BYU dispatched the woeful SDSU Aztecs in Provo today by a score of 41-12. Going 9-1 ain’t bad. But this is the last easy game of the year for the Cougs with next week’s game at league title contending Air Force and the final game after that at undefeated Utah.

I thought the Cougs looked pretty good overall today. Outside linebacker David Nixon had a stellar game and the defense held its own nicely against a team that scored a bunch of points against CSU. I am suspicious of the stubbornness of offensive coordinator Robert Anae. He seemed determined to run and run and run even though it was clear that the Aztecs were determined to stop the run at all costs. The pass plays were open all day so I don’t understand why BYU didn’t just take what SDSU was giving more consistently. The BYU run game has been unimpressive all year to begin with. While Fui Vakapuna is looking better this year Harvey Unga has looked a step slower than last season. It seems to me that Anae ought to just admit that we are better off going pass first and run second with this team. Collie and Pitta are among the best receivers BYU has ever had so why not just use them first and then use the run to keep defenses honest?

But this is mostly nitpicking. BYU is 9-1 fer cryin’ out loud.

Now as to the rest of the season. If BYU wins out there is still a chance at an invite to a BCS game. It would probably require a loss by Boise State but with the Broncos still needing to defeat Nevada in Reno and Fresno State at home that is not out of the question. I am not sure I would like to see BYU go up against a top SEC or Big 12 team or USC for that matter but I think we could do just fine against the top teams in the ACC, Big East, and even Big 10.

But winning out is no cake walk — indeed it doesn’t really even seem likely considering the weaknesses this BYU team has shown this season — but that is what I’m pulling for at this point. Chime in ye Coug fans.

Another week, another win. BYU 45, CSU 42. And yet more reason to be skeptical of this BYU team. The defense still looks snail-slow; the offense put up lots of points but turned the ball over enough to keep Rams in the game throughout; and the special teams weren’t all that special with a fumble and several penalties.

What did you think?

In a recent post I pointed out that our scriptures unequivocally command us to “spread the wealth”. That commandment is an undeniable fact when it comes to us as individuals. The question is whether government programs designed to spread the wealth are a good idea or not. I don’t claim to have the definitive answer to that question but the argument many participants in that discussion gave against such government programs is clearly bogus. Here it is:

Argument: “Any law that compels or coerces people to do good acts is Satanic” (more…)

BYY pulled off the victory today against the UNLV Rebels but it was a close call. The final score was 42-35. I suppose we shouldn’t complain about 42 points scored bust I thought the offense looked just slightly above average. The defense is looking painfully slow these days. It appears that BYU has traded the “bend don’t break” defense for a “bend and break” defense. Not a good sign. In the past two years BYU has gotten better and better throughout the season. This team doesn’t appear to be getting better from game to game. If the Cougs want a chance at winning the MWC they had better fix that problem pronto.

Mormons really have no business sneering at the ideals of socialism.

What is socialism? We get this from the wiki:

Socialism refers to an economic theory of social organization advocating social or collective ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, and the creation of an egalitarian society where one’s labor is the only important, individual factor of production. …

Socialists mainly share the belief that capitalism by nature concentrates power and wealth among a small segment of society that controls capital, and creates an unequal society. All socialists advocate the creation of an egalitarian society, in which wealth and power are distributed more evenly, although there is considerable disagreement among socialists over how, and to what extent this could be achieved.

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Feel free to discuss the game in progress.

[Update] Well it is over. BYU got their butts handed to them in Fort Worth by the TCU Horned Frogs. The final score was TCU 32 BYU 7. TCU was simply better tonight in all facets of the game. This game is the culmination of the disconcerting trend for the Cougs that started with Utah State and continued with New Mexico. BYU didn’t look nearly as strong as their ranking would have indicated in those games and they showed that tonight.

At least BYU will not have as much pressure on them going forward. It will be interesting to see how the team responds over the next several weeks.

Discuss.

Yeah sure, BYU did beat the Utah State Aggies 34-14. Sure, it wasn’t ever really close. Still, based on expectations it seemed like a moral victory for the Ags rather than another blowout for the Cougs.

Reminds me of last night’s VP debate. Sure, Biden won handily but Palin stayed scrappy and got a moral victory of sorts out of it.

It is probably a very good thing for BYU. It will humble them. The BYU offense was fairly weak (by BYU standards). The kicking game was weak (two missed field goals??). And the defense gave up two late touchdowns. BYU needs work still. But getting humbled in a win is always better than being humbled by a loss so the Cougs roll on. I expect a better game next week.

Thoughts on the game?

The game today was sort of a letdown after BYU annihilated UCLA 59-0.

BYU only beat Wyoming 44-0.

Ok, kidding aside — BYU is going to be in the top ten this time tomorrow and with good reason. To me the most memorable image in the game was Max Hall throwing yet another touchdown pass to Austin Collie and simply turning to walk toward the sideline with an almost “ho-hum” demeanor about him. Seriously, it is getting that way. Throwing touchdown passes is just what Max Hall does. And he seemingly does it at will.

Now having said that, the offense was a bit off kilter this game. In the first quarter Max was not very accurate but he and his team mates really got things rolling in the second quarter. The third quarter started off great but then the offense was forced to punt twice. I’m sure Max and his pals would have liked to get back on track but Coach Mendenhall pretty much had to yank them with route being on and all.

The defense gave up plenty of yards but they seem to have the “bend but don’t break” thing really working for them. Every time the Cowboys got close to scoring the Cougs forced a turnover. In fact the defense scored two touchdowns of their own this week. As a result the first team defense (and the backups starting in the third quarter) notched their second shutout in a row. That is impressive. The combined score of the last two games is BYU 103, opposition 0.

It’s a good time to be a BYU football fan.

… and 59-0 as a final.

BYU steamrolled UCLA today. It was total domination in nearly every aspect of the game. I’d say all the annoying carping about the way the last game ended ought to fade away after today.

It wasn’t a perfect game but it was nearly perfect. It’s a fun time to be a Cougar fan.

Phew! A non-conference road win… It’s about time.

BYU pulled out a win today over the Washington Huskies by blocking an extra point attempt that would have tied the game as time wound down. Good times, good times…

Just as I was about to kick a hole in my TV in frustration over the atrociously biased Pac 10 refs (who had just swallowed their whistles on a blatant hold — a hold that likely prevented a drive-ending sack no less), just at that moment the refs blew the whistle on UW quarterback Jake Locker when he hurled the ball into the air after scoring a last second touchdown. The penalty meant that with the score at 27-28 the Huskies had to kick the extra point from an extra 15 yards out. In shades of the 2007 Las Vegas Bowl the Cougs promptly blocked the kick and won the game. Good times.

Here are a few things I learned from watching this game: (more…)