Reader comments
Dick Harmon: It's time for Cougar football to evolve
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Pee Wee | 11:01 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008
Using 6 of 14 allowed practices for a bowl game is a coaching blunder equivalent
to flying in the same day to play Nevada.
Gretzky | 11:14 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008
in the final analysis, besides the woeful defense, BYU's QB situation is up
in the air. Coach Doman has chased off 4 QB's including Olson (yes, the
real story is beginning to come out) and Bower who were potentially much better
than Hall. it's time for another QB to be given a chance. guaranteed
interception and fumble each week by the QB is unacceptable to any team. Hall
should have been benched and Gaskins put in the bowl game in the 3rd quarter to
help rally the troops. time for Doman to step down and bring in perhaps Ty
Detmer or Steve Young to run the QB program.
Comments continue below
T'is what t'is | 11:14 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008
All these comments boil down to one simple platitude:
IT IS WHAT IT IS
Come on folks...figure it out! BYU is a decent mid-major football team. Once a decade or so we beat a "real" top 10 ranked team; once every other year we compete for a championship in a lousy conference; we'll never have a defensive backfield with 4.2 40 cover guys (unless we wave the honor code - which we won't).
Holmoe, please, stop it with this return to glory stuff...just focus on putting a "good product" out on the field and enjoy the 8-4 or 9-5 seasons...the teams that are the best have a lot of things wrong anyhow because deep down inside they have sold themselves out on values that BYU will never compromise.
IT IS WHAT IT IS
Come on folks...figure it out! BYU is a decent mid-major football team. Once a decade or so we beat a "real" top 10 ranked team; once every other year we compete for a championship in a lousy conference; we'll never have a defensive backfield with 4.2 40 cover guys (unless we wave the honor code - which we won't).
Holmoe, please, stop it with this return to glory stuff...just focus on putting a "good product" out on the field and enjoy the 8-4 or 9-5 seasons...the teams that are the best have a lot of things wrong anyhow because deep down inside they have sold themselves out on values that BYU will never compromise.
Hey T'is what t's | 11:47 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008
You say "...the teams that are the best have a lot of things wrong anyhow
because deep down inside they have sold themselves out on values that BYU will
never compromise."
Listen my friend, BYU holds itself to values that other teams have absolutely no reason to hold themselves to.
Why should Florida, or BSU, or Utah hold themselves to the values of the honor code or any other value unique to BYU?
Answer: (and read carefully) They could, but if they don't there is nothing wrong with that. If BYU choses to hold themselves to certain values that limit football success, so be it and good for them.
But it is not a "sell out" for other teams if they choose to not adopt those values.
Listen my friend, BYU holds itself to values that other teams have absolutely no reason to hold themselves to.
Why should Florida, or BSU, or Utah hold themselves to the values of the honor code or any other value unique to BYU?
Answer: (and read carefully) They could, but if they don't there is nothing wrong with that. If BYU choses to hold themselves to certain values that limit football success, so be it and good for them.
But it is not a "sell out" for other teams if they choose to not adopt those values.
Brutal Facts | 12:12 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
BYU is now 1 - 21 in their last 22 games against ranked opponents. BYU has not
won a game in which they have been underdogs in the Bronco Mendenhall Era. These
facts alone demand significant change and improvement.
Bronco likes to harp on execution in every soundbite but the reality is that the teams who BYU lost to this year overwhelmed BYU with speed and athleticism! BYU must get better athletes with much better speed to compete at a higher level. Otherwise BYU will never sniff the BCS let alone be anything close to relevent on the national scene. BYU committed 13 turnovers in the 3 losses yet the players know that turnovers are killers and the coaches talk about how the "emphasize" ball security but when overwhelmed by more athletic teams the result is turnovers.
BYU must improve recruiting!
Bronco likes to harp on execution in every soundbite but the reality is that the teams who BYU lost to this year overwhelmed BYU with speed and athleticism! BYU must get better athletes with much better speed to compete at a higher level. Otherwise BYU will never sniff the BCS let alone be anything close to relevent on the national scene. BYU committed 13 turnovers in the 3 losses yet the players know that turnovers are killers and the coaches talk about how the "emphasize" ball security but when overwhelmed by more athletic teams the result is turnovers.
BYU must improve recruiting!
swt | 12:23 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
The article states, "It is no secret this 2008 was composed of some cliques
and sub-groups."
This is the first I have read this. Anybody else aware of this situation?
This is the first I have read this. Anybody else aware of this situation?
Yup | 1:01 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
BYU football team lost a game but at least I'm not a yewt.
FOOTBALL IS JUST BUSINESS | 1:53 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
BYU didn't do well, BUT IT'S FINE. It's just football and in the
end IT'S JUST BUSINESS. The school made money and isn't that all it
is?
Everyone made their money, thankfully the UofU got a BCS game which means more money for the conference and ultimately my BYU as well.
If anyone in this world actually takes sports seriously, they are pretty delusional. I'm a fan, but come on, championship of what? It's definitely fun, but it's also pretty arbitrary and meaningless.
It was great to win in 1984, but again, in the end, it's just a business transaction. Why work for the "RESPECT" of the country. What a ridiculous pursuit. The ONLY way you can get "respect" is to have a team playing in a LARGE TV market.
Notice any correlation between TV market size and coverage/respect of those teams? Even crap teams get better coverage than teams like the UofU, Boise State or an excellent BYU team. The Jazz deal with it too.
It's just business (or the NCAA would outlaw the BCS).
Congrats to the Utes! I'm a graduate of both schools, but still a Y. fan at heart.
Everyone made their money, thankfully the UofU got a BCS game which means more money for the conference and ultimately my BYU as well.
If anyone in this world actually takes sports seriously, they are pretty delusional. I'm a fan, but come on, championship of what? It's definitely fun, but it's also pretty arbitrary and meaningless.
It was great to win in 1984, but again, in the end, it's just a business transaction. Why work for the "RESPECT" of the country. What a ridiculous pursuit. The ONLY way you can get "respect" is to have a team playing in a LARGE TV market.
Notice any correlation between TV market size and coverage/respect of those teams? Even crap teams get better coverage than teams like the UofU, Boise State or an excellent BYU team. The Jazz deal with it too.
It's just business (or the NCAA would outlaw the BCS).
Congrats to the Utes! I'm a graduate of both schools, but still a Y. fan at heart.
Attitude | 2:33 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
3 Key Points:
1) The most important thing BYU needs is a leader on Defense. Jan Jorgensen, I love the guy to death, but he is too quiet, and doesn't play with enough attitude. We need a guy like Cameron Jensen, which opposing offenses feared, because the man is a PUNK on the field! He talks trash, gets in your face, hits hard, runs hard, and strikes fear in opponents eyes when they see him! We need a guy like that. I think Andrew Rich may be the guy that could do that for us in 2009! I liked his big hit he had on Utah's WR in the Utah game this year!
2) BYU needs to recruit better, faster DB's. We got burned this year. We need more speed, so we can jam at the line, and bump and run.
3) BYU should hire a full-time D coordinator named Rocky Long. He would be a great fit for Bronco (since he trained Bronco).
Go Cougars, I will be watching in 2009!
1) The most important thing BYU needs is a leader on Defense. Jan Jorgensen, I love the guy to death, but he is too quiet, and doesn't play with enough attitude. We need a guy like Cameron Jensen, which opposing offenses feared, because the man is a PUNK on the field! He talks trash, gets in your face, hits hard, runs hard, and strikes fear in opponents eyes when they see him! We need a guy like that. I think Andrew Rich may be the guy that could do that for us in 2009! I liked his big hit he had on Utah's WR in the Utah game this year!
2) BYU needs to recruit better, faster DB's. We got burned this year. We need more speed, so we can jam at the line, and bump and run.
3) BYU should hire a full-time D coordinator named Rocky Long. He would be a great fit for Bronco (since he trained Bronco).
Go Cougars, I will be watching in 2009!
FLORIDA Y FAN | 6:28 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
YOU DONT THINK IT IS ABOUT TEAM SPEED?
WATCH THE BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME BETWEEN THE GATORS AND SOONERS! IT IS ALL ABOUT SPEED- IF THE Y DOESNT START RECRUITING SPEED THEY WILL ALWAYS BE MEDIOCRE AT BEST-- THE BEST PLAYER ON THE TEAM- COLLIE COMBINES SPEED WITH HIS OTHER ATTRIBUTES THAT SETS HIM APART
GO GATORS!
WATCH THE BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME BETWEEN THE GATORS AND SOONERS! IT IS ALL ABOUT SPEED- IF THE Y DOESNT START RECRUITING SPEED THEY WILL ALWAYS BE MEDIOCRE AT BEST-- THE BEST PLAYER ON THE TEAM- COLLIE COMBINES SPEED WITH HIS OTHER ATTRIBUTES THAT SETS HIM APART
GO GATORS!
Oh yeah..part II | 7:50 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
I forget which General Authority it was,(maybe Elder Marvin Ashton)in the
pre-LaVell days said: "we should either field a competitive team or get out
of the football business". Do the leaders care? Sure! A record of 10/3 is a
good record. What I care most about is how we lost those 3 games. As a former
coach I didn't mind losing so much if I felt my team played to the very
best of their ability and the other team was better than we were. But what I
could not tolerate is to continually give games away. It is how BYU LOST that
tells the tale. The coaches are the ones getting paid the big dollars and I
expect a better performance. They need to recruit better and teach better.
Oh...the half time adjustments. I don't believe they exist now. Norm Chow
could be counted on to adjust to the defense of the other team. Other teams know
our defense and our offense and we don't change a thing. Insanity is doing
the same thing over and over and expecting different results. How about Rocky
Long, coach? Bring him in.
If BYU wants | 8:50 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
any respect from the football fans across the nation, they need to start playing
smash mouth football on a regular basis. Sure an offense that can use finess to
score 40-50 points a game is great. However, a defense that gives up 40-50 pts a
game is not acceptable. BYU would never survive in the SEC or the Big 12. These
guys play real college football.
Enter Name | 9:03 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
The difference between top 5 teams and BYU is this. SPEED, and the ability to
adjust. Fire em all. 10 and 3 is NOT good enough. Wake up and unfold your
arms you clowns
Digbads | 9:07 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
What a lot of ungrateful spoiled fans there are. Going 10 and 3 is a great
season. I love what Bronco is doing. Look at the success the last three years.
Are you guys blind?
Keep it up Bronco, do what you know is right.
Keep it up Bronco, do what you know is right.
Bronco Fan | 9:08 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
Bronco will make the necessary changes. No question.
By the way, this is still a good football team.
By the way, this is still a good football team.
what makes a good D | 9:18 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
I watched the TCU / Boise game and it was very evident what makes a good
defense.
1. Athletes. You have to have athletes that can run. Both line backers and corners. Add to that size and strength. For a middle line backer you need at least 240 lbs minimum who can run a 4.6 40. BYU has had those types of linebackers in the past and they are now in the NFL (Brandy Popinga). Brady went about 6'3" 255 lbs and could run. This years line backeres were in 220 lbs range which is just too small. BYU's corners were horrible this year. A 15 yard cushion was needed just to provide any coverage at all and that much cushion is an automatic first down any time the offense wants it.
2. Physical front three. The Nose guard and tackles have got to be big enough and strong enough to plug the middle and provide some penetration allowing the linebackers to attack the line rather than retreat. BYU's had the smallest front three in years this year with an average size of 259 lbs which is close to what Airforce has.
1. Athletes. You have to have athletes that can run. Both line backers and corners. Add to that size and strength. For a middle line backer you need at least 240 lbs minimum who can run a 4.6 40. BYU has had those types of linebackers in the past and they are now in the NFL (Brandy Popinga). Brady went about 6'3" 255 lbs and could run. This years line backeres were in 220 lbs range which is just too small. BYU's corners were horrible this year. A 15 yard cushion was needed just to provide any coverage at all and that much cushion is an automatic first down any time the offense wants it.
2. Physical front three. The Nose guard and tackles have got to be big enough and strong enough to plug the middle and provide some penetration allowing the linebackers to attack the line rather than retreat. BYU's had the smallest front three in years this year with an average size of 259 lbs which is close to what Airforce has.
Bender Rodriguez | 9:30 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
re: re: Joe Smith | 3:10 p.m. Dec. 23, 2008
It's too bad Utah doesn't have fans worthy of its team.
But, the Y and its fan fase fit hand in glove... its gotta be all that "righteous" living & judgmental attitude
It's too bad Utah doesn't have fans worthy of its team.
But, the Y and its fan fase fit hand in glove... its gotta be all that "righteous" living & judgmental attitude
Tony Stark | 9:34 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
re: Folks - Reality Please | 5:46 p.m. Dec. 23,
>>but 11-2, 11-2 and 10-3 with an all-LDS, white, RM, Eagle Scout squad is nothing short of miraculous!!<<
So? They are overachieving?
The Majerus led Ute Hoops w/ big slow cerebral caucasians made it to the NCAA title game yet BYU football can't crack the BCS? Hmmmmmmm?
>>but 11-2, 11-2 and 10-3 with an all-LDS, white, RM, Eagle Scout squad is nothing short of miraculous!!<<
So? They are overachieving?
The Majerus led Ute Hoops w/ big slow cerebral caucasians made it to the NCAA title game yet BYU football can't crack the BCS? Hmmmmmmm?
Kern661Coug | 9:43 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
I enjoyed the last 3 seasons. Next year we'll come back.
BYU is like service academies, limited number of athletes, limited number of players that want to live strict LDS lifestyle. Faster players will contribute to better defense. Example:TCU.
Please recruit more outside the state of utah. State has less than 3 million. California & Texas over 50 million combined.
I would be in favor of modifying the honor code for sports teams. If we want to compete at a top level, we need look at some of our constrictions.
BYU needs to practice atleast as much as other programs. No 1 hour practices. No only 6 practices before a bowl game when you have 14 opportunties.
BYU also needs to study film more.
Coaches need to bring up the energy level. No more milk toast attitudes.
BYU is like service academies, limited number of athletes, limited number of players that want to live strict LDS lifestyle. Faster players will contribute to better defense. Example:TCU.
Please recruit more outside the state of utah. State has less than 3 million. California & Texas over 50 million combined.
I would be in favor of modifying the honor code for sports teams. If we want to compete at a top level, we need look at some of our constrictions.
BYU needs to practice atleast as much as other programs. No 1 hour practices. No only 6 practices before a bowl game when you have 14 opportunties.
BYU also needs to study film more.
Coaches need to bring up the energy level. No more milk toast attitudes.
ser | 9:45 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
After reading above comments, several observations:
-All the "suggestions" put together for coaches and players are hopelessly convoluted.
-Most contributors would be in the top 50 of the "Most Thin Skinned" competition.
-Reread what you wrote and try to imagine how it would make the person(s) you attacked feel.
-For those complaining about lack of practice for the bowl game, remember BYU was in finals week.
-For all the finger pointing about the bowl loss, three passes and two field goals, had they been completed, would have won the game.
-39 team members are married-maybe someone was up all night with a sick child.
-Imagine 12 weeks of your life on TV. As a student, your exam week in interrupted by media interviews; the exam is on national TV with commentators analyzing your every move ("Say coach, why does he have that look on his face?"); your test scores are not listed by your student ID, they are posted with your name everywhere along with comments from other class members. ("He missed # 59?, that's the easiest question in the test!!")
-As an employee, interviews by those in competing companies on national TV: "He's the worst guy in their company."
-All the "suggestions" put together for coaches and players are hopelessly convoluted.
-Most contributors would be in the top 50 of the "Most Thin Skinned" competition.
-Reread what you wrote and try to imagine how it would make the person(s) you attacked feel.
-For those complaining about lack of practice for the bowl game, remember BYU was in finals week.
-For all the finger pointing about the bowl loss, three passes and two field goals, had they been completed, would have won the game.
-39 team members are married-maybe someone was up all night with a sick child.
-Imagine 12 weeks of your life on TV. As a student, your exam week in interrupted by media interviews; the exam is on national TV with commentators analyzing your every move ("Say coach, why does he have that look on his face?"); your test scores are not listed by your student ID, they are posted with your name everywhere along with comments from other class members. ("He missed # 59?, that's the easiest question in the test!!")
-As an employee, interviews by those in competing companies on national TV: "He's the worst guy in their company."
Re: Kern661Coug | 10:38 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
Kern661Coug says... "I would be in favor of modifying the honor code for
sports teams."
Alert the Brethren!!! Kern661Coug has finally come around and is now in favor of sacrificing the honor code for athletics.
Alert the Brethren!!! Kern661Coug has finally come around and is now in favor of sacrificing the honor code for athletics.
kougfan | 10:53 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
I am a long-time BYU athletic fan and have especially enjoyed seeing the the
basketball and football teams excel. But with how things have progressed, I
often wonder what would be so terrible if BYU dropped intercollegiate athletics.
This was done at BYU Idaho, and I understand that it is working well there.
The athletic program at the Provo campus has become so big that it overshadows
many of the other good things that are going on at the University, and to some
degree, the overall mission of the university. The school may say differently,
but to the fans, winning is #1 and arrogance is the perception that others have
of them and consequently the University. I hope I am wrong, but it seems to me
that the BYU athletic program (due primarily to their fan base) is the least
respected by other fans than any program in the MTN West Conference and beyond.
Granted, influential alumni as well as the media (Deseret News, KSL, etc.) would
fight this suggestion, and I am sure that it will never happen, and perhaps it
shouldn't happen. But at least I have vented my feelings.
Proud Cougar Fan | 11:06 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
I am a proud fan of B.Y.U. football and like a lot of you I was very
disappointed with the out come of the Las Vegas Bowl. But before we start
playing the blame game lets look at the accomplishments they have made. B.Y.U.
is the first MWC team to finish undefeated in conference play two years in a row
which is something that neither T.C.U. or Utah has ever done. Sure we took our
lumps this year but we will be back. Every good football team has a down year
look at Michigan, Nortre Dame, LSU etc.. The key is to put this behind us and
come back next year and I am sure that with Bronco at the helm B.Y.U. will
someday be playing in a BCS game just like Utah.
re: kougfan | 11:18 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
Nice try, but I seriously doubt you're an avid BYU fan; in fact, it's
much more likely you're simply a Utah troll.
If you are a BYU fan, it's doubtful you're a season ticketholder, or have regularly attended BYU sporting events, and you probably haven't been to a BYU bowl game or NCAA basketball tournament in decades, if ever.
Here's some news. Regardless of whether BYU has an athletic program or not, there will ALWAYS be people who absolutely hate BYU and all that it stands for, simply because it's associated with the LDS church. If you think that dropping BYU sports will improve BYU's image or further advance the mission of the university, you're sadly mistaken.
Despite your low opinion of BYU sports, BYU sports brings far more positive recognition to BYU and the LDS church, than it does negative publicity.
But, as with anything, if you only look for the bad in something, that's all you will ever find.
If you are a BYU fan, it's doubtful you're a season ticketholder, or have regularly attended BYU sporting events, and you probably haven't been to a BYU bowl game or NCAA basketball tournament in decades, if ever.
Here's some news. Regardless of whether BYU has an athletic program or not, there will ALWAYS be people who absolutely hate BYU and all that it stands for, simply because it's associated with the LDS church. If you think that dropping BYU sports will improve BYU's image or further advance the mission of the university, you're sadly mistaken.
Despite your low opinion of BYU sports, BYU sports brings far more positive recognition to BYU and the LDS church, than it does negative publicity.
But, as with anything, if you only look for the bad in something, that's all you will ever find.
BigJN | 11:53 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008
I think it came down to arrogance. BYU assumed that other MWC teams and others
would fall at their very presence. Many assumed that "The Quest" was
a prophetic utterance from a pure and holy man and that little else had to be
done. Six practices out of a possible 14 for their bowl game demonstrates the
arrogance. They got what they prepared for.
kougfan | 12:09 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
I am not a Utah Troll (whatever that is) or a season ticket holder because I
don't live near Provo, and can not attend all of the games.
I did not say I had a low opinion of BYU sports or their athletic program. I simply said that BYU fans are the problem. We tend to be a bit arrogant about our beloved Cougars, and your response to my post reflects that. It was almost as much of an attack on me than my post. I have great respect and admiration for the coaches and others associated with the athletic program.
Get out of Provo and ask sports fans (even among members of the LDS Faith) and you will get a response similar to the one that I made in my post.
I have attended many BYU athletic events probably a lot longer than you have and most were a long ways from Provo.
I really do not want to drop the Athletic Program, but I would like all of us as BYU fans to be a little less defensive, arrogant, and abbrasive.
Lets be friends.
I did not say I had a low opinion of BYU sports or their athletic program. I simply said that BYU fans are the problem. We tend to be a bit arrogant about our beloved Cougars, and your response to my post reflects that. It was almost as much of an attack on me than my post. I have great respect and admiration for the coaches and others associated with the athletic program.
Get out of Provo and ask sports fans (even among members of the LDS Faith) and you will get a response similar to the one that I made in my post.
I have attended many BYU athletic events probably a lot longer than you have and most were a long ways from Provo.
I really do not want to drop the Athletic Program, but I would like all of us as BYU fans to be a little less defensive, arrogant, and abbrasive.
Lets be friends.
re: little john | 12:12 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
typical tripe from a BYU hater.
MADRYBEG | 1:57 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
Well said 'kougfan'. I, myself, am a Utes fan. I found the article
intruiging and I always find everyone's comments amusing. Once in a while,
however, there is a gem. Your wish is a desire most would agree with, but most
won't follow up on. At least we have the Jazz we can all cheer for!
SoonerMooner | 1:54 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
If you want to run with the big boyzz(USC), BYU needs to get better players. I
know you've got rules, but if you want to compete............
Wisdom | 1:55 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
BYU football has probably reached a pinnacle, meaning they are as good as they
can get with a squad of RM�s. They will have to start
recruiting non-member speedsters and Athletes and BYU needs to become
Christian�s that can actually forgive young men when they
make a mistake instead of embarrassing them ruining there careers and kicking
them out of Provo.
2009 turning point for Bronco | 2:27 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
So in 2009 we will see Bronco slide further down mediocre lane or he will pull
his Cougars back up to the national spot light. BYU has a good chance to back in
the top 10 next year if they make whole sale changes on defense otherwise
mediocrity here we come and here we stay.
Bring Crowton back!! | 2:31 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
I am ready to have Crowton back. It was Gary Crowton that recruited the players
of 2006 and 2007 not Bronco. 2008 were all Bronco boys.
cancel football program | 2:33 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
BYU can't compete nationally. The honor code makes it impossible so I say
cancel football altogether rather than settle for year after year of mediocrity.
choke job | 2:42 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
Way to blow all credibility of the MWC war kittens. At least CSU and TCU know
how to rep.
MiP | 3:45 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
Is BYU not meeting their mission?
ESPN posted their 5 priorities during the Vegas Bowl:
1) Faith
2) Family
3) Knowledge
4) Friends
5) Football
As a number 5 priority, I'd say they're doing pretty well. 11-2, 11-2, 10-3 the past three years. So they don't yet have a BCS bid or NC. Few teams do.
They can just gut priorities #1-4 to go 12-0 every year.
Are they failing in the other priorities?
-Gone are the weekly honor code violations.
-Many players are married and/or have kids.
-RMs abound (enjoyed the foriegn language "Merry Christmases" during the game)
-Good graduation rate.
i'd say Bronco is a class coach and is bringing substance to their team. They'll be alright.
Oh. And as a Ute Troll, I must say: Go Utes! Go MWC! Go David, beat Goliath!
ESPN posted their 5 priorities during the Vegas Bowl:
1) Faith
2) Family
3) Knowledge
4) Friends
5) Football
As a number 5 priority, I'd say they're doing pretty well. 11-2, 11-2, 10-3 the past three years. So they don't yet have a BCS bid or NC. Few teams do.
They can just gut priorities #1-4 to go 12-0 every year.
Are they failing in the other priorities?
-Gone are the weekly honor code violations.
-Many players are married and/or have kids.
-RMs abound (enjoyed the foriegn language "Merry Christmases" during the game)
-Good graduation rate.
i'd say Bronco is a class coach and is bringing substance to their team. They'll be alright.
Oh. And as a Ute Troll, I must say: Go Utes! Go MWC! Go David, beat Goliath!
MiP | 3:46 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
--err that should read they CAN'T just gut priorities #1-4
Davis | 4:43 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
Face it, BYU is second tier at best. Hope they lose them all next year. Serves
them right for cutting mens gymnastics and wrestling, sports where individual
accomplishment and drive is the norm.
What can BYU evolve to? | 5:05 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
This is as good as BYU can get --let's face the facts.
BYU will not be able to stay unbeaten to make it to BCS bowl.
2007 was a not normal where BYU stayed unbeaten in MWC. Normally, if BYU is lucky enough, BYY will beat either TCU or Utah.
So, face it, the best BYU can be is to win 9, 10 games --including LV bowl game here and there.
Coah Doman | 5:20 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
is good with the players, but needs to work with Max Hall better. He is not
helping him make adjustments. Max does not appear to be learning very quickly
from his mistakes. That is Coach Doman's responsibility to some extent.
Just a thought | 5:41 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
Hall is a great quarterback when playing mediocre teams and is a mediocre
quarterback when playing great teams.
Bob | 6:25 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
Cliques and sub-groups? Where was the senior class leadership? Those things must
be addressed by the players, not only the coaches. BYU's mission is to
represent the church, not just to win football games. With the honor code in
place, the pool of blue chip high schoolers wanting to play for BYU is reduced.
Fans might well have to accept 8-4/9-3 seasons as a success. If fans want an
undefeated team and one that can defeat bowl-game rivals, then maybe the head
coach must be football coaches first and foremost. I doubt BYU will hire a
promising non-LDS head football coach but maybe that's what it will take;
one who puts football first and the church second. If BYU will not make that
kind of commitment (and given the school's mission it might not want to)
and recruit better athletes, then 12-0 may be impossible. If you want to run
with the UT's, Oklahoma's, USC's and Florida's of the world
then you must recruit and coach accordingly. Given BYU's mission and
emphasis on religion, that may not be possible. Even winning the MWC is not
automatic; winning tough non-conference games (see BYU's bowl record) may
be a bigger obstacle.
Emotionless | 6:58 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
dIn the Vegas Bowl, after BYU went from 2nd and 1 at about the 20, to 3rd and 16
after a dropped TD pass and three procedure penalties in a row, Bronco was stoic
on the sideline with arms folded and didn't say a word to anyone. Later,
when BYU scored a touchdown, he stood there exactly the same, quiet, and
unemotional, not even a fist-pump. This seems to rub off on his players. I bet
if you took the TV clips of Bronco after the penalties, and after the
touchdowns, and mixed them up and made people guess which was which, they
wouldn't be able to tell.
If you've watched Kyle (Utah) and Patterson (TCU) they are out there on the field yelling and screaming and congratulating guys when they make a good play. They get their players pumped up, and correct problems as soon as they see it.
If you've watched Kyle (Utah) and Patterson (TCU) they are out there on the field yelling and screaming and congratulating guys when they make a good play. They get their players pumped up, and correct problems as soon as they see it.
Dan and Kathy, Orem, Ut. | 9:48 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
We LOVE YOU COUGS and couch M.
KJ Orem, Ur | 9:55 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
Max Hall is a great man, he just needs us to cheer when the team is down,. We
were in Vegas at the Bowl Game, and the Fans need to cheer for their team. For
us it was BYU!!!!!!! GO COUGS !!
BYU Hater | 11:35 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008
It is SO Easy to hate BYU and their selfrighteous fans. I have hated BYU for 40
plus years and never have to work at it. I will never cheer for BYU against any
team. My best year would be if they lose most of the games in every sport.
Re: Brutal Facts | 12:00 a.m. Dec. 25, 2008
"BYU has not won a game in which they have been underdogs in the Bronco
Mendenhall Era. These facts alone demand significant change and
improvement."
Um, wasn't TCU favored in 2006 when we beat them, they being the #15 team in the country and undefeated at the time, and we being 2-2 and unranked? I believe TCU, as the home team, was favored by a large margin actually.
So, brutal facts, get your facts straight, cuz you just embarrassed yourself with ignorance! ;)
Go Cougars, thanks for 3 straight seasons of 10 or more wins! How's that for facts??!!
Um, wasn't TCU favored in 2006 when we beat them, they being the #15 team in the country and undefeated at the time, and we being 2-2 and unranked? I believe TCU, as the home team, was favored by a large margin actually.
So, brutal facts, get your facts straight, cuz you just embarrassed yourself with ignorance! ;)
Go Cougars, thanks for 3 straight seasons of 10 or more wins! How's that for facts??!!
My Byu Hat.... | 12:32 a.m. Dec. 25, 2008
is getting all bent out of shape. Come on guys, get with it or I don't wear
my hat anymore!!!!!
Re: Re brutal facts | 12:42 a.m. Dec. 25, 2008
One win and 20 losses in Byu's last 21 games against ranked opponents.
How's THAT for facts??!!
WHY WHY | 1:29 a.m. Dec. 25, 2008
does BYU recruit in-state for skill positions? IT's Utah! There is no good
spped there.
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The bottom line is, the coaches and players alike actually do share the blame for an underachieving season, but there are still plenty of positives to build on for next season and beyond. Changes and adjustments in several areas will be made, and leadership will emerge. Bronco is human, but a great man and fine coach, and he and his team will be back. The season is over - let's put the past behind us instead of continually kicking them while they're down.