Deseret News | Reader comments: Who'll be Mountain West Conference's new star?

Reader comments
Dick Harmon: Who'll be Mountain West Conference's new star?

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nobody | 12:15 a.m. July 5, 2008

Utah has another D-lineman... his name is Sealver Siliga.. Utah State powerlifting champion.. explosive run stuffer.. he will be someone to watch out for as a freshmen

The Ty | 12:17 a.m. July 5, 2008

If Brian Johnson plays as well as some think he will, he'll deserve to be nominated as MWC's new star. He has not delivered anything near to what some think he'll bring this season. The BJ that most ute fans and some prognosticators expect this season would be new to me.

JD | 12:29 a.m. July 5, 2008

Wow Dick, you actually wrote about other teams and their players, are you sick?

Comments continue below

Dr. J. | 7:22 a.m. July 5, 2008

JD (just dippy), Dick is only supposed to write about BYU football, that's why he got hired. It's when he gets way out on those golf peices that irritates the rest of us.

Well, ya know, JD... | 7:51 a.m. July 5, 2008

... Harmon IS a BYU beat writer. A bit of a cheerleader, yes, but he gets paid to write about the COUGS. But the story this week was the conference meetings, so it involved other teams and players. Just a bit of FYI there for ya.

Re: JD | 8:03 a.m. July 5, 2008

It is widely known that Mr. Harmon writes in depth about BYU. His roots at the Provo Daily Herald proved that years ago.

He is a "homer" for BYU--but that sells newspapers and, obviously, gets readers (like you) to look at his articles. He must be doing his job.

Maybe we can stick to making comments about the substance of his article instead of making comments about the writer.

TM | 8:07 a.m. July 5, 2008

JD, since he's the BYU reporter don't you think he would mostly focus on BYU. Wow, you are a genius.

Somebody | 8:54 a.m. July 5, 2008

JD, ease up on Dick. Maybe you are not aware, but Dick is the D-News beat writer for BYU. That is his assignment, to write about BYU.

Thanks Dick for this preview of who to watch.

underrated? | 9:15 a.m. July 5, 2008

All I've heard about this offseason is BYU's lines, offensive and defensive. It's hard to think of them as underrated at this point. I'm expecting 6-7 all MWC selections from the two Provo lines.

Kind of hard to still consider a redshirt off a mission as a freshmam. He's, what, 22 or 23 years old?

RE: The TY | 9:22 a.m. July 5, 2008

Uh... This article was about freshman being the new stars. BJ is no longer a freshman, so he doesn't count. He still will be just average though.

Don | 9:31 a.m. July 5, 2008

Ryan Lindley could be a 4 year starter at QB for SDSU. Coach Long is really high on him.

re: Re: JD | 9:36 a.m. July 5, 2008

"Maybe we can stick to making comments about the substance of his article instad of making comments about the writer."

You mean like you did? You're such a great example...

The Road to the BCS | 9:44 a.m. July 5, 2008

This will be a great year for the Cougars. Some think they will lose a couple of conference games because their toughest ones are not at home this season. Yeah, sure they will. This year's team is going to be quite a bit better than John Beck's senior year in '06 when the team went undefeated in conference and all their toughest conference opponents were. . .road games!

Provo Joe | 10:00 a.m. July 5, 2008

J.J. DiLuigi will be the MWC Frosh of the Year. He is fast and a change of pace running back the Cougars need. With him added in the mix with Unga and Fui, watch out. BYU won't have to pass to beat U.

Dick is that you??? | 10:14 a.m. July 5, 2008

Acknowledging good players at other schools?

Nah... couldn't be...

Alright, who kidnapped Dick Harmon?

Kicker man its all about the kic | 10:41 a.m. July 5, 2008

BYU has the best kicker in the country and no one knows it. This guy will give them 1/2 a touchdown everytime they cross the other teams 40 yardline. For you simpletons up north, kicking will be your down fall.....how did the USC's let this kid get away? I say right now he has a 66 yard kick go through this year...

Locally Speaking | 10:47 a.m. July 5, 2008

I think the most likely guys to make impacts as newcomers will be the JC WR/TE transfers at Utah(Key, Reed, and Dudley Laporte) or even some of the incoming Defensive Lineman(Kruger, Siliga, Tuione).

There is an immediate need at these positions and these players are all very hyped recruits.

Can we count Asiata as a new star since he never really got to prove what he can do last year(broken leg on his fourth carry)?

At byU, they had better hope some of their DB's can be stars. If not, it is going to be a LOOOOONNNNG season in Provostan.

WARNING! | 11:02 a.m. July 5, 2008

DANGER Bronco Mendenhal, Danger BYU fans! Every one assumes The Nothern Iowa game is a "gimmie."...just a tune-up for the season. Wrong! The Panthers are GOOD. They are fast. They throw the ball deep, their special team players score fast and often. They play Division one quality football. Go to You Tube and watch their highlights. Look past them and it coud get ugly. Remember Tulsa? As a seasoned Cougar Fan (I graduated before the Googs learned what a forward pass was all about) This game scares me.

Re: WARNING! | 11:33 a.m. July 5, 2008

Really? Well as a fan, I make it a point not to overlook any opponent my team plays. I just try to take it one game at a time . . . . Wait a minute! I'm just a fan, it DOESN'T MATTER if I look ahead to the following game against WASHINGTON.

Northern Iowa is a cupcake, a creampuff, a gimmie, a guaranteed 'W'! They are NOTHING to worry about. BYU's scout team could beat them playing 10 against 11.

p.s. Who are the Googs?

Utah Fan | 11:56 a.m. July 5, 2008

I have seen Justin Sorensen kick. If BYU gets the ball to the opposing 40..."IT'S GOOD"! This kid is for real. Freshman of the Year, maybe. Special Teams player of the year, nah- you'll have to beat out Louie Sakoda for that one. Don't plan on it because you aren't a punter/kicker with national recognition like Sakoda.

re:RE: The TY | 9:22 a.m. | 11:56 a.m. July 5, 2008

I'm sure that BJ will play very well in the three or four games he plays in, before he get's hurt. I hope he stays healthy, but he is fragile, and doesn't really play well hurt.

However, for as solid as his all around game is, it makes you wonder why they keep taking him out replacing him at quarterback. Wouldn't you want to keep the ball in the hands of your best player? So if he isn't the Utes best player, how could he be the conferences best?

Same thing with Asiata. How many plays in before he gets hurt. Mabe another Luke Stahle?

Bingham High kicker Justin Sorensen gets my nod. When BYU went undefeated in league last year with their weak kicking game leaves little doubt that a true kicker will change the whole game for BYU, and the season.

Re: The Ty | 12:09 p.m. July 5, 2008

If BJ has a good season he will be new to you?

As a sophomore, BJ ended the season 4th in the nation in total offense. He didn't even play in the last two games of the year because of injuries.

He has demonstrated the physical ability and intelligence to be very successful in this league.

Sure he has been injury plagued, but cut him some slack. People aren't high on his potential for no good reason.

Seattle | 12:47 p.m. July 5, 2008

I agree with counting on Utah's Asiata for having a big impact on the conference and Utahs success or lack thereof.

I cant imagine the pressure that will be on the UTAH - BYU game if both teams are highly ranked with only 1 loss or so. (being undefeated is not a possibility)

Can BYU do it three times in a row? Only if Utah chokes for a third time. I dont think they will let that happen. We will have to see.

The Brian Johnson Kool-Aid | 12:55 p.m. July 5, 2008

Just keep drinking the Brian Johnson Kool-Aid, ute fans. Dude has been nothing but unfulfilled expectations so far. Hanging your hat on Brian Johnson will give you another year of looking up at BYU in the MWC standings. It will be fun to see what excuses you come up with after Brian Johnson leaves and things just stay the same at utah.

kicking | 12:56 p.m. July 5, 2008

for those of you who don't know Mitch Payne isn't that bad. He was hurt all year but the team didn't make that public. He was getting shots before every game to numb his whole leg so he could kick. This year he will be better. And dohn't expect them to just give the spot to Sorenson. He is a freshamn and not used to all of this. Besides bronco will still make them battle for it.

Duck Creek | 1:25 p.m. July 5, 2008

The kicking battle won't be a battle at all. Sorensen not only kicks long field goals, but he kicks long....get it, kicks long..like into the end zone and not to the 10 yard line or out of bounds. Payne did an adequate job at times, but Sorensen will be a weapon!

Coogeyman | 1:32 p.m. July 5, 2008

Just remember, that last year Appalachian St. smacked Michigan for a loss, and they're not near the team that No. Iowa is, who happen to beat the heck out of Iowa St. Now, I'm not suggesting that N. I.'s coming to Provo and hanging a loss on the Cougs. But, I am suggesting that they are a team worthy of respect. This game might end up being a liitle more competitive than we like.

Jaggers | 1:35 p.m. July 5, 2008

Payne could not kick a field goal more than 40 yards. Sorenson can kick it 60 yards. Sorenson gets touchbacks, Payne kicks it out of bounds. Face it Payne will be riding the bench this year.

Sorensen=Pringle | 1:44 p.m. July 5, 2008

BYU lets hold off on the Sorensen talk until he's proved himself. I seem to remember "the best DB" recruit in BYU history, Tico Pringle.....and where is he now, SUU.

Sorensen already better | 2:02 p.m. July 5, 2008

For those who aren't sure about this, Justin Sorensen is already much better than Mitch Payne on field goals and kickoffs. He will be the new starter for these two kicking duties.

Ernest T. Bass | 3:29 p.m. July 5, 2008

byu should win the national championship.

Sorensen??? | 4:34 p.m. July 5, 2008

Let's see how Brother Sorensen handles the pressure when he gets booed by the byu faithful.

Until then it's just typical byu hype.

Sorensen | 4:58 p.m. July 5, 2008

He was kicking a synthetic ball in high school that travels farther than a college ball does. He will lose anywhere from 5 to 12 yards on his distance when he is kicking for the y.

How far will he be able to kick it at the lower elevation in Washington?

BYU...Road to... | 5:40 p.m. July 5, 2008

You fans amaze me. You have no sense of reality. To a ute fan there is no such thing as a worthy cougar. to a cougar fan you have never had a realistic view of a Ute or Ute team. All I know is that over the last 16 years the Utes own the series.Over the life of the series the Utes have the edge. Over the last 10 years the Utes have demonstrated a greater ability to win the games that count. Over the last ten years the Utes have put more "playing" players in the NFL. Believe what you want these two programs are a push and two of the three dominant teams in a mediocre conference. Continue to enjoy your fantasy

OH MY | 5:41 p.m. July 5, 2008

Congrats to Sorensen at 4:58. Thanks for putting useful info on here.

Sportsmanship | 5:52 p.m. July 5, 2008

I was told it isn't whether you win or lose, it is how you play the game! LOL

re:BYU...Road to... | 6:30 p.m. July 5, 2008

Right, the BCS conferences have a monopoly on players, and the big football money, making it harder for the non-bcs teams to compete. Schools like Baylor, Iowa State etc... get more money for their football programs than the non-BCS teams, just because of the conference they are in. Because they have more money, they can buy better facilities, and it makes a big difference.
"Many conferences split revenue equally, meaning Duke, which went winless, will receive the same cut from the Atlantic Coast as Wake Forest, which is in the FedEx Orange Bowl... The Big Ten will divide $34.4 million and, after all expenses are taken out, each of the 11 schools will receive about $2 million."
For the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, Oklahoma got 17 million for the game, while Boise State got 9 million. A deal with the non-BCS conferences means Boise State had to share the payout with the other non-BCS conferences. Even when a non-BCS team makes a BCS bowl, the payout is still uneven. No need for elitist snobbery here anyway.

re Dickey lovers | 8:28 p.m. July 5, 2008

Why don't you guys try to be a little more objective? Believe it or not BYU is not the only school in the state. Dickey writes for a local newspaper now, not BYU news, therefore he should be more objective too!

Value | 11:49 p.m. July 5, 2008

>Believe it or not BYU is not the only school in the state.

True, but the others aren't really anything worth talking about, so it's not a problem.

RE: re Dickey lovers | 8:28 p.m. | 12:36 a.m. July 6, 2008

Huh? Whut? Looks like somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed today.

The so-called "Dickey lovers" made valid points. Strange as it might be for a BYU beat writer at a newspaper that caters to a BYU audience to actually WRITE ABOUT BYU--it's the truth!

Also, what's so "Dickey lover" about pointing out that Harmon's a homer, too, as several wrote? Also the sad truth--much as I wish it weren't--doesn't help the DN look unbiased. But you take what you can get from the Provo Herald, I guess. I sometimes cringe when I read Harmon--and I'm a Y guy.

READ the posts, my friend. READ!

Mitchell | 3:48 a.m. July 6, 2008

I served with Mitch Payne and go to school with him currently. He is capable of kicking 60 yard field goals. No one knows the injuries that plagued him last year. True, he did not perform as well as he could have, but healthy he is the real deal. I think we will see a different Mitch this year. The position won't be handed over to Sorenson freely

BYU fans are sad | 8:48 a.m. July 6, 2008

How pathetic that BYU fans want a 'Homer' to write for their team.

Personally, I like hearing un-biased opinions and information about the Utes from Wodraska and Lewis over at the Tribune. I only read the D-News when I need a good laugh and Dick Harmon rarely disappoints in that category.

eeww | 11:49 a.m. July 6, 2008

funny ute fans

Mike Buys | 12:19 p.m. July 6, 2008

To the idiot Ute fan that Dick Harmon was a Homer you really did'nt read the article with an open mind. He was simply saying that Utah and Byu have a good foundation of football players and thier programs are on the up swing. Dick was trying pick out who the other darkhorses in the league would be with thier new freshman classes and who would be an impact player for thier teams. Real football knowledgeable people would have detected that, and not added a dumb comment like you just did. Un-biased opinions and information on the Utes from Harmon is good journalism.

byu mwc champs | 4:42 p.m. July 6, 2008

idc what any one says byu is the best team in the mwc not utah. byu is ranked 14 in the nation, utah was 6-6 last year and byu is getting better for the next 4 years so all u ute fans might as well give up hope for 4 years

Anonymous | 7:26 p.m. July 6, 2008

Not sure but most likely will be a cougar.

Funny | 8:33 p.m. July 6, 2008

When I read the Trib, all they seem to want to do is talk up the Utes. 'Must be something to do with the job!

Sorenson is Good | 8:33 p.m. July 6, 2008

I live in South Jordan and watch Bingham football. Sorenson can be erratic at times but he has one of the strongest legs in the country including college and pro. As a Ute fan, I know that once BYU crosses mid field, Sorenson becomes a weapon for his team. I watched him kick 61 yard field goal two separate times in pressure-filled games. One of them cleared the goal post by 10 yards. It will be interesting to see if Sorenson goes on a mission or stays 4 straight years. If he goes, it will be extremely difficult to regain his form and power. If he stays, he'll certainly be playing on Sunday.

Anonymous | 11:09 p.m. July 6, 2008

I'm sorry Mitch Payne fans, but his kicking was PAYNEful to watch. It almost made you wonder if nepatism was a factor from big brother(who was questionable when we needed him) It doesn't matter if Sorenson is inexperienced. We'll throw him to the wolves right away, and he'll get acclimated fast. He's mature for his age, and he'll be such a weapon. I'm sorry but i'm a BYU kicking critic, and I don't think BYU has had very good kickers, including the Potchman brothers, and the Payne brothers. Kicking in the clutch was not their forte. The only reason they got noticed is because of all the extra points they had to make which I could do with my eyes closed. Lets all embrace Sorenson and watch him succeed at BYU and the professional level. Sorry Mitch you're done!

MadMax | 11:23 p.m. July 6, 2008

To: byu mwc champs.
* Utah is ranked ahead of byu in some pre-season polls.
* Utah finished at 9-4 last year not 6-6.
* The Utes have improved every year since KW's first in wins, indicating they are making steady progress.
* You write like an elementary school kid.

GO UTES!

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