Deseret News | BYU football: Great expectations, mediocre results

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BYU football: Great expectations, mediocre results

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Digbads | 2:36 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

I love BYU's football team. Thanks for a great season. It's the most fun I've had watching football in years. I like the high standards they are shooting for.

It Never Changes | 2:38 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

This kind of blather has been around for at least thirty years and nothing has changed: BYU cannot and will never be able to recruit a stable of top flight athletes to allow it to compete with the USCs, Floridas, Oklahomas, et al. The vast majority of the elite athletes who play football will never sign on to attend a school with BYU's culture. It's time for the BYU faithful to accept football mediocrity and move on.

kitty Litter | 2:44 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

BYU kitty enjoy watching Utah in the Sugar Bowl, where you dreamed of being and never could. BCS busters again. Go buy your T-shirts kitty kats sit back and enjoy watching the MWC champs play real ball.

Comments continue below

Ernesto de Bajo | 2:48 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

More fair-weather friends here than at a snowbird convention...

BYU football currently is in as good a situation as it ever has been and that includes the LE era. (Name abreviated out of reverence)

We have great coaches, great players, a great match to university mission and culture and a refreshing placement of the whole albatrose into perspective...well largely into perspective. There is a whole class of impatient, idiot fans (denizens of the message boards, largely) who don't get it and probably never will.

danburtreynolds | 2:54 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

soccer is boring to watch

PAC 10 | 2:54 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

BYU fans be happy with a 10-3 season...you didn't play anybody except for the three teams that beat you...if you were in the PAC 10, you would not have 10 wins like you've had for the past three seasons...stay in the conference that you are in because you can't hang with the power conferences!!

BYUte | 2:59 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

I would like to congratulate both BYU and U of U football teams for outstanding seasons. 12 and 0 and 10 and 3 are winning seasons by any measure. Will BYU do better next year? I hope so. Will the U do as well next year? Not likely, but I hope so, also. I haven't seen the schedules for next year, but I assume that BYU will have the home field advantage against Utah and TCU next year, which thing alone may make a different outcome in next years' games. Having attended BYU and having received a graduate degree from the U, I have a fondness for both programs and wish both well.

A Cougar Fan | 3:04 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

I think it was a successful season. It was somewhat disappointing on the field, and I'm glad that the team is not satisfied with the outcome on the field, but overall I think it was successful. The coaches and players represented their school, church, and community well.

re: bjdoc425 | 1:59 p.m | 3:08 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

You are kidding-right?

According to NFHS - # HS kids (boys/girls) playing sport
1.2 million-football
1 million-basketball
730,000-soccer
479,000-baseball
372,000-softball
265,000-wrestle
229,000-golf

Here are a recent years numbers of emergency room visits associated with each activity below.

1. Basketball: 512,213 (51% visit ER)
2. Bicycling: 485,669
3. Football: 418,260 (34% visit ER)
4. Soccer: 174,686 (24% visit ER)
5. Baseball: 155,898 (33% visit ER)
6. Skateboards: 112,544
7. Trampolines: 108,029
8. Softball: 106,884 (29% visit ER)
9. Swimming/Diving: 82,354
10. Horseback riding: 73,576
11. Weightlifting: 65,716
12. Volleyball: 52,091
13. Golf: 47,360 (21% visit ER)
14. Roller skating: 35,003
15. Wrestling: 33,734 (13% visit ER)

Perhaps we should also eliminate basketball, bicycling and baseball in this country as well.

How about the stuides showing the numerous undiagnosed/treated concussions children get bouncing the soccer ball off their head? Football has actually been commended for their equipment enhancments and attention being paid to "bell ringers" and concussions and the way they prevent/diagnose/treat them. And don't forget most of these head injuries in soccer are happening to our still developing adolescent children not even the HS level kids so therefore not in the list above.

RE: State rankings are out | 3:10 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

1- UTAH
2- WEBER STATE (won in postseason)
3- BYU (lost mediocre bowl to nonranked)
4- UTAH STATE (100 yds vs Utah, almost 400 vs BYU)
5- SUU
6- DIXIE
7- SNOW

Get a Life | 3:08 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Football should be about football. Any talk about religion on either side of the point of the mountain perpetuates the kind of hatred that people do not need in their lives. Overzealous fans on both sides should seriously consider growing up and joining the adult world. I agree with Jan on the point that the Cougars got what they deserved. I'm a Cougar fan and went to the game, I watched the team play all year, they were not as good as people thought they were. That includes Cougar fans. Any Cougar fan with half a brain should have been able to see that the Cougs fell prey to the hype machine needed to capitalize on. ESPN and the MWC should feel burned by BYU's under performance. I hope the Utes can redeem the MWC with a good showing against the SEC.

Rankings | 3:11 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Should BYU and Utah St be embarrassed that Div I FCS Weber did better against the Utes than both of them?

2009 | 3:18 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

We have the players comming back and a stronger OOC schedule to make a bcs or even NC run next year.

Wake Up call | 3:19 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

First, while BYU could potentially be a better team next year that doesn't necessarily mean they will have a better record. Changing their non-conference games from N. Iowa, Utah St., UCLA, and Washington to Oklahoma, ASU, Utah St. and Florida St. does not automatically translate into four wins. I would say 2-2 if BYU is lucky. Not only that but just because BYU has TCU at home does not translate into a win either. TCU is returning most of their team, they were clearly better than BYU more than just a six point swing going from away to home is going to give you. Maybe next year you don't beat UNLV and CSU.

Second, people don't hate classy people regardless of how good they are. Nobody hated Joe Montana, nobody hated Michael Jordan.

People hate BYU.

Think about it. Statements like "We didn't get beat we beat ourselves." or "BYU fans are in a class by themselves." You may be in a class by yourself but it certainly isn't at the top.

2008 Record | 3:23 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

10 wins consisting of:
Washington
No Iowa
UCLA
Utah State
Wyoming
New Mexico
San Diego State
UNLV
CSU
Air Force
Highest finisher of BYU wins in their respective conference: Air Force MWC-4th

Losses:
TCU
Utah
Arizona

Not too impressive.

Re: Pac 10 | 3:24 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

You call the Pac 10 a power conference? MWC owned you this year. A "power conference" would NEVER be owned by the MWC.

Take away USC and all you are is a Sun Belt.

U prognosticators | 3:41 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Before the blog police prattle on about Ute fans trolling BYU articles, realize that we're interested because many of us are LDS, and you are our chief rival in football.

First chuckle: the assumptions several people made, that just because a couple underclassmen submit their paperwork to the NFL, somehow that translates to a mass exodus at the U that will open the door for a BYU victory next year. Even if Smith and Kruger get drafted (and as much as I like them, that's a very large if), that means that Utah's D returns 7 of 11 starters instead of 9. Not a huge opening for you Coug fans to get excited about if you ask me.

Second chuckle: "home field advantage" next year in Provo. Home field? Yes. Advantage? Doubtful at best.

Last thought: it's great that a football team has goals and aspirations, but the BYU coaches need to do a better job of keeping the players grounded in reality (aka keep them humble), so that when those goals and aspirations aren't realized, you don't look quite as foolish as you did this year.

Go Utes - beat Bama!! (that's my hope, not a pre-supposition of reality)

Get a Life Zoob | 3:45 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Lets see who else has been mediocre over the last 3 years.
12-1 9-4 13-1 Florida 34 2
12-1 11-3 11-3 OK 34 3
11-1 11-2 11-2 USC 33 3
10-2 11-2 12-1 Ohio St 33 3
10-3 11-2 11-2 BYU 32 3

... Joining occaisionally shows good/great teams-not necessarily a good/great program."
----------------------------------------------------

Please tell me Zoob that you did not just compare the last 3 years of BYU to OK, Florida, USC, etc.?

With your logic if Ball State wins 3 straight years of 10+ wins they should be compared to OK, FL, USC, etc. NOT!!!

FYI ... those teams have greater SOS with their 10+ wins over the last 3 years then BYU. Plus besides TCU and BYU all the other teams you listed have made it to at least one BCS game.

Can you name the only non-BCS to team to make it to the BCS games twice in the last 5 years. Hint its not Bama.

Utah is not an elite program but it is the best non-BCS program and best program in Utah.

Perception | 3:48 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Perception is everything in college football! Since there is no playoff and college football likes to make stuff up (BSC) and the results on the field are not always the most important thing perception is very important. How your program is percieved is as important if not more important than your bowl games, record and so on. So how is BYU percieved national?

The most watched college programs laughted at BYU being ranked in the Preseason
Most national people think about Boise St., Fresno St., Utah and Tcu before they think BYU in terms of good non-BCS teams
Underdog to Arizona by three points. Almost every national college football person had Arizona in that game even at -3
I even heard a lot of Meida people say that BYU was the most overrated team in college football

National no one respects BYU and never will therefore you are not what you think you are and will never accomplish anything worth wild.

To: 10-3 mediocore? | 3:48 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

The fact that Weber State Division 1-AA could beat BYU this year shows that BYU is just a mediocore team. Weber gave Utah a much better game then the Y did. That would indicate to me that BYU, a D-1A team is just less than PAR.

Mike R. | 3:46 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Bronco needs to fire Jamie Hill. Hire Rocky Long. The defense sucked and the coaches didn't seem to learn. Adapt the defense to the personel. Not the personel to the defense. The whole coaching staff needs to sit down and watch film, especially the last 5 games, and see how poorly coached the Y was this year.

The coaches need to start watching film of every team they will play next year and quit this week to week preparation crap. They need to focus on who they are playing that particular week but the game plan needs to be made way farther in advance.

Longer practices with contact. Work on speed. I saw the linebackers get out run constantly on pass routes and on several rushing plays.

Work on a defensive scheme that includes occasionally putting pressure on the quarterback which was severely lacking in the TCU, Utah, and AZ game.

The coaches need to learn to adapt when things aren't going well. Don't keep doing the same stuff that isn't working. They didn't touch the AZ QB the whole game nor even hurry him up. He had all day (except that one sack.

Do away with the stupid slogans.

Bowl games | 3:50 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Motivation plays a big part in bowl games, U of A wanted it more, just admit it BYU fans and move on.....BYU was disappointed over another Las Vegas Bowl no matter what everyone was saying. I think you will see more upsets based on what teams think of the bowl games they are playing in. Obviously GT didn't care about playing Utah a couple of of years back when they were ranked. Cougars, you can have your MWC titles....means nothing. Utes have it right even if it is only once every four years. You play for the big time bowls/the big pay day!! Utah should get another boost in recruiting for a repeat to the BCS. How many teams from the BCS conferences can say the have played in two BCS bowl games over the past few years. Just when you thought BYU was gaining an edge in recruiting....BAM!! Now if Utah State can make BYU number 3 in the state then you will know what it's like to be a Utah State fan all these years....10-3 whaaa, take your bottle, shut up and wait till next year you babies!!

Anonymous | 4:02 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

I predict BYU will rebound next year if they recruit a couple of more differrence makers for next years squad. Thats a hint Bronco ITS CALLED athletes!! Weber maybe the omly state school that wins a bowl game this year. Utah is going to get trounced. Sorry U faqns but you will find out that you can't play with the big boys right now!

Question... | 4:05 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Regarding the priorities being instilled in the BYU football program...

1. Faith
2. Family
3. Knowledge
4. Friends
5. Football

Can someone please tell me who is driving this priority system? Is it coming from Mendenahll? The BYU Athletic Department? The church? Higher? :)

I don't live in Utah and I am trying to understand what's happening. Information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Ute Fan Defends Y | 4:15 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Let's have a reality check. 10-3 is a great record. The Arizona loss stings, but the other loses were to great teams (TCU and Utah) on the road. BYU was ranked (I think) the entire season. There are lots of football teams out there and being considered to be in the top 25 for a whole season is not mediocre. Maybe this year it feels mediocre because Utah went undefeated and busted the BCS for the second time, but just because Utah has had two dream seasons in the last half decade does not make this year's run for BYU mediocre. Give the team a break already.

There is NO WAY | 4:25 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

SUU and DIXIE could beat SNOW College this year. In fact, I think it would be a close game between SNOW and Utah State. You may not be aware that most of the top D1 talent in Utah didn't clear the clearinghouse and have to go to a Jr. College. SNOW signed 22 All State players and two MVP's from 07 season. Not to mention the All State talent from 06,05,and 04 who are still playing at SNOW due to their two year mission/vacation.

Symantecs | 4:27 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

This "Medicrity" comes down to perception. Cougar fans have every right to back down on their expectations now that the season is over and claim a success this year. Given what the coach, team and fax EXPECTED, not set as a potential goal, this year has to be a huge disappointment. Of course every team in the country has a team goal to finish better than the previous season, lets give the rest of the country some credit for having a little moxy, not just your Cougars. This is the difference, and this is why the article is accurate. Have you heard the term "cliche." Teams should, and with the exception of arrogant and overconfident teams do, keep lofty goals internal, they don't print them on shirts and talk about it for 8 months in the off season. I think every Utah player and coach thought that "Perfection" was a possibility and a goal, yet did you ever hear them say it, or wear it? No, they kept their mouths shut and played the games. Spin the term "Quest For Perfection" anyway you'd like, it was meant to be 12-0 in Football and play in the BCS, period.

BYU fan | 4:30 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

BYU had a great season for sure and to have 3-10 win seasons is spectacular. It shows how well Bronco is doing with his team. But you have to agree that this wasn't a GREAT team. The wins weren't super impressive because many of the teams they played weren't super impressive. That can be said about Utah as well but they did win. I think BCS goals should be more of a team thing. Maybe it will leak out into the media like the "Jordan Rules" from the Detriot Pistons team. If the media asks you deny til ya die! It is about the team! And I think the person who needs to work the most is Hall. I thought he said he was going to "bounce back" from the Utah game. His stats were less than stellar against Arizona, and against good teams this year. If he works hard I think BYU will be tough next year.

BYWho? | 4:29 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

A disgrace to the conference, losing to a 7-5, middle of the PAC 10 team. The bottom line is that BYU will lose 2-3 games in good years (5-6 in bad years)and will not reach the BCS anytime soon. They don't have the speed or schemes necessary to compete at that level. Just like this year, every BYU fan is now talking about next year. Do you really think you are going to upgrade your secondary? Do you really think that the O-line (which loses 4 of 5) is going to protect Hall? Your BCS dreams will go away quickly next year with an opening date against a Bradfordless Oklahoma

AZ Dave | 4:43 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Life is good. I get to watch Pac-10 sports year round, my ASU Sun Devils beat byu, the hated U of A (no AU, dorks)also beat byu and I live in Arizona. Sweet

MR . BYU | 4:43 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

To you UTE trolls: GROW UP!! Pride, schmide! You children don't know what goals are do you? Can an organization not have lofty goals and do their best to achieve them?

BYU did not say they would go undefeated, they just setup goals to shoot for and did their best to achieve them. The BYU team can't help how the sportswriters build them up!

As for the 10-3 season...that's not too shabby! And do I understand Arizona lost to USC 17-10? If that's the case, then losing by 10 to a team that barely lost to a top 10 team is respectable. (By the way Ute fans...I'm talking about a TRUE top 10 team). Utah is probably more of a 11th-15th ranked team

optimist | 5:06 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

When we are on Church missions, our #1 item of importance is to teach the gospel. When we coach and when we play football, our #1 goal should be to win games. Football is important to the players, the University, the Church and the fans. It sould never ever again be listed down around #7 in order of importance. Yes we all know how important God, Church, education, friends, family, and fire side chats are the night before the game. We also know how important it is to win games. We also know that fans come to see four quarters of football. If the teams are too easy to play our starters for four quarters, than we should schedule more difficult teams. Voters in polls can not be favorability impressed when a coach says that he will not run up the score for anyone. Other coaches like Pete Carroll can not be favorability impressed when the coach says that other coaches that run up the score are selfish.

Anonymous | 5:10 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

The term Yewt is offensive to the Ute tribe. I don't think the Deseret News should allow that word on here. It's a racial epithet. Besides BYU fans don't you believe in showing kindness to others. It's no wonder so many Mormon recruits from Utah end up at the U.

From the A.P. | 5:29 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

(cont. from THIS JUST IN:)

ï¿½Weï¿½ve already accepted the 2008 National Championship trophy last August," phoned in BYU Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall, "but we know our fans will still turn out in droves to support the program our ecclesiastical leaders have told them they have to like if they plan on living right." "With Tina Kunzer-Mollymormon, we know we can count on a sell-out."

ï¿½We were the better team,ï¿½ announced cougar WR Austin Collie.

"I just can't WAIT to rub it in to all those classless Yewts," laughed cougsrock. "It'll be ONE MORE CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY the YEWTS will NEVER HAVE!"

good character | 5:31 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

John Wooden,UCLA basketball Coach, 10 NCAA champiopnships.Tony Dunge Coach superbowl champions(Colts). Tim Tebow BCS champs last year,spends his summers in Phillipines helping the poor. Art Linkletter,married over 70 years to the same woman in Hollywood.(short list) It's possible too have a good charcter and be a winner.

Mike | 5:38 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

yewt, yewt, yewt, yewt, yewt.

Maybe you should also count the number of Mormon recruits from Utah that end up at BYU.

Re: Optimist 5:06 | 5:42 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Is this a response to:

Question 4:05 pm?

Can someone help me with this?

RE: Mr. Zoob | 5:55 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

"As for the 10-3 season...that's not too shabby! And do I understand Arizona lost to USC 17-10? If that's the case, then losing by 10 to a team that barely lost to a top 10 team is respectable. (By the way Ute fans...I'm talking about a TRUE top 10 team). Utah is probably more of a 11th-15th ranked team"
------------------------------------------------------
Zoobs grasping at straws once again, come on on you can't SUGAR coat this. UofA stinks they lost 5 games including a loss to New Mexico. The only times I rooted for BYU they end up getting rolled (TCU and UofA).

If Utah a team that beat 3 ranked teams is 11-15th then Zoobs are a 3rd Tier program.

Utah has been mediocre for the last four years; but the program is back specially since our weakest link, Ludwig, is gone.

Carry the Torch | 5:53 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Utah - the best Non-BCS school????

What a moron. You were lucky you didn't lose AT LEAST three games this year, and I can guarantee you, your luck will not continue, neither in the bowl game nor in the years to come.

Ute fans are as arrogant as they come.

ARROGANT, ARROGANT, ARROGANT, ARROGANT, ARROGANT, and ARROGANT.

I am going to really enjoy the beating you take at the hands of Alabama!!! But, as many Yewt fans are preparing for, anything less than a 21 point loss is a MORAL VICTORY! Ha! What a joke. But when you have had nothing by MORAL VICTORIES for the last 30+ years, I guess that mentality is easy to understand.

Carry the torch little brother, that is what you want, right? Let's see how good you are at it!

Underachievers | 6:01 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

What I don't understand is this - with the recruiting restrictions BYU faces (can't drink, smoke, no premarital sex, along with the rest of the honor code), it must be humiliating to the Yewties that over the last 20 years they can do no better than win half of the games with BYU. Yewtah has a beat on the LDS kids AND the non-LDS kids - a huge recuiting advantage for the Yewties. They should be winning 8 of every 10 games.

What is wrong Yewts? Seems to me that you are SEVERELY underachieving. Please let me know what the problem is here.

TexasGuy in Utah | 6:24 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

I really thought that BYU would prevail in Las Vegas despite their shortcomings in the secondary. Neither team was great in this game, but Arizona played better and BYU played worse than I expected. My Baptist roots keep me from betting and it's a good thing too because I would have put my money on BYU without much hesitation. One needs to remember, as others have pointed out, that 10-3 is a very good record. Expectations by many BYU fans were unrealistic. Several work colleagues who are BYU fans expected a BCS bowl appearance by their team this year (before the season, one told me that he expected BYU to not only appear in, but win, the NC game). A readjustment of expectations for next year is in order. I hope you land a big opening game with Oklahoma for next year -- I would pick OK but it would be great exposure for BYU.

One other thing: I am really surprised that some BYU fans persist with the childish, uncreative and ethnically insensitive "Yewt" when they have been put on notice that this is offensive for a minority population. I thought Mormons also embraced Christian values.

Jarid in Cedar | 7:46 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

There is a reason | 10:52 a.m. Dec. 22, 2008
There is a reason BYU didnt execute or play well in their 3 loses. They were outmatched. Why can't the cougars give credit where it is due. TCU, Utah, and Arizona were strong opponents and made it difficult for them to execute. I think BYU even overacheived at 10-3.
====================================================

I was thinking the same thing. If you look at the season in a whole. BYU acheived to their level or slightly overacheived.

They lost to the 3 teams that were better: TCU, Utah, Arizona.

They beat the teams that were clearly not in their league: Utah State, N. Iowa, Wyoming, SDSU, Washington.

They absolutely smoked one team that was in their range of talent(but not in their range of coaching, Neuheisel(sp?) is a joke): UCLA-turnovers led to this outcome being as lopsided as it was.

The other 4 games were very competitive and fun to watch: New Mexico, CSU, AFA, and UNLV. They went 4-0 against this group, but played gutsy and won them all. A split in this group would have lead to a 8-5 record, so by going 4-0 they overacheived to a record of 10-3

Re: Mr Zoob | 7:53 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

"And do I understand Arizona lost to USC 17-10? If that's the case, then losing by 10 to a team that barely lost to a top 10 team is respectable. (By the way Ute fans...I'm talking about a TRUE top 10 team). Utah is probably more of a 11th-15th ranked team"

Not a bright comment since Utah beat BYU by 24!!

RE:10-3 Mediocre? | 8:01 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Looks good on paper but are you really trying to compare the teams USC, Florida, Texas, OK played to who BYU played???..Did BYU beat a top 10 team in all those wins?..

Quality Department | 8:00 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

I have the unpleasant duty to tell everyone that the average quality of posts on this message board has fallen below the required minimum threshold, way below. Further use of the board is therefore declared to be a waste of time.

Please try to do better next time: (1) less repetition; if someone has already essentially made your point, refrain (2) no unreadable rubish; if your point is something like BYU stinks, UofU is great, or vice versa, please switch to the hobby of writing graffiti on police station walls (3)pass the "would I read it" test; don't be tempted to post just to "get something out there from me"; ask yourself, "If someone else posted this, would I want to read it"; if there is any doubt, leave it out!

Re: Mr BYU 4:43 pm | 8:02 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

"To you UTE trolls: GROW UP!! Pride, schmide! You children don't know what goals are do you? Can an organization not have lofty goals and do their best to achieve them?"

Your post is a target rich environment for someone shopping for intelligent posts to comment on...

Utah children don't know what goals are? Let's see...not long ago I read a quote in the DN from a couple of BYU players (one was Jorgensen - yeah I know, it's spelled wrong) and I don't recall who the other one was. At any rate, one player said the goal was to go to the BCS. The other player said the goal was to win a conference championship.

The point here is that the Cougars didn't have a clear goal. Unless of course "The Quest for Perfection" was the goal. Based on that article, I don't believe that there was a clear and achievable goal for the team.

Please don't try to lecture Utah on goals. They achieved theirs...they own the MWC!

Jarid in Cedar | 8:08 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

"Oh yeah, by the way, you barely beat the worst Michigan team in history, barely beat TCU because of their kicker, THEIR KICKER!, it's not like you beat them by 30 points, there kicker just crumbled under pressure cuz he is a freshman, and you beat OSU because of your kicker, again not by 30"
====================================================

Last I checked the kicker is an integral part of any team. A good(or bad) kicker can make a team better or worse than they should be.
If Florida State had great kickers, Bowden may have won 5-6 NC's (think wide right parts I-IV). The Buffalo Bills would have loved a great kicker in the Super Bowl.
I would think that BYU fans would recognize this after watching their kickers miss 3 FG's in a 10 point game.

Louie was the difference between a good team and an excellent team for Utah.

Hail King Louie!!

Re: Quality Department | 8:09 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

Who made you hall monitor?

Utah Fans... | 8:16 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

I'm sorry fellow Utes but our argument that we beat 3 ranked teams is not accurate. BYU is going to get bounced out of the top 25. We only beat 2 ranked teams.

Thanks, Cougs...that REALLY hurts!!

Quest for Answers... | 8:24 p.m. Dec. 22, 2008

1. Faith
2. Family
3. Knowledge
4. Friends
5. Football

Who is driving these priorities? Is it coming from Mendenahll? The BYU Athletic Department? The church? Higher? :)

I don't live in Utah so I don't have the details. Information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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