While the Las Vegas bowl seems the most likely scenario for BYU at this point, BYU could find itself bowling with the big boys this holiday season.
During a teleconference this past Tuesday, the BCS announced 18 potential teams still in contention for a Bowl Championship Series game. BYU was 1 of the 18 teams announced. Now, at this point it is a long shot, but crazier things have happened this year (i.e. Appalachian State). BYU is only guaranteed a BCS berth if they end up ranked in the top 12. They would also be in contention IF their final ranking is better than 16, and higher than the champion from a BCS conference. The Cougars are currently ranked #19.
For an at-large selection, BYU need 9 wins and ranked in the top 14. If fewer than 10 teams in the top 14 are eligible, the at-large pool will be expanded to the top 18 in the BCS rankings.
Imagine if this were to happen this Saturday…
UCLA beats USC
Arizona beats ASU
UCLA is Pac-10 champ (according to their tie-breaker method)
BYU pounds SDSU, and slips into the top 16 in the BCS and is ranked ahead of Pac-10 champ UCLA.
BYU takes UCLA’s spot in the Rose Bowl.
Again, it’s a long-shot, but definitely possible! We might need other help as well (Hawaii loss to WA, OSU beating Oregon), but either way who would of thought a 2 loss non-BCS school had a shot at this point in time? So, let’s not only cheer hard for our Cougars this weekend, but GO Bruins! And GO Wildcats!
Harvey's Game-Winning Touchdown Scamper
These pictures were taken by Dan Ransom. You can see more of his stuff here: http://danransom.com/blog/index.php?showimage=535Revisit the Rivalry
It seems as though the BYU-Utah game is always a close one, no matter what the circumstances, rankings, or record of either team. That was sure evident last year, as John Beck found Johnny Harline in the endzone--alone on his knees like an "answered prayer" to beat arch rival Utah, sending the BYU Cougars not only as Conference champs, but also State champs. Here is a sweet recap:
BYU Season Preview - 2007
Since I know that you will have keen interest in following the boys in blue defend their conference title this year (Starting Saturday!), I just thought I'd like to share a few tid-bits of info before we kickoff another year.
A few important faces from last years 11-2 squad have moved onto bigger cites and larger endeavors, testing their athletic abilities in the NFL ($$$). But even though last years high impact players will be greatly missed, there isn't reason to believe that John Beck (Dolphins), Johnny Harline (Colts), Curtis Brown (Browns) and Cameron Jensen (Seahawks) won't be watching their successors Viva Las Vegas as Conference champs yet again.
Coach Bronco Mendenhall leads BYU this Saturday in reach of being ranked a top-25 National football program. Just a few early wins could see them climb the ranks rather quickly, with tough enough opponents (UCLA, Arizona, TCU) to get major bowl consideration come the holidays. But don't buy your plane tickets yet...first things first, who the heck is Max Hall?
OFFENSE
The high octane BYU offense averaged 37 points a game last year (to an opponents 14), while winning many games by half-time. Don't expect the same kind of rally's this year, especially during Sophomore QB Max Hall's debut as the Cougar signal caller. While Max hasn't taken a game snap since his Mt. View High School days in Mesa, AZ (John Beck's Alma-mater, ironically), this QB might take a few games to ''catch his groove.'' Even though his confident swagger in practice is very non-John Beck 'ish (Mr. Conservative), expect some growing pains. They say he has potential for more big plays (+TD's), with risk potential as well (+INT's).
That being said, the offensive unit around Mad Max should be sufficient to move the chains. Freshman All-American Austin Collie (#9) is back from his mission (Argentina), as is Tight End Dennis Pitta (#32 - Dominican Republic) who should quickly become favorite targets downfield. With bruising Tailback Fui Vakapuna (#1) and Manase Tonga (#11) in the backfield, there should be plenty of heads to be knocked around as well.
(+) The strength of this years O? The offensive line. Now, before you yawn, just be assured that we are 3-deep strong, and long time coaches feel it's the best gang they've ever had. This core of beef should allow ample throwing time and huge holes to run through.
(-) Despite a score of talent to work with, only time will tell how long it takes for youngsters Hall, Collie, Pitta and the support cast take to gel as a unit.
(x - factor) Harvey Unga (#45). This Timpview High product makes his debut as the Lightening to Fui & Manase's Thunder. His got enough quickness to get around the end, with plenty of nerve to lay the stick. He's shined in practice, but no one cares until Saturday. His performance can lessen the load on Hall, which gets the Y more W's.
DEFENSE
Despite losing 3 starters during 2 - a - days from injury (SS Dustin Gabriel, SS David Tafuna and DT Russell Tialavea), we still won't be pushed around. We've finally got some decent depth at Corner, AND - as always - a steller crew of stud linebackers.
(+) Albeit I'm biased, David Nixon (#43) and Bryan Kehl (#41) have got to be the best outside 'backers in the conference hands down. Their athleticism and speed on the ends cause a threat to any offensive attack. Watch for their activity, especially behind the line of scrimmage. And if Criddle (#21) & Buchanon (#34) don't "lock down" at corner, their backups should do dandy.
(-) Losing your returning strong safety, his backup, and a nose tackle doesn't help your depth at all --- even if starting End Brett Denney's (#92) 2 older brothers play in the NFL (Ryan, John). We are literally a couple pulled hammy's away from Johnny-meat-squad or Rudy getting some playing time (knock on wood!).
I'm nervous because .. This years games will be much closer, and sadly I wouldn't want to put the game in the hands of an unproven freshman kicker....especially with his "inconsistencies" in practice. While Matt Payne's little brother Mitch (#38) seems eager for the opportunity, I say let's just go for it on 4th.
I'm excited to see ... A return on EVERY kickoff, since NCAA rules have moved the kickoff back to the 30 yard line, making it almost impossible for kickers to reach a touchback. Wide-outs Austin Collie (#9) and Bryce Muika (#2) will share those duties for the Cougars.
Our Opponents ... will be weak (Eastern Washington, UNLV), strong (UCLA, TCU, Arizona), solid (Tulsa, Colorado St) scrappy (Air Force, New Mexico) and bitter (Utah).
Watch for … the retirement of Ty Detmer & Gifford Nielsen's number (#14) at the home opener against Arizona this Saturday.
This season I'm expecting ... a high risk / high reward developing QB, a few nailbiters, lower scoring, flashes of greatness (Harvey Unga), an upset or two (UCLA?) and a return to Las Vegas in December (MWC Champs).
Of course, I've been wrong before.
A few important faces from last years 11-2 squad have moved onto bigger cites and larger endeavors, testing their athletic abilities in the NFL ($$$). But even though last years high impact players will be greatly missed, there isn't reason to believe that John Beck (Dolphins), Johnny Harline (Colts), Curtis Brown (Browns) and Cameron Jensen (Seahawks) won't be watching their successors Viva Las Vegas as Conference champs yet again.
Coach Bronco Mendenhall leads BYU this Saturday in reach of being ranked a top-25 National football program. Just a few early wins could see them climb the ranks rather quickly, with tough enough opponents (UCLA, Arizona, TCU) to get major bowl consideration come the holidays. But don't buy your plane tickets yet...first things first, who the heck is Max Hall?
OFFENSE
The high octane BYU offense averaged 37 points a game last year (to an opponents 14), while winning many games by half-time. Don't expect the same kind of rally's this year, especially during Sophomore QB Max Hall's debut as the Cougar signal caller. While Max hasn't taken a game snap since his Mt. View High School days in Mesa, AZ (John Beck's Alma-mater, ironically), this QB might take a few games to ''catch his groove.'' Even though his confident swagger in practice is very non-John Beck 'ish (Mr. Conservative), expect some growing pains. They say he has potential for more big plays (+TD's), with risk potential as well (+INT's).
That being said, the offensive unit around Mad Max should be sufficient to move the chains. Freshman All-American Austin Collie (#9) is back from his mission (Argentina), as is Tight End Dennis Pitta (#32 - Dominican Republic) who should quickly become favorite targets downfield. With bruising Tailback Fui Vakapuna (#1) and Manase Tonga (#11) in the backfield, there should be plenty of heads to be knocked around as well.
(+) The strength of this years O? The offensive line. Now, before you yawn, just be assured that we are 3-deep strong, and long time coaches feel it's the best gang they've ever had. This core of beef should allow ample throwing time and huge holes to run through.
(-) Despite a score of talent to work with, only time will tell how long it takes for youngsters Hall, Collie, Pitta and the support cast take to gel as a unit.
(x - factor) Harvey Unga (#45). This Timpview High product makes his debut as the Lightening to Fui & Manase's Thunder. His got enough quickness to get around the end, with plenty of nerve to lay the stick. He's shined in practice, but no one cares until Saturday. His performance can lessen the load on Hall, which gets the Y more W's.
DEFENSE
Despite losing 3 starters during 2 - a - days from injury (SS Dustin Gabriel, SS David Tafuna and DT Russell Tialavea), we still won't be pushed around. We've finally got some decent depth at Corner, AND - as always - a steller crew of stud linebackers.
(+) Albeit I'm biased, David Nixon (#43) and Bryan Kehl (#41) have got to be the best outside 'backers in the conference hands down. Their athleticism and speed on the ends cause a threat to any offensive attack. Watch for their activity, especially behind the line of scrimmage. And if Criddle (#21) & Buchanon (#34) don't "lock down" at corner, their backups should do dandy.
(-) Losing your returning strong safety, his backup, and a nose tackle doesn't help your depth at all --- even if starting End Brett Denney's (#92) 2 older brothers play in the NFL (Ryan, John). We are literally a couple pulled hammy's away from Johnny-meat-squad or Rudy getting some playing time (knock on wood!).
I'm nervous because .. This years games will be much closer, and sadly I wouldn't want to put the game in the hands of an unproven freshman kicker....especially with his "inconsistencies" in practice. While Matt Payne's little brother Mitch (#38) seems eager for the opportunity, I say let's just go for it on 4th.
I'm excited to see ... A return on EVERY kickoff, since NCAA rules have moved the kickoff back to the 30 yard line, making it almost impossible for kickers to reach a touchback. Wide-outs Austin Collie (#9) and Bryce Muika (#2) will share those duties for the Cougars.
Our Opponents ... will be weak (Eastern Washington, UNLV), strong (UCLA, TCU, Arizona), solid (Tulsa, Colorado St) scrappy (Air Force, New Mexico) and bitter (Utah).
Watch for … the retirement of Ty Detmer & Gifford Nielsen's number (#14) at the home opener against Arizona this Saturday.
This season I'm expecting ... a high risk / high reward developing QB, a few nailbiters, lower scoring, flashes of greatness (Harvey Unga), an upset or two (UCLA?) and a return to Las Vegas in December (MWC Champs).
Of course, I've been wrong before.
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