Deseret News | Maybe we've all been wrong about The Mtn.

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Scott Pierce: Maybe we've all been wrong about The Mtn.

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Exposure? | 10:52 p.m. Oct. 29, 2009

vs. and the mtn televise a few games, the teams play the game and get respect. I vote that TCU, Utah and BYU join the PAC 10(13). The mtn TV deal IS a joke. It is hit and miss on what games you can watch. Quality is unbelievable. And if you win the conference you are guaranteed to play the 6th place team from the PAC 10.

These are all things to look forward to. Raw, raw, raw!!!

Bill | 11:38 p.m. Oct. 29, 2009

If all this is happening with the little exposure the conference gets imagine what would happen if the Mountain West was able to regularly play on ESPN.

lavell edwards | 4:42 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

It is so clear that Max Hall is the number 1 reason that BYU has all those losses the last 2 seasons. I didn't realize that the wonderful Bronco had made that comment about educated fans. That is a classical trait of denial - attack those you don't agree with, rather than give a rational argument for your opinion.
I trust Lavell a lot more than Bronco. Remember 1984? Bronco leaves a lot to desire and that includes showing HE is educated.
We fans in Provo, on average, are a lot more EDUCATED than Bronco. He was supposed to be an interim head coach, but success has left this cancer in Provo. Time for him to go.

The Mountain is fine. We get a lot more games televised than would be otherwise, so yes, it is a good thing for this conference.

Comments continue below

C'mon | 7:02 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Do you really think the Mtn has anything to do with Utah, BYU and TCU's recent success? MWC success can be directly attributed to upgraded coaching:
1- Meyer/Whit vs McBride
2- Mendenhall vs Crowton
3- Patterson vs Franchine

I agree | 7:09 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

with all comments, the MTN is a joke, getting rid of the ESPN deal was the biggest mistake made. I cannot stand the announcers on the MTN, if I wanted the EQ president to announce the game I couldve gone to his house to watch the game, I dont want to see it on TV from a wannabe ESPN announcer. The sideline coverage is a joke too. Lavell said it himself the key to BYU not losing these huge games is who??? MAX HALL... I cannot sit here and blaim MAx though even though I would like a consistent QB and not consistent VS only teams like UNLV, our D speaks for itself, provo high could put up 30 pts VS us. BYU is hurting from a lot of different angles right now in general, its not pretty.

Hopeful BYU Fan | 8:13 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

BYU's problems are not Max Hall or the defense. It boils down to coaching. BYU is not a talented enough team to compete on a standard grind it out way. Put a loittle creativity into the play calling and the defensive sets and you will see a major improvement in the outcome. There is also no excitement in the coaching staff. We need the excitement in our coaching staff that we saw in Coach Patterson and his coaches at the TCU game. His players knew he was in the game with them. Coach Mendenhall appears to think that a show of emotion is a bad thing.

TV deal | 8:16 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Truth is the television deal with the MWC is absolutely horrible for anyone living outside of the conference area. I live in Atlanta and in order to watch games on the Mtn. network I need to have DirecTV, but in order to watch the games on Versus, I need to be a subscriber to Comcast. The conference is alienating it's fans who are further away and also alienating any type of consistent national audience.

Spiff | 8:23 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

The Mtn. would not be so bad if there were not so many former BYU (KSL) announcers and players doing play by play and doing the color commentary.

Satellite Subscribers | 8:31 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

The big losers in the current tv deal are the satellite subscribers.

I'm a Directv subscriber. I missed a number of games when Directv was not showing The Mtn during negotiations. I've missed several games this season since Directv took Vs off the air during contract negotiations. Then again, I also missed Jazz games last season for the same reason.

My Directv contract expires April 11 of next year. I will be switching to the evil cable company on April 12. At least if I had Concast I would not miss any games.

Nice work, Directv. Way to drive loyal customers like me away- I've been a Directv subscriber since 2001 & am looking forward to dumping them. And quit blaming everyone else for your bad programming decisions.

treyville | 8:42 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Max Hall is easily one of the greatest QBs ever to come through byu's program.

Last week's debacle againstt TCU had very little to do with Max Hall. In reality all TCU needed to do last week was neutralize Pitta, which they did well. Byu's receivers are slow and could not for the life of them get open. Hall's O-line couldn't defend against a 4-man rush, and with Pitta neutralized and Max trying to avoid forcing the ball, he hit the sod. THe INT he threw was obviously not his fault.

Has max's interceptions really cost byu any games besides the Utah game of last year? No.

MIke in Texas BYU Fan | 8:48 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

The biggest problem from my perspective is that the MTN hasn't yet gone HD. Most of the other networks are broadcasting in that format. I hear that MTN is working on that. Even so, it won't solve the problem unless all carriers, ie. Direct TV, Dish, the cable companies all broadcast it in HD

Anonymous | 8:51 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Naw.... The MTN is awful

jmw | 8:59 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Here some kleenix. I am glad to at least be seeing mountain west conference sports.

SOCAL | 9:00 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

The MTN has been great for us nonUtah BYU fans. In the past I was lucky to see 3 games a year on ESPN. Now I see all but the VS. games and that won't last forever. I too get annoyed by the announcers but at least I am seeing the majority of the games. Which is way better than it used to be.

Anonymous | 9:09 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I always repected Alex Smith, he will have a great NFL career.

Anonymous | 9:11 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I spit in the general direction of the Mtn.

nottyou | 9:13 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

No, we've been right about The Mtn all along...Blur-O-Vision at its finest! It's a terrible production and the talent isn't quite talented enough.

Mailman | 9:16 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

What has MTN did that ESPN not do?

MIke is Right | 9:23 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

How much do HD cameras cost? I can't stand to watch another MWC game when the picture is worse than local high school game broadcasts.

Come on, mtn. HD, please?

Cougarf@n | 9:41 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I really don't see any correlation between the MTN and the success of the MWC. Frankly, I think it's great that in spite of the terrible TV deal, the MWC teams have managed to be ranked. C'mon is right on, it's about better coaching and recruiting. If there's anything good that's come of the MTN deal it's been that our teams have been able to play games generally on Saturdays rather than during the week, but whatever good comes of that has been far outweighed by the bad IMHO. The lack of distribution is troubling.

re: lavell edwards | 9:42 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Bronco is the best thing that happened to "Y" football. Not only does he have a higher winning percentage than lavell, but he actually promotes the standards and personal benefits of living the university standards; rather than sweep them under the rug. With all due respect to Lavell, it was something he was never able to fully accomplish.

RE: treyville | 9:46 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Yo Trey, brah. Where have you been?

Did you miss the '09 Las Vegas Bowl?

Reason | 9:49 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Man, some of you need to take a breath and relax. First, what do you think we would get with an ESPN contract? Do you think BYU would be on TV every Wednesday night just because Boise State is right now? BYU would be splitting Wed and Thur night games with Utah, TCU, Boise, and every other mid-level team. And why do you care so much about the lame commentating on the MTN? Just watch the game already. A more useful complaint would be the lack of HD. Second, Bronco is way more animated and emotional on the sidelines than LaVell ever was. Bronco is just stoic in front of a microphone. And third, are you really calling Bronco a cancer because BYU can't get rid of him because of his success? Seriously? Since when has success been considered a bad thing?

Texas Cougar | 9:57 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

The MTN is great for BYU fans outside of Utah. I get to see most of the BYU games on Satellite and most the games are on Saturday.

If the MWC had a contract with ESPN, then only some of the games would be on national TV (the others would be local on KSL) and many of the games would not be on Saturday.

I LOVE The MTN!

wiss | 10:05 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

to the author:
The MTN is great for watching in-conference games and following the other teams. This doesn't mean much for football because it is a three-team conference with the rest just acting as dead weight. I follow SDSU, UNM, WYO, and UNLV much more on the MTN when basketball rolls around because there are more quality teams and games in hoops.

But the MTN is bad for recruiting purposes in the major sports. Kids love the idea of playing on ESPN, or any other national station that people actually watch outside of the region. I guarantee you that coach Whittingham is not using the MTN as a selling point to potential recruits. Like it or not, the best athletes will want to play on the biggest stage and the MTN does not provide that stage. Poor overall product that I hope will somehow grow.

CougInColorado | 10:06 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

How 'bout attempting to show why or how the Mtn. has had the positive effect you claim? I can't imagine any college football fan, maybe one whose team is not being broadcast elsewhere and so is just looking for a game, being excited to come across a Mtn.-produced game on a Saturday afternoon when up against the production value of ESPN, Fox, or a network.

Why Scott is wrong...again | 10:08 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Memo to Scott Pierce: The MWC hasn't gotten "great" exposure and recognition due to The mtn. deal. Far from it. We have gotten great exposure thanks to playing AWAY games against AQ-BCS teams which were televised by ESPN.

Mtn.? | 10:18 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I don't have the Mtn? How are the Cougs and Utah looking this year? Just curious...I guess I'll watch Louisiann Monroe at Tennesse Tech on ESPN U.

To The Whiners | 10:18 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

First off, if it wasn't for the MTN we'd see maybe 3 or 4 BYU games a year. And they'd be at odd times unless we brought back the Blue and White Network, in which case folks outside the MTN's footprint wouldn't see them at all. Other teams in the MWC would be on even less. So carpers can call the MTN a "joke" but for folks who don't have tickets to LES, or live too far away it's a huge benefit. If the MTN ever goes away, we'd better get used to listening to all the games on the radio or internet. Because most won't be on TV outside the Wasatch Front. And maybe not even there.

Earth to Scott, come in Scott... | 10:20 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

"So the telecast from outside LaVell Edwards Stadium was down about 12 percent from the season average. I wouldn't be too quick to blame that on the setting, however." - Scott Pierce

Uh, yes Scott, that is exactly the reason it was down. It was BYU-TCU and not USC-Notre Dame or Florida-Alabama or Texas-Oklahoma. Why would you or anyone think BYU-TCU would be a bigger draw than those other big matchups? I'm a big Cougar fan but let's be realistic about this, ok?

hindrifrog | 10:21 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

i will tell you what's better about mtn....

no thursday nite games

tcu did miserably on thurs....2 years in a row

its a coin toss really...throws everything outta wack

labman | 10:22 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

the defense is OK, the quarterback is OK, the special teams are sub-par. the offense is intermittent. How did we get hood-winked into thinking this team was great? an early win over OK.
I do agree that maybe we need more imagination in the game and less of precision and position mastery.
the NFL is full of the best players and position mastery, but the passionate team, the team with the inovations ususally wins. I think there is more to Broncho than the public gets to see;perhaps he needs to let his team and paying public see him get excited, upset, frustrated, and angered occasionally. not every play, but once in a while so we can feel his passion and know it means as much to him as it does to the rest of cougartown.
OK took BYU lightly and it cost them. passion, attitude, and a couple of plays made that game. That is what was lacking from the TCU game. At least when the old BYU got down 21 points, I would say, 'that's ok, we can score quickly and come back and win this thing. I can't say that with this team.

LaVell must be an Uneducated Fan | 10:32 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

That "uneducated fan" comment will live in infamy, right along side the Collie quote.

If you want to have a profession in sports, you better prepare for some unqualified criticisms, especially from your own fans. Brian Johnson dealt with it, Whittingham dealt with it, and NEVER did you hear them speak out against it. Max and Bronco both need to grow up some and get some thicker skin.

Ha! | 10:35 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

The Mailman rules! Still laughing.

re: treyville | 10:36 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

"...with Pitta neutralized and Max trying to avoid forcing the ball, he hit the sod. THe INT he threw was obviously not his fault."

What?? Did you even SEE that play? Hall through the pass quite a bit BEHIND Kariya who had to reach way back while running full speed and ended up tipping it high in the air for an easy pick. It also appears that even if he hadn't tipped it the ball was going directly to a TCU player anyway.

A BYU senior QB who is still flinging passes behind his receivers has a problem that has never been corrected.

The teams | 10:36 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Mentioned survie in spite of the Mtn. not because of it! Your analysis is deeply flawed!!!!!

mtn? | 10:43 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Have you listened to the uneducated ridiculous announcers? BYU, Utah, TCU, Air Force, Colorado State, Wyoming, SDSU, New Mexico--Leave when you can!!

Great Exposure | 10:49 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Last week if your a BYU fan and half the country doesn't see you get embarrassed because of Direct TV's dispute with versus, or if you are Utah and struggled with airforce. If you are TCU it kills you!!!

mike the man | 10:55 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

the writer is a great and noble man, he is full of honor. he didnt sign the TV contract, he is just trying to make the best of a less thatn favorable situation. he is a gentle, soothing man. everyone needs to get a jamba juice and calm down a little :)

re re: Lavell | 11:02 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I hope you feel dumb about your comment, obviously you never saw the talk given by the BYU football player who said Lavell told him in their initial interview that the most important thing beyond BYU football was the way he would live his life while at BYU in representing himself there. I guess you forgot that when Lavell was done coaching his wife and him went on a mission as well almost right away. Good one and way to judge a legacy and coach based on a few bad instances over a 20-25 yr period compared to Broncos 5 years. Think twice before your so quick to judge again.

Oregoncougar | 11:09 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Bronco is not the greatest coach. Anae is below average. Jamie Hill is below average. Our recruiting is about as good as it is ever going to get, and GUESS WHAT...we don't get the best athletes every year.
But, I love Bronco for what he stands for and the standards he appears to strictly enforce on the team. I would take that and a losing record, rather than a national championship and rape/porno/alcohol allegations against the players.
BYU does pretty well for what we have. Better play calling will give us an extra win each year. We have to get lucky to get a good defense. 1984 produced three/four long term NFL defensive players. When will that ever happen again? Max Hall is a good player, not a great one. He doesn't have the heart of a lion(Detmer). Bronco/Max needs to work on inspiring his team DURING THE GAME. We get behind and we look dead. BYU teams of old always believed and played like they could score every possession. We can only consistenly beat the good teams who have great athltes if we play 4quarters of inspired football. COACHING does that.

Green Acres | 1:33 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Way to take Bronco's comment out of context, Scott.

Leave it to someone who is educated in using words and making his living based on writing in the English language to completely miss this concept. You're now ready for the main-stream media.

bigutefan | 2:07 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Just read all the comments, some were pretty funny. The truth is Max Hall was the sixth string quarterback at Arizona State. He transfered, and fell into place at BYU. But he is in a system that allows him to rack up huge stats, but do we really know if he is good? I wouldn't be surprised to see whoever wins out the QB race next year in Ynerville to put up the same similiar stats. The MTN has some issues, but living outside the state, it provides almost every game on television. While I can't stand all the former Yner players as commentators, it is nice to be able to see the games and on game days like Saturday. HD is needed, badly! GO UTES!

I'm starting a fund.... | 2:34 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

To buy the Mountain some HD cameras, and hire operators that can follow the football. Does anyone remember when the NHL put a blue highlight on the puck so the viewers could follow it? Maybe we can do the same thing for the MTN camera operators. How awful is this channel? Not to mention the crap announcers. Geez, and this is what we have to look forward to.

Hall 6th String???? | 3:08 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I don't think so; for all his faults, he has already been All MWC QB 2 times in 4 of his years of college. You can count the Ute All MWC OB's and their championships on one hand in their entire history.

Most of you are idiots | 3:10 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Give an idiot a keyboard and see what happens... for all of you who don't like the MTN network.. you are idiots.. we now see most of the Football Games and B-Ball games, and well as coach interviews and special programs. How much did we see on ESPN? One game every few weeks, if then, in football, and B-Ball starting at 10:00PM once a week.(one game only). Support the MTN! Buy from their advertisers. They are trying to put the best product on TV they can with limited funds. HD is coming, and as they continue, they will get better. Coverage across the country is driven by demand, which will always be limited for our conference and teams. No way ESPN is going to show multiple Mtn West games on the East and West coast in prime time. ESPN is packed with multiple annoying announcers and they have a budget that blows away the MTN. Quit being an idiot, and a whiner, and think this situation through... Idiots for bashing Whittingham, Mendenhall, Stanford etc. What these coaches do with a fraction of the budget of the big boys is amazing. you are idiots...

Bronco the Hypocrite | 3:36 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Bronco can belittle the fans all day long for being frustrated with turnovers. But Bronco himself stated that they are focusing, as a coaching staff, on protecting the football. I wonder why the Coach would worry about Turnovers. Huh, that seems strange. I thought that Bronco criticized fans for being frustrated with Turnovers. Hello Bronco! Stop talking out of both sides of your mouth. It is obvious that a critical key to winning games is protecting the football. No, all those interceptions in the Utah game last year didn't hurt BYU at all. Wake up Bronco!

nodiggity1990 | 4:27 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

dont hate cuz you cant duplicate!

Someone who can read | 5:20 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

LaVell wasn't "criticizing" Max, so the reference to Mendaenhall's comment on the folks who call talk shows from inside of Utah, has no bearing.

LaVell was giving a key to the game. Turnovers when playing a team like TCU mean more of their offense and less of BYU's which results in a loss for the kids in Blue and white.

And has anyone else noticed that Collie is actually doing well for a rookie wide receiver in the NFL. Maybe his quote was accurate, you work hard live a decent life and OMgoodness, good things might just happen to you.

Funny, I can remember some of these same sounding murmurings when laVell was coaching and Norm Chow was coordinating the offense... BYU is predictible, no excitement, lame...retire LaVell, fire Chow..."

Sometimes fans just don't know when to appreciate success. Maybe if some of you would stop betting on the final score you would be better able to deal with the results. ;-)

to: someone who can read... | 6:16 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

... from someone who can think.

I'm a Cougar fan and have been for a long time. I, like many others, was offended by what Bronco said about the football education level of the fans. Yes, Bronco has done well and has pulled BYU out of the abyss of the Crowton era. But a head coach should never criticize the fans that support his team and make it possible for him to have a paycheck whether the fans are right or wrong in what they are saying.

As for murmurings: Bronco is not only a victim of his own success, he is also a victim of setting very high expectations and conveying that to the fans. He has said and/or continues to say things like a national championship is our goal; quest for perfection; when we execute our game plan no one can stop it; our goal is to get this program to the next level; there were 27 easily correctable assignment errors. I think Bronco needs to talk less (stick to standard coach-speak stuff) and just focus on being a head football coach.

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