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href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/sports/skireport/1,5438,,00.html">Ski report</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="storyContent"> <div id="main_col" class="column">  <div id="page_headline"> <h2>Cougars in own way of BCS berth</h2> </div> <div class="byline"> <font face="Verdana,Helvetica,Arial"><b>By <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20071230035147/http://deseretnews.com/dn/staff/card/1,1228,1593,00.html">Dick Harmon</a></b></font><br><font face="Verdana,Helvetica,Arial" size="2">Deseret Morning News</font></div> <div class="timestamp"> Published: Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007 12:04 a.m. MST</div> <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20071230035147js_/http://www.deseretnews.com/js/library.js"></script> <div id="tools"> <div id="tools-left"> <img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239324,00.html">216 comments</a> </div> <div id="tools-right"> <a onclick="toggleDiv('related_content'); linkTrack('story/related'); return false;" href="#">RELATED STORIES</a> |  <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/email/1,5227,695239324,00.html">E-MAIL</a> | <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/content/mobile/0,5223,695239324,00.html">PRINT</a> | FONT <b><a onclick="textSizeUp('storyText');return false;" href="#">+</a></b> <b><a onclick="textSizeDown('storyText');return false;" href="#">-</a></b>  </div> </div> <div id="related_content_div"> <div id="related_content" class="related_content_container"> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239204,00.html">Snow College star to walk on at BYU</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="storyText"> PROVO  After Brigham Young University's football weekend in Las Vegas, one BYU doubter fired off a note to the Deseret Morning News and made a point  although the assertion may not have been the one he intended in dismissing the Cougars' 11-2 finish and aspirations for a BCS berth in seasons to come.<p> "Reality check for the Cougars," the critic wrote as a comment to an earlier BYU story at deseretnews.com. "Beating a 6-6 UCLA team on the last play of the game does not mean you are ready for a BCS push. ... BYU is light-years from making a push to a BCS game."<p> Actually, in 2006, BYU was two or three plays  at Arizona and Boston College  from going undefeated and possibly getting a BCS berth.<p> And in 2007, the Cougars were a pick-six and fumble at UCLA, and another pick-six at Tulsa, from going undefeated and likely surging ahead of Hawaii in the polls for a BCS berth in the season just finished.<p> That isn't "light-years" from a BCS berth. It's just a zip code distance away.<p> "Our goal <i>is</i> to win the national championship," third-year head coach Bronco Mendenhall told reporters last week.<p> "When BYU won it in 1984, it had won nine consecutive conference championships. I don't think it will take nine straight again. I do think it will take similar seasons as we have had now with back-to-back titles. Championships and bowl trips can pave the way for an undefeated season and giving us that opportunity to play for it all. All the last two years have done is rekindle that flame and desire to get there."<p> <div class="continue">Story continues below</div> <div id="ad_300" class="ad"> <div id="ad6Sp"></div> </div> Mendenhall believes the current BCS system keeps out teams like BYU, Boise State, Hawaii and Utah that have a loss.<p> "We have the model and system in place and excellent players," he said. "I think we have established ourselves as a team to watch (for a BCS berth)."<p> Mendenhall is absolutely right  especially if Hawaii, with its only undefeated season in school history  loses to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and his Cougars enter 2008 with the nation's longest win streak.<p> If the Cougars want to go to the BCS, they cannot lose in 2008.<p> The Cougars have only one undefeated football season in school history, and that was 1984 (13-0)  an occurrence that propelled big conferences to start the Bowl Coalition, which morphed into the current-day Bowl Championship Series.<p> One of BYU's best teams ever, the 1996 Cotton Bowl team, went 14-1, stumbling to Washington in Seattle early that season. Utah's great undefeated run in 2004 was the only one in modern Utes history.<p> The 1979 BYU team stood on the threshold at 11-0 in the Holiday Bowl, only to lose to Indiana when Brent Johnson's late-game, chip-shot field goal sailed wide. That team had three of the most knowledgeable in-game coaches ever employed in Provo  Norm Chow, Doug Scovil and Fred Whittingham.<p> Yes, undefeated is a small gap that is tough to cross.<p> But placing the mantra of "making a few more plays" on the table, BYU football still has plenty of goals to reach to even reach a BCS bowl game.<p> The biggest key may be to remain confident and hungry, yet humble (keep a meek attitude with mouths zipped), deploy a solid work ethic, and have a healthy respect for their Mountain West Conference brethren. These are the goals they need to accomplish for any hope of playing past Christmas Day next year.<p> BYU can't be doubling up stats on a team like Utah, then letting the game come down to a fourth-and-18 conversion. They can't melt down before a non-BCS team like Tulsa. On the other hand, great football programs find ways to win, even games that should not be close  and everybody stumbles into those kinds of games at times.<p> Arrogance or too much pride over a 10-game win streak, 16-straight league wins and 22-4 record the past two years could make BYU a targeted team in 2008. We saw versions of that this year when Appalachian State beat Michigan, Stanford humiliated USC, Illinois embarrassed Ohio State, UNLV shut out Utah and Colorado took down the pants of Oklahoma.<p> Mendenhall still hasn't won a nonconference road game, but it's taken him most of three seasons to get his team to believe they can win every game they play  a recipe required for championships and undefeated campaigns.<p> Come 2008, both Utah and New Mexico should be top contenders to dethrone the two-time MWC champion. Air Force will rebuild, and new coach Troy Calhoun appears poised to recharge the Falcon program and has a lineup of new players to replace Chad Hall and company.<p> The Cougars, as shown last Saturday in Sam Boyd Stadium, could use some help in pass protection schemes against speed and may want to consider installing/calling some draws, screens, sprint-out QB actions and bootleg plays before facing UCLA for the third time in 12 months.<p> Writes Las Vegas columnist Ed Graney, "BYU is the rival of all conference teams for one reason: It wins a lot, which extracts a level of jealousy from opposing conference fans that is absurd as it is pathetic."<p> In part, that explains "dissing" BYU's 11-2 record this week by some.<p> Continues Graney: "A record five league teams will play in bowls this year (and the MWC is 3-0 thus far) and yet no conference side has discovered a way to beat the Cougars in two years. In a time when parity defines college football (how many teams lost when ranked No. 2 nationally this season?), that kind of steady success is notable."<p> In 2007, the Cougars found some magic. As Urban Meyer put it after a seemingly lucky bounce enabled a Ute win over Colorado State on the last play in Fort Collins in 2003, "Luck has nothing to do with it. Good teams put themselves in position to make big plays."<p> In 2007, BYU did make big monster plays to win. It took more than luck.<p> <hr width="250"><p> <i>E-mail: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20071230035147/mailto:dharmon@desnews.com">dharmon@desnews.com</a> </i> </i> </div>  <div id="storyComments"> <div class="commentNum"><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239324,00.html">Read all 216 comments</a></div><h2>Recent comments</h2> <div class="comment bg_transparent"><p>My opinion is that BYU is not losing respect in the business world...</p><p class="commentName"><b>Re: Concerned Utahn</b> | Dec. 29, 2007 at 6:24 p.m.</p></div><div class="comment bg_white"><p>Some of these comments are so stupid. I can't believe how critical...</p><p class="commentName"><b>concernedcougfan</b> | Dec. 29, 2007 at 3:33 p.m.</p></div><div class="comment bg_transparent"><p>Yes, BYU does have good international ambassadors. My point was that...</p><p class="commentName"><b>Re: Concerned Utahan 7:12 a.m.</b> | Dec. 29, 2007 at 12:43 p.m.</p></div> <div id="addComment"> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239324,00.html""><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/img/icons/comment-balloon.gif" style="width:21px;height:19px;" alt=""/></a><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239324,00.html">Add your comment</a> </div> </div> </div> <div id="feature_col" class="column"> <div id="most_popular"> <ul id="most_popular_tabs" class="most_popular"> <li id="tab_most_popular"><a onclick="swapTabs('most_popular'); linkTrack('popular/tabs/most popular');">Most Popular</a></li> <li id="tab_most_commented"><a onclick="swapTabs('most_commented'); linkTrack('popular/tabs/most commented');">Most Commented</a></li> </ul>  <ol id="most_popular_list"> <li> <a 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class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239463,00.html">110</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695238767,00.html">Cougar bowl victory sets stage for BCS run in '08</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695238767,00.html">98</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239896,00.html">Giricek dealt to 76ers in trade for guard Kyle Korver</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239896,00.html">91</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239204,00.html">Snow College star to walk on at BYU</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239204,00.html">70</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239882,00.html">Road kill  Jazz continue their struggles, fall to L.A.</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239882,00.html">68</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239121,00.html">Bush legacy not one of honor</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239121,00.html">61</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695238980,00.html">Law sought to require classroom flags</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695238980,00.html">59</a></span> </li> <li class="infoText">(Stories published in the last five days with the most comments)</li> </ol> </div> <div id="other_section_heads"> <ul id="other_section_tabs"> <li class="selected"><a href="#" rel="byu_stories">BYU</a></li> <li><a href="#" rel="jaz_stories">Jazz</a></li> <li><a href="#" rel="rsl_stories">Real SL</a></li> <li><a href="#" rel="ute_stories">Utes</a></li> </ul>  <div id="byu_stories" class="more_heads_content"> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239724,00.html">Cougars aim for fast start against WAC leader Boise State</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239724,00.html">22</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239726,00.html">Dick Harmon: BYU freshman Fredette shows early potential</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239726,00.html">10</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239773,00.html">BYU and Utah State will resume rivalry</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239773,00.html">4</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239524,00.html">Upon further review ... 3's were wild card in 2007 college football campaign</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239524,00.html">16</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239324,00.html">News analysis: Cougars in own way of BCS berth</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239324,00.html">216</a></span> </li> </ul> </div>  <div id="jaz_stories" class="more_heads_content"> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239896,00.html">Giricek dealt to 76ers in trade for guard Kyle Korver</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239896,00.html">91</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239882,00.html">Road kill  Jazz continue their struggles, fall to L.A.</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239882,00.html">68</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239728,00.html">Jazz notes: Giricek is back in uniform, but Miles remains at No. 2</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239728,00.html">3</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239812,00.html">Strawberry lifts T-Birds over Flash</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239812,00.html">1</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239881,00.html">Jazz game at a glance; game day</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239881,00.html">2</a></span> </li> </ul> </div>  <div id="rsl_stories" class="more_heads_content"> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239433,00.html">Name for sale: Real Salt Lake courts companies for naming rights to soccer stadium</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239433,00.html">51</a></span> </li> </ul> </div>  <div id="ute_stories" class="more_heads_content"> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239787,00.html">Ute women hit the road to face Long Beach St.</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239787,00.html">0</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239583,00.html">Sloppy Utes finally pull away from Idaho State</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239583,00.html">9</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239524,00.html">Upon further review ... 3's were wild card in 2007 college football campaign</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239524,00.html">16</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239567,00.html">Ute defense bails out late-starting offense in win</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239567,00.html">0</a></span> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239553,00.html">Ute game at a glance</a> <span class="commentNum"><img src="/web/20071230035147im_/http://www.deseretnews.com/i/bubble6.gif" class="commentBubble" alt=""/><a href="/web/20071230035147/http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/1,5150,695239553,00.html">0</a></span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> initializetabcontent("other_section_tabs"); </script> </div> <div 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