Deseret News | BYU football: Cougars gear up for short week

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BYU football: Cougars gear up for short week

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Ernest T. Bass | 12:38 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Come on Cougars...this is a big game to get some attention and move up even further in the polls. BYU's O-line will be the key to this one, and if they anything like they have been...BYU takes the W in fort Worth......GO COUGARS!!!

AZ Cougar | 2:47 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

David Nixon: ". . . if we play our game, nobody can beat us. That's what we believe. If we play to our best ability, I don't think anyone can hang with us. That's what we're anticipating."

The Cougars showed their best against UCLA. They have the opportunity to silence all of their BCS critics and the naysayers, once again on national TV, on Thursday against TCU. But if the offense plays like it did against USU and UNM, then TCU will have a very good chance of moving up in the polls.

HUMILITY, FOCUS, INTENSITY are what BYU needs at this time.

Geez | 4:15 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

MR. Bass, for a BYU hater, it's pretty ridiculous that you are at the top of the list to post a comment. That's pretty pathetic of you.

BYU can beat TCU. Just shred that tough defense and you'll do great!

Comments continue below

Long ways to go | 4:58 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

BYU is perhaps better than the past 2 seasons, but not by much. None of the teams they have beaten so far this year have a winning record, and now they start playing the top half of the conference. They will have to play tougher vs the rest of their schedule to keep winning.

VA Cougar | 6:08 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

It's funny how there is always a big deal made about a short week. TCU has a short week as well, so it is going to be the same for both of them. The only difference is that BYU is on the road. If it were a home game I would not be worried, but it's not. I still believe the Cougars will win, but I don't expect an easy win.

This Is the One | 6:15 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

This is the one where the coogs get beat on the last plays of the game. Payback time for all these lucky calls you keep getting. The luck runs out in Texas!

Texas Coug | 7:10 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I'll be there in the East End Zone. I think BYU will have 1/4 of the stadium filled if the ticket office at TCU is correct. This will be a great game. Unga is going to see the best run defense of the season. Hall and passing company are going to have to play lights out to win this because poor Unga is going to fight for every inch. The team with the most turnovers loses this game is my bet. Well, guys here comes the test.... I am sooo excited. RISE AND SHOUT!

john in texas | 7:17 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

"This is the one" be prepared to eat your words. What do you mean "all those lucky calls?"

I consider myself a diehard cougar fan and say again not even A&M and UT get bashed like the Y. I guess if the Y did not win no one would say anything. But they do win and the coaches of america notice and give respect. Most of the sports writers, who seem to know best, probably have never put on a pair of shoulder pads. So I discount their rhetoric.

I also salute Bronco. I have never met him and never will but he has instilled a philosophy that is working. And it can work at only one place, BYU.
So, you critics, wake up and see what a GREAT missionary tool the BYU football program is. Let us keep our mind set in proper order. Let not the things that matter most be at the mercy of things that matter least.

It's not luck | 7:37 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

It's execution, which is what the coach preaches all the time. BYU knows how to execute and can do it at the end of games. That is no luck. BYU has put it into practice many games, so it will continue, and not stop.

Dream all you like buddy that it's luck, but it's called great players and great coaching.

Hummmm | 7:40 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I have been saying it all along that BYU will not move any farther up the polls this year. Sorry but it's still all about money and the BCS. #8 is as good as it will get. Lucky to be that high considering the opponents and last weeks play. When you come from the MWC, you had better beat all your opponents by 30 to be a top 10 contender. Right now it's just a pretender.

DH | 7:43 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Amen to AZ Cougar!
Focus guys, focus. You've got to believe you are good but you seem to believe more that all you have to do is show up. Let's see a display of the talent and weapons you claim to have. The last two weeks have been very weak.

TCU GAME | 7:46 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

TCU 34 BYU 20 Next weeks ranking BYU 24

Re: This Is the One | 7:59 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Aren't you the troll who said that about the New Mexico game this past weekend?

I suppose if you predict a loss every week eventually you'll come out right, though.

PabloTheUteFan | 7:59 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Cougars are over hyped! It's rediculous. I'm sick of hearing cougars this, cougars that. Listen BYU may be better than utah in:

Passing yards
Total offense
Points scored
Points allowed
shut outs
comp %
passing td's
total td's
turnover margins
rush defense
pass defense
more heisman candidates
longer winning streak
longer home winning streak
most recent head to head victories
fewer sacks allowed (utah last in nation, byu 1st in nation)

But just wait until Nov 22nd, cause right now that's out only hope dispite the fact that if our qb can't put together four quarters in a game we'll probably lose to TCU.

Go utes!

Pablo | 8:19 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

You left two things off your list.

BYU coaches are better
BYU is better

My guess is you intentionally left those two off.

Anonymous | 8:22 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

sick of hearing about the cougars but just can't resist reading and commenting about them - that just doesn't make sense! What is it with you ute and cougar fans - I just don't get it - neither of you make much sense

OhioCoug | 8:22 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Did anyone get that last comment from Pablo?

Cougar fan from DFW | 8:23 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Looking forward to the game on Thursday! We'll be at the game wearing our Cougar blue. The 24th ranked TCU Horned Frogs will be tough to beat. Their defense is very good and is #1 in total yards per game.

We're also excited about the fireside on Wednesday evening.

Anonymous | 8:24 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

This game wont be close. TCU may look good on paper defensively but they dont have the defense to stop the pass.

Luck vs. Execution | 8:25 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Some call it luck, BYU coaches calls it execution. How do you explain execution on the call where the officials called a "block in the back" that clearly wasn't a block in the back. Rocky Long was livid about that call and I agree too....the "execution" of the referees took away a Lobos touchdown and gave the ball back to the Cougars. I'd call that luck, unless you're saying the BYU coaches executed in the payoff of the officials.

How do you explain a controversial flag for a celebration penalty in the Washington game....execution? Not quite execution but lucky call by the officials.

We can say that officials have had a direct impact on 2 games that BYU has played this year. How is that execution????

At some point, the luck...urrr.."execution" won't happen and the Cougars will lose. Block in the back.....ya right!!! (for all those cougar fans who dispute this, even the byu-biased announcers on tv said that was a pretty weak call, so save the arguements for your byu support groups).

Re: PabloTheUteFan | 8:34 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

You have got to be the worst Ute fan ever.

BCS BOB | 8:35 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Even with a victory, BYU won't move up more than 1-2 spots. TCU does not get that much respect nationally. BYU has risen about as far as they can go, being a MWC team--with a weak schedule. BYU fans, get used to this fact and stop crying "persecution." Besides, there are a lot of unbeaten teams left in the poll. I agree that 8th will be the highest BYU will ever climb in the BCS polls.

Franeker | 8:41 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Hey Pablo:

If I'm not mistaken, isn't the correct usage of "rediculous" considered to be more accurately applied to discussions of the Utes than the Cougars?

Tough game... | 8:45 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I really don't think BYU has had a chance to show much considering their schedule. Now is their chance to beat a good team. I would bet it will be a good game.

Horned Frog | 8:52 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

byu suffers 1st lost of the season. Will be the headlines on friday morning's usatoday sports section. Go FROGS !!!!

Pretender | 8:54 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

PabloTheUteFan is a BYU homer. Doh!

wjm | 8:56 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

This is the week the winning streak ends. Speed is the name of the game at TCU.

Optimist | 8:57 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Please coach, please told tell the T.V. viewers that the polls are not important to you. After 3 wins and no losses we are a point lower than we were after the UCLA game.

Please don't tell those voting in the polls that we won't run up the score for anyone.

Please don't tell those voting in the polls that the fireside chats are more important to you than the game itself.

I believe that while you are 100% correct, and your values are right where they should be, those voting in the polls don't want to hear it.

Franeker | 8:58 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Pablo, if I'm not mistaken, isn't the correct usage of *rediculous* intended more for discussions of the Utes than the Cougars?

Just win baby | 8:58 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

All BYU and Utah need to worry about is winning. The BCS rules are stacked in favor of the BCS conferences, and there is BCS bias in the polls, but moving up in the polls has as much to do with how teams just above and just below do, as it does with how you do.

There is no glass ceiling. As long as BYU, Utah, and TCU keep winning, they'll gradually move up in the polls. There is no conspiracy, especially in the AP, which isn't even associated with the BCS.

If BYU and Utah both win out, they'll both be ranked in the Top 10, BYU possibly as high as 4th or 5th, when they meet on November 22nd.

TCU is the first big test for BYU, on the road, on a short week, against a Top 25 team.

BYU has their top three MWC opponents all on the road this year. If they beat TCU, Air Force and Utah all on the road, the Cougars will not only be in the BCS, they'll be in the BCS NC discussion.

The first six games were a tune up.

The real Quest begins Thursday at TCU.

FROGER | 9:00 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

GO FROGS !!!

Bye Bye Y | 9:08 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

TCU, not a great team as shown by their 35/10 loss to Oklahoma, is still good enough to wax the Y. It will be nice to silence all of the crying about lack of respect. A loss Thursday to the #27 Horned Frogs will show that putting the Y in the top 10 was actually showing way too much respect.

Mike | 9:24 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I hope that BYU and U of U are each undefeated when they meet in a few weeks. Forget the BCS. The state of Utah will have it's own bowl game. It's called the BYUTE Bowl!

BYU's Ranking | 9:29 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

What's very interesting in the USA Today/Coaches poll is BYU is closer, in votes, to #4 then they are to #9 (they are currently #8). In fact, only 54 votes separate #4 USC and #8 BYU and 133 votes separate BYU from #9 Georgia.

glenrd3 | 9:29 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Actually TCU is ranked 24th now-but BYU can do it, just like two years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if the score was about the same 31-17 or 30-20 maybe as well.

Bob in line | 9:30 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

OK, I'm no professional sports fan, just a casual observer who loves to watch BYU football.

Between our offense and defense I think our defense has clearly played the more consistent game. This tells me that we keep TCU below 21-24 points, considering they are good and it is in their backyard.

The big question is, what will our offense do?

I know that seems odd since we hammered UCLA for 59. We also managed to produce only 20 points on the road against Utah State???

I think it will be a close game, low scoring with BYU really pressed to come out on top.

Now, if BYU were really a top-5 team in the nation we would win by a similar margin to what Oklahoma did. We would beat them by three+ touchdowns in their backyard. If we do, we will move up at least one spot in the polls.

Unless big changes happen I think both BYU and Utah are close to the top of their rankings. Utah throttles Wyoming and didn't budge. I think BCS forces will not allow BYU higher than say 6th and Utah 10-11th.

Go Cougars!

JD | 9:33 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

TCU's run defense is tough, but their pass defense is very average, exposed by Oklahoma. Most importantly, their offense is anemic, only scoring 13 pts against Colorado State (who has been giving up about 30 pts a game) I don't think this will be as close as everyone thinks BYU 31 TCU 10

Las Vegas Bowl! | 9:36 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Awaits you cougars. The frogs are going to be a plague on your house this Thursday.

BYU must play better | 9:37 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

BYU better pull out the UCLA game plan - they will need all of it against TCU. The efficiency, the power, the emotion, the focus. All of it. The past 2 games have NOT been the effort of a top 10 team. It could very well be this year that BYU heads in to the Utah game with one loss where Utah is the undefeated and top 10 team. If BYU loses to TCU they will fall all the way back to #20 or so. This year could see a three way tie for first in the MWC. Very possible.

Prediction this week:

If BYU avoids turnovers they win against TCU by 10. IF TCU gets more than one turn over, TCU wins by 4.

who cares | 9:39 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

if both teams are undefeated? I want BYU to fail every week and fail miserably so they can take their rightful place as Utahs BCS doormat. Crowton was the best coach the BYU losers ever had and they better get him back.

Execution or Officiating | 9:40 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Lots of Ute fans like to talk about officiating helps from the refs that have helped BYU. Lets talk about how the refs have helped the Utes out...Go back to the Michigan game (a team that lost to Toledo at the Big House last week) and watch Sakoda's field goal that turned out to be the winning score. He kicked the field goal with time expired on the play clock! It should have been a delay of game and backed up 5 yards. Not saying he wouldn't have made it, just saying it was a huge help from the ref. Now lets go to the 2 point conversion at Michigan. Go back and watch the replay and notice that the Ute defender made contact with the Michigan receiver and never turned his head around to find the ball. That is usually called pass interference but the refs kept the flag in the pocket. Go to the Oregon State game, similar play, different call.

I'm not saying that BYU has not been the recipient of some questionable calls this year, but my point is that BOTH teams have benefited in some big situations from the men in stripes.

To Mr. Unlucky | 9:43 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I know you're bitterly disappointed that BYU managed to beat Washington and New Mexico, but:

It was EXECUTION, not luck, that blocked Washington's extra point try; the kick would have been blocked even if it had been kicked from normal distant.

It was EXECUTION, not luck, that led to BYU's final touchdown drive. Even if New Mexico's TD hadn't been called back because of a legitimate block in the back call, BYU still would have won the game 21-10.

Luck, was Oregon State's poor clock management at the end of their game at RES that gave Utah time to kick the winning field goal.

Re: Optimist | 9:43 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I don't think there's anything wrong with Bronco explaining what the values are of the BYU team. I think it's respectable. If BYU keeps winning games, THAT is what will make the nation turn it's head, not the other. I think Bronco has the team on track to get recognition and to show the great values of the team. I respect Bronco highly for all of his talk about the firesides. What a great man!

Hey Pablo | 9:50 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I like your research. Good job!? I think you were trashing your own team though!?

Bender Rodriguez | 9:51 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Let's break it down so even a BYU fan can understand it...

For laughs, Eliminate the MWC & Utah St from the schedules of the U & Y. Michigan > UCLA, Ore St > Washington, Weber = N Iowa. Advantage: U

Adding the Aggie Game; Utah beat USU by more than the Y did.

Lets consider the MWC now (to date): Utah 3-0 & BYU 2-0

Who's better?

BYU | 9:59 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Wins big at home and struggles on the road, the NMex game the exception.

I have my doubts about BYU winning, I also think Utah will loose one too to be fair.

I am so sick about people thinking the reffs gave BYU a win in Washington. The fact is if the officals were calling a fair game BYU would have creamed Washington. The reffs had to call it, for more than one reason. The calls were way lopsided and they had to call a make up as well as letter of the law and they did.

Stop winning BYU hands down out played the reffs and Washington!

Re: To Mr. Unlucky | 10:06 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

The "execution" to block the extra point came when the ball was moved back 15 yards. A true extra point would have cleared the jumping defenders. Just look at the conversion percentages from a PAT vs. a 35 yard field goal...about a 20% difference.

The "execution" of the final BYU drives came after the entire momentum of the game was changed after the "block in the back" call. How can you tell if NM wouldn't have stuffed BYU after getting that touchdown and stealing ALL of the momentum. As astute football fans, you know like me that momentum is a game-changer in football, and whoever has it is likely to win.

Again I say that officials have directly affected the game in 2 of BYU's wins. Try to come back with all the "luckyness" that the U has had this season but BYU is truely LUCKY to be where they are today.

Anonymous | 10:08 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

According to those that have a vote - BYU is better - sos is only a small part of the equation - go back to school and find the right question before you try to find the answer!

Breaking it Down | 10:11 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Let's break it down so even Bender can understand it. Who's better? Don't know yet. I have a pretty good fealing we'll know on November 23rd, though.

That Michigan team that's clearly better than UCLA. Are they the same Michigan team that lost to Toledo and was thrashed by Notre Dame? Just curious.

Fairness | 10:14 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

So if all you cougar fans are correct about the BCS being unfair then Boise and Tulsa should be ranked above you. They are undefeated too.

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