Embarrassing

I know you probably think I'm talking about the result of the game, which wasn't pretty and BYU played their second worst game of the season. You could even argue it was the worst since not even the offense was clicking tonight. The game was terrible but I liked that the players didn't quit. When we were up against FSU, I sincerly thought some players just quit after it got out of hand.

The embarassing thing about this game were the BYU fans. Yes, I'm calling out the fans. I've been to a lot of BYU games and I've heard a lot of fans criticize coaches and players, but tonight, they actually booed the players and coaches. Booed them! Unbelievable. It's one thing to criticize and get on your team, but to boo them when they're out on the field trying to play a game? Tell you what, how about each of you that booed has 3 or 4 players/coaches come to your place of business and boo you while you try to work. Sound like a plan?

You didn't have to buy your tickets and you didn't have to attend the game. Whether it was what you expected, whether you agreed with the playcalling, whether you were unsatisfied with the performance of the players, booing is bad sportsmanship and worth you losing your seat at the game.

My wife heard some criticism about the heart and fanaticism of BYU fans recently and spent time defending them. That was the last thing she wanted to do tonight. Many fans left midway through the 3rd quarter and the rest about the time the 4th started. Stick it out people, the players do.

Sometime this week, I'll try to post the rules of fandom if I get the time to research and put together a good list, but hear me now, BYU fans at this game tonight, failed requirement #1, SUPPORT YOUR TEAM!

--stepping off soapbox--

TCU better win out and qualify for a BCS game ahead of BSU because they are a legitimate top 10 team.

Frogs vs Cougars - Conference Championship on the line

I think we all knew this was going to be a big game about 5 minutes into last year's game. I won't drudge up any specific memories of that game except to say I felt sick. The Cougs got beat early and often and never truly recovered.

That game was perhaps one of the biggest turning points to prepare this team for the season opener against Oklahoma. Prior to TCU the team hadn't really been challenged for over a year and was a little complacent. I also don't think they were ready for the crowd that showed up to that game. Plenty of Cougar fans were there, but the situation forced them into stunned silence early and like the players, they never recovered. I think many of us to this day haven't recovered and the only way we will is with a win at Lavell's house this Saturday.

TCU ranked in the top 10, coming into Provo to play the #16 Cougars. Almost an exact reversal to last year's situation. It's almost too earie and you can get some of the similarities here.

BYU has some advantages coming into this game in that TCU hasn't faced a team that is diverse as BYU. They haven't met up with a team that can pass and run equally well. I'm not downgrading TCU, they are probably one of the top 2 defenses in the country when you consider potential. That defense will test BYU as it will be the best they've faced. Oklahoma was good, but I feel TCU is better. The defense doesn't have let downs.

This is a very interesting and competetive matchup as the Cougars and Horned Frogs pit strength vs strength. The game will come down to which team executes the game plan and adjusts to the game situations. Special teams play will be key and those big plays will have to be handled.

I see a close one, but BYU defends their homefield 28 to 27 on a come from behind touchdown in the 4th.

Quick Ranking

Save this post for quick reference to this week's rankings

Another Game in a Playground

Two weeks in a row that BYU gets to go to the playgrounds of the conference. Who else can claim Vegas and San Diego?!

While San Diego St has brought a brand new coaching staff that will hopefully turn the program around, the talent hasn't been developed to the point where they'll be a winning program for at least a couple years. I think 2005 was the last time BYU lost to San Diego St and it was an ugly one. I'll always remember the ball coming out the back of John Beck's hand and just shaking my head. However, there's been a lot of uphill from there and one could almost say it was the low point of Bronco's tenure.

Rocky Long always presents a fired up defense but the Cougars have seen it many times before and shouldn't be intimidated. I'm looking for Max to put together another turn over free game and for Riley Nelson to get some PT tomorrow.

BYU 49 - SDSU 18

Sam Boyd Stadium (Provo South)

BYU shouldn't have any problem playing on the road at UNLV this weekend. They struggled against a mediocre Nevada team and BYU is looking to make up for what was a too close for comfort win over the Rebels last year. The UNLV receivers are tall and fast, the question is going to be whether the QB can get it to them.

I look for BYU to win by 2 to 3 scores.

BYU 42 - UNLV 24

MWC - How good are they?

After all the buzz last year and a good showing in the bowl games, you would think that the bottom of the Moutain West would roll the bottom of the WAC, but here we are 4 weeks in and Idaho, yes that's right, Idaho of the WAC has beat two MWC teams.

All in all the upper tier of the Mountain West is better than the WAC but when you start looking at the mid-level to bottom feeders, it's about equal. I think the biggest difference is you have 3 teams that are consistently in the top 25 from the MWC while the WAC has one. Now granted, that one is far and away better than the rest of its conference and I will not name names because they drive me absolutely insane.

Then when you think it over, are the bottom feeders of any conference really all that much better than another conference? I don't believe they are. I also believe this is why a playoff should be instituted. The power conferences talk about how their teams are so much better than everyone else. If that's the case let them prove it on the field (Oklahoma). Let your champion play our champion once a year, winner moves on. Prove it on the field. Let's quit looking at history and start judging football between the lines. There's a reason the game is played and it should always be that way. Let the players and coaches prove their mettle.

The excuses should be done away with, college football is not a place for elitists anymore. The best players aren't resigning themselves to only the top 10 schools. They are going where they think they can make the biggest impact and it's leveling the playing field.

To the BCS presidents, the excuses are ridiculous and outdated. There is absolutely nothing keeping you from a playoff but your greed for power and money. Make the changes.