilliant logic, but I've come to expect nothing less from the illogical Ute fan

Ute Fan | 6:21 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

I hope he goes into the draft this year because I don't want my team to play him again!

Collie is a fantastic player, not just receiver. He deserves a lot of respect that, unfortunately, he will not receive.

He was unable to compensate for the rest of the offense vs. TCU and Utah (Horray!) but the guy deserves respect from even Utah fans.

I am just glad "4th and 18" has been replaced with "Utah's defense is still open." Thanks Max.

Re: thanksUTEFANS | 6:39 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

I'm not going to say whether I am a Utah fan or a BYU fan. What interests me is these statements...

"...the YEWTS...are morons who never made it out of high school."

"...shows they are wusses who never played competitive sports beyond jr jazz or t-ball."

"...to do so PROVES you are a moron and a LOOSER!

Followed immediately by:

"The purpose of sports is NOT to vent deep and disturbing personality flaws and total lack of human civility!"

Can you, sir, please explain to this board how sports have helped you develop your personality?

just like his coach | 6:43 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Collie has big games against subpar teams. Against real teams, he struggles - how many TDs against Utah and TCU? How many DROPPED balls against Washington? Collie, like his coach, excels against weaker opponents, but cannot get it done against quality.

This guy would not start at a places like Florida and LSU, and Harmon is giving him accolades for All-American? Maybe all-conference, but not All-American.

Harmon is a homer. Collie is arrogant beyond his "magical" ability - ask any of his teammates or coaches - he's a prima

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