Deseret News | Jacobson preps for new mission at BYU

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Dick Harmon: Jacobson preps for new mission at BYU

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PRC | 9:48 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008

Could be the Best recieving core in BYU History if collie stays and MJ gets in shape. Chambers could be the sleeper. He has all the tools. Just needs to get his head right. GO COOGS!

Clatu | 10:29 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008

Twice BYU has started a season playing the previous year national champion. Miami and Pittsburg. Both games were won by the Cougars. In 1985 Oklahoma turned a game down with the Cougars due to the fact they didn't want to prepare for a passing team and in the mid nineties were soundly beaten in the Copper bowl. Although unlikely, it is possible for a victory over the Sooners.

Re: In the Stands | 11:15 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008

Please don't drag Utah into this. What quality opponents has Utah beaten this year? Really, I suppose you could argue Oregon St., but that was at home, and oh yeah, TCU, but that was another squeak out win at home too.

BYU has a bright future, anyone who can't see that is delusional. The offense will be very solid this next year even with the new lineman coming in.

About the defense, they will only get better, seriously. Experience does more to benefit a team much more often than raw talent does. 8 starters are coming back this year instead of 3. Sure Nixon is gone but he isn't the entire defense. Also with the help of new recruits coming in it will be even more solid.

Comments continue below

BleedCougarBlue | 11:36 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008

Why not start Collie (if he returns) and Jacobsen both at wide receiver? Am I missing something here?....

... | 12:04 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Who cares? Leave the poor man alone.

Nippon | 6:30 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Actually Odori is a big park in the middle of Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, not on the Northern end of the island. That would be Wakkanai. Trust me, I know.

knowwhat | 8:35 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Cougars new theme for 2009 SOD-Surrender to Deficiency. More realistic than QFP.

Carl | 8:52 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

BYU could not compete with the lowliest team in the Pac 10--Arizona. They need some men with wheels, but there are few that want to go there due to the honor code (that a lot of kids don't live anyway).

Bottom line is that BYU is in the right role. They get the clean and white image and every now and again they will have a great team and they will beat some folks. Year in and year out, they would have a hard time competing in the real world of college football and for most football folks, Provo is not in the real world.

Nonetheless, they make good ice cream at the dairy! That speaks for something, right?

Hall Lacking | 9:54 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

You can't beat Hall's fire and competiveness. But TCU, Utah and Arizona revealed that he is lacking in some vital tools. Those three teams brought serious speed and athleticism and played our slower receivers in tight man to man coverage. This very clearly revealed Hall's lack of arm strength and inability to make quick, accurate decisions under pressure. Hall simply does not have the arm strength to make passes in tight spaces when fast athletic corners close the usual MWC gap on our receivers. I think NM even revealed that to a large degree before TCU completely exposed it. Hall is a nice system QB and will have another huge statistical season as his array of skill players only increases. But, while he has the arm of Detmer, he does not think nearly as fast under pressure. I'm not trying to rip the kid. His skill set simply is what it is and he does bring a lot to the table. But his average arm and inability to quickly go through his progressions when under pressure will continue to be exposed in 09 against the likes of OU, FSU, TCU and Utah.

Collie not ready for NFL | 10:22 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Collie would be making a HUGE mistake opting for the NFL after this season. If he did get drafted it would be a latter round and the chance of even making a team would be remote. The better thinking would be to play his senior year, hope for a game against someone like Oklahoma and also hope for a big time performance. That would elevate his stock in a BIG way. Money hungry agents give these young kids bad advise and WHEN THE KID IS NOT EVEN DRAFTED THE AGENT IS NO WHERE to be found ...remember John Walsh anyone??

Utah + TCU best of 2009 | 10:26 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Once again, BYU will come in third in the MWC in 2009. Utah and TCU will grab the top two spots. Both TCU and Utah return the heart of their defenses and will dominate once again. BYU will once again be slow and smallish on defense and will get pounded by good competition. Bronco can't recruit ..PERIOD!

Honor Code Blues.... | 10:56 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

The Honor Code at BYU prevents recruitment of speed in the secondary. Hate to admit it but it is true. Those talented boys from the south don't want to play at such a strict school. BYU will always struggle with recruiting Speed because we cannot bring in the athletes from Texas and Florida. (Chambers is an anomaly and will probably be gone soon...unfortunately)

PLEASE!!!! | 11:14 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Here we go again. BYU will be 8-0; BYU will win the national championship; BYU will beat Utah, etc., etc., Listen you guys, I am a BYU fan (TRUE BLUE), but after 2008, I have learned one thing - keep my expectations low, in that way, I wonï¿½t be as disappointed if they become a sub-par team again. I see all the great receivers and tight ends in BYUï¿½s arsenal in 2009, BUT, if Anae keeps calling stupid plays (Collie "monopollie"), and Bronco does not do SOMETHING to his pathetic defense especially the corners/secondary; BYU will still be a disappointment, perhaps a bigger one than in 2008. Bronco should also start coaching football, not serving as the teamï¿½s bishop!!!!!

Re: Spokane Cougar | 12:01 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

I agree that Oklahoma has a great team year in and year out. What I don't believe is the concept that BYU or any other non-BCS school can't compete with them.

Boise State beat them in the Fiesta Bowl two years ago. People like you said it was impossible back then as well.

TCU beat Oklahoma 17-10 in Norman four years ago. Again the same people like you said it was impossible.

Finally the only time BYU played Oklahoma was in 1994 in the Copper Bowl. Oklahoma has just lost to the eventual National Champion Nebraska by just one touchdown and had great athletes then also. What was the result? BYU 31-6!!!

Sorry, I just don't buy all of the subtle BCS hype!

Ernesto de Bajo | 12:14 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Earlier, someone posted that the BCS was created in response to BYU's 1984 national championship. This is inaccurate. The real reason for what started as the Bowl Coalition in 1992, became the Bowl Alliance in 1995, and bloomed into it full ignominious glory in 1998 as the Bowl Championship Series was to reduce the potental for split national championships when the two apparently best teams in the country were committed to different bowl games.

We get a higher quality message board when folks think a little or do a bit of checking before laying down their "facts".

Anonymous | 12:16 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

BYU's underachievement is the direct result of Bronco trying to be a mission president rather than a football coach. He gets them all superstitious by believing what Collie spouted off: that victory on the field is the result of "living righteously" off the field. How stupid can you be? If that was really true, ALL the teams in the NFL would lose every game! But with this superstitious mentality, the players AND the coaches get this disconnect: they don't know that hard work, practice, execution, and talent is what wins games! Instead, they think they can win more games by doing more firesides, saying more prayers, and reading more scriptures!

C'mon, Bronco! This is Football! Get a clue!

hmmm | 1:10 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

It might not matter who their WR's are if Hall keeps throwing the ball to the other team....

Other 06 recruits returning | 1:20 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

With the concerns of the DBs for next year (every year) Robbie Buckner out of Arkansas will be returning from his mission. Robbie is a Arkansas state track champion and record holder, not sure of 40 speed but should compete for playing time and push others to be better. Are there any others besides Jacobson?

Re:Re: Spokane Cougar | 1:28 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Um, in 1994 BYU also lost to the University of Utah 34-31. So if you're using comparitive scoring, Utah would be the NC before BYU.

The Year Boise St. beat Oklahoma in the Fiesta bowl they were a good team not a great team. They were a two loss team going in and lost to the three highest ranked teams that they played. #7 Texas, #9 Boise St and #18 Oregon.

They are equivalent to this year's Ohio St.

TCU beat Oklahoma in 2005 not which is 3 years ago and that Oklahoma team was even worse. Which finished 8-4 to a TCU team that ended up 11-1

RE: Anonymous 12:16 p.m. | 1:27 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

It looks like you may not be a good match for BYU. This is not necessarily bad news. There are a lot of good teams out there to which you could apply your energy as a football fan. BYU is a different kind of cat and has a different set of priorities. It is not for everybody, which is okay. No worries.

Little Jimmy Brady | 1:55 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

mark my words after next year the majority of fans will be calling for Broncos head. Lets just remove him now before he messes the next season up.

Austin's Limits | 2:02 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

I don't see Austin Collie as an outside receiver in the NFL. He might be able to be a Wes Welker type of slot guy. Perhaps he could make a team and have a career of some sort--at best a 50/50 proposition for Collie in the NFL. I'll certainly be pulling for him and following him, though.

I think that his best place for next year is Provo. (Easy for me to say since I don't have a financial interest and the financial aspect is surely the critical consideration.) After another year at BYU, Austin's Cougar immortality will be assured. His NFL stardom (and even survivorship) is a possibility but far from assured and probably as good or better a proposition after a year as now.

Anonymous | 2:24 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Someone ought to check Tom Holmoe for brain cells, because even if we get collie and Jacobsen together on next years team we are going to get our heads handed to us. NICE ONE TOM!!

re: Anonymous | 3:04 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

You act like a Ute Troll trying to stir up rancor. Get a life, find a team to cheer for - maybe in North Korea - and cheer for them. You seem to be walking around with a permanent pickle in your mouth.

Re: Spokane Cougar | 3:23 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Let me make this simple: You said

"I lived in Oklahoma for 12 years and I can tell you that as much as I loved the cougars they can't compete with Oklahoma"

I totally agree with you if you are referring to this year's team. But that was not what was implied by your comments. Assuming you moved to Spokane two years ago that would mean you lived in Oklahoma in 1994. BYU beat Oklahoma 31-6 in 1994. Your first statement therefore is invalid.

You also stated that "outside of that (MWC) we are middle of the road." Again if you are referring to this year's team I would agree. However, since 1979 here is BYU's record against prominent Big 12 teams:

W L
Texas A&M 2 1
Texas 2 0
Oklahoma 1 0
Kansas St. 1 0
Colorado 2 0
Missouri 1 0

I believe that also brings into doubt your second statement as well.

bakerb | 3:50 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

I was bored at work, so I did a little research on Scout.com. This is what I turned up in regards to recruiting.

The data represents the National Ranking of the recruiting class for the year followed by the average rating per recruit (1 - 5 Star):

2009
BYU 37* 2.67
UTAH 57* 2.77

2008
BYU 57 2.56
UTAH 65 2.87*

2007
BYU 42 2.70*
UTAH 66 2.29

2006
BYU 46 2.32
UTAH 60 2.00

2005
BYU 53 2.17
UTAH 71 2.05

2004
BYU 55 2.21
UTAH 68 1.59

2003
BYU 59 2.38
UTAH 95 2.11

2002
BYU 46 2.64
UTAH 84 1.50

* highest score on years available

Since 2002 Average(this is as far as I could find data):

BYU 49.38 2.46
UTAH 70.75 2.15

This just provides a little food for thought for those that don't believe that BYU can compete against UTAH in the recruiting game. It also indicates that neither school is able to recruit near the top BCS Schools.

Blue Chelan 56 | 3:58 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Collie and Jacobson, as the two wideouts ,will be an improvement.Offensive line will need, big attention,to learn to run-block effectively.With the departure of Sorenson, a leg will be needed for kick-offs.Chambers may develop as a wide-out, but he has not shown the mental toughness to return kicks of any kind.Defense needs a couple ornery LB's. We can only hope that Santa was good to HILL with stockings full of Corner-backs and a Safety or two.Merry Christmass and Goooooo Cougs

Impressed by Poogar Optimism | 5:12 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

As a die hard Ute fan and a "blue" blood poogar-hater, I am pretty impressed with many of the above posters' optimism. Not even 2 weeks after the poogars embarassed the MWC and got it handed to them by the wild kitty cats from Arizona, there is already talk of BCS games, national championships, etc in 2009-10. What poogar fans lack in reason they definitely make up for with false optimism. Set those expectations high, poogars. I'll be there to laugh when you underachieve.

Oh, and if anyone is looking for me, I'll be in New Orleans - at my second BCS bowl in five years.

NC for Utes | 5:19 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

Rhett. 1984 was an annomily. It will never ever happen again. Utes have gone to the BCS bowls twice now in 3 seasons. The NEXT step for us is the NC game while you and your slow 2-star recruits will always be wannabes. Can't wait for next year when you'll be 8-5 and trying to talk yourselves into the fact that it was a good season.

The entire Ute Backfield is still opun!

Anonymous | 7:16 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

twice now in 5 seasons

Pee Wee | 7:43 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

The Utah Utes are the living embodiment of BYU's 2008 Quest For Perfection.

What will be Bronco's 2009 Quest that the Cougars will fail and the Utes will achieve?

Could it be a NC?

Please make it a NC Bronco.

Dave | 7:52 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

We love our BYU, NOT.

byufan | 8:53 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

poogar why should any utes be excited about losing their "im so proud of our bcs bowl game?" Do you really think you guys deserve to go over TCU? Utah is so proud of what happened in their 04 season but you didn't even play a quality team, you played Pitt. That'd be like playing Virginia Tech this year. If Utah had so much fun playing AFA and NM they're gonna have a blast against Alabama. Remember how Asiata didn't have such a stellar game against TCU? I'm sure it'll be a lot better with Bama. What good team this year did you play this year that you didnt struggle with? None... actually you struggled with teams that aren't that great either. That's alright... I'm sure Whittingham is going to love being overpaid for the next 5 years and your stellar recruits along with the other Ute fans will be on the side lines crying about how much better they are than BYU. Have fun in New Orleans

Anonymous | 8:56 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

by the to the anti-Mormon Utes, you have a lot of LDS players, staff, OH YEAH and Kyle Whittingham. I'm sure he loves your mocking his religion at the BYU games.

True Blue Athletic Supporter | 12:51 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

BYU is 32-7 over the last three seasons. The coaching staff has the program purring along in a manner not seen since at least the heyday of the Lavell Edwards era and more likely never before. The team has never been better aligned with the mission of the institution than now.

There is no need for anyone on the message boards to jump in and fix it all up.

BYU will be crushed | 11:03 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

by the Sooners, then they will be knocked out of the top-20 immediately instead of waiting all season long for the inevitable to occur. Bronco, quit playing cream-puff teams outside the MWC and continue the "Quest for Mediocrity".

True Blue Athletic Supporter #2 | 11:06 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Thank you to the previous comment. After watching the program digress during the days of Crowton, it has been great to see the program brought back into the correct mindset. BYU couldn't have done better than to pick Mendelhall as the head coach. He has turned the program around, and has the players focused on something more than the game. This is what BYU sports is all about. Winning while being an example. To the ute fan that thinks their team has fulfilled out quest, obviously you didn't understand it. The quest was for perfection on and off the field. I saw that with the cougars. They didn't have a perfect season in the stats, but I never saw this quest as that. It was more of a quest to be good sportsman while having a winning season. They succeeded in that! BYU players had better sportsmanship than all of the teams that they played. Bronco is doing a great job!! Keep up the good work Bronco!! You have the true fans behind you!!

Cougar Fan | 11:26 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Dear Anonymous,

Why so hurtful? You may have been shaken as a baby, I'm sorry about that and wish you the best.

1984 BYU is just like 2008 UofU (if the Utes win this week) and will be just as deserving of a National Championship as the Cougars were in 1984. Administrators schedule games, players compete. I won't take a title away from anyone who goes unbeaten!

Are we really talking about 1984? Let's move on, really. Thanks for listening.

about Romney Fuga.... | 11:45 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

My bro is serving in the Madagascar Antananarivo mission with Fuga right now, and Fuga has lost about 50-70 pounds due to how poor the country is, meaning they pretty much only eat rice lol. so something is telling me he's gonna have to find a new position to play after losing that much weight.

Ute hype | 1:24 p.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Tired of hearing how great TCU and Utah are and how "fast" they are. They played well as teams, but, they weren't holding conference championship trophy's the last two years , either. In fact, both have lost more than BYU the last few years. Take advantage of your opportunity, utes, because you know it will be 5 years before you get another shot!

John Walsh | 1:28 p.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Leaving BYU early has proven more than once to be a bad decision. If you aren't drafted in rounds 1 or 2, forget about it.

Jarid in Cedar | 4:15 p.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Ernesto de Bajo | 12:14 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Earlier, someone posted that the BCS was created in response to BYU's 1984 national championship. This is inaccurate. The real reason for what started as the Bowl Coalition in 1992, became the Bowl Alliance in 1995, and bloomed into it full ignominious glory in 1998 as the Bowl Championship Series was to reduce the potental for split national championships when the two apparently best teams in the country were committed to different bowl games.
====================================================

The specific year that caused the most stir was when Colorado and Geargia Tech Split the NC(I believe 1990) when Colorado beat Missouri on the famous "5th down" play. This was the year that the ball really got rolling for the Bowl alliance and so forth. The full BCS was completed in response to Nebraska winning the NC(1994) in the "NC game" while undefeated Penn State took second because the Rose bowl was not part of the Bowl Alliance.

re: True Blue Athletic Supporter | 5:01 p.m. Dec. 30, 2008

BYU's sportsmanship is non-existent. You seem to forget Max Hall's cheap shot at Joe Dale (he pushed him to the ground) after one of his interceptions. Does that sound perfect to you?

True Blue Athletic Supporter #2 | 5:28 p.m. Dec. 30, 2008

BYU couldn't have done better than to pick Mendelhall as the head coach. He has turned the program around, and has the players focused on something more than the game. This is what BYU sports is all about. Winning while being an example. To the ute fan that thinks their team has fulfilled out quest, obviously you didn't understand it. The quest was for perfection on and off the field. I saw that with the cougars. They didn't have a perfect season in the stats, but I never saw this quest as that. It was more of a quest to be good sportsman while having a winning season. They succeeded in that! BYU players had better sportsmanship than all of the teams that they played.

IS THAT WHY YOUR QUARTERBACK HALL WAS CALLED FOR THE UNSPORTSMAN PENALTY AND GEE HE GOT AWAY WITH THE PUNCH HE THREW>>>GET REAL YOU FAIL THAT TEST TOO!!!

Huh | 8:26 p.m. Dec. 30, 2008

He was preaching Christianity i thought he was LDS

dallasfreeways | 8:45 a.m. Dec. 31, 2008

Huh: Give it a rest. This is a discussion of BYU football, not whether the LDS Church is Christian.

RE: Huh | 12:11 p.m. Dec. 31, 2008

That is such a close minded and stupid thing to say. A Christian is someone who believes that Jesus Christ was the savior of the world, and the LDS church believes that. That is such a rediculous thing to say, get your facts straight before you start showing your uneducated stupidity.

CAM the RAM | 12:54 p.m. Dec. 31, 2008

The MWC seems to be getting better and competing more. Five teams at bowls this year is great.

So sad that byu will be the only one to lose their bowl.

We (CSU) represented well and TCU did so far. Air Force should win in the Armed forces and the Utes will represent well win or lose because they have broken the BCS for the second time and are in the sugar bowl.

I follow all college football and it is so beneficial this year for the MWC. I would be happy if any MWC team was in the BCS so all you cougars don't get your underwear in a bunch. Don't freak.

Hear this though CSU is not the doormat and will be in the running next year for MWC champ. Cougars were lucky to leave here with a win this year.

Go RAMS. {{--}}

byufan | 4:13 p.m. Dec. 31, 2008

yeah maybe they'll stand a chance next year in Provo with their amazing team

Kim | 7:08 p.m. Dec. 31, 2008

Congrats to Jacobsen for finishing his mission in Japan! I really admire these men for putting in 2 years anywhere they are sent to serve other people, teach about Christ and help people improve their lives. Japanese is a tough language but learning it should serve him in a career as well, serving God will bless him for a lifetime. Anyone who rips that service that is just warped.

I watched Southlake Carroll lose the TX state title back in 2003 against Katy TX in the Alamodome. I don't believe McKay played much that game, but I did enjoy our Katy Tigers with TCUs Andy Dalton at QB and Brown at RB beat Chase Daniel that year! The most exciting HS game ever!

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