I'm TELLING you guys

[Y 4 Ever]

Even if we do go undefeated, and I pray that's the case, you really think we're gonna put 38 points on Boise State? In Boise?

Man, that's gonna be tough as they return four whole starters on that D...

4? Don't you mean 2?

[Y 4 Ever]

Even if we do go undefeated, and I pray that's the case, you really think we're gonna put 38 points on Boise State? In Boise?

Yes. Last year was Boise's year, and they blew it. They lost almost their entire starting D. I fully expect us to score in the 30's against them. Heck, we scored almost that many against TCU last year. And I expect our O to be much better this year, and no WAY BSU's d this year is anywhere near TCU's last year.

[Y 4 Ever]

Maybe it's me, but there seems to be a lot less excitement this season than others. Not trying to be an Eeyore, but reading the various BYU oriented boards, there is something missing out there. Does anyone know if the WSU game is even close to being sold out?

I think a lot of BYU fans have just learned over time to not buy into the pre-season hype too much. More of a wait-and-see attitude.

Man, that's gonna be tough as they return four whole starters on that D...

Assuming this is sarcasm, I think too many BYU fans are overlooking Boise State's propensity to "reload." Also, when it comes to X's and O's, few rival Petersen. And, once again, how many times have the Broncos lost at home in the last six years? Once. Not to mention there are still questions about our own offense.

I'm not saying they're not beatable. They're probably more so then they have been in a long time. But too many BYU fans are making this game out to be more of a gimmee than it is.

I get that they almost never lose at home. But 95% of the teams that they play at home are trash. So they basically have to get up for 5% of the teams that come to play.

Also, I doubt that they have ever been as decimated by graduation/draft as they are this year. Guess we'll find out how good of a coach Peterson is, but if I have one team that is very experienced and talented, going up against another team that is also talented but inexperienced, I'll take the experienced talent every day, and twice on Thursday.

[BroncoBot]

If there ever was a tike to catch BSU it's this year. Lost the best QB they've had, lost a lot of skill players, lost a good defense. BYU has an excellent defense to confound the new QB, has the offense to put up points against a untested defense, and BSU's streak at home was broken last year. BSU has more questions to answer this year. I fully expect BYU to beat them.

[Brayden Green]

Even if we do go undefeated, and I pray that's the case, you really think we're gonna put 38 points on Boise State? In Boise?

Yes. Last year was Boise's year, and they blew it. They lost almost their entire starting D. I fully expect us to score in the 30's against them. Heck, we scored almost that many against TCU last year. And I expect our O to be much better this year, and no WAY BSU's d this year is anywhere near TCU's last year.

TCU had a horrific defense last year, for TCU standards. People don't seem to realize that TCU's defense gave up as many yards last year as it had in the 3 previous years combined, almost.

TCU's defense last year = decent SDSU defense or a good Air Force defense.

[KingCoug]

One more factor....

They have Miami (OH) the week before. We have Utah.

[byutx]

Maybe it's me, but there seems to be a lot less excitement this season than others. Not trying to be an Eeyore, but reading the various BYU oriented boards, there is something missing out there. Does anyone know if the WSU game is even close to being sold out?

It's not just you. I've been accused of being a homer in the past and even I'm not anywhere near as excited about this year as I have in any previous year. I think it's for 2 reasons: off the field mess and lack of uncertainty. I won't dwell on the off the field stuff, suffice it to say I'll be happy when certain "leaders" graduate.

As far as certainty, I just don't think it's the kind of year where anything can happen. I don't think we have much of a chance to bust the BCS. Furthermore, I think we go into all but 1 or 2 games knowing the outcome. The games I think we will win I don't think I have much doubt about and the same goes for the ones I think we will lose. I don't see us winning more than 9 regular season games. Could we win out? I admit it's possible. But I will believe we can beat Utah when I see it (mostly for psychological reasons and because our guys don't get up for it the way the yewts do) or a talented BCS program like ND on the road. My guess is we split GT/BSU.

Again, I think I'm not as excited because I don't feel like it's a year where anything can happen and our reward will be a bowl in SoCal against the #2 or #3 MWC team. I guess AFA or Nevada would be decent but certainly not ideal opponents.

Also, please football gods, let me be wrong and reward my unbelieving with a miracle season where I have to sack up and love RN.

[EM_Puma]

I want to believe!!!!... I'm just having a really hard time with trying to not put as much emotion into it as I have for the last several years. I already have ulcers, and I don't want grey hair by the time I'm 30.

Hey, grey hair is better than no hair son. Count yourself lucky...so far.

It will be interesting to see because there is an obvious fall off from last season. The whole Heaps; B12/BE fiasco; underperforming OL; loss of our TE, and being beat last year by our two biggest rivals of the last few years (Puktah & TCU), and struggling to beat USU; adjusting to a coach that doesn't do things like any other coach out there (not saying I disagree totally, but it's hard playing in a sport where winning is #1 to everyone else and who talk of wanting to develop strong young men to actually having a coach that pursues that course almost despite the sport); and finally the frank realization that we were okay when we had a conference to dominate, but without that opportunity, we're left to meaningless late night games in November against non-thrilling opposition.

There was some positive from the season, but not having Puktah to commiserate with and complain that the FB world is unfair, and seeing them have the opportunities that we should likewise have, it's possibly going to take some time and results. A win over someone who's favored over us. We didn't see that last year one time. That's what drives sports enthusiasm. Believe me, I've followed teams that have wallowed many years in mediocrity (Cleveland Indians and Browns). I want something to feed why I am involved in following FB to the degree that I have (that made me realize that when the other FB team you follow (Ohio State) gets put on probation and then hires the Oscar Meyer wiener man to be the head coach, things look bleak and it's difficult to pull out of it).

The totally honest truth would be that I'd rather be 2-12 at the end of the year with the two wins being Puktah and Boise State, than being 10-2 and the two losses coming from those same two teams. We simply have to beat both of those teams this year.

[Schmoe]

Man, that's gonna be tough as they return four whole starters on that D...

Assuming this is sarcasm...

Nicely done. Yes, it is sarcasm, because I don't really think it will be tough to score 30 on that D.

[BroncoBot]

I won't dwell on the off the field stuff, suffice it to say I'll be happy when certain "leaders" graduate.

I think the off the field stuff has been hashed apart and no one really knows anything. Certainly lots of fiery opinions out there about how things have played out though. So when these "leaders" graduate and BYU goes back to wondering where to get leadership you'll be more excited?

As far as certainty, I just don't think it's the kind of year where anything can happen. I don't think we have much of a chance to bust the BCS. Furthermore, I think we go into all but 1 or 2 games knowing the outcome. The games I think we will win I don't think I have much doubt about and the same goes for the ones I think we will lose.

Not much different from any other year for BYU football, or any college team really. There are gimme games and games you should win and a couple that will be toss ups. It sounds like you've just tempered expectations a little.

I don't see us winning more than 9 regular season games. Could we win out? I admit it's possible. But I will believe we can beat Utah when I see it (mostly for psychological reasons and because our guys don't get up for it the way the yewts do) or a talented BCS program like ND on the road. My guess is we split GT/BSU.

I agree for the most part, but BYU definitely "got up" for the utah game last year. They were cleary the more determined team through the first half. It didn't help though.

Again, I think I'm not as excited because I don't feel like (RN should be qb)it's a year where anything can happen and our reward will be a bowl in SoCal against the #2 or #3 MWC team. I guess AFA or Nevada would be decent but certainly not ideal opponents.

Again, how is this year any different than any other BYU season? I know you dislike RN and you were fully invested in JH, but are you really going to let that ruin your excitement for BYU football?