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Some BYU fans at crossroads after 3-loss season

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Jarid in Cedar | 11:07 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
As I read this article, I had a feeling that its only purpose was to troll for bad comments from the worst of both fanbases. I agree with the comment above that the yardstick that Utah and BYU should be using is how to stack up against the Pac-10, Big-12, SEC, etc....not each other. That was the biggest problem with the Poinsetta Bowl. Overall, we would have been better served if we could match TCU against Oklahoma State and Boise St. against Ole Miss(I know this couldn't happen). It would have given a better degree of comparison for our conference.
Honestly, I don't care about Utah vs. BYU except for 1 game in Nov. and 2 games over the winter. I prefer Utah to play a 10-1 BYU team instead of a 4-6 team. A win(or loss) means more.

Good luck to Krugar, Smith and Collie at the next level. All 3 will be Day 1 drafts.

Go Utes!
Nate | 11:10 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
BYU is the only team that has smoke and mirrors. That is all BYU's defense is. As long as Bronco starts walkon's on the defense, that is all it will be, smoke and mirrors. Walkon's are for practice and special teams. Not every down players. Then good players like Pittman leave, that should be starting. Bronco needs to open up his tight recruiting philosophy a little more and get some more NON-LDS youn men at the skill positions. Byu will be lucky to be 7-5 next year.
ANON | 11:15 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
I DON'T THINK BYU COACHES READ THESE COMMENTS BUT IF THEY DO THEY SHOULD PAY ATTENTION!! YOUR PLAYS AND PREPARATION ARE STOGGY. NO FLAIR, NO NEW PLAN, NO MULTI RUNNING BACKS,BYU GETTING BURNED DEFENDING. (BRONCOS' SPECIALITY) THOSE PASSES BY ARIZONA UP THE MIDDLE WERE EMBARRESSING. TEACH THE Q-BACKS TO LOOK OFF, TEACH CHAMBERS TO JUKE ,ALL HE DOES IS RUN STRAIGHT. GET FIRED UP BYU, PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THE BYU FANS SEE. YOU DON'T KNOW IT ALL. NEEDED MOST EXCITING LONG RUNS VIA TRUE SPEED & PLAY SECONDARY DEFENSE. BETTER PLAY CALLING AND BLITZS, MAX KEEP WORKING, YOU ARE JUST FINE AND WILL HAVE A GREAT SENIOR YEAR! EXCITEMENT AND NEW PLAYS TO GET READY FOR OK WILL REQUIRE REAL CHANGES. YOU COACHES AND BYU NEED TO SHOW UP BIG TIME. THINK EXCITEMENT AND BEING REALLY AN EXCELLENT TEAM THAT HAS HEART. BELIEVE IN OTHERS OPINIONS. NOT ALL BAD IDEAS. LISTEN DON'T BE PROUD LISTEN!
Comments continue below
Dave B. | 11:14 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
I ask myself would I rather go undefeated 2 out of the last 5 years and win every bowl game including 2 BCS games or would I rather have won 3 conference championships 2 bowl games. I bleed BYU blue, navy and before that royal. But in the anonymity of my computer I can admit that Utah is on top right now. Just don't point this out to me in person unless you would like to spend a week in the hospital.
LV COUGIE | 11:16 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
I find it interesting that the same Ute faithful that were calling for Whittinghams job just one year ago are now ready to crown him as the next Pete Carroll. Please friends lets not get out of hand. As for the UTAH v. BYU analysis it is really rather simple, Utah was great this year and finished off the season in grand style. I give them hearty congratulations and a thank you for the 500K. As for the schools football pedigrees, go back and review the past 30 years. Top 25 finishes? Utah I believ 4 counting this year. BYU I believe 16 or 17. I haven't taken the time to double check my stats but they are close. Is there really any question which school has the most dominant sports programs overall? No, it is BYU. Jim Boylen however plays the best individual defense, just ask San Diego state. NICE STEAL THERE HARRY! (see Boylen look alike Jeff Daniels).
national recruiting | 11:20 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
BYU Friends: BYU is a great place, with a great reputation both in academics and athletics. Its reputation derives from the values of its sponsoring institution. Its link to the LDS church, and the network of LDS people living around the country, makes it much more well known around the country than many other institutions of similar stature (i.e. a very mid-level academic institution). But come on, a national recruting base? USC, Notre Dame and Florida have national recruiting bases, i.e. they can recruit and reasonably hope to get any player playing anywhere in the country. Having 100 fans in the Nashville 3rd Ward and having every Mormon athlete know about you (and probably at least consider coming to Provo) does not even come close to constituting a "national recruiting base." Please quit the whole "we're better than everyone else and always will be" routine. That attitude is frankly why I fear BYU athletics really generates more ill will than good will for the LDS church.
McKay | 11:22 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Here are some interesting numbers since the inception of the MWC...
Regular season championships-
BYU 32 Utah 26
Tournament championships-
BYU 78 Utah 13
Football only-
BYU 4 Utah 3
So yeah, Utah had a fantastic season in football this year as well as in 2004, congrats on that but all in all the numbers don't lie when you want to talk about one athletic departments dominance over the other
Cheeseboy | 11:28 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Please cougars, stay home. Don't show up to the parade! I know you want to, but just stay home.
Utah V.S Byu | 11:28 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
This years Utah team reminded me of BYU's 2001 team in that they had a lot of heart and won close games with clutch play and a little luck. The only "small" differance between the two teams is that BYU was snubbed by the BCS and got 70 points hung on them by Hawaii followed by another bowl loss. BYU has not been on top of this rivalry since 1993.
Little Brother, etc. etc!! | 11:30 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
It's just typical of arrogant byu writers, players, and fans who have tagged Utah as byu's "little brother" over the years. Last time I checked, Brigham Young founded the University of Utah in 1850, byu was founded 25 years later in 1875. Utah also dominates the overall football series record. Harmon, you are ignorant along with all the other bitter byu fans when you bring up this "little brother" comparison. Looks like to me byu has always been Utah's little brother with a smart mouth!
BYU is more respected than U | 11:31 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Utah obviously had the better team this year, but there's no question that nationally, BYU's program gets more respect and attention than the U. Although BYU's team wasn't good enough to go undefeated this year, imagine where they would have ended up if they did? They were ranked 7th half-way through the season, before any games against ranked opponents. That's the difference between the two programs. BYU is always on the national radar, the U comes and goes. U can't overcome what BYU has accopmlished over the past three decades: Tradition.
I respect what Utah did and I'm glad they made such a nice run; but I see the program taking a downturn again after losing key players and coaches, just like their last BCS run.
Anonymous | 11:38 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
It is humorous that a Fiesta Bowl win over Pitt is a "BIG" win. Get over yourselves. Had they played USC or Texas that year they get blown out of the water.
re: Nate | 11:46 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Although there is some truth about the quality of BYU's defensive backfield, let's be perfectly clear about which team is more likely to revert to form and end up at 7-5 next season.

Yes, Nate Utah has had two shining (Congrats Utes!) seasons over the past decade mixed in with a whole lot of mediocre (read 8-4/7-5) seasons.

Utah has never been able to put together back-to-back ten win seasons. And next year will be no exception. 7-5 for Utah sounds about right.

Nevertheless-great season in 2008!! Stunning in fact.
National Respect | 11:49 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
If you want to look at which program gets more respect nationally, look at how many times each program has started the season ranked in the top 25. BYU towers over Utah in that comparison, which is a reflection of the overall perception of program strength. In fact, I bet it will happen that next season BYU is ranked in the top 25 while Utah won't even get votes. Good year Utes, Great program Cougs!
TemeCougLa | 11:54 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
As a BYU Grad, Cougar Club Member, and Football Season Ticket Holder from California, I say Congratulations Utah! You deserve to be National Champions, fair and square. The biggest lesson BYU needs to learn from Utah is to shut up and let its playing do its talking. How many years has BYU led the nation in whining about the BCS, only to fall flat on the field. Utah has shown that if you put up on the field, the rest of the country will make your BCS arguments for you. BYU and Bronco do so many other things right, let's fix this one. Go Cougs!!!

Re: Notre Dame V Florida | 11:53 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
First, Urban Meyer was never offered the Notre Dame job. In fact just this year he stated there is only one job he would leave Florida for.... and anyone who knows anything, is that job IS Notre Dame.

Second, your comparison is really showing of your age. Florida has always been good, right up there with Notre Dame in the 70's, 80's, and 90's. Utah may be having success especially when BYU was down for the mid-90's and early 2000's; but I wouldn't call them the "New Fast Ferrari!" You can't discount the last two years of BYU domination just because Utah one this year, and had a better season.
Yeah right! | 11:51 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009
That 04 team would have dominated ANYONE they played. You are ignorant if you think otherwise.
Utah is #1 for now | 12:07 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
I am a big BYU fan, season ticket holder, and I was 10 years old in 1984 and don't really remember the national championship season that much. I've always felt like BYU has the stronger program/tradition/history in football. I still feel like the tradition is stronger at BYU, but I have to give credit where it is due. Utah's 2008 season including their win against Alabama is on an equal level with BYU's national championship 1984 season. You can argue that Utah had a bigger win against Alabama than BYU did, but BYU was actually given the national championship that year, and Utah was denied the opportunity. I personally throw all those arguments out and just rank the two seasons as equals.

No more little brother up north, the two programs are equal in stature and BYU fans like myself should get over trying to prove we are better through our past achievements, and start trying to prove we are better in the present.
Re: Little Brother | 12:09 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
You are intelligent? What a way to prove it!

Either way you slice it, little brother or big, the U has owned you. A couple of lucky wins over us in the last 10 years hardly equates to dominance. And I hope the Y can still breath after chocking for so hard in so many big games. The record vs. ranked teams says it all: big fish little pond.

Maybe you guys could stop embarssing the conference by actually showing up against chocklahoma, but I don't think Min Hall can pull it off, especially without his favorite collie around.

Please, I'll start to believe the zoob-hype when you actually beat someone ranked in the top 25 and stop touting a miracle win over an inept 6-6 UCLA team as the defining when for the program in the last 20 years.

Oh yeah, um, I'm are smrt two!
Sam | 12:15 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
I think its a great idea. BYU should take the high road and go to the parade and congratulate the UTE team. They deserve it. It would also go along way in improving relations between the schools. We get so tied up in sports and fail to realize the human quality is far better route to cultivate. GO COUGS!
Two Great Teams | 12:18 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
The rivalry is bigger than either program. BYU is a great program. Utah is a great program. But the hype is reaching all new levels. The difference in this decade, more than others, is the reality that both programs are up at the same time. It's silly for any fan to discount either program. Each respectively has certainly had its way, in recent years. BYU has been more consistent, but Utah has peaked better. I think Utah's success will help them repeat success more consistently. And I think BYU's consistency will help them add to their success. The result will be catastrophic rivalry games as big as any other in college football. Better recruiting should result, but breaking the anti-trust problems with the BCS system would be more effective with that.

Utah proved the better team this year. BYU proved the better team last year. The fact is, I don't know who will be the better team this coming year. But both should be in the running for conference and both are getting national attention for themselves and ironically for each other.

State School | 12:19 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
what do you expect?

RE: The Truth (from a USU Grad) | 10:10 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009

Dude, get a clue! The cliche is an 800 lb gorilla. Not a 1000 lbs (pounds?). I know, I know you can teach a new gorilla old tricks or something like that. LOL.

By the way. How many total tournament wins does Stew have? Go ahead count NIT and NCAA tournament wins. In 22 years he has '1' win. The aggies have how many wins in the last 20 years? Talk about BYU fans hung up on 84' the USU fans are hung up on their one win over a very overrated Ohio St team.

One more note to Aggie fan.... I would not start going after BYU in football. Have you see that team you put out there the last decade?

Now go back and dust off your state school diploma and keep telling yourself it means something.

Give Us a Break! | 12:24 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Wow--how long will the DesNews keep beating this dead horse. Somebody bury it, please!

But, on the other hand, the entertainment value is pretty high, so maybe stirring up the hackneyed BYU/Utah baloney is a good bet to sell papers.

All the children on both sides love to wax eloquent about this and that, whose dad can beat the other one up, wait til next year, my 2008 win against a ranked oppoent is better than your shiny NC trophy, yadda, yadda, yadda.

What a joke!

Two fine institutions; two great studentbodies; a bit of competition; success ebbs and flows.

Big deal!

Whatever.
TrueCoug | 12:36 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
"Utah's athletic programs overall are not even in the same category as BYU's�? - In terms of fan base, money, facilities, etc., the statement may be correct, but based on what really counts especially in the more visible sports - football and basketball, especially in the last 10 years, Utah comes out on top, easily - both men and women. Utah has been to the Final Four (men�s) too, and the only school with first picks in football and basketball in the same year, and twice BCS busters. Utah has also been a powerhouse for women�s gymnastics for decades. The Cougars still has a level or two to go to become a great football program.
BYU fan confession | 12:37 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
As a BYU fan I have a confession - I truly believe that Utah has a better football program than BYU. Utah has certainly passed BYU in recruiting and two BCS bowl victories and top 5 finishes proves it. Who cares about BYU's national name recognition - Utah simply wins the big games and BYU...well they don't even make it to he the big game.

Let's consider the facts why Utah is better than BYU:

1. Coaches Pay - Whit now make 1.2 mil per year while Bronco makes 1/2 of that. The U has the money and the Y doesn't. You get what you pay for.
2. Honor Code - BYU will NEVER be a national power with the honor code. They simply can't recruit the top athletes that provide a team with speed and athleticism.
3. Missions - The mission program kills continuity. Utah does have a few missionaries but nothing compared to the Y.
4. Commitment to winning - winning is #5 on Bronco's list of priorities. Winning is #1 on Whitingham's.

There just ins't the fire to win at the Y compared to the U from the administration on down...thus the U is BETTER.
re: Give us a break! | 12:43 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Lighten up dude. It's all in good fun. In actuality, we all love each other: Utes/Cougs/Ags

Kumbaya!
Media Puppets | 12:45 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
And in the end, it appears that we're all just a bunch of media puppets. They've successfully taken the rivalry to a point where it's really something ridiculous.
Mike M. | 12:50 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Wow State school- did someone hit a soft spot? Last time I checked a diploma from Utah State is just as good as a diploma from the U or the Y or even Weber and SUU!

Utah Sates football is awful, we all know this, but hopefully with Gary Anderson, the Ags can turn it around and contend with Boise for the WAC title in a couple years!

As far as basketball, I think the Ags could compete in the Mtn. West and even win the Mtn. West (not every year, but for sure sometimes) The only thing is the USU has got to schedule some big name teams on the road and get a couple wins like that, so they can get good teams to come up to Logan.

Quit bashing Utah State because you are mad your Cougars couldn't do what Utah did this year. All 3 schools are great and have certain areas that they excel in, and other areas that need some work. I am proud to be from a state with these fine educational and athletic facilites!
re:To anyone that thinks | | 12:50 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Utah's Education, Medical, Engineering school's are all rated HIGHER than BYU's. The only thing BYU has going for it academically is Business and Law. Overall, the two schools are pretty even academically.
Pocatello Cougar | 12:52 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
This is very simple, really.

Utah now has the facilities and the name to recruit anyone from anywhere. It makes perfect sense that they can on occasionally be a top 5 team.

BYU is hamstrung with the revolving missionary door as well as that "dreaded" policy of being a good, decent, human being.

The stars have to align just right for the Cougars to have a season like they did in 1984 and 1996.

Cougar fans need to accept 10-3 and 11-2 as our ceiling. And that's fine.

But no one seems to recall in 2006 and 2007, when BYU went 22-4, Utah was 17-9.

Over the last three years, BYU had the better season twice and Utah once.

Over the last three years, BYU still has the better record at 31-7 vs. the Ute's 30-9.

What's the big deal here?
Who has better athletes? | 12:54 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
ask a fan of either school as to which program has the best athletes and the obvious answer is Utah. Also, look at the number of assistant coaches the U has graduated to head coaches over the past 5 years. How many as the Y graduated? I really don't think this is even a close comparison to be honest. The U has a better football program than the Y year in and year out.
Irony | 1:08 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
BYU fans' unrealistic arrogance is apparent here - suggesting that BYU is entitled to every LDS athlete, and is obviously better than everyone in everything but doesn't show it only because of bad luck or Cougar inattention (as opposed to talent or skill in others).

Ironically, it is this very irrational, condecending, entitlement attitude that is, in part, driving many of the top LDS and other athletic and academic recruits elsewhere. Acknowledging, respecting, and learning from others would seem to (1) lead to more success in athletics and academics, and (2) be more consistent with the principles of the church that owns the University.
BYU ups respect! Utes less hate? | 1:19 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Loved watching the Utes roll the Tide. Full on rooted for them. Don't know, maybe the Ute's should be National Champ. The matter is undecided, at best. But they should lay claim, because they deserve as much consideration as anyone.

Congrats Utes for a great year. I respect your team, your program. The BCS is wrong. I have no respect for any antics that take away from what is done on the field. I hope that it gets fixed so that every program has a chance from the get-go to play for the title, based solely on how the season plays out (like every other division 1 sport).

BYU bucked the biased national opinion in 1984 (stricter exclusions were made since), and I think it is hilarious that Utah (a team equal to what BYU was to the National audience then, before it busted the national scene) did it again to them, in 2008. It's like their worst nightmare being replayed.

Most Ute fans argue their team is better than BYU. Being a BYU fan I argue the opposite. What I don't get is why my opinion is deemed disrespectful and warrants hate. Utah's hate of BYU is illogical.
Re: Top Dog | 1:23 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
BYU a distant third in the MWC? This year ONLY I agree but you are forgetting one fact:

BYU's MWC football record in 2006 & 2007: 16-0

As soon as Utah can produce back to back undefeated conference seasons let me know.

Let's see how you do next year when the target is on your back and you play TCU and BYU on the road.

This spring maybe TCU will put "U" helmets on their blocking dummies and put that game as their must win game like they did against BYU this season.

Have Fun in Fort Worth in the fall!



Dutchman | 2:01 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
BYU fans will choke on their arrogance and the fact that Utah's stature is greater nationally when the PAC-10 expands and takes Utah and TCU. Yes, the PAC-10 has always wanted a team in Texas and now TCU trumps BYU. Besides, BYU will not play on Sunday and every PAC-10 championship outside football is decided on Sunday. Sorry, BYU fans but the PAC-10 does not want you. If the PAC-10 decides not to divide into two divisions but wants to balance the home and road schedules then they will take Utah as an eleventh member.

Also, the nut case comments in the article from the guy in Missouri regarding Utah's "small" population knows nothing about demographics. Utah is the fastest growing state in the nation percentage wise and is approaching the size of Oregon and Oklahoma.
RE: Spence is nuts | 2:00 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
You are exactly the type of U of U student we could do without. What happened? Did BYU not offer your major? Did you realize that the U had a better program? You are a poor sport, you are bitter, and you are disappointed in your team. That's understandable. As far as the U needing to learn not to guarantee a win against BYU...when will those optimistic cougars learn not to predict a perfect season on t-shirts?
RE: Comedy of Errors | 2:08 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
There is a reason that more teams are eager to knock off BYU. It's their arrogance. It's their t-shirts. It's their comments of living right on and off the field. It's their constant claim of higher standards. It's the way they get teary eyed and look to the refs for a whistle when they fail to score. There are many many reasons they are the team of choice to beat.
BYU forever. | 2:27 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
What a great article. Mr. Garrick's words hit it on the head. No worries, Cougs. Look ahead. It's cool.
re: re: Notre Dame v. Florida | 2:35 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
It might be wise to check your facts before you call someone out in a public forum. Meyer was offered and turned down the Irish in '04. As the 12/4/04 St. Petersburg Times reported:

"The news that Meyer had chosen Florida over the Fighting Irish came as a shock to many in Gainesville and South Bend . . . He had been a favorite for the Florida job since coach Ron Zook was fired . . . But when Notre Dame fired Tyrone Willingham on Monday, everything seemed to change. Meyer . . . had a clause in his Utah contract that allowed him to leave for Notre Dame without penalty. But he said this week that people were reading too much into the buyout in terms of assuming he'd take the Notre Dame job. HE RECEIVED AN OFFER FROM NOTRE DAME ON THURSDAY, reportedly half of what Florida promised."

Also, the earlier message never said Florida or Utah were poor programs prior to 2000 (both were strong, with Florida taking the NC in '96 and Utah finishing in the top 10 in '94). It simply analogized Notre Dame v. Florida to BYU v. Utah.
Provo Dad | 2:48 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
"BYU is still top dog, but Utah every now and again will have a good run (as they've demonstrated). Bronco should learn from what Kyle's done this year (as Kyle has watched Bronco").


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Herb Gravy | 2:47 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Hope you all feel better now. Anyone out there know the meaning of "quest"?
Anonymous | 2:48 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
If BYU is far superior to Utah in recruiting why is Utah ranked higher then BYU. Look it up on rivals.com Utah is #40 while BYU is #52. Utah also has the only five star recruite in the MWC as well as two four stars, BYU has just one four star. Looks like Utah has the advantage there.
Arrogance is contagious | 2:52 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
apparently since our dear fans of the TUN are now just as afflicted as the BYU fans they so despise.

One good (actually great) year in three and two in five strung in with a whole bunch of mediocre ones and our friendly Utes can now talk smack with the best of them.

Coach Whittingham's next task is to string together several ten plus-win seasons in a row-which Utah has NEVER done.

Perspective is that the Utes have never yet shown any consistency year in and year out. Reality is that they are the best this year, but let's see what 2009 brings. Can Whitt work his magic again?

Probably not and we are probably more likely to see them at 8-4 at best.

Nevertheless, on behalf of BYU and MWC fans everywhere-Congratulations to a magnificent once in a lifetime season. We are very proud of you!

Mike B. | 2:53 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
i TELL YOU WHAT MR. HARMON byu BETTER GET SOME SPEED THIS RECRUITNG YEAR OR UTAH AND TCU WILL BE THE BEDROCK FOR SUCESS. BYU IS 8 TO 10 PLACES BEHIND ON RIVALS.COM BEHIND TCU AND UTAH. i DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO SCOUT.COM BECAUSE RIVALS TELLS THE TRUE PICTURE. TCU AND UTAH HAVE SPEED RECRUITS AGAIN WE DON'T SO FAR THAT I CAN SEE. SO WHAT GIVES WITH OUIR RECRUITING LATELY? DIN'T WE LEARN FROM OUR SUB-PAR 08 SEASON ?? SPEED KILLS! IT DOESN'T LOOK THAT GOOD FOR 09. MANTI TEO A PRIZED RECRUIT PROBABLY WON'T COME HERE SO EXPECT MUCH THE SAME IN SPEED AS USUAL NOTHING.
It's Simple | 3:09 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
BYU has massively overachieved with the all LDS teams they have put on the field. They rarely have elite speed and athleticism. They have solid players and a solid system but fans simply need to start appreciating what the team has done and stop expecting a top-ten team.

Look, 1-21 against ranked teams and a very poor bowl record is the reality when a group of RM, Eagle Scouts take the field against elite athletes. Enjoy the success BYU has had but don't expect bcs level success.
re Irony | 3:09 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
I've read every message on here and no one said that BYU is entitled to every LDS athlete or anything even close to that. You're twisting people's words and meanings for your own propaganda and to perpetuate your biased view of BYU fans.

Several BYU fans did say that BYU needs to be better at getting the top LDS athletes. BYU has to compete in the recruiting game and should never assume that just because an athlete is LDS that they'll clearly come to BYU.

And no one ever said that BYU is better than everyone at everything. Once again, you're twisting people's words for your own purposes. Many on here have argued that BYU is better than UofU in many ways (both athletics and academics). I happen to fall in that group...obviously you don't. There's nothing irrational or condescending about either of us supporting our respective schools and arguing on their behalf.

You're the one with the holier than thou attitude by claiming that by supporting one's school and team with arguments somehow isn't consistent with the principles of the LDS church.

This is the kind of stuff that drives me nuts about UofU fans.
MizzouBlue | 3:12 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
When will we recognize that we're better off supporting each university vs the bashing that goes on here on both sides? Outside of Utah and a few surrounding states, the Mountain West confereence doesn't even get mentioned in conversation as a conference to be considered year in and out for national prominence.

The Utes changed that dramatically this year. My hat's off to Utah for a great season and exceptional showing against Alabama. Further, thanks for the attention you brought to the Mountain West.

Likewise, TCU deserves tons of credit for knocking off an undefeated Boise State team. Way to go Horn Frogs.

There's so much to be positive about and build upon within the MWC. Let's spend more time building up our respective schools and conference vs the ongoing bashing we see almost daily & certainly weekly.


All Church | 3:14 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
A long time ago, when I could run and jump better than today, The LDS Church had a basketball program that would crown an all-church champion.

Some wards recruited, finding the best players and moving them into their boundaries (and perhaps recruited some who didn't move into their boundaries).

My ward took what it had and competed. Fairly regularly, our team placed high enough at the stake level to play in the district tournament. We never seemed to get beyond that point. But we did the best we could with the limitations given us.

BYU football, likewise, has some limitations. But it competes and recruits the best it can. I am pleased when Bronco and his lads keep church and school standards yet still have respectable seasons. If they should exceeed expectations, so much the better.

Quest for Perfection, I believe (wishing I could read Bronco's mind for sure) was not to be accomplished in a single season but improvements over the long haul. Perfection is a journey that comes only at the last step.
TrueCoug | 3:14 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
And why should the Cougars NOT go to the parade as a team? It�s a good idea. It�s a fulfilment of all what Bronco has been preaching as part of his coaching stint - be examples on and OFF the field - be good men, not just good players. It�s a good way to implement BYU�s ideal that football, in a sense, is more than winning games and beating opponents; but rather focus on the lofty and the noble aspects of life. Go and show the Utes your support for a great year they have had. You (Utes and Cougars) can still be great buddies in life and even fiercer competitors on the field - no perpetual animosity. Oh, and remember the two university presidents? ...funny...there must be something good to come out of having a Ute, president of the Y, and a Cougar, president of the U ...hahahaa
Attendance?? | 3:17 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009
Wasn't Rice-Eccles stadium half full for several games earlier this season? Wasn't Cougar Stadium at capacity or near capacity for every game for the past 20+ years (minus the Crowton debacle years)?

Where were all the big UofU lovers at the beginning of the season? Or last year? Or the year before? They don't seem to show up to the home games.

Obviously, the Sugar Bowl is a MUCH better bowl than the LV Bowl. No one with a brain is going argue about that. Congrats to the UofU for a big win.

But, why is it that BYU fans sold out the LV Bowl and the UofU couldn't sell its allotment of ticket to the Sugar Bowl? I think it has something to do with a much bigger and more engaged fan base that has been developed over the decades. Two good years isn't the same as a long-time winning tradition. Is the UofU program on the rise...clearly it is. But is it on par with the tradition of BYU's program. Not yet.

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