The only criticism I have for Mendenhall is that he has failed every year to bring along a backup quarterback. Max is amazing, but as he goes, so goes the team. When he's on, (which is more often than not) they're tuff to beat. When he plays bad, they lose. If he doesn't play at all because of injuries, or what-not...keep him in your prayers, cougar fans. He'll need it (especially if they don't fix that left side of the O' line...almost got him murdered last year). Good luck Maxie! But most important....GO UTES!

What is all this BCS talk when they need to be rebuilding a secondary? Oh I forgot they have Max Hall.

sorry meant to say that Mendenhall has done pretty DANG GOOD. instead of just pretty. And Jason Beck by the way was a stud, i'm sad we didn't get to see more of him. Yet glad because John tore it up.

It should take no time since we now recruit 4 and 5 star CBs, RBs, and WRs that used to go to USC, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, etc.

Since the Y has the best tradition of winning national championships in college football, it will take no time.

Minerman, please. Two words for you: Brendan Gaskins. Just because he didn't get any significant playing time other than handing off at the ends of games doesn't mean he wasn't ready or Bronoco wasn't "bringing along a backup quaterback." Gaskins is a very talented and capable backup who, because of Hall's good health, has not been utilized. There are a lot of programs out there who would love to have a backup with the size and skill of Gaskins waiting to jump in for an injured starter.

Thanks for the advice from a Ute fan who I'm sure is so very concerned for the Coug's well-being!! Gaskins is fine as a back-up QB. If there is one thing BYU has proven for over 20 years is that their QB system works. While Hall makes it look easy, other QB's could step in and do fine as well. I do agree with Mr. Ute on one thing, the blind side attacks on Max last year can't continue if he is going to outlast the season.

Minerman, what are you smoking? Mendenhall, has a quality backup in B. Gaskins, he has provenhimself as a JC qback, has looked good in last years spring game, played ok last year in mop up duty. What do you want him to do, start a couple of games with Gaskins? The way it works is, you play your best QB, and adjust when the need arises.

Oh, and buy the way was it 4th and 18, or 4th and 19?

Unless a backup QB is required to play, it is difficult to "bring one along" as you say because in the end, they need real game experience. Who has been prepared as a backup for the Utes? As I recall, it was Utah that has had to resort to a backup QB most recently due to injury, not BYU. The fact is, we should all be praying. GO COUGARS!

Rebuilding BYU's secondary on a potentially BCS bustin team.

This will be interesting...

...like the way Tommy Grady was so prepared to replace Johnson against Oregon State?

Jason Beck was a more than capable backup to John Beck. Whoever lost the qb derby last year was supposed to be the winner's backup. However, Cooper got injured and transfered. What can you do? This year we have four guys battling it out for the number 2 spot. Should we have 10? 5 scholarship qb's is a fairly large number. You'll be hard pressed to find schools with more.

Ute troll alert.

Analysis: Harmless ankle biter.

Carry on.

He has a point. Nobody thinks there would be no dropoff if Hall were injured. It really would damage our goals for the season. So he's right in that aspect.

Besides, you gotta praise an honorable Ute fan when you see one. One that actually looks at BYU with unbiased eyes and isn't out to sarcastically trash our team with any news he can find. One that actually sees how GOOD it is for another MWC team to do well and wishes the rival well in all games except against his own team.

Name me one college team that isn't rebuilding at some position. The difference between successful programs and successful teams is that successful programs are able to fill the holes created by injuries, graduations, etc. every year and still continue performing at a high level.

Nice article about BYU's "Quest for Perfection" on ESPN. Bronco has Cougar football on the right track and the national media is beginning to take notice.

who is the backup for the Utes this year?
Gaskins is the reason that the Nevada Wolfpack blew BYU off their schedule. Nevada is pathetic at the moment and Gaskins was slated to be their starter but transferred to Glendale JC to get out of his scholarship at Nevada and then walked on at BYU (correct me if i am wrong of course) after his mission. he lost the starting spot to Hall probably b/c he didn't know the system like Hall and also having went on a mission (deconditioning issue) for the full 2 years it took time just like it did for John Beck to really come into his own the second half of his senior season. unfortunately, Gaskins will likely not ever get a chance to prove himself like John Beck did.

Excellent Analysis!

Analysis #2: The Y DOES have the best tradition of winning championships in college football--in the state of Utah!

All the talk about Gaskins as backup QB - has anyone watched spring scrimmages this year? McEuen has outplayed him at every one. If given the chance to play, McEuen has proven he is a great QB.

I've never worried about the defense since Mendenhall's been the coach. Teams this year won't have any time to sit and pick out recievers anyway. The defensive line is seasoned and very fast. Sprinkle in a few blitzes from Nixon or So'to, if the work is put in, the defense will be suffocating.

There was way to much freshman this and walk-on that in the article for me to feel good about the defensive backfield.

The reporter pointed out that last year's team had four players who walked-on at various times playing at defensive back. The next paragraph quotes Bronco as saying that is an indication of how far the program has progressed. That makes no sense. That is a huge indication of weakness. The defensive backfield will be ok in conference. Outside of the conference, or in a big bowl game, I have my doubts.

Ref: John

Way to tell them John your sarcasm really shines forth.....reality is, that the safety's and corners have always been...(with the exception of a rare few)... the weak parameters that have kept BYU from becoming a truly successful program. I totally disagree with the statement that "it doesn't matter if they're big and fast or that they're tall or short." That mentality is sumarily equivelent to the calling of a running play, inside your own five yard line, with 7 seconds left before the half. We all know how that ended up don't we??? If you're going to think stupid then you're going to play stupid...even Forest Gump figured that out. It's one thing not to get somebody with all the right skills who isn't big and fast.... or who isn't tall, as opposed to being short during your recruiting process.... but don't draw attention to your lack of vision by saying that size and speed don't matter......

Scoobie

Does BYU even have one good passing team on its schedule this season? Who is the best QB they will face? There is no Smith from Tulsa on the schedule this season. Locker at UW is a runner. UCLA doesn't know who will be throwing. Johnson at Utah still can't get his shoulder healed. Seriously, BYU can play a 5-6 and leave the backfield empty this season.

I would hate for us to have some DB's that couldnt defend a 4th and 18 when it counts the most. Could you imagine a TE running around in the endzone on the last play of the game with the nearest guy to him being our head coach. If this was the case we should just drop all athletics and move on to winning Noble Prizes...

There AWESOME!!!

Actually, I loved John's comments -- real indication of the frustruation simmering in Ute nation. Not seeing anything on The Hill this spring to inspire any confidence that things will improve, John? Well, you're welcome to come on here and vent your frustration with your sophomoric insights. Go Cougs.

Jaime Hill -- if he can pull us through what happened last year, just imagine what he is going to do with scholarship players.
Marc Wilson -- stepped in for Giff Neilsen and threw 7 touchdown passes in his first start. Had a fine career and NFL success, Yeah, it's ancient history, but BYU is all about tradition. You can rest assured that there are players who know they are only one hit away from having to perform, and they are talented and ready.

Ref: who cares?
Oh the logic from ....a simple mind. Such challenge and offerings to every offensive coordinator out there...they're going to play 5-6 D because nobody cares....................What magnivicent vision.

It's not going to happen, Good QB's have got to have game. McEuen doesn't have it, if he does tell me when he showed it. Never!!!

Parents comments just don't count. The coaches are only looking at him as a 3rd stringer thats it. The only way he will get a shot is if two go down. And if that happens BYU will be in trouble.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. How the Offense does this year is completely dependent on the O-line. The worst offensive game of the year was against UCLA in the bowl game. That was due to the line, guaranteed. Unga couldn't run because the line couldn't block. Max Hall couldn't throw because pass protection broke down. If the line is solid, Unga, Hall, Collie, and Pitta or any back up skill players are skilled enough that they can move the ball at will. In terms of the defense, I don't know if they will be AS good as last year, but they'll be good enough to win.

Oh but Hawk,.... the Utes had a tremendous recruiting year...they got a new uniform company.... and "who cares???" insists that they won't have any deep threats so we can sit back in our 5-6 D and not have to worry......but I'm so afraid of those new uni's....I keep dreaming of them running loose in our secondary.

Do you have a clue what you are talking about? Parent I am not, you are a relative or friend - we know by the response. Do you review the statistics that they keep during practice or just when you visit with your "buddy" after practice? When has Gaskins done well other than last spring game (he doesnt throw a ball over 5 yds). You watch with an open mind and tell me Gaskins is better> Ha!

BYU has always struggled to bring in pure athletes and those are the players who tend to shine in the defensive backfield. BUT, both Mendenhall and Hill specialize in dbs so they have done a good job of teaching these kids how to play the game. This season, although young, we may have the best group of athletes we have had since the kids Crowton brought in who didn't fit in at BYU. Their athleticism may make up for their learning curve this season. I think next season they may actually be the best group back there we have had.

Also, don't get too confident in Ben Olson's struggles. I think under Chow he will have a huge season and finally start putting some success with his potential. I think that game in Provo will be a struggle until the very end.

Marc Wilson had NFL success? How soon they forget.

REF: FBALL FAN
McEuen is't there....Gaskin is....until McEuen is, it's mute.....I seriosly doubt things will change before the opener.......GIVE IT A REST!!!!

max hall is the man, as far as the backup spot goes, mceuen and gaskins are equal as far as I can tell. Do they keep stats during spring football practice? I would be interested in seeing those if they do.

Ref:DBs and Ben Olson
Hope you're right about the backfield and wrong about Ben. Just having Chow upstairs calling the shots is worry enough....if I had my rathers as for D.B. coaching it would be Kyle Whitingham's father....one of the best in nation.

As long as the secondary doesn't give up a 4th and 18 I am happy......Go Cougars!!

Whittingham's father was a linebacker coach.

Ref:Texas Ute

Bum Phillips wore coke bottles for glasses so what do expect....he got Marc Wilson confused with the real backup.

0 and 3 to begin the season. What is this smell about BYU getting recruits USC etc used to get. Wake up. USC and everybody else in the Bigs get who they want period. If the Zoo gets anything it is the crumbs off the floor. Oh, the secondary will give up 60 in the first three games. Remember where you read it.

No, I think it was 4th & 28 - that's sound better!
Go Cougars!!!!

Whits father never coached DB's! U fans are clueless, especially cuz your calling a Heisman for Casteel. I would try to laugh, but its incomprehensible. The smog is very think on the hill.

Seriously, the DBs for BYU are not an issue for this team. Which opponent can go deep? Utah can't with Johnson throwing. UCLA can't. UW can't. TCU can't. AFA can't. Maybe New Mexico?

I'm just saying that Provo should not get worried about this position. They will be fine. Their OLine will carry them to 10+ wins again like it always has. Their DLine and LBrs are good enough to stop every offense they will see. I could play in the secondary and it wouldn't matter.

You rip Marc Wilson - have you ever played sports? He gets a pension from the NFL, how can you say he wasn't any good? Get real. Most people who rip in this column have never played college ball, let alone NFL.

UCLA remembers and so does Chow.
Huskies roll out a new NFL staff to save the coaches job.
The Lobos, Horn Frogs, Falcons and Utes are sorting things out and planning the ambush.

Due to the hype, every Cougar game played this year will be for the National championship...Do the Math!

Hey I'm soo excited for the season. Hey I thought Jordan Pendleton wasn't going to play cause he was leaving on a mission? Does anyone know the update on that. It's great to have him, he's a good player in high school atleast. Maybe he decided it wasn't for him, or he got an exemption from the coaches. Anyone know?

Welcome to the big time Cougar fans! That's what being a top program is all about, the pressure to perform well against every opponent, even when everyone of them is gunning for you.

Time to raise the bar and step up to the challenge.

The Math: 13-0 = BCS win and a possible shot at a second National Championship

REF: EVERYBODY OUT THERE
OK...OK...OK I stand corrected on Whitingham's father....I can handle being wrong but don't confuse me with my brother...... he's the Ute.....insults are a totally different matter.

Ref: Scoobie Who?
I didn't rip Marc Wilson..I'm one of his biggest fans. Read Texas Ute 9:32 a.m. 9 APR and maybe you'll get it the second time around....if you don't...then read it again. They say to keep trying and trying and trying. This tutoring lesson is free.....it will cost you next time.
Signed (tongue in cheek) Dan Pastorini

Meanwhile back at the ranch.....

Ref:OK you clowns
Dude, you're even worse at reading sarcasm than the guy above...recommend you reread the source on the
getting recruits that USC used to get line...go back and re-read John 4:o1 a.m. 9 April...then come back to this blog with something intelligent to say.

I am feeling pretty confident about our backfield when we have an athlete out of Florida who was offered a scholarship to Loisville, but transferred to the Y, is our 2nd string corner.
Also, all of the talk of the back-up QB is hogwash. The Ute coaches were stupid enough to bring in a QB meant for an entirely different system than what they want to run, and they paid for it last year. If Hall goes down, the back up QB runs the same plays and system in the game as in practices.

Sounds as if Mendenhall if getting all excuses lined up ahead of time in case this team doesn't measure up to the BCS standards.

You people live ina dream world. Just the same in basketball. Do you really think BYU basketball team should be in the same building as Kansas or Memphis. Don't think so.Same thing is true of football.