I think that Pete has the most realistic outlook on BYU that I have read so far. He definitely knows our strengths and weaknesses, and knows the personnel.

There are two main concerns I have for this year:

1. The ability to win a non-conference road game. I am not as worried about UCLA as I am about Washington. We haven't won a non-conference road game under Bronco yet.

2. Showing that we won't fold under the pressure of playing Utah. We haven't played to our potential against Utah since Bronco was hired.

If we solve those two things this year, then we are in great shape. BCS or not, we have turned the corner and will be setting ourselves up for a great run in 2009. I really think that it is a mental thing for us, and I so badly want Bronco to show that he has fixed those issues.

TimO wrote:

football1984 wrote:

I'd say Pete is realistically optimistic. I think he generally hopes BYU makes it to the BCS but knows that its a tough road ahead. I have to agree with him that our four road games against UW, TCU, AF and Utah will really make or break the season. A win against UCLA early will go a long way in making those road wins a reality. Go Cougs!

i agree. If this BYU teams makes the tough road, they'd be the FIRST team to EARN the bid into the BcS game. BYU has the toughest schedule out of the first 3 BcS busters by far

Boise State beat Hawaii and Oregon State which finished the season ranked that year. I can't think of 2 teams on BYU's schedule that will finish ranked. I don't think BYU's schedule is any tougher than BSU in '06.

Going undefeated is tough regardless of schedule. I think all 3 teams EARNED their way to the BCS.

NorthernCougar wrote:

I think that Pete has the most realistic outlook on BYU that I have read so far. He definitely knows our strengths and weaknesses, and knows the personnel.

There are two main concerns I have for this year:

1. The ability to win a non-conference road game. I am not as worried about UCLA as I am about Washington. We haven't won a non-conference road game under Bronco yet.

2. Showing that we won't fold under the pressure of playing Utah. We haven't played to our potential against Utah since Bronco was hired.

If we solve those two things this year, then we are in great shape. BCS or not, we have turned the corner and will be setting ourselves up for a great run in 2009. I really think that it is a mental thing for us, and I so badly want Bronco to show that he has fixed those issues.

Great post.

If BYU were to go undefeated in September imagine the pressure they will experience week after week. Such a challenge would be unprecendented in Bronco's tenure and one that few BYU teams have experienced. I'd love to see how it plays out, but first beat Northern IA, Washington, and UCLA!!!

Its sad to think that 1 lose will destroy BYU's chances of making a BCS game. Only losing 1 game in a year makes for a great year. But if BYU has 1 lose this year it makes the season a bit less special because they won't be able to go to the BCS.

NorthernCougar wrote:

I
1. The ability to win a non-conference road game. I am not as worried about UCLA as I am about Washington. We haven't won a non-conference road game under Bronco yet.

I am actually more worried about UCLA than WA. UCLA has three very bright and determined coaches. If you think they are going to suffer from "first year" blues, I think you will be disappointed. All three are seasoned and have proven they can coach and win. All WA's coach has proven is that he can take a program and raise it to mediocrity at best. Maybe he gives good speeches or something but I have yet to see him do anything successful as a head coach. He took ND nowhere. How can you have the most renowned school that gets many of the top players every year and not be able to win? (Weis' ears are probably burning right now). I am glad we are playing UCLA at home. We showed that we could beat UCLA at their place so are boys are going to have the confidence to beat them at home. But with that said it will still be very hard for our coaches to "out-coach" their coaches. Anyone know how many BCS trips and NC's they have between the big three coaches at UCLA?

a1247 wrote:

Its sad to think that 1 lose will destroy BYU's chances of making a BCS game. Only losing 1 game in a year makes for a great year. But if BYU has 1 lose this year it makes the season a bit less special because they won't be able to go to the BCS.

One loss will not be an end for for BYU and a BCS bowl bid. If we lose an early game to WA or UCLA or to maybe TCU we still have a shot at the BCS. Had only lost one game a season the previous two years we would have had a shot if BSU or HI had lost a game. The BCS is not trying to keep non-BCS teams out. They will take a very good non-BCS team in the mix just to avoid the scrutniy from the media, Congress, and the public (give them their pittance so that we may keep our fortune). And the odds are very good to get the call if the season plays out like last year with a lot of two loss BCS teams (only three of the ten BCS bowl teams had one loss or less going into their bowl game-with KU and Hawaii ending the season as the only one loss teams in bowl subdivision).

Keep the faith! But I think we go undefeated (including BCS!)