BYU Football 2011

Okay, this post represents my effort to keep a promise I made to a friend that I'd write on this subject.  Enjoy.

First few games:  I was very disturbed with the offense's inability to execute in the red zone.  Who cares if I can make long, sustained drives, if I peter out when it counts (putting points on the board)?  I really liked the defense's opportunism, particularly Van Noy's forced fumble in the Ole Miss game, returned for a TD, to basically win the game.  I'll simply forgo mentioning the UU game, other than to say I'll never show my face in SLC, again, for the next 30 years.  What I will say about the game is that it represented the story of the team's early-season mentality: great or okay one half, poor or awful the other.

Ah, sweet Van Noy delights, available at your local Lavell Edwards stadium or anywhere BYU plays a football game

Utah State comeback:  I almost lost it, with BYU down something like 10 points with only the 4th quarter to go against Utah State.  Seriously.  When's the last time the mighty Cougars lost to the Aggies at home? when Karl G. Maesar was BYU president?  I had been "most displeased" with Heaps' bittersweet performances and the offense's overall "apparent lack of progress."  Thankfully, as the F-Word so eloquently described, Samson, Sunshine, or just plain Riley, came out with his flowing locks streaming in the air, slashing through the Aggie defense and, eventually, leading the bleeding Cougars 96 yards for a, "Are you serious?!?" capstone, comeback drive.  I almost wept with joy.  That whole comeback was Beck-Harline in the endzone type of goodness, particularly the catch in the endzone goodness.  Full of win.  At a minimum, I felt and looked like Jean Luc Picard, as I celebrated that glorious (and relieving) victory.

Remember the Titans (as in the move)?

Since Utah State comeback:  BYU has since played San Jose State and Oregon State, emerging victorious in each contest.  I'll decline to comment on the games much, since I saw only recap articles, describing what happened.  On the other hand, from what I remember, the team has gashed open the yards with its offense, particularly the running game, and I look forward to seeing some serious scoring, when I witness my next game (hopefully, on Saturday).  

Regarding the team, in general, I believe I've read that the players are really excited with Nelson's grit, hard work, and determination.  Moreover, from what I saw of him in the Utah State game, I was, myself, singing his praises.  My questions are how long it will go on before he gets hurt (running the ball so much), and how will he fare against an excellent pass defense?

BYU Football independence:  I absolutely love it.  "[Y]e are a chosen generation, . . . a peculiar [football team]."  Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are often seen as weird or, at least, different, and, frankly, that's our preference.  BYU's football independence symbolizes the fact that we stand for playing games on Saturdays, rather than Sundays and that the organization behind BYU football is much, much bigger (and more important to us) than the football team, and, dare I say, that BYU is willing to stand up for its Honor Code, rather than Ohio State its way through recruitment challenges.  In fact, many people have developed an interest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints simply because of BYU's football team, and, in my mind, that interest is worth much more than any number of national championships or fiscal riches flowing into the university.  D&C 18:10.

Would it surprise you if the term "Brothers," here, has at least a dual meaning?

So, could BYU rake in more cash with the Big 12 or some other hoity toity conference?  Absolutely.  Would BYU be guaranteed to play better teams and have a stronger schedule?  Hands down.  Would BYU-faithful be able to watch (or re-watch) most or every game?  I strongly doubt it.  Would the highfalutin conference give BYU guff about refusing to play on Sundays (and maybe adherence to its Honor Code)?  I think so.  In short, while I'd love to rise and shout about more bing in BYU's pockets, I'm happier than a clam, just to see the team gut it out as a peculiar team, a band of brothers.  For more on this subject, I highly recommend the article I linked to, above.

Okay.  I have shared my thoughts.  Rise and shout.