It is so true scheduling competitive games. Playing FCS schools also helps them and is a requirement for a FCS school to eventually become a DIV 1 team (Must play majority of schedule with DIV 1 teams, like 10-12 games)

Closely located teams does build support for programs.

The SVU Knights, an NAIA LDS-oriented school, had to play 3 divisions up on Saturday at McNeese State University, a perennial FCS (I-AA)power. It wasn't pretty, 49-0 at half. Early in the second, when up 28-0, McNeese had already called the dogs off and gone to its 2nd and 3rd string, they no longer threw any passes, and did not send out any punt returners, or opt to kick field goals.

What a classy thing to do when they knew their opponent was out-matched. They tried not to run up the score. Their last 4 touchdowns were from interceptions and fumbles run back.

The final score was only 63-7. By fortune, the McNeese 3rd string fumbled on their 30, and SVU managed a touchdown pass with 5 minutes left in the game. The whole SVU team stormed to the endzone, celebration penalty flags flew, but who cared. They were victorious in not being shut-out!

Even McNeese fans cheered. They knew what the Knights of SVU were up against.

then you have Michigan which has the luxury of 8 home games a year....they won't play Utah at Rice-Eccles...go figure. to high and mighty i guess.

BYU won't lose and become defeated.

I already read a report that the Beavers see weaknesses in Utah's team that USC had. This was also the team that bruised and injured up this Utah team. Could be a destructive game for the team.

UTAH 9-3

As big of a BYU fan as I am, I'm still hoping that Utah wins decisively against OSU this Thursday. Last weekend wasn't good for the conference, and right now, Utah's SOS is *much* better than ours (their Michigan win looks a whole lot better than our U-dub win). So here's to hoping the Utes are undefeated when we play them on Nov 22nd. IF we happen to find ourselves in the BCS top 4 at that point, that MIGHT just propel us to the #2 spot and into the NC game. At the very least, beating an undefeated Utah team will assuage the nay-sayers that we "didn't play anybody".

I'm a die-hard Ute fan, I've been at every game this season (in person) & I'm scared of Thursday night. OSU is a good team, not great on the road, but they're pumped up. They've got a great RB that will give Utah some problems. I'm hopeful that the same defense that held AirForce to 54 yards rushing will show up. BJ needs to get sharp in the next few days or else...

Hats off to BYU - the set themselves up for the #7 ranking by their performance last season. Take it to USU this week & let's hope that both teams enter the game on 11/22 undefeated. What a showdown that'll be!! Both teams should be top-10 by that time, BYU might even be top-5.

For sure this season, if either team wins out, they're playing on 1/1/09.

Go Utes!!

I WOULD like to see Utah lose at least 1 game betweenn now and Nov 22. Their ranking wouldn't suffer too much and it would assure a Conference Title for the Y. The Y will dominate the U anyway so why root for the little brother?

CraigP -
Problem is going to be "beating an undefeated Utah team." That's quite an assumption. Not gonna happen, my friend. Utah will, however enjoy leap-frogging the cougs after Nov 22!

Typical BYU fan. . . Rooting for BYU and anyone who plays the utes. What a sad life. . . I'm a die-hard utah fan, but I'm rooting for BYU every game they don't play utah. You seem a little insecure of BYU's "dominance" over utah, or else why would you need them to lose once? Think it through.
The only chance you'll have to SHARE the title will be if Utah loses a conference game before the BYU game.
I don't mind in the least how overrated BYU is right now. They're going to make an excelent catapult to launch the Utes to the top of the poles come november!

Good luck to the Utes on Thursday. I want to see two undefeated teams going for it on November 22! I do hope the Cougars win out!

Guys, there is a reason why BYU is so successful. Its Mendenhall's emphasis of consistency and levelheaded preparation of one game at a time.
Sure, I would love it if both UT and BYU would be undefeated on 11/22 with the MTW championship and a BCS bowl game on the line - what a nervracking game that would be. It would be a game that would be possibly watched around the country if the mtn. allows access. But, we first have to get there and can't overlook any team. Not the Aggies in Logan or TCU in Fort Worth on a Thursday game or Air Force in Colorado Springs on 11/15 before we ever get a chance to beat the Utes.

Why would any self-respecting BYU fan want Utah to lose a game before Nov. 22nd? That makes no sense at all. The rivalry needs a year when it has major national implications, which won't really be the case unless both teams are in the top ten (and if either team loses, chances are that they won't be in the top ten in November).

Plus, Utah losing a game does not secure the MWC championship for BYU, because Utah would own the tie-break if they gave BYU their only loss of the season (it would be called a "shared conference championship," but any of the benefits that the conf. champs get would go to Utah by virtue of the tie-break).

A message to both BYU and Utah fans: Don't let your loathing of your opponent get in the way of what your own team really needs...a stronger SOS.

you wrote:
"While I think there's no excuse for the Texas Techs of the world to play more than one FCS school"

Excuse #1: Texas Tech plays eight BCS schools this year. BYU and Utah, two.

Excuse #2: With the exception of Baylor, any of Texas Tech's league schedule could compete with the best of BYU's and Utah's league schedule.

Excuse #3: Texas Tech can count on, year in and year out, to have at least three opponents in the top 25. Currently they have four opponents in the top 25. BYU and Utah, can only hope that their two BCS opponents are having top 25 years.

Personally, I think to get into a BCS bowl, a team has to at least play 3 BCS opponents. That would leave one game with the in state rivalry etc. BYU had a chance to schedule a BCS team instead of Northern Iowa. They scheduled down.

I hope BYU and Utah have their fan's interest in mind next time they try to dupe them into paying good money to see them play a D1-AA school at home.

A long time ago when BYU still played at what was commonly called the "Cow Pasture" our H.S. football coach took us to a BYU game that had brought a big named Eastern program into town. The opposing team was using their 2nd and 3rd stringers, and with the game wrapped up with only seconds to go they punted.......the kicker actually turned around and punted the ball into his own endzone thus allowing BYU to score and avoid a shutout.........I still think about that game today. Was it sportsmanship, or was it show boating? In today's BCS climate only class coaches still bother to keep from running up the score. Down scheduling is easy for big programs but for smaller schools who strive to move up it's sometimes exteremely hard. BYU has risen high above those humble beginings. Please forgive us if we're doing a little shouting as of late.

RISE AND SHOUT THE COUGARS ARE OUT

"Typical BYU fan. . . Rooting for BYU and anyone who plays the utes. What a sad life. . ."

That's funny because at the BYU/Wyoming game I saw a Ute fan wearing a shirt that said "I root for Utah and any team that plays BYU."

I guess he was rooting for Wyoming that day.

Sad.

The problem with BYU and Utah scheduling more BCS teams is that nobody want to play them for fear of an "upset". Nobody wants to play in Utah either...just ask UCLA about its Utah experiences. While I would like these two teams to play big name teams, I don't think they'll be able to and Idon't think it will be for lack of trying on either school's part.

utah and byu in the top 5 at the end of the season...could there be any better situation?

BYU may have scheduled down to play N. Iowa, but that's because Nevada got out of the contract and they had to find somebody quick. Thing to remember is these schedules are made years in advance - who knew UCLA and UW would stink this bad when the schedule was made?

Regardless, I can't blame Tech or any other Big 12 or SEC school for scheduling a I-AA school or two. When you're playing consistent Top 10 schools year in and year out, why the heck would you schedule a home-and-home with a Utah or BYU?

Yep, we state of Utah fans will hear all of this that BYU and UT didn't play anybody--except each other! If BYU and UT are undefeated, both will have high rankings in the top 10 (how high?)and the game, regardless of the outcome, will be historical and demanding national attention, a better scenario than anything previous and rivaling only our own lofty dreams. Regardless of our biases the success of the other team is good for our own. If either team was weak the rivalry wouldn't be what it is.
Regarding the conference, the border teams CSU and WYO let us down. CSU never should have fired Lubbick, they should have given him a chance for a comeback. Despite the score the total yards however was about even.
I think the Utes will handle OSU just fine at home. I don't think BYU will have a letdown like other teams.
I hope BYU schedules up in future seasons, besides one game. Games with FL St, ND, ASU and WA are good. I would prefer to schedule up with all non-conference slots
Go Cougs, Go Utes (except for one day, you know)

I thought I heard the coach interviewed where he said they had a chance to schedule a BCS team, but passed on it, trying to get more of a "balanced" non-conference schedule. This is beside the term "scheduling down" that was used too.

I think that any D1-AA team that Utah or BYU schedules should be tied to half priced tickets.

The worst thing to happen to college football was the move made a couple of years ago when they decided that games against the former 1-AA teams count towards a bowl berth. If those would count against the FBS teams, we wouldn't see those games ever played again. This is like an NFL team getting to play an Arena team or an NBA team play a D-League team and having it count in the standings.

Ref: At Least 8:48
There's some Irony in what your saying there and something to give the Utes a litele to chew on this week before the Oregon State Game. Gifford Nielson took another leading undefeated string unto their turf and got Reffed over...I mean ruffed up. They constantly went for his knees... and when he'd gain ground in a scramble they'd clobber him with double hi/lo late hits, Whenever the Beavers did manage to get him on the ground they piled on, wouldn't let him up and were kicking him, scratching him, biting his fingers, and poking him in the eyes. To those cougar fans who complained about the Pac 10 officating at this year's Washington game....shoot that was nothing compared to the blindness of this crew. Lavell Edwards filed his only NCAA official's grievence in his entire career for this game. BYU was leading and dominating but Oregon State managed to intentionally injure Nielson and get him out of the game and went on to win. When they got Gifford into the locker room and got him undressed he was covered in scrapes, scratshes and bruises. Edwards even left the field to check on him during the game.

I hope BYU makes it to a BCS bowl game and then gets trounced by a SEC team

Can we all just agree to ignore the NCAA and continue calling the two divisions 1A & 1AA? I hate this "Football Championship Subdivision" stuff

I'm a die hard BYU fan and i'm hoping they come out with another shut-out win this week!!

"Thing to remember is these schedules are made years in advance - who knew UCLA and UW would stink this bad when the schedule was made?"

GREAT POINT! And who also would have known NEVADA would still be a non-BCS team, not competing for a BCS invite either? Not me!

GO ZOOBS!!!

I had to laugh that a ute fan say on thisthread that he hope that the cougars make it to a bcs game, because he wants them to get trounced. The dummy does'nt realize that would mean beating the utes on nov. 22ND. Only a ute fan could come up with that brillant anology.

kudos to both greg and texas cougar. Greg for respecting the opponent and recognizing that any team can bring it on any given day and for texas cougar for being right on the money so far as sos is concerned. I can think of nothing better than two undefeated MWC teams playing with national implications a BCS and Las Vegas bowl waiting.

To the point made by Sorensen about scheduling, I guess I'm wondering why Utah has to schedule Weber State, BYU schedules No. Iowa, and every other FBS school schedules at least one FCS school. This notion that they can't get enough home dates doesn't make sense to me.

Why don't all the FBS schools just have the guts to schedule each other home and home, and eliminate games against lower division schools?

Do BYU fans really want to see No. Iowa? Any more than Utah fans are excited about seeing Weber State?

Die hard BYU fan and I am glad that the Cougars won't take the polls seriously until about November 21st......then we we'll see how it all settles out...

BYU despite the meltdown the hater's constantly profess will happen to them again(didn't they predict meltdown's in '06 and '07)it makes a body happy to realize that Bronco has thesekids focused and concentrating on one game at a time. That is how they enjoy success in Provo these days. And as soon as they forget what gets them to this spot, the meltdown is possible....

7th or 8th in the country....and everyone thought being ranked 17th at one point was too much. Hey even utah was 17th last week and the yewts didn't think that was too awfully high. Now their 15th after their beat down of Weber State. Three hundred yards by their QB and 21 points total for the 'Cats?

The way they yucked it up after NIU put 17 on us in that first game....and since that time we shut UCLA and Wyoming out?

Defense is just getting better isn't it my fine yewtie friends..........imagine how much your secondary needs to improve to stop Hall at this point.........scarey thought!!!!!

Wow, reading some of these posts by Ute fans, you'd think they were 2-2.

Get excited Utes, just because BYU's undefeated TOO doesn't mean you have to sulk.

Enjoy it while you can. While BYU will likely have sustained success in the future, this may only happen for you every 4 years or so.

Wow - I really don't care what happens with the Y until that game in November. They could be 0-11 or 11-0 and it would not mean much to me. And it doesn't matter how 'stylish' wins are - smash mouth football as the Utes play it is the way the game was intended to be played. Don't ever count out a tough, physical, emotional team when they face a finesse team with all the flashy stats. Stats don't win ball games - the play at the line usually does. Go Utes!

Gifford Nielsen ??

LaVerl Edwards ??

Are those names supposed to mean anything to me ??

and Mike...

Speaking of brilliant

It's spelled "doesn't" and "analogy".

Nice try, though.

Wasn't BYU suppose to play Nevada this year but they bailed for Grambling so we got Northern Iowa as a last mintue replacement.

"Heat not a furnace for thy foe so hot that it do singe thyself...

Go Cougars!

Go Utes!

Four more years to a BCS conference review... Respect comes from beating BCS teams, bring em on. The PAC 10 is reeling from the beating they are taking from the MWC this year!

We will see you utes in November, until then best of luck from an Oregon Cougar!

Wouldn't it be great that a No. 4 BYU plays No. 7 Utah, shown on the mtn network. blaaahh. Give us Brent M. on ABC (Sat. Night Football.)

One stat will win a game.

The best way to build BYU's program is to play in front of large LDS crowds where we can get our best recruits ie. ASU, USC, Cal...all the PAC 10 teams. I know we already played 2 this year but playing No Iowa and USU does nothing for us except give a scrimmage. We need exposure to the media and future recruits. We may lose many of these games but it helps us play on a higher level and be used to top competition for the post season.

It wouldn't be much of a discussion had UCLA and Washington been at their usual state of effectiveness. It kills BYU and Utah when they beat what are normally good teams but turn out to be bad. What do you do? Well you live with it or try getting into a new conference which is almost impossible.

BYU should go independant in football only. They have the TV station and national audience and I think they would have greater chance down the road of getting into the BCS title game doing so.

REF: To Scoobie and Mike B.
O.k. .....I'll let every one know....but, first do you have a ficticious name that you want us to refer to you with, in case anyone wishes to converse with you???

O.K. Everyone......This guy has a fetish for gramatical errors....and has no interest in sports. He thinks that we are all a bunch of dumb jocks. So while we talk SOS's, OOC's and rankings along with stats and miss pronouncing names of players he is enjoying the thrill of finding those out place vowels such as e's before i's always after c's and junk like that...........Does any of this bother the rest of you????? ....... anything else of substance Mr.To: Scoobie and Mike B????

Don't be so quick to be irritated by correction of your poor spelling and grammar. I find it very telling that the posts that are the most indicitave of lack of intelligence otherwise are also the posts that are full of errors. It seems that people are out to prove their ignorance.

Me thinks you have underscored ignorance of your own in light of the title of the article leading to this line of postings. Amazed that monitor has allowed your feeble moment upon this literary stage. If you have enlightening knowledge of the subject, feel free to stay but, if you cannot overcome your obsession to correct then I suggest you find more logical field to harvest.........