I will be the first to admit that I was sceptical when BYU offered the job to Bronco. As a cougar fan, he wasn't the first on my list as far as coaching prospects available at that time.

I bet you can't guess who topped the list.

I was so wrong. That guy is an absoulute stud. I am so glad that things turned out the way they did. He is doing an outstanding job as a coach. He is teaching his players to be leaders first, and good players second.

"Football is a means to an end, not the end itself."

He preaches this all the time. His players buy into his philosophy. To hear them speak, I laugh because they even talk like him. They are a unified group brought together by him. They truely work as a team.

I am not niave enough to think that they are a perfect bunch of angels down there at the Y, but I think Bronco has done a good job recruiting not only good players but kids that have good values.

As a sceptic I didn't think it could be done. Way to prove me wrong Coach.

Yes, BYU will run the table in the conference and be the conference champions, win their bowl game and finish with a 11-2 record. Utah will be 5-7 and witt will go to Webber; however, I hope he stays at utah for 10 more years.

Go Cougars.
P.S. Before all of you utah fans start dogging on the Y, just remember, don't hate us just because we beat u.

OK, so a think tank was invited to review BYU football (still not sure why after reading). What did they say in the way of constructive criticism? Why does the team make stupid mistakes that lead to turnovers or stalled drives in every game? What limits them from becoming a great team? How can Bronco turn them into overachievers?

It seems to me that there is a major difference in how Bronco has approached the football program compared to how Gary Crowton did. Just as an observer from the outside, I got the feeling that Crowton was overlooking what has made BYU sucessful in the past. It seemed he had less concern about developing these young men into leaders and instead he was more concerned about morphing the football program into a more "acceptable" mainstream program. The only problem with that kind of thinking is BYU has a specific mission, one that cannot be easily ignored or left behind by its sports programs. Bronco has learned that lesson very well and is using BYU's mission as a strength to his organization. Like the organizational specialists stated, the football program is a means to an end, not an end in itself. If Bronco can continue to keep this mentality, he will continue to succeed both in football and in developing young men into excellent leaders for the time when their football careers will end. Keep it up Bronco! I wholeheartedly support your efforts. Go Cougars!!!

Can't argue with 5-0!

Just one question for anyone who knows. How come we don't ever run a screen pass play?

Nice picks for the week Harmon. No one can ever acuse you of being objective. You know since half of your subcribers are Utah fans you could at least try. I get very tired of the LOCAL paper ALWAYS picking against the UTES. If it were not for Mr.Facer I would cancel my subscription to this paper. At least there are some people on the staff who understand sports and objectivity. Go Utes and BYU!

Which coach has a vision for the program? Which coach wants his players to be the absolute best? Which coach struggled a few games his first season, but has since lost few games, and those games were all decided at the very end of the game? Which coach has not been shutout by a Bottom 10 team? Which coach is on his way to his 2nd conference championship in 3 years? Which coach is the perfect fit for BYU's program?

Bronco Mendenhall.

By all comments it can be determined that they are on their way . . . even if they haven't arrived yet!

But the day will come . . and then . . .

Woe be unto You...ah!

I have been reading Dick Harmon's work since the 1980's and he is a great journalist. He writes about BYU athletics in a candid and objective manner that gives an accurate portrayal of what the team or an individual is made up of.
Bronco Mendenhall is the real deal. When mistakes are made he makes adjustments or corrections to remedy the problem and reduce or eliminate it in the future. Recruiting talent is the life blood of a program and he is brining in talent that will play out for BYU's success for many years to come.
I see a game with EWU playing out as BYU taking a big lead and then putting many of the reserves in. I have followed EWU over the season and I have noticed that they have a productive offense. However, this game will be BYU's first victory "in the 50's". The EWU offense will score 3 times and our reserves will learn some valuable lessons:
Final Score: BYU 52 Eastern Washington U. 21

There goes Dick again, confused about whether he is a reporter or a recruiter.

Did you get the sense that this whole visit was a way to get some good quotes from "organizational experts" for the coaches to take with them on recruiting visits? I bet the parents gobble this stuff up. The fans will too, as long as there are victories on the field. For the fans, football is the end itself.

I checked out their website. Here are a few gems from their mission statements:

Developing human capital through applied systems thinking

the greatest leverage for behavior change is to think and then act at a systems level

In the end, it is the capacities of human capital that differentiates.

Connecting vision to behavior through mental models

Telling the organizational story

Is this thinktank run by Bronco's kids? It sounds just like him! I don't think you could ever find a more appropriate group of "brainiacs" to evaluate Coach Mendenhall.

An interesting article about an outside perspective on what is happening with BYU football. Crowton's approach will never work in the long run. He was hacking at the leaves. Bronco is tapping into the heart. Synergy is magic!

Before we talk about "running the table" let's beat Eastern Washington. BYU's program is one that we can all be proud of. I'm glad I don't have to cringe every week worrying about who the next honor code victim is.

Unlike Invested, I was extremely disappointed when I found out that the BYU administration had offered the job to anyone other than Bronco. I had some personal friends on the team who had explained to me the character of Bronco as a defensive coordinator and how the players responded to him.

I happened to be present at the Fireside held a week after the second loss in a row at Tulsa. Bronco spoke of how he had received numerous emails from different individuals (both media and otherwise) who had attacked him personally claiming that he was using all of this "motivational rhetoric" simply to sell tickets and make revenue for the program.

Bronco made a great statement that I hope I can remember and pass on in my leadership responsibilities. He said, "The world we live in would have you believe that the only way to achieve success in this life is by winning. I believe that this is not the case. My approach in leading this program has been and always will be to show these young men that as much or more success can be gained from loosing a game and learning as can be gained from winning."

I have also been reading Harmon's work for quite a while and to be honest can't think of anyone who is more biased and subjective. He is just another BYU fan writing about how great the cougars are, or in bad years, how great they were and will be. I never leave a Harmon article with the slight impression that Dick was too harsh on the Cougars. While they make very few mistakes, they still do make mistakes, and good ol' Dick should give us both sides of the story.

I noticed Harmon picked Utah to beat AFA, UNLV and it cost him. He picked the Utes to beat SDSU last week and was right. He picks TCU this Saturday and "he always picks against the Utes?" Give us a break, red-eyed myopia

We ran several screen passes against UNLV last week to Pitta, Collie, and a few other receivers.

My worry is what happens when the rest of the football programs follow BYU's lead just like with the West Coast offense. Everyone caught up and by the 90's we started to only have great seasons once only every 3-4 years.

I do think our players are a lot smarter than most out there playing college football.

Dick signed on as a BYU writer. Utah fans stop your boo-hooing. hop on the "love train" being a BYU fan causes joy wheter winning or loosing. the best ten step program to all your crying and whimpering is to embrace the cougars. gone will be that naughing gut wrenching emptiness that comes from supporting the Utes.

Artcles like this take the mystery and love out of the game. philosophy? I miss rough and tough grid iron. Stop using big words and play the game. I miss when every week was a mystery. BRING BACK CROWTON. At least he coached the game of football.

That is all the BYU offense runs. Swing passes 8 yard dumps to tight ends and screen passes. Why don't they strech the field and throw deep. And before all you hate filled cougs get on me, No I don't have the mountain and haven't seen all the games. But the ones I have seen that weren't on the mountain. The offense seems very vanilla. Swing passes to backs a lot of handoffs and short dumps to tight ends. Can't argue with the record but not nearly as entertaining as Norm Chows offensese back in the day when the ball was thrown all over the field.

Why would anyone pick the utes to win when they are trying to get the best record. Last week he was 5-0 and his record at picking the games is a lot better than the utes playing the games. He picked TCU because the u has shown that it is a mess. I can't believe how the u is full of a bunch of babies. Complain, complain and complain. We didn't get picked so we are going to take our ball and go home. ha. You should be more upset that your team will finish 5-7 than Harmon didn't pick you to win!

I find it comical to see many complain Harmon is not objective and then they proceed to show how closed minded they are and blind to anything. I guess you want every reporter to do nothing but pick a team to pieces to show how objective they are. I can only imagine what you do now as a parent or will do as a parent when your kids make mistakes, and they will often. Criticize and ream them so they will become perfect.

This article was not about rah, rah for BYU or trying to get ammo for future recruits, but a simple way to show how Bronco is trying different ways to get the team focused on who they are and what their potential is.

The team wanted Bronco, because they knew his heart and bought into it. It will take time, but I see the results each week. You wonder why the mistakes, well they are still young men learning. Not all are always on the same page at the same time.

Can we go undefeated, I sure hope so, but they have to step up to their potential as a team. Teams will not lie down.

Sounds solid. I am happy BYU chose them. It pleases me.

BYU is going to play a Big Sky team saturday. Yes BYU will win.But be advised the BYU defense may give up some points. The tulsa game showed going deep on BYU can be done.

Big sky teams are very entertaining to watch offensively. They will play 4 and 5 wides and throw the ball all over the field. They will exploit defenses that over pursue.

Not the mountain west UNLV, UNM triple option watch QB put the ball in the stomach of the RB take it out and fall forward for a 2 yard gain.

I know there is nothing more BYU fans enjoy than stomping the dignity out of hapless teams so this saturday should be right up you alley.

But appreciate big sky football hopefully the Eagles can get it in the end zone a few times. And as far as Big Sky teams go they are good.

The beat # 11 in 1-AA last week and lost to the grizzies in Missoula on a last second field goal some Big Sky teams are as good or better than the bottom MWC teams ask UNM who lost to portland state last season.

Big Sky smack. That was refreshing after so much Utah/Byu-provo trash talk. Just for that comment, I hope the Eagles do get in the endzone a few times!

UNM triple option? It appears you are quite confused. Offenses in the MWC aren't as explosive as some, but make no mistake, BYU can go deep and they can ram it down your throat. Take your pick. You will probably see both this Saturday (depending on your TV provider).

How many times in a day, a week, a month, a year, do we have to hear about a BYU article on their football?
My heck, this is just getting old.
It goes over and over and over.
Why is it that BYU fans think that they are going to have a National Champion chance each year?

Remember in 1984 you played a 6-6 Michigan Team, not your High powered undefeated team mind you. They were 6-6, I wouldn't call that a National Championship. You got under a system that was skewed as bad as it is now, back then.

But come on, give us some other sports besides BYU, BYU, BYU, BYU....where the girls are girls and the boys are too!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This think tank is right out of the movie The Natural. It didn't work then, it won't work now.

Just goes to show what a real difference those "braniacs" (organizational psychologists and management consultants) can make if they are listened to instead of being rejected as a bunch of "ivory tower" theorists!

Way to go Paul!

Just win baby!! When all has been said and done, all that really matters is winning. We all talk about all the other stuff that Bronco has done (which is good) but fans will quickly forget all the other stuff if BYU goes into a slide (like they did against Tulsa).

Michigan was 6-5 coming into thet game - and while you're whining tell us why they should write something about your wonderful Aggies - when was the last time they beat anyone, let alone a Big 10 team. Get over yourself dude, and if you don't like the Cougars (and you obviously don't from all your loathing comments), then quit reading the articles or the comments about them. You sound like a closet Cougar fan to me.

I look forward to watching this game and seeing a cleaner version of BYU football with fewer turnovers and less penalties.

Trout, there is a reason BYU football is covered in the Deseret News. The same reason Arizona State football is covered in the Republic down here in Phoenix. It's the hometown newspaper. UofA fans don't come looking for daily articles on the Wildcats in the Republic, they read their local Tucson rag. Try reading the Salt Lake Trib for a change. Complaining about BYU football articles in the Deseret News? Really? Are you serious?? Avert your eyes.

Hey byu fans, how is your "grid success" in the past ten years in bowl games? History never lies, 1-4.

Go Tulane
Go Marshall
Go Lousiville
Go Cal.

Your "success" is great, 1-4 in the past ten years in bowl games speaks alot for your program!

I wish that I could love a team like byu, but I tend to love a teams that can consistently cut it in the postseason. Your talk is so grand this week, I wonder why? That's right you have scheduled another 1-AA team to beat up on!

Talk is cheap byu fans when your team never backs it up on the field in the postseason. You guys keep talking and Utah will just keep winning bowl games. Utah has won six in a row and byu is 1-5 in their bowl games.

You mentioned you were worried that other teams will start to follow BYU's lead. What will they copy? Culture, the honor code, missions???

If you mean culture, then I would say that the culture of an organization is very difficult to copy or imitate. Yes, you can hire some organizational consultants, but that doesn't mean you'll be able copy the BYU football team's organizational culture.

More importantly, many football coaches would laugh if someone told them organizational culture mattered to a football team. In order for a culture to be a factor, then the team must recognize the importance of culture.

I love Bronco!

Don't mind the Trout. He has his one post, and keeps repeating it like most of the eweyt trollers.

Hey, Trout P.

The huge irony is you are complaining about things getting old and being said over and over.

Looking forward to your update on 1984 tomorrow, next week and next year. I sure it works at the Pizza place you deliver for, but not on the posts.

The BYU, where girls are girls thing, we used to say that too when I went to the EWE back in 1975, and it was old then.

This is a story of a "think tank".

Maybe you could take a hint and "think" before your next post.

Plenty in the paper about Ute Football tomorrow.

Better brush up on your "1984 and UCLA speak". It will probably be all you have for the rest of the year.

Get back to your ute articles to do your posting. Look over the last 25 years and count bowl games. I'd rather go to 3 times as many and have a losing record than go to so few but win the majority when we're there.
Don't worry though - those statistics will change again soon and in 10 years when we look back at the last 10 we'll have to wonder why your utes were only in 2-3 bowl games and BYU is 8-2 in their 10 games.
It's so funny haw all ute fans want to do is compare the last 10 years - let's see the next 10 and compare again.
And while you're talking 1-AA teams - your utes have played more of those teams the last 10 years than BYU has. NAU last year, and that big mighty WSU from Ogden next year. Wow - don't over exert yourselves.

This article didn't really tell me anything vital about football until the weekly picks. It did seem like a fluff piece for BYU, which is typical for Dick Harmon. But I'd rather read his articles than listen to Greg Wrubel (spelling?)

The problem with a lot of my fellow Y fans/graduates is that they cannot abide anything negative said about BYU, so they tend to blind themselves to this lack of objectivity.

Utah fans have said some pretty stupid stuff, but they're no worse than BYU fans on these comment areas. I used to find it entertaining, now I am just disgusted by it.

I am looking forward to the vitriol that will be thrown at me for voicing an opinion opposing that of the pontificating idiots. Enjoy this fodder.

Dick Harmon,

This was poorly written and lacked substance. You can do better.

I have seen Harmon be quite objective in articles. He has openly chastized BYU's turnovers. He has been criticized in some of these comments before by not being more "pro-BYU." I don't think he should be crucified for picking TCU in a close hard fought game against the Utes. I say Utah will win 24-20

Dick, You can write better than this. It did not make any sense. Besides that this was written about a think tank. I think that you could write a better columnt than this.

Watch the rated teams on ESPN...First,on offense they ALL ROLL the pocket, and roll the QB deep (say 10yds)...WHY? to time the throw of the deep ball. At least two deep recievers, one crossing in the middle and the other on a sideline route. The TE drag blocks of the DE/OS backer and releases in the mid zone. The check down, comes out of the backfield on the BLIND side to pick up a blitz, if it comes. LSU, FLORIDA, KY, Even Okalahoma are using this same blue print as developed by the COLTS and Pats. If the coverage is tight, the QB can pull it down and run for the sticks with two blockers out front. By the way OU uses this so much that they only had 12 yds rushing in the first half last week.

The Defenses ALWAYS have a min. of 6 in the box and often 7. The BYU O line is facing several challenges with these new wrinkles and schemes in these defenses (as exemplified at Tulsa and especially the Lobo's). Of course the BYU coaching staff is current and up to date on the elevuation of the defenses. Let's see Max ROLL!

Utah has not played more DI-AA schools the past 10 years than BYU has. Maybe you need to look at history before posting such nonsense.

And, before you tell me that Utah does play I-AA schools, save your time. I know they did last year and will next year. And, BYU fans will be ragging on Utah's DI-AA opponent next year like Utah fans are doing to BYU this year. In my book, I hate it when either team does it. It disappoints me when either team has a game like this.

But, for the record, BYU has played 3 DI-AA teams the past 10 years (1998, 2005, 2007). Utah has played 1 in the past 10 years (2006) with one coming up next year.

Spectulation is all you have for a comeback! byu has a .34% winning percentage throughout all bowl games and your comeback is they will win the next 8 out 10, history is against you.....but keep predicting 2017 for me!!!
How many winning seasons have you had with the great bronco, 1! But keeping telling how great you will be in ten years.......
Let me guess you will be National Champs in 2009.. 2021..2045..right?

Utah is 7-3 in bowl games in that time and what is byu?
6-13 Go Tulane, Go Marshall, Go Lousiville, Keep living in the 80's and I live in this decade and care how my winning team has done in the past ten years.

How did BYU do last year when they were suppose to be BCS busters? A couple of losses, just like their Seniors...losers 1 winning season for BECK

ONCE AGAIN THEY HAVE A LOSING RECORD, PS I DO NOT CARE WHAT BYU WAS DOING WHEN YOU WERE IN DIAPERS!!!!!!!!!

Yes the past ten year where byu is 1-4 in bowl games and only have had 5 winning season, and consistently losses to Utah.

This article is about Bronco's vision, philosophy, and culture that he is instilling in the football program. The positives results are evident if one has the eyes and heart to recognize them.

Last year you finally had a winning season now your the best team in the country, right? Let talk about how good that team was, should we?

Beck had as many winning seasons in his four years as he cryied on TV-1
Brown had as many wins against Utah as byu had rape charges in his time-1
Harline had as many bowl wins in his time has Utah had BCS busting years-1

Keep tell me about byu greatness. Here is a guestion? How great is byu secondary?
Enough said, Tulsa's WRs are still open.

Please just promise me that in 10 years you will continue to use the 10 year window. By then Urban Meyer and all he did for Utah will be long gone and forgotten. It will be interesting to see what you hang your hat on then.

2 outright conference championships in 50+ years?

So congratulations on having a team that can get up for a big game now and then. Too bad we're talking about the same team that gets shut out at UNLV and can't get a yard to save their season against AFA.

I prefer winning bowl games to losing them, of course. But I'll take the losses over being a Ute fan any day of the week.