Deseret News | BYU, Utah Utes football: O-lines may be key to MWC race

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Dick Harmon: BYU, Utah Utes football: O-lines may be key to MWC race

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Boise State | 9:46 a.m. July 3, 2008

Didn't we pound Utah, Utah State and BYU. BOISE STATE RULES!!!!!!!!!

John Beck is still crying | 9:49 a.m. July 3, 2008

M ack

A siata

F ourty points a game

U tah 42, TDS 23

Prove it | 9:54 a.m. July 3, 2008

Preseason hype is useless. As fun as it is for fans (or players and coaches for that matter) to bash and brag about how awesome their team is going to be in November, its stupid. I'm sure some people get a kick out of saying "I told you so" when their prediction happens to come true.

This season should be a good one considering the increase in talents on both sides (and around the league). But its hard to compare who is going to have a better season from spring training and preseason speculation. According to ESPN, TCU, UofU and BYU are going to be the heavy weights this year, but even they aren't making predictions. Ask Michigan how useful preseason rankings are...

I just hope the refs don't screw it up this year. They need to ditch their agendas and let the game be played.

Comments continue below

stupid yewts | 9:53 a.m. July 3, 2008

and another thing... you guys think you're so original for using "the team down south" as the name for BYU, just because your hack of a coach, Urban Meyer, ripped that phrase off of someone else. Do you realize he ripped that off of Bo Schembechler, who used to refer to Ohio State as such?

Meyer did this blatant plagiarism right in front of you to sound smart and he knew all you uneducated Yewts would believe anything anyone said.

Enjoy your beatdown at the BIG HOUSE, and another mediocre season losing to teams like UNLV and Utah State. Your season highlight will be playing Coach Mac and Weber!

Re: SLC'er | 10:00 a.m. July 3, 2008

Two words. Dennis Pitta. Best TE in MWC.

Boise State | 10:01 a.m. July 3, 2008

BSU is so good that 4 people outside of Western Idaho has heard of them.
Plus we offer one of the top 50 truck driving programs in the Western Idaho/Eastern Oregon area.

Re: The Ty | 10:02 a.m. July 3, 2008

BJ had an 8-1 record in games he started and finished last year. Hall was 11-2 in games he started and finished last year. BOTH of BYU's losses were due to Max Hall's POOR DECISION MAKING(holding on to the ball too long, poor ball security, throwing bad passes into tight coverage) BJ's lone loss was NOT due to poor decision making. His shoulder injury was much worse than Hall's(as evidenced by the fact that he needed off-season surgery and Hall did not), and it forced the coaches to limit his running and the depth/accuracy of his throws. When healthy, BJ is the best QB in the MWC.

As for BJ being fat, as you claimed. The dude has a six-pack. You probably think he looks fat in his uniform because he wears a 'flap-jacket.' A lot of QB's wear them as additional protection for their lower ribs and kidney's. I wouldn't expect a BYU fan to know that, though. 99% of you never even played little league football, so why would you know anything about the equipment the players wear?

Re: Harline open..Collie Open | 10:05 a.m. July 3, 2008

Sheide throws another touchdown.
Nielsen throws another touchdown.
Wilson throws another touchdown.
McMahon throws another touchdown.
Young throws another touchdown.
Bosco throws another touchdown.
Detmer throws another touchdown.
Kaneshanko's kick is still doinking.
Staley is still running.
Harline is still open.
Collie is still open.
Unga is still running.

re: stupid yewts | 10:09 a.m. July 3, 2008

Like you zoobies have ANY business criticizing for lack of creativity when EVERY SINGLE ARTICLE about either school has zoobs repeating for the billionth time, "Harline is still open" and " 4th and 18"

Stop throwing stones from a glass house.

re: haunyocker | 10:14 a.m. July 3, 2008

Forgive the "yewtniks" (nice, I'll bet that catches on). It appears they are dazed and confused by an uncharacteristically honest evaluation by Dick.

Just Play the Game | 10:15 a.m. July 3, 2008

Yadda, yadda, yadda, my team will beat your team, my dad has an elephant gun and can shoot your dad, or my dad can beat up your dad, or my QB (for acronym man) is better than your QB . . . and on and on.

As far as I know, no one, nope not anybody, zilch, zero, nada, have played, or won, a game yet this football season. Glory in past years, it's water under the bridge. Just play the game. As a coach I always said, "Just play the game" and that tells the story.

So, to BYU, undefeated season and you're playing in a BCS game, but you have to go undefeated. To Utah, go undefeated and . . . ba ha ha ha! Just play the game! But, thanks for an enoyable read.

Oh, and can the BYU fans that can't spell words like barely (not barley which is a grain), and defenCe and offenCe (instead of defense and offense) just not post. Your writing becomes almost as bad as the Ute fan who speaks of rEdiculous. At least you make me laugh.

G'Day Mates | 10:21 a.m. July 3, 2008

Dudley LaPorte and Dennis Arm Pitta are both good and potentially great tight ends. It is not a "no brainer."

Also, Mack probably won't have another 1,000 yard season. He won't need to with a healthy Asiata getting carries.

What's up with BYU fans continually saying "QWEST for perfection"? Is their season sponsored by the phone company?

Goal should be Beat The System | 10:19 a.m. July 3, 2008

Way to go, Utes! U had a perfect season once. I even cheered for the Utes. Glad U are satisfied with that one goal, so much so that you aren't making it your goal this season. The reason U tell BYU that you have already accomplished that goal is because U don't expect to achieve it again. Pathetic!

Are you living in the present? BYU owns the bragging rights. BYU is the team to beat. They are the conference champs until proven otherwise. They upheld the MWC in the last most significant bowl win. They beat Utah last we met. Quit living in the past. We own you in the present.

Utes used to talk about beating BYU, used to talk about winning conference at one point, and used to talk about BYU bowl games, but now all you have is BYU hasn't won a Bogus Championship Series game against someone like Pitt. That too will change, this year, so get the jabs in now. As for a National Championship, you NEVER met that goal, but we ALREADY DID. Consistent winning could do it again, in 2 yrs. BYU's goals test if the BCS will fairly crown an NC.

Paul Carter | 10:21 a.m. July 3, 2008

Dick you must be the best writer in the world, no getrs the comments on articles like you do!!! Keep up the good work you must be hitting the right topics.

YOU GUYS | 10:31 a.m. July 3, 2008

need to be reminded that you play in the MTN west conference. It is one of the worst in America. What is your argument? You don't play anybody! You guys who are UTAH or BYU fans need a reality check and play the humble card instead of running your mouths 2 months before the first game like every year of existence and then you guys moan cry why you are in Vegas. Just play the humble "glad to be here" card.

You guys are the worst fans | 10:31 a.m. July 3, 2008

In America! HAppy 4th of July! This year stop the whining and complaining and ridicoulis comments.

Can't wait for the real thing | 10:41 a.m. July 3, 2008

Everything is just a prediction in the preseason. Obviously we are all biased toward our respective teams. But how dare Dick Harmon report what every other prestigious sports news outlet in the country is reporting:

BYU IS EXPECTED TO BE THE NON-BCS TEAM TO BEAT THIS COMING YEAR.

You don't have to accept that BYU will be the best non-BCS team this year because no football has been played, but as near as any football expert can tell at this time in the preseason, the fact remains that no non-BCS team has more right to that claim right now. To say otherwise shows your stupidity.

BYU fans have bragging rights all right, and the more that Ute fans dispute it the more apparent their silly bubble talk is. Who could take your forecast for the season seriously if you don't think BYU is the team to beat. Oh well, just like the last two years it is that much more sweet when BYU then goes and proves it on the field, and even sweeter when Utah struggles to acknowledge the better team as BYU walks away with the win and a championship once again.

NO KIDDING | 10:51 a.m. July 3, 2008

...AND THE TEAM THAT SCORES THE MOST POINTS WILL WIN...OFCOURSE IT COMES DOWN TO OFFENSIVE LINE!!. THANK YOU CAPTAIN OBVIOUS.

Utah Man | 10:51 a.m. July 3, 2008

These comments from Y fans are so funny: "Harline is still open!" "Collie is still open!" That, with calling Ute fans "Yewtes".

Gees, Y fans, do they teach anything beyond Junior High education at the Y?

You guys are funny. I would be ashamed to be a Y fan with these embarrasing comments. Some of you seem to think that these comments actually mean something.

As to which team will be better this season? I think it will be the team that has the least injuries. Really, on paper, both the U and the Y look like great teams.

Re: Can't wait for the real thin | 11:05 a.m. July 3, 2008

Utah has a more favorable schedule(TCU and BYU at home, UNM after a bye) and returns more starters than BYU(16 vs. 12). To say that Utah doesn't have at least the same 'claim' to be the best non-BCS team shows your stupidity. BYU is only getting so much pre-season national love because they return so much offense from an 11-2 team. Most of the analysts discount BYU's lack of experience on defense. Inexperienced defense = LOSSES

But, we will see come this fall. I don't think either team will make it to the BCS. Utah will win the MWC title, though.

It is pretty humorous | 11:05 a.m. July 3, 2008

Zoobie
Team Down South

OR

Harline is still open
Collie is still open

Which of these phrases actually reference something of meaning, where it counts--the scoreboard.

Kewger cry babies | 11:16 a.m. July 3, 2008

Kewgers are just sad they haven't played in a decent bowl game this decade.

WARNING! | 11:27 a.m. July 3, 2008

Sound the alarm. Stop all this talk about a perfect season etc. We're all over looking a potential stumbling-block. Everyone thinks Northern Iowa is a "gimme" game. The Panthers are tough. They play Division I style football, they score often and they are FAST! If you doubt me go to You Tube and watch their highlights. As a seasoned Cougar fanatic (I graduated before BYU learned what a forward pass was all about) I've seen what happens when the Cougs look past an under rated foe. (Remember Tulsa?) This may actually be the toughest game of the season. If the coaches can't convince the team that these guys are a danger, it could be ugly.

randy | 11:25 a.m. July 3, 2008

finally tom sorensen will get to pancake the opposition where they belong .. he will be all-american and go first round in the nfl draft (has two years to decide ?) if he wants ...
just hope the 'rest' of the team can pull their weight and do their jobs correctly
show your stuff tom ...

Anonymous | 11:38 a.m. July 3, 2008

Agreed, Warning!
Just ask Michigan about App State. Northern Iowa could present a lot of problems, especially it being the first game of the season.

Concast-hater | 11:50 a.m. July 3, 2008

My request for all is not to predict the other team losing to an easy team. It gets really to hear this every week.

Realisticly the BYU/Utah game can go ether way. I'll admit Utah may win the big game(with a little magic and living right). However BYU will win the conference because of more wins this year. BJ is only a slightly better than average QB with a fragile body.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ | 11:55 a.m. July 3, 2008

until UCLA!!

Dios | 12:00 p.m. July 3, 2008

none of this matters.

these are the facts | 12:51 p.m. July 3, 2008

"Best secondary? Utah, hands down"
- except when it's 4th and 18 or there's only 8 seconds left in the game and BYU is 12 yds from the endzone!

"Best special teams player? No brainer, the Utes' Louis Sakoda"
- except that BYU now has Justin Sorensen. Half-way thru the season it'll be "Louis who?"

"Best defensive line? TCU or BYU, led by sack leader Jan Jorgensen"
- BYU of course

"Best receiver? Brent Casteel and Austin Collie can make a case.."
- Collie will eat Casteel's lunch! No contest.

"Best tight end? No brainer. BYU's Dennis Pitta"
- of course

"Best running back? I love Ferguson at UNM, he's tough and fast. But Unga and Mack will each go over a thousand yards..."
- Mack might get over 1000 but BYU is going to win at L.E.S. North! Three in a row over the yoots, baby!!!

GO COUGARS!!!!

Facts | 12:52 p.m. July 3, 2008

The only reason BYU lost to Tulsa is because butter fingers Max Hall had too many turnovers.Tulse could not stop BUY from scoring BYU stopped themselves.If Hall can hold on to the ball the BYU offense can score at will.

Straw poll | 1:06 p.m. July 3, 2008

Who's worse?

The juvenile name callers or the self righteous, "can't we just get along" types?

MADRYBEG | 1:12 p.m. July 3, 2008

The one comment I have never seen mentioned is one that I feel should be addressed...what is the BCS committee thinking if BOTH BYU and UTAH are undefeated at the end of the year before the game is played? Who would they rather have represent the BCS? BYU? They are a great team and very deserving but BYU has a bad schedule. Utah is a great team and very deserving but Utah has a better schedule. Per strength of schedule alone the BCS will want UTAH over BYU. How much of this will be played out at season's end. If Utah doesn't go through the midseason lull as has happened during Kyle's tenure then watch out. With Utah having been there before, and very successful before, and a better schedule BYU will be hard pressed for the invite. Good luck to both teams. If nothing else I hope both teams are ranked at seasons end. Only once in history? And not since 1994? We as fans deserve better!

Re: Facts | 1:38 p.m. July 3, 2008

Yeah, the byU offense can score at will . . . . just like they did against UCLA . . . and against TCU . . . and against Utah . . . . and against UCLA again. Please . . . byU's offense only scores big against weak defenses.

Indignation? | 1:43 p.m. July 3, 2008

The Utah fans rise up indignantly when their school is tweaked, but they turn a blind eye when it they do the same or worse. Get over it, it's only football. If you want to compare schools, try looking at the ACT scores of incoming freshmen, number of Merit scholars, percentage of graduates going on the grad school, etc. No contest.

Boise fan, FACT! | 1:46 p.m. July 3, 2008

Fact Boise State beat BYU at BYU by 38. Boise State beat Utah, at Utah by 33. Boise State beat Utah State, at Utah State by 52.

Ute | 1:48 p.m. July 3, 2008

I love the fact that Y fans cant take a loss as a loss. There will always be a "we beat ourselves" or "the refs cost us the game". Own up and take a loss you babies. We got our trash handed to us by UNLV and Air force last year. A loss is a loss, no excuses.

Kewgs | 1:50 p.m. July 3, 2008

You forgot one, Michael Reed is still wide open in the end zone (2005), too bad your QB couldn't get him the ball.

Zoobie 56 | 1:50 p.m. July 3, 2008

RE: MADRYBEG

Maybe it wouldn't matter to the BCS committee which team would represent the BCS in the aforementioned scenario. I don't think the schedules are much different. A win over Michigan at the Big House would be a big accomplishment for anyone. However, Michigan has a new coach and appears to be rebuilding. (they aren't ranked in many pre-season polls, which is unusual for Michigan) The Utes play Michigan and Oregon State, but also play poor Ron Mcbride's Wildcats. BYU plays Washington and UCLA, but also hosts Northern Iowa. Both schools play Utah State. I say if the Utes and Cougs go undefeated, which is a gigantic if, the winner of the rivalry game deserves a BCS game.

Utah fan, FACT! for Boise | 1:59 p.m. July 3, 2008

FACT: Utah got into the BCS when a team had to be top 6 to get in. boise tech only got in after the requirements were loosened.

FACT: Utah crushed every team they played in '04. boise tech needed last second field goals against teams like San Jose and New Mexico State.

Go eat an orange and blue potato boise.

re: Boise fan, fact | 2:01 p.m. July 3, 2008

Fact: BYU has a Heisman Trophy winner
Fact: BYU has a National Championship

So, scoreboard. Now go away.

But hey, congrats on your big wins againts the Utah schools-- looks like you're getting plenty of mileage on that.

Boise state fan | 2:15 p.m. July 3, 2008

When was the last time BYU played in a BCS game....NEVER. DON"T BRING UP 84, that was 28 years ago. BOISE HAS BEEN THE MOST DOMINANT NON-BCS TEAM THE PAST 10 YEARS. FACE IT!!!!

Re: Boise State fan | 2:24 p.m. July 3, 2008

1984 was 24 years ago, not 28. When did you get your Big-Rig degree from boise tech hair and beauty school?

Go Utes!!

Anonymous | 2:30 p.m. July 3, 2008

Based on all of the ranked opponents that the Cougs faced in 1984, I think that they proved they could beat any team in the country. Obviously they could handily beat the 2004 Utes. Oh wait, can you name a team that BYU beat that had any significance that year? Given the rules today, BYU would not have been the National Champs. Given the rules in 1984, the 2004 Utes may have had a share of the title.

Walt | 2:33 p.m. July 3, 2008

Ray Feinga is the left guard, not tackle and Dallas Reynolds is the most decorated in terms of pre-season watch lists.

Boise State | 2:38 p.m. July 3, 2008

It's clear the WAC is the better of the two conferences. Boise and Hawaii have both been to BCS games in the past two years. Not to mention Fresno and Nevada are better that almost every school in the MWC except TCU.

to Re: the Ty | 2:41 p.m. July 3, 2008

haha funny Ute fans. You mad fun of BYU quarterbacks for not knowing what a "flap-jacket" is. I wouldnt know what one is either. Im a high school qb and i dont wear anything called a "flap jacket". the proper name for it is a FLAK jacket

Yeah, Boise State Fan... | 2:43 p.m. July 3, 2008

That's 24 years.... NOT 28 years.

BIG DIFFERENCE...

When it gets to be 28 years BYU fans will still be looking for their first BSC bowl and they will still be talking about the mythical NC...

...Well, maybe not such a big difference after all...

Turn and play the angle | 2:43 p.m. July 3, 2008

Dallas Reynolds was HORRIBLE last year. He tries to back peddle to get in front of the D-ends who line up outside of him, rather than drop his outside foot back, turn and get the angle. Who on earth can back peddle faster than other people can run going forward. Play the angles, Reynolds.

That said, was Reynolds horrible despite, or because of the new line coach?

re: Anonymous | 2:46 p.m. July 3, 2008

Um, if we didn't have rocket boosters, we wouldn't have landed on the moon, but we did. Your post is one of the most non-sensical, un-readable posts ever. The bottom line is we DID win the National Championship and you're just going to have to find a way to get over it. All of this what-if and schedule blah blah blah means nothing. If the Celtics hadn't traded for KG, they wouldn't have won a ring. But they did, so they have a ring. The 2004 Utes will ONLY be remembered by the 18 Ute fans that care. Everyone else has already forgotten.

re: Walt | 2:52 p.m. July 3, 2008

Dallas Reynolds was HORRIBLE, and got beat on the game breaking plays at UCLA. I don't care what any pre-season watch list that talks to his daddy says, how many of them watched the tape?

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