It will be good for the Cougars | 10:24 p.m. Nov. 14, 2009
If they realize they got lucky and need to play with more intensity and common sense.

If they delude themselves like the Utes did by saying that a close win over a poor team just shows they know how to win, then they will lose the rest of their games.
Howard S. | 10:25 p.m. Nov. 14, 2009
Okay let's get this straight.

If Utah wins a game they were outplayed in Harmon implies they were lucky and not really that good.

If BYU wins a game they were outplayed in Harmon says.... wait for it.... its positive for the team and good thing.

Did I get that about right?
Repeat | 10:33 p.m. Nov. 14, 2009
They did the same thing against USU last year when they whippen UCLA and Wyoming by a total of 103 - 0. Flat the rest of the season. It went to their heads and their feet got stuck in the mud. Still need a new psychologist for football.
Comments continue below
CougblueinTF | 11:15 p.m. Nov. 14, 2009
I don't see why everyone is surprised that this game was a dogfight. I was as disappointed as anyone--but not really surprised.. Why? Well, there are the mental aspects. It's like bowling when you go out one week and bowl a nearly perfect game. You think you've finally got it all figured out and then you go out next week and have trouble breaking a hundred. On top of that, though, Harvey Unga looked like he was getting a stab of pain periodically when he stepped on that sprained ankle. One of the line men played with a sprained knee and Reynolds played with a sore back. Hence no running game and poor blocking for pass plays. Hopefully, everyone will be healed for Air Force and Utah.
Monsieur le prof | 1:29 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009
A win's a win. Each team brings something different to the table. New Mexico had nothing to lose and BYU had everything. Dropped passes and stupid penalties are the thing that worry me. It suggests a deeper problem. I think my Cougars are going to have a difficult time in the next two games.
ggg | 1:55 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009
Well, time to sell my tickets on ebay. at least will make a profit.
No Worries | 2:02 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009
A challenging game versus the Lobos was just what the doctor ordered for the Cougars. It'll keep hungry as they prepare for Air Force and Utah.

btw,

during their tenure as BYU and Utah head coaches

Bronco is 5-0 versus New Mexico

Kyle is 3-2 versus New Mexico
Ute Fan in MS | 5:02 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009
If BYU plays like this against AF, if will resemble the trouncing TCU put on my UTES. Hope they come better prepared than we did. AF is a good team also. Utah was lucky to beat them. The MWC is turning into a very good league. When you see games like NM and BYU when one the Y should have walked all over them, it reminds me of what I see every week in the SEC, anyone can beat anyone on any given day. That is what the MWC needs to be like. Utah TCU BYU and AF can't be the only good teams and run wild over the rest of the league. Let's hope the rest of the league gets up to the level of TCU, Utah, AF and even BYU. That is the only way a really good team like TCU is going to get to play for the big one. GO MWC, all teams please.
Rick | 5:07 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009
Let me get this straight .... BYU has to play badly against a terrible team if they want to play good the next week? They aren't disciplined enough to play well on their own? They can't remember their poor showings against FSU, CSU, USU, SDSU, and TCU? Seriously?
Mizzou Blue | 5:56 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009
Sorry Coug fans & I'm one, stop the excuses. We want to be considered among the best either in the country or the conference then we've got to perform that way. We need to get off the roller coaster-type performances & become more consistent.
Hooks out | 6:53 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009
The loss of Terence Hooks (apparently for the rest of the season) really hurts. BYU needs all the help they can get on the defensive side.
2 games remain | 7:20 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009
if they don't play at the tippy-top of their game in BOTH, they'll easily drop one of them and end up 9-3.

This is NOT one of BYU's all-time best teams, record notwithstanding. Not even one of the top 10 teams. Utah got spanked last night, they'll be on an emotional plane I doubt these Cougars can counter - they just don't play inspired... (83 BYU grad btw)
DN in NJ | 8:22 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009
BYU was favored to win by 27 POINTS! Bronco had to say what he did after the game to show sportsmanship to his old school, but he is smart enough to know that his team took the day off. Fortunately, BYU has enough talent to get away with this uninspired effort and win, but one has to wonder why this team has such a tough time getting up to play football games. I would just once like to see BYU come out of the locker room and jump around like a bunch of crazies vs the methodical jog and the stupid HAKA dance.
Bob in line | 8:32 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009
BYU has a history of letting good games and press get to their heads. They also lack heart, just a lot of self-absorbed head, so to speak.

This is why BYU will never win the biggest games consistently.

That being said all teams have a let down or two. Even mighty Florida just beat South Carolina yesterday. These games happen.

I think BYU will handle Air Force just fine, we almost always do well against their wishbone stuff. And then the final game against Utah.

In watching both BYU and Utah get whipped by TCU it is pretty clear that Utah has more heart. BYU took a beating then rolled over. TCU took their foot off the gas. Utah never did roll over. They fought to the end.

While BYU looks better on paper and likely more athletic on average than Utah, Utah has more heart and will very likely win the Holy War in two weeks.

As punishment for having more heart Utah gets stuck in the Vegas Bowl. BYU gets the Po-dunk Bowl in Rapid City, South Dakota against Bo-Diddly State.

Still, they should have a 10-3 season, which is very good.
the Standard | 8:49 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009
'A win is a win' is a mantra that belongs only to the BYU Cougars.

For everyone else there are degrees of winning.
cafb  | 9:45 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009
Byu makes me sick!
Not really | 9:57 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009
Dick, I have come to appreciate your objective analysis and cutting edge insight.
idablue | 10:30 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009
didn't get to see the last 2 games, but the poor performance against UNM isn't surprising because BYU has been up and down all season. we can't expect perfection from an imperfect team. we can't expect greatness every game from a better than average team. Get used to it. We've had some big wins and some bad losses; that's what you get from average teams. upgrade them to better than average because of the number of wins.to beat AFA and Utah, the cougs will need an inspired and near flawless game. It will be up to every player to perform and not just show up. With this team, you never know.....nevertheless, I will be glued to my TV when the game starts and hope for the best.
go cougs! Hey, if they won every game big, it would take some of the suspense and fun out of it. Love those Cougs even when they stink up the place sometimes. such is sports.
Cheerleader | 11:29 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009
Dick Harmon is such a BYU cheerleader. The only good thing about that game is they won. They didn't need a wake up call. Stop spinning everything Harmon and report the facts
re: the Standard | 11:46 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009
"'A win is a win' is a mantra that belongs only to the BYU Cougars."

Or Utah. Except this morning, it's "A loss is a loss."
Floyd | 11:57 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009
"We have to practice better than we did last week and we have to prepare better."

Seems like each week we hear that the Cougars are having their best week of practice.
Mayor | 12:05 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
"... they'd don letterman jackets around campus this week believing they'd achieved some awesomeness that really doesn't fit the script."


Dick you couldn't possibly be suggesting that Bronco's humble young warriors would become arrogant because of beating the winless Lobos?

Are you?
POLYnation | 12:36 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Utah will give our Cougs a beat down if we play like this in two weeks. I'm tired of the inconsistency and lack of heart from the team. Utah definitely has more heart.

DN in NJ - the haka is not stupid...it's the idiots who don't know how to dance it that makes it look stupid. That's like asking someone like myself who grew up in the islands to dance ballroom and swing...not gonna work!

Go Cougs!
re: cafb | 12:40 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
Then why do you even read the articles? You must be pretty stupid to spend your time reading articles about things that make you sick!
Its only a game | 12:50 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
C'mon, everyone needs to get a life. Football is not the end all and yet, everyone acts like it is. Sure, BYU snuck out of town with a win and Utah got a pasting and some humility. Personally I can't wait until there is enough snow to ski on and the sooner the better. I'd hate to waste my weekends lamenting over football games. Ski Utah.
dan lathem | 12:54 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
Wow!!! BYU wins and the Utes get creamed. You'd think it's the other way around. It's great that Utah shows heart against its superior, but please, they're barely better than Air Force or Colorado State. Do you honestly think the Utes could compete against Oklahoma? Ute defense too slow and can't block. TCU and Oregon sure exposed that.


Anonymous | 12:56 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
And Gordon Monson is such a UTE cheerleader.

Goes both ways.
Anonymous | 1:47 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
"But key sacks by Jan Jorgensen, and Coleby Clawson as time expired, preserved BYU's sixth road victory."

Hey Harmon...you forgot to give credit to UNM for missing two field goals and a PAT.
Re: DN in NJ | 8:22 a.m. | 1:53 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
I couldn't agree more.
Re: Bob in line | 8:32 a.m.  | 2:01 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
"While BYU looks better on paper and likely more athletic on average than Utah, Utah has more heart and will very likely win the Holy War in two weeks."

Hugh?

After his experience with TCU, BYU's defense will look like it it's moving at a snail's pace. The freshman in his second start did quite well with TCU's athleticism. How well do you think he will do with BYU's athleticism??
mhe | 2:05 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
OH NO what am I going to dooo if BYU Loses to the UTES. OH well, At least the Hot Dogs will be good.
SJ Bobkins | 2:17 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
I have a print out with each play, result, penalties if any. I know the Cougars have had many more penalties coming close to 200 once in a great while, yesterday won't break any records, however for penalties coming at a bad time, yesterday was the game from HE_L. BYU has to find some discipline so they don't kill drives or push their opponents down the field with stupid holds, pushes, etc. At this point in the year the procedure penalties< incredible???????????
The players paid too much attention to the writers writing about "perfect" game at Wyo, and individual players getting their "swagger" back. Just win Baby, forget all the unimportant garbage. Bronco, RUN RUN RUN, don't choke as you did at the yutz by passing on every play with an average of 7 yards per carry. You should have passed no more than 20 times at ALB, give Tonga the ball, if Unga can't play.
wet | 2:37 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
Penalties, especially the bone headed variety, continue to to dog this team. It's gonna cost 'em.
A win is a win | 2:47 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
is the mantra we've all season long from Utah fans, until BYU wins a close one, then suddenly, style points are all important to them

Utah fans are such hypocrits

I'll take the New Mexico, but admit it was an ugly win and that Utah performed BYU vs New Mexico

then again, BYU outperformed Utah vs Utah State, CSU, Wyo, and UNLV and played TCU even

4-1-1 vs Utah's record against 6 common opponents

it'll all be decided November 28th, but until then, advantage BYU:

higher ranking
better record against common opponents
BYU's Practices | 3:08 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
I would like to know exactly what BYU is practicing each week and whether or not it even matters, or has anything to do with playing football.

I mean, c'mon, every since the beatdown by FSU Bronco has been talking up practicing better and every week we have been told they Cougars have had the best week of practice in the history of BYU football.

THEN, the home field beatdown by TCU occurred and all we heard was talk about, "well, we need to step it up and practice better and execute better, ad nauseum."

So, we play Wyoming and beat them to a pulp and its all because of our "best week of practice in the history of BYU football" all over again.

This week leading up the the UNM game all we heard was about how the seniors were finally leading the team (where have they been up til now) and about how this past week's practices, again, were "the best week of practice in the history of BYU football."

If they keep having "the best week of practice" I'm not certain I can take it. Please just man up and play smashmouth football
Re: A win is a win | 2:47 p.m. | 3:37 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
A win is a win "is the mantra we've all season long from Utah fans, until BYU wins a close one, then suddenly, style points are all important to them

Utah fans are such hypocrits"

For the last YEAR I have been reading comments from BYU fans about how lucky Utah was last year that TCU missed two field goals.

For the last week all I have seen from BYU fans is how poor Utah is because BYU drilled Wyoming and Utah escaped with an ugly win.

Well, right back at you Mr. BYU...your sad team is LUCKY to get out of UNM with a win because UNLV missed two field goals and a PAT. By the way...Utah handled the Lobos with a freshman QB on his first start.

Tell me again who the "hypocrit" is...

BYU outperformed Utah against Utah State? Go check the stats you'll find they are fairly even. I will agree with you on CSU, Wyo, UNLV, and TCU. Though I love that we put up 28 points on TCU at their house.
BottomLine | 4:16 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
The bottom line is that BYU won. Who cares if it was ugly? Every team has ugly games. Did you see #1 Florida barely get by South Carolina this week? It's part of the game.

Could they have played better? Should they have played better? Blah blah blah... All I know is that I had a better time watching the BYU defense holding on for dear life with 2 sacks at the end than I did watching BYU thrash Wyoming last week.
Where??? | 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
Where are all of the big mouth ute comments?? Big talk all last week and now nothing?? Utes got hammered!
JMac in Cal | 6:39 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
Hey Cougar fans, it could be worse. You could be a USC fan right now. Most of the Trojans are throwing themselves off bridges right now because they are contemplating a Poinsettia Bowl matchup against BYU or Utah.
Val | 8:09 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
Hey Utah fans..............BYU won. They are N0. 19 in the BCS-------Utah is No. 22... They are not bad positions for either school ok. Do you all get it.......We have two teams in the BCS ranking from Utah. Plus TCU which should play for the national championship. TCU is good, we told the utes fans that they would not cover the point spread. Which is ok. TCU has the better team this year, the thing we need to do in rout for a better performance against TCU next year by Utah and BYU.
Ute Prep | 9:08 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
I have it on good word that BYU didn't prep AT ALL for this game. Bronco and company ran NO NEW schemes for NM. They have split their prep time 80%-20% (Utah, Air Force). The word is, they have something special up their sleeve for the Utes this year. Closed practices last week and this whole week have little to do with Air Force, and nothing to do with New Mexico.
Houston Cougar | 9:41 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
Playing lousy is never good. If it were, BYU would have been a monster after FSU and TCU.
Get Real Harmon | 10:13 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
New Mexico is terrible and BYU barely won. REALITY!!! TCU will kill this team 60-0. Utah aleady did. I can't beleive all the excuse makers and just happy to win sports writers. The bottom line - good teams play consistant and BYU is ANYTHING but consistant which is a direct reflection on coaching. Bronco has worn out his welcome in Provo and if I hear one more stupid commerical about what it means to be "excellent" I am going to barf.
Air Force and Utah will kill Y | 10:21 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
How does back to back home losses sound Cougar fans to end the pathetic season? I say Air Force beats BYU and Utah KILLS BYU. Even after that I'm sure Bronco will say it was a successful season.
KJW | 11:52 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
I read that Hall was going to leave it all on the field the rest of the season. That didn't happen again-I don't see them playing their best football the rest of the season. They are a roller coaster team as someone said. I still keep my tickets for the Utah game. I hope it will be worth the trip from CA.
Digbads | 12:12 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009
KJW. Are you serious? What more did you expect from Max Hall? World Peace?
A "near perfect" 300+ yard 2 touchdown game is somehow disappointing?
The kid is the most winning QB in BYU history and some people on here are "disappointed" with him.
GET A GRIP!
Lucky Hall | 8:09 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009
I love the cougs, but Hall doesn't deserve to tie the only heisman winner BYU has ever had. He's not the same quarterback that Detmer was. Hall got pretty lucky this year by riding a BYU wave these last couple years that would have made a lot of mediocre quarterbacks look a lot better than they really are.
Re: Lucky Hall | 9:06 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009
While Hall has not been perfect, you have to give him a lot of credit for the win record. IMHO, even with his tendency to make poor decisions at times, I'd take him over almost any quarterback in the nation (with a small handful of exceptions).

Congrats Max. Thanks for some great seasons. Lets win the last three!
BYU is not a top 25 progarm | 9:37 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009
BYU is not a top 25 program. BYU clearly lacks some key ingredients that all top programs have including....

1.Coaching. Bronco has said that winning isn't a top priority. I think his exact quote was "winning is #4 on the priority list". Winning should be THE top priority because winning produces so many other good things for the school and for the players. Mediocrity and losing provide nothing. Gary Patterson of TCU has the national championship as the teams #1 priority and it shows.
2. Players. BYU has a decent QB but not on the same level as past great teams. BYU has good running backs but a terrible Offensive line ...probably the worst since Gary Crowtons second year. BYU has sub-par defensive talent. A smallish defensive line and junior college grade defensive backs. Bottom line - BYU needs a major recruitment upgrade if they want to compete with ranked teams.
3. Administration. The BYU administration seems to be dictating the direction of the football program from the sort of players they can recruit to the commitment to winning goals they have.

You want a top 10 program? Things need to change.
Can't Read | 10:00 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009
Hey. Check the polls. BYU IS a top 25 program. Your pathetic attempt to demean a good program and good coach is laughable. What are you going to say when BYU beats Utah? If BYU is so bad, what does that say about the Utes?

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