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Dick Harmon: It's time for Cougar football to evolve
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Great article | 1:03 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Max could learn a lot from John Beck. I think BYU's leaders in 2009 should
try to learn from the 2006 team.
Max Hall = Steve Lindsley | 1:40 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Or Sean Covey. Or Blaine Fowler.
If BYU is a quarterback factory, it's only because for every Steve Young there's like eight Bret Engemanns
Hall is a good college quarterback. He's just not an immortal one like Jim MacMahon.
If BYU is a quarterback factory, it's only because for every Steve Young there's like eight Bret Engemanns
Hall is a good college quarterback. He's just not an immortal one like Jim MacMahon.
Comments continue below
Anonymous | 2:07 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Don't act so superior Coach Mendenhall. BYU is a university just like Utah
and TCU, etc. It doesn't have such a lofty mission that it stands so far
above the rest as you seemed to indicate at the beginning of the season. BYU
just becomes a target when folks like you get on their pedestal. Get down to
reality.
SJ Bobkins | 2:16 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
I don't think further proof is needed to realize you can't effectivly
run the spread with an immobile QB. The idea in outnumbering the defensive
players within the box only works when you have the threat of your QB rumbling
for a substantial gain. Brian Johnson passes about as well as my grandmother
with a pathetic rating yet the yutz score when they need to. Maxis can pass but
ask him to make good choices on the field, under pressure forget it. His
"what do I do" int for a TD at CSU showed that field IQ isn't his
talant. Add in myopia in staring at his primary WR, oblivious to the other 3
or4 wideouts. I pray Riley Nelsen is ready to compete.
Until the season starts | 4:21 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
I'm not reading these articles anymore, I don't care if it's on
this paper or on total blue or any network that talks about cougar football. I
don't care what they're eating in the off season or how many recruits
they have committed already, I don't care what kind of work out they are
doing or who looks great in the summer......What I care about is what happens in
the season, they either win or lose and that's all that matters to me. So
senseless articles like this only irritate me more...as a cougar fan, I want to
see them do what Utah did this year and that will only happen once every game
has been played so put up or shut up. Take a lesson from my Grant Pacers of
Sacramento, the same Pacers that beat Utah and Idaho's state champions in
Alta High and Highland High. So please already, stop the quest talk and other
stupid quotes because in the end, Utah did what we couldn't do. Good luck
to TCU, Utah and any other MWC team still in bowl games.
A Fan | 4:22 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
BYU's problem is arrogance. The Great and Spacious Building of pride is
what brought the cougars down. The had their sights set on BCS and then failed
to live up to their own declared expectations. Perhaps they should learn from
the Ute's coach who prepares his team for the game, not the season.
Winning games sends you to the BCS, not bombastic declarations of how good you
are. As pride goeth before the fall, pride--unfoundad arrogance is what knocked
the mighty cougs of thier own self-constucted stage of ego.
Eugene | 4:45 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
2008 losses came down to 3 things:
1. Ball security - forced passes and QB fumbles, maybe this just comes with maturity and a dose of humility.
2. Defensive secondary - we need some speedy junior college transfers to shore up the outside and protect the flats, too many easy first downs for the competition, "bend and don't break" defenses do break against good teams.
3. Cougs need to shake up their offensive play calling since there were very little long ball plays (and when they did they looked rusty), very few new plays making them predictable, no sweeps, no inside shuffle or slant passes, no passing to more than 3 receivers a game.
Let's talk a bit about the receivers. If it weren't Collie, Pitta or Reed, then Hall was confused. BYU great QB's of the past were able to check off their 1st, 2nd and 3rd options and still make completions. Hall seemed to get antsy if his 1st was covered. Where were the other receivers like Ashworth, Mahuika, White this year? Why did we not hit Fui and Unga out of the backfield more often? Mixing it up would have helped Collie and Pitaa get open.
1. Ball security - forced passes and QB fumbles, maybe this just comes with maturity and a dose of humility.
2. Defensive secondary - we need some speedy junior college transfers to shore up the outside and protect the flats, too many easy first downs for the competition, "bend and don't break" defenses do break against good teams.
3. Cougs need to shake up their offensive play calling since there were very little long ball plays (and when they did they looked rusty), very few new plays making them predictable, no sweeps, no inside shuffle or slant passes, no passing to more than 3 receivers a game.
Let's talk a bit about the receivers. If it weren't Collie, Pitta or Reed, then Hall was confused. BYU great QB's of the past were able to check off their 1st, 2nd and 3rd options and still make completions. Hall seemed to get antsy if his 1st was covered. Where were the other receivers like Ashworth, Mahuika, White this year? Why did we not hit Fui and Unga out of the backfield more often? Mixing it up would have helped Collie and Pitaa get open.
Anonymous | 5:47 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
I'm asking Santa for two things,
A defense and give Max the ability to look past the primary receiver.
Thanks for a good season cougars.
It could have been better but it also could have been a lot worse!
A defense and give Max the ability to look past the primary receiver.
Thanks for a good season cougars.
It could have been better but it also could have been a lot worse!
oh yeah | 6:06 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
I mentioned these weaknesses of the Cougars about 6 weeks ago. Some blogger said
how hilarious I was. Now what do you say? I was right from the get-go. Coach
Bronco the onus is on you. There has to be some changes made! This is
embarrassing. Tell the players to stay away from the media! They brag but do not
perform. Open up competition at quarterback. We need leadership. A glowing
per-cent on paper does not equate to pass completions or ball security. I am
happy the 1st poll dropped BYU out.
White guys can't sprint | 6:06 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
The cougs didn't fade. They won and lost all the expected games. The Cougs
recruiting classes typically rank in the 30's, and that is where they
usually end up in most computer rankings. Enjoy them for who they are. I
congratulate them on another fun year.
Dick | 6:14 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Harmon must have forgotten the details about the 2005 BYU/Utah game.
That game ending pass to Reed was not a "game winning pass" but a "game tying pass".
If the pass were successful, we would have gone to double overtime. That certainly isn't a guaranteed win.
That game ending pass to Reed was not a "game winning pass" but a "game tying pass".
If the pass were successful, we would have gone to double overtime. That certainly isn't a guaranteed win.
Max Hall | 6:31 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Needs to embrace all of his receivers and not just Pitta and Collie. He
developed tunnel vision and only went to those two receivers and that led to the
demise of the offense. Anae needs to learn to use that which is working. If
the opposing team can not stop the run, go to the run. No brainer. Unga needs
to run like he did his freshman year and stop tippy toeing around. He's a
running back, not a ballerina. Bronco needs to stop with the flowery speech and
talk like a football coach. He's definitely read too many self help books.
He could take a lesson or two from Jerry Sloan.
BYU Graduate | 6:44 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
I'll tell you what, Dick Harmon. I don't want BYU football to evolve
at all. First and foremost, I want it to represent the VALUES of the LDS
Church, and to evolve, as you say, would require bringing in more athletes who
don't have the interests or the values of the Church first in their minds.
I think BYU football is just fine like it is. Too much money is spent on it as
it already, in my view, that would be better used strengthening BYU's less
than stellar graduation rate among it's players. For every nutjob in Utah
County whose personal identity is riding on every Cougar victory, the rest of
the membership of the Church is just fine with a great 10-3 record and the
investment made in the program at its present levels. So lets forget the
"evolution" talk.
Mendenhall | 6:47 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
need to change his attitude and then the attitude of this team with change.
They are just average right now. This is a footall team that represents BYU.
This is not a heavenly team on a heavenly mission. Our divine power does not
care who wins. The team that is the best prepared will win. There is a major
problem. The MWC is getting stronger BYU is not. But Utah will lose tons of
talent. Maybe BYU can beat them next year. Men denhall says that he never reads
the paper, never read any criticism or imput. Maybe he should !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Norm | 6:54 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
All BYU needs is desire, speed and a improved coaching staff that can make
adjustments in games. As has been mentioned the teams/coaches knew what BYU
would do. Game adjustments and play calling seemed to be lacking, Is Hall the
leader that is so important to success? How does mental errors and sub-par play
impact the rest of the team? BYU has a lot to consider in their program. The
lack of quality players shows.
Inconsistency | 7:13 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Harmon is just like BYU. When the program is on the rise, Harmon is as big of
homer as there is. When the program is subpar, he's the first to abandon
ship. Go back to that Provo paper.
A breakdown of BYU's losses:
TCU: far superior than BYU athletically. Couple this with the fact that they came out fired up with a chip on their shoulder, the game was over at the opening kickoff.
UTAH: 2 minute drill at the end of the half was running smooth until, with only one time out and the ball at midfield, a halfback-option play was called-with the ball being thrown to the middle-hitting a Ute in the hands. Next play, same play, this time interception, leading to TD and Ute 10 point lead instead of a tie or a BYU 4 point lead.
ZONA: poor, poor, poor, poor, poor execution. Mr All World Collie dropping pass in red zone, same with Reed. 3 missed FGs. 3 turnovers by Hall.
What do all three games have in common? DivII quality defense and poor play calling.
A breakdown of BYU's losses:
TCU: far superior than BYU athletically. Couple this with the fact that they came out fired up with a chip on their shoulder, the game was over at the opening kickoff.
UTAH: 2 minute drill at the end of the half was running smooth until, with only one time out and the ball at midfield, a halfback-option play was called-with the ball being thrown to the middle-hitting a Ute in the hands. Next play, same play, this time interception, leading to TD and Ute 10 point lead instead of a tie or a BYU 4 point lead.
ZONA: poor, poor, poor, poor, poor execution. Mr All World Collie dropping pass in red zone, same with Reed. 3 missed FGs. 3 turnovers by Hall.
What do all three games have in common? DivII quality defense and poor play calling.
Dixie Dan | 7:22 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Flash for the Y's staff: there are better recruits else where than
Timpview. Why not look out of state a little more often?
iflyhelo | 7:30 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
As I recall, there are over 300 football teams in America. Regardless of
competition, schedules and opposition, how many of them were able to win ten
games or more in three consecutive years? Very few. As a life long football fan,
I remember five years ago praying for a winning season. The Cougs have won 32 of
their last 39 games, and getting better. Building character, improving the
quality of the student athletes to contribute wherever they go after football,
while giving us unbelievable entertainment is far more valuable to me than going
undefeated. Stay committed and loyal. An ounce of loyalty is worth more than a
wagon load of criticism.
Read Good to Great Max/Team | 7:35 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Note differences:
1. Beck spent hours on his own initiative watching game film of a loss and a poor performance.
2. Hall, stated that he Never watches his poor performances/losses. Coaches forced the team to do so after Utah loss. Hall never came out and said the Utah loss was on him. He kept talking about the team. That's fine if your attributing praise as the following illustrates. Hall taking responsibility (true or not) would have spoken volumes about him being a "Level 5 Leader".
Note: Bronco cited the book "Good to Great" as key for his program.
Key Point of book = "Brutal Self-Honesty" & the concept of the "Window & the Mirror".
Hall, its not just about trying harder! Its about owning issues and finding the root of the problem.
The Leaders of the organizations in the book that moved from (Good - Great) were brutally self-honest about where they were. They were their own harshest critics. They ALWAYS looked out of the "window" to assign praise and looked in the "mirror" to assign responsibility. Bronco and the coaches do this VERY well. Hall Doesn't! He should!!
"Good is the Enemy of Great" Too easy being just GOOD
1. Beck spent hours on his own initiative watching game film of a loss and a poor performance.
2. Hall, stated that he Never watches his poor performances/losses. Coaches forced the team to do so after Utah loss. Hall never came out and said the Utah loss was on him. He kept talking about the team. That's fine if your attributing praise as the following illustrates. Hall taking responsibility (true or not) would have spoken volumes about him being a "Level 5 Leader".
Note: Bronco cited the book "Good to Great" as key for his program.
Key Point of book = "Brutal Self-Honesty" & the concept of the "Window & the Mirror".
Hall, its not just about trying harder! Its about owning issues and finding the root of the problem.
The Leaders of the organizations in the book that moved from (Good - Great) were brutally self-honest about where they were. They were their own harshest critics. They ALWAYS looked out of the "window" to assign praise and looked in the "mirror" to assign responsibility. Bronco and the coaches do this VERY well. Hall Doesn't! He should!!
"Good is the Enemy of Great" Too easy being just GOOD
DH | 7:39 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
At the start of the season Mendenhall was a genius who could do no wrong. Now he
is the cause of the economic crises and bad BYU football.
Come on people, stop being so ignorant. I think Jensen described things well here. The team got over confident and it led to lackluster play. They also through down the challenge of superiority and got slapped by teams didn't agree.
I've said it so many times all season but the great teams let their play on the field do the talking for them. Medicore teams feel it nessecary to talk to the media about how great they really are. BYU was medicore this year. Even in winning they were not enjopyable to watch because they did not play with enthusiasm and heart. They just showed up and seemed to think that this should be enough.
I hope the team and coaches have learned from this season. I hope to never hear of a quest for perfection again. It doesn't matter what slogans they have within the team, they just need to keep them within the team and all the public needs to see is a team that is giving it theie all.
Come on people, stop being so ignorant. I think Jensen described things well here. The team got over confident and it led to lackluster play. They also through down the challenge of superiority and got slapped by teams didn't agree.
I've said it so many times all season but the great teams let their play on the field do the talking for them. Medicore teams feel it nessecary to talk to the media about how great they really are. BYU was medicore this year. Even in winning they were not enjopyable to watch because they did not play with enthusiasm and heart. They just showed up and seemed to think that this should be enough.
I hope the team and coaches have learned from this season. I hope to never hear of a quest for perfection again. It doesn't matter what slogans they have within the team, they just need to keep them within the team and all the public needs to see is a team that is giving it theie all.
Dallas Cougar | 7:58 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Harmon, you are forgetting the one person that will need to change his approach
to games and practices as well. That is Bronco. He needs to cut the crap of
being a "life" coach and become what he was hired to be and that is a
FOOTBALL coach. It is okay to think with out the lord on your mind. It is okay
to do things without carrying a scripture thought. Bronco needs to start doing
what he was hired to do, and conducting Firesides is not one of them. Cutting
practice even 30 minutes early is NOT coaching Football. Bronco needs to get
his act together or this team will be no different than it was this year. Right
now the team is a direct reflection of it's leadership and this team is
soft and unprepared.
YAWN! | 8:56 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
If I to have read anymore puffed up articles about BYU's mediorce football
team again, it will ruin my Christmas. Looking back, they should have been 7-6
if it weren't for lucky last minute drives against Washington, New Mexico
and Colorado State. Heck, they even had troubles moving the ball with Brent
Guy's Aggies. And DesNews loves to call it character builders because they
won the close ones to less than mediocre teams. 3 of the 4 teams I mentioned
fired their coach this year. I don't know how the Coogs stayed in the Top
25.
Sadly, DesNews doesn't write enough about the Utes, the hottest team in town.
Sadly, DesNews doesn't write enough about the Utes, the hottest team in town.
Hand warmer | 9:16 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Why should hall study film like beck when firesides will do? You eithervwant to
win or feel good. Pick one.
Ernest T. Bass | 9:17 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
I'm a bit confused.
I'm perplexed as to why the coogs would only practice 6 times to prepare for a bowl game and not the 14 times as permited by the NCAA.
Also, why does Bronco insist on only game planning and preparing based on what byu does? He never looks to exploit the opponent's weaknesses nor tries to take away their strengths.
At the Utah game byu never, not once adjusted coverage in the secondary. Johnson just picked them apart. I realize the coog secondary is slow, but at least try to confuse the offense and change things up.
For all they hype bronco has received (a lot of it is well deserved) I think he's over rated. His ego will not allow him to prepare for an opponent the right way. And that will lead to his downfall.
Humility is not one of his traits.
I'm perplexed as to why the coogs would only practice 6 times to prepare for a bowl game and not the 14 times as permited by the NCAA.
Also, why does Bronco insist on only game planning and preparing based on what byu does? He never looks to exploit the opponent's weaknesses nor tries to take away their strengths.
At the Utah game byu never, not once adjusted coverage in the secondary. Johnson just picked them apart. I realize the coog secondary is slow, but at least try to confuse the offense and change things up.
For all they hype bronco has received (a lot of it is well deserved) I think he's over rated. His ego will not allow him to prepare for an opponent the right way. And that will lead to his downfall.
Humility is not one of his traits.
ITrust No1 | 9:35 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
SPEED, SPEED, SPEED. TCU, Utah and Arizona's speed beat BYU this year. All
the execution in the world cannot cancel out SPEED. TCU's whole game plan
and team is built around SPEED. All three of our loses came down to SPEED. SPEED
was the tool used to disrupt BYU's execution. The entire league is going
for speed, and BYU better get on the train cause it is leaving the station. Oh,
and in this whole USA you cannot tell me there are not 5 or 10 speedsters who
would'nt love to play at BYU. Do the work and research necessary to find
them. They are out there.
NEW DEFENSIVE BODIES | 9:40 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
"BYU must now adjust, morph with the times, grow, tweak and fill".
Come on Dick Harmon, BYU's defense needs more than a few tweaks. Good
grief, let's state the obvious here - BYU needs to do a complete overhaul
on DEFENSE. The D-line, the line backers and the corners. The whole kit and
kabootle. This defense couldn't stop a junior college offense this year.
Too small, too slow and no athletes.
You better sign | 9:51 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
I have one name the Y better sign Manti Te'o is he the answer next year
maybem maybe not but is they signed the Manti cosuins in order to get a shot at
this kid it better work or somebody needs to held accounatble for giving his
cousins they have currently one who wasn't even recruited by the Y before
his mission.
Success | 10:03 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
We've all been saying the same thing: the team needs greater intensity,
more fire-in-the-belly. This is a major league program. One hour long practices
does NOT cut it. I love to be home with my family too, but if I need to spend
more time at the office to be successful, I WILL DO IT. This is not high school
football. The coaches are hired, paid well to get the job done. Someone needs
to have the courage to tell Bronco that less focus on firesides and more focus
on the basics of football is good at this level of college football.
Reality Check | 10:08 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
BYU beat 10th place Washington by 1, routed 8th place UCLA and lost to 5th place
Arizona. So BYU is about even with the 6th place team in the Pac-10. TCU might
finish 5th, Utah maybe 3rd or even 2nd. All these teams can beat any Pac-10
team (except USC) on any given week, but to play them week after week and get
beaten up, lose players to injuries, etc. would reduce them to good Pac-10
teams. Remember this when next year Dick Harmon writes his articles about how
good the Mt West is and runs down the Pac-10. It is an annual tradition!
Zooby Dooby | 10:13 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Better luck next year Coogs. 10-3 is a good record anywhere in Division I,
regardless of who you play. CSU and AFA both went bowling and you beat them,
but the mighty Utes and TCU gave you a well deserved beating. I wanted you to
beat U of A, but your players will be more grounded and hopefully form a better
team next year because of the loss. Better luck next year. Go Utes!!!
Anonymous | 10:17 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Amen!!!!! It's time Bronco and Robert realize that every other team now has
studied BYU's offense and defense to death! They have every play memorized
and a defensive scheme to counter it. BYU must finally realize that it takes a
COMPLETE team and not just a good quarterback and set of receivers to win
consistently. IT ALL BEGINS WITH GREAT DEFENSE to give the offense a chance to
win and BYU hasn't played good defense except in the UCLA game. It also
requires the mixing up of plays and doing as Utah does sometimes--coming up with
new plays!!!
Shecky Idaho Mormon | 10:20 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
To BYU Graduate...I'm a church member and I DO want BYU football to evolve.
No where in the church doctrine does it teach you to be happy with coming in
second. With over 14 million Mormons in the world, why can't we find 11 of
them who can play a little defense. The Mendenhall defensive philosophy is
weak. I hate this "bend don't break garbage". There is never
any pressure on the opposing QBs. This is why I have become an avid fan of
Boise State. Unpredictable offense and sound aggressive defense. Go Broncos!!
Ute forever | 10:34 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
I like the way the kitten fans look you straight in the face before any byu
game....then they never want to talk after the game is over...You need to get
over it they lost..so what...Utah fans know both sides of the big picture you
win and you lose...all you can do is support your team good or bad...so quit
acting like you lost your puppy byu step up be a true fan admit your team got it
handed to you zona kit your butt up and down the field...The bama ute game
should be a great game two very good teams....Go UTES...
no changes on horizon | 10:38 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Bronco was so committed to bringing back the storied BYU passing attack, he
forgot that his best athlete and player was his running back Harvey Unga.
Result, cougars lose all their big games in 2008.
Almost the entire cougar team was overconfident and showed arrogancy throughout most the season. They weren't that great of a team. Result, a close game against possibly the worst football team in the nation (the Huskies), and big time losses to TCU, Utah, and Arizona.
Anae decides not to change the game plan from one week to the next. He shows he has no skills whatsoever to make adjustments at halftime, and proves that he actually makes bad adjustments when the team came out even flatter in the second half of most of the games this year. Result, (just see above again).
Overall, this season proved one thing to us college football fans. BYU WILL NOT CHANGE, THEY WILL NOT EVOLVE UNDER THE CURRENT COACHING STAFF.
Did you notice that the two utah coordinators got offered jobs at other programs? and BYU didn't get as much as a phone call? Amazing considering the number of opening and the cougars 10-2 record prior to Arizona.
Almost the entire cougar team was overconfident and showed arrogancy throughout most the season. They weren't that great of a team. Result, a close game against possibly the worst football team in the nation (the Huskies), and big time losses to TCU, Utah, and Arizona.
Anae decides not to change the game plan from one week to the next. He shows he has no skills whatsoever to make adjustments at halftime, and proves that he actually makes bad adjustments when the team came out even flatter in the second half of most of the games this year. Result, (just see above again).
Overall, this season proved one thing to us college football fans. BYU WILL NOT CHANGE, THEY WILL NOT EVOLVE UNDER THE CURRENT COACHING STAFF.
Did you notice that the two utah coordinators got offered jobs at other programs? and BYU didn't get as much as a phone call? Amazing considering the number of opening and the cougars 10-2 record prior to Arizona.
Hindsight | 10:45 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Bronco and crew could have done what all the rest of the teams that beat
Arizona...BLITZ!! The Arizona QB is about a mobile as a poor man's Dan
Marino, yet BYU came at with the old "execution beats speed" mentality
and let their DBs get exposed again and again.
Until BYU starts recruiting speed on defense they are going to be exposed. Utah gets it done by recruiting overlooked kids in California and Texas. Bronco get your linemen from Utah and get your speed elsewhere. Crowton wasn't the greatest coach but he did try to get some speedy kids into the program. BYU can't go back to the 80's where it didn't matter if the defense was weak and the offense made up for it.
Jensen said, "These guys will be more mature next year" Unless maturity reduces a 40 yd dash time from 4.6 to for 4.4 for your DBs...who cares about maturity...most of the starters are 23 or 24 yrs old!
Until BYU starts recruiting speed on defense they are going to be exposed. Utah gets it done by recruiting overlooked kids in California and Texas. Bronco get your linemen from Utah and get your speed elsewhere. Crowton wasn't the greatest coach but he did try to get some speedy kids into the program. BYU can't go back to the 80's where it didn't matter if the defense was weak and the offense made up for it.
Jensen said, "These guys will be more mature next year" Unless maturity reduces a 40 yd dash time from 4.6 to for 4.4 for your DBs...who cares about maturity...most of the starters are 23 or 24 yrs old!
re: Dick at 6:14am | 10:49 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Ok if you want to get really picky about it, that pass to Reed wouldn't
have been a game tying pass either. We would have been down by 1 pt if he had
caught it with the option to tie the game with a kicked PAT or go for a 2 pt
conversion and the win.
Best Quote of y Season | 10:52 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
There's a fraud alert out with BYU's picture on it. The Cougars have
been generally unimpressive throughout the year, including in this 31-21 loss.
Where's the big win or the statement moment that warranted the program
being No. 17 entering this game? In four chances with teams now over .500, it
went 1-3, with all of the losses coming by double digits. The defense has gotten
routinely exposed, and QB Max Hall is much better on paper than he is on grass.
Hall will keep putting up gaudy numbers in 2009, but his arm strength is
questionable and he's disappeared in big games. Although the record may say
10-3, that doesn't mean BYU didn't underachieve in 2008.
� Richard Cirminiello
dotyman | 10:53 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
To BYU Graduate: Too much money is spent on the team already...
That team generates more revenue than any other sport. Eliminate football, and I guarantee that other sports at the Y disappear. BYU football, if it is going to exist, must get better. Mediocrity isn't acceptable.
Unfortunately for BYU, a 10-3 season against a bunch of patsies IS mediocrity.
Go Cougs!
That team generates more revenue than any other sport. Eliminate football, and I guarantee that other sports at the Y disappear. BYU football, if it is going to exist, must get better. Mediocrity isn't acceptable.
Unfortunately for BYU, a 10-3 season against a bunch of patsies IS mediocrity.
Go Cougs!
Re: Reality Check | 11:03 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Please spare us the "you can't compete in the PAC 10" nonsense.
If the MWC power teams were competing as members of the PAC 10 then they would
also be recruiting as PAC 10 members and cashing fat annual BCS checks. It would
only take a year or two to rival the cream of the conference and surpass the
rest. Excellence is not a product geographical location or conference
affiliation.TCU, Utah, and BYU would rise to the top PAC 10 because of their and
their fans commitment to being a quality football program. Do you honestly see
that same commitment in all the members of the PAC 10? I would love to see some
of the good MWC conference teams raise the level of play in our conference.
-Trojan Fan
BTW- SC will crush the Nittany Lions in the grandaddy of 'em all!
-Trojan Fan
BTW- SC will crush the Nittany Lions in the grandaddy of 'em all!
re: ernest bass 9:17am | 11:09 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
"I'm a bit confused.
I'm perplexed as to why the coogs would only practice 6 times to prepare for a bowl game and not the 14 times as permited by the NCAA."
Answer: Thanksgiving week when players go home to be with family for one and also finals week hitting close to the bowl game.
"Also, why does Bronco insist on only game planning and preparing based on what byu does?...At the Utah game byu never, not once adjusted coverage in the secondary. Johnson just picked them apart."
Answer: So did TCU, Arizona, and even CSU. The main problem was not game planning but talent and experience on defense.
"For all they hype bronco has received (a lot of it is well deserved) I think he's over rated...Humility is not one of his traits."
Answer: You answered this one yourself. Please refer to the very first sentance of your post.
I'm perplexed as to why the coogs would only practice 6 times to prepare for a bowl game and not the 14 times as permited by the NCAA."
Answer: Thanksgiving week when players go home to be with family for one and also finals week hitting close to the bowl game.
"Also, why does Bronco insist on only game planning and preparing based on what byu does?...At the Utah game byu never, not once adjusted coverage in the secondary. Johnson just picked them apart."
Answer: So did TCU, Arizona, and even CSU. The main problem was not game planning but talent and experience on defense.
"For all they hype bronco has received (a lot of it is well deserved) I think he's over rated...Humility is not one of his traits."
Answer: You answered this one yourself. Please refer to the very first sentance of your post.
on a positive note... | 11:19 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Funny that a 10-3 season is disappointing to a lot of us cougar fans. We would
have loved this after 2002-2004! The reason we are all so disappointed:
EXPECTATIONS! Going into this season, the Nation, the State, and even the
program set our expectations really high. With all the BCS talk and slogan
about the Quest, cougars fans expected great things. On a positive note, even
though we are returning a lot of Seniors on offense and the defense will be much
improved, these same high expectation won't be there next year! The BCS
talk will be much subdued and If they do manage to improve next year (which is
very possible now) then we may even go back to being satisfied. Bottom line, it
will be nice to go into next season without all the pressure. I think
psychologically, this removed pressure will help the players to play better in
big games.
Yeah | 11:25 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Good comments all. In the Utah game, when it became obvious that Max was having
his worst game ever and was literally throwing the game away, is there not a
backup qb who could not have done worse? And in the last several games, it was
painful watching Max get pressure on almost every play, but the opposing qb
almost NEVER got pressure. I kept thinking "Bronko is supposed to be a
defense specialist!", but 3 guys on the D line isn't going to get it
done. They might as well leave the line vacant and move those 3 guys back to
help defend the secondary, which the other qb is already picking apart because
he has all day to do so.
clarkeinak | 11:56 a.m. Dec. 23, 2008
BYU can't take the next step forward without coaching changes, or changes
by the coaches. The Cougars are way too predictable - I can tell what play is
next watching it on TV. And, if I can, defensive coordinators certainly can.
Change things up - throw in the wildkat, the statue of liberty (ask Boise State
how that one worked), whatever it takes to offer a different look. The
announcers kept questioning my Harvey Unga was going "east/west" when
he is a "north/south" runner. Good question! We had a huge advantage
on the line - why didn't the coaching staff exploit it? Anae needs to
change his philosophy or go somewhere else before BYU can advance to the next
level.
Outcoached, outplayed | 12:01 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008
I was cheering for BYU to win v Arizona but there were some glaring
weaknesses.
1- Max Hall was gun-shy...afraid to throw the ball if his primary receiver wasn't wide open, no self confidence and that has to be put on the coaches.
2- Unga was trying to run like Barry Sanders. Why doesn't he hit a hole hard? He could've been a major factor if he would have just hit the hole full steam instead of trying to jump side to side every time he got the ball. Once again, that goes back to coaching.
3- BYU's defense is too passive. There are studs on the defense who never get a chance to make a play because they're stuck back in some lame coverage which allows average qb's time to pick it apart.
Poor coaching led to poor playing, and those poor players were never given a chance to succeed on the field. Who would've thought that Whittingham would end up as the better coach, not I, but the proof is in the pudding.
1- Max Hall was gun-shy...afraid to throw the ball if his primary receiver wasn't wide open, no self confidence and that has to be put on the coaches.
2- Unga was trying to run like Barry Sanders. Why doesn't he hit a hole hard? He could've been a major factor if he would have just hit the hole full steam instead of trying to jump side to side every time he got the ball. Once again, that goes back to coaching.
3- BYU's defense is too passive. There are studs on the defense who never get a chance to make a play because they're stuck back in some lame coverage which allows average qb's time to pick it apart.
Poor coaching led to poor playing, and those poor players were never given a chance to succeed on the field. Who would've thought that Whittingham would end up as the better coach, not I, but the proof is in the pudding.
Good point | 12:09 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008
"It is no secret this 2008 was composed of some cliques and sub-groups. It
would have been well for the squad to repeat the Band of Brothers slogan and
leave out The Quest." - DH
That's too bad. When everyone is united and really playing together as a team then the results are always better. Why is it that players are told this but don't seem to get it? Maybe they will believe it now.
That's too bad. When everyone is united and really playing together as a team then the results are always better. Why is it that players are told this but don't seem to get it? Maybe they will believe it now.
recruiting | 12:12 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008
BYU GETS REALLY A GOOD ATHLETE NEXT YEAR FROM ST. GEORGE WHO HAS SPEED ON TOP OF
SPEED BROKE STATE RECORDS IN HIGH JUMP AS WELL. NAME ADAM TIMO HE BETTER START
NEXT YEAR IF THEY WANT A FASTER MORE ATHLETIC TEAM
Team Speed? | 12:48 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008
IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT SPEED! BYU does have some faster, more talented
recruits coming next year, but that doesn't mean they are going to be
excellent FOOTBALL players! And why is speed the only thing people are talking
about these days? Doesn't matter how fast someone is if they can't
tackle, block, or catch well or doesn't know the playbook. Compared to TCU
and Utah, BYU's team speed is lacking and has been for several years, so
how is it that BYU was MWC champs 2 years in a row? How has BYU beaten TCU
twice out of four years since the frogs joined the conference? How is it that
BYU has an all time record of 5-3 against TCU? How has BYU been able to beat
Utah 4 of the last 10 meetings? Why hasn't Utah or TCU (arguably the
fastest teams in the MWC conference) dominated the Mountain West? I'll
tell you why, there are other factors like strength, execution, and just plan
being smart that make kids good football players.
CClub | 12:45 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Re: Recruiting.
Adam Timo is all of what you state except he was recruited as a running back, not a defensive player. Perhaps he is able and willing to switch (bet not) but do you really think he will replace Unga? The problem for BYU is not the offensive players, its the execution according to Mendenhall. I believe it is a combination of much of what has been said including the realization by the team and players that perhaps they weren't as good as they thought they were. Coach has not (that I can find) ever acknowledged that perhaps he just got beat rather than giving the game away. That is just a miserable excuse.
Adam Timo is all of what you state except he was recruited as a running back, not a defensive player. Perhaps he is able and willing to switch (bet not) but do you really think he will replace Unga? The problem for BYU is not the offensive players, its the execution according to Mendenhall. I believe it is a combination of much of what has been said including the realization by the team and players that perhaps they weren't as good as they thought they were. Coach has not (that I can find) ever acknowledged that perhaps he just got beat rather than giving the game away. That is just a miserable excuse.
Cougar Football | 12:52 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Mendenhall was the person who said a couple of years ago that he wanted the Y to
be at the top of MWC and nationally prominent. Bronco, nor any other HC in the
entire country, will acheive those goals with football being the 5th most
important priority. Winning Football should be the # one priority for the FB
coaches and players. Education should be the # one priority for BYU president /
other university leaders. Spirituality should be the # one priority for the
GAs, stake presidents, bishops, et. FB, for coaches and players, MUST AND CAN
be the # one priority WHILE OPERATING WITH LDS / CHRISTIAN VALUES. If Bronco
continues to insist that FB is the 5th most important priority then he and
everyone else should expect the Cougs to play ok or win against poor teams but
struggle and lose against quality teams. Bronco (or any other HC) cannot have
it both ways.
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