I don’t think that BYU has a good Defense. I think that BYU is lucky against turnovers. Lets see how many turnovers USU gives BYU on Friday.

Although it is tempting to point to these last two games as an indicator of a powerful defense-we really must consider the two opponents. Both UCLA and Wyoming are somewhat less that mediocre on the offensive side of the ball. Neither came close to really showing just how good the Cougs may be defensively.

We probably will not see just how good this group may be for another two weeks-when they travel down to Fort Worth to take on TCU. It will be interesting to see how well we hold the Horned Frogs in comparison to the 10 points they put up against Oklahoma.

The TCU game may prove to be an interesting barometer of how well we can stack up against the BCS big guns. It won't exactly be apples versus apples since they played OU in Norman and we will face them on their home turf.

We will learn a lot more about this young defensive unit on October 16th down in the heart of Texas.

Go Cougars!!

When our highest quality opponent to date is FCS N. Iowa, it makes it difficult to say how good our defense is. According to Sagarin, our strength of schedule ranks 125th which won't improve this week vs USU. Since the BCS no longer allows margin of victory to factor into its computer rankings, this will only hurt us. We don't play a quality opponent until TCU

Harmon,

What kind of a prediction is this:

less than a 3 TD win by TCU over SDSU? I think you meant 47 - 9, TCU over SDSU.

And are you for real when you say AFA loses to Navy? You must have been deceived by the polls that ranked Wake Forest. Remember what a joke of a conference they come from this year. Navy is good, but not that good.

AFA 31
Navy 21

But I do hand it to you, the predictions for BYU and Utah look good!!

And if you want to enter into a contest with me on predictions of all MWC games the rest of the season, I'd be more than happy to prove you wrong over and over again!!

-Cheers-

Even BYU's own coach doesn't think they have played anyone yet. Interesting............

Not only has the Defense not been tested, but the Offense hasn't either. The cougs have yet to play a good defensive team. The toughest test on their schedule is the conference schedule, but they've only had one game against the second to worst team in the conference. They still have to play AFA, TCU, and Utah. The other schools really aren't worth mentioning, even UNLV's win over Arizona State wasn't impressive after watching ASU play other teams.

The real test will come against Utah, and if they pass, MAYBE a tougher test in a BCS game, unless they do what they did to the Utes and give them the weakest opponent who only gets in cuz of the ridiculous automatic bids (this year from the Big East, ACC, or PAC 10).

Some teams create turnovers. Some teams just hope that they will get one once in awhile.

Like any other aspect of the game, success comes from a lot of preparation and hard work, and a little luck.

BYU's defense and special teams have placed an emphasis on creating turnovers this year, and the last two games indicate that that emphasis is starting to pay off.

BYU's defense is young and improving. Still not as good as last season, but good enough to slow other teams down enough to give the ball back to BYU's offense.

Turnovers play a big part in that. Killing drives that their opponents needs to be able to hang with BYU's potent offense. Bend, but don't break, is working, so far.

For a Utah fan, it doesn't really matter whether BYU "hasn't played anybody", yet; BYU will eventually play almost all of the same teams that Utah plays, so who BYU has played, so far, is inconsequential.

The only thing Utah fans should be concerned with is whether the Utes can get to November 22nd undefeated, and whether they can beat the Cougars.

If they can, then SOS won't matter.

If they can't, then SOS won't matter.

Utah fans are so predictable. Continually harping on schedule, without looking past their noses to observe HOW BYU is playing.

BYU's offense is one of the best in the country. A huge offensive line that is protecting the quarterback well and opening holes for the running game. An extremely accurate passer who makes great decisions is selecting receivers. Great wide receivers and tightends that run good routes and can catch the ball. Solid running backs who can run over and around defenses.

And a defense that is finding ways to prevent the opposition from scoring.

Instead of concentrating solely on opponents, knowledgeable football fans look at how a team is playing, not just at final scores and opponents.

That ability seems to be lacking in most of the BYU critics, especially many Utah fans and BYU haters who are more interested in trying to minimize BYU's success, than they are in giving reasoned, critical analysis.

All you can do is play the teams on your schedule.

If you happen to beat your last two opponents 103-0, then I would hope that you have earned yourself some credit for being at least a decent team, REGARDLESS of how good those opponents are, or are not.

You can squawk all you want about the fact that BYU "has not played anybody". Scoreboard, Ute fans. 103-0. You'll excuse us if we don't respect your team that falls asleep against Weber State and lets them put together 3 touchdown drives.

Worry about your own team. You know, the one you claim to root for when you aren't obsessing over BYU...

Who said I was a Utah fan. I don't like the Utes at all. But your own coach said that you haven't played anyone. So why would it be inconsequentail as to who you have played so far? If that's the case, why don't you put Southern Utah on the schedule for next year!!!

BYU fans are so predictable. Always defending their football team even though their own coach says they haven't played anyone. Facts are that your opponents so far this year haven't played too well on the field. When you beat USU then we will know the defense is for real!!!

Who cares about SOS for the Cougs this year?? That should only matter to east coast voters who don't get to watch the Cougs and still have to vote.

Everyone else can see that we are shutting out our opponents and sittings our starters in the 4th quarter like a top 10 team should.

Every complaining about SOS should just watch one of the games and see the Cougs play like a top 10 team

A fellow fell off a skyscraper. As he was falling past an open window he was heard to say, "So far, so good."

Anyone undefeated so far, is so good. Doesn't matter who they play. In the end, if anyone goes undefeated, they are very, very good.

So stifle the fan bravado. You're looking stupid... Utes and Cougars.

Anxious to see two Utah teams meet the end of Nov. undefeated. We would be the only state with two teams in the top ten.

UCLA scored 31 against #21 Fresno State. Not too bad in my book.

Hmmmm, you're no better than we are, so get over yourself.

Utes offense looked incredible in the first have at Michigan, stalled, looked great in the second have against AFA. But have to give the nod to BYU's offense for consistency, number of credible threats, offensive line, ability to control the clock, convert 3rd downs, and score.

Defenses can't really be measured by stats. Some of the most important stats are coverage sacks, balls deliberately thrown out of bounds, and similar situations where the defense took away all options.

Against UCLA and Wyoming, BYU played great against the run (which was expected), but their pass defense succeeded greatly because of dropped passes and open receivers that were just missed, even when Craft had the time to throw. Have to give the defensive not to Utah, based on their secondary. It seems Mendenhal and Hill agree with me that the D hasn't been defined yet and still has work to do.

Clearly both teams have work to do in many areas, but should have things worked out by Nov 22, which will make that game epic in the series history.

to judge BYU's defense-since they have not really played anyone of consequence yet.

Same as all the poll pride and talk of the possibility of playing in the BCS championship game by both BYU and Utah fans. It is way, way too early to even speculate on such semi-ridiculous scenarios.

Here we are about a third of the way through the season and there is still a lot of football left to play. And as we have already seen on several occasions-anything can happen. Even the once-thought invincibles (USC/Georgia) seem to falling all around us.

After BYU gets by TCU still undefeated at 7-0, perhaps we can begin to speculate and fanticize about the BCS implications.

In the meantime, we need to adopt Bronco's one game at a time philosophy.

You're so focused on opponents, that you ignored the rest of my post, which was the crux of my rebuttal, that concentrating solely on who teams have played, instead of how teams have played, is the mark of a football neophyte, not someone who understands the game.

That may sound harsh, but it's true.

Every week I get on here and see people arguing about SOS and I get tired of having to repeat myself! We as BYU fans should not argue about SOS with the Ute fans. After tonights game with Oregon St., Utes schedule will have been much better than BYU's schedule. Once BYU plays at TCU, at Air Force, and at Utah their SOS will rise but never be any better then Utah's. What we should be pointing out to everybody is that we have beat the last two opponents 103-0. The same UCLA team that scored 31 against Fresno St. The Cougars have played better and better over the past 3 weeks and the scary thing is they can play even better, especially the defense. BYU just has to play one week at a time and things will take care of itself. I hope that they might be able to play for a NC this year, but I doubt it. However, if they go to a BCS game and win it, with all the offensive weapons coming back and the defense will even have more experience, a NC should be the focus next year. Go Cougars!!

It is going to be sad to see BYU lose their ranking when they lose to my beloved Aggies.

Where is Weber? Since I don't know, I must be better than you. Hold on.....let me google Weber......OK......OH you are a lot worse than me. I am sorry!!!

teams like USC, Ohio State, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas start the season ranked in the Top 10 without playing anybody. Many of them don't play anybody until late September, and almost all of the early season patsies they do play are played at home.

Yet, no one questions the legitimacy of their being ranked in the Top 10 because they "haven't played anybody", yet.

If you say, it's because of what they've done in past seasons, then why is BYU being held to a different standard.

11-2 in each of the past two seasons, Top 15 finishes in each of the last two seasons, a 14-game winning streak, longest in the country, and undefeated conference championships in each of the last two seasons.

Just because BYU "hasn't played anybody" yet, doesn't mean they're undeserving of their Top 10 ranking, it just means they haven't been tested yet.

Get over your biases and hatred and stop being hypocrits by applying a different standard to USC, Ohio State, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas than you're willing to apply to BYU.

BYU will not have been tested after the USU game, either.

Lets see: USU gave up 75 points in its last two games against Utah and Idaho. (BTW--Utah gave up 44 points against Air Force and Weber State). We are comparing these feats to BYU giving up 0 points to UCLA and Wyoming. Give me a break.

If shutting out opponents doesn't prove to you that BYU is good, that's fine by me. We may shut you out along with the remaining teams on our schedule, and some will still say we didn't play anyone. May the BCS fall into this trap, and just give us the chance to play against the best team you've got. Sure, BYU knows it can improve, but it also knows it is capable of playing with anyone. Just give them the opportunity; I beg you. BYU is up to the test this week, and every week thereafter this year and next, but we can only prove it one game at a time. Can BYU beat a team worse than their last two opponents? Watch out, remaining schedule! If losing badly to BYU means you were poor competition, I can live with that.

All one has to do is read a few of the comments on the des news to see who is on and who is on........

Like you people in the west actually think the you know something about college football is a joke....

On the one hand....BYU defense is not so great, and you spend a whole two minutes trying to muster some generic comment with the hopes you get it posted so you can point out to to your moms that you actually got the stupid thing on here..

Then it's the hater's turn to point out 'Again' that BYU hasn't played anybody yet and we'll see just how good he Kewgs really are when they play TCU and get caught off guard...and don't get the turnovers they have garned in the early stages of the season...

The we have the winers that state how great we are and we'll sure show you......

Well let's face it for the most part, who cares if anybody really cares...

The team doesn't because they don't read it...so stick to the facts that only the oher teams fans care and they don't like us no matter what we say or suggest.....Go Cougars

I think it's funny Utes say BYU can't brag all season long until the big game. But shortly after the Holy War game and the season is over, the Utes say that was last year and old news. Sounds like the Utes can't handle BYU's success.

I have to laugh at all the puffed chests up there in Utah. I am a BYU fan all the way, but I'll be the first to admit, their defense is a long way from being ready to go against BCS teams. Look at how the secondary was eaten up at a critical time in Washington.

BYU has a pretty dang good team. One of the best they've had in a long, long time. Maybe they go undefeated, but maybe not. Playing in Utah this year is going to be a knock down drag out game. Utah will have two straight losses against BYU to drive them.

As for SOS, BYU tried to get a strong SOS with Washington and UCLA. Who could have predicted they'd both be so bad this year?

I hope both BYU and the U go undefeated until their match up. I cheered for the U when they played Michigan. I'll cheer for them tonight against OSU. I want them to look as good as they can so "The Game" can have meaning.

Oh so that was your rebuttal. I thought it was just another post by another overzealous Cougar fan who has to believe that BYU's defense has been tested by a good team. Now that I know that it was a rebuttal I still feel the same way. You haven't played anyone of any value to this point.

Eighth-ranked Brigham Young is making noise on the national scene with some gaudy statistics. (National rank in parenthesis)

Category Stat Rank
Passing yards per game 340.5 (7th)
Total offensive yards per game 482 (10th)
Points per game 43 (11th)
Points allowed per game 11 (7th)
Turnover margin +1.25 (13th)
Kickoff returns 28.22 (4th)
Fumbles recovered 8 (3rd)
Passing efficiency rating 172.87 (8th)

Who cares if our D is not that good they only have to be decent. Our offence can stay with anyone in the nation that has a good offence. So let our D be medicore, that is why we have the great offence.

ing with fingers in ears, but lacking any ability to critically analyze because of preconceived biases is no way to go through life.

Most knowledgeable college football fans, coaches, sportswriters, talking heads can see that BYU has a pretty good team. Beating a team like UCLA 59-0, the Bruin's worst loss since 1929, immediately raises eyebrows nationwide.

UCLA had just beaten then 18th-ranked Tennessee. Last week, the Bruins lost to then 25th-ranked Fresno State 31-36, in a game UCLA could have, and probably should have won.

The fact the some fans are too blind or too biased to see that BYU has a pretty good team is not BYU's problem. It's their problem.

Oh so even though UCLA lost to Fresno State, they should have won? You definitely can not analyze anything with that kind of thinking. They lost, bottom line is they lost to Fresno State. Could of, Should of, doesn't work after the game is over. It just goes in the lost column. Oh maybe I should look.......No there is no asterick * next to the number in the lost column. They just "lost the game". I didn't say BYU doesn't have a good team, I said the BYU coach said their team hasn't played anyone. So if you want to get defensive, call Bronco and complain about HIS comments. Until then, stop thinking you have played someone with a winning record and with a good offense. Cause you haven't.

Max Hall said before the season that BYU might just have the best offensive line in the oountry and Ute fans spent days ridiculing him?

So, now we're four games in and the offensive line has not given up a single (credited) sack and there has not been a single holding penalty on an offensive lineman. Hall has hardly ever even been pressured.

So, what do all the Ute honks have to say about Hall's preseason assessment now? (Sounds of crickets chirping in the background ...)

Ironically, this is exactly what Ute fans will have to say about BYU's "Strength of Schedule" on Nov. 23.

I'm encouraged that the coaches have recognized defects in their defensive calls. As long as both the players and coaches are improving, BYU should be just fine.

It'd be nice to keep USU from getting a score, but I doubt that'll happen. Our history up there leans against that. Then, trends are meant to be broken, right?

Utah needs to win tonight, and BYU on Friday by a wide margin, in order to keep BYU up in the top 10. Maybe Utah could get close (or in) the top 10, too, if they have an impressive win against Oregon State.

A loss to Oregon State will do more damage to the MWC's image than all of the previous Pac-10 wins this season. Not sure how much it'll affect the conference's SOS, though.

I won't even speculate on what a BYU loss would do, 'cause that ain't gonna happen!

SOS is a bunch of bull. The issue will be settled on 11/22. Can hardly wait.

"I said the BYU coach said their team hasn't played anyone."

Actually, Bronco said, "I don't think this defense is necessarily that good right now. We have played a couple decent football games and we are improving."

Defensive coordinator Jaime Hill said, "Obviously, scores indicate things are going well, but we haven't played offenses that are explosive yet. When we do, hopefully we'll be up to the task."

Neither coach said that BYU "hasn't played anyone."

For narrow-minded fans pushing their own agenda someone might interpret "haven't played explosive offenses" to mean "we've only played garbage teams," but that's not what either coach said.

I sat directly behind the BYU bench all last season, within 10 yards of where Jamie talked to his defensive backs after every series. I saw firsthand his approach to his players in the heat of battle. Jamie is a perfectionist, continually challenging his players to improve. It's no surprise that he would minimize BYU's back-to-back shutouts by implying that his defense hadn’t been tested yet. He knows tougher opponents lie ahead. He doesn't want his players to rest on their laurels.

That doesn't mean he believes that BYU hasn't played anybody.

Very good. I was wondering when someone would call me to the table for the misquote. That just goes to show you that no one on this site even reads the article. They just come on here and write crap. But on the other hand, BYU has only beaten teams with losing records. Until the play a high powered offense, you are only speculating how they will hold up. For everyone else on here, read the article before you open your mouth!!

records, this early in the season can be deceiving.

At the end of the season, we can look back and see if UNLV's win over Arizona State was a fluke, if Oregon State's win over USC was a fluke, if East Carolina was just a pretender starting the season with two straight wins over Top 25 teams, whether Duke and Northwestern really any good, whether any of the 18 currently undefeated teams will still be unbeaten when the regular season is finished.

Trying to "prove" which teams are good, and which teams are pretenders, based on their unproven opponents, is an exercise in futility; it's all based on unprovable speculation this early in the season. There are signs. Some are valid. Some are not.

When did they start running articles on this message board?

Go Utes!

I love you, Dick. You are my favorite writer!

I think the CSU game will be closer. UNLV won't be that dominant. There are no newspapers this time telling opposing fans they are basically in the same league as N. Arizona. CSU was able to outscore Houston, which is very impressive.

42 to too low of a prediction. They should have close to that by halftime. Oregon, who is known for high offense, scored 66 points and a school record 668 yards against USU. They said it was like playing in HS again. They could put down the gas and nothing stopped them. AND, they had backup QB's playing.

BYU will likely just demolish USU, even with starters out. 42 points is an unrealistic and low prediction giving these circumstances.

We don't need to wait to the end of the season to relaize that UNLV's win was INDEED a fluke. They got it handed to them at home by Nevada. UNLV is horrible...almost down to Wyoming standards who got shallacked by Bowling Green!

The great thing is that by the time game 8, 9 and 10 come around...we will know how real BYU is this year.

Knowledgable football fans, of course, being only those who agree with you.....

Just read a very good article on Yahoo! sports about BYU's football team. Try reading it for a feel-good look at a good team. Here's to 11-0 vs 11-0 on 11/22.

Go UTES!

I bet that USU puts up 21 on BYU. Problem is that BYU will put up 55.

Connecticut, Vanderbilt and Northwestern are a combined 14-0.

Michigan, Arizona State, and USC are a combined 6-5.

The preseason polls had:

Team Coaches AP
USC #2 #3
ASU #16 #15
Mich #24 N/R

Connecticut, Vanderbilt and Northwestern were all unranked.

Guess who's ranked now, and who's not.

Which of those teams will be ranked at season's end?

Now, who's good? and who's not?

Isn't college football fun?

Give us a playoff and we can end the speculation and decide who's really good ON THE FIELD instead of in a beauty contest.

I know exactly what Ute fans are saying now along with the rest of the country...we're all saying that BYU hasn't played a decent defensive line. I'm not bashing on BYU at all. I honestly think they have a great team and they've been amazing with two shut outs. But I don't think you should be basing the O line being "great" on the weak defensive fronts they've played. I think most of the country would agree. I'm not bashing, just stating some opinions

The SOS question will only come to play in about 2 weeks when the BCS computer systems go active. BYU is going to get penalized due to SOS and Utah will get a boost in the polls. BYU may well drop from the top 10 when the computer polls get included, and may be ranked next to Utah, up or down. If Utah takes care of business between now and then and keeps it's position. This will likely get Utah some additional press and more looks from the voters and may help their case towards the end of the season.

At the end of the season the SOS question will narrow a great deal and be a negligible factor due to conference play.

Polls are screwed up and really don't matter one iota on the field. Only for BCS garbage at the end of the season. Here's hoping both teams go into the Nov game undefeated. They may well be playing for a Rose bowl berth if that's the case. Go Utes.

BYU's SOS will never match Utah's this year because the Utes play current #7 BYU.

BYU's SOS will never match Utha's this year, remember the Utes will play current #7 BYU