Too bad the Defense does not have an identity at this time. Also teams that can throw the ball every so slighty will beat the (y).

I think that all this BCS talk should be quieted because BYU's D is rebuilding. Don't get me wrong, I am a die-hard fan of the Y. Sure, the O is great but unless the D can stop some people the expectations should be adjusted to be more realistic. BYU faces UCLA with Norm Chow as the offensive coordinator. That in itself should be of concern. Additionally, Utah will have a good offense this season. BYU has to get by both of those schools to get into a BCS game. I have faith that the D will be ready to play but with so much turnover you never know what your going to get.

I'm in your boat kevin. Die hard Y fan but I don't think this is our year. Our best shot is next year.

The question isn't can the DB's defend, its whose going to start. The DB's have size and speed and they know the system very well. I promise they'll have their "indentity" before the end of fall camp.

Whether its this year or the next or both, BYU will break into the BCS before Max Hall graduates.

re:kevin it tx- stop posing as a cougar fan.

That would "ever so slightly". Geez, you ute fans really show your u of u education with each post.

BYU still has a very good chance to win the conference. Yes the defence is new, but offence is not. Bronco is a defence coach, I'm confident in his ability to coach these kids. We will probably have closure games that last year as a result of the defence. This is nothing to cry about.

This cougar team is the best in the MWC. There's no one close. They've got weapons galore and a tried and tested quarterback, who passed with flying colors. Theres not a DB in the league that can cover Collie.

Since so many ute fan post on BYU articles, you have good talent. But you have no proven defense, you are not going to have a healthy quarterback, and in reality, you will lose at least two games because of your coaching. But hey, congrats on your new uniforms, at least you didn't get bibs.

The best time for anyone involved in sports and many other things as well - is NOW. I am impressed that many players at BYU (and sometimes Utah) have learned that the current game and the current play is the most important. Tomorrow and the next play is a crap shoot and your chances will either improve or diminish based on what is done NOW.

The only reason why this year is a good one is because national networks have BYU on their radar despite not being too interested in watching their games. It took Fresno State and Boise State and that other team up north a few years of consistently solid play to be taken seriously. If it takes another 11 or 12 win season to get that shot, I can be patient, but hopefully they can strike when the iron's hot.

Regarding the Cougs' D, BYU's never had a shortage at linebacker so there's room for optimism that the guys they plug in will do at least adequately if not really well. As for the secondary, when has that not been a question mark? If Coach Hill is everything that he's hyped up to be, and I believe he is, then they'll get some solid kids out there and minimize the damage an exceptional passing team could do. If Hill showed anything last year, it's that he doesn't need the 'best' starters for the unit to make an impact.

About Chow, never forget that we ran him out of town. We can do that again.

BYU showed last year that they could RELOAD the offense. They have the same mentality with the defense, and have reached that through recruiting and work ethic. In other words, they'll definitely put a quality product on the field. The biggest concern shouldn't be the defense; it should be the late season schedule: @ TCU on a short week, @ AFA, @ Utah. Oh yeah, there's a giant target on their backs, too.

To Troll:

The offense will cover most defensive errors. But do you take Bronco's words lightly? I tend to give him more credit. Bronco said he believes this years defense will measure up to ones from the last two years. If they are anywhere close, BYU has a very good chance of going undefeated because the offense will be 7-10pts a game better perhaps even more.

To Kevin and Al:

In this blog noone mentioned BCS. I hear much more about this from "FANS" than I see in print quotes from players or coaches. Given the outlook there should be optimisism now.

I don't know if you can rule out BYU just because of the "high turnover" on defense. If I remember correctly, last year the offense had a lot of new faces (including the quarterback), yet they not only competed, they dominated. No one knows how good this defense will be, but I wouldn't rule them out just because they're inexperienced.

Having all of the walk-on secondary starters graduate which then leaves room for recruited, scholarship athletes to step up doesn't seem like a big problem to me. It actually sounds like an improvement. BCS isn't guaraunteed of course, but I think we've got a great chance to make it this year.

My concern is that the Cougs have their sights set so high, that if they lose one game, the wheels will fall off! One loss means no BCS for the Cougars...however, nothing is wrong with a one-loss season in my opinion. It kind of seems like it's all or nothing with this group?!

Come on, this makes me sad. If you are a big cougar fan, you will realize that our secondary hasn't been that good over the last few years. We have been really struggling. We are going to be just as tuff at D-line this year as ever. Our line backers who were deep last year, I am pretty sure can find a few line backers to fill in, and back to the secondary, with bigger stronger quicker athletes at those positions I am pretty sure we can't be worse than last year at that position. Come on lets celebrate. No more Jeremy Gouch. I admit we should be great in two years, but we should be Dang good this year. Anything less than a BSC game is a disapointment.

Last years defense may have been a lot better than most fans realized. BYU will be good next year. The question is can they be great. Utah, UCLA, Washington, NIU, TCU and New Mexico will also be good. Terrance Hooks injury really hurt our defense. We have good athletes on the defensive side. We'll see how quickly the new guys can learn. If they gel in a hurry we could really have a fun season and in my opinion the BCS wouldn't be out of the question.

when it comes to ucla i worry a bit too. they have good coaches. Byu will do well this year. The altitude in an early season game will have a definite effect. Hopefully it doesnt come to that but it is an advantage.

As a die hard UTE fan I just hope they keep talking!! Tell me how byu is predicted to finish first and they will get into the BCS game because the more they do the harder byu will fall!!!
Russ couldn't be more correct, the higher they build themselves the further they will fall!!!
I want to see Hall cry just like Beck did, I know it is coming!!

IF Sorensen kick for us this year you can chalk up 6ppg on our avg. His versatility and help with field position will alleviate a lot of pressure from the defense as well. bright year this year BCS or Not. But if we have a good showing then next year could be set up for a 25 year anniversary of the National Championship with a repeat. Thoughts???

Don't talk to trolls!

GO BYU, BEAT UTAH!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought Ian Dulan was going to go on a mission?

The difference between a good team and a good program is that good programs have people ready to take over when the first line guys graduate or go down with injury.

Look at the success BYU's good programs have had in the past (Mark Wilson taking ove for an injured McMahon). It seems to me that too many Cougar "Fans" don't understand the nature of building and sustaining a good program.

If the "logic" used by the trolls was accurate, All the "great" programs in the country (Texas, Ohio State, Michigan, Oklahoma) would not be consistent top 25 programs.

I'm guessing that most of the posters to this site have never played college football. You don't understand the mechanics of building a team and winning. Don't confuse having an opinion with having common sense. Most of you have plenty of the former and very little of the latter.

don't be surprised if the offense stuggles early on because of all the hype and pressure its getting. i could see the defense being the reason for some wins this season. they are bigger faster stronger than last year at secondary and dline. scott johnson is NASTY! he will destroy many recievers this year especially utahs. same with brown and gpittman. i predicted many blowouts because the d will be so dominant.

Who is talking about the BCS? I didn't see one mention of it in the article. None of the Cougar players or coaches are talking about it. The only ones talking about it are bitter yewt fans gripping so hard to hang on to their fond memories of the Fiesta Bowl! Let it go, little brothers to the north. Pop in that dvd of the 2004 season highlights (or whatever year it was), pop open a cold one and drown your sorrows in the reality of the fact that TDS owns you right now!

I just read in the Orange County Register that during UCLA's spring practices Ben Olson has been playing with the 2nd Team, Pat Cowen has been getting the reps with the 1st Team.

They also lost their weak side LB, only have one participating in Spring Camp now, and their RB tore his ACL.

Sounds like they are not having a stellar camp. Chow is playing his head-games with the QB's, the D is not what it was last year, and I'm sure there is a lot of learning going on trying to get a hold of Neuheisal's way of doing things.

While in the mean time BYU has been productive, relatively healthy (too bad about Hooks), and developing depth.

GO COUGS!!

russ i wouldn't be to concerned. as for 1 loss dropping them out of the bcs picture i don't agree. i've seen several national writers state that even a 1 loss byu team has a chance at a bcs bowl. they will rank in the top 20 to start the season and they only need to be 12th in the bcs standings. i've even seen an early preseason poll putting byu 14th to start the seaon ( i think they will start 17th or 18th). point being starting ranked that high they have a chance to still lose 1 game and still make it to the bcs.

A good pass rush can cover up a lot of deficiencies in the secondary and Jorgensen seemed unblockable at times last year. Experience up front will go a long way to helping the rest of the defense.

Beck cried tears of joy because he made a stellar play by beating you die hard UTES as time expired.

Both BYU and Utah will have good teams & results this year, although BYU's will be a lot better. By the way, there's a billboard I see along I-15 going Northbound in the Midvale vicinity that has pictures of both Bronco & Kyle on it and says something about champions or championships. Question: If the topic is championships, why is Kyle's picture on the billboard?? Oh wait, I think I just figured it out. Kyle was on a championship BYU team as a player a long time ago, even though he doesn't have a championship as a head coach. Ok, got it.

Agreed, the BYU defense was Excellent last year, and SOME of the wins were much more a defensive effort rather than a BYU scoring spree. The press plays up the returning offense, which is a good thing, but in my openion the pressure is once again upon the defense.

I hope the "no contact" spring works!!!
The young players really suffer from lack of opportunity when practices are shortened. Some guys just flat out do not drill well, but PLAY way above the rim!!!

BYU will be very competitive this year. The defense will be better than last year because of better athletes. The Y will struggle to win @TCU, @Utah and @AF. That is a tough assignment. Pat Cowen is the best UCLA quarterback. If you watched him play against Washington State last year you would agree. He has that something (winner) that you don't teach quarterbacks or any good athlete. To beat UCLA and Washington will be very tough. I think the Y will lose three games this year. Having said that I think with a few breaks they could go undefeated, I just don't think it will happen. Last thought is Kyle W is a good coach, quit bashing him.

“Kyle W. is a good coach” Hmmm…on what grounds do you make this claim? It seems that this “good coach” took over a program that had just completed an undefeated season and then over the next 3-years has yet to produce any more than 9 wins (including bowl games) in any one season. Nor has he yet to win a conference championship and has seen losses to teams such as Wyoming, New Mexico, Colorado St., UNLV, and San Diego State on their home field.

On the contrary, maybe the coaching accolades should go to a coach who took over a team coming off of a losing season and has since produced non-losing seasons in each of his three years. Not only that but has produced 2 conference championships and 2 bowl victories in those 3 years. He has also compiled a record of 28-10 (a .736 winning pct.). He has also never left the field in tears nor blantantly run up the score to embarass another team.

So perhaps what we are talking about is a good coach and a GREAT coach who not only wins, but wins with class.

Go Cougs!!! Go Bronco!!!

Re: Just ME @ 2:42. Bronco would be ashamed of you. He would never bash someone else to make himself look good. You are a reason that so many people can't stand the Y. Just be a fan of the program and the coach, but try and learn too. Learn to be humble like Bronco is and how he takes responsibility for who he is. He has never bashed another coach or team. If you can't be a fan like that, then we don't need or want you down at LES. Obviously his stats speak for themselves, but he does not need you making a fool of yourself for people to notice.

You have to promote your team in order to get the attention so that the poll voters will rank you to start the season. Every year BYU starts outside the top 25 and unlike the teams they end the season ranked ahead of, they have to begin at zero. You can't make it into the top 10 unless you start in the top 20. While BYU is risking a huge fall by talking BCS, if they don't know no one will listen. Example, ESPN had a front page story on the Cougars promoting them as the next BCS buster. TCU was last years and they fell on their behinds but that's the risk. Although BYU beat TCU the year before, unlike TCU they didn't start out in the top 25 after being in the top 15 at years end.
Another publication has the 2009 BCS games predicted. BYU plays Missouri in the Fiesta Bowl. We hope!
Please yutz-sters, this is a BYU article having nothing to do with Kyle or how great the yutz will be. All you do is move wind with your pro-yutz posts. Until your boys do it on the field or court, you have zero credibility.

Anyone who doubts the talent and heart of this team does so at their own peril.

With the returning talent on both sides of the ball, and the depth and character that Coach Mendenhall is building in this program, BYU is poised to dominate college football in in a way that will make the Lavell years and the national championship seem inconsequential.

Robert, you must be feeling ill. "....dominate college football......" Wow, now I've really heard it all. Why don't you elaborate for us? Especially, when "mythical" is no longer possible. I'm in the mood to be humored. LOL!!

The only thing this home grown BCS talk will do will embarrass BYU. If they end up being good enough for it, there will be plenty of time to talk about it NEXT NOVEMBER! Until then, it is typical BYU hype.

Unfortunately, this gimmicky offense and young defense will have at least 3 losses this year.

It will be interesting to see how well BYU does with so many good LDS recruits this next Fall. With only 10 more scholarships it could be a missed opportunity.

I am srory aoubt hvinag to do tihs, but smoe of us need to wrok on our slpeinlg. Come on, your quotes aren't credible if you can't even spell. Just please read if you can't spell.

ThIs years team is set for a magical run come september! Before our bcs busting performance in AZ, i guarantee a similar game with the utards as the one back in '96 with their weak run defense being overpowered...To make things even worse for our little red headed step brother to the north, our passing game will be second to none in the national collegiate landscape. THis is a bad combination for even the great defensive guru K. Whit!!!
Yewts, mark my words, next time around there won't be any need for any so called "miraculous plays"...THe golden age of byu sports has begun and bronco has brought us there!

Seattle... uh. Gimmicky offense? You mean running and passing? I know-- feels like Crowton's back in the saddle, right? These receivers catching and those running backs running... that Anae's off his rocker!!!

I don't remember a single gimmick play on offense last year. Not by BYU anyway. Maybe you're confused. 3 losses seems reasonable. But so does zero.

Interesting comments all. Now lets just play the games and let the results speak for themselves. Go Cougs!!

Ref:Robert
Bob......................hold that thought about the Lavell years seemingly being inconsequential.....for let's see....maybe at least another five years and then we'll talk....... Hmmmph...Kids!!!!

...............Roll Cougars.............

Think about it. Can you name one team has ever been more focused on correct principals than this team? Coach Mendenhall's leadership together with the upright character of the boys on the team and those that he is recruiting will result in success that will make the world of college football take notice. Magic happens for a reason.

Hope the coug's win'em all and run the table.

But remember, every major program has been highly ranked and had their bubble bursted early in the season, only to fall apart ending in a 6-6 season. Even the mighty Mich team of 84 was highly ranked until the QB went down.

I'd be proud of a good season, 10-2 conference champs. anything above that, well it's just the icing on the cake.

Thanks for the amusement cougar fans. Simply reading through your responses confirms 100% of the stereotypes about your fan base. You have quite a few who are level headed, but they are overshadowed by those who have no clue whatsoever. BYU will not dominate college football. Spirituality has ZERO to do with success on the field. Bronco is not a god, although he's a good coach. You would think the "Lord's Fans" would be more humble and less abrasive about other teams. It's really too bad. Almost to the point that the missionary vision of BYU athletics takes one step forward and two steps back. Congratulations. Here's to another great game in November. You have to be delusional to think either team is leaps and bounds above the other. Plus we have no clue about what injuries will pile up. Will Johnson, Mack and Asiata be healthy? What about Max Hall, Unga, and Collie?

BYU, no one in the National media is seriously considering you as anything more than a good mid-major team who will play in the crappy Vegas bowl after three losses. Seriously, just because you got lucky in 84, you think every year it's a national championship year! Utah will destroy you this year!! But you can come to the Fiesta Bowl and watch Utah beat another team, and wear your newly purchased Red shirts just like in 04.

Come on you can't even get a sell out when you're winning(once in ten yrs.) I hardly saw an ugly red shirt before 2004 then everybody flooded to fanzz to jump on the band wagon. 3 years later Ute gear is half off and fans can't get off fast enough to catch the bus (down) south to see a high speed offence and hard nosed defence, oh yeah and CLASSY COACHING! Keep hanging on to Urban's down south crap(which he stole)and make sure you land on soft ground when you jump!