Comments about ‘Sports on TV: Sorry, Cougars, you're doomed’

I couldn't agree more with your thoughts on Christianson and Bates on the Mountain... HORRIBLE... But I also can't stand Marius Payton and some of the other studio announcers.

I TURN THE SOUND OFF DURING THE GAME AND NEVER WATCH PAYTON "IN STUDIO"...

AAAAARRRRRGGGGGH!!!

Dear Mr Scott D Pierce

Saying the Cougars are doomed because of some ESPN talking heads analysis? You sound superstitious. Wins are based on hard work, and preparation, not some ones opinion.

Well... fan of at least one thing worth tuning into the the mountain for, and that would be Sammy Linebaugh, yup, she's the Erin Andrews of the mountain. And that by itself gives me more reason to look forward to those HD broadcasts in November.

I think that was just a lighthearted joke and not to be taken too seriously.

Herbstreit's not the only commentator to talk about this. Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel didn't actually predict that BYU would play in the NC game--he's much too smart for that--but he mentioned it as an interesting possibility.

That's months away and might well be a non-issue, though. It's all just castles in the air at this point. Let's take the games one weekend at a time and see what happens.

The likely reality of the situation: The BCS has far too many jerry-rigged rules and formulas to allow this, even if BYU rose to #1 in the polls. Some REAL magic would have to happen to let them actually play for the title. But if it did... GREAT! I'd love to see the BCS with THAT egg on their faces!

thanks for the insight. fyi, espnu is in hd, just not available in utah at this point. obviously most leaders are going to be in utah so your statement is certainly understandable. but there are fans of byu and utah across the country who may be interested in espnu-hd on at&t, verizon, and certain comcast markets with directv having announced it.

Just turn the sound on the TV and tune into KSL. They have decent, if not spectacular, coverage of the game.

Scott, while it may be true that a second-tier contract with ESPN might have put MWC games on ESPNU, that is still better than having them on the Mtn or Versus. Anyone can get ESPNU whether they are cable or satellite customers. But if you're an unfortunate DirecTV subscriber like me and 14.5 million of my friends, you can't see Versus at all. So no FSU-BYU game and no BYU-TCU game unless by some miracle Comcast lowers the extortion gun it's been holding to DirecTV's head before September 19th. ESPNU isn't perfect, but it is universally available. I'd rather have to stay up until 3 am to see a BYU game at an odd start time on a weeknight, like ESPN was proposing, than have NO Versus and the pathetically sophomoric Mtn.

If BYU did make NC game, then the BCS wouldn't have egg on their face at all. They would be totally vindicated, stating that it is possible for a non-automatic qualifying team to make it. But I do agree, it would be great to see. But even then, BYU would have to share all that money with a bunch of teams from non-AQ conferences - not just the MWC. The BCS is messed up b/c of the money situation more than anything else.

That said, it's a LONG season. And even if BYU goes undefeated, if two other schools from BCS conferences were undefeated, I still think they'd get the snub. Oh well, it's a long season - but a nice start.

I'm with the other reply, earlier. It was a lighthearted joke. I thought it was pretty funny.
(Yes, I'm a Cougar fan).

Just don't put us on the cover of Sport's Illlustrated!

That is a far, far worse omen than being picked by Herbstreit or Corso.

And heaven forbid should Lou "Notre Dame" Holtz ever jump on our bandwagon. Should that day ever come-immediately sell all your short options on BYU.

Why are we commenting. We still have to play FSU, TCU, UNLV and Utah.

Ha ha so true, Lou HOltz is the worst! Season is over everyone.. ND is going to the title game and Jimmy Clausson is going to win the Heisman.. ha got to love Lou, just hope he never gives BYU his usual pep talk on a Thursday night..

ESPN analysts jump from team to team so much, see last year with the Big 12!

Personally I love the Mtn. I've had it since inception. No its not perfect but neither was espn when it started. At least the Mtn is no longer relegated to a game on tues/thurs and a snipet every other week. I enjoy getting coverage on my team and the rest of conference! Have some vision!

For many, no explanation in necessary. For others, such as yourself, none is possible.

I actually don't mind Bates its Todd Christensen I can't stand whenever he starts talking I just roll my eyes as he tries to make himself out to be more intelligent than he really is. HAHA I remember last year during one of the BYU games James Bates and Sammie ran up the Y and James started ribbing Todd about not joining them. Todd got his precious feelings hurt and got really defensive it was hilarious. I want to know if anyone else remembers that.

The thought of listening to Greg Wrubell turns my stomach. As much a homer as Paul James was renowned to be, Wrubell has him trumped 10-fold! I'd much rather listen to Christensen try and out-dictionary Bill Walton (do these guys get paid by the letter?!) than listen, on purpose!, to Wrubell.

Christensen really tries to hard. Linebaugh and bates are good. Unfortunately christensen isn't going to get any offers soon, so he'll be with us for awhile.

Sorry, but I can go without the constant whining about the officiating, everyone called by their first name and the "angry" tone of the broadcast.

Does Todd C study the dictionary searching for rarly used words in an effort to impress listeners with his grandous use of such? I think he would make a great Shakespearean actor. Sports commentator? To be, or not to be?....I think not!
But he has great hair!!