Deseret News | BYU football: Long and Mendenhall will not fret about their history

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BYU football: Long and Mendenhall will not fret about their history

MWC | 2:12 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

Go New Mexico you can do it....

re: MWC | 6:24 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

No offense, New Mexico, but you really can't do it...

Palls | 6:57 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

This is another easy win at home for the # 9 team in the nation. Since we all know they certainly do not look like # 9 in the nation on the road.

Comments continue below

Blue Ute | 7:08 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

UNM is a lot better than people give credit. They're averaging over 200 yards rushing per game and, regardless of Bronco's past involvement, their defense will give BYU's offense fits. Preparing for their defense is like an offense preparing for an Air Force like option team, after playing spread all year. Couple that with the fact that there is a giant target on the back of BYU.

If one were to examine the successful seasons of Utah, they will notice that the majority (except 04) of those years, the Utes were knocked off by UNM. Who can forget the 94 season? UNM hasn't.

New Mexico | 7:35 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

is a tough, scrappy team, and usually gives BYU a close game, but, except during the Crowton years when BYU was 2-2 vs New Mexico, BYU has usually been able to pull out a win.

In their last 20 meetings, BYU is 17-3 vs New Mexico.

Prior to Crowton, the last time BYU lost to New Mexico in Provo was 1971.

true blue | 7:40 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

New Mexico will probably get down early and have to rely on the passing game too much. Their qb isn't experienced enough yet. I think a quick start by the Y and ball control will wear down the NM defense. BYU takes control in the second half.
42-10

coooogs | 7:50 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

Just because the u struggles to beat (and often loses to) UNM, doesn't mean BYU will.

Bored | 8:14 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

Would someone in the MWC play someone of importance? I am soooo bored with the same old posts day in and day out. Show some creativity on here or stop posting. Ute fans try and justify their existence. BYU fans think their team is better than they are. None of the arguments of either fan base holds water. Lots of bad comments made and not much logic. I wish Jimmy Sneaker's would come on here. At least he knows what he is talking about.

re: Bored | 8:44 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

Congrats! Most boring comment of the day!

BLAH BLAH! | 8:52 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

who cares about college sports when the jazz are playing again this is the stupedest in state rivalry in the entire country

Frogman | 9:20 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

The cougs have one more week of playing a cupcake at home. They haven't shown much on the road. Next week will be the end of the winning streak in Texas. Cougs gored by Horned Frogs.

Bored | 9:21 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

Glad I could live up to my name! Now if only the UTES and the COUGARS could live up to their names...Oh wait, they have!! Bring on the Jazz and Jimmy Sneakers!!

Cougar Fan | 9:39 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

Bronco is amazing, and he deserves the best. He is one of the best things that has happened to the cougars in a long time. Way to go Bronco!

Bored IS Bored | 10:05 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

Go comment on the story about the Jazz...or email Jimmy's Sneakers.

Leave the BYU stories to the fans and the Y haters.

Cougars by 21+ in LES against UNM.

Go Cougars!

geezer | 10:26 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

re: bored

All the spicey posts are censored. We are what we are. If you want to be a Coug fan vanilla had better taste good. By the way, New Mexico's football team has a LONG uphill battle Saturday. (Get it? Hilarious not boring, right?) Cougs 31-10

Still way to early... | 10:51 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

to worry about SOS, but Colley's Matrix, one of the BCS computer rankings, currently ranks BYU's and Utah's SOS:

Utah 103 (0.44891 rating)
BYU 136 (0.318025 rating)

(btw, Colley has 16 1-AA groups included in his rankings.)

Projecting SOS rankings to October 19th based on current ratings of Wyoming, Colorado State, New Mexico and TCU

Utah 99 (0.451986)
BYU 123 (0.403553)

Projecting to the end of the season based on current ratings of all opponents

Utah 80 (0.487541)
BYU 92 (0.465581)

Colley's Matrix Ratings
AF--0.56639
BYU--0.727161
CSU--0.571404
NM--0.537361
SDSU--0.27269 (great effort Aztecs)
TCU--0.697386
UNLV--0.517023
Utah--0.834592
Wyo--0.351029

Utah St--0.33922

N Iowa--0.213418
Wash--0.255825
UCLA--0.430634

Mich--0.510022
Weber--0.213418
Ore St--0.547384

Obviously, rankings will change as OOC opponents get into their conference schedules, but changes in MWC team ratings will have the same affect on all other MWC teams.

Bottom line, winning is the most important thing, even in the computer rankings.

Hint to bored | 10:56 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

There's a blog tab labeled "Jazz."

Click it and just read the articles posted there and you won't have to be bored reading about BYU/Utah sports and the comments made by their fans/haters.

To Bored | 11:22 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

You must not be from Utah. Sports fans here love our Jazz and either the Utes or Cougs. If you only like 1 of 3 then fine but why do we care? I like Sneakers too but we all know by the way he speaks in the first person that he really is Karl Malone getting his daily Utah sports fix before he plows the field or goes on another hunt!

Buddy Mason | 11:25 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

I'd just love to see New Mexico knock BYU off. But 5 days later TCU will bring the zoobs back to reality.

go cougs | 11:30 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

BYU will win out. They are by far the class of the league. They need to travel a little bit better but I suspect that TCU will be the breakout game. This years game at Rice will be a blow out. BYU by at least 21 points. Like the UCLA players said... "BYU is quite a bit faster than we thought." Utah... Look out!

bakerb | 11:52 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

For all you mathematicians out there, because of the way the BCS currently encourages teams to play FCS teams, you will find that NIU, Weber State, Appalachian State, etc... are going to have very good SOS. This is because ALL the FBS (BYU/Utah included) schedule these schools.

However, you will also notice that most of these schools with strong SOS have very poor records (i.e. USU, Washington).

At the END of the Season, SOS might be a useful tool to determine the relative ranking of a team. However, you will only find teams ranked high that have strong SOS and more importantly stellar records.

The SOS formulas are all fuzzy math. If you believe these are unbiased you don't understand math. The formulas ALL have a bias in them to begin with to justify the existence of the BCS Conferences. The BCS Schools carry a heavier "weight" in ALL these magic formulas.

There is no Computer, no Human Poll that will EVER determine a True NCAA Football Champion in a truly objective manner. It must be done on the field.

Until there is a Playoff, learn to live with a flawed system.

BKB

Bob in line | 11:54 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

Yeah, what ever happened to Jimmy Sneakers? He was fun to read. I know some got after him because he spoke in the third person but that was the charm.

And BYU will win this game by a pretty decent margin. They won't hold New Mexico scoreless as BYU has a history of not doing well against running quarterbacks.

Should be a good game.

Bored | 11:56 a.m. Oct. 8, 2008

Hey thanks for all the good info. Thanks Geezer for letting me know that all the posts are censored. Now it makes sense why BYU looks so good on paper and the Utes look like they have never played a game this year. Now I understand why 5-0 isn't really 5-0. Also thanks for letting me know that they have a blog for the Jazz. I really miss Jimmy Sneakers!! As far as the BYU haters. They will answer for their sins. Oh wait a minute, can the naive sin? Hummm someone get back to me on that one........

kugrlover | 12:38 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

The win in Logan last Friday did NOT 'feel good' to the BYU coaches, players and most of Cougarnation. But along the same thought lines as Max Hall's comments about his two interceptions, it will ultimately serve well as a wake-up call and opportunity for the Cougs to re-focus, self-check and gear-up for the MWC conference race.

With the weather forecast calling for rain and possibly snow Saturday, I think we'll see BYU beat the Lobos with their superior run game and o-line dominating in poor conditions. Probably a score similar to the Utah State score (but that might be giving too much credit to UNM's offense).

The progess/learning curve from the USU win and then the UNM win will have the Cougars confidence level and execution back and have BYU hitting on all cylinders heading down to Ft. Worth the following Thursday for the much anticipated showdown with TCU.

RISE N' SHOUT....BEAT NEW MEXICO !

Funny | 12:41 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

I come to this site everyday to read comments because they are so funny. people trying to puff up themselves by thier posts, thinking they know more than someone else or that thier post are more important than someone else, or that thier team has a higher SOS than someone else or that they stink less than someone else or that their team is going to beat thier team.

Funny stuff, keep it up. I need a laugh everyday.

NOT third person sneakers | 12:41 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

If Jimmy's Sneakers spoke in 3rd person he would say, "Jimmy's Sneakers thinks . . .," but he says, "Jimmy thinks . . ." so he is talking about JIMMMY, not himself, Jimmy's Sneakers.

A Quick Observation | 12:45 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

If you look at all those games that BYU lost after great starts you will see one interesting trend and that is every game the we lost it was a high scoring affair. Whenever the cougars lose when they have a good offense it is because the defense can't shut the other team down. Even over the last three years as the offense has done an outstanding job the games we lost were due to poor defense play. The only exception may be the UofA game of the '06 opener that was probably the offenses problem. Something to think about as BYU's defense goes so do the cougars.

Mr. BYU | 1:15 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

Hey Mr. "Still too early", No offense intended, but who gives a rat's hiney what the strength of schedule is for these teams? All we care is that they win the games they play and let the chips fall where they may.

If we don't get invited to the BCS party...Oh well! It's a corrupt good old boys system anyway including the conferences who have money and a larger following because they live in a more heavily populated area (advertising).

As long as BYU plays a solid game both times, New Mexico is going down 35-17 and then TCU will get beat 31-24. Mark it down.

Bored | 1:52 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

I found Jimmy!!! He is now blogging but is now refusing to speak in first person. He has become a nobody. Oh sorry that comment was referring to Karl Malone not Jimmy. Hey maybe you are right. Jimmy is Karl. I always like the Jimmy's Mom comments. They were classics. OH I see some crazy fan is on here saying that BYU will win by 21 at Utah. The craziness never stops. And I am sure, some Ute fan will be right behind him predicting Utah by 35. I think I will give away my seats to the game, anyone want them?

Bonneville County | 2:06 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

You would think they would be able to come up with something else besides the Long Mendenhall story. Blah Blah Blah, you guys should come up with some better drama than this every time that these two teams play.

Flawed Math | 2:19 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

Trust the geniuses who run the BCS to force the computer polls to throw out margin of victory.

As Sagarin explains:

"In ELO-CHESS [the rating used for the BCS rankings], only winning and losing matters; the score margin is of NO CONSEQUENCE, which makes it very "politically correct". However it is less accurate in its predictions for upcoming games than is the PURE POINTS, in which the score margin is the only thing that matters."

Reading between the lines, what he's really saying is, how teams look in beating their opponents, translation, score margin, is just as important as whether they win or lose. But, he's not allowed to use the more accurate measurement to gauge how good teams are, because the BCS powers don't want to put coaches in the position of having to run up the score.

So Team A that goes through their schedule beating all of their opponents by three touchdowns can lose out on playing for a national championship to Team B, because Team B won all of their games by 1 or 2 points, but played a couple of opponents that were marginally better than the opponents that Team A played.

Great system. :|

NM's turn? | 2:34 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

it's certainly time for BYU to crush NM after NM went out and crushed their opponents last week.
Let's go BLUE!

Jimmy Sneakers Tribute | 3:13 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

Jimmy worries that BYU players are getting a little overconfident like their fans but Jimmy doesn't think that either will matter against UNM as BYU rolls to a four touchdown victory.

Jimmy really should come back to post here since this is only a Tribute.

I don't know about you but I feel better already. Hopefully Karl doesn't come after me for this but what Karl don't know, don't hurt Karl.

Nothing wrong with the BCS... | 4:59 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

There is nothing wrong with the BCS. Contrary to the belief of most non-BCS team's fans, the BCS was created by the big-time schools and conferences to ensure that the best teams play for the NC (and that the money stays in the BCS conferences). It's not to keep the non-BCS conferences out of the mix.

There is a reason that there is only 3 non-BCS teams in the Coaches Top 25! There is a reason that the majority of top recruits sign with BCS teams. It may all seem like a conspiracy when your team is on the outside looking in, but taking an objective view should allow you to see what the reality of the situation is.

Lowell | 5:50 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

THis game is alredy in the bag. New Mex is no were near as good as some of the NFL teams that BYu could beat if they played. Max's arm is so strong and harvey is so fast that they will score in the 60's vs. New Mex.

My prediction is:

bYu 60 New Mex 9 (Bronco will let them have some FGs since he use to coach their and he is a nice guy that wants teams to be in the games)

To: Lowell | 6:08 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

The worst team in the NFL would CRUSH, DESTROY and any other word that you could come up with to describe getting beat 100 - 6 if BYU played them. I have heard some stupid comments on here but you just topped them all. There is not a team in the NCAA history that could have beaten an NFL team. You are crazy!!!

Lowelless | 6:24 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

gibberish, not worthy of being called a Ute troll.

There's a newfangled gismo out there called spell/grammar check. Try it so your posts don't look like they were written by a grade-schooler.

BCS BS | 7:11 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

The BCS was created as a cash cow for the BCS conferences; period.

The BCS is no more valid for selecting a national champion than the polls.

How valid is the BCS system when the best two teams in the polls don't always play in the national championship game? (see #1 ranked USC)

And how do you decide which of 3 or 4 undefeated teams are the best two? With computers that are programmed to see rate a one-point win exactly the same as a 50-point blowout, against the exact same team?

If you want a legitimate national champion, it has to be decided on the field.

Otherwise, all you have is a mythical national champion, decided in a beauty contest.

The BCS is a farce.

Give us a true playoff if you want a true national champion.

Re: Lowell | 8:22 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

Best comment of the year...BYU would beat NFL teams. Nice one.

bakerb | 9:03 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

Nothing...

You have stated yourself "...the money stays in the BCS conferences". That is the key. It is more important than a True Championship that the BIG MONEY remains in the hands of the BCS Conference teams.

The truth of the matter is, there would be MORE money generated by a play-off. However, the money would have to be shared by more Schools resulting in a net loss for the BCS Schools.

Are the BCS Conferences better? In general, yes they are. Would they still be better if the playing field were levelled. Probably so. A look at the NCAA Basketball Tournament indicates that the BCS Schools have ALWAYS won (as far as I know). However, at least the smaller Schools have a legitimate shot. The Nation loves the Cinderella Teams in the NCAA Basketball Tourney!

My 0.02.

BKB

chester blue | 10:00 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

Should be a great time at LES for a homecoming. BYU needs to improve this game and polish up where they need it the most (everywhere for TCU). That will be a hard game but winnable. The COUGS have to improve each week because Utah will have their A game on and plenty of tricks in the bag like always. That's the game of the year right there and it will be a dandy! It will be another heart stopper down to the wire contest where fans will wonder 'Who's going to win this one this year?' but in the end Bronco's team will prevail. I hope both schools have all starting players healthy. COUGS!!!

Re: Lowell | 10:02 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

What are you talking about we couldn't beat NFL teams. No College Football team could. I am a BYU fan by the way but its people like Lowell that give BYU fans a bad rep. I am not one of those fans. This game will be a competitive game until halftime then BYU will start to Pull away
Prediction: BYU 49 NW 10

Prediction | 10:28 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

As weird as this sounds, I predict an OFFENSIVE game. BYU has been having a tougher time stopping the run, and UNM's run game is one of the most solid in the conference. Last year Rodney Ferguson ran for 87 yards against our tough run defense. This year we get a bit of an advantage being in Provo. Call me crazy, but it could look like:

BYU 49
New Mexico 28

Go Cougars!

Prophet | 11:12 p.m. Oct. 8, 2008

My prediction: NM 67 BYU 7

Fully Invested | 12:05 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Thank you prophet, your predictions always mean good news for the cougars.

Bakerb, there is one thing you failed to take into consideration when you stated that even though we have a playoff in basketball but the better teams remain in the BCS conferences. The money generated from football goes to the athletic department. Which means that every sport benefits from the football cash cow.

I don't think that all teams in college football would become more competetive if they received equal money with BCS schools. Just the programs that are well run. Look at Baylor and several other teams at the bottm of BCS programs. You can have all the money in the world, but if it's not managed correctly, then it doesn't really matter.

3rd person?? | 11:54 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

In order to speak in third person you have to say the full name??? Apparently someone slept through that day of english class. If you are Jimmy Sneakers, saying "Jimmy is not the sharpest knife in the drawer" is nothing but 3rd person.

Now that I'm through giving my grammar lesson for today, back to sports. BYU is going to be just fine on Saturday. They will have learned their lesson from last Friday and will not turn the ball over multiple times and keep the Lobos in the game. Sure the Lobos have rushed for 200 yds in several of their games this season, but since they lost Porterie, they are one dimensional. The last two weeks their play selection looks something like this run 110, pass 30. If I were them I would do the same thing though, since they lost their two talented senior receivers last year.
BYU 44 UNM 13

New Mexico | 12:12 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

NM will do better than you think. I am not a fan of Coach Long but NM always competes at the mid-upper conference rankings so they are capable of upsetting and winning against anybody.

Sorry Cougars:

NM 28 BYU 17

Nothiing Wrong with the BCS? | 12:24 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Big East, ACC, Pac- 10 need I say more!

NCBYUFAN | 6:11 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008

To Nothing Wrong with the BCS. I'll say more. Pac-10...dismal. ACC...has been and always will be Florida State and the 11 sisty uglers.Over rated, and I live in the heart of Tarhill country! Big East...living on past glory.

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