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Collie has made his All-American case

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poor defenses-->great stats | 7:09 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

with all due respects, with the opponents that BYU had (excluding 2 great defenses in Utah & TCU), it's easy to pile up stats...
JS | 7:22 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008
re Ute#1 Get a life and grow up. I went to my first Ute game at RES this year and SOME Ute fans are super jerks. They throw trash and objects at BYU fan like little kids, seniors citizens and women.

Some Ute fans like Ute #1 give Ute fans a bad name and show they have zero class.

Austin Collie is the BYU offense, without him the season would have been a much different for the Cougs.

Ute fan#1 show some respect for a great player. You can talk trash all you want, but the facts speak for themself.

Your day is coming very soon in the big BCS game. The Utes are going to get slammed and slammed hard. You dream season is coming to an end.

Then you will have he chance to read about how BJ couldn't win the big game.
Baylor Boy on Collie | 7:28 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Collie is number 4 in the highly regarded rivals.com power rankings for wide receivers -- behind TTech's Michael Crabtree, Florida's Percy Harvin and Missouri's Jeremy Mclin. Dez Bryant of OK State is number 5. Two other receivers who ESPN commentators gush over -- Jordan Shipley of Texas and Oklahoma's Juaquin Iglesias -- are ranked 9th and 11th, respectively.

I don't care much for BYU, but an honest appraisal of Collie is that he would perform well in any conference. Those who argue that he gets his 100+ yards per game (including the Utah game) simply because Hall has tunnel vision for him demonstrate how naive they are.

Utah's football team clearly is a step above BYU's this year. However, if I were a Ute fan, I would not minimize my opponents by tossing out juvenile invectives (leave that to the large group of intellectually limited BYU fans who post here) but rather take satisfaction in the fact that my team beat a team with players as talented as Collie and Pitta (with a defense that made a good quarterback look foolish).

BTW, unless his IQ is in the single digits, Collie will be in the 2009 NFL draft.
Comments continue below
FLO | 7:43 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Collie is great, no doubt about it.

However, let's not give him more credit than he deserves for 4 and 18. Blown coverage by the Utes was a key part of that wonderful play.
Reminds me of a slower T.O. | 8:52 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Who also drops a lot of catchable balls.
re utes #1 4th and 18 | 8:52 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008
if he was on your team you wouldn't be saying this junk

4th and 18 forget about that?

I would like to see byu play ttu and wath all-american collie run all over them and see what crabtree can do

dont talk junk when you suffer from memory loss
Who's Collie?? | 9:37 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Re re utes #1 4th and 18

You have to be kidding...

You caution a poster not to "talk junk when [he] suffers from memory loss."

...and you want BYU to play TTU after what TCU and Utah did you guys??? Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!
I'm not the first nor the last.. | 9:39 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Ute post to say it...when you are the only receiving target, you are going to catch a lot of balls. Right Mr. Collie?
re: obssessive cougar fans | 9:44 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008
dude you gotta remember he is a RECEIVER! not a quarterback. he can only do as much as he can when the QB actually gets him the ball. asking him to be superman when he's got double coverage all night without another real threat reciever is asking a lot. but he did gain over 100 yards anyway. that's what anyone with football knowledge would call a STUD performance.
BYU isn't that slow | 9:52 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008
Collie does have NFL speed, have you seen him run? That guy has got wheels. It really bothers me when everyone says that all BYU players are way slow because that's very far from the truth. There was some lost speed on the defense, of course mainly with the DB's and somewhat with the linebackers, perhaps the D-line doesn't have the speed that others have. I guess the O-line doesn't have a lot of "speed" if that's what makes O-lineman good. BYU's speed is increasing. Assuming that Collie returns next year we would have McKay Jacobsen, Austin Collie, and O'Neill Chambers all on the same field, all 4.4 guys. Dennis Pitta for his size has amazing speed at 4.5, that is lightning for a tight end. Harvey Unga is a 4.6 which isn't blazingly fast but it's fast enough, and he's a good off tackle runner. We get Manase Tonga back who I believe has a 4.5 speed, and is a great blocker, Max Hall is at least a 4.7, likely a 4.6. Plus many younger players are very fast. Bryan Kariya and JJ Diluigi are both 4.5 guys at backup RB spots. Other younger players also are there too.
re: Anonymous | 12:59 p.m. Dec. | 10:39 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008
"We're the BCS. We're the best. You aren't. Your players couldn't even play in our conference."

Listen, 2nd grader. So there are no NFL player's who didn't play in the BCS? Like, say, Jerry Rice, the all-time best NFL receiver who didn't even play D-I. Or NFL Hall of Famers, like Terry Bradshaw, Steve Young (BYU), Larry Wilson (UofU), Jack Lambert, Fred Dean.

If the BcS is so tough, why are they afraid of playoff? Afraid of getting their hats handed to them by Utah, Boise, TCU, BYU, Ball State? Cowards.

You know who couldn't play for a BcS school OR a MWC school? You. That's why you're on here running off your mouth. If you can't play, talk. If you can't beat them, don't play them. No wonder you are a BcS fan.
4.59 | 12:14 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008
Austin Collie runs a 4.59 40. You are dreaming if you think he runs a 4.4.

Hey, I think we have a record for "4th and 18" posts. Is Harline still open? I know the Utes Defense is!

It's sad to see the once mighty Cougar program (70s and 80s) point to three events.... 1984, Harline open and 4th and 18 as their claim to fame. The last 18 years must have been very difficult for those that can't remember what it was like prior to LaVell.

Mac evened the programs and Urban/Wittingham moved the Utes past the Cougars. Utah is now the #1 non-BCS program. The Utes now have the bigger name in football to go along with their traditionally rich basketball program.

Class of the MWC? The University of Utah.

Oh, 4th and 18!

Turn Pro Now Austin | 12:18 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008
Collie needs to declare for the draft for two reasons:

1). As a Ute fan I hate him (even if I respect his talent).

2). The NFL figures he's already two years down what with the mission. Add in a senior season and pro scouts will assume that his career will likely be three years shorter than normal for a pro.
True Ute fan! | 1:33 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008
Sorry for my Ute friends and there harsh remarks. Collie is the best reciever. Not only in the MWC, but in the Nation. Brian Johnson is a great QB! Dang glad to have him on my Ute team...........yet, stats are stats! Hes only 3rd on my MWC ranking list. #1 collie, #2 Hall, then BJ at #3. Sorry Ute friends, but the truth hurts sometime. Lets just win this BCS game!!!!!!!!!!! GO UTES!!!!!
RE: All Ute Fans | 7:16 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008
This article was run to see how many foolish YEWT Fans would show their ignorance and jump up and down and throw tantrums. Mission accomplished. You took the bait. You YEWT fans who post on BYU articles are really pathetic. You win one MWC and all of a sudden it's got to be all about you. It would be comical if it weren't so sad. Get a life.
CollieISgreatbut | 8:49 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008
remember there are no wide recievers in european "football".(can you say trent who?)Stay at BYU and help them to an even better season next year. Keep up the hard work and you can go far!
good luck Utes in whatever BSC bowl you play in since you represent the MWC and the STATE of UTAH
most of all GO cougars!
BOO classless yewt morons who don't have the class or brains to realizie that the more they put down other great athletes by saying they had no competition -they are putting themselves down too!
Dotyman | 10:10 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008
To Baylor Boy:

As a BYU fan, I'll assume I'm not quite so intellectually limited that you were referring to me personally, and then say, "thank you." A little reason, logic, and a touch of intelligence would do wonders for the writers here, whether their preference is red or blue.

Collie is good. However, he had some amazing drops. As a subscriber to Dish, my first glimpse of a BYU game this year was the debacle at Utah State, which I believe was the beginning of the end for BYU's "Quest." (May the term rest in peace!.) I realize BYU fans are yelling, "Dotyman, you idiot! We won that game!" But an unbiased analysis would reveal that BYU began its descent from atop the MWC that night. A poor USU team made BYU look more than beatable, and Collie dropped some passes that even I could have caught. Those drops stand out almost, but not quite, as much as Max's INT's against Utah - they were choke-moments in critical situations. All-Americans make those plays (Crabtree at the end of the Texas game) when others don't. That's the difference between Collie and whoever will be named All-American.
Brilliant Y fan | 10:16 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008
You say the reason Collie has the stats he does is because he is the best and that�s why he always gets the ball. Then you try to compare him to TTU and Crabtree, Kobe Briant and the Lakers, etc. You're crazy.

Let�s break this down a bit. In my earlier post I documented that Collie as the #1 WR has 95 catches, #2 WR Reed has 40 catches and your #3 WR....(drum roll please)...has 7 catches.

Compare that with TTU: #1 WR Crabtree with 93, #2 WR Lewis with 71, #3 WR Morris with 64, #4 WR Swindall with 42, #5 WR Britton with 30 and #6 WR Leong with 17.

Look at the numbers and tell me the major reason Collie has the stats he does ISN'T because Hall has tunnel vision. Go ahead.

I'm not trying to take away from what Collie has done during his career. He is a GREAT receiver, but he IS NOT First Team All-American caliber and has proved nothing more than he is a very good MWC receiver.
Ute Alum | 10:25 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008
I am no BYU fan but I must admit that I have always been impressed by the amazing hands of Austin Collie. Congratulations to him on breaking all those records and he deserves the awards he has worked so hard to achieve.
I love the Utes and wish them great success but one must wish Mr. Collie good luck in his career.
Really | 11:14 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008
Collie is All American quality. yoot trolls may dis him on personal grounds, but that is only as expected.
Re: Brilliant Y fan | 11:38 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008
That's funny that you conveniently left out Pitta and his 78 catches and Georges 21, which you have to include since the TE is a significant part of BYU's offense... Oh and then theres the fact that BYU ran the ball 89 more times than TT did this year... so as you requested, I looked at the numbers and it's pretty clear to me that Collie caught a lot of balls because he's a pretty dang good reciever, the best in the MWC without question and should be considered without question for AA, not that he will win it because there are a lot of really good recievers out there, but he should definitely be in the conversation
MiP | 11:51 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008
Collie would be nuts to stick around another year at the Y.

If he does stay, it will be proof that he figures he will not achieve at the next level.

Still, he's probably a late 1st or early 2nd round talent. That could get him some pretty nice cash.

Still, I won't be choosing him on my fantasy team any time soon....
RE: Utes #1 | 1:31 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
Try #11 after getting killed in a BCS matchup. Or maybe #21 depending on how bad they lose. Sorry no top 10 finish for these utes.
re:4.59 | 12:14 a.m. Dec. 5, 200 | 2:02 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
"Urban/Wittingham moved the Utes past the Cougars. Utah is now the #1 non-BCS program. The Utes now have the bigger name in football to go along with their traditionally rich basketball program."

Is that why Utha was so excited to beat a down "storied" Michigan team, their past 5 years?

Dream all you want, you have 45,000 seats. Not very impressive.

It takes a program with history to fill 60,000 plus.
Cranky Coug | 2:28 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
Re: MiP

You are dreaming if you think Collie will be drafted in the 1st or 2nd round of the NFL draft more than likely he will go the 2nd day of the draft 3rd-4th rounder. I'm a huge fan of Collie's Skills but I'm also a realist.
Stan, Reply to Cougarcry | 2:47 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
You are pathetic! Pull yourself together and show some class.
Utes Double Kougs | 3:33 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
Collie is not deserving of any national attention at all. Any one can put up big stats playing against one of the weakest schedules in the nation including a DII team. When BYWho, the most over-rated college football team, was actually tested against ranked teams they choked horribly. nearly shut out by TCU and doubled by the mighty Utes. Collie did not even reach the endzone in the biggest game of the season vs. the Utes. He is very talented but not up to All American standards. He can't run with the big boys
ProPerformer | 4:33 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
Do All Americans play in the Las Vegas Bowl for 3 years in a row??? Answer: NO!
Agreeing with DH is NOT | 4:38 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
showing class. Unless of course you live in the bubble. Austin is NOT an ALL AMERICAN. ALL MWC absolutely but he is a blip on the radar to the most talented defenders.

Austin/BYU shame on them for taking such a cake schedule. Had Collie actually played against more than 1 or 2 defenses maybe he would have more people's respect. Rivals lists him as 4th which is a gift, he may be in the top ten but probably not quite.

My comments are not classless they are simply my opinion. BYU fans quit acting so put out that someone disagrees with you. Just because you think DH is "fair and balanced" I don't. In fact I think he is FAR from it.

Austin will be a mediocre receiver in the NFL . . . maybe. He is strong but with Molasses speed I don't think his strength will compensate. As an example Curtis who is significantly faster than Collie has been good but not great. He has made his mark as a possession guy. COLLIE IS NOT CLOSE to fast enough to be a deep play guy. The DB's in the NFL will eat him up, spit him out:)
Receiver Reality | 5:01 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
Collie will be a success at the next level. How big of a success remains to be seen but he has all the tools to succeed. Too much emphasis is placed on speed. Jerry Rice, the greatest of them all, (and as a Div1A player posted crazy numbers against sub par teams and therefor his NFL success was questioned before the draft) was reported to run a 4.6 at best.

Collie may not be a 1st or 2nd round draft choice because he isn't a speed burner but he will stick with an NFL team because he has great stength, size, route running, desire, intensity. Some have knocked his hands, he did drop a few more than expected this year (seen that in the NFL too) but I've also seen one handed catches while hand battling a DB. Not many receivers can do that.

Give him the respect he's due and good luck to Collie in whatever choice he makes.
Collie has a way to go. | 7:51 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
Collie better stick around another year to hone his skills. He dropped way too many passes to compete for an NFL position. Unless he wants to ride the pine in the NFL, he should stay and become even better next year. Remember Peyton Manning? Another year in college served him well.
Collie Shud Transfer | 7:58 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
Transfer to Utah and you will become a pro. Stay at BYU and then hope for the CFL or Arena Football.
Hawk | 8:18 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
I love all of the ute interest in Collie. Their cheap remarks are par for that mentality, or lack thereof.
Serious? | 11:18 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
Not in the same league as Macklin and Crabtree. They are putting up numbers in one one of, if not the best conference in the country. Collie is doing it in the MWC. NOT even close! Dream on!
WHAT? | 12:55 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
He doesn't run a 4.6 "at best!" Your crazy. That was probably his worst time by far. Okay, he runs a 4.49, SORRY, He's a whole snap of a finger slower than Brice McCain and he still burned him all last year, okay, can we change the subject now?
Re: Dotyman from Baylor Boy | 10:21 p.m. Dec. 8, 2008
This is a very late post. I doubt anyone is still following this thread but here goes anyway.

Dotyman sounds like the kind of cougar who could intelligently discuss football without the gratuitous, uncreative insults that characterize much of what appears in these forums. His point about Collie's drops is indeed an important one.

I, too, watched the BYU-Utah State game and remember thinking that BYU looked pretty vulnerable.

I remember the atmosphere more than the game, however. I watched the game at the home of a work colleague with several other people, including primarily BYU fans but also a Utah State fan. One of the guests was a very unsophisticated (only word I can come up with right now) BYU fan who yelled frequently and even went up and hit the screen a few times. He made our host's wife very uncomfortable. He and the USU fan got into an argument about an onside kick. For some reason my opinion on the matter was viewed as authoritative but I was able to avoid involvement because I hadn't seen the play (bathroom break) and they couldn't agree on what had happened. The argument lasted well after the game.

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BYU's Austin Collie, who has rewritten the Cougars' record books, was named to the first-team all conference in the MWC.

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