10. Pressure to uphold MWC reputation
9. Coming off 2 big losses to end 2008
8. Quest to....(fill in the blank)
7. Team laden with Senior Leadership
6. Jan Jorgensen vs. young O-line for OU
5. Enhanced off season preparation
4. Football is fun again
3. No one expects BYU to win
2. Self-aware (making adjustments to fix last year's issues)
1. Senior QB
BYU 42 - OU 39
Monday, August 31, 2009
10 Reasons Oklahoma Beats BYU
10. Efficient offense
9. More NFL Caliber Talent
8. Accustomed to the big stage
7. Closer to Norman than Provo
6. Lost to BSU in 2007
5. Lost to BYU in 1994
4. Experienced Defense
3. Speed
2. Coming off loss in National Championship game
1. Reigning Heismann trophy winner at the helm
OU 49 - BYU 35
9. More NFL Caliber Talent
8. Accustomed to the big stage
7. Closer to Norman than Provo
6. Lost to BSU in 2007
5. Lost to BYU in 1994
4. Experienced Defense
3. Speed
2. Coming off loss in National Championship game
1. Reigning Heismann trophy winner at the helm
OU 49 - BYU 35
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Preseason Rankings - What do they mean?
So the 2 major college football polls are now both out and what does that mean?
Not much except that we all have something new to talk about until the season kicks off. A good example of the meaninglessness of the preseason rankings, at least in respect to how a team will finish, is the fact that 4 teams from conferences that automatically qualify for BCS bowls are ranked in the top 25 while no team from the Big East, a BCS conference, was ranked in the top 25. It is almost assured that some team from the Big East will make it into a BCS game at the end of the season and be ranked in the final top 25.
So why do Preseason rankings?
Some feel it gives us a place to start but I honestly believe it's just a way to hype some early out of conference games.
The Cougars kick off at #20 AP and #24 USA Today poll against Oklahoma which sits at #3 in both those polls. Oregon, ranked in both polls, takes on Boise State, also ranked in both polls. These are considered the biggest games of opening weekend. I would love to see the Ducks stomp all over the Broncos. I'm not sure why, maybe it's jealousy, but I hate seeing Boise win. That and family ties require us to cheer for Oregon so long as they aren't playing BYU (wish it was 2006 again!).
Big question: Can BYU beat Oklahoma in Arlington at the new Dallas Cowboy stadium? Absolutely!
Will they? Who knows. Oklahoma is returning the Heismann trophy winner along with several players from a team that regularly put up 5 to 6 TDs on teams last year. They did most of that through the air. BYU is returning several key players but still has lots of questions on defense, especially at a position that was exposed against the pass last year.
I'm not going to give a prediction on this game just yet as it's still a couple weeks away, in fact, we kick off 2 Saturdays from now and so much can happen.
For a season prediction, I look to see BYU win the conference and not have so many close games against teams they should roll. I expect more discipline and leadership from the seniors and then rolling some lame Pac-10 team in the Las Vegas bowl.
My dream would be to see them beat Oklahoma followed by thrashing Tulane. Then it's time to come home and show Florida St. that the ACC really is that bad. If BYU starts the season 3-0, there will again be talk of a National Championship. 25 years after the last one, how appropriate!
Go Cougars!
Not much except that we all have something new to talk about until the season kicks off. A good example of the meaninglessness of the preseason rankings, at least in respect to how a team will finish, is the fact that 4 teams from conferences that automatically qualify for BCS bowls are ranked in the top 25 while no team from the Big East, a BCS conference, was ranked in the top 25. It is almost assured that some team from the Big East will make it into a BCS game at the end of the season and be ranked in the final top 25.
So why do Preseason rankings?
Some feel it gives us a place to start but I honestly believe it's just a way to hype some early out of conference games.
The Cougars kick off at #20 AP and #24 USA Today poll against Oklahoma which sits at #3 in both those polls. Oregon, ranked in both polls, takes on Boise State, also ranked in both polls. These are considered the biggest games of opening weekend. I would love to see the Ducks stomp all over the Broncos. I'm not sure why, maybe it's jealousy, but I hate seeing Boise win. That and family ties require us to cheer for Oregon so long as they aren't playing BYU (wish it was 2006 again!).
Big question: Can BYU beat Oklahoma in Arlington at the new Dallas Cowboy stadium? Absolutely!
Will they? Who knows. Oklahoma is returning the Heismann trophy winner along with several players from a team that regularly put up 5 to 6 TDs on teams last year. They did most of that through the air. BYU is returning several key players but still has lots of questions on defense, especially at a position that was exposed against the pass last year.
I'm not going to give a prediction on this game just yet as it's still a couple weeks away, in fact, we kick off 2 Saturdays from now and so much can happen.
For a season prediction, I look to see BYU win the conference and not have so many close games against teams they should roll. I expect more discipline and leadership from the seniors and then rolling some lame Pac-10 team in the Las Vegas bowl.
My dream would be to see them beat Oklahoma followed by thrashing Tulane. Then it's time to come home and show Florida St. that the ACC really is that bad. If BYU starts the season 3-0, there will again be talk of a National Championship. 25 years after the last one, how appropriate!
Go Cougars!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
They're HERE!
Our season tickets came today. We are soooo excited to get down to the stadium this year. Our seats aren't the greatest, but we got em.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Attn: Parents of Future Cougars
If you happen to find that your future cougar has decided to draw plays on your floor, or anywhere else, with permanent marker, we found a great way to wipe the slate clean so no one else can steal the new plays.
Be sure to bring some elbow grease!
Be sure to bring some elbow grease!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Ouch!
It's early in camp and the injuries keep coming in. Most of them appear to be minor but an already inexperienced front line has lost its most experienced player until at the very least, the opener against Oklahoma and the next best option coming into camp is no out with a rotator cuff injury that will require him to miss the season.
This team will definitely be tested this year and these injuries are just the beginning.
This team will definitely be tested this year and these injuries are just the beginning.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Football's fun?!
Coach Boone: [Petey has his hand raised ] Put your hand down! You're smiling.
Petey Jones: Yes.
Coach Boone: Yes, sir. Why are you smiling?
Petey Jones: 'Cause I love football. Football's fun.
Coach Boone: Fun, sir. It's fun?
Petey Jones: Yes.
Coach Boone: Sir. You sure?
Petey Jones: I think so -
Coach Boone: Now you're thinkin'. First you smile, then you think. You think football is still fun?
Petey Jones: Uh, yes.
Coach Boone: Sir.
Petey Jones: Yes-no, sir.
Coach Boone: No?
Petey Jones: Um, it was fun, sir.
Coach Boone: Not any more though, is it? Is it?
Petey Jones: Not right now, no.
Coach Boone: No, it's not fun anymore. Not even a little bit.
Petey Jones: Uh... no.
Coach Boone: Make up your mind. Think, since you're thinkin'. Go on, think. Is it fun?
Petey Jones: No, sir.
Coach Boone: No? Absolutely not?
Petey Jones: Zero fun, sir.
Coach Boone: [Adresses the team] All right, listen up! I'm Coach Boone, I'm gonna tell you all about how much [looks at Petey] fun you're gonna have this season. Remember the Titans
Anyone that's been paying attention to the stories coming out of fall camp will tell you the biggest difference between 2009 and 2008 is the 2009 team is focusing on fun. Last year was all business and it seemed to wear on the team as the season went on.
I don't know if Coach Boone would agree, but football is fun.
The BYU coaching staff seems to have found a balance. There can be fun had in hard work while focusing on precision and execution. If this is what was missing from 2008, then bring it on. I think the team will see how fun football can be as the wins start rolling in.
J
Petey Jones: Yes.
Coach Boone: Yes, sir. Why are you smiling?
Petey Jones: 'Cause I love football. Football's fun.
Coach Boone: Fun, sir. It's fun?
Petey Jones: Yes.
Coach Boone: Sir. You sure?
Petey Jones: I think so -
Coach Boone: Now you're thinkin'. First you smile, then you think. You think football is still fun?
Petey Jones: Uh, yes.
Coach Boone: Sir.
Petey Jones: Yes-no, sir.
Coach Boone: No?
Petey Jones: Um, it was fun, sir.
Coach Boone: Not any more though, is it? Is it?
Petey Jones: Not right now, no.
Coach Boone: No, it's not fun anymore. Not even a little bit.
Petey Jones: Uh... no.
Coach Boone: Make up your mind. Think, since you're thinkin'. Go on, think. Is it fun?
Petey Jones: No, sir.
Coach Boone: No? Absolutely not?
Petey Jones: Zero fun, sir.
Coach Boone: [Adresses the team] All right, listen up! I'm Coach Boone, I'm gonna tell you all about how much [looks at Petey] fun you're gonna have this season. Remember the Titans
Anyone that's been paying attention to the stories coming out of fall camp will tell you the biggest difference between 2009 and 2008 is the 2009 team is focusing on fun. Last year was all business and it seemed to wear on the team as the season went on.
I don't know if Coach Boone would agree, but football is fun.
The BYU coaching staff seems to have found a balance. There can be fun had in hard work while focusing on precision and execution. If this is what was missing from 2008, then bring it on. I think the team will see how fun football can be as the wins start rolling in.
J
Changes
As you can see, I've made a few tweaks to the look and feel of the blog. I've also added an RSS feed for BYU Sporting News and some favorite links I have dealing with Cougar Sports.
The colors have been some of the most difficult parts of the design of the website. To keep it pleasing to the eye and stay as true to the BYU colors and logos as I can proved more difficult than I expected.
Let me know what you think. Give me your ideas and I'll see if I can figure it out. Then I promise an actual post about football next.
J
The colors have been some of the most difficult parts of the design of the website. To keep it pleasing to the eye and stay as true to the BYU colors and logos as I can proved more difficult than I expected.
Let me know what you think. Give me your ideas and I'll see if I can figure it out. Then I promise an actual post about football next.
J
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Fall camp in full swing
I'm so glad it's time for football season again. The off season has been tough this year since we ended with a loss and then add Utah's success on top of that. It makes for one long work day with all the Ute fans.
This blog is purely testing. I hope to get my thoughts down and maybe even a list of updating stories, but there'll be some work to do to figure that out. I also need to make sure the text of my posts is readable with all this blue and white goin on.
I hope you enjoy!
J
This blog is purely testing. I hope to get my thoughts down and maybe even a list of updating stories, but there'll be some work to do to figure that out. I also need to make sure the text of my posts is readable with all this blue and white goin on.
I hope you enjoy!
J
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