Go cougs. This is shaping up to be a great year so far. I'm hopeing for a perfect season. Rise and shout.

Go Utes

It could be a long day for the defense. We always have a hard time with containment. Hopefully our ends and corners stay home and do their job. I am concerned if New Mexico can run the ball effectively that will keep our offense off the field and give them a chance to beat us. I am nervous about this game.

This is the big one - the one where coogs lose. It's going to be grand. Straight to the las vegas bowl!

It is silly to think that UNM has a chance. Cougars roll big time in this game.

Probable snow during the game.

That affects a passing team more than a running team.

BYU has always seemed to do OK in snow. I just hope they excute better.

Plan on a big game for Fui and Unga.

If I were you I'd be more worried about the Yoots up in Laramie. Wyoming has a score to settle and the Utes always seem to choke in at least one game they are favored in every year.

They have some good athletes but BYU's run defense will do just fine. I expect lots of 3rd and longs and the UNM QB making some critical mistakes. The BYU offense will get back on track and roll up 40+ points.

Ute fans...I would worry about WYO. As lousy as they have been, that's the kind of team you come out flat against and take a beating (see UNLV 27-0 last year).

If the Cougs go to the Las Vegas bowl, then where does Utah go? We all know they won't crack the BCS. You just admitted our Cougs are better than your ewets.

You'll be eating those words this weekend. The Cougs won't lose this one. The Utes should enjoy the warm sun in Las Vegas this year. It will be a step up for both programs. I only want the Utes to lose the last game of the regular season. I'm sorry about the sour grapes some Utes are having to eat. Don't get indigestion.

Run Defense, I agree tomorrow will be a long day for the defense but only for those defenders wearing silver and red. BYU's defense will rise and smite and the Y's offense will rock and roll from endzone to endzone. Total domination by the men in blue.

Ne Mexico's offense will likely be on the field a lot as they are so oriented to and good with the run. That means our offense really needs to be sharp and not give the ball back on downs like the did so often the last 3 quarters against USU.

Look for a big statement game from the Cougars. They had a blowout game 59-0 after they were dissed by winning in Seattle. They were dissed this last week in beating USU by having USC jump thme in a poll. Co Cougars!

No, snow slows a run game more than a pass game. Rain, would be more of a problem for passing.

Seeing as BYU completely dominates the opposing team at home, I'm predicting another shutout. There's also a possibility that we'll see Terrance Hooks and Grant Nelson getting some playing time, which would be a big help to the Cougar defense.

UNM is gonna get spanked. BYU 35, UNM 0.

"We will fight, day or night, RAIN or SNOW!!!"

This will not be an easy game for the Cougs. New Mexico is a good running team and BYU's defense leaves much to be desired. Sure there are the shutouts, but this defense really has not been tested. Also, the weather will really impact BYU's offense and will force them to run more. The backs are good, but BYU is so reliant on the pass. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I think BYU wins, but it will be much closer than most people think.

I've been out of touch for a while (a long while). Are the games still decided on the field?

Take it from a Ute fan, NM plays dirty. Brian Johnson has never been the same after they "took him out" a couple of years ago. The only redemption of that horrible injury to Utah's starting QB was Brett Rattliff. (And we all know what he did in Provo that year). But I digress. Watch out for NM dirty play.

There has been a ton of discussion about BYU's SOS. Of course no one can control how good opponents will be when they are scheduled several years in advance. But you can control HOW you beat them and so far the N. Iowa, Washington, and USU games were not top ten caliber victories. The Cougs are riding a nice reputation right now to stay high in the polls but they really need to play a UCLA-Wyoming type of game Saturday to balance a weak SOS and the growing grumbling about the quality of this season's opponents. The SOS will rise as we progress through the more quality opponents in conference - but we still need to have dominant wins to keep that top ten rep strong as 1 and 2 loss BCS teams make a case for passing us in the polls. Go Cougs!!

favors the Cougars.

New Mexico plays a 3-3-5 defense, which relies on speed and quickness with lots of blitzes coming from all directions. The problem for the Lobos is that it's harder to accelerate and cut on a slick field making it harder for those 5 DBs to fly to the ball.

Look for Unga and Fui to have success running behind BYU's huge offensive line because when you lose footing, you lose leverage, giving size an advantage over speed and quickness. Receivers also have the advantage on a slick field, because they know where they're going and defenders are slower to respond.

This will be a slugfest, but BYU wins 38-14.

re:RE: Weather | 9:23 a.m.

"No, snow slows a run game more than a pass game. Rain, would be more of a problem for passing."

In what world?

Snow makes it more difficult for recievers to run crisp patterns. The ball is more dificult to grip, pass, and catch.

A running game, hand it off and run through the holes.

Bronco has the Y playing its games on the days and at the times they are scheduled. This brilliant strategy will lead to an undefeated season and perhaps a shot at a national championship. Go Cougs!!!

No, not anymore. They're settled in yewt dreamland. But they will be awake and crying on Nov 22.
Go Courgar

You have been out of touch for a while. Games are now decided by extrapolating statistics. Since BYU and UNM have both played Wyoming at home, and since BYU's score was 44-0 and UNM's was only 24-0, BYU is the better team and wins the game. Isn't that right, Utes?

Enough already with the SOS stuff. There must be over 1,000 posts about it. Give it a REST!!! Stop beating a dead horse.

Us Utes don't need to worry about a "score to settle" that Wyoming has. Wyoming hasn't SCORED in TWO games.....who cares how crass and obscene the crowd can get. If New Mexico hung 300+ yards rushing on Wyoming last week, Utah will do the same or more this week. Bring on the rain, snow, whatever....Utes will win.

Re: Its time.....a lot of talk has been about the SOS for BYU. Too bad one of the worst opponents they've played thus far had to be decided by a controversial offical flag. Good job on beating the non-quality teams...uhhh...see: Washington...by large margins. You can't control your strength of schedule, but with that SOS, we all have the right to call BYU overrated until they prove they can do it against an opponent with a winning record (at least)or a quality team.

I can't wait for November 22nd....when the "Over Rated!!!! Over Rated!!!!!" chants come out as the boys in blue are hanging their heads in defeat!!!! Good thing I got my tickets already...

Tickets: $28
Gas to Stadium: $8
Utes snatching BCS bid while BYU goes to Vegas AGAIN: PRICELESS!!!!!

This will not be a close game New Mexico is one dimensional which is never never good, and the offense will roll with Reed coming back this game will be a 30 point spread....

Watch our cougs, the lobos will bring it. A sloppy wet field will slow down max "I have a helmet two sizes too big" hall, and we already know collie is slow as it is. Lobos will run all over the weak coug defense. This is where byu ends their perfect season.

SOS doesn't matter too much right now. Most of the current top fifteen team are going to cannabalize one another, which means that an undefeated team in the top 10 will get a BCS bid. The question is: Can BYU go undefeated?

The weather worries me a little (I was at the game last time BYU got shut out, in which the weather, coupled with a fourth string quarterback and a field goal that was short by inches, made for a pretty sad afternoon). However, both teams have got to play in it, and I think BYU will do just fine.

Overall, I didn't think BYU did so poorly against USU. After taking a 24 point lead 15 minutes into the game, it was clear that Anae started experimenting with different play calling strategies. The only real dissappointment was that BYU's offensive output was not manifest on the scoreboard: BYU had no real problem getting into scoring position. Defensively, its taxing to keep a shutout streak going. Only the 1900 Michigan Wolverines have done it for a complete season. BYU's defense was on the field too long, and just got worn out. Things will be better this week.

Totally agree. Max Hall looks like a cartoon character with his giant helmet. I have a hard believing he's a legit QB because he looks sooooo goofy. The bad weather will slow down Collie even more, right now he couldn't even beat an 8th grader head-to-head, Harmon admited as much in his column.

OK, the Cougars are to be considered over-rated by utes, but tell me- outside of conference games (which BYU and utah will play the same teams), which of your quality opponents has a winning record in the FBS? That's right, none of them. So I guess by your logic the utes are just as over-rated as the Cougars.

The good thing is is that it really doesn't matter come Nov. 22. Then we'll see who's really over-rated. In the meantime, as much as I hate to do it because of fans and comments like yours, I will not hope for the utes to lose, as I'd like them to be ranked high when Nov rolls around. That will make victory all the sweeter in RES.

These articles just lay the groundwork for the battle that takes place each day between the fans of two respectable teams. Unfortunately, there are cheap shots occasionally coming from low class fans. As we continue to build up steam for what is potentially the biggest game in the history of this rivalry there exists a place of doubt and fear in our heart "what if we are both undefeated and my team loses?" Ouch! Can you imagine? It's bad enough to lose to each other when both teams are so-so but to lose having a BCS game on the line. This game will provide one side with so much material in the years to follow that I don't want to think of the awful aftermath. I'm scared. This is bigger than Helm's Deep. This is on par with the battle for middle earth that took place at the "white city." There exists no ring that i'm aware of, Utes can't be defeated that easily. My only hope lies in the fact that we've got the equivalent of Aragorn on our sideline under the name "BRONCO MENDENHALL!!!" The guys a STUD! And I'm a dork I know.

Did you really compare the byu vs Utah game to Helm's Deep, the battle for middle earth, and Aragorn? Wow, you coug fans really are nerds. Is Dwight Schrut secretly a coug fan posting on this article?

RE: Trap Game

Ha ha, Max Hall's helmet is HUGE!! That's hilarious, I thought I was the only one who noticed that.

Remember back when the season started how everyone was saying that BYU wouldn't be able to defend against the pass? The way I see it this game should play right into BYU's hands. With Unga, Vakapuna in BYU's back field with the giant offensive line that BYU has in all honesty BYU won't be stopped in this game. And to that Ute fan who got his tickets for 28 dollars where did you get them I haven't been able to find tickets for less than $100 anywhere, it's too bad that the Utah stadium isn't as big as BYU's, then more people could enjoy the game.

Who cares what the Ute fans think.

BYU beats teams regardless of SOS.

We have seen their team lose to weak teams.

When the Utes beat BYU, they can talk.

To: Re: Trap Game:

If Collie "couldn't even beat an 8th grader head-to-head" what does that say about the Ute defense? I have three words for you: Fourth and Eighteen.

Utes ask why Cougars have to bring it up so much, that and "Harline is still open", but the Ute fans just beg for it with their asinine commnets.

For all you Ute fans that do nothing but look for ways to bash and hate on BYU, can you answer me this question? When was the last time BYU was completely out of a game? I'll give you a hint, it was in 2005 in South Bend, IN. BYU is 30-6 since that loss to Notre Dame, and competitive and still in the game until the last few minutes in each of those six losses. When was the last time Utah was completely manhandled and embarrassed? Las Vegas, '07. Granted that's impressive within itself, albeit not quite as impressive as what your Big Brother down south has accomplished.

Utah fans have to say that BYU is overrated; how else are they going to justify their beloved Utes being ranked lower than the hated Cougars in the AP, Coaches and Harris polls?

The point is to win games... get invited to a bowl and win that game. I'm happy when both teams win. I'll take the Utes chances against the pussycats of Happy Valley this year. GO UTES!!

Helms deep? White City? Aaragon? What are you talking about. This game is the equivalant to Armageddon! Expect this to be the second coming of Christ if BYU wins! There is a scripture that talks about the holy ones, coming thru in the final seconds to take down the mighty spirits (this could be a UTE indian reference) to claim the crown of God, over Sooners (more indian refrences) and soldiers (USC Tojans perhaps)! I'm just saying, start repenting now, if the Cougars win, the final war shall start!

I'm not dead yet!

Hall has the big helmet to hold his overlysized head. If you don't believe me ask his mother.

two words. SAC RELIGIOUS. i cant believe that you would compare the second coming and all the biblical references to football. GET REAL!!!

Why do we as BYU fans incorrectly spell Utes as Yewtes, ewetes, Yoots, yewts, etc... I don't understand. Stop it. It's annoying and stupid.

I hate to say it, but this IS the biggest test of the season so far. I'm afraid the coug defense can get shown up this game. We really need Hall and his Heisman type game to be on the field all 4 quarters if we expect to win this one.
I really hope the coaches open up the run game a little more, cuz we cannot go undefeated if we continue the path we're on. I don't really like Bronco and wish he were gone. He's the biggest reason I don't believe we can go undefeated this year.
GO BLUE!!

Relax man. I thought the comparison was hilarious. If you want real go to Yahoo Finance and watch the crashing market. If you want to relax a bit and laugh at all the jealous Uties and read all the hype for potentially the biggest rivalry game in College Football this year, then you come here and read these posts. BYU wins big at home over UNM 42-7.

I predict another shutout. Byu's run D is one of the best on the nation, if not The best.

You zoobies have a ton of confidence about doing something you haven't done before. Keep talking your smack and we will see you on 11/22 when you watch us storm the field "again" with "another" BCS birth in hand. I think you all have a little Ute envy since we have a BCS win and you have a crappy national championship in 1984 that no one cares about any more.

That reminds me, we beat Michigan and they are not very good this year so we should already be national champions!

Hello people, it was a joke! Maybe you are the ones who need to chill out a little! I thought the post was funny too. And I don't think it was SAC RELIGOUS at all, God has a sense of humor.

-Ute Envy

You just mentioned that the utes should already be national champions because of beating michigan. If that was the case where is Appalachian State? Let me remind you. IF YOUR NOT IN A CONFERENCE WITH AN AUTOMATIC BID YOU NATURALLY STINK.

Go cougars: im not going to predict a score since BYU played horrible to utah state.