OLB wrote:

Note, I didn't say that Beck played bad games -- just not great games. Go back and look at the threads circa September 2006. There were alot of people questioning whether Beck had "it." "It" was loosely defined as the ability to win games. I don't think anyone was really questioning Beck's physical abilities, but some felt like he wasn't mentally tough enough to win big games.

I just wonder if fans and media would have been calling for the replacement of Beck with a highly trouted Olson had Olson been in Provo.

I think you make some good points. We will never know what would have happened, however what you say very well could have been.

As long as we're speculating, I think it also possible that if Olsen had come back to BYU he could have become a better player with more upside than he now has.

Have to agree with azcavalier here. I have heard Chow state (when he was at BYU) that in recruiting a QB, they look for a 3 year starter in HS who is willing to come in and learn for 2 years, then have 2 years to play. That's the model he operates under, and I have to say that it has worked pretty well for him. I don't see a simplified Chow offense turning UCLA's current program into Heismanville during year one. Although Chow did admirably with Philip Rivers and Carson Palmer in short order, given BO's injury history and the year UCLA had in 2007, I just don't see it.

azcavalier wrote:

Island Pipeline wrote:

With Ben Olsen under Norm Chow's direction he will be a Heisman Candidate finalist so I don't think Olsen misses BYU or BYU needs Olsen.

While I have a lot of confidence in Coach Chow's abilities to produce fine QBs, I don't think that he can pull a turnaround like that so fast. Olsen may have tools, and he may have skills, but he has no confidence, and hasn't shown much heart. I also don't think that he has a lot of offensive talent around him. He's got to have someone to throw it to! Because he's sure not going to run the ball.

I am not a Traitor Ben fan because...well...he is a BYU traitor. However we will never know if BYU missed him or not. Although he has not had success at UCLA and has been oft-injured, that doesn't mean that is how his BYU career would have gone. Under Anae and Doman perhaps Ben would have beat out Max for the starting position last year and would have gone undefeated. We will never know.

nuk13 wrote:

As long as we're speculating, I think it also possible that if Olsen had come back to BYU he could have become a better player with more upside than he now has.

I would agree that he could have become a much better player in Provo than L.A.

At BYU, Olson would have backed up John Beck until Beck's graduation. I do not believe that Olson has Beck's level of character, football acumen, or that he would have ever reached a status equivelent to Beck's '06 season.

I defended John Beck through '04 and '05, and never blamed him for the team's problems. Beck had "It" all along, even showing flashes of "It" as a freshman in '03. Olson may develop "It" during his final season, but that would surprise me.

Here's to yet another Cougar defeat of Ben's team this fall, but by a more dominating measure.

BOID wrote:

At BYU, Olson would have backed up John Beck until Beck's graduation. I do not believe that Olson has Beck's level of character, football acumen, or that he would have ever reached a status equivelent to Beck's '06 season.

I defended John Beck through '04 and '05, and never blamed him for the team's problems. Beck had "It" all along, even showing flashes of "It" as a freshman in '03. Olson may develop "It" during his final season, but that would surprise me.

Here's to yet another Cougar defeat of Ben's team this fall, but by a more dominating measure.

Well it certainly can't be less dominating and still be a win

Other than playing at our place (just plain huge) the biggest difference in the next UCLA game will be the lack of turnovers (knock on wood) and no Bruce Davis. (thank goodness).