Deseret News | BYU football: Dreams can be dashed at TCU

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BYU football: Dreams can be dashed at TCU

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re: go TCU | 1:00 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

For whoever said that it would be good for Utah if BYU lost is wrong. At the end of the year if Utah and BYU are both undefeated BYU will be ranked about 6 or 7 and Utah will be ranked 9 or 10. Utah will get much more national props beating a top 7 team (an undefeated BYU team)than beating 2 top 20 teams (a 1 lose BYU and 1 lose TCU teams)

Utah beating 2 top 20 MWC teams at home when you a top 10 team just shows that you did what you were supposed to do. Any idiot can see that ï¿½ You must be a Utah fan

Ernestly | 1:12 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

Ernestly Ernest you are the troll.

Re: Hummmm | 1:12 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

I attend an SEC school (UF). BYU is plenty good enough to play in the SEC. They wouldn't be the top of the conference (but then again, strange things happen in college football) but they wouldn't be at the bottom either. BYU could beat any team in the SEC but I don't think they'd make it through a whole season undefeated. This year BYU would easily beat every SEC team except for Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and LSU. Even with those 4 schools, BYU could probably hold their own. Maybe BYU doesn't deserve their high ranking but they certainly could beat any of the teams ranked lower than themselves and could put up a good fight or even beat any team ranked higher than themselves (so could Utah for that matter). The best teams are not always the highest-ranked teams or even the teams that play for the national title.

Comments continue below

RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!! | 1:13 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

I just LOVE how Washington and New Mexico blame their losses on the officiating. Perhaps they can shift some of that blame to themselves...they're the guilty ones for not getting the job done. Please, don't blame the refs for your mistakes.

Different Day...Same Dime Store | 1:15 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

I will be watching the game fromm Michigan on Thursday night....

While I believe that TCU is the best team BYU has faced at this point of the season, I don't believe the hype that is being passed around by the Ute fans that blog BYU threads like this....

If there is a lala land for football fans it is just north of the point of the mountain....imagine and here we go again...the same three guys that blog Cougars threads....talking of a BYU meltdown for a third year in a row...lala all you want...BY will come prepared to win the game in Ft. Worth...

'Fear' is the killer.....(Dune the Movie, 1984)

Respect, humility and the qualities Bronco teaches his players in regards to preparation for a particular game will be the key to BYU's success on Thursday night. I fully expect BYU tobe quite successful in their play against the Frogs...and again, and how many times must it be expressed, our player's at BYU don't read your 'crap' or believe what you h'utes dribble on about us...

What 'WE KNOW'(Cougar Fans)What you don't know...or ever will....

Tradition...Spirit...Honor...

Position Mastery...Consistency...Focus

Execution...Separation...Domination

Principles that guide Cougar Football...

Time play 'REAL' Football...Cougar Football

Anonymous | 1:19 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

"re:Ernest T Bass | 9:00 a.m. Oct. 14, 2008
I smell a troll. 100:1.

Personally, I don't BYU will beat TCU. I hope I'm wrong, but sense I'm not."

Yeah, Ernest T. Bass is definitely a troll. If you've been following various DesNews posts, anything about the Church or BYU yields spews of criticism, and nothing but criticism, from Ernest.

Go Cougars!

Re:Dutchman | 1:19 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

That will be impossible for the Utes to move ahead of them. In all the Mock BCS polls, Utah is already ahead of BYU.

My thoughts | 1:24 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

In the end it doesnï¿½t matter what the loser of the BYU/Utah game. The Undefeated MWC Team (BYU or Utah) will go to a BCS Bowl. The BCS has a bowl game saved for the non-conference teams. What the loser does doesnï¿½t really matter.

But if everything plays out perfectlyï¿½ If Big 12 beat itself up - Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech, Kansas and Missouri all have one loss and most of them have 2 loses! ! If Alabama loses a game! If Penn State looses at Ohio State and Ohio State losses at Michigan State and Michigan State loses at Penn State! If USC loses another game in the Pac 10 ï¿½ a conference that went 1 and 6 against the MWC! If the Big East and ACC keeps sucking! If BYU and Utah roll through the rest of their MWC schedule? If BYU and Utah are both undefeated at the end of the season! If the game is picked up on National Television! If the BYU - Utah game is very high scoring, close and exciting! If all this happens ï¿½ BYU or Utah will still not play for a National Championship ï¿½ I know it's sad.

casual fan | 1:35 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

TCU 31 BYU 28 or maybe BYU 34 TCU 31 or maybe TCU 42 BYU 27 or maybe TCU 38 BYU 35 or maybe something else.

Hmmm... | 1:41 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

Hummmm | 11:28 a.m. Oct. 14, 2008
"You think USC is a bad team? OK. Wouldn't even be a contest at LES. USC has more talent riding the bench than BYU has on the field. Get real with your comments."

USC had more talent on the bench than Oregon State had on the field. Who won that game? I think that pretty much invalidates your argument.

It's Over BYU | 1:42 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

You will lose and everyone will love it!

re correction at 8:51 | 1:52 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

wow, taking a comment about tcu and byu and talkin about the utes? PARANOID!

magnus | 1:59 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

@ Re: go TCU

Actually, according to the latest estimates of the BCS polls if BYU and Utah both go undefeated Utah will probably be ranked AHEAD of BYU and be the favorite to win the Holy War. Utahs Computer numbers are much, much better than BYU.

The reason I hope they are both undefeated on Nov. 22 is that it will start the National Championship discussion and put the BCS in a tough spot because it will have 2 (maybe 3) non-BCS teams ranked in the top 15.

Don't get me wrong, actually playing in the national championship game is a 100-1 longshot at best but just starting the discussion is a step in the right direction...the direction that leads to getting rid of the BCS.

I'm a Cougar fan and I think they can and will beat both the Utes and the Frogs but the truth is what it is.

curious | 1:59 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

re: byu fan | 11:52 a.m. Oct. 14, 2008

>>byu is da bomb.<<

When will they destruct?

favorites | 2:14 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

if favorites always won, Las Vegas would be out of business in a week.

Most of the so-called "experts" are just as clueless as regular fans.

End the beauty contest!

Give us a true playoff with legitimate opportunities for every 1-A team to participate regardless of conference membership.

Until then, college football's "elite" division will continue to play second fiddle to the divisions that determine their champions the good old fashioned way, they earn it on the field.

RR | 2:20 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

I just watched the highlights from the game in 2006. BYU shredded TCU's defense by throwing 20-30 yards at a time. They ran to the outside and got a good 10-15 yards sometimes.

No one can run on TCU, not even OU. If Hall and all the receivers are on, TCU will not stand a chance. Look for some great passing plays and more shots down the field.

In '06, everyone just like on here, predicted doom and gloom and BYU destroyed TCU, and TCU had a bye week that week. Mendenhall has done very well with Thursday games.

BYU should win, but if they lose, that will give them even more motivation to destroy Utah, and send them far from a B$ bowl and the Vegas Bowl.

RE re: go TCU | 2:21 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

umm, since when are you a voter for the polls? While it would look better for Utah to beat an undefeated byu in nov, guess what-If TCU beats byu, and Utah can beat TCU, its still huge, cause without a doubt TCU would move up in the polls and byu wouldnt fall out of the top 20, in my opinion. DO a little thinking before you pop off against a ute fan. typical zoob.

Texas BYU Fan (Ft Worth) | 2:26 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

BYU has been hiding their play book in the last two games. They have purposely held themselves back.

Facts:
1. the only reason to win big against Utah State and NM is to try to climb the polls.

2. BYU coaching doesn't care about the polls, they care more about winning all their games.

3. If you can tie one hand behind your back and win anyway, why wouldn't you do that, and keep the future teams guessing what you have?

Mock BCS poll | 2:58 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

If it's available today, BCS poll will look like this:
1. Texas .990
2. Alabama .959
3. Penn State .885
4. USC .758
5. Texas Tech .726
6. Oklahoma .714
7. Oklahoma State .712
8. Florida .662
9. Utah .638
10. Georgia .612
11. Ohio State .591
12. BYU .573

SoCalUtahFan

Florida State | 3:00 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

"...Expect the same thing when we travel to Florida State next season.

Go Cougs!!"
__________________________________
Great comments, except Florida State comes to Provo next year.

RE: Texas BYU Fan (Ft Worth) | 3:00 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

Facts:
1. the only reason to win big against Utah State and NM is to try to climb the polls - false. Fact: BYU was lucky to win those games, the refs handed the wins to BYU.

2. BYU coaching doesn't care about the polls, they care more about winning all their games - false. Fact: BYU coaches are incompetent and clueless.

3. If you can tie one hand behind your back and win anyway, why wouldn't you do that, and keep the future teams guessing what you have? - huh? I don't understand your last fact. BYU has shown they are vulnerable. Finally BYU will play a quality opponent that can actually exploit their weaknesses. Such as: terrible pass defense, slow receivers, one dimensional QB who stares down his receivers, slow offensive line, and emotional players who are quick to commit personal fouls.

BYU will fall hard. TCU 34 BYU 3

RE: BYU Fascination | 3:00 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

UCLA = quality bowl opponent? Begas Bowl is a quality bowl?

I'm a Y fan, but that is one of the dumbest comments I've seen here. Neither team has had a quality bowl game except the '04 Fiesta Bowl, and the opponent in that game was a joke.

At least make a comment that makes sense, you make all of us look stupid.

Ute trolls... | 3:11 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

dressed as frogs. How cute!

But clueless.

Re: Mock BCS poll | 3:29 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

Uhhh...that's not true. The BCS standings would not look like that although it would be similar. Where did you get those? Because several different outlets have their own predictions yet they all vary slightly. Do you know why? Because Peter Wolfe, one of the six computer ranking components, does not release his rankings until the first official BCS standings come out (Oct. 19th). By they way, the gap that separated BYU from Utah last week in those mock standings was cut in half after BYU played New Mexico and Utah played Wyoming. Expect BYU to make up the rest of that difference if they beat TCU and if Utah beats Colorado State, doesn't matter the score. It really is a toss up whose ahead, BYU or Utah, when the first iteration comes out next Sunday.

Texas Ute | 3:36 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

I will be pulling for BYU . . . I don't want them to be tarnished when we punish them in Salt Lake later in the year.

Hmmm... | 3:39 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

In response to: RE: Texas BYU Fan (Ft Worth) | 3:00 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

1. BYU was up 24-0 at the end of the first quarter against Utah State. I don't recall officiating being a factor at all.

2. BYU's coaches do more with three-star recruits than anyone else in the country. BYU is 28-4 dating back to the start of the 2006 season, with a 16 game winning streak. They haven't lost a conference game for 18 games. You'd better believe that all those "elite" teams out there who are having a down year will be looking seriously at these "clueless" BYU coaches.

3. Agreed, BYU has shown some weakness. But so has TCU. They gave up over 400 yards passing and committed 4 turnovers against Oklahoma. If BYU passes for 300 yards and gets 2 turnovers on Thursday night, they'll leave Fort Worth with a win.

BYU will show up to play. BYU 35, TCU 21

magnus | 3:39 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

cute indeed.

I love what people choose to call "FACTS". here's a tip sports fans, anytime you are railing aginst your cheif rival, the "facts" are totally irrelevant.

So how about we just stick to good old fashioned namecalling and stop pretending that we know what we are talkign about, Agreed?

ok, great.

BYU 31 TCU 27

Because, all other things being equal, the team with the hottest Cheerleaders usually wins, and on those grounds this one is no contest.

GO Cougars!!!

re: Florida State | 3:41 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

Thanks. Looking too far ahead I suppose. A problem with a lot of fans of every persuasion.

Hmmm... | 3:43 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

What Utah team have all these Ute homers been watching? I have yet to see the Utah offense play more than two quarters of impressive football this year. BYU hasn't looked sharp in their last two games either. I don't think anyone will be "punishing" anyone on Nov 22.

Re: Mock BCS poll | 3:29PM | 4:11 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

Got this from ESPN.
Your point about P Wolfe is good. This is as close to BCS as possible --remember, 4 computer polls (after the best and worst thrown out) is only 1/3 of the score.

Here is their explanation of the calculation:
...These numbers are produced by a calculation of point values from the coaches' poll, the Harris Interactive poll, and five computer ratings (Anderson & Hester, Billingsley, Colley, Massey and Sagarin). The best and worst computer ratings for each team are eliminated. A sixth computer rating (Wolfe) is part of the BCS formula but is not yet being published...

Re Different Day ...Same Dime | 4:13 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

Exactly how does your convoluted comment enhance this "dime store"? Really appreciate the mottos you threw up though. I am sure they sell a few t-shirts in Provo.

Tradition, Honor, Spirit? Talk is horribly cheap as is blogging. How about "Prove it"!

When someone or some entity has to constantly promote themselves in a certain way then it generally means they are lacking.

Here's a proven theory I read on a t-shirt recently "If you have to tell someone you deserve respect it is because you haven't earned it".

Let BYU's team speak for themselves on the football field...They have done well so far. Thank heavens we don't have to rely on the blogging fans for proof of competence and class.

"Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum"

See ya Nov. 22nd. It should be epic.

Go Utes. (I hope the Y does well until then)

To: Mock BCS Poll | 4:26 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

Yeah, I understand all of that. That's why I questioned you saying "If it's available today, BCS poll will look like this". And even though the computer rankings only make up 1/3 of those standings, we see that they can still be very important considering Utah is able to leapfrog BYU by 3 spots yet BYU is ahead of them by 5 and 6 spots respectively in both human polls. That's why even though there are six computer rankings to factor in, the absence of Wolfe's could make a somewhat significant difference.

Fact or No Fact? | 4:38 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

Fact: BYU was not handed any win by any ref. Washington couldn't get the job done. New Mexico would have still been down by 4 points had they scored.

2003 BYU Alum | 4:45 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

MY HOPES

1. BYU 45 TCU 0
2. Utah loses HALF of their remaining games, including to the cougs.

REALITY

1. BYU 45 TCU 7
2. Utah loses 2 remaining games - including one to the cougs.

COMMENT - All of you fans hoping for an undefeated BYU/UTAH game, sorry - it ain't gonna happen. I tried hoping for Utah to win a few weekends ago - I can't reconcile. I can think of only a few things in this world harder for me to do than to root for Utah in a sporting event. Too many annoying experiences with friends and family who are Utah fans prevent me from being charitable in this regard. I don't care - BYU will go undefeated anyway to BCS bowl, who cares if UT is 11-0 at that time? Not me.

TO ALL YOU COUGAR FANS HOPING UTAH WINS EACH WEEK - Take a look at yourselves in the mirror and tell me you don't feel that something inside is seriously wrong.

Bill Engvall | 5:29 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

re: mark | 12:57 a.m. Oct. 14, 2008

>>ARE WE PLAYING TCU IN SALT LAKE<<

Yeah. They are tearing down Energy solutions arena and putting a football stadium in its place..... There's your sign.

I don't think either team will be undefeated heading on 11/22. Furthermore, I don't care. There are so many better end of the season rivalries; The Iron Bowl, Texas/Texas A & M & Army/Navy just to name a few.

I find it incredibly amusing how so many people get incredibly bent out of shape about a game & results that means little if anything in the grand scheme of college football and life.

First BCS ranking | 5:50 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

Is not only based, in part, on a computer poll that no one has seen, but also on all of the games this week that haven't been played, which could have a significant impact on the human polls and on SOS.

Just one or two upsets could juggle everything.

Bottom line, the pre-BCS rankings projections are just about as reliable as the pre-season rankings.

BCS Polls | 6:03 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

I have gone over all the polls for the BCS and added them up in the right order to get the results that everyone is coming up with. However the truth is that as fluid as the human polls are the BCS computer polls are even more fluid. Also another reason Utah is ahead is because they have played 7 games where as BYU 6 and with the bcs polls going strictly of wins and losses that make a difference not much of one but a little. That is why this game is so important BYU need a win against a team in the top 30 of most of the BCS computer polls so they can go from being ranked from 14 to 35 to being 8 to 20 (talking about 4 specific bcs polls) then they just got to keep on winning to get it to go up the rest of the way.

On a side note it is mathematically possible for both BYU and Utah to go to a bcs game. But then again it is mathematically possible for the Red Sea to split what are the odds of that happening.

TCU-BYU Board | 6:06 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

Man, write a story about a BYU game, and you get a ton of Utes posting.

BYU's boards get on average about half the posts as Utah stories. Why?

I liked the previous post equating Ute Fans to stalkers, and getting a restraning order against them.

My question to all of the Ute Fans are:

Don't you have a team of your own? Do any of you even know or care who your team is playing this weekend? What does it diminish you if BYU beats any other team than Utah? Shouldn't you be more concerned with your own teams offense than what happens Thursday Night? What do you care if BYU fans in Provo live in a bubble, how does that affect you, your life, your wages, your families, etc? What's up with calling names like a third-grader? (kewgs, kitty litter, kittens) Does it make-up for some childhood issues?

Personally, I relocated to Bountiful from CA three years ago, and was looking forward to both teams playing, but you all are freakin nuts.

Just live your lives, be happy for the success of others. It's either that or a ton of money spent on meds and therapy.

Re: 2003 BYU Alum | 6:09 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

As a Utah alum, I can relate to your comment: "Too many annoying experiences with friends and family who are Utah fans prevent me from being charitable in this regard."

Except I would substitute BYU for Utah in that sentence. Can't count how many times I've been confronted by Zoobie fans - usually at church - crowing about a victory over the Utes.

It goes both ways.

RE:Hmmm... | 6:18 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

"3. Agreed, BYU has shown some weaknesses. But so has TCU." and then you start talking about the TCU defense giving up yards against Oklahoma's offense. NEWS FLASH, now sit down this is going to be hard for you to take, or to even understand completely. Your beloved Cougars are not as good as Oklahoma. Your offense may be good, but they haven't faced a respectable D, and your D has yet to face an Offense in the top 75 yet. Inhale, Exhale, I know this is hard for you to take but it's the facts. Which you are so proud to post.

Anonymous | 6:26 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

As a HUGE Utes fan I have to say I think BYU will win this. Mendenhall is a Great coach. It will be a dog fight I'm sure, but I don't think BYU will lose. I really hope both teams are undeafeted come Nov. Even if Utah's only lose is to BYU I could live with that. Best of luck to the Cougs.

Cougar Fan | 7:02 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

Well, I'm glad that a good team is finally up to bat, one that can give the Cougars a real test. Seems hard for BYU to get any serious consideration when other highly ranked teams play other ranked teams sometimes 2-3 weeks in a row. E.g., Texas v. Oklahoma.

re: TCU-BYU Board | 7:40 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

Well said friend!

Almost like the lives of Ute fans are rooted in envy for something they wish they had. Not sure why they refuse to understand that what is good for BYU is also good for Utah and the MWC. Their BCS success in 2004 was a blessing to the entire conference to include the Cougars they hate so much.

Again, thanks for the excellent comments.

OKC Cougar

ReRe Different Day ...Same Dime | 7:48 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

Here's a proven theory I read on a t-shirt recently "If you have to tell someone you deserve respect it is because you haven't earned it".

Boy that's the truth. Since BYU has been on this winning streak, JUST LOOK AT THESE BOARDS!!!!
Respect from Ute fans all over the place and we don't even want it from them.

4th and 18 | 7:48 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

BYU should pass to the backs coming out on the flat. TCU defenders will be concentrating hard on the tight end and wide receivers so much so that I am telling everyone right now, the backs will be open in the flat! TCU may try to adjust to cover that, and if they do, that will only open up the other receivers. BYU can beat TCU with the pass but not the run.

Y Grad / Y Dad | 8:45 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

I am so excited to wake up Friday morning and read all the new reasons why TCU wasn't really all that good either, why the refs handed the Y ANOTHER game, why a future BCS poll will rank Utah higher, and why the Y is so over-rated and that they don't play anybody that is any good except that Utah is so much better.

And of course Ernest T. Bass' predictably sarcastic comments about BYU being better than sliced bread and world peace.

TCU Amazing | 9:17 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

Who has TCU played that makes them so tough? The only close-to-decent team they've beaten is Stanford. TCU is fast, and they've allowed very few yards on defense, but they were fast last year, too and lost. As far as "#1 defense" in yards allowed, they've played almost nobody, except, of course, Stephen F. Austin--I don't know Stephen, is that one guy or a whole team?

TCU also just had a mediocre showing against Colorado State. If BYU's team shows up that played against UCLA, we should handle them, uh, handedly.

Last point, I hope the coaching staff has been saving up a lil' sumthin' for bigger games. We threw many different looks offensively at UCLA, but not nearly as much in the last two games. I have never seen BYU's defense, never, as good as it was against UCLA--Hard hitting, fast, incredible. You can't say it was just a weak UCLA. If BYU's defense could keep that up, I don't know who could stop us. I hope the coaching staff can keep pulling that kind of effort out of the team for some of the tougher up and coming competitors. Go Cougs.

Hamed | 9:25 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

Tcu is gonna walk on BYU
TCU 34- BYU 20
There goes BYU's dream, and here come the UTES.....GO UTES......

JazzFaninHouston | 10:15 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

In the last 2 games the coaching and play calling has been pretty conservative. Further, the offense has been pretty predictable. That sets the tone on offense. It becomes methodical and workman like. A lot of BYU's offense (or lack) is the play calling. It is a function of the coaches as much as it is the players.

As long as Hall does not force the ball into coverage and as long as the backs do not fumble, BYU should win this with a lot of effort. They tend to play up or down to the level of their opponents.

I do not know how good the defense really is but TCU is a good running team with some balance in their attack. The defense will have to have one of their best games.

My team will beat your team | 10:28 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

As you can see from the calendar, the game is coming up this weekend. I'm sure you are as excited for it as I am, as our cities are rivals and have been for quite some time. Your confidence in your team is high, but rest assured, you will suffer humiliation when the sports team from my area defeats the sports team from your area.

On numerous occasions, you have expressed the conviction that your area's sports team will be victorious. I must admit that every time I hear you make this proclamation, I react with both laughter and disbelief. "Ha!" I say to myself with laughter. "What?!" I say to myself in disbelief. How could you believe that your sports team could beat my sports team? It is clear that yours is inferior in every way.

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