I am hoping the cougars can pull out their A game against New Mexico. It would be great to see Hall throw for 400 yds, 5 TD's and Unga run for another 100+. Defense also shut down the Lobo's keep them under 200 yds. Looking for a much improved Cougar team on Saturday.

Now is the time to turn on the killer instinct and live up to the Y potential. If the Cougs can do this offensively for 4 quarters, nobody will touch them. They have become so businesslike and afraid to pile up the points, that they are only hurting themselves.

It is possible to be sportsmanlike and still harness the killer instinct. A fine balance to be sure, but the Y can do it. It will be the only way to move up in the polls.

Cougar Nation or Ute-ville would love to see the BCS wince and suffer that a non-BCS team could play for the national championship. It may be decided on November 22nd in Salt Lake City, but both teams would have to bring their A games every week until then.

A "very unique and difficult environment?"...what game was Bronco at? I was at Romney Stadium for the game and it was like a home game for BYU. I'm not sure what he is talking about there.

I like "show'em who's boss" over "killer instinct" because that's exactly what you're doing when you overpower a team to win games--showing them you're the boss on the field. It's a mindset.

BYU's defense seems to have that mindset this year, but the offense is still looking for it. Not sure they'll get it before the year is over.

I keep hearing Bronco say that they don't prepare for other teams by trying to figure out what they're going to do and then game-plan to counter that. Instead, Bronco keeps talking about preparing themselves and applying that against the other team. Now, THAT's the "show'em who's boss" mindset!

Hopefully, it'll translate over to the offensive squad soon. That's what it will take to keep a top 10 ranking, both in wins to do that and in fulfilling expectations of the pollsters.

The New Mexico game this week will do a lot for or against BYU's ability to maintain a top 10 ranking. Another blowout keeps it (no more slipping), or a close game drops us out. Don't even want to talk about what a loss would do.

GO COUGARS!

We all know what happened. BYU was playing with their heads in the clouds.

Not to take away from the improved effort of USU, BYU just got plain sloppy. How many dropped passes that would have converted third downs. Poor mistakes like the personal fouls. Getting lazy on blocking schemes and assignments.

It's as though they expected USU to back down and throw in the towel before the opening kickoff. Or their magical #7 ranking would score points for them.

Another story in today's paper is something the football team needs to read, and when the movie comes out, watch. The Highland High Rugby team. That is how you play football! Controlled fury measured with strict discipline.

I know that Mendenhall has implemented some rugby into his methods. The Haka dance and routines from the New Zealand All-blacks rugby team.

I assure you, Highland rugby doesn't let their reputation try and score points for them. They do it the old fashioned way.

BYU should be glad they only dropped one spot. If they are going to have a once in a decade season this game needs to be the wake-up call.

Get back to it!

Go BYU!

I've been concerned for several games about something I'm seeing from Max Hall and I'm afraid it won't get addressed and talked about until we have a loss. He seems to be telegraphing his passes again. He started getting over it and was checking off well, now he seems to have slipped back into looking directly at the person he is passing the ball to and sometimes faking in that direction and then throwing in that same direction as if to say to the DBs -- here it comes. I think that's why he got two interceptions against Utah State.
I guess we can wait for a loss before somebody else starts to mention the problem. He can certainly pass the ball and get it where it needs to be, and reads the defenses. However, he is starting to telegraph those passes. That is something that will kill us against defenses like New Mexico and TCU. I think there will be many more interceptions over the next two games unless he looks one way, fakes it, and passes in another direction. That would do a lot to keep the other teams honest.

It looks like a cloudy, rainy, cold day at LES Saturday. It'll be a good day to show the Cougs we're not fair weather fans. Let's all bundle up and fill up the stadium. The weather doesn't have to dampen our spirits. It's also homecoming. I believe every game from now on will be a tough one with the possible exception of San Diego State. (but they almost beat Notre Dame)

Could you please give Austin some instruction on how to present oneself and represent the team through the media? It was nice to read the comments without having to cringe..... or gag.

At this point in the season it's obvious BYU has played the weakest D1 schedule in the country. I think they are very much over-rated.

USU game was perfect for BYU. The Cougs needed a game like this to prepare for UNM and TCU.

The next two weeks will really define the team.

Please give Fui the ball! I love it when the whole stadium yells out FUI!!!!

y u be cryin USU rok

Bass,

Yes, they have played a weak schedule. So what. That doesn't necessarily mean they are overrated. It simply means it is uncertain. Since BYU has gone 22-4 with a ton of the same players, pollsters are giving them the benefit of the doubt.

Indeed, why isn't Utah overrated? Cause they beat a 2-3 OSU by the skin of their teeth or because they beat a 2-3 Michigan by the skin of their teeth? Everyone acts like OSU and Michigan are world beaters because they beat USC and Wisconsin, respectively, but they overlook that they also lost to Stanford and Notre Dame respectively. Neither one even has a winning record. Yeah, it is a better schedule than BYU's, but weak nonetheless.

PK and DJ told it like it is yesterday. That is, half the FBS teams in the country could be 5-0 if they had played the schedule BYU has played so far.

The MWC schedule offers challenges BYU hasn't yet faced this season, with road games at TCU and Utah first and foremost, not to mention New Mexico, UNLV and Air Force, who will all offer better competition than the five teams BYU has faced to this point.

The turnover bug will bite BYU in games to come. We'll see how they deal with it.

What was up with Max's comment that he didn't figure out USU's defense until the third quarter, but then put together probably the worst quarter of the entire game in the 4th? If you "finally" figure something out, shouldn't you adjust and perform better? Just wondering

BYU does not have the luxury of playing Northern Iowa, Utah State, Wyoming, and SDSU in the same year and gain national respect. I know that Nevada backed out of our home opener but we need to schedule some better non-conference games and Nevada isn't it either. I realize that it is bad luck that UCLA and Washington are so rotten in 2008 but what excuse do we have scheduling the Utah State Aggies every year? We ain't LSU and can't schedule powder puffs because the MWC has at least 3 powder puff teams every single year. Even though the MWC is better in 2008, the MWC still can't compete with the competition in the Big 12, the SEC, etc. I realize Hawaii made it to a BCS bowl last year with a cupcake schedule but they embarrassed themselves horribly and took all other non-BCS teams down a notch with their loss to Georgia. BYU needs to schedule some Big 12 teams and agree to their 2 home games for 1 road game arrangements. It isn't fair to play on the road twice for only 1 home game but that might be the price we have to pay.

Your exactly right. I was actually hoping for this kinda game/effort against USU. It's WAY better than the proverbial loss great teams often need to wake up. Playing one of their worst games in 2 years and still won by nearly 3 TD's. While at the same time getting a little wake-up call. PERFECT! You'll see a more focused and composed team the remainder of the season. Undefeated and ranked in the top 5 at years end!!!!!

Its a good thing BYU had their bad game against USU and not a quality team.

The only thing i am scared about is how did we let utah state outscore us in the fourth period. That is the most critical time in a game. I wanted three straight shut outs. all we can do is prepare for the next one though.

I don't want to justify the poor second half playing because the second half wasn't the same Cougs that I've watched this season. But being there at the game was very helpful in seeing the lopsided refereeing that was pretty egregious. There were probably five holding calls that didn't get called on USU and a blatant horse collar on Hall that didn't get called. I think the poor refereeing added to the angst of the Cougars which caused some bad plays.

It was too bad that so many flags were thrown but it was nice to see BYU take peoples heads off, I loved Denney totally knocking the USU o-line into next week and when Hall was called for the personal foul the BYU fans went ecstatic!

We do need to improve under pressure, I'll end with a fitting quote I heard at the end of the game.

"When was the last time you've heard so many fans so excited to loose?"

For USU, BYU is the BCS...

Half the FBS teams would also be 5-0 if they'd played Texas Tech's (SOS 132) opening schedule:

Eastern Washington
at Nevada
Southern Methodist
Massachusetts
at Kansas State

So DJ's and PK's point is?

BYU and Texas Tech might be untested, but that doesn't mean they aren't very good.

We'll find out by the end of November just how good BYU and Utah are.

Until then, it's all just speculation based on biased opinions.

1. BYU is ranked high despite a weak schedule largely due to their reputation developed over the past few seasons. This is often the case for several top 25 teams before conference play rolls around. BYU has earned this "benefit of the doubt" by ending in the top 16 the past two seasons, starting there to begin the season, and returning so many (offensive) players from an excellent 07' team. We all know that reputation time is over as we start to play some very quality teams in-conference.

2. BYU's SOS will rise each week as we go through conference play. By the end of the season it will be one of the higher non-BCS team SOS. It will be interesting to see if Utah actually debutes a bit higher than BYU in the BCS poll. Regardless, as long as both teams keep winning the BCS Bowl berth will be decided in SLC November 22nd.

3. Thank you USU!! Perfect timing for a large dose of humility and rededication as we enter conference play. And here's hoping USU, UCLA and Washington manage a few wins to increase are end of year SOS even more.

ESPN had an article about the projected BCS rankings, based on several of the computer rankings and the human polls. BYU was ranked 11th or so (Utah ranked 8th). Here is what ESPN says about BYU:

"Thanks to a schedule strength ranking in the 100s by most of the computers, BYU appears in the top 18 of only Billingsley's ratings and is outside the Top 25 of both Sagarin's and Massey's."

Wow, all you Cougars should be proud of that 5-0 record. Good job Hawaii....uhhhhh....BYU. Way to play all those weak sauce teams so that you can try to reach that BCS game unscathed!!!

As a self-declared Ute fan, and a BYU fan anytime they don't play Utah, I think BYU will romp this weekend. However, I don't see BYU going 2-0 against both Utah and TCU on the road. If any of you have wathched TCU, they are tough, with the only mistep being the OU game on the road. At the end of November, BYU will have one loss.

"Improve on miscues"?

What, make bigger and better ones or just more of them?

BYU is riding high so bring on Bo Diddly Tech.

Big Time.

Just like the last two seasons, while Utah is admiring their "superior" OOC schedule, BYU will be beating them where it really counts, on the field.

Please be careful not to lay an egg along the way, like Utah usually does in conference. We're hoping you tarnish the November 22nd Holy War by coming into the game as a spoiler instead of contender.

you WON'T tarnish

Hawaii played the weak sauce teams and barely scraped by. BYU is winning convincingly (barring a one point victory at washington) Everyone knew Hawaii was overrated. BYU and Utah will deserve their ranking after November 22nd when the contenders are separated from the pretenders.

"BYU is riding high so bring on Bo Diddly Tech."

Stop referring to your beloved Utes in such a negative fashion. I hear that Utah is supposed to be pretty good this year.

Re:coug fan a la boise

The horsecollar penalty doesn't apply to a running back at the line of scrimmage or a quarterback still in the box. That's why no penalty was called on Hall. I thought one of the unnecessary roughness calls was a homer job, but the refs didn't conspire against BYU. Lack of emotion and discipline hurt the Cougs in the second half.

I was at the BYU/USU game last Friday.
Half the crowd was hooping for one side or the other. Since fans for both teams wore blue and white, only the sounds help us identify friend or foe.
Both teams played their best, given the advanced press.
The officiating was confusing to follow at times leaving the fan wondering whether the boys were not playing fairly or whether the officiating was performing poorly.

BYU scored more points, while USU tried their best.

The BYU/UofU game tickets were listed at ~$400 a seat on some websites. It may be worth it to pay that price for that slugfest!
Good luck to the players of both teams.
May both teams walk away from that game feeling that they gave their best on that day.

Do a little history check on Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bo Diddley.

The guy was amazing.

Hey, so are the Cougs.

So, thank you for the compliment.

Before the season started, BYU's schedule was tougher than Utah's. It still had the potential to be tougher until the Wisconsin and USC games.
Washington and UCLA are screwing that up.

BYU:
Washington...road
UCLA...home (ranked while preparing for BYU)
TCU...road (tougher)
Utah...road (tougher)

Utah:
Michigan...road (tougher, Locker had potential...until the season started)
OSU...home
TCU...home
BYU...home

all other games are a wash because they are either the same (AF and UNLV) or just too crappy (UNI/Weber State, CSU, SDSU, NM, WY)

My team is better than your team

Oh yeah? My team has a better SOS than your team.

Oh yeah? My team has more wins against BCS teams that yours does.

OH yeah, My team paved the way.

Oh yeah? my team drinks more beer than your team

Oh yeah? my team has more kids than your team, (I mean legit kids)

Oh Yeah? My mom can beat up your mom

Oh Yeah, I bet she could too!

BYU and Utah fans are a bunch of idiots.

Until there is a playoff, no matter what you say, there is always going to be some one else who is going to say. . . .

Oh yeah. . .

To Ernest T. Bass: I have studied your statement and run it through my computer. It came back with: "Bass' conclusion does not compute."

The relative strength of a team's schedule does not definitively prove how good a team is. How a team performs against that schedule, allows voters to make an educated guess as to how good a team is.

You may think a team is overrated -- but that team's schedule does not prove it.

You may think a team is overrated -- but I've read a lot of your comments on here and, frankly, most of them are the direct opposite of what seems to be true.

Therefore, I use the following message board formula: Ernest T. Bass statement minus inbred Ute bias + healthy dose of reality = closer version of truth. Or stated more simply: The direct opposite of Ernest T. Bass logic is probably closer to the truth.

don't assume good ol' ernest is a ute fan, head on over to some of the utes boards and you'll find him there too, doing just the opposite. Way to take the bait though.

As far as BCS standings go, Dan Sheldon's blog at kutv.com is pretty interesting. Here's his assessment of what those standings would look like today:

1. Oklahoma .9399
2. Alabama .9277
3. Missouri .9088
4. Texas .8381
5. LSU .7618
6. Penn St. .7581
7. USC .6208
8. Utah .6106
9. Georgia .5940
10. Vanderbilt .5858
11. Texas Tech .5655
12. BYU .5204
13. Ohio St. .4913
14. Boise St. .4724

Worth some thought.

"Worth some thought."

Not really, since they don't include 4 very significant game involving BYU and Utah.

Wyoming, which will drop Utah's SOS significantly in all of the computer polls. Colorado State, which will also lower Utah's SOS.

New Mexico, which will raise BYU's SOS. And, finally, TCU, which will not only raise BYU's SOS significantly, but also give BYU a boost in the human polls.

All of which will occur BEFORE the first official BCS poll is released.

Sheldon's list will change significantly in the next two weeks.

If anyone wants to beat the Cougars then they just need to check out the game tape from Utah State.

BYU is not as good as they think, when they lose 2 games this year, i will be sad because of the mnt west, but I will also say, "told you so"

wrote the most intelligent thing I've seen on these boards for months.

YSMACK,

Yes, you know a lot about OSU and Michigan's records. But, you need to look at the teams they have played. OSU and Michigan have both played--AND BEAT--some really tough competition. Let's face it, BYU's opponents have NOT. Therefore, a 2-3 record for one team is a lot more impressive that the 2-3 record of another team. You can't go by numbers alone.

At least we were tested away by a D1 team(USU).
Utah escaped Weber St. at home by 16 points.
Interesting how quickly Utah fans forget that and both near misses at Air Force and home vs. a 2-3 Oregon St. team. Stop the posts against BYU until your house is in order. We have not lost a MWC game period since 2005. BYU will win at TCU and Utah mark that down miopic Utah fans!

First, Utah also played USU on the road and beat them by a far more convincing score. Second, your so called "2-3" Oregon State team beat USC, the number 1 ranked team at the time. Also, one of their losses was to Penn State on the road, so this record does not reflect how good Oregon State is. Third, if you are making light of Weber State not being D1, look at BYU's schedule. BYU also played a non D1 team. Based on your logic, I don't think your predictions for TCU and Utah have much merit!

I saw Max Hall play in high school.....his tendency to stare down one reciever and telegraph his throw was apparent.

What I saw @ usu looked similar...he seemed also to have a fixation on Austin Collie

Where is the distribution to multiple recievers....

Why did the tight ends never see the ball?

He started out great....come on Max lift your game. bad throws into double, triple coverage and staring @ 1 reciever only will cost us big Saturday..

This is New Mexico's Super Bowl

Pay attention Cougs