Reader comments: BYU football preview: Team going undefeated is still a long shot
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Cameron | 5:32 a.m. Aug. 24, 2008
Didn't BYU beat Kansas State (not Kansas) in the 1996 Cotton Bowl? I am 100% positive it was Kansas State.
Controversial call? | 9:06 a.m. Aug. 24, 2008
Didn't BYU also beat an eventual 6-6 Texas A&M team on a late 4th qtr touchdown pass in the SE corner of the endzone negated by officials back in '96?
Yep! They were one bad call away from a 13-2 season. .
Similarly, UConn won a share of the Big East title last year that same way when a would-be game winning TD was called back against Temple. Even the color analysts commented on that.
Then there was Oregon over Oklahoma, and Texas over Kansas in 2005.
Going undefeated is EXTREMELY difficult since some aspects of perfection are out of a team's control due to arbitrary officiating.
Yep! They were one bad call away from a 13-2 season. .
Similarly, UConn won a share of the Big East title last year that same way when a would-be game winning TD was called back against Temple. Even the color analysts commented on that.
Then there was Oregon over Oklahoma, and Texas over Kansas in 2005.
Going undefeated is EXTREMELY difficult since some aspects of perfection are out of a team's control due to arbitrary officiating.
true blue | 9:29 a.m. Aug. 24, 2008
This years team is very good, but Utah, TCU, or any other mtn west school could sneak up on them. That's why a good defense is important; it keeps you in games.
Comments continue below
2009 more likely | 9:40 a.m. Aug. 24, 2008
I think this season will be a great season. I see a 1 loss or 2 loss season max. But not an undefeated one. 2009 could be different. Next season we should have the deepest most talented defense ever. Our skill positions will be incredible and filled with seniors - Hall, Unga, Tonga, Collie, Pitta - all seniors and legitimate all-americans. Our o-line will be young but most those kids should get some good experience this season.
CougAZ | 11:13 a.m. Aug. 24, 2008
I actually have higher expectations for next year's squad, although the schedule next year is tougher.
I see two losses this year.
I see two losses this year.
From Montana | 11:15 a.m. Aug. 24, 2008
Remember - That's why they play the game!
All the more remarkable | 5:37 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
That the 2004 Utah team went undefeated without ever being challenged. They only trailed twice all year - never at halftime or after - and the closest game was decided by 14 points when Air Force scored a meaningless touchdown with seconds left to make the score respectable.
Still, even Utah had to get "lucky" by avoiding injuries to key players.
Good luck Cougars and Utes - may we somehow experience an undefeated rivalry clash on the national stage in November!
Still, even Utah had to get "lucky" by avoiding injuries to key players.
Good luck Cougars and Utes - may we somehow experience an undefeated rivalry clash on the national stage in November!
BYU | 7:35 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
Two wins against Mid-level PAC 10 teams and one win against a directional school as well as running the table against the pathetic MWC should be easy for A TRUE BSC TEAM
Any coach worth his salary would EASILY make a championship run with this type of schedule. This should be a PIECE OF CAKE for Bronco.
NOTHING LESS THAN PERFECTION SHOULD BE EXPECTED BY THE COUGAR FAITHFUL AND DELIVERED BY THE COACHING STAFF AND PLAYERS.
Any coach worth his salary would EASILY make a championship run with this type of schedule. This should be a PIECE OF CAKE for Bronco.
NOTHING LESS THAN PERFECTION SHOULD BE EXPECTED BY THE COUGAR FAITHFUL AND DELIVERED BY THE COACHING STAFF AND PLAYERS.
Perfection | 8:50 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
What would be really cool - BYU and Fresno go undefeated.
Fresno goes to the BCS on schedule strength. Fresno plays Rutgers(away) UCLA (away) Boise State (away) and Wisconsin ranked 13th.
Maybe BYU should play anywhere, with anyone, at anytime like Fresno!
I like BYU, but midlevel PAC 10 teams are a dime-a-dozen in college football.
Schedule Georgia, Tennessee, or Florida every year. That will change some heads.
Fresno goes to the BCS on schedule strength. Fresno plays Rutgers(away) UCLA (away) Boise State (away) and Wisconsin ranked 13th.
Maybe BYU should play anywhere, with anyone, at anytime like Fresno!
I like BYU, but midlevel PAC 10 teams are a dime-a-dozen in college football.
Schedule Georgia, Tennessee, or Florida every year. That will change some heads.
Re: Controversial Call | 8:55 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
PAC-10 officials negated Utah's late 4th qtr game-winning TD against Arizona in Tuscon back in 2002. That official, who was out of position to make the call, was an Arizona booster.
J. Carey | 9:34 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
"Some oddsmakers have placed BYU's statistical odds of going undefeated this season at less than 10 percent."
Sooooo....you're sayin' we've got a chance!
Sooooo....you're sayin' we've got a chance!
SOS non-factor | 11:12 a.m. Aug. 25, 2008
"What would be really cool - BYU and Fresno go undefeated.
Fresno goes to the BCS on schedule strength."
SOS won't be a factor. Whichever non-BCS team is ranked highest in the human polls (minimum top 12) will determine the BCS buster.
Any boost that Fresno St. MIGHT get from their OOC schedule will be negatated by their much weaker conference schedule.
Fresno goes to the BCS on schedule strength."
SOS won't be a factor. Whichever non-BCS team is ranked highest in the human polls (minimum top 12) will determine the BCS buster.
Any boost that Fresno St. MIGHT get from their OOC schedule will be negatated by their much weaker conference schedule.
Madison | 12:03 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008
Fresno State is a very very small fish in an even smaller pond, trying for all that they are worth to prove they are a football team worth noticing. Pat Hill schedules "anyone, anywhere, anytime" so that he has an excuse for himself when his pathetic coaching abilities are revealed on the field. They can't even sell out the tiny stadium that they play in no matter who comes to visit, not to mention that no MWC coach wants to waste time traveling to Fresno and place themselves in a "no win" situation. If Utah's and BYU's chances of going undefeated are small, the chances for Fresno State are miniscule. At least this silly talk about an undefeated season will mercifully end after the Rutgers game.
AfghanCougar | 1:09 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008
"2009 More Likely" Harvey Unga will be a Junior next year. He was a RS Freshman this last season and will be a Soph this season. But I do agree that next season barring major shakeups in the offense and loss to the usual stuff like injuries and possible honor code/academic issues, the cougs could be pretty awesome. Be nice to see the Cougs run the table and get to play O-high-O State and pound them. Maybe that'll keep Kirk Herbstriet's pie hole from spewing his stupid retorhic.
Re; Perfection (cont.) | 1:43 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008
Schools like Georgia, Tennessee, and especially Florida will NEVER agree to a home and home game scheduling agreement. SEC scholls, with two exceptions, do not travel out of state for non-conference games against anybody. I've done the research, Florida only plays non-conference roadies against Florida state and Miami, ditto the majority of the conference. It is simply not worth it to schedule only road games against the SEC powers if they refuse to take a chance on playing a game at altitude in the mountain time zone.
Lose BCS game | 1:47 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008
I'm a cougar fan and I think they can reach a BCS bowl game this year but I think we'd lose that game. There is too much hype around reaching the BCS that nobody has even talked about winning it. The worst thing that could happen would be repeating what Hawaii did last year... and that very well could happen.
Undefeated | 1:49 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008
13-0 would be great but if the Cougars go 11-1 or 10-2 again with wins over Utah and a bowl win, I will be one fan that will still be satisfied. I would love to see them go undefeated but living through the Gary Crowton area has made me more appreciative of the last two seasons. Beating the Yewets and finishing in the top 15 is a nice way to end the season.
Not such a long shot... | 3:16 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008
anymore.
BYU football begins in less than than 5 days.
BYU football begins in less than than 5 days.
geezer | 3:33 p.m. Aug. 25, 2008
RE: Cameron The BYU Cottonbowl win in 1996 was definitely over the Kansas State Wildcats and not the University of Kansas.
Perfection: I'm not expecting it, but they may have a shot. It's a long season. A team not only needs to be very good but lucky as well. I'm very interested to see what kind of defense we play early on. I'm ecstatic we'll have something to watch besides baseball soon. Go Cougs!!
Perfection: I'm not expecting it, but they may have a shot. It's a long season. A team not only needs to be very good but lucky as well. I'm very interested to see what kind of defense we play early on. I'm ecstatic we'll have something to watch besides baseball soon. Go Cougs!!
Koogs | 8:50 p.m. Aug. 27, 2008
Bronco will leave after this season for big bucks, then you'll get another Crowton so don't hold your breath for 2009
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