How Does BYU's Vegas Bowl Win Over Oregon State Impact College Football?

BYU beat Oregon State last night 44-20. What did we all learn from last night’s game? What does that mean for BYU, Oregon State, the Mountain West Conference, and the PAC-10?

Not much.

The bowl season is a tradition in college football, and a part of that tradition is trying to extrapolate conclusions based on the results of bowl games.

Why?

The college bowl system is the most backwards system of postseason play in all of sports. Even the Salem Witch Trials laugh at the absurdities and backwards logic of college football bowls.

Add to the ridiculous nature of the bowl system itself the have-have-not system of the BCS. This turns every low level bowl game between automatic qualifying conference and non-automatic qualifying conference teams into a protest game against the establishment of college football.

Major college football experts would have people think, before the start of the bowl games, that if the non-automatic qualifying conference team wins it means the BCS is wrong, and if the automatic qualifying conference team wins then the BCS is right.

Of course, no matter which team wins, there is little to no change in the system of college football.

The anti-BCS crowd will use BYU’s victory over Oregon State as another piece of evidence against the asinine nature of the BCS. They will make the argument that BYU and Oregon State both ended the season in second place in their conference (Oregon State ended in a tie for second place in the PAC-10, although they finished lower due to tie-breakers); therefore, the Mountain West Conference must be better than the PAC-10.

This argument doesn’t hold water.

The BCS crowd will counter with excuses. The wind helped BYU win. This argument is hard to justify, did the heavens hold back the wind every time BYU touched the ball? The officiating favored BYU. While it is understandable for PAC-10 teams to miss their homer officials, both teams ended the game with an equal amount of penalties called against them.

Yet, these arguments are incredibly credible compared to the typical fallacies that BCS and automatic qualifying conference usually use. The automatic qualifying conference team didn’t have any motivation to play. It seems this argument is used far too often to explain an unexpected outcome. What, have football players magically transformed themselves into thespians? Do they need to have a drive and motivation in order to get into character?

The motivation argument is stale from use, but the new vogue argument of BCS supports is: Any team can play one game against an automatic qualifying school, but they can’t play a full schedule in a BCS conference. Wow! So you want teams from non-automatic qualifying conferences to have less money, be at a recruiting disadvantage, play games at neutral sites or on the road, and still discredit them when they beat a bigger name school. That is like asking someone to juggle five chainsaws blindfolded, seeing it, and then scoffing at the juggler because you don’t think he can juggle ten.

The arguments of both sides are normally ludicrous and hardly stand up to scrutiny; however, the arguments just reflect the system they are commenting on.

The reality is that teams like BYU, Utah, TCU, Houston, Boise State, Fresno State, and Air Force could compete just fine in the automatic qualifying conferences. Teams like San Diego State, UNLV, Idaho, and SMU would struggle if they were in a BCS conference. Yet, teams like Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Washington State, and UConn would struggle in the Mountain West Conference.

There just isn’t a huge difference between the average non-automatic qualifying conference team, and an average automatic qualifying conference team.

It didn’t take BYU beating Oregon State to prove that.

Or Utah beating Alabama.

Or Boise State beating Oregon.

Or Houston beating Oklahoma State.

Or TCU beating Clemson.

It doesn’t matter though because both sides, much like the current political landscape, have bunkered down to their separate ideologies. A college football fan is either pro-BCS or anti-BCS and there isn’t any room for a sane middle ground.

There are too many instant reactions in college football. Oregon State is a good football team, and they were beat by a better BYU football team in Las Vegas. No excuses, and sadly due to the current system of college football there cannot be any conclusions drawn from the game.

Until there is a change in college football’s postseason—arguments will try to decide what should be decided on the football field.

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BYU Better Be Ready For an Underrated Air Force Team—Or Be Ready For Another Home Upset

BYU better not be thinking about the Holy War this weekend, because Air Force has the talent to beat the Cougars at home...

The Falcons are playing their final regular season game this weekend, and they would like to end their season on a high note.

BYU has traditionally dominated Air Force. The Cougars hold a 22-6 edge in the all-time series against the Falcons. The last time Air Force beat BYU was in 2003 at LaVell Edwards stadium.

Yet, this Air Force team appears to be breaking the mold of a traditional Air Force team. Usually the academy schools tend to fizzle as the season wears on. The training required in addition to football takes a lot out of the Air Force players, and the Falcons struggle to finish the football season strong.

This season the Falcons have won four out of their last five games, with their only loss coming on the road in overtime against Utah.

Air Force has struggled in the past against better football programs. This season the Falcons have competed in every game they have played. Their four losses are each by one touchdown or less. Two of their losses came in overtime. Plus, the Falcons played TCU better than any other conference team this season—losing by three points at home.

Another difference in this year’s Air Force team is their defense. Air Force has one of the better defenses not only in the conference but in the nation. The Falcons are ranked 1^st in passing defense, 7^th in total defense, 9^th in scoring defense and 1^st in turnover margin.

Their defense causes and takes advantage of the other team’s mistakes, and converts turnovers into points. Air Force’s defense also benefits from the Falcon triple option attack. The triple option offense allows the defense to rest, and also forces the other team to press in order to get the football back.

Air Force, much like BYU, bases their offensive and defensive schemes on out executing the other team on the field.

If the Cougars play in the Air Force game like they did in the New Mexico or TCU game, then it could be a very disappointing afternoon for BYU. Air Force has something left to prove this season, and they will be pulling out all the stops to get a win over a ranked BYU.

A healthy Harvey Unga will really help BYU to avoid an upset this weekend. BYU needs to give their defense a rest, and cannot afford too many three-and-outs during the game. Air Force’s defensive weakness is against the run; they are ranked 56^th giving up 137.45 yards per game. The Cougars should try to win this game on the ground. Out muscling the smaller defensive front of Air Force, and running between the tackles.

This also means BYU cannot panic if they go down early in the game and abandon the running game. Robert Anae continues to be the best defender teams have to stop Harvey Unga. The Cougars have the best back in the Mountain West Conference, but continue to struggle to find ways of giving him the football.

It is important for BYU to score first against Air Force. The Falcons don’t play well from behind. The triple option isn’t designed to mount comebacks, but it is designed to keep games close. When Air Force is forced to go away from the triple option attack that is when teams can really open up a lead against them.

BYU cannot afford any turnovers against Air Force. The Cougars need to clean up the interceptions, fumbles, and mental mistakes (such as dropping first down passes). Giving up easy points to Air Force, due to good field position, is a sure way of setting themselves up for an upset.

Another key is BYU needs to play hungry. Air Force is going to try and punch BYU right in the mouth, and then take away the victory. The Cougars have struggled this season when teams have challenged them. BYU seems to be softer this season, and hasn’t been as quick to be the aggressor in the football games.

If BYU struggles with the challenge of Air Force this weekend, things could be much worse the following weekend against the Utes in the Holy War.

BYU needs to defend their home field, and be the more aggressive team this Saturday. BYU needs to play with some kind of passion.

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The All-Time BYU Football Team

Something for BYU fans to talk about during another easy win...

BYU should easily take care of New Mexico this weekend. It should be a game BYU dominates, which basically means it will be fun to watch for about a quarter and a half.

During boring BYU games is the perfect time for speculation about the Cougars. Seeing it is the 25th anniversary of BYU's National Championship I have been discussing and thinking about which players would makeup the All-Time BYU Football team.

Here is the All-Time BYU Football Team by positions.

(I would like to acknowledge contributions from Aaron Welling, Tyler Stimson—Featured Columnist for BYU Football, and Jake Stowell—host of “The Big Podcast.")

Quarterbacks: Ty Detmer Tops the List

Ty Detmer — 15,031 total passing yards, 121 TDs total touchdowns, and a Heisman Trophy. Detmer's numbers at BYU were truly epic, but he was also a winner. Detmer currently holds the BYU record for most wins as a quarterback with 29 career victories (although Max Hall looks to break that record this season).

Jim McMahon — Called by some NCAA statistician "The Babe Ruth of College Football." McMahon set 70 different NCAA records while at BYU, which is a record for most records set. McMahon had 9,723 career passing yards, and 84 total touchdowns (including 47 in a single season). It is a shame BYU hasn't retired McMahon's number.

Steve Young — Tim Tebow really a poor man's Steve Young. Young not only could move the ball on the ground like Tebow, but he had an arm to go with it. Young had 8,817 of total offense in two years at quarterback. His senior season he led the nation in total offense, and he also accounted for 41 total touchdowns.

Running Backs: Luke Staley Over Unga For Now

Luke Staley— A once in a decade college running back. Staley had all the tools to be a great running back before being injured his Junior year. Staley had break-away big play potential every time he touched the ball. He ended his career with 41 career touchdowns and the Doak Walker Award.

Harvey Unga— When Unga finishes his career he could pass Staley as the best running back in BYU history. Yet, for now Unga is #2. Unga doesn't have the break away speed of Staley; however he has better pass catching skills and is a more physical back. Unga will also finish his career with the most rushing yards in BYU history.

Eldon Fortie—A dual threat tailback in the 1960's. Fortie had 1,149 rushing yard, 14 TDs, 814 passing yards and 7 passing TDs his senior year.

Jamal Willis—A smooth running back who was great catching the ball out of the backfield. 2,988 total yards of offense, and 40 career touchdowns.

Wide Receivers: Austin Collie The Best Pass Catcher

Austin Collie— A big, fast, wide receiver with great hands. Collie left BYU a year early, but still is BYU's all time receiving yard leader. Collie finished his career with 3,255 receiving yards and receiving TDs.

Eric Drage— 3,065 career receiving yards and 29 career receiving TDs for BYU's most fundamentally sound receiver.

Matt Bellini— 2,635 career receiving yards and 28 career receiving TDs.

Glen Kozlowski—2,223 career receiving yards and 23 career receiving TDs. Very impressive considering he was injured for most of his senior year.

Reno Mahe— A converted running back who ended his career with 2,163 receiving yards and 19 TDs. Mahe had something lacking in many BYU receivers, speed.

Tight Ends: Pitta's Numbers Good Enough for Third Place Among Very Good Tight Ends

Gordan Hudson—Two time All-American. Set the record while he was playing for most receiving yards by a Tight End. He ended his career with 2,484 career receiving yards, and still has the most touchdowns by a tight end in school history.

Chad Lewis— Lewis played with another BYU great tight end Itula Mili so his career numbers aren't as great as other BYU tight ends. Yet, Chad Lewis was the complete package at tight end.

Dennis Pitta—It helps when your brother-in-law is throwing you the football. Pitta has the most receiving yards of any tight end in BYU history, and is currently fourth on BYU's all-time receiving yards list.

Offensive Lineman: The Best of the OL Group is Outland Trophy Winner Mo Elewonibi

Mo Elewonibi—1989 Outland Trophy Winner. 1989 Cosensus All-American. 1989 First-Team All-WAC

Brad Oates—1974 and 1975 First-team All-WAC

Bart Oates—1982 First-team All-WAC

Evan Pilgrim—1993 Honorable Mention All-WAC. 1994 Second-team All-American. 1994 First-team All-WAC

John Tait—1997 and 1998 First-team All-WAC

Defensive Lineman: Outland Trophy Winner Jason Buck Leads BYU's All-Time Defense

Jason Buck—1986 Outland Trophy winner. 1985 WAC Defensive Player of the Year. 112 total career tackles, 20 for loss, and 24 sacks in just two years of play.

Shawn Knight— 119 total career tackles, 7 for loss, and 22.5 sacks. Led BYU in sacks in 1986.

Brady Poppinga— 192 total career tackles, 39 for loss, and 20 sacks. led BYU in sacks 2002, 2003, and 2004.

Mike Morgan— Holds BYU record for most sacks in a season 21, and also most career sacks 38.

Linebackers: Rob Morris is at The Head of The All-Time Linebacker List

Rob Morris—345 total career tackles, 34.5 for loss, 13 sacks, and an interception. Led BYU in tackles 1997 and 1998. Led BYU in sacks 1998. 1998 WAC Defensive Player of the Year. 1998 and 1999 First-team All-WAC. 1999 Second-team AP All-American.

Bob Davis—349 total career tackles, 6.5 for loss, 10.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions. 1988 and 1989 led team in tackles. 1989 Third-team All-American. 1989 First-team All-WAC

Shad Hansen—BYU's all-time tackle leader with 408 total career tackles. 1992 First-team All-WAC.

Shay Muirbrook—345 total career tackles, 22.3 for loss, and 18.5 sacks. Led BYU in both tackles and sacks in 1996. 1996 WAC Defensive Player of the Year. Muirbrook also holds the record for most sacks in a single game—six sacks versus Kansas State in the 1997 Cotton Bowl.

Secondary: Kyle Morrell the Best of the Secondary Players

Kyle Morrell—Made a national championship saving tackle to seal the win over Hawaii. 232 career tackles, 2 sacks, and 8 interceptions.1984 First-team All-American. 1984 First-team All-WAC. 1984 WAC Defensive Player of the Year.

Derwin Gray—273 career tackles, 6.5 for loss, and 8 interceptions. Holds BYU record for most tackles in a single game, with 22 against Penn State. 1992 First-team All-WAC

Brian Mitchell—171 total career tackles, and 13 interceptions. 1990 First-team All-WAC.

Tim Mctyer—Was a true shutdown cover corner for BYU. 1996 First-tam All-WAC.

David Atkinson—BYU's all-time interception leader with 20 interceptions. 179 total career tackles. 1972 First-team All-WAC.

Special Teams: Lee Johnson Could Plain Punt, But Matt Payne Would Lay Down Some Hits

Lee Johnson, Punter—Holds BYU records for: Longest punt, 80 yards against Wyoming; best punting average in a game, 60.4 yards against Wyoming; best punting average in a season, 50.6 yards per kick 1982; and best career punting average, 47 yards per kick.

Matt Payne, Kickoffs—It is hard to be the most popular player on your team if you are the kicker; however, Payne enter BYU legend and BYU fan's hearts with his intense kickoff and punt coverage.

Owen Pochman, Place Kicking—The most consistent kicker in BYU history. Pochman missed just three PATs during his three year career.

Jame Dye, Punt and Kick Return—Every time Dye handled a punt or kickoff he had the potential to score. Dye holds the BYU record for best career punt return average 19.8 yards per return. He is also tied for the lead for most punt return touchdowns in his career with four.

The All-Time BYU Football Team Roster

Offense

QB Ty Detmer

QB Jim Mcmahon

QB Steve Young

RB Luke Staley

RB Harvey Unga

RB Eldon Fortie

RB Jamal Willis

FB Todd Christensen

FB Lakei Hemuli

WR Austin Collie

WR Eric Drage

WR Matt Bellini

WR Glen Kozlowski

WR Reno Mahe

TE Gordan Hudson

TE Chad Lewis

TE Dennis Pitta

OL Mo Elewonibi

OL Brad Oates

OL Bart Oates

OL Evan Pilgrim

OL John Tait

Defense

DL Jason Buck

DL Brady Poppinga

DL Shawn Knight

DL Mike Morgan

LB Bob Davis

LB Rob Morris

LB Shad Hensen

LB Shay Muirbrook

DB Derwin Gray

DB Brian Mitchell

DB Tim Mctyer

DB Kyle Morrell

DB Dave Atkinson

Special Teams

P Lee Johnson

KO Matt Payne

PK Owen Pochman

P/K Return Jame Dye

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Creature Vs. Creature: BYU Will Beat TCU & Bounce Back Into the BCS Discussion

With special comments from Misthaufen B/R Featured Columnist for TCU football...

The winner of this Saturday’s game between the Cougars and the Horned Frogs will have the inside track to win the Mountain West Conference. The winner will also keep their BCS hopes alive.

TCU would get a major boost in the polls with a convincing win over BYU, which they will need in order to leapfrog Boise State. BYU would need a win over TCU in order to get back into the BCS hunt. A win over TCU and a few key losses and BYU has a shot to be the first non-automatic qualifying conference team with one loss playing in a BCS bowl game.

The loser of the game this Saturday is most likely out of the running for both the BCS and the conference crown.

For a game this big I have teamed forces with Misthaufen, Bleacher Report Featured Columnist for TCU football. I will be making the case, in this article, for why BYU will win, and Misthaufen will make the case for TCU victory in his article:"Creature Vs. Creature: TCU Is No Hoax and Will Defeat BYU in Provo."

Each of us will provide a voice in the other’s article providing counter-points to arguments. Here are the reasons why BYU will beat TCU this weekend.

TCU’s defense has yet to be tested.

The Cougar offense is ranked in the top ten in total offense, 7^th, and scoring offense 6th. The best offense TCU has faced this season is SMU; who are currently ranked 71^st in total offense.

The rest of the teams TCU faced so far are ranked 81^st, 83^rd, 95^th, and 107^th nationally in total offense (not including Texas Southern which isn’t a FBS team).

The Cougar offense on the other hand has been tested by a top defense this season in Oklahoma. The Sooners are currently ranked 8^th in total defense, and they have faced three high powered offenses this season in BYU, Tulsa, and Texas. Against Oklahoma, BYU had 357 yards of total offense, with 329 yards coming through the air.

BYU has seen athletes this season equal to those on TCU’s defense, but TCU has not seen any offensive players like they will face this Saturday in Provo. BYU’s offense will prove hard to stop for the Horned Frogs.

There are many parallels between this year’s game, and last year’s game. Last season BYU was the team receiving all of the national attention from the media, and their defense was being praised for shutting down lower level teams.

This season TCU’s defense appears statistically sound, but those numbers are deceiving if one will just look at the opponents which they have faced this season. TCU’s defense is overconfident, and BYU has the weapons to expose their defense.

Counter-Point

Misthaufen: TCU led the nation in defense last in year. In spite of numerous players graduating and many being drafted by the NFL, the Frogs may actually be better this year on defense.

BYU’s offensive numbers are inflated by playing some of the worst defense in college football.

Tulane is ranked No. 103, giving up over 412 yards per game.

Florida State is ranked No. 107, giving up over 426 yards per game.

Colorado State is ranked No. 89, giving up over 388 yards per game.

Utah State is ranked No. 110, giving up over 437 yards per game.

UNLV is ranked No. 112, giving up over 454 yards per game.

San Diego State is ranked No. 50, giving up 342 yards per game.

It is no wonder that BYU is No. 6 in total offense, having faced only one top twenty defense, while facing four in the bottom twenty.

One problem in comparing the offenses that TCU has faced is that every single one reflects a game against TCU where the teams were held well-under their season average. By taking the TCU game out of the mix, most of their opponents’ offensive numbers jump way up.

Let’s look at Colorado State. CSU was average a very respectable 376 yards per game prior to playing TCU. Against TCU, the Rams had 182 total yards of offense, with 50 of those yards coming late in the game on one pass against TCU’s third-string defense.

One game against TCU dropped the Rams from No. 60 in total offense to No. 81.

I fully expect BYU to be held to three hundred total yards of offense or less on Saturday.

Rebuttal

Statistically both teams have increased their rankings against a host of lower opponents. Yet, BYU still has been tested at least once this season. TCU has not.

BYU is TCU’s defenses first real test of the season. Their overconfidence will be their undoing.

Harvey Unga is being overlooked

It is strange to think the best player on BYU’s roster is being overlooked. Harvey Unga is a beast on the offensive side of the football, and the leading rusher in the Mountain West Conference; however, it seems when people talk about BYU they are preparing for Max Hall and a throwing offense.

TCU is feeling confident that they can stop the run. TCU is ranked 8^th in rushing defense. Yet, the only time this season TCU faced a good rushing team, Air Force, TCU gave up 229 yards on the ground. That is over 100 yards more than TCU averages per game.

TCU was able to load up against the run against Air Force, but TCU will not be able to use the same strategy to slow down Unga. If TCU commits to stopping Harvey Unga, Max Hall will go over the top of the Horned Frogs’ defense to a stable of talented pass catchers.

This Saturday Unga will also have another weapon which was lacking last season, Manase Tonga. Last season Unga didn’t have a player who was a strong lead blocker, and also a quality pass catcher out of the backfield. Tonga has proven this season to be invaluable to BYU’s running success, and he looks to be healthy this weekend.

Unga was averaging almost four yards a carry against TCU, which ended the season ranked 1^st in rushing defense. The problem for Unga last season was once BYU was behind, BYU abandoned the running game. This season BYU has made a better effort at committing to the run, and that is bad news for TCU.

Counter-Point

Misthaufen: Not much of one here, actually. Harvey Unga is a beast and one of the best running backs in college football.

Fortunately for TCU and as noted above, BYU under OC Anae (who coached under Mike Leach at Texas Tech) abandons the run as soon as BYU struggles.

BYU will not enter the game with a run-first mentality, so TCU can focus on pressuring Max Hall until he makes all those mistakes he is famous for in big games.

Rebuttal

It is sad Unga has been stopped more times by Anae than by opposing defenses.

A wrinkle to look for this Saturday is for Unga to be thrown to more out of the backfield. It is a wrinkle BYU started to implement against San Diego State last week, and it should increase Unga’s effectiveness.

BYU’s Defense is improved from last season.

The two factors which really killed BYU’s chance last season against TCU was there lack of ability to stop the wildcat offense, and their complete inability to play any pass defense.

So far this season BYU has handled the wildcat formation well. They have faced it against UNLV and Sand Diego State, and BYU was able to shut it down. The linebacking core for BYU is more assignment sound this season, and they have support from two good safeties in Scott Johnson and Andrew Rich.

Jeremy Kerley really beat up on the Cougars last year when he was running the wildcat offense. Yet, BYU this season is better able to control the edge of the field, and are making solid open-field tackles. Both factors BYU was awful at last season, and led to their problems with containing the wildcat formation.

Andy Dalton did not have a single passing touchdown last season before playing BYU. Against BYU Dalton was able to pick apart BYU’s secondary. This year BYU’s secondary is much better against the pass; which allows the defense to be more balanced. While the secondary is by no means great, it is a vast improvement from last season.

The Cougar defense has been tested by three top thirty offenses this season, and has proved to be a stout squad. TCU offense will find it difficult to have the same success this season again BYU’s defense.

Counter-Point

Misthaufen: BYU’s defense, while nominally improved, is ranked No. 48 in Total Defense and No. 52 in scoring defense.

BYU’s defense forces an little more than four punts per game. In comparison, TCU forces over seven punts per game. Against FSU, BYU could not stop a very athletic team, forcing only one punt late in the game.

The BYU defense has been beset with injuries and will have some key elements return in time to play the Frogs. If the BYU defense that played Oklahoma shows up, TCU will have a little more difficulty moving the ball then the BYU defense that played Florida State.

Rebuttal

Even the defense which played against Florida State this season is better than last year’s defense. The defense doesn’t have to win the game on their own, but this year’s defense will provide stops. Those stops will allow the offense to know they don’t have to get into a shootout with their opponent.

The defense is good enough this year to take pressure off the offense, and that will lead to a victory over TCU.

Home field advantage

It seems almost cliché to give an edge to a team based on home field advantage. Whenever a team plays at home they are more prepared and focused, and the home team is able to feed off the crowd. In the case of the game this Saturday the advantage BYU gets by playing at home won’t be the sellout crowd, but the actual field itself.

In BYU’s first home game against Florida State, both team’s defenses were slipping and falling all over the field on every down of play. Why? BYU replaced their field, and the sod which they laid down is in terrible shape.

During breaks in the play an army of BYU grounds crew members will fill mammoth divots made by normal plays of the field. The field at LaVell Edwards Stadium is really ugly!

The field conditions will really slow down faster defenses. It makes it more difficult for players to recover when beaten on defense, and to get off the line on a pass rush.

If TCU’s speed and athleticism is compromised by the field conditions, it is a huge advantage to BYU’s offense. Look for a BYU team to take advantage of their knowledge of the poor turf at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Counter-Point

Misthaufen: Having the worst field in college football is not much to be proud of, really. But the Celtics loved having their court as the old Boston Garden with the dead spots, so I freely admit there may be some advantage to BYU.

Even so, the horrible field did not seem to slow down Colorado State or Florida State, both of which had over four hundred yards of offensive against BYU.

Now, BYU has over-watered the field to slow down fast teams before, so questionable field conditions are nothing new at BYU.

But TCU has played in three horrible weather condition games, in monsoons against Clemson and SMU and in a sub-freezing icy game against Air Force.

Having another bad field in Provo in clear weather will almost seem like a relief.

Rebuttal

The field will allow BYU’s offense to be more precise. Fast defenses struggle on sloppy fields.

Another advantage which will play a big role in the game is favorable penalty calls against TCU’s secondary. Gary Patterson wisely chose to be physical with BYU’s receivers last season. Patterson decided to knock receivers out of their routes and throw off their timing. He forced the officials to throw flags, and knew they wouldn’t call every penalty. TCU came out way ahead.

Was it dirty? No, it was good coaching by Patterson.

Yet, in Provo those calls will be going the other way, and BYU will be able to run their offense; just another advantage of playing at home.

Prediction

The games between BYU and TCU have been hotly contested since TCU joined the Mountain West Conference.

The Horned Frogs have decided to make BYU their major rival in conference. Yet, surprisingly their decision to make BYU their chief rival is in line with the rest of the teams in the conference. TCU is definitely taking this budding rivalry with BYU more serious than BYU.

When Bronco Mendenhall was asked if he felt the game between TCU was a rivalry: “I think we acknowledge (the game as a rivalry) because they've clearly made it so. From what I understand having a blocking dummy or something in their locker room with our helmet on it. I don't think that happens unless there is some respect, I guess is what I'll call it.”

Mendenhall then explained the media for every school in the conference asks him about the rivalry between BYU and their schools. BYU beat up on all of the Mountain West teams for too long for other school’s fan bases not to hate the Cougars. BYU has always just considered it a problem which comes with being the national recognized school in the conference.

TCU and BYU have all the makings of a good rivalry. Both schools are religious institutions. The football programs at both schools are highly talented. Every game they play against each other carries importance. There has been controversy in their games since TCU joined the MWC and disputed calls.

BYU fans are still upset over TCU’s overtime victory in 2005; in which Cory Rodgers clearly fumbled the ball before crossing the goal line for the game winning touchdown. BYU recovered the ball, but the officials rewarded the touchdown to TCU. The replay officials at the time couldn’t overrule the call on the field, due to a technicality in the replay rules which since has been changed.

TCU has complained about the age of BYU’s players, blocking techniques claiming BYU does nothing but hold, and claimed BYU overwatered the field in 2007 to slow down the Horned Frogs.

Utah is clearly BYU’s biggest rival. Yet, there are many teams which BYU would currently consider bigger more traditional rivals in front of TCU (Hawaii, Wyoming, even Utah State). If the games between BYU and TCU continue to be intense, then BYU fans might also start considering the Horned Frogs a rival.

This Saturday the Cougars will get their revenge on TCU for last year’s loss. TCU has yet to play a solid well rounded football team, much like BYU before their game with TCU last season. The Horned Frogs have all of the national attention, but BYU will not be overlooking the Horned Frogs this season.

Max Hall will want to make a statement against TCU, and he has all the weapons on offense to have an impressive outing. BYU’s defense will pitch in, slow down TCU’s offense, and provide enough stops to get the win.

BYU 24 TCU 13

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BYU and the Mountain West Conference Wouldn’t Benefit by Expanding to Include Boise State

With the BCS in Mind Boise State is not a good fit for the Mountain West Conference...

Is there anyone excited for BYU @ San Diego State? NOPE!

For many BYU fans the games against UNLV, New Mexico, and San Diego State are a little more exciting than a bye week. These teams are just plain bad. There is no joy in winning, and even a close victory over these lower level Mountain West Conference teams is considered an embarrassment in the eyes of the national pollsters.

This weekend there is every indication that BYU will have another boring blowout victory. So what is the solution to improve the conference schedule?

There has been an outcry from many people calling for the expansion of the Mountain West Conference. The real question is what would be the benefit of adding another good team to the Mountain West Conference?

The team everyone seems to mention in the same breath of Mountain West expansion is Boise State. Yet, realistically what is the benefit for either side to join forces?

The Mountain West Conference is coming off a very impressive year last year, and the conference is actually improved this season. Last season the conference only had five teams .500 or better, this year it looks like there will be six with a chance for a seventh.

Last year the MWC had three teams ranked in the top 25 at the end of the season, and it looks as if that could easily happen again this season.

Critics of the conference will say the MWC has a worse record versus the automatic qualifying conferences; however, that is more fault of scheduling than lack of talent. The MWC just has to become craftier with who they play, like the Big East.

While the Big East does have a winning record against automatic qualifying conferences, a closer look will show that the conference doesn’t have a win over a top 25 school. The Big East beats up on automatic qualifying power houses like Northwestern, Indiana State, and Colorado. The Big East doesn’t have a victory over a ranked non-conference opponent.

As currently situated the Mountain West Conference is not only fighting to put a team in the BCS every year, but they are fighting to be an automatic qualifying conference. Would Boise State help that cause? No.

The way that the current BCS formula is structured it doesn’t pay to increase the difficulty of your schedule. It is better to just win out. Last season BYU, TCU, and Utah’s schedules were all playing schedules which were much easier than this season. Yet, it wasn’t counted against the big three MWC schools in the rankings.

This season all three schools played more difficult schedules, but they aren’t being rewarded in the polls. So why would it benefit the conference to add another good team and have more parody? Boise State would only make it more difficult for a team to go undefeated on the season.

Boise State has played one decent team this season, Oregon. Their other big win was over Tulsa, a team who was pounded 45-0 by a Sam Bradford-less Oklahoma team. The Broncos are being rewarded in the polls because they are undefeated, and because they are beating up on lesser teams.

There are other problems with adding Boise State to the Mountain West Conference. It would hurt the conference in basketball. There is no recruiting benefit of playing in Idaho. It wouldn’t increase the Mountain West Conference’s exposure in a major television market. Plus, the conference would have to divide what little money it has with another team.

Even if the Mountain West Conference wanted Boise State, why would Boise State want to join?

What would be Boise State’s reason for joining the Mountain West Conference? The WAC is awful! The conference only has three teams .500 or better, and they are lucky to have that. The Broncos are a big fish in a small pond.

The way Boise State schedules is very smart. They will play one big opponent and if they win that game they are almost guaranteed to go undefeated in the WAC. This formula will get Boise State into a lot of BCS bowl games under the current system. Why would they want to make it more difficult by playing a challenging conference schedule?

The bowl ties which the WAC has give comparable payouts to the bowls which the MWC currently has. Boise State would actually get less exposure in the Mountain West Conference, as they would have to leave their contract with ESPN.

The argument Boise State fans would make for getting into the Mountain West Conference is Boise State’s inability to get into the BCS if there has been an undefeated MWC team the same year. This happened to Boise State in 2004 and 2008.

Yet, the chances for Boise State to get into the BCS is better by playing in the WAC an hoping they are the only undefeated non-automatic qualifying conference; instead of playing a tougher schedule in the Mountain West Conference and ending the season with one or two losses a year.

The only way which it would make sense for both the Mountain West Conference and Boise State is if by adding the Bronco it would guarantee the MWC an automatic BCS bid.

With the current BCS system Boise State would not help the MWC get a bid. The formula is based on the final BCS rankings of teams, and a conferences non-conference record against BCS conferences.

Boise State would add a single win this year, over Oregon, to the non-conference record. Yet, the parody inside the conference would actually lower the final BCS poll ranking of MWC teams.

The BCS is keeping Boise State and the Mountain West Conference apart. With the BCS in mind it would make more sense for the Mountain West Conference to add a team like Utah State; a historically poor football school but a great basketball school.

So thanks to the current BCS system college football fans are stuck with games like BYU @ San Diego State and Utah @ UNLV. The conference schedule will continue to be boring for the sake of trying to earn a spot in the BCS.

There is no solution to improving the conference schedule, because the bad teams are incredibly important to upper level non-automatic qualifying schools. The upper level schools need wins to pad their records, and increase their rankings.

So now not only is the BCS system destroying the college football postseason, but the BCS has found a way to make for some very boring weeks in the regular season as well.

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