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National perspective: BYU-TCU and the BCS

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BlueBoy | 5:15 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
All this BCS talk will eventually be fruitless. BYU will stumble at TCU, then beat Utah, leaving no MWC team undefeated.

However, if the other non-BCS undefeated teams should all lose, leaving no non-BCS team undefeated, BYU can still get into a BCS game (automatic bid) should it be ranked higher than either the Big East or ACC champ in the end.

Either scenario (BYU going undefeated or being ranked high enough in the end) is unlikely. The latter requires others to help. The former is in BYU's hands, which haven't proven very consistent yet (except for the defense--but it can't bail out the offense all year long).

I have a bad feeling about this Thursday night game down in Texas. If we do win, it'll be so ugly that we'll get dropped out of the top 10.

Pollsters respect defense, but to be top-10 ranked you also need impressive offense, which in spite of our weapons we still don't have yet.

Get with it, BYU coaches!
BlueBoy | 5:23 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
And don't think for a minute pollsters won't compare how BYU does against TCU because of how TCU got clobbered by Oklahoma. Pollsters will allow for the fact that we're playing at TCU, but not by very many points.

Pollsters are expecting BYU to go down and beat TCU by at least 21 if they're going to accept BYU as a legitimate top-10 team, including not letting TCU score more than 17. And that's especially true for a tema that's getting print about playing in the National Championship game.

BTW, all this BCS and polls talk is about that championship game--not about just getting into a BCS game. A BCS berth automatic by going undefeated or by being ranked 12th or 16th (if higher than the Big East or ACC champ). So, poll talk is really all about getting to the big one.

Fun to contemplate, but an unlikely reality.

If BYU does get a BCS game, let's hope it's similar to Boise State's, where they at least beat a respected team. Or Hawaii's, where they faced a well respected team that started the next season at the top of the polls.
First | 5:23 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
BYU in the Rose Bowl?

Look, I'm a lifelong BYU fan, but the only way the Rose Bowl would pick any non-BCS team is if they were absolutely forced to do so. I think they'd rather have a 3-loss BCS team than an undefeated BYU or Utah team.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong on this, but the way the system is currently set up I don't think the Rose Bowl ever "has" to take anyone. I think they get first pick to replace either the Pac-10 or Big-10 champ if either one is in the national championship game. I think only the other BCS bowls ever "have" to take a non-BCS school.
Comments continue below
Bob in line | 7:43 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Agreed on the Rose Bowl taking a 5 lose BCS team over Utah or BYU.

I agree that for the MWC it really boils down to this game. I think when TCU travels to Utah they lose to Utah. If BYU can beat TCU tomorrow night then the Nov 22 game should be between two undefeated and nationally ranked teams. Winner goes to a BCS game. Loser is stuck in that horrible Vegas bowl with the last place finisher in the Pac-10.

I think BYU will beat TCU. Our defense should cause them fits and keep their score low. I was guessing in the 21-24 point range though I think it could be lower than this, maybe 14-17. Their offense was just horrible against Colorado St.

The key is our offense. It has been sloppy as you can imagine. Our rushing game is only there for fun. Our offense is about the pass, and we should be able to get that going against a defense that is geared to stop the rush, but has been blown open on the pass. When on all cylanders BYUs passing game is as good as any in the nation.

BYU wins this one 31-14.
DieHardCougar | 7:50 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
RE: BlueBoy
"Pollsters are expecting BYU to go down and beat TCU by at least 21 if they're going to accept BYU as a legitimate top-10 team, including not letting TCU score more than 17. And that's especially true for a tema that's getting print about playing in the National Championship game."
Just so you know, pollsters have already accepted BYU as a legitimate top-10 team (otherwise they wouldn't be there). BYU has to get a victory by 21 points on the road against a ranked (24th in the USA Today/Coaches' Poll) team or they don't get any love? That's ridiculous. A 5-point victory would be good enough in the pollsters' eyes. I expect BYU to move up in the polls if they win tomorrow.
Re: First | 8:16 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
You're right that the rose bowl picks replacements before the Fiesta, Sugar, and Orange get to fill in their second spots.

I think there is no way BYU ends up in the Rose. If either USC or Penn St gets into the championship, the rose bowl will take either the second place Big 12 or second place SEC team. If both USC and Penn State get in, the rose bowl will take both second place teams over an undefeated BYU, Utah, or Boise.

That is all assuming no other Big 10 team is eligible, which there probably will be(Ohio St or Michigan St).
BYU - Happy Valley | 8:22 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Just do it, Make UTAH proud and Happy
The Rose Bowl wants BYU | 8:35 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
You people are so clueless... do you know how many Mormons live in SoCal? Almost as many as in Utah.

And do you know how many Californians live in Utah? Tens of thousands! Californians love Mormons and would LOVE an excuse to have BYU at the Rose Bowl.

I can taste the In-N-Out burgers now, even if I can't get tickets to the game I'd go to watch it on TV from the parking lot there. It would be so awesome!
St. George Aggie | 8:46 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
IF the Cougs pull of the victory then we can start talking, but let's wait 'til the game is played.

The Cougs are favored by 1.5 points down in Texas. It will definitely be a great game with a lot of implications at stake.

Yes the MWC needs both BYU and Utah to go undefeated 'til Nov. 22, BUT let's not put the cart before the horse and take each game one game at a time.

As far as BYU or Utah moving up in the polls, it ain't going to happen. Utah could move up a little but BYU won't move up much if any 'til that BYU-Utah game. After that game would be the only chance BYU or Utah would have of cracking the TOP 5, and that is unlikely.

Do you think the pollsters and especially the BCS wants a non-BCS in the top 5? I'll answer that for you, NO!

Here's to hoping that BYU and Utah go undefeated 'til Nov. 22!
Suggestion | 8:59 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I think it would be better for BYU to have wins over a two-loss Utah and a two-loss TCU when the season comes to an end. Both would still be ranked in the top 25, thus improving BYU's SOS and BCS ranking, as they would have wins over two teams who ended the season in the Top 25 rather than just one.

But that is looking ahead. Need to take care of Thursday first.
Texas Cougar | 9:19 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
BYU in the Rose Bowl...That'll be the day! Not that I think BYU is unworthy. It's just that the Rose Bowl doesn't deal in mid-major conferences.
Texas Cougar | 9:35 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
RE:BlueBoy

BYU opened as a two and a half point favorite. The game is now even! Any BYU win will be positive. TCU is solid defensively but playing with a second string quarterback. BYU 21- 10, go Cougars! I'll be there rooting them on to victory!
stan | 9:36 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
The Rose Bowl will sell out regardless. Having lots of Mormons in So Cal does not help BYU's cause.
Coug Fan | 9:47 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
In 1984 BYU nearly lost to Hawaii. It took a defense holding Hawaii out of the end zone with 4th and inches. An amazing defensive move where our man timed his somersault flip to catch the runner 3 yards deep in the backfield preserved the win.
The most important thing we can do is to just keep winning. Who are the pollsters that require a BYU victory by 21 or the defense to give up no more than 17 points? It sounds like you're only talking about next weeks ranking. There is still half a season of football left to play. This is the game I've been concerned about for a whole year. If we get past TCU then it will most likely be both BYU and Utah at 11-0 on November 22nd.
Conejo | 9:53 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
@ St. George Aggie,
Why can't we talk about it now? You shouldn't be talking about us, talking about it, until it has already happened. So take that! Get real. Fans are going to, and have talked about "it" every season since football was invented. If a championship isn't on everyone's mind at the beginning, middle, and end of every undefeated season there is something wrong.
Come on! | 10:03 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Has ANYBODY noticed that BYU, after beating nobody of any significance and only beating Washington by 1, is ranked 8 & 9! People respect BYU, it is obvious. What happens if they pound on TCU, then what? What happens if they pound on TCU then roll on to Utah and win that game impressively? Don't give me the "it wont happen garbage" I'm speaking hypothetically. And, IF it does happen believe me the Rose bowl WOULD take BYU, BELIEVE IT! As hard as it is for the yewetes to accept, BYU is respected more so than any other mid-major.
Cougarfan | 10:07 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I'm a cougarfan but if TCU wins they're back in the race for a BCS bowl bid. Trust me two victories over top ten teams will be enough to put the frogs ahead of an undefeated Boise State.
treatyman | 10:08 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
i think we should hold on with all the talk about going to a bowl etc..we are half way through a season with tcu coming up...the cougars are looking like they are running low on gas.
BYU in Rose Bowl | 10:10 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
It all depends on the hype when the time comes to make selections. If BYU is undefeated after beating a highly ranked Utah team, and other teams in the top 10 are suspect with multiple losses, and there is even serious talk that BYU deserves a chance at a National Championship, then I think the Rose Bowl would take BYU, as long as either the PAC-10 or Big-10 Champ were in the NCG. They'd be crazy not to, especially after the flack from last year for taking a poor Illinois team and rendering the bowl game virtually unwatchable.
The Sage | 10:12 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I can't believe some of the misinformed comments about the BYUvsTCU game. BYU opened at only a 2 point favorite and the points have now dropped to a "Pick'Em" or even. If BYU wins by a field goal, or even by one point, the Cougars will stay ranked in the top ten. Yes, Oklahoma killed TCU at Oklahoma, but even mighty USC got beat by a less than stellar Oregon State team at Oregon. The key to the game will be whether BYU's offense will be able to pick up key first downs on third down.
Big L-East | 10:37 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I'm from the east coast and can say the Big East and ACC are bother jokes. BYU, Utah, TCU, New Mexico, Air Force and UNLV could all play fine in those conferences. The only conference that scares me is the SEC.
Oregonian | 10:43 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
The real reason why BYU won't make a BCS bowl: BYU fans travel with the Word of Wisdom and a twenty dollar bill, and they won't break either one.
MWC Delusions of Grandeur | 10:54 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
It's been interesting reading from the very beginning of the season to read about the potential BCS busters-even in USA Today.

But really folks, it is time for a dose of reality for all you Utah/BYU/Boise fans. Even in our wildest dreams and fantasies about National Championship games and Rose Bowls-let's all agree that it simply can not and will not be allowed to happen.

Even in the "perfect storm" (remember 1984) scenarios about 2-3 loss BCS Conference teams vs an undefeated BYU or Utah or Boise, the powers that be will not allow such a matchup to take place. The Rose Bowl would far prefer a traditional Pac-10 + Big 10 matchup even if both conference champions had 2 or 3 losses, rather than invite an outsider to share the spoils. It is all about tradition and money (of course).

So, please let's quit the speculation, put aside the dreams of a warm New Years Day in Pasadena or Miami and prepare ourselves for another chilly evening in Las Vegas and San Francisco playing middle of the pack BCS conference teams.

It's been entertaining, but it's time for a big dose of BCS Reality.

Nevertheless, go Cougs beat TCU!
Remember the past? | 10:59 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
The Rose Bowl will not take BYU even if they win out and beat every opponent by 5 touchdowns. I mean, this is the bowl that picked Illinois last year. They will stick with the Big 10 vs. Pac 10 format - and as the article mentioned, if they can't get that they'll take a 2nd place Big 12/SEC team over the Y. Tradition and money, gotta love it...
RE: BlueBoy | 11:02 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I disagree with the rest of the negative (realistic if your prefer) thoughts, but I do agree -

This has to be a big win to move up in the polls. A tough victory over a gret TCU defense just won't get the love, and we could slip if one of the pretty boys leap-frogs us again.

And any outcome is possible, thus the 1.5 point spread mentioned earlier. But if the offense that clobbered a couple of teams shows up, even against a great defense, light the lights and ring the bells.

But if we are still firing like an V-8 engine badly in need of a tune-up, all that fire power sputtering inconsistently, it will be hard fought.
Dave | 11:04 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I myself am so excited about this game, Tulsa Christian and byu, what a feeling of nervousness and excitement it brings to me and I'm sure every college football fan nationwide. I'll Tivo this one for sure because it will most definitely decide so much at the end of the year. I'll go back and watch it over and over and over. Go Christian Cougars!!!!
National TV? | 11:27 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
The only reason to play on Thursday night is to play on national TV. Versus does not count as national TV.

If no one watches, there is no reason this game shouldn't be on Saturday. I think playing on Thursday will be the factor that gets TCU a win.
Blah Blah Blah | 11:29 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Blah Blah Blah BYU BYU. Should have expected it reading the Deseret News. Before you all get your hearts set at playing in the Rose Bowl, you first better consider that Utah has just as good a chance at going undefeated as BYU does. Maybe better, because BYU plays at Rice Eccles this year. So remember, that you're not only playing against the BCS teams in the polls. You actually have to play on the field, and the Utes are on the same level.
magnus | 11:30 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I agree with Cougarfan, if TCU wins out they would likely be in position for a BCS bowl birth.

Also agree with The Sage and others about the margin of victory. If they knock off #9 BYU and #10ish Utah then they end up in the top 10.

TCU was on the road at Oklahoma and all they had to do was keep that game close and they never would have dropped out of the top 25, but they turned the ball over 4 times and lost by 25. I personaly think TCU beat themselves against Oklahoma with turnovers and penalties.
Slyder | 11:31 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
BYU will lose to Utah so it doesn't matter!
Anonymous | 11:32 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
In-N-out burgers along with the Y and U are overrated big time!!!
Re: BYU in Rose? | 11:49 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
No way would the Rose Bowl take BYU. Not this year, and not in a hundred years. The Rose is all about Pac Ten vs Big Ten, and that's all they want. If USC plays in the BCS championship game, the Rose will certainly take a Pac Ten team to replace them. It's happened before, and it will happen again, no matter how bad the rest of the Pac Ten is and no matter where BYU is ranked.
BYU QB | 11:53 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
All this stuff is fine if Hall stays healthy, which won't happen. BYU will be dead at the end of the season. They should of really looked at picking up a JC guy. What about next near? the second string is so important at QB. too bad!!!
To Oregonian | 11:58 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Thank You, what a great complement !!!
rvalens2 | 11:58 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Re: BlueBoy

"All this BCS talk will eventually be fruitless. BYU will stumble at TCU, then beat Utah, leaving no MWC team undefeated."

Wow, talk about being a pessimist! Why bother being a fan if you can't be a bit optimistic about the teams you support.
re: Oregonian | 12:01 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
You need to give credit to where that comment came from.....
Wa BYU fan | 12:08 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
the cougars will not play in the nc game regardless of what happens.
Y alumni | 12:10 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
To Oregonian:

For the most part you are right, however I was amazed at how many BYU fans I saw at the Vegas Sportsbooks placing rather large bets on the game these past few years!!(including myself)They were not hiding it either, as many were all decked out in their BYU gear! I guess thats not in the word of wisdom.

The rose bowl just needs about 40 ice cream stands so we can all gain a little more weight.
Congressional intervention? | 12:16 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Okay.... for all of us living in reality, it's a given that regardless whether BYU (or Utah) is going undefeated, no MWC team will EVER play for the National Championship. THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE! The BCS was set up by BCS people FOR BCS people. A non-BCS conference team would have to have 2 undefeated seasons in a row to garnish any kind of consideration for it. END OF STORY! It sucks to be us, and until the BCS is gone, we (the non-BCS) conferences are gonna get the shaft EVERY time. As far as the Rose Bowl is concerned, those bast___s won't take BYU. It doesn't matter that there are more mormons in Cali than in Utah. Mormons don't drink, and they'd lose revenue there. (Don't kid yourself.... it's a chunk of change.) As much as we hate it, the MWC doesn't and won't grab any headlines over teams from the OTHER conferences. Can anyone say "MONOPOLY"? How in the world did it get THIS far out of control? I hate the BCS and always will until they can learn to play fair.... literally.

GO COUGARS!!!! (and any OTHER non-BCS team)
Cougar Guy | 12:29 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Oregonian:
That joke about stingy BYU fans has been used over the past few years to try to convince the Las Vegas Bowl that having BYU there is a bad idea, but I haven't heard any complaints from them the last 3 years. The Holiday Bowl is San Diego, CA didn't do too badly either with BYU visiting there anually during the 80's.
az coug | 12:32 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
BYU must win Thursday!!! Every player needs to be ready to leave the maximum effort on the field on every down. Max needs to distribute the ball to the tight ends and Harvey out of the backfield, then look for the huge strikes to Collie.

If every Cougar plays over his head, lights out.... we might have enough to win.

To state that BYU-TCU and the MWC get national attention on the Micro-versus network is a farce.

The entire mwc gets no exposure as long as we sit on the MOUNTAIN network...what a joke. Very few recieve VERSUS.

The nasty BCS secret goes far beyond the money hoarded by BCS schools....the real advantage is recruiting!

Great players will not choose none BCS schools because of the exposure gap which puts BCS schools on every network all day Saturday.

If I have dreams of playing on Sunday why choose a non BCS School?

By Busting the BCS SCAM we can overcome....Go Cougs
Go MTN | 12:42 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Huge game, Huge implications Thursday night and it is on VS a channel 50% of america does not even realize they have. Way to go Commisioner and ADs Great exposure for 2 of your top 3 teams with huge national implications what a joke!!!! GO UTES
Irony | 12:43 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I think it is hilarious that Bronco now mentions that it is worthwhile to play on THursday night for the TV exposure -- but they are on Versus!! The irony here is that they went away from ESPN and signed with CSTV and eventually formed the Mtn because they did not want to have to play on Thursday night!! NOw, they realize they need to go to Thursday night for the exposure, but instead of being on ESPN, they are on freaking Versus! Downright hilarious if you ask me!

Meanwhile, Boise STate will be in prime time on ESPN Friday night - nationally seen by everyone with a TV pretty much. And they will be the only college football game on TV that night. The WAC has a way better TV deal than the Mtn west in terms of national exposure.
RE: BlueBoy | 12:47 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
You are very ignorant - do you even pay attention to the polls? A win no matter how ugly against TCU will at least keep BYU where they're at in the polls.
Tulsa Christian? | 12:59 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
How come we're playing Tulsa Christian in Fort Worth, Texas?
Earth | 1:05 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Byu, in my view, will have a difficult time winning in Fort Worth. I do not expect a victory. If Byu were to pull out a victory it would be great. You folks that are already talking about an undefeated season and potential NC need to watch some more games. That is a classic example of placing the cart before the horse. Byu, if they don't win on Thursday, may not even win the MWC title. All this talk of BCS at this point in the season is illogical. Utah will also drop a game or two(they play New Mexico down there). Calm down out there.
Re: Re: BYU in Rose? | 1:14 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
"If USC plays in the BCS championship game, the Rose will certainly take a Pac Ten team to replace them."

What if there's not another BCS eligible team in the PAC-10? Which is highly likely this year. Then the Rose Bowl has to go outside tradition.
Re: magnus | 1:17 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
How many times can TCU use the excuse that they had too many turnovers and penalties? Same thing happened against CSU last week where they were barely able to pull of that "impressive" 13-7 win. After a while, too many turnovers and penalties becomes part of your identity and weakness as a team.
Polls are a messy business | 1:33 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
It just doesn't seam right first of all that TCU is not ranked higher. They're a better team than that. Second if any of the three MWC teams beat each other the looser will fall more than 10 spots in the polls, but if BCS Automatic qualifier teams beat up on each other they only fall 4 or 5 spots in the polls, so they can beat the crap out of each other but in the MWC it's one loss and your out! When the MWC is a much stronger conf. than some of the BCS AQ conferences! Good luck! Go Coug's (ouch that hurts) and Go UTES!!
Justin | 1:56 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
The best thing for Utah would appear to be TCU beating BYU and Utah beating both TCU and BYU. Then, both TCU and BYU would likely be in the top 25 when they play Utah. If BYU beats TCU, TCU would likely be out of the top 25 for the rest of the year. On the other hand, maybe beating BYU when it is a top 10 team would be better for Utah than beating two top 25 teams. It is fun to think about and blog about, however, all any team can do is win all the games on its schedule. Then the polls and the Bowls decide the match-ups.

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