knowwhat | 3:27 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
The TDS might not break .500 next year. "STD" 2009 motto "Surrender to Deficiency"
true blue | 3:26 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Does anyone want to sponsor my trip Texas in September?
Rich | 3:27 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
This is great news for national exposure. Congratulations to everyone involved - good job!
Comments continue below
Well . . . | 3:29 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
This saves us from all the schedule comments for next season. Maybe we can talk about football?
Mike Sorensen | 3:29 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Hey, wait. I just said yesterday that the Utah football team is the greatest to ever exist in the State of Utah!!!

I figure if I type it, it's true.

Come on, BYU getting the National Spotlight?

What's that all about?

It should be Utah, Utah, Utah!!!

Dang those cougars for raining on our parade.
Football is fifth | 3:33 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Two teams with "national recognition." The sugar bowl is fading fast in the rearview mirror and next season is already here. The one "nationally" recognized school from Utah. That's what I'm talking about, tradition, spirit, honor...quest for perfection. Well, not quite. Because football is fifth, dammit! We got our priorities straight.
WOOT | 3:34 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
BOOMER!
Randall | 3:33 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Great!
We won't need to speculate on the BCS next year for Cosmo.
Scotty | 3:33 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
GO FSU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bird | 3:36 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
What happened to playing at ASU? I was looking forward to beating the devils.
Az Coug | 3:41 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
BYU needs to have a strong offseason to be able to hang with Okalhoma for the season opener. I am glad that they are scheduling tough opponents, rather than taking a cake-walk path to a BCS game.
This should be a great game on a neutral field and allow BYU to showcase their talent to a national audience. Utah will be taking a backseat to the Cougars next year. Go Cougs.
BYU Football Priority List | 3:40 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
1. Faith
2. Family
3. Firesides
4. Fumbles
5. Football

Where do I sign up??
Anonymous | 3:46 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Incredible schedule with several teams that should be ranked in the top 25. Looking forward to spending labor day weekend in Dallas.
Oh yeah | 3:54 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
This is the schedule of champions.
RichM | 3:56 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
This could be a real defining season for BYU football if the Cougs get their defense up and the new guys in the O-line are able to rise to pickup where the others left off. It will help if the the offense will add a couple of the U's quick passes and if they will run a fast no huddle. GO COUGS!!!
BYU will lose | 3:54 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Oklahoma will tear up the cewgers
ute fan | 3:57 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Props to you for this schedule BYU, regardless of how the games end up!
AZCoug | 4:00 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Look, I'm Blue, but I'm smart...this is not a BCS schedule. Oklahoma is not a "smart" game to schedule if you we to break into the BCS. Let's get ready to head to Vegas once again. The schedule does show that Bronco has guts, but I'm guessing the glory will wait for another year.
dallasfreeways | 4:03 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Awesome - BYU will play Oklahoma here in Dallas! Wonder how much the tickets will cost in Jerry Jones' new toy, oops, I mean stadium.
cool | 4:03 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Can't wait to see Oklahoma and Florida State. Hopefully we'll start the next season looking better than how we did at the end of this one!
Jeff | 4:08 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
That is an awesome opprotunity to play Oklahoma in the new Dallas stadium, but it will be difficult to start the year out with a victory. What happened to Arizona St on the schedule?
Too bad... | 4:08 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
You can chalk up 3 losses for the mighty Cougs right off the bat. Oklahoma, Florida State, and Utah are automatic losses next year. Florida State is on the rise and will be a top ten team next year as will Oklahoma. As we clearly saw this year, BYU is no match for fast teams. Their defense just can't hold anyone for 4 quarters.
Utah Fan | 4:06 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
I totally respect this schedule and will cheer for BYU against Oklahoma and Florida State. Good luck Cougars.
Phil in AZ | 4:22 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Yeah I thought we were playing in Tempe next season...?
Dave from Midvale | 4:20 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Well folks and fellow Cougar Fans, I feel quite honored to give my response to BYU playing Oklahoma in Arlington, TX the first game of the 2009 college football season. So here goes. . .

O H M Y H E C K ! ! !

Now that can be taken two ways: first, WOW! To take them on (plus Florida State at home following it) gives the Cougars an unpressidented chance, unlike this season, to play for a National Championship. If they go undefeated, I don't care who else goes undefeated; they would play for the whole marbles!!! Two BCS bowl teams from 2008, three all together from the 2008 Top 10 (OK, UT, TCU), and three other bowl teams (FSU, CSU, AF). Oh man!!!
Second meaning. . . what a wonderful chance for them to show up, not having shaken what ever it is from the second half of this season (big heads, etc.) and get their "katookas's" handed to them. . . I mean a good old fashioned Oklahoma, first game of the season, "freight train and then snow bunny" butt kicking par excellance!!!

I pray for the former, and expect the latter.
Quest for ??? | 4:29 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
That has to suck that the Quest for Perfection will be over after the first game of the year. Maybe it could be "Quest for Perfection..... except Okalahoma..... ummm oh, and TCU..... ummm and oh yea, Utah." Fit that on a T-shirt!!
What the? | 4:37 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
WHy on earth does BYU continue to play Utah State? Can we please get a REAL game at Cougar Stadium?
ute fan here, too | 4:42 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Great, tough schedule. I don't root for the Cougars much, but I sure will be for these OOC games.

I want you to smack OK and FSU around like rag dolls.
re: BYU Football Priority List | 4:46 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Wow, Jealousy on the hill.

Faith, family, knowledge and friends -- then winning football games.

If BYU can have football 5th, and yet be the national power they are, where would I want my son to play?

BYU = Faith, family, knowledge, friends and Football, (which I believe are Synbiotic), playing Oklahoma on National TV, then Florida State on National TV, and then TCU and Utah at LES...

Utah = Having a good season every 4th year (that includes a win over Weber State, and a 3 point win over 4-8 New Mexico)...

I think it sends a loud statement where BYU is going, and where Utah is not.

Utah, and national exposure... How sweet it was for their BCS one night stand...

You've lost that lovin' feeling, baby that lovin' feeling, you've lost that lovin' feeling, now it's gone, gone, gone, Waaaah Ohhhhh......
max hall | 4:48 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
I saw Max Hall throw an interception on my way to work
Max Hall | 4:49 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
I just saw Max Hall throw an interception while plowing my drive way
Robo | 4:53 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Great schedule. Hey all you prognosticators, why don't you just wait until the games are played? That's the only result that matters.
re:Quest for ??? | 4:29 p.m. | 4:55 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
I remember Kyles slogan right before the Huge Michigan game in the Big House.

"One loss does not make or break a season".

Make your t-shirts up. I'll but one.

See, not even Kyle had faith in the Utes this past season.

I like a coach who pushes his team to success, not a coach that lets them drag him to it.

Utes, any real comments out there?

Sounds like a story for Mike Sorensen to handle, just after annointing the Utes the greatest ever... ever... EVER!!!
Taco Bell Manager Angry | 5:00 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
"max hall | 4:48 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
I saw Max Hall throw an interception on my way to work."

It's all these Utah fans late for work, claiming Max Hall was in their neighborhood.

How many Utah Men are late for class because Drck tripped them in the hallways.
Split loyalties! | 5:08 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
What is a cougar fan from Tallahassee to do?

It sure looks like it'll be a great game, though!
Big Cougar Fan | 5:12 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
I'm a huge Cougar fan and am glad to see a tough schedule. I also am hoping the Cougs walk into conference at 3-1. Florida State and Oklahoma will be 2 teams that BYU has to play perfectly against to win. This is a great schedule for BYU to get exposure and credibility, but not to go undefeated. Fellow BYU fans, please don't make us look stupid by talking about going undefeated and beating everyone we play. Let's take it one step at a time and try to beat a decent team or 2 this year. Even if we go undefeated in to conference play, Utah and TCU are no joke as we learned this year.
Go Cougs!
Ute fan, again | 5:11 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Way to represent, BYU fans...sheesh (specifically 5:00, 4:49 and 4:46).... you are why so many people outside LDS folks hate BYU.

Doesn't matter: I will still root for BYU against OK and FSU. We *need* you to do well.

You guys do all the smack talk you want. Utah will go back out and get it done on the field.

Difference is, I hope, you can back up your smack this time. The conference needs you to.

Don't lay another egg on behalf of the MWC, this time. I still won't root for you against Utah, but you have my support for these games.
HA HA | 5:28 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
I just saw Max Hall throw an interception on my way to the gym
Utah boy | 5:33 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
BYU is losing its entire offensive line so it will be interesting to see how they compete next year!!! I am a huge Utah fan but think that next year it will be TCU's year of dominance in the conference with a crazy quick defense and much improved offense. I say byu loses 3 games minimum and utah at least 2
Chad | 5:32 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Florida St is beatable especially at home. Oklahoma is another story but one can always hope. Utah was a senior team this year and loses some key players while BYU's biggest loses come from the offensive lines. Additionally BYU plays TCU and Utah at home with a chip on their shoulder from this year. Those games will have a very different outcome I suspect. Not easy games but certainly very winnable at home.

Ute fans congrats on a great season but next year is a new year and BYU has never been automatic for you so better watch what is said or you could be eating it next year. Johnson was the heartbeat of your team and who will step up into that role you still do not know. It happens just about every where a new signal caller comes in.

So here is how I see it. BYU loses to Oklahoma and wins out. TCU has shown a lose to Oklahoma can still get you into the top 10. That should be good enough for a BCS game. If they pull of the miracle at Oklahoma we are talking NC. This all depends on improving BYU's D though.
Excited for Cougs | 5:36 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
This is definitely one of the best nonconference schedules the Cougs have had in some time. I am way excited for the upcoming season!

BYU fans are going to be way spoiled with attention...and we'll gladly take it. It's about time for BYU to get some of it...I'm getting sick and tired of hearing about Utah (barf!).
sec | 5:45 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
totally decent schedule.
good luck.
Sam Bradford | 5:44 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
No illusions about it, Oklahoma will be tough no matter where they play. But... they do lose Bradford and much of their defense next year. If there ever was a chance, the first game of a new season, new quarterback would be it.
Prognosis | 5:51 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
BYU will be loaded next year. This will be a great year to have a tough schedule. All BYU has to do is win all their games. I know BYU fans think it will be as easy for the Cougars as it was for the Ute's.
Frodo | 5:57 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Best way for BYU (or anyone) to improve is to go against the best. Why not? Better to lose against great teams than to waste time with those who are not.

By the way, stop wasting energy worrying about the BCS. All it stands for is "Big Crime Scene". In the not too distant future, fans will look back on these dark ages and shake their heads in disbelief that we allowed Sauron (ESPN) to take the ring while the darkness of Mordor (money grubbing, monopolistic university presidents from six conferences) possessed college football.
Attention alright! | 6:12 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
I'm a big BYU fan but this is not the attention we want. Scheduling Oklahoma at home (Texas/Oklahoma...same thing) is not my idea of positioning yourself for a winning season. We are not a BCS contender so starting a new O-Line against OU is crazy. Must be about money.

Utah isn't as "glitzie" but tough nonetheless: Non Conference games: Utah State, San Jose State, @Oregon and Louisville at home. 2 WAC, 1 PAC 10 and one Big East. Good but certainly not Oklahoma, Tulane and Florida State.

Florida State will be very good. They killed Wisconsin. They will start ranked. I would suggest Max get some velcro on both sides of the ball. It could be a very long season. Way too much to work on to be ready for this type of schedule. Great for attention but we will get buried. My opinion only....but still....Go Cougs!

Congrats, Utes, by the way. I thought you looked awesome and you deserve #1 all the way. You won't get it but you deserve it. The monopoly will win but you have it coming to you anyway. America knows it too!
Sound Famiiar? | 6:17 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
BYU starts off the season in the national spotlight, BYU fans get extremely excited and print up silly t-shirts, BYU fans boast of their superiority for months before playing an actual game...... and then BYU plays superior opponents and the bubble (no pun intended) is popped. Anyone? Does this story sound familiar?
Predictions for 2009 | 6:24 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

OK 49 BYU 7
BYU 28 Tulane 21
FSU 35 BYU 21
BYU 28 USU 27
conf:
TCU 35 BYU 14
Utah 28 BYU 17

BYU will finish reg. season with 8-4, third place finish, LV bowl as expected.
Quest for Redemption... | 6:26 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

that's right.
Except for 4 games (OK, FSU, TCU, Utah), they should be able to stay on this slogan.
To: WOOT | 6:29 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
SOONER!!!!

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

Related content
previousnext

Latest comments

Utah is still BYU's BCS game. A little mind game: Which one of these is...

Seriously, Dick. You believe there is a bowl selection committee like the...

out of 80ish comments tho only like 6 people have no common sense. really...

This is really sad hope there can be a happy ending to this story. Also it is...

And how do they find these photos of Okur's defensive prowess? They had the...

Where to place the blame after this one? 6 pts in the 4th? Their bigs are too...

"Dan's reposting........" It was not only TOO long....but it is also just...

I hoped the Jazz bounced back against the Magic, loosing to a good team like...

Richest man on earth - Warren Buffet plays SERIOUS BRIDGE. Many chess...

Letters: Ad hominem attacks

Too funny...an anti-intellectual using big ol' words to sound smart. Just...

Advertisements