Deseret News | BYU football: Destination is unknown for Cougars

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BYU football: Destination is unknown for Cougars

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Blue Guy | 3:22 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Look I'm a long time BYU fan but I think Anae should be fired now. I think Bronco should be given two years to reach a BCS game If he can't do it he should be replaced. And please find someone better than Max Hall to Quarterback next year.

Rival Game | 3:24 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Did I actually read some bloggers here saying that Utah crushed BYU this year, and that Weber State had a better game against the utes? LOL! Obviously these are utes fans that only watched the Max Hall meltdown in the 4th and did not pay attention to (or do not much about football to begin with to understand) the rest of the game! Now, I'll admit that Utah is the better team this year, but certainly did not crush BYU! In fact, BYU's so called "horrible" defense started shutting down Utah in the 3rd quarter, allowing 0 points and forcing them to put 3 times! On the other hand, BYU scored a touchdown and started making utes fans nervous (I know because I was watching with a ute fan that admits BYU was starting to take the momentum). Going into the 4th, BYU had 2 turnovers already and were only down by 3 points! Unfortunately, then came the Hall meltdown...1 lost fumble and 3 more interceptions! These turnovers lead to 3 short drives that any defense would have difficulty stopping (drives starting at the BYU 31, ,BYU 29 and finally inside the 5).

Mixed Feelings | 3:30 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

I am a BYU fan with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I have a lot of respect for the Utah players and coaches and I hope that they win their bowl game this year for the benefit of the conference and the State of Utah in general. Not to mention that I love it when ANY non BCS team beats a BCS team -- that puts a smile on my face. On the other hand, I have no respect for Utah fans (especially the ones who are just BYU haters rather than actual Utah fans) and I hope Utah loses so badly that all of the "Utah fans" will be shamed out of bashing BYU for a few months. A man can dream -- right?

Comments continue below

Quest | 3:38 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

I'm sick of hearing these lame jokes about the Quest for perfection. At least BYU is shooting for some real goals and are brave enough to make it public and their motto for the year. What was the yewts wonderful motto...wasn't it "back in red"? What kind of motto is that? What a hard goal to achieve, but wait, the funny thing is the utes also failed to achieve their goal because against TCU, they wore all black! The reason the utes don't make their goals public is because...well, they know they will only achieve them 25% of the time (or once every 4 years). Can't wait to see the yewts get crushed in their BCS game!

Paper Tiger U | 3:45 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

If BYU played Paper Tiger U, the game would end in a 0-0 tie.

RE: BRAGGING | 3:50 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Nice comment BYU beat a (6-5) Michigan team by how many points???? 24-17 coming back with 2 td's in the 4th quarter including a lucky goaline stand where the Line Backer guessed the snap count and jumped the line of scrimmage... and Utah beat Pitts burgh (8-3) 35-7 up 28-0 mid way through the third when they started playing all the seniors.. That Utah team was so good and never was tested.. Byu would not have been able to win the NCAA championship under current BCS rules so... be grateful for the Championship but dont pretend that it might not have been feasible for the 2004 Utes

re: Wins? | 3:09 p.m | 3:53 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

So true, the crimson glassed fans would never see that they have padded their win total.

BYU does not even count their win/loss totals when they were not yet a college/university - i.e. Brigham Young Academy while Utah does count playing the academy in their record.

Can we count the wins Max Hall had in pee wee football? They called themselves the cougars :-)

re: Loser | 4:06 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Why did you leave out who has won the most bowls games and it is interesting you use a cut off date of 1962 for many of your stats. Didn't the two teams exist before that? The truth is that BYU had about 17 good years out of 94 years. I wouldn't be too proud of that. I think you should consider that without a couple of miracle victories, BYU would be 0-7 against Utah recently.
By the way, Utah would be happy to play a 6-5 team for the national championship this year or in 2004, so don't hang your hat on a flawed system from the past.

Wake up and smell the Postum

Re: Quest | 4:08 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Your post is irresponsible. The Utes do not have a motto, they have/had only a goal which was to win the conference championship, which they accomplished. Please do not confuse BYU's poor judgment of publicity stunts with Utah's program.

By the way, the "Quest For Perfection" is a joke in an of itself...just like BYU.

Stay in the back seat, brother, and let the Utes do the driving. They have done fine without you so far.

Re: Quest | 4:12 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Yes, the Utes don't usually make their goals a public campaign --really, at the level of Utah football team, each year, the goals should be the same:
1) beat BYU
2) beat BYU badly
3) win MWC conference
4) make it to BSC bowl

Yes, for the goal of making BCS every year, the Utes only achieves its goal 25% (1 out of 4 seasons). But, Utah is still the first non-BCS team to make BCS bowl. Utah will be the first non-BCS team to make it back to BCS bowl.

BYU's propaganda of the QUEST? It just really reminds everyone that BYU is all talk and that BYU's achievement of BCS is still 0%.

0% = TOTAL FAILURE

2008 SOS | 4:19 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

from Sagarin:

Mighty Utah: #8 (SOS 72)
Secondary-to-Utah TCU: #9 (SOS 76)
I-want-to-leapfrog-mighty-Utah BS U: #11 (SOS 115)
Still-questing-for-perfection-and-first-BCS BYU: # 25 (SOS 83)

Re: re Bragging | 4:21 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

i'm a cougar fan i have to say you make a valid point... i know i wish that utah team could have played either USC Oklahoma or Auburn. all undefeated teams. i am a cougar through and through and was at the 2004 BYU Utah game... We all kinda felt like we were watching something special,. Kinda like how our 96 team played at times i felt like we were the best team in the country. but i would love to hear any arguments saying that the 2004 Utah team played anyone who could match them cuz they didn't. An absolute GREAT college football team that MUST not be forgotten along the wasatch front. Hats off to both programs.

Re: Blue Guy | 4:39 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Nice try. You might have been convincing just calling for Anae's head; it would be reasonable to think there are some BYU fans who want him fired.

But saying Bronco should be fired if he doesn't get to a BCS bowl while simultaneously advocating benching Max Hall reveals you as a Ute fan trolling away.

RE: BRAGGING | 4:59 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

You obviously didn't watch the 1984 Holiday Bowl.

BYU outgained the Wolverines by over 300 yards, despite having 5 turnovers. One of them was a Robbie Bosco fumble on the goal line as he was diving into the end zone.

And the "lucky goal line stand" where the BYU safety (Kyle Morrell) jumped over the line and tackled the quarterback was at Hawaii, not the Holiday Bowl.

Ute fans don't even research their facts. Why am I not surprised?

BleedCougarBlue | 5:05 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

I know it will never happen but I'd like to see BYU - TCU in the Vegas Bowl. I don't think BYU would lose that one. Revenge is a powerful motivator. Revenge against TCU for taking the polish off their (then) perfect season and revenge simply for being the next team they face post-Utah.

Now THAT would be a game worth traveling for.

re: win with class | 5:23 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Try and find the comments from the last two years and then talk about winning with class. If someone hires a plane to fly over the BYU bowl game with some rub about getting blown out or whatever, then talk about winning with class. Until then, we're rubbing it in...

Memo to Utah | 5:24 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

KENTUCKY!!!!

BYU fb: Destination unkown | 5:25 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Catch tomorrow's article -
Max Hall's Passes: Destination is unkown

Bumpkin | 5:53 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Las Vegas must be thrilled that they get BYU every year, with all the wild gambling and spending their fans do.

Re: RE: BRAGGING | 5:54 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Who, but a BYU fan, would research or know of the top of his head, facts about a meaningless event that occurred 24 years ago???

I went to the Holiday Bowl in 1984 and I watched a fairly descent (but not the nation's best) BYU team defeat a rather bad Michigan team. I can't give you a single stat but I can tell you about the behavior of the BYU fans around me. I can also tell you that BYU's marching band dedicated "Come Come Ye Saints" (All is Well) to the football team. THAT'S WHAT I REMEMBER!

the truth | 6:07 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

The Las Vega bowl has no legitimacy or credibility if don't take the best team form the MWC.

After having BYU for three years in a row they WILL take TCU.

BYU WILL be in the poinsettia bowl playing Boise St.

Remember you heard it here first.

huh | 6:17 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

The crowd at Utah was very worried in the BYU Utah game; until max started to throw the ball right to them. The feeling in the crowd was that Utah would lose.
BYU is a very good team, they just have to limit mistakes and throwing every other ball to the wrong team was 6 or more mistakes that until the 4th quarter did not make the outcome for sure for Utah.

TCU gave the game away to Utah; missing chip shot kicks and dropping sure interceptions.

The teams are not that much different; only in execution of plays.

BYU should stil get a good opponent as should TCU; hopefully, UTAH doesn't get Pitt again.

A little history | 6:18 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

In 1984, Michigan started the season beating then #1 ranked (final #18) Miami, 22-14. The Wolverines lost to #2 Washington 11-20, at #16 Iowa 0-26, and at #13 Ohio State 6-21 and to #1 BYU 17-24.

Compare that to Pittsburgh's 2004 record.

Re: Memo to Utes | 6:46 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Is it better to have lost in love than to never have loved at all?

Bring on Kentucky comments. Who expected us to make it to the championship game? Has BYU ever done that in basketball?

Jealousy hurts!

2 BCS bowl games with no asterick. We may not win it against Alabama or Texas but at least we made it! Our defense will keep us in the game. Stay tuned.

Jealousy hurts again!

Re: Huh | 6:57 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Huh?
If BYU/TCU in Poiinsettia: Notre Dame, LA Tech or Nevada --are these team good opponent? NO

If TCU/BYU in LV Bowl: Arizona or California --are these good opponent? NO

Pittsburgh Ute | 7:09 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Paul Kruger is still open....So is Sean Smith....Wait, so is Joe Dale....

No wonder Max Hall had such a great game. There were open red shirts open all over the field.

BCS-Ute | 7:10 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

It must be comforting for you to be surrounded by so many delusional people, talk non-sense, and have others reciprocate and appreciate your senseless drivel regarding what Utah "is" and "isn't" by throwing around numbers and stats that haven't really done anything for you lately. I find it no less than comical that all your "supportive" stats start primarily with Lavell's first year. Don't you think it's just a tad bit of a mis-representation not to include all those early years when Utah wondered if byu was even going to "show up" for the game? Come on people. Some of your readers are smarter than that!!!

Ernest T. Bass | 7:26 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

re: re: Ernest T. Bass 2:13
You want proof? How is Dick Harmon as a source:
D-news Sunday, Nov 23 Dick Harmon writes:
"You couldn't buy the kind of satisfaction Utah got out of seeing to it that BYU, now 1-20 against ranked teams of late, imploded with six turnovers".

I'm sure you can find it on the D-news web site, but if Harmon wrote it about byu, I believe the source.

1-20 against ranked teams. If that's not a paper tiger, I don't know what is.
As Locke always said, byu is barometer U, they beat bad teams and lose to good teams. It's always been that way and always will be.

Worried | 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

As a devoted MWC fan I am having nightmares that:

1. Utah gets beaten badly (very badly) by Texas, Alabama or Florida in their BCS bowl game (Fiesta or Sugar) -- almost certain.

2. BYU loses to Cal or Arizona in the Las Vegas Bowl -- very likely.

3. TCU drops a close one to Boise State in the Poinsettia Bowl (if this can be arranged) -- unlikely, but still possible.

4. Air Force is blown out by Rice or Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl -- likely.

5. Colorado State has a poor showing against Fresno State (or Nevada) in the New Mexico Bowl -- again, likely.

Unfortunately, the MWC could go 0-5 in bowls this year. But, congrats to Utah on an undefeated regular season and making it to a BCS bowl. Also, congrats to BYU and TCU on very good seasons.

BTW, if anyone else is reading about the possibility that compensation to NFL draft picks might be lower beginning in 2010 (depending on subsequent talks between owners and the players' union) then you know the likelihood of players such as Collie and Pitta of BYU and Hughes of TCU leaving this year is way up.

Boise State vs BYU or TCU | 7:45 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Predictions for a Boise State vs TCU or BYU game in San Diego (if the WAC and Boise State let this happen):

TCU 31, Boise State 17

Boise State 35, BYU 28 (yes, BSU would beat BYU but it would be a great game).

As others have stated, if Boise State and the WAC keep Boise State in the Humanitarian Bowl rather than allowing a BSU-TCU or BSU-BYU match-up then they should get the rap as the worst cowards in college football.

Re: True Blue | 7:51 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

"Who cares if we win." You've gotta be kidding me!!! You obviously aren't a true blue cougar fan. Probably an out of state student more interested in the national chess competition.

As for N.D. That would be a pathetic match-up. It does no good for BYU to beat an unranked, pathetic N.D. team, even if we crush them. It's good for the money, but not the program's or fan's interests.

Cal would be a good opponent but playing in the Las Vegas Bowl again for the third straight year would be too redundant. Let's mix it up.

Boise State is the best match-up by far. I doubt they will get a BSC bid this year, even though they are a solid team, they're just cursed with horrible SOS. I'm very excited to see a TCU or BYU vs. Boise State game. It's the best possible outcome for BYU.

Sincerely, MJB

re:loser | 7:55 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

who cares about the numbers in the past it is present day now an UTAH won and everyone is happy!!!!! it doesn't matter about past it matters now and i do agree utah will have a rather down year next year but lets think about this year and utes are dominating and that is all that matters they will always be champions!!!!!

possible BYU foes | 8:12 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Is Notre Dame even eligible?

For the record, The BCS is a step up over the totally subjective old school poll system like when CU won a share of the Championship or 1984.

Bender Rodriguez | 8:14 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

re: BYU Doesn't Travel | 7:31 a.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Exactly! BYU relies on the local LDS populace to support the might, mighty koogz!

Don't believe me? 4 words: Fireside in Ft. Worth.

Dwayne Johnson | 8:23 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

re: Replay | 10:46 a.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Well. There is always KBYU ch 11, KBYU fm, BYU TV, DVD, CD-Rom, 8 track,.... it doesn't matter what you want replayed.

Bender Rodriguez | 8:26 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

>>In 2007:

#8 Oklahoma (11-2) lost their bowl game to #6 W.Va.
#22 Texas Tech (9-4) won their bowl game over unranked Virgina.

Who had the better season, Oklahoma or Texas Tech?

#19 Hawaii (12-1) lost their bowl game to #2 Georgia.
#13 Florida (9-4) lost their bowl game to #18 Michigan.

Who had the better season, Hawaii or Florida?<<

Easy; WVa, UVa, UGA, & Michigan. They all won the last game the played.

RE: Worried | 8:29 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

My take on your nightmares:

1. Unfortunately, yes.

2. Doubt it. BYU can handle either Cal or Arizona (but should be a good game).

3. No way! TCU will absolutely, positively, completely, utterly destroy anyone they play in their bowl game, including Boise State if that happens.

4. Not really. AFA could lose to Rice (which is 9-3 and an offensive powerhouse) but AFA will score enough to keep it close so it won't be a blowout and they might even win. AFA already beat Houston in a very close game (3 points). Houston has improved since then but I still would take Air Force.

5. Unsure. Both of these teams have been very uneven. I would go with Colorado State though.

Anonymous | 8:30 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

re: RE: BRAGGING | 4:59 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

>>Ute fans don't even research their facts. Why am I not surprised?<<

Maybe a Zoob will find a way to spin it to make the U look bad and thus validate the Y fans pathetic existence?

San Diego, Please! | 8:39 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

I would much rather go to San Diego than to Las Vegas again even if it means playing Nevada.

QualComm Stadium is great. San Diego is a great place to be in December. And Nevada's offense is always interestng to watch.

The best possible scenario would be a BYU-Boise State game in San Diego but I think that would be wishing for too much. But, please, I'm just tired of December trips to Las Vegas (although watching people lose money at the tables and slots while I keep my $20 safely secured in my pocket has been fun).

backoff 84 | 9:00 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

byu tried to play in a better bowl against a better opponent in 84 but no one would take them cuz they were afraid. so byu gut stuck playing Michigan (the most winning college program EVER) and they won. Back then there was no BCS so the 2 major polls were the AP and the coaches poll. all poles that are based on voters ... not computers. and BYU was VOTED number 1 in BOTH major polls. That why they were the nation champions. So i think BYU deserves it if all the college coaches voted them one and all the AP voted them number 1 too.

nevada / notre dame ? lol | 9:02 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

nevada lost to new mexico state who lost to utah state 47-2 lol

who cares who they play. it wont even be on tv.

Aggiefan | 9:09 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Live in the now!! I will be at the Poinsettia Bowl no matter what. BYU + BSU= Great game!! Let's make it happen people.

2009 vs 2010 nfl draft | 9:10 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

"Worried" mentioned a story that is not getting the attention it deserves. Both NFL owners and veteran players want to decrease the current salaries given to draft picks (similar to what is done in the NBA) and thus free up more money for "proven" veterans rather than prematurely reward "unproven" rookes. This may be implemented in 2010. This may push underclassmen who are on the fence about declaring for the draft in 2009 or waiting until 2010 into entering the 2009 draft. 2009 may be the last year of the ridiculous overly generous contracts given to new draft picks. If I were a junior and thought I had any chance of being drafted in the first 3 or 4 rounds I wouldn't hesitate to declare and I wouldn't let anyone talk me out of it. This will be the last year we will see Texas junior quarterback, Colt McCoy, as a college player and the same is likely to be true for several mountain west conference team juniors as well (if they are smart, that is).

Big Rock | 9:37 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

There's nothing better than crushing your arch rival, having a great Thanksgiving knowing that your school is going to a BCS game, knowing your school get a huge payday, knowing that your school is the premier non-BCS school, and that TDS and BSU fans are whining about it.

Big Rock | 10:13 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Backoff 84, there's a difference between pole and poll. Look it up if you can.

Utah is this year's national champ! All you have to do is beat a mediocre Michigan team.

BYU does travel | 10:38 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

To the fan who said that BYU doesn,t travel maybe you should change that to you don't travel. Maybe the students don't have money to travel to away games but we were at the TCU game. We are from Northern California--we were in San Antonio for a covention and drove 4 hrs 1 way to see the game. Many who sat around us traveled long distance to see the game.One fan at the tailgate party told us he travels to ALL the games from Arizona. BYU fans out numbered the TCU student sec. by well over 2 to 1. BYU completely filled 2 of the sec. on the student side from top to bottom plus some of the end zone. (I didn't see and missionaries) The TCU student filled up 1 sec. on the same side. So yes BYU has loyal fans and we are willing to travel if we have the opportunity.

Jarid in Cedar | 11:07 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

First of a couple posts.

BYU, Utah and TCU deserve congratulations for the years they are having. As a Utah fan, I would like to be 10-2 in a "down year", but only delusional BYu fans can see this as a down year. 2003 was a down year, 2004 was a down year. BYU lost 2 games against 2 good teams. On their home field outcomes may have been different, but overall I don't think that this team had the intangibles that BYU's 2006 and 2007 teams had and that is why they lost the games they lost. But to call this year a failure and call for Mendenhall's head, reek of the arrogance that Nebraska's AD had when he fired their head coach after a 9-3 season calling it "a step to avoid the spiral to mediocrity". See the Bill Callahan years to see what that move got them.

BYU has a good team this year, not great, but good overall. Their fans should learn to take the good with the great and with the bad.

Jarid in Cedar | 11:21 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

For those who want to point to how lucky the Utes were this year, I would counter that it has as much to do with the perseverence(sp?) of our team. The games that they pulled out of the fire were games that we lost in previous years. That is what makes this team a great(not good) team. Utah 2008 does not have the air of invincibility that the Utah 2004 team had, but that does not lessen their accomplishments. To say that an undefeated team is just lucky is sour grapes.

I don't have any delusions that this team is NC worthy(I think 2004 could have been given the opportunity), but I think only Fla, OU, Texas, and USC can say they are NC worthy. Alabama is undefeated but they looked alot shakier through some of their games than the others. But again, they persevered and are undefeated.

Utah will be well prepared for their bowl game. They will be outgunned, but they will be well prepared and that gives us a chance to "stun the pundits".

Jarid in Cedar | 11:27 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Given all the talk about "next year" that is floating about, I will add my $1.30.

TCU will likely be the prohibitive favorite to win the MWC next year(based soley on returning players). That said UNLV is the team that could turn heads and shake up the hierachy a little. CSU is a solid team again, and AFA's quarterback will be a beast for the next 3 years. SDSU will improve if simply because their team stays healthy.

Overall, next year has the feel of the WAC in 1995 when 3-4 teams were near the top(or the ACC this year, many good but no great teams).

This is not bad for our conference if we clean up the non conference games again as we did this year.

RE: BYU not bowl worthy | 11:33 p.m. Dec. 1, 2008

Just like utah last year when they lost 27-0 to unlv.

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