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Mountain West starting to get national attention

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jhug | 8:46 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009
as much as I hate to say it...
I hope TCU wins. A BYU win won't catapult them into the BCS picture, bipolar Florida St. killed that...
But TCU winning out and surpassing a weaker scheduled BSU would be better for the conference.
Plus, the money BYU gets if TCU loses in a BCS game is still more than they get if they win the LV bowl!
It's no surprise... | 9:11 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009
...that the three most successful MWC programs have the three best coaches. Whittingham, Mendenhal, and Patterson are all high-class guys whose teams seem to take on the characters of their head coaches. Troy Calhoun is right there with'm. Go MWC! But most importantly - GO UTES!!!
TCUgrad | 9:59 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009
I know to many in the MWC TCU has never seemed like a good fit; but as a TCU Grad living in Texas, who loves to ski Utah, I root for our MWC teams, lift up the MWC to all my Big 12 friends, and have wholly enjoyed the MWC's teams and fans when they come to Ft Worth. I have enjoyed each game since TCU was invited to the conference (yes even last year's thriller in Salt Lake) and I expect this weeks game in Provo will be "Game Day" crazy fun as well. Keep College Ball Fun!
Comments continue below
TCU can lose | 10:13 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009
I couldn't care less if TCU goes to the bcs I hope they get handeled. there is no such thing an consolation prizes. Win Baby win.
I blead BLUE! | 10:20 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Go Cougars. Eat hornfrog for dinner this saturday.
FSU Not Bipolar | 10:21 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009
Florida State isn't bipolar, they just have a lot of speed. BYU had the inside track to a BCS Bowl, maybe even a championship bid, and they utterly blew it against a mediocre-at-best Florida State. At home.

And after watching the 2nd through 4th quarter of the FSU game, ask TCU if they're scared of BYU's home field advantage. BYU is about to be taken to the woodshed.
what kind of fan?! | 11:42 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009
What kind of fans care about the money TCU gets if they beat BYU and make it to the BCS?

You honestly think it's better for BYU's recruiting and for the program to lose to TCU, and get a million bucks or so from a TCU BCS pot, than for BYU to win the MWC?

Ridiculous. College football is about game day, and your team winning as many as they can.

If TCU wins Saturday, sure, root for them to go to the BCS, but if you're a BYU or Utah fan, you root for your team to win. Period.

Leave it to the athletic director to worry about the money. Go BYU. Beat TCU!

Good comments. | 12:06 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Even if the Frogs are still undefeated going into the Utah game and it meant a BCS berth, I still want the Utes to beat them. If TCU beats the U and goes to the BCS I wouldn't be too sad to lose to them. But there are still half a dozen games left, and going undefeated isn't as easy as Utah makes it look! Go Utes and Go Frogs!
bigutefan | 12:15 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
While most of you think it is between BYU and TCU for a possible BCS berth. I wouldn't count out the Utes just yet. If Utah runs the table and wins out they finish 11-1 and highly ranked in the BCS standings. You only need to be in the top 14, at 18 we are a few weeks away. If Boise State were to stumble, I dare say the Utes are still in the thick of things. We all need HOUSTON to lose a game as well. Utah has won 26 of their last 28 games, that is amazing. The two losses were by a touchdown or less and to respected programs BYU and Oregon. Utah has been in every game now for almost three years. This is a good Utah team, hoping to be great, but NOBODY has blown the Utes out for a long time.
hey big ute fan  | 1:41 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
you seem to be forgetting the goose egg 0 posted by your yewties back in 07 I don't know about you but 28 to nothing seems like a pretty good schalaking. if not just go ask that 07 defense about frank the tank. I'm sure they could tell ya all about it
bignewtfan | 3:26 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Dream on! It is 2009, not leap year. You aren't going anywhere near a BCS game, you aren't winning in Dallas, and not in Provo, you won't even be MWC champs... come back in 2012 and we will see.
two MWC frog teams | 3:29 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
The MWC now has two schools with frogs for mascots, the TCU Horned Frogs and the Utah Leap Frogs.
U only has a good team during leap years, so change your mascot to a leap frog.
Go Cougars! You are going frog hunting this year.
to "FSU not BiPolar" | 5:48 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Speed? Speed had little to do with that game. BYU blew assignments on nearly every play! Watch that tape again.

To "bigutefan" - as for the utes, I'm gonna count them out. Sorry. If BYU or TCU isn't in, the boys with the blue field will be. Yes, it's lame. They're schedule reads like it belongs to a junior college. But they'll probably get a BCS invite.

To "it's no suprise" - please remember that Whit was one of SI's Turkeys of the Year in '07. "High class"? Not so much.
To: bigutefan | 5:50 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Utah isn't out of anything - it's just that the BYU/TCU game is foremost right now. If TCU wins this game and Utah wins the rest of their games going in to the TCU game and then beats TCU in Fort Worth, the Utah should jump BSu in the polls and go to anyother BcS game...as much as it pains me to say it.
Chip | 6:37 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
I love to watch BYU,TCU, and Utah. I love to watch ESPN. Hopefully ESPN understands this. With a little love to Mountain west teams they could sink the MTN. With the whole conference improving and an effort from ESPN at TV renewal time and maybe our TV nightmare can end. It would be great to have the MWC back in the College football discussion.
BLAH BLAH BLAH | 6:42 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
THIS NATIONAL RESPECT THING IS OLD. Most in the country do respect Utah, TCU, and BYU, its the other members of the MWC that are a joke and which is holding the conference back.
Anonymous | 7:26 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
It is interesting, I didnt see Utah to be too much of a worry for Gary... Sorry UTES you'll get some respect soon enough.
Ute Facts | 8:46 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
"It is not what they say in August, it is what they say in December"

He's right, considering...

BYU - Quest for Perfection 2008 Preseason
Utah - Quest Accomplished 2008 Postseason
Reality | 8:58 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
National Schedule is light this week.

ESPN is essentially sticking their thumb the the MWC eye. Knowing full well that no one in the country outside of MWC enclaves will see any of the BYU-TCU game.

Memo to BYU fan: Beat a team that FINISHES the season in the TOP 10 and get respect. OU is sinking fast without Bradford (oh wait, it won't make any difference, they're as good, or better, without him. Isn't that how your explanation for beating OU goes).

Oh, and last I checked FSU is 0-3 in the ACC (arguably the 2nd worst BCS conference and has only beaten BYU and Jacksonville State (an FCS school).
Re: Anonymous | 9:03 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
That's because he isn't playing us yet! Get a clue. nobody worries about a team until they have to play them. Get a grip, if I were you I'd be counting on another BIG L this saturday.
Anonymous | 9:06 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Jhug, whatever we don't care about money beating TCU and UTAH is our concern now at this point
re: two MWC frog teams | 9:23 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
So what do you call a team who hasn't had a perfect, undefeated season in 25 yaers?

....

Anything....

Sorry, but a team who hasn't done anything on a national stage since Ronald Regean was President should really keep their mouth shut when it comes to trash talking a team who has been perfect twice in 5 years. Not to mention a team who has regifted $1,200,000 to their little brothers down south with BCS winnings, since said team could not make the BCS themselves.
re: to "FSU not BiPolar" | 9:28 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Yeah we know. If BYU hadn't have blown 27 SIMPLE ASSIGNMENTS they would have beaten FSU, instead of getting embarrassed by 26 points. Perhaps even more embarrassing is that they blew 27 SIMPLE ASSIGNMENTS against a team who is 2-4, and whose only DI win has come in Provo.

As far as the BCS goes, you really don't seem to understand much do you. Let me clear it up in simple terms you might comprehend. 1)Boise is in if they win out, unless TCU does the same. 2)TCU is in if they win out, and Boise losses. 3)Utah is in if Boise losses, and they win out. Only loss would be to the then likely top 7-8 team Oregon on the road. 4)BYU is out, no matter what. Getting drilled at home to a team who might win 4 games sealed that fate weeks ago.

As far as Whit goes, please remember that BYU's first choice to replace GC was....Kyle Whittingham. You were turned down, stop being jealous.
JIMI | 9:29 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
lol we got plenty of respect lol, GO UTES !!!! best non BCS program of all time baby !!!!!!!!!!!
Cougarf@n | 9:31 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
The money from a BCS game isn't nearly as important to BYU as it is to the other MWC teams. BYU probably brings in about $2M+ in ticket sales every home game plus whatever it makes on concessions, less costs. If BYU went to a BCS game itself that'd make a huge difference, but the trickle down money from a BCS game by other MWC teams is probably about half of what BYU nets in an average home game. Other MWC teams don't have this advantage and so the BCS money is more important to them. A win against TCU means a lot more than $500K in BC$ money. Also, if Boise State loses (unlikely I know) then BYU would be in if they won out, not that either TCU or Utah are likely wins, but certainly possible none the less.
kw | 9:37 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
BYU-HOME games with TCU and UTAH
UTAH-AWAY games at TCU and BYU.

NEED I SAY MORE?

GO COUGARS
Reality | 10:27 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
It still does not negate the fact that the TV deal sucks, How many viewrs won't get to see TCU, BYU, and Utah (3 top 25 teams) on TV this week because the Game is on VS network??? CougarF@n even if BYU wins out they are not in because of the humiliating loss to FSU who will likely finish at 6-6 if they are lucky
re: Two Frog MWC Teams | 10:34 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
I think it is funny that Cougar fans think it is a knock on Utah to say they only have a great team every four years. Going undefeated every four years is amazing, especially without the recruiting advantages of a BCS conference.

You can call the Utes "Leap Frog Utes" all you want. We still don't know what to call the Cougars because they haven't gone undefeated a second time. 1984 - ????. Maybe they will be the Half Century Cougars......
STARTING to get  | 11:18 a.m. Oct. 22, 2009
attention?
How about Game Day in SLC a few years ago along with TWO undefeated, BCS busting seasons?
But somehow the article is all about byu finally getting recognized, right?
TCU will kill byu, hope so anyway.
GO FROGS!!!
Broncsrock | 12:50 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
It's hilarious reading some of the comments from the Utah fans. As a BYU fan I still rooted for Utah to win the Sugar Bowl. I also root for ANY MWC Team to win against non-conference teams. As far as this game if BYU wins against TCU and Utah which I believe they will, BYU may end up in the Fiesta Bowl. BTW a real shame that FSU didn't beat Miami and then destroy there next opponent if they had then BYU's defense probably would have prepared and taken them seriously and the result would have been a BYU win. Go Cougars
14-1 | 1:44 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
I guess the year BYU went 14-1 and beat a ranked Kanses state team in the Cotton Bowl does not count for anything. I will take the BYU 1996 team and season over what the 2004 Utah team did to the 8 and 4,unranked Pitt team. That Pitt team was one of the worst BCS teams of all time next to Hawaii. That Y team finish number 5 that year, depite ewe fans claims of 25 years ago. Rob Morris is still to this day the hardest hitting Linebacker to ever graduate from a Utah school period!
The Truth | 2:41 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
ESPN acknowledges that the MTN WEST is a top conference? No, they are acknowledging that TCU and BYU are two good ranked teams and this is the best matchup of the day. Utah is also good. The rest of the conference.....not so good and that is.....THE TRUTH
re: 14-1 | 3:14 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Clearly your fellow fans, and even BYU themselves doesn't agree with you. I'd say that printing shirts that say "Quest For Perfection" in an attempt to try and equal Utah's 2005 Fiesta Bowl team shows exactly how much the entire BYU community is dying for what Utah has.

But you can pretend the BCS doesn't mean anything, whatever takes your mind off the fact that even with a Senior QB, big games at home, and an upset win over Oklahoma, BYU will still not be invited to the BCS. After the 2009 season is finished, BYU will still be 2 BCS games behind the Utes. And probably 2 BCS games behind the Boise State Broncos! Ouch. Time for BYU to learn their place on the pecking order.
re: Cougarf@n | 3:15 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Whatever makes you feel better about getting $1,200,000 from your big brothers to the north from their 2 BCS trips.

Uncle Reality | 4:55 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
I would rather see TCU beat Utah and BYU if it means that TCU will get the BCS invite.

Recruiting for the MWC will best be served if the MWC sends a team to the BCS this year. It will be better for BYU and Utah in the long run if they lose to TCU this year.

Financially it would be much better for BYU and Utah to lose to TCU.
To all BYU fans! | 5:12 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Bronco Mendenhall is clone. That's why he has no emotion. It really doesn't matter if his teams win or lose, only that they continue their QUEST!
Re: hey big ute fan | 1:41 a.m. | 5:20 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
What an inane comment. How about the big goose egg BYU put up against Utah in 2003? Who cares now? Besides Utah took care of that issue in 2008. You would probably rather forget 2008 though, wouldn't you?
Re: 14-1 | 1:44 p.m.  | 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Wow...that comment was a mistake! What did BYU do in 1996? They had one lose you say? Hmmmm. Utah played a lame Pitt team in 2004, you say? Yea, they did...Utah played the team the BCS gods chose for them.

Here's a question for you Archimedes...if Utah's win over Pitt was so disgraceful, what does that make BYU's win over a 6-5 Michigan team in 1984?

Finally, your claims who is the better of two teams separated by years of history is just about the dumbest thing I have EVER seen on these boards.

YOU ARE JEALOUS...AREN'T YOU? Come on, admit it...it will make you feel better. It's good therapy.
Here are what I want | 5:46 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009

1) TCU beats BYU

2) TCU loses to Utah

3) Utah beats BYU

Any questions?
My this week MWC Predictions | 6:13 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
BYU 31, TCU 37
Utah 21, Air Force 14
San Diego State 24, Colorado State 21
UNLV 10, New Mexico 3
Stupidity | 6:16 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
All the arguing is just stupidity. We are one, you and I, we are one.
BYU Fan | 6:24 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
I cheer for BYU but I also cheer for any MWC team when they play out of conference teams (including the Utes). I think I would rather see TCU win out and pass up Boise State for a BCS bowl than see BYU beat TCU on Saturday. It's for the greater good in the long run. However, if BYU does win, I won't be too disappointed :)

It's like last year; it was easy to see how much better for the conference it was for Utah to beat BYU. If BYU had won that game, no MWC team would have made a BCS bowl, and I think the MWC wouldn't be anywhere close to where it is today.
Eugene | 7:00 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Either way the MWC wins this weekend! So if I have my druthers, I'll stick with the Cougars.

All you Uters who keep wishing ill to the Y will have plenty of head-hanging to do since I am predicting that the Air F Falcons are going to pull the surprise of the day. Hopefully, that will shut the yaps of the boorish Ute posters on these blogs.

Go Cougs!
COUGAR BLUE | 7:50 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
SO YEWTS WHY DID YOU STOP PLAYING BOISE STATE. WHERE TIRED OF GETTING BEAT BY THEM. YEWTS GET SOME TEAMS ON YOUR SCHEDULE. MAYBE WEBER STATE AGAIN LOL.BCS GAME BIG DEAL. WHERE IS YOUR NATIONAL CHAMPS TROPHY. GO TO PROVO AND SEE WHAT ONE LOOKS LIKE. THATS THE CLOSEST YOU WILL GET TO ONE.
Recruiting | 9:24 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
since BSU crashed the BCS party a lot of athletes who would normally go to PAC 10 schools other than USC seriously consider BSU. They have figured out that it is easier to get into a BCS bowl by playing for Boise than for a PAC 10 school (other than USC).

The same phenomena applies to Utah to some extent.

BYU is returning to it's form and is now starting to recruit the best LDS athletes and is getting some attention from non LDS athletes. Being ranked for a few years will do that.

The BCS is perverting the normal recruiting patterns. It is better to play for the best non BCS school with a weak schedule in a weak conference than to play for the second best team in a strong conference.

A playoff system might level the playing field even more.
National Attention | 10:58 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009
Gameday will likely be the only national attention the MWC gets this year. Your exclusive TV deal guarantees that!

Face it, any channel that exists up in the triple and quadruple digits is not getting any casual fans flipping through. If you're not on one of the major networks, or ESPN, no one, other than my MWC buddies, bothers to even look for games beyond ESPN and the major networks.

Few people other than local fans & alumni of the MWC schools bother to look for MWC games.

MWC continues to fade to obscurity with the occasional bone/poke-in-the-eye from ESPN to remind y'all of what you don't have. (such as a national TV audience)

Game Day... | 8:51 a.m. Oct. 23, 2009
has been to two MWC games and the common team in both games was/is BYU. Sorry utes, get a different gravy train.
rE: COUGAR BLUE | 7:50 p.m.  | 9:32 a.m. Oct. 23, 2009
Hugh? BYU = cupcake schedule...year after year after year and this one is no different. USU, Tulane, FSU (oops!) and yes, unranked Oklahoma too.

At least Utah had ranked Oregon.

...btw, where is BSU on your schedule?

The post at Re: 14-1 | 1:44 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. really to you.

BYU Logic = Broco's uneducated fans.
BYU Grad 1993 | 1:55 p.m. Oct. 23, 2009
If TCU goes to the BCS it is a win for BYU, Utah and the whole MWC. It adds legitimacy to the MWC's argument that we belong in a permanent BCS conference.

It is better that one team perish, than the entire conference fall into disbelief. Anyone know where that came from?

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