Deseret News | Reader comments: BYU football: Cougars keep raising their national profile

Reader comments
BYU football: Cougars keep raising their national profile

byu fan | 1:54 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

can i ask one question?? why do utah fans insist on comparing the final scores between both our games vs. utah state?! for the love, we were winning 24-0 in the FIRST quarter and 34-0 in the fourth. It can be quiet common for a team to turn off the engine when getting ahead so fast...however, make no mistake about it, when byu is up on utah our players wont but the car in cruise control!

um... | 7:11 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Not a ute or cougar fan, but having watched both games at USU, I am going to say that utah DOMINATED in every aspect of the game while byu dominated the first quarter. As far as the cruise control thing, why then was Hall in the game till the very end? Once again, byu needed to win this game big and couldn't.

to byu fan, | 7:18 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Utah didn't have to play their starters in the fourth quarter, but BYU did. that's the reason for the comparison. With only one common opponent to really judge from, Utah looks to be on top of BYU. But before you start making excuses and pulling stats from 1981, remember there's lots of MWC games to be played and then of course there's November, so don't get your panties in a bunch over the facts.

The scariest part for cougar fans is that the coaches started making excuses in the interviews after this game. That is very contagious and sends a message to the team that they're not in it to win, but to look good and as long as they can point out something that impeded them from meeting their goals, it's OK not to meet those goals. A very precarious outlook and one I would be very concerned about as a fan, ...but then again, we're talking about BYU fans that are accustomed to making excuses, full of pride and never able to admit mistakes, or that a team's better than they are.

Comments continue below

Mike | 7:51 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

You ask why Hall was in the game to the end if they were on cruise control. It wasn't a deliberate cruise control. The point being made was that a team being up 34-0 in the 4th may have a tendency to let up mentaly and not play their hardest even though they know they need to be. It wasn't a matter of making a conscious decision to be on cruise control

AZ Cougar | 7:53 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

To: um...

And Utah "dominated" Weber State too.

Red Blood | 8:08 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

byu fan 1:54 a.m.

First off...go to bed. Really? almost 2 am?

Secondly: it is NOT unique to Ute fans. There are just as many cougar fans that compare scores between the 2 as Ute fans.

Thirdly: To assume byu will be up on Utah this year is awfully premature. The cougars have SIX more games to play before they come to SL. A LOT can happen between now and then.

One game at a time.

Pocatello Cougar | 8:14 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

"um" says BYU had to win this game "big" but didn't. Why do they have to win big? They played poorly and still won by 20 points. They were coming off a bye week and didn't execute. So what?

A football season is like a baseball game. You get some singles, a few doubles and the occasional home run. Does Ryan Zimmerman hit a single and then curse himself while standing on the bag at first? No. A win is a win is a win.

SoCalUtahFan | 8:15 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Sagarin Rank (schedule rank):

Utah 14 (49)
TCU 15 (94)
BYU 16 (126)

Kalamazoo Cougar | 8:24 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Re: um...

You know, Utah may have dominated USU, but why couldn't Utah dominate Weber State? Heck, lowly WSU scored more on Utah than USU did on both BYU and Utah.

Nobody said anything about Utah's performance against AF, which lost yesterday to Navy. Now Utah's opposition's record is 15-17. The team with the most wins on Utah's schedule? -Weber State. Michigan got pounded to Illinois, and Wisconsin also lost again. I guess Utah's competition isn't what it was thought to be!

The fact is, both Utah and BYU fans are silly for drawing up comparisons all the time. Come Nov. 22nd it won't matter one bit. TCU could already have spoiled that game after having beat both teams if their not careful. Both teams have their toughest games ahead and it happens before both meet on the 22nd.

Anonymous | 8:31 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Thirdly is not a correct grammar

YEWT LOSE | 8:32 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

How bout them yewts constantly whinning and always talking how BYU is having a hard time....wa,wa,wa....
Dont worry about us were still dominating and will be next to eat some chicken soon-November 22....
GO COUGARS...Represent the Mountain West Champs....and counting...

SoCalUtahFan | 8:38 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

To: Mike | 7:51AM
That sounds like excuses to me.
(see "to byufan, | 7:18AM")
Also, wasn't Hall still throwing?

To: um... | 7:11AM
Agree with you...BYU tried to run up the score (Hall was still throwing) but could not.

Frozen Chosen | 8:39 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

BYU Dominated USU so thoroughly in the first quarter that they lost their focus. This is fairly common in contests that are so one-sided. I actually felt bad for the Aggies at one point, it was like BYU was playing a high school team.

I have no doubt that Max Hall and the boys will be very focused when they play Utah. However, let's not get ahead of ourselves as both teams need to play a very good TCU squad before they meet. The rest of the MWC schedule should be a cakewalk for both teams, although I never underestimate the Utes ability to choke away a game they should win easily...

why? | 9:29 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

I think BYU needs to stop scheduling big sky opponents. There is no upside. You lose and it's devastating. You win and walk away with your head down because you didn't win big enough. BYU is a national program with national respect. Stop giving USU favors by scheduling these games. TIme to move on to bigger and better. I won't mention scheduling Weber St.

Scoobie | 9:34 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

REF:Utey Tooties, Neo Zoobies, The Down on the Farm Boys, Kid Rock "All Summer Long" .....and all that Jazz.
I and many other resonable fans of local college football including sensible Utes, likewise true AGGIES don't care who you are.....how good you think you are ....and I'm really SURE THAT "NONE OF US", (the above mentioned) are "at all" impressed in any way, fashion or form with your totally inane comparisons.... not to mention your numerous but totally inept reasonings .... and not to mention any remote possibility that your hocus pocus can change anything. Plain and simple you and your could of's, would of's, and should of's died with each last tick of the clocks.

Answer | 9:35 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

The game was over after the first quarter. State did jack until the 4th quarter and that was after it was 34-0.

Utah run the score up in the 4th when yes they had some starter in. Plus utah love running up the score when they can against a weaker team.

Re byu fan & Red Blood | 9:38 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Red Blood: C'mon...we all know what he was doing up at 1:54 am.

buy fan: Watch out for the "pop-up's" and make sure to dump your History.

Prediction | 10:02 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

BYU drops below USC in this week's polls.

Utah rises to #13.

Utah's computer rankings put them ahead of BYU in mock BCS polls temporarily.

B Y U | 10:09 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

BYU BYU BYU BYU BYU BYU BYU BYU BYU is in U of U heads.

David in New York | 10:16 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

34-0 in the third. Sorry all you haters out there... BYU played a terrible game and yet the outcome was never in question. Get over it. BYU stumbles and still more than doubles the opponents score. BYU's here to stay.

BlueBoy | 10:31 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

BYU's problem, as evidenced in the lackluster USU win, is that one half of the team doesn't understand that the're supposed to "show the other side who's boss." The defense has done this game after game (in spite of USU's two 4th-Qtr TDs), but the offense doesn't seem to know that they're supposed to show the opposing defense who's boss.

I don't think that right now BYU can beat the following teams: Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, LSU, Penn State, Texas Tech, Alabama, USC, and Florida. (That's my top 10.)

That places BYU between 9th and 10th in the polls, depnding on who leapfrogs BYU. It'll be interesting to see if that's where they end up in today's polls.

And, no, Utah doesn't jump over BYU in the polls. BYU gets up for the big games. They just don't have the killer instinct to blow everyone out yet. Comparing how Utah and BYU did against a common foe is only useful if the games are back-to-back in the middle of the season or later. Early season games have too much change from game-to-game for some teams, invalidating comparisons, such as this one.

BYU had better get it together for UNM.

Fully Invested | 10:42 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

To to byu fan, in you last senetence if you replace BYU with Utah, you have defined Utah fans and their attitude after getting beat by BYU the last two years. That being said, after watching the game Friday, my first thought was that Utah looked better against Utah State than BYU did. I am sure that as a BYU fan I could come up with many reasons for that; just as Utah fans came up with many excuses as to why they only beat Weber State by 16. In the end it really doesn't matter. The key is how they play against each other as we have seen the past two years. Utah has had a few let downs the past few years, but when they have played BYU they have shown up for the game. I would expect nothing less fromm Utah this year on Nov. 22. By the way, I will admit that there are many annoying BYU fans who are arrogant, self righteous, or whatever other adjective that Utah fans come up with; but Utah fans need to take off the blinders and realize they have many of their own who fall under those categories.

BlueBoy | 10:47 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Okay, so BYU has an off day, but still blows out a team by 20. In fact, the score is 24-zip at one point. Not exactly a close game, like some top teams have had against nobody opponents this year. But, still, because it wasn't 59-0, it's considered a blip. I'll bet some BCS teams this year would like to have had that kind of a blip, especially ones who either lost or had very close games that shouldn't have been (costing them poll slots).

Even so, expectations can do things to your position in the polls. We'll see today what the nation's expectations for BYU are.

BYU fans: Be logical & honest | 11:03 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

As exciting and exhilarating as these glory days are for BYU, as well as the UofU, as we contemplate the potential of a big-time BCS payday, do we really believe that we can go toe-to-toe on an equal basis with the elite of the BCS.

Do we really believe that we can stick around with Sam Bradford and his Sooner teammates? Or Chase Daniel and the Missouri Tigers? Or the Red Raiders at Texas Tech? Or Tim Tebow and his Gators?

Even if we are able to stick with them offensively, do we really believe that we can stop any of these offensive juggernauts with our mediocre defense?

Unfortunately, in spite of our fondest dreams and illusions, it is important to understand that for the moment, we are only "pretenders" to any aspirations for national glory.

Even in the event of the "perfect storm" a la 1984, if we were to end up in the BCS Championship game in Miami against OU or Mizzou or USC or Alabama, we will be exposed as the wannabees that we are-sort of like Hawaii vs UGA in the Sugar Bowl last year.

We're still a few seasons away from such aspirations at best.

wm | 11:42 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Enjoy the moment of BYU success; Enjoy it now. In view of all sports, BYU ranks higher than some of the supposedly prominant schools.

mdoubyu | 12:07 p.m. Oct. 5, 2008

I saw the Utes play live against Oregon State and have seen BYU live against all their opponents this season.

Sorry Utes--you are going down hard this year!

Is there such a thing as a Ute Football Fan? The Oregon State game was a big one--and you couldn't fill the seats?

Scoobie | 1:27 p.m. Oct. 5, 2008

REF:BYU fans: Be Logical & Honest

By the so called "BCS elite" do you mean the origninal elite ..the ones the BCS was designed for like Ohio State, Michigan, Southern Cal, UCLA, Notre Dame, Miami, Forida State, and Penn State. The only two we haven't chalked a W on are Ohio State and USC and I don't see anything that says we can't run with either of them.... though I would have to give USC an edge. AS far as Ohio State goes we're long overdue for another chance at them. Two of the three games we did run and even lead part of those games....so there's no doubt that we can run with them.

Linus | 1:30 p.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Please, Brothers; Can't we just be patient and wait for the outcome of the November 22 game? Until then, I root for both UTAH and BYU to win. In fact, I root for every MWC team to win all their non-conference games. For me, there is only one opponent we should all harass and belittle constantly, and they are the BCS Bullshippers.

A solution for the BYU fans | 1:32 p.m. Oct. 5, 2008

I have a way to respond to the Ute fans regarding the respective scores against USU, but it will require doing something you really don't want to do. Here goes: how about you say that USU has actually improved during the course of the season. You don't even have to say they are good, because I don't think anyone in their right mind would say that. However, they have made some changes in their offense, and their young quarterback and running back are starting to put things together.

Utah played a USU team that was a total mess, and they walked all over them. BYU played a USU team that had learned something, and BYU had a little harder time of it. It explains the disparity between the scores, and removes any nonsense about the scores being indicative of how the BYU-Utah game is going to turn out. However, it does require that you give USU a little credit, which I know that a few of you will not be willing to do. If you're not willing to admit that USU is a little better this far along into the season, however, I'm siding with the Utes on this one.

Idahoan | 1:36 p.m. Oct. 5, 2008

To Why:

Utah State is not a Big Sky team. They are in the WAC.

Idahoan for BYU | 1:40 p.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Having attend the game in Logan - it appeared to me that BYU lost focus after the first half. They simply fell asleep and lost motivation. As a competitive golfer in High School and College - it happens.

Is Utah or BYU better? I think they are fairly equal BUT Utah has home field advantage this year and a better chance of an undefeated season. BYU doesn not seem to play well away from home. So I'll give the BCS bowl game to Utah but don't count Boise State out. They'll probably go undefeated too. The best team in the west might actually be BSU.

bear44 | 1:55 p.m. Oct. 5, 2008

To Be logical and honest.
Are you kidding me? Have you not watched any college football recently? If there is one lesson to be learned from the past few years and especially this year that on any given day a team from a so-called mediocre conference can and has beat a national powerhouse. I am a BYU fan and I'll admit, Utah does a better job in the limelight against big name teams than BYU has. I definitely think BYU or Utah will play in a BCS bowl this year and will stand a good chance of winning it, especially if Utah gets the bid.

Scoobie | 2:24 p.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Ref: Byu Fans: Be logical and honest II

Made this a two parter for obvious reason that the SEC and the Big 12 are as you indicated the new elite. ...Here's what I think of BYU's chances.

Despite the fact that "HE" used to coach there and thus even mentioning the Sooners brings a bad taste.....No... this is my pick to run the board.

Missouri is an old sentimental favorite because of my Father (deceised).....reserve right to comment after they play Oklahoma.

Red Raiders....Yes...beyond toe to toe. Can't visualize them getting past Texas, Oklahoma or Missouri.

Texas.....Yes...even steven we can play with them...they won't get past Oklahoma

Florida....No...I've got too much respect for Urban Meyer.....and without a free rein to run at will Tebow can't beat the Sooners....totally Meyers call....but...another of my sentimental favorites

Add 3 others and you can see why the SEC is the dominant conference....Georgia, Alabama and LSU...LSU is my only true spoiler for a Stop Oklahoma campaign and for BYU ....nope

Alabama's unexpected rise and questions in my own mind about BYU ....still too early to call.

Georgia....I think we could take 1 out of 3.

Gary in WA | 4:50 p.m. Oct. 5, 2008

for all the utes wanting to compare the scores, remember this is a rivalry game, even more so than the ute-USU rivalry. It was proven by the way USU wore tee shirts and other signs concerning BYU. the game was even sold out, which wasn't done for the utes.

Hey BSU fans... | 5:02 p.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Aaaa-LOOOO-Haaaa!

Looks like the BCS dream is over for the smurf-turfians!

How bout them Hawaii rainbows beating you in your own crib!

Oops! | 6:44 p.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Did having a bye week affect the offense in a negative fashion?

"Offensively, it took us longer to find our execution and precision and credit Utah State for some of that," said coach Bronco Mendenhall.

Who do you think you are kidding?? You hummed along for the entire FIRST quarter, pony boy. How could it take you longer to find your execution and precision??

To: Gary in WA | 4:50PM | 7:06 p.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Sounds like another excuse to me...

to BE LOGICAL | 7:26 p.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Couldn't agree with you more. I thought we were "all that" the year we went to Hawaii undefeated. I attended that game in Aloha Stadium and we were exposed by the Bows. I fear that we will get the same facing a Big 12 or SEC (Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, LSU) team in a BCS bowl. Hopefully we run the table and get to play an ACC or Big East team like the Utes did. We would be able to win against that kind of team. A Texas Tech game would be a fun shootout to watch, but after watching them against K State I think they would get us. We might have a chance against Vanderbilt.

That being said, I think our chances of running the table are about 10%. Reality is we lose at least one - lose focus against a lesser team like Air Force or UNLV; or lose to a team of equal ability such as TCU or Utah.

For me, as with EVERY YEAR. UTAH IS ALL THAT MATTERS. If we could make it 3 straight, I would be a happy Cougar for another 12 months and see this season as a success.

CFB fan | 9:09 p.m. Oct. 5, 2008

realistically, I think that BYU could play with any of the aforementioned teams. Truthfully I think it would have to be a good day for them to beat Oklahoma. If USC brought their A game they would be the same, Missouri and Texas are a better matchup for us assuming we actually play well and execute like we have. LSU, Florida, Georgia and Bama have all struggled enough, especially offensively, to make me believe that we could hang with them and beat them. Florida is more of a problem because Tebow is so mobile (ala Locker) but I have watched all of these teams this year, and BYU could play with them, Utah could for that matter if they put together a complete game and BJ took care of the ball.

Green with envy | 9:20 p.m. Oct. 5, 2008

Cougars did just fine. Sure they got a wake up call, but really Utah fans are just looking for the tiniest flaws. It's evident they don't have a real perspective of college football. Let see BYU played a bad game because they got scored on?? You know if that's how it's going to be Utah should ashamed for Weber State getting into the end zone a few times. How many highly ranked teams this year got scored on by lesser opponents...hmm...all of them! So this is whack that a team has to pitch 3 consecutive shutouts to be considered good when everyone is gunning for them and the game highly emotionally charged.

Not to say that BYU played great but this trash talk is only borne out of envy.

az coug | 12:00 a.m. Oct. 6, 2008

Let's just get past New Mexico

Mark in Seattle | 12:22 a.m. Oct. 6, 2008

The blowouts by Hawaii were (1) in the Ty Detmer era 17-18 YEARS AGO, and (2) then under Gary Crowton in 2001. Get over it. Aside from his first season, when has Coach Mendenhall failed to prepare the team well enough to compete? BYU has been close in EVERY game they have played for the past 3 years -- right until the end. They can compete with ANY team. And if they get to the NC game (which is very doubtful), they will compete better than most. If an undefeated Boise State team can take down Oklahoma, then so can BYU.

UtahBouuy | 8:28 a.m. Oct. 6, 2008

I'm a Utah grad living in Northern california but I have to admit that BYU is the best school in Utah. You guys have the national respect that we Utes crave and your recruiting base for acedemics and athletics is just going to continue to grow over the years.

As a Utah fan I've come to realize that we can't compete with BYU long term, but I'm proud that we're the 2nd best school in Utah (Sorry Utah State fans). Gooooo Utah!!!

ByuBouuy | 1:08 p.m. Oct. 6, 2008

I'm a BYU grad living in Northern California but I have to admit that the U. of Utah is the best school in Utah. you guys have the national respect that we Cougars crave and your recruiting base for academics and athletics is just going to continue to grow over the years.

As a BYU fan I've come to realize that we can't compete with Utah long term, but I'm proud that we're the 2nd best school in Utah (Sorry Utah State fans).

Gooooo Cougars!!!!!!

Ruscular | 1:32 p.m. Oct. 6, 2008

How about let's take care of New Mexico this week and not look ahead? Think about it people - WWBD (What would Bronco do?)

If Utah and BYU take care of business every week then Nov 22 will be more meaningful than usual. But if either team loses focus then Nov 22 may be for the chance to play Oregon or Arizona in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Zoobie 56 | 2:12 p.m. Oct. 6, 2008

Fellow Coug fans. It's ok to admitt BYU played poorly against USU. Utah killed USU. Some of their fans think that means they'll kill us. HIstory shows differently. The last 3 games between the Cougs and Utes have been very close. I don't know why this years game won't be close as well.

Senseless in Seattle | 2:32 p.m. Oct. 6, 2008

If BYU showed us anything last week it is that they are beatable. Good thing Hawaii is not on their schedule this year

BYU fan | 4:02 p.m. Oct. 6, 2008

Any given day any team can win. This past friday was a great game and we still won by 20 points. Utah won by a ton of points, but in the end, 5-0 and 6-0 means you won. Yeah BYU played a horrible game, but if playing a horrible game means you still win by 20 points, I'll take it. Regardless of who we've played and who Utah has played, we're all winning right now. So let's keep it that way and Nov. 22 will be the most exciting game in the country! Besides, ESPN still says great things about BYU and Utah so lets keep it up give ESPN and everyone else something to talk about each week until Nov. 22.

derby | 8:56 p.m. Oct. 6, 2008

just a thought. Maybe Bronco kept Max Hall in the game because he wasn't seeing the offense run the way it was supposed to. Being ahead in the game made it possible to play it like a scrimmage.

That said. We sucked it up big time. Too many interceeptions, sacks, and fumbles. We lucked out that it was USU.

nuff said Thanks cougs.

To ByuBouuy: | 9:29 p.m. Oct. 6, 2008

Dont be an apolgetic BYU fan (if you are a BYU fan at all). BYU has had a better athletic program than the yew for 3 decades now. "in the long run..."? BYU has seen more success in the past 30 years than the yew and can expect more success for the next 30+ years. "the yew has better athletic and academic recruits..."? The yew is full of athletes and academians that didnt make the cut at Brigham Young University.

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