Yippee!!!!!! Kehl, Poppinga, Gooch, and Buchanan are all returning, starting seniors this year! Come on Harmon. Any fan knows these guys graduated. Get with it!

Golly gee , open the sports page and a banner headline for Mendenhall , same hoilds true with Alema and powerhouse , Monson is all a gag and giving them aother champioship.. when will the torment end ?

It was really such a short article that it seems inconceivable that someone would miss the actual message that this article conveys. Anyway if you reread it SLOWLY you will notice that it says we are LOSING some key players, not that they are RETURNING!!!

Here is the quote:
"Mendenhall didn't seem worried about LOSING key seniors on defense. These included . . . Bryan Kehl, Kelly Poppinga, . . . Quinn Gooch and corners Kayle Buchanan and Ben Criddle."

It seems someone else is the one that should Get with it!

No, it will not end as long as BYU has Bronco. Get used to it! It's just like the old days isn't it?!!!!!! BYU at the top and the red school in the middle.

No comments Scoobie about the scrimmage last Saturday and all the comments since about the qb situation? I guess the Jim Rhome wannabe isn't saying much now. I guess Bronco's comments say it all about who is where and which one is going up and which one is moving down!! See ya!!

To Conejo: Try actually reading the article. Harmon listed the players you mentioned as departing seniors.

To TheHailstorm: It won't.

Mendenhall is getting the BYU football program to the point he envisioned when he took over -- with plug and play players ready to step in to replace graduating and injured starters. Can't wait 'til fall.

RE: Conejo

"Mendenhall didn't seem worried about LOSING key seniors on defense. These INCLUDED starting linebackers Bryan Kehl, Kelly Poppinga, safety Quinn Gooch and corners Kayle Buchanan and Ben Criddle."

Why don't you actually read the article before you go mouth off.

Please read carefully next time;

"In a session that keyed on "position mastery," Mendenhall didn't seem worried about losing key seniors on defense. These included starting linebackers Bryan Kehl, Kelly Poppinga, safety Quinn Gooch and corners Kayle Buchanan and Ben Criddle."

I believe it says "losing key seniors".

learn how to read - the article says they have graduated. I know they don't teach English at the U but one would hope you might have picked up a few rules in basic English usage in HS.

Face it Hailstorm, your torment will NEVER end...it was only on short hiatus during the Crowton debacle. Go Cougs!

Hey Conejo, Harmon said these "key seniors" were all lost to graduation--did you read the same article I did? Take your own advice and "Get with it!"

Let's all have a little perspective--the start of the season is still over 4 months away. I'm afraid with all the hype and confidence the only way the Cougars will be successful is to go undefeated and win a BCS bowl. There's good reason for high expectations, but the Bruins, Huskies, and the Runnin' Scared Utes still get to weigh in. The players need to earn it every week, even though the fans would like to anoint them champions before the season begins . . .

Ref: Scoobie Who??
Yeap....pretty much says everything doesn't it...were both still in the dark riding an even keel until the final decisions are made in the fall...thanks for pointing out the obvious kid...I'll still take Gaskins and you can have Mac for Hall's backup, since it matters so much to you that you had to call me out again.

As far as jim Rhome......he's his own man and so am I...and I'm really not a follower ...but apparently you are. See ya in the fall kid.

Mendenhall will lead us to a BCS game...quite possibly the championship game if everyone else has one loss. We are loaded everywhere but DB. Our offense will more than make up for the lack of experience at DB. 13-0, National Champions again.

Congratulations on working and preparing for another great season to come. I'm confident that BYU will win the conference AGAIN!!! The red team should also have a great season and finish in the middle of the pack AGAIN!!!

GO COUGARS!!!

Let's quit picking on the first guy I think he gets the message. He misread it and made himself look foolish. Moving right along now. Go Cougars! Solid offense, tough defense, and vastly improved special teams. We've got a great shot at a perfect season this year!

That would be nice, but it's difficult to be the one that every team wants to beat. Just beat ucla and remind Big Ben that he sailed on the wrong ship. Come to think of it, sitting on the bench in LA is no different that grabbing pine in Provo.

Ref:BCS for sure
The topic is Mendenhall's satisfaction with spring training...whose looking strong...who's hot on the heels of the recognized starters... not about an automatic lock on a national title. This is a very good team with a lot of potential...but to continue the natiional title rhetoric is counter productive.

It's utterly amazing to me that so many still don't understand how the BCS works......It's a creation of the Big 10....it's fixed...the rankings are controlled and manipulated....with help from the media and coaches.
Yes!!.... if we go undefeated we may get an at large birth in one of the non Championship games... based on outright merit... but to expect a chance at a BCS National Championship is not in the cards....it's designed specificly to keep The MWC, the WAC and other Mid level Conferences out of Championship contention......Solely because the MWC and the WAC are the ones who keep respectivly bashing in the door has the BCS been a failure in that respect...and there is, an ever growing wave of pessimism brewing, even within other BCS conferences, that not only we the outsiders are getting shorted but they themselves are being used to benifit a few elite programs.

You silly goose, it says GRADUATED seniors. I'm tickled that you read that wrong. It would probably help you if you learned to read that the right way.

You better learn to read the article right, or else. The article said GRADUATED seniors. Why don't you learn to read or something. . .Geez.

In my several years of researching this article, if you notice in the third paragragh, it clearly states that Coach Mendenhall was LOSING several seniors on defense. Let's explore this topic further, shall we?

To further bring credibility to my findings, I looked up the meaning of LOSING in the dictionary.

lo*sing (v.) 1. to unsuccessfully maintain possession of. 2. to no longer have something formerly in one's possession. 3. the relinquishment of one's ownership to a person, place, or thing.

So you see, my young apprentice, Coach Mendenhall was losing several seniors from last years defense.

If you want further information on this topic, visit us at our website.

Thank you for your time.

Scoobie, right on with respect to the BCS. It was obvious during Utah's and Boise State's BCS experience that the system is rigged to keep us a mile away from the championship game. The only way we will ever possibly get that opportunity again will be the introduction of a playoff. It's silly to think otherwise.

Scoobie, you are wrong. The BCS was not a BigTen creation, it was an SEC brainchild and the BigTen glommed un immeidately when they realized the $ distribution potential. You are right that BYU will never be in a BCS championship...as long as BYU is in the MWC. So-called mid majors are partly to blame, with schools like Utah and Hawaii eagerly and gratefully clutching their $10-$15 million prizes for "busting" the BCS and going home happy with what they allegedly "proved." No one should be taking the crumbs from the BCS table. When you take the crumbs and thank the host for them, he'll never feed you the main course. UCLA and WA are decent teams but the east coast media establishment will not be impressed if BYU beats them and they are the marquee games on a 12-0 record at bowl time. If BYU wants respect, we need to play and defeat top SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12 teams. In the Pac10 only USC gets respect, and we blew two shots at them under Crowton. As fans, we need to accept that a national championship is unlikely and ultimately unnecessary for a season to be successful.

Cougs are looking great! The Nation is looking at the Y too. Lots of reports about BYU busting into the BCS. EVE EVERYONE IS BELIEVING! Except those of U with little faith.

The National Championship is possible...when? Who knows, but at least you've got to shoot for it and make it known thats where you want to go! You've got to raise noise! So Cougars RISE AND SHOUT!

I'm a BYU fan but this BCS talk is getting ridiculous. It's way too early to start talking about it. In fact, Utah probably has as good of a chance to bust the BCS this year as BYU. That's of course if they can get past UNLV in week #2. We all know how tough the Rebels can be.

Two conference teams that MIGHT surprise this year, and I mean MIGHT are Wyoming and UNLV. True, they are who they are, but they are returning a number of offensive starters this year. BYU will do this, but they need to be on the lookout for both of those teams, as well as everyone else in the conference.

UNM is always a scary team. This BCS talk is premature. Let the players discuss what they want in their meetings. Let Mendenhall put goals on the board and in their minds, but let's see them on the field this year. Perhaps about mid-season talks can be resumed. Although, impressive early wins, it might be a good indication. Dan Patrick called the Utes in the BCS the day after their signature win on Texas A&M.

BYU will not be a BCS contender lets be realistic they are not athletic enough the bigger schools are just too good BYU winning the national championship in 1984 was a one time thing

I am a big time U fan and I will be the first one to say that BYU looks good this year. So I won’t bag on the Y this time. Also if the Y fans want respect they might want to research more on the team up north and take notice and then admit that they look pretty good this year. (Give them respect)- Meaning the Utes have had great spring practices as well, we are loaded up on a lot of positions.

If injuries stay away it will be a huge season for both teams.

Go UTES!!!!

P.S. to all you ambitious cougar fans out there this is not SMACK TALK.

Ute troll alert... analysis: harmless ankle biter. Carry on.

Despite fan OVER/under enthusiasm, Bronco has the team in place for a great run this fall. True fans should be encouraged by such high expectations.

Palls-

I totally agree, byu will be a good team this year, no doubt about it. And I also agree that byu fans should take notice of utah as well, because they are loaded for a run. The schedule is set up well for a great season, but its way to early to think. Last year I had huge expectations the whole off season, and the first quarter of the first game, boom expectations gone. So until the season is at least half way through, then start the possible bcs talk, and that goes for both teams!!

GO UTES!!

Busting the BCS does not necessarily mean playing in the national championship game; just ask Utah, Boise St. and Hawaii.

If the bigger schools are "too good," as you say, how do you explain all of the upsets by the smaller schools last year?

According to CollegeFootballNews, Washington athletics is in a sad state of affairs. The Huskies won their first two games of the football season, but only won two of their final 11 games to finish 4-9. Although QB Jake Locker gave hope for the future, there's debate if he'll be surrounded by enough talent to get U-Dub back to the postseason anytime soon.

Hey for all those people who are critical of Gary Crowton, last time I checked, he helped his team win a national championship. Quit bagging on the man. He is a class coach and deserves respect.

I'm back!!!!!!!!!!!

The article clearly states the starters on Offense were held out of the game to protect them. It then states "IN" a position mastery session he was not (similarly) concerned about losing the senior starters on defense.

1.) If they have graduated they are NOT seniors any more now are they!

2.) You are telling me he was ONLY not concerned about losing his starters from last year DURING that specific session?

I know what Harmon was TRYING TO SAY. He just wrote it as if he were trying to get the whole story out in one breath, without regard to the lead in.

While I do root for Utah, I do not root for them over BYU. I did not get my education from either school. I have been rooting for BYU since Gifford Nielson played QB. For any of you who frequent cougarboard.com you would know who I am and who I root for.

Just as a high jumper doesn't start a competition at his all-time personal best height, Bronco didn't set the bar for his first year at winning a national championship.

He's building a program, not just a team.

After back-to-back 11-2 overall and 8-0 in conference seasons, the next logical step is an undefeated season and a shot at busting the BCS. It may not happen the first time, but as every high-jumper knows, if you don't at least set the bar at that height, you'll never know if you can clear that barrier.

Bronco is realistic enough to know that winning a national championship is a long-shot, but getting to and winning a BCS game or two, could open the door to that possibility in the future. It could even force the NCAA to institute a true national championship tournament.

Can anyone explain how Terrance Hooks eligibility will be affected by his injury? He has already had a medical redshirt year. Assuming he doesn't play at all next season will he come back as a junior or will he lose a year and come back in 2009 as a senior? Go Hooks and Cougs.

I tell you what fellow cougar fans. These guys are going to be a really good team with the potential to be a really great team. The only thing I keep thinking of is will this year's team turn out like last year's Michigan or UCLA teams? I hope not. But both of those schools had a ton of talent returning...UCLA had 19 returning starters and we know how they ended up. Michigan boasted one of the best returning offenses in the country and look what happened to them! Both were marred by injuries to key personnel. I tell you what...if Max Hall goes down, so does the season. Unga will not be able to carry this team alone. It could be like Oregon with Dixon going down. Stewart could not carry the load. We'll see...

agreed, let's get pumped because the cougars seem to be holding a winning hand, but all the cards haven't been delt just yet. Be happy and hopefull, but not brash and foolish. After all, there the OTHER school in Utah known for being brash and foolish and they wear RED!!!

Ref:Y Chromosome
Sorry to break your bubble, but the brain child is a former Ohio State Alumni, University President and past Big Ten Commissioner. I'm afraid Scoobie's got you on this one. Original draw ins after concept were PAC Ten followed by the SEC. Major Bowls especially Rose Bowl held out initially until the SEC and the Orange Bowl jumped on board. Rose Bowl eventually blinked and finally rolled over....but only gave a tenative acceptance to join at a later year...wanting to see how BCS would be accepted. Sugar and Fiesta were eager Beavers.......Argue all you want....because in five years it won't be much of an argument..... we'll see a playoff system emerge....no doubt BCS, feeling the pressure will be forced to initiate a transition... probably in either a four team or eight team scenario. Expect to see a true 16-20 team scenario and Bowls finally dropping ties to conferences within 10-12 years......and no BCS

.......Cougar Fan in Bowling Green..........

I just have nightmares regarding that UCLA defensive rush haunting us this fall...what a challenge. Man they were quick!! Truly, it was by never quitting and second effort that we won that game. And grace.

Now doubt they'll be gunning for us. I love it!!!

jducky
Provo

Most of UCLA's best defensive players are gone now. I Think they had a couple All-American seniors who won't be there to haunt us this September.

Coach Mendenhall knows what he is talking about when he labels this year the quest for perfection. He is a wise and inpired coach, but he is even more wise and inspired as a man.

When he speaks about a quest for perfection he is talking about a national championship. That is perfection. The way is not clear and there will be challenges along the way but make no mistake, Coach Mendenhall will bring national respect and admiration to the school through the quest for perfection that results in a national championship in January.

The National Championship season had a factor rarely spoken -- everyone else lost, most of them more than once. For BYU it was a great team and great wins but if so many other teams had not had multiple losses...

Just like 1984 the pieces that need to fall into place will fall into place.

Quest for Perfection = National Championship

He won't say it publicly, but Coach Mendenhall knows it.

Robert

The BYU I watched struggle against injury-plagued UCLA in the Vegas Bowl will be lucky end up 7-5 in the MWC. BCS bound? Keep dreaming. If BYU was in a BCS conference, they'd be lucky to have a winning record.

The Cougars are far, far, far, far, far, far, far from being a national program. Getting the bone the BCS throws to the top mid-major is like winning the NIT: totally meaningless except to your most loyal followers.

The only way we are going to make it to the big game is having Crowton back...not as head coach but as offensive coach. We need his brains. I don't believe we have the offense brain to win it all. We will always be the 11-2 type of a team. I still remember all the dumb plays being called for the last three years. I don't see anything will change next year. We are still going to get the dumb plays and lose few games! Crowton, mastermind, please come back!

"7-5 in the MWC"???

A "meaningless" game that pays $17.5 million per team and is something ALL of the major conference teams who don't qualify for the national championship game are shooting for?

The so-called major conferences are shaking in their cleated-sneakers worrying that the world will finally catch on to the fact that there really isn't that much difference between the top teams in the mid-majors and the upper tier of the majors.

Yeah, I guess two back-to-back undefeated MW seasons, twice ending in national rankings, 2 straight bowl victories over what the PAC-10 fans say they are the best conference in the universe, and of the last 6 games they lost, they were all very close games, and that all means they are nowhere near the national scene.

Not sure what school taught you that common sense, but I have a guess.

As much as I hate to admit it, our schedule needs to improve if we want more respect. If we had gone undefeated the season we lost to three undefeated teams, now that would have been an accomplishment. Unfortunately, part of scheduling is luck. When you put USC, UCLA, Notre Dame, and others on your schedule, you never know how good they will actually be once you get around to playing them. Losses to Boston College, UCLA, Tulsa, and ASU really hurt.