This line should be “BYU's offensive line hasn't allowed a sack or been called for a holding penalty in three games.” Just because the flag doesn’t come out doesn’t mean the y didn’t hold. A former y player said something like “We hold on just about every play”. All that said, the o-line is impressive.

And not just a former Y player. It is an oft repeated observation--by coaches, commentators, players and officials alike--that holding could be called on just about every play if the refs wanted to get nit picky about things.

So, it all lands back on that old mantra held sacred by the winner in any contest where the defeated questions a penalty, or lack thereof: what did the ref call? No flag, no foul.

But an unending source of fodder for talk radio and fan blogs.

BYU's offensive line holds. It is so unfair. Every offensive line holds. Go cry somewhere else.

The rules are something to the affect of requiring the O-lineman to keep his hands inside the shoulders of the d-lineman. If he gets his hands outside the shoulder then it becomes a hold.

What this means is that O-linemen nationwide try to reach in and grab the shoulder pads right about the armpits.

This is also why d-linemen are taught to basically fist fight the O-linemen and not allow them to get their hands on them.

Handspeed and winning that fight is big. Part of the game and something that happens everywhere.

Go watch the games again and look for this. So now we realize that this 'holding' takes place against BYU as much as for us.

Actually, considering we have played two games with PAC-10 refs are we now saying the PAC-10 is biased FOR BYU?! Wow, we are definately in the wrong conference!

It is true what has been verbally mentioned prior to this about the O'line and holding, but also as mentioned, if the refs don't call it...
I'm more interested in your top five. You've mentioned how great BYU is--so--don't you think BYU could beat any of your top five?

How can Michigan be overrated? They are not ranked in any poll and aren't receiving any votes. The world knows they are not a good team.

Shouldn't Dick's overrated list at least include teams that somebody in the nation thinks is good?

I do hope that we stay focused. I pray that we will work just as hard in preparation for Wyoming as we worked for the UCLA game. I suggest that all our our subject matter changes from how good we were vs. UCLA to what we need to do to play as well against Wyoming. One game at at time. UCLA is over. Wyoming is what we need to be concerned about now.

Michigan can be overrated because people still actually expect them to win games. They're horrible, and are going to get their rear ends kicked all year, but they still get more TV time and lip service than any average team in the MWC, WAC, or C-USA. It would be difficult to underrate them.

Can someone hand me a tissue?

Watch any football team and you will see holding on both O & D. Watch th
sec and big 10 and you will see more holding with one game than most of the complete MWc. That my good friends is how they have so many players leading in yards on running and recieving, almost every year. Lets look at the 49 states who play the game. Let me know if you disagree.

Hey, optimist. I hate to tell you, but your team is focussed on one thing. Just listen to the post-game interviews after the UCLA game. All the players could talk about was making statements for the pollsters. BYU is so fixated on the BCS and the accompanying polls, it's going to hurt them in the end. Besides, this year they are going to have some competition in busting the BCS. Despite what BYU fans think, it's not always about BYU. There are other teams who will be deserving in the end.

The officials for the UCLA game were from the MWC and from the WAC, not the PAC-10.

You are wrong. It is always about BYU - learn to love and accept it.

Here is another dumb and dumber - for thinking UCLA with a third string quarterback was top 25 material.

BYU, TCU or the Utes could go the BCS distance this year. The games between each other will decide who, unless they all lose one and cancel each other out.

Dick H- It is not always a UTE VS Cougar thing. Why is Michigan your overated pick? They are not good and nobody is expecting much from them. My point is, your pro BYU anti Utah fixation precludes you from being objective. You only point out Michigan for ridicule to stick it to Utah. Oregon would have been a better pick, they are still ranked in the top 20 after an extremely close win and they lost the QB for a month. They will be out of the top 25 shortly.

How about Washington as the most overated team. They got destroyed by both Oklahoma and Oregon, the oklahoma game was over in five mintues. And as good as BYU has looked they are no match for USC, Oklahoma or about three SEC teams. They would be 10 point dogs in all those games. So drink some kool-aid

Anytime DH gives the Cougars credit you whine about being anti-Utah. If BYU is up, must that put Utah down? Only a paranoid schiz would think the sweet win over Michigan was more that a win against a team that is "historically" good.

Great Bill O' Reilly reference.

DH was hired for his access to BYU, not because of his writing or his insight. I'm true blue BYU, but I really can't stand his stories. My complaints to the DMN sports editors fell on deaf ears. I guess its like sucking a lemon -- if you don't like it, quit sucking. Apparently I can't do that, and neither can DH.

RE. O-line holding: its often the o-lineman who gets beat on the defender's initial move that has to recover by grabbing an arm or jersey, etc. So while its true that holding could be called nearly every time, the BYU o-line seems to be doing the job well enough that they aren't having to often resort to rodeo tactics to stop the onrushing d-line. Keep up the good work, men!