edit--Not sure why, but I got an error and a double post...<br><br>Post edited by: yutka, at: 2007/05/30 15:50

I have to agree. To see kids like Holt, Hola, Yeck, Bol, etc. who dream of playing at BYU get a chance is what makes this early recruiting fun. As much as Id like all 4 stars, its hard to argue with the dedication and effort these kids will put into the program.

Pwride wrote:

Today there is another story on ESPN about it:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2885646

Thanks for the link. Here's a quote from it:

By the end of the week, the SEC will announce a record payout that should exceed $120 million, surpassing last year's record of $110.7 million. That would mean each of the 12 league members will receive at least $10 million for the first time.

$10 million a year just from bowl payouts. That's what most non BCS schools spend for their entire football program. Don't tell me the BCS money doesn't make a difference.

I don't know that it is the so-called cartel that is drawing away recruits. Utah isn't the only state to loose 4-star prospects to out of state schools. There are plenty of states with &quot;cartel&quot; schools that stil lose a chunk of their top prospects. Other states loosing their National Top 100 Prospects despite having cartel schools, according to scout.com

Arizona 100%
Arkansas 100%
Georgia 40%
Illinois 50%
Indiana 100%
Kansas 100%
Louisiana 42%
Michigan 75%
New Jersey 60%
Oklahoma 50%
Pennsylvania 33%

Plus if you look at Arizona and Washington, both having two cartel schools each, and look at their retention of 4&amp;5-star prospects, the state of Utah did better, at least in 2007.

Arizona, Washington, Utah
Stayed 3, 2, 2
Left 5, 4, 2
Rentention 38%, 33%, 50%

And we stole one of Washington's 4-star guys in Munns.

I'm just saying we can't blame the BCS for everything. I also agree with yukta and pwride. If Katoa wants to play here, great. But if he doesn't care about BYU, then go someplace else. We are looking for guys who are pround to play for the Y.<br><br>Post edited by: Isola, at: 2007/05/30 16:38

Florwood wrote:

Any 18-year-old that can succeed at a BCS school is likely to go there--I don't see any big waves of high-minded teenagers standing on principle any time soon.

Speaking of the BCS, good ol' Dr. Machen should be presenting his playoff pitch to the SEC presidents in June. Now THAT could shake things up! Here's a story from April on what he's pitching:

http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10105947

Actually, my comment was a bit tongue in cheek and also to highlight the kind of athletes we want at BYU, those that have a chip on their shoulder about being told they can't compete.

Good read on Dr. Machen's interview. He really does seem to be interested in fairness in D1 football. I have to give props to Meyers too for his views on Utah and a playoff system.

I think when the President of the school that won both football and basketball titles ridicules the BCS and says it is a bad thing for college, there is no doubt that it is.

This could very well be true. A co-worker of mine's husband was an assistant coach at Cottonwood until very recently and though I've never heard anything quoted directly about this I've heard enough through conversations to form the opinion that Cottonwood has really put themselves on a pedestal. They seem to think they are a grade higher than anything the state of Utah has to offer so they often shun the &quot;local&quot; scene. As far as Katoa's comment that he never actually watched them (BYU or Utah), he may have not watched them but if he really is an athlete he would have at least a general knowledge of where the programs are, or are heading. I think it's a blanket statement to show that he's better than the MWC. Maybe he is and maybe he isn't, I certainly don't know. I just know that the Cottonwood program is not exactly full of Cougar fans so getting anyone to come from CWHS is going to be a stretch. But hey, they can go ahead and have the limelight and the big stage like uh, oh what was his name...umm...oh, yeah, Alex Cate. He went on to big things didn't he? Too good for the MWC huh?