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BYU football: TCU's defense ranks first in nation

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Re: Glenn | 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
As I recall, UCLA was ranked 18th when BYU played them after having defeated Tennessee. Of course, things have changed since then.
Unofficial doesn't matter | 1:35 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
If BYU or Utah lose this weekend, the "mock" BCS rankings mean absolutely nothing. If they both win this weekend, BYU gains a lot more than Utah does.

As far as BYU getting exposed: what makes you think they have anything to expose? Have you watched some game that I haven't seen where the offense is HORRIBLE and the defense can't stop anybody? BYU is a good team, probably not a top 10 team, but I'd take them over Utah any day. Why? Consistency. Utah's offense has NO CONSISTENCY.

As far as schedules go: neither BYU or Utah has played anybody worthwhile. Utah can brag up beating Oregon State who beat USC but still has a losing record. They can brag about beating Michigan, but 2-4 Toledo beat them by more than Utah did. BYU hasn't played a team with a winning record. Neither one has done anything impressive. After this weekend, the SOS will pretty much even out. By the end of the season, Utah will have the edge. Why? They get to play BYU.
Bob in line | 1:41 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
To the fine southern gentleman referring to SEC football as being the real football.

Admitted, SEC plays at a pretty high level. Admitted, they have lots of team speed. As for the strength. I remember a few years back BYU had a home-n-home against Mississippi St. Sadly, we didn't come out on top of that.

I remember reading a comment by one of their star players, He mentioned how big and strong BYU was and that after the first series of downs he knew they (MS St) was in for a real fight. How they beat BYU was with team speed.

SEC has speed and athleticism. After that, BYU and Utah are every bit as competitive. The SEC also has depth. Translation, on any given Saturday BYU and Utah are perfectly capable of being super competitive against any SEC team.

Regarding TCU, the more I read the more confident I am in BYU's ability to perform to a high level tomorrow night. I didn't realize TCU had earned that #1 defense against the caliber they did. Not to say BYU has played a top-10 schedule either.

BYU has a really good chance of winning, maybe dominating.
Comments continue below
BYU will win. | 1:55 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Oh, no! I'm so scared! How will we complete a pass?
Talking about polls... | 2:13 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
So can anyone explain why BYU would be behind Utah in the BCS polls if it came out today? It is my understanding that the coaches poll accounts for 1/3 of the BCS standings and the Harris poll also accounts for 1/3. The 6 computer polls account for the rest 1/3. BYU is ahead of Utah in both the Coaches and Harris polls (2/3 of the BCS ranking) but somehow, the 1/3 that comes from the computer polls gives Utah the higher ranking overall. The whole system is messed up.
BYU will lose to TCU | 2:14 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
BYU is not playing well as evidence with the play against USU and NM. BYU will have to have a serious "step up" against TCU on the road. Playing at home, BYU would win by 14 at least but on the road at TCU this game is a crap shoot. I have to pick TCU since they will most likely get at least 2 turn overs.
Re: LOL @ 10:27 | 2:14 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
You comment shows very little knowledge. You probably said the exact same thing about BSU vs. Oklahoma a few years ago. The problem with your logic is you are basing it on pure athletic ability. There is such a thing as execution that is a factor. If you have all the athletic ability, but you rely on that too much, you get burned. A well coached, well disciplined team can compete with others who are more athletic.
Miss St | 2:26 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Actually, BYU did beat Miss St 41-38 in Starkville, but they lost Luke Staley in the process.

Then they had to travel 5000 miles and 5 time zones to their next game in Hawaii where they lost badly to finish the regular season 12-1.
Strength vs Strength | 2:40 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
BYU's offense vs TCU's defense

and Weakness vs Weakness

BYU's defense vs TCU's offense

but the game within the game will be decided in the trenches

BYU's strength is passing. TCU's strength is defending the run, that is, TCU's passing defense is their weakness.

TCU has one of the best defenses in the country, but BYU tops TCU in one very important category, scoring defense, where BYU is ranked 2nd.

Stats can be deceiving, however. Different place, different teams and matchups, different game.

This game will be decided in the trenches and by which team protects the ball better.

If BYU's offensive line can create holes for Unga and Fui, and they can protect Max to give him time to find open receivers, TCU will be in big trouble.

If TCU stops BYU's running game and pressures Max, it'll be a long night for the Cougars.

Which ever team finishes +2 in turnovers will win the game.
Glen Ray | 2:43 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
The whole problem with byu is jealousy...It has Driven them nuts, that Urban Meyer took the Utes to a BCS game. that Is the force that is driving them on their quest..Look for TCU to end the quest tomorrow night!

TCU 27 Byu 14
Top 25 remaining sched | 2:47 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
1. Texas (#12 MO,#10 OK St,#5 TX Tech,Baylor,#15 KS,TX A&M)
2. Alabama (MS,TN,Arkansas St,#14 LSU,MS St,Auburn)
3. Penn State (MI, #11 Ohio St, IA, IN, #17 MI St)
4. USC (WA St,AZ,WA,#22 CA,Stanford,ND,UCLA)
5. TX Tech (TX A&M,#15 KS,#1 TX,#10 OK St,,#6 OK,Baylor)
6. Oklahoma (#15 KS,KS St,NE,TX A&M,#5 TX Tech,#10 OK St)
7. Florida (KY,#9 GA,#23 Vandy,SC,Citadel,FL St)
8. Brigham Young (#24 TCU,UNLV,CO St,SD St,AF,#13 Utah)
9. Georgia (#23 Vandy,#14 LSU,#7 FL,KY,Auburn,,GA Tech)
10. Oklahoma State (Baylor,#1 TX,IA St,#5 TX Tech,CO,#6 OK)
11. Ohio State (#17 MI St,#3 Penn St,NW,IL,MI)
12. Missouri (#1 TX,CO,Baylor,KS St,IA St,,#15 KS)
13. Utah (CO St,NM,#24 TCU,SD St,#8 BYU)
14. LSU (SC,#9 GA,Tulane,#4 AL,Troy,MS,Arkansas)
15. Kansas (#6 OK,#5 TX Tech,KS St,NE,#1 TX,,#12 MO)
16. Boise State (Hawaii,San Jose St,NM St,Utah St,Idaho,NV,Fresno St)
17. Michigan State (#11 Ohio St,MI,WI,Purdue,,#3 Penn St)
18. Virginia Tech (BC,FL St,MD,Miami FL,Duke,VA)
19. Wake Forest (MD,Miami FL,Duke,VA,NC St,BC,#23 Vandy)
20. South Florida (Syracuse,Louisville,Cincy,Rutgers,CT,WV)
21. North Carolina (VA,BC,GT,MD,NC,Duke)
22. California (AZ,UCLA,OR,#4 USC,OR St,Sanford,WA)
23. Vanderbilt (#9 GA,Duke,#7 FL,KY,TN,#19 Wake Forest)
24. TCU (#8 BYU,Wyoming,UNLV,#13 Utah,,AF)
25. Ball State (EMU,N.IL,Miami OH,CMU,W.MI)
LOL | 2:53 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Amazing the stupidity of Cougar fans. You can tell by your comments that you are so out of touch with reality that you believe everything is OK in happy valley. Your team struggled against UNM and USU and yet the SEC is over-rated? Funny.....haven't laughed that hard in a month. Keep up the comments...My Buddies and I are laughing so hard at the stupid comments on here that we can't get any work done. A true fan knows that the SEC if far superior from top to bottom than the MWC. Facts are facts.
SEC | 3:06 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
The SEC is a tough conference no doubt, but to completely dismiss schools like BYU, Utah, TCU and Boise St. as waaaay inferior to the SEC is shortsided. There's not much head-to-head competition to make an accurate assessment, but this much is true...

Tennessee lost to UCLA... the same UCLA that got beat 59-0 by BYU. Speedy, tough, hard hiiting Mississippi State got beat by La Tech of the WAC, and the SEC has completely dominated Wofford, GA Southern, LA Monroe, Western IL, Norfolk State, Southeastern LA, Samford and North TX this year.
re: re: Glenn 1:30pm | 3:13 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Tennessee was ranked 18 when they lost to UCLA. UCLA then moved into the rankings at something like #23. Then they dropped just out of the rankings during their bye week before the game with BYU.
RE Funny | 3:15 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Do you want to hang your hat on the last two years? What about the 4 years before that? (All Utah Wins). What about the series record? If you can win for two decades straight, you can tie us, little kitties...
re: LOL 2:53pm | 3:19 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I wish BYU haters would stop pretending to be fans from other conferences like the SEC. I'm sure that will never happen though so we will have to keep putting up with their idiotic comments and pot stirring...
RR | 3:19 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Yep, we hear this every year. TCU's defense is the best anywhere. BYU scored 50 on them in 2005, and beat them the last two years. BYU is the only team who has figured out TCU's defense. Throw the ball and run towards the sidelines and that will be the ballgame.

BYU is a passing team that only the likes of OU is at all comparable to any TCU opponent.

To the UCLA comment, UCLA was predicted by most to beat BYU, but what did BYU do? It's because of BYU that UCLA is not on the national radar anymore. Get a clue before you bash.
Quest t-shirts | 3:20 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
lofty goals printed on t-shirts at the beginning of the year have no bearing on actual outcomes....but I do have a Red Sox 1986 World Championship shirt that I just love....it's a wonderful keepsake, reminds me of the feeling of despair and regret as they lost to the Mets. Good point, lol. Oh yeah, I also have a great Jazz shirt that says Back to Back World Champs from 97-98, I love wearing that one around. Keep that Quest shirt, like I said it will be great around the garage.
Jealousy?? | 3:21 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
The problem with Utah fans is they've only had 2 or 3 really good seasons in the last 40 years. That's why the only thing Ute fans will talk about is 2004, and their string of beating a bunch of mediocre teams in meaningless bowls as a conference also ran.

BYU fans talk about 1984 as the high point, but they also have many, many other great seasons they can discuss that make anything else Utah has done in the last 40 years pale in comparison.

There is no jealousy from a team that has accomplished far more in the last 40 years than Utah has accomplished in over a hundred years.

Regardless of what clueless Utah fans may claim, a National Championship is far more prestigious than a BCS appearance.

As more and more non-BCS teams qualify for a BCS bowl, the uniqueness of Utah being the first will fade into football trivia.

BYU's National Championship will always be part of college football history.
re: LOL | 3:31 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Don't let the fries burn and remember to keep your station clean.

Time and space do not permit the enumeration of all of the elite SEC teams that have struggled to beat vastly inferior teams.

Only "fans" still living in their fantasy world are so out of touch as to not recognize that parity is sweeping the world of college football.
LOL, hold on there | 3:35 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
The only facts that are really facts come from head-to-head competition. Unless I missed something somewhere, the MWC hasn't played too many games against the SEC this season.

Without that true comparison, you're only blowing wind, enough for a wind farm, it seems. You and your buddies keep laughing. We ought to see about 400Kw out of it by the end of the day.
Mtn. View | 3:41 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Who's saying the Mtn. West is better than the SEC? I didn't read that in these posts. Top to bottom your conference is better. SEC and PAC ten arrogance is pretty nauseating though. If you think our teams are overrated look a little inwardly at your own conference. Mighty LSU & Auburn (it helps to have an offense to win) aren't very good. Others like "powerhouse" Tennesee are poor. The best teams in the nation are in the Big 12.
re: LOL | 3:44 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I don't usually read the comments, but got to the end of the article and your comment caught my eye, so I skipped to the end of the comments and read the rest of it. After finishing reading it, I couldn't help but imagine you and a bunch of your loser buddies sitting around reading BYU fan comments with nothing better to do... I mean seriously, you and your buddies as non-BYU fans reading through however many comments there are... "Laughing so Hard", reaches to a new level of pathetic.
its obvious.. | 3:44 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
...that BYU fans are frantic. They don't know what to do when they can't bully around a weaker opponent.
I hate to break it to you, but TCU IS ANOTHER WEAK OPPONENT!
I've watched two games (I'll admit that one was against a great Oklahoma team) and they look horrific. They struggle with simple plays on offense that a high school team can run smoothly. If the kitty cats weren't purring after escaping Lobo land, then they probably won't be breathing if the Frog Defense jumps down their throat to win a low scoring game.
No win situation for the big bad pusssies!!!
MADRYBEG | 3:59 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
This is a GREAT year for the MWC. THREE teams in the top 25. This should be what it all about every year!

Enough with the talk of Utah being ahead of BYU in the mock poll. Even it were a real poll how can BYU fans compare to their season what Utah has already accomplished? They beat a bad Michigan team (but a bad Michigan team is still a Michigan team) and then beat the team who FOUR days prior knocked off the #1 team in the country. To date what is the key victory for BYU to hang a hat on? UCLA and Washington are bad teams, though BYU would NEVER have know that when they scheduled it. BYU has done what they are supposed to...beat up on weak teams. Please don't get me wrong. BYU is just plain great. They are the cream of the crop in this conference. No question (and I am a Utes fan). At the end of the season the BCS very well may not see it that way, though. BYU has to hope Utah wins out. Other than TCU they are the only quality opponent they play this year.

GO UTES!!!

To: Seriously Amused | 4:03 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I take it this is the first time you have been on a sports blog or any blog for that matter.

Not assuming anything about the sports IQ of any of those who predicted or certainly yours - but exactly what did you expect to read about, if not sports smack, predictions, etc.

Sorry... I see that I've wasted more time on this reply that you did. BTW, my sports predictions have been better than my stock predictions.
There is a first time | 4:06 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
GO TCU, even if it is only one point over byu.
LOL | 4:13 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
The Dow is down 700 points today. What do you want us to do while at work? So yes we are pathetic TODAY but not every day like you!!!
Vegas Ute | 4:14 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Cougar fans are you talking about the mediocre Michigan team that Utah beat to start the '08 season, or the mediocre Michigan team that you beat in '84. Seems the same argument applies.

War Kittens, keep drinking the Blue Cool-Aid. Utah knows how to win ugly, or otherwise. All the war kittens seem to be able to do is prance.
Charachter vs. Pride. I'll take character.

Toads 24
War Kittens 21
Boise Cougar Fan | 5:11 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Utes, quit talking about strength of schedule, a win is a win! The stupid Boise State Broncos got in the BCS with the worst schedule ever in 2006, and the same with Hawaii in 2007. I don't see much of a difference in 2008 between the Utes' schedule and the cougs'. It all matters about what happens on Nov. 22, so stop using schedules as an excuse!
LOL | 5:32 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I heard that BYU and UTAH are merging so they can join the SEC. Is the rumor true?
Anonymous | 8:23 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I don't know what all the BYU fans are worried about. I'm a HUGE UTES fan and I trully believe BYU will win. SOS this SOS that. Utah's 2004 season, BYU's 84 NC. Who cares? What matters is now. Both are great schools, both in Utah. Both have ignorant and idiodic fans. Both have good fans. Its all about the MWC. Too much hatred. Give it a rest people, show some character!!!!!!1
re:re: Kind of funny... | 8:35 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Yes BYU has a cupcake schedule compared to Utah's "BCS worthy" schedule. Look at the pre-BCS rankings. Why do you think Utah is so far ahead of BYU in the BCS rankings when they are so far behind in the people rankings? Because Utah crushes BYU (and most other teams) in the computer rankings. Again, that's because BYU has a cupcake schedule and Utah has a BCS worthy schedule.

As for BYU playing two ranked teams (Utah and TCU) and Utah only playing one (BYU), you are silly. They both play TCU. It doesn't matter if they were ranked or not when they played them, they are the same team, either exposed or unexposed. Like playing Arizona State this year. UNLV exposed them. UNLV didn't beat a good ranked team, they played an over-rated, yet-to-be-exposed team.

Back to BYU & Utah. Maybe your AD should schedule real games (Michigan, Oregon State) instead of D-1AA games and Utah State. One cupcake game is enough for a season. That is just ridiculous. We played one, Weber State. Like I said, one is enough. Two or more is too many
re: Top 25 remaining sched | 10:19 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
Great job with that post... great info!

Just one thing to add to those schedules, conference championship games... specifically the Big 12 and SEC championship games this year.

Looks like USC has the easiest road to the national championship, followed by Penn State. Perhaps a USC vs Penn State national championship? I'm sure the Rose Bowl would be upset, those are "their" teams. That would put the winner of the BYU-Utah game in-line for a possible Rose Bowl appearance with both the Big 10 champ and the Pac-10 champ in the nat'l championship game and not in the Rose Bowl. Nobody else in the Pac-10 worth a look, and after Penn State hangs another loss on Ohio State and Michigan State, they won't look very appealing to the Rose Bowl either. Next to the nat'l championship game, I'd take a MWC team in the Rose Bowl any day! Ok, I'm getting ahead of myself.

At any rate, thanks for the great work of putting that together.
JazzFaninHouston | 10:47 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008
I lived in AR and AL for many years. I know what SEC football looks like. I know what Big 12 football looks like. On a neutral field with BYU playing well they can hold their own with most of the SEC teams. FL would be very difficult and this year AL would also be tough.

Early in the year UT looked pretty bad. Right now they look like a world beater. That can change a couple of games from now.

I don't think Utah is in any position to be throwing rocks at BYU. Utah has not played all that well. They will be lucky to win at NM.

The TCU game really depends on the play calling and if BYU is actually ready to play.

I doubt if TX Tech is much better than BYU. Would you bet against TX Tech if they were playing TCU?
Two games enough? | 12:05 a.m. Oct. 16, 2008
Yeah, tell BYU not to schedule I-AA and Utah State. Utah scheduled I-AA and Utah State. Or didn't you know your own team's schedule? Oh, and real teams: Michigan and Oregon State? Both have losing records. BYU's schedule is weak, but to spout Utah's as strong is a bit red-goggled. Utah's SOS is 75, BYU's is 106 (or 72 and 121 depending on who you believe). After this week, those numbers will be even closer since TCU is rated much higher than CSU in those computer polls. So get off your high horse, by the time the BCS comes out (assuming both teams win) on Sunday, the teams will be pretty close to even in the computers, with BYU having an advantage in the human polls.
Phil Steele picks TCU. | 12:49 a.m. Oct. 16, 2008
TCU played Oklahoma much closer than the final score indicates and look at the computer forecast for the yards with TCU having a 412-293 yard edge. TCU has been the left out MWC team with everyone talking about BYU and Utah all year as potential BCS busters and the Frogs make a statement here at home with the best defense in the MWC.
PHIL�S FORECAST: TCU 24 Byu 21

He is 99 and 33 for picks during this season. Not bad considering the number of upsets during the past 6 weeks.
Eagle Tail | 3:37 p.m. Oct. 16, 2008
I think it would be funny if TCU ended their season with one loss; Utah one loss; and BYU two losses. I could happen.
BYU EXPOSED!! | 6:40 p.m. Oct. 16, 2008
I told you all!

You can't move the ball. Max Hall has been exposed. BYU has been exposed.

BYE-BYE BCS. BYE-BYE HEISMAN!

HAHAHAHA!
TCU Fan | 3:25 p.m. Oct. 28, 2008
Frogs! Next up...Utah.

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Bradley Wakoff, Associated Press

TCU's defense, shown here sacking Colorado State quarterback Billy Farris on Oct. 11, leads the nation in several defensive categories.

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