Why won't the magic happen?

Some would say I have low expectations. Others would say I am not a true fan. I would say I am a realist.



As a BYU fan I am disappointed that we haven't won more games. But living in the Seattle area I run into few fans of other teams who are interested in my sob story of close BYU losses.



The Ute fan I home teach is happy they beat us, but facing a season without a bowl game and possibly without a Pac 12 win, he isn't real interested in hearing me complain about a potential 8-5 season.



The Husky fan I work with in Young Men's also lacks sympathy as his team sits at 3-4 and may miss the post season.



Wazzu fans can one-up any sob story just about any fan base can have.



And the Oregon State fan I home teach is too giddy about their best year in his life time to listen to me complain. And I feel good for such a dedicated underdog fan base that they may have caught lightning in a bottle.



So here I am. My team is 4-4 with 3 road losses and 3 losses to top 25 teams (two in the top 10). They will probably finish 7-5 at worst and go to a bowl game in San Diego. Sure it is aggravating since 3 losses were by a field goal or less, and the other loss was still a close game until two tipped passes resulted in TDs for the other team. And I certainly hoped for more out of this season, but I can't complain too much.



Probably the most disappointing thing about this season is the lack of magic happening. Quite the opposite. Our offense has given up three defensive TDs that I can think of. Our field goal kicker can't hit a thing. We have had two QBs go down with injury and we have yet to see what the third QB can even do.



And when down by a score, with time winding down, on the road against a top 5 opponent, with the receiver open...well...magic doesn't happen. This last weekend could have been 2009 Oklahoma. Utah could have been Beck to Harline. Boise State could have been.... Just think of what this whole season could have been with magic happening on just a handful of plays.



But magic has not been happening, at least not for us. But then again, after all the magic that has happened under Bronco Mendenhall I don't feel like I can complain.



At least not too much.

Remember that Austin Collie gave us the formula. You have to do what's right ON AND off the field (emphasis added). We are not doing what's right on the field (playing a QB that is below the standard that got Heaps benched--getting away from West Coast Offense roots). Hence, no magic. ;)

Cougarfan87 wrote:
Remember that Austin Collie gave us the formula. You have to do what's right ON AND off the field (emphasis added). We are not doing what's right on the field (playing a QB that is below the standard that got Heaps benched--getting away from West Coast Offense roots). Hence, no magic. ;)

Not true, Riley is still playing better this year than Heaps played last year before being benched. Heaps PER last year (including the good game he had against NMST) was 110.98. Nelson's PER this year (against tougher competition I might add) is 114.91. Yes it is still bad but better than Heaps was last year. So you can't say he is playing below the level Heaps played that got him benched.

Isola wrote:
Some would say I have low expectations. Others would say I am not a true fan. I would say I am a realist.



As a BYU fan I am disappointed that we haven't won more games. But living in the Seattle area I run into few fans of other teams who are interested in my sob story of close BYU losses.



The Ute fan I home teach is happy they beat us, but facing a season without a bowl game and possibly without a Pac 12 win, he isn't real interested in hearing me complain about a potential 8-5 season.



The Husky fan I work with in Young Men's also lacks sympathy as his team sits at 3-4 and may miss the post season.



Wazzu fans can one-up any sob story just about any fan base can have.



And the Oregon State fan I home teach is too giddy about their best year in his life time to listen to me complain. And I feel good for such a dedicated underdog fan base that they may have caught lightning in a bottle.



So here I am. My team is 4-4 with 3 road losses and 3 losses to top 25 teams (two in the top 10). They will probably finish 7-5 at worst and go to a bowl game in San Diego. Sure it is aggravating since 3 losses were by a field goal or less, and the other loss was still a close game until two tipped passes resulted in TDs for the other team. And I certainly hoped for more out of this season, but I can't complain too much.



Probably the most disappointing thing about this season is the lack of magic happening. Quite the opposite. Our offense has given up three defensive TDs that I can think of. Our field goal kicker can't hit a thing. We have had two QBs go down with injury and we have yet to see what the third QB can even do.



And when down by a score, with time winding down, on the road against a top 5 opponent, with the receiver open...well...magic doesn't happen. This last weekend could have been 2009 Oklahoma. Utah could have been Beck to Harline. Boise State could have been.... Just think of what this whole season could have been with magic happening on just a handful of plays.



But magic has not been happening, at least not for us. But then again, after all the magic that has happened under Bronco Mendenhall I don't feel like I can complain.



At least not too much.

This is a great post. My only problem is I am surrounded by insufferable BSU fans....who think they are the cat's meow...There are some Idaho fans who have it worse though, so there is that... :)

frdbtr wrote:

Remember that Austin Collie gave us the formula. You have to do what's right ON AND off the field (emphasis added). We are not doing what's right on the field (playing a QB that is below the standard that got Heaps benched--getting away from West Coast Offense roots). Hence, no magic. ;)

Not true, Riley is still playing better this year than Heaps played last year before being benched. Heaps PER last year (including the good game he had against NMST) was 110.98. Nelson's PER this year (against tougher competition I might add) is 114.91. Yes it is still bad but better than Heaps was last year. So you can't say he is playing below the level Heaps played that got him benched.

I think you misunderstand what I said. The standard isn't what Heaps was playing at, or else he wouldn't have gotten benched. I cannot believe the standard was 111, and that is why Nelson is still in. I'm guessing it is much higher, around Spiff's 140. He is well below that, as was Heaps when he got benched. Bronco wouldn't let Heaps cost us one more game. I guess Riley gets a pass, though. Hence, no magic.

Cougarfan87 wrote:

Cougarfan87 wrote:
Remember that Austin Collie gave us the formula. You have to do what's right ON AND off the field (emphasis added). We are not doing what's right on the field (playing a QB that is below the standard that got Heaps benched--getting away from West Coast Offense roots). Hence, no magic. ;)

Not true, Riley is still playing better this year than Heaps played last year before being benched. Heaps PER last year (including the good game he had against NMST) was 110.98. Nelson's PER this year (against tougher competition I might add) is 114.91. Yes it is still bad but better than Heaps was last year. So you can't say he is playing below the level Heaps played that got him benched.

I think you misunderstand what I said. The standard isn't what Heaps was playing at, or else he wouldn't have gotten benched. I cannot believe the standard was 111, and that is why Nelson is still in. I'm guessing it is much higher, around Spiff's 140. He is well below that, as was Heaps when he got benched. Bronco wouldn't let Heaps cost us one more game. I guess Riley gets a pass, though. Hence, no magic.

Maybe it is a sort of reverse magic--he's still in even though the numbers are so low.....

List all the teams Heaps lost to here. All of them. Then list all of the teams Rilry has lost to. Put an @ for away games and one * for top 25. ** for Top 20. +++ Top 15. **** Top 10 and ***** Top 5 and the reason Jake got pulled and the reason Riley did not will become very clear.



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Of course there's magic! The bromance between Bronco and Riley is sooooo freaken magical. It's retarded!

BoiseBYU wrote:

frdbtr wrote:

Remember that Austin Collie gave us the formula. You have to do what's right ON AND off the field (emphasis added). We are not doing what's right on the field (playing a QB that is below the standard that got Heaps benched--getting away from West Coast Offense roots). Hence, no magic. ;)

Not true, Riley is still playing better this year than Heaps played last year before being benched. Heaps PER last year (including the good game he had against NMST) was 110.98. Nelson's PER this year (against tougher competition I might add) is 114.91. Yes it is still bad but better than Heaps was last year. So you can't say he is playing below the level Heaps played that got him benched.

I think you misunderstand what I said. The standard isn't what Heaps was playing at, or else he wouldn't have gotten benched. I cannot believe the standard was 111, and that is why Nelson is still in. I'm guessing it is much higher, around Spiff's 140. He is well below that, as was Heaps when he got benched. Bronco wouldn't let Heaps cost us one more game. I guess Riley gets a pass, though. Hence, no magic.

Maybe it is a sort of reverse magic--he's still in even though the numbers are so low.....

:lol: Yes! A reverse magical season. Just what I had been hoping for!

I think the real reason to why the magic won't happen is that magic doesn't happen every year.



The magic will not happen every year, and for most programs the magic merely means placing second in conference. As BYU fans we have been lucky to see magic happen several times under Bronco Mendenhall, but we can't expect the magic to happen all the time.



I think as BYU fans we lose perspective on this. We like to think of 1984, but we conveniently forget the 13 losses in 1986-1988. We think of Detmer's Heisman in 1990 but don't think about averaging 7.3 wins for the next 3 years. Or what about the fact that the magical 1996 season was sandwiched between 7 and 6 win seasons?



Truth is the magic will happen. Just not every year. And last Saturday when I sit disappointed that Nelson couldn't hit Hoffman for the go ahead score and have a repeat of Oklahoma 2009, I have to think about how lucky I am that we had Oklahoma 2009. How lucky we are that the magic has happened so many times before. It will happen again.

I have to admit that it frustrates me that BYU recruited two 4-star QBs that will never have seen meaningful playing time despite having a dumpster fire QB situation. Lark and Munns were both 4-star guys and were exciting commits and yet they may never see anything but the bench and garbage time.



But when I actually sit down and watch other college football games I realize that most teams are in our boat in terms of QBs. I watched parts of the Miami-Florida State game last weekend and their QBs routinely held onto the ball too long, missed open receivers and even wildly missed RBs in the flat.



Having a reliable QB, or even a semi-reliable QB is the exception in college football, not the rule. And for most schools 8-win seasons are the exception, not a disappointment.

One last thought as I monopolize posts.



Think about Tom Brady. He won his first 3 Super Bowls by a field goal. The magic just kept happening for the Patriots.



Since then he has lost 2 Super Bowls by a total of 7 points. Including losing after an opponent caught a pass with his helmet. Now the magic was happening for Brady's opponents.



It happens. BYU is not some how destined to win all their games. Nobody is. And the magic will not always happen. I am just happy the magic has happened as often as it has.

Magic hasn't happened for a while because we have coaching issues and our QB's suck. Magic comes to those who are good and play to win. Our offense is crap and the game is called so as not to lose so there you go.

mizzoucoug wrote:
Magic hasn't happened for a while because we have coaching issues and our QB's suck. Magic comes to those who are good and play to win. Our offense is crap and the game is called so as not to lose so there you go.

I can't say that I agree with every coaching decision. But we have the same head coach as when the magic was happening. The biggest coaching change is at OC and I think just about everyone wanted him gone, so if Anae to Doman was a downgrade I think the fans are as much to blame as anyone. The fans were the loudest ones calling for a change. And even now calling for Doman's ouster is no guarantee that we won't see another downgrade at OC, which is why I hesitate to call for Doman being replaced. I just don't know who he would be replaced with that would be a sure upgrade.



As for QB...yes there has been a downgrade there and injuries. I'd like to see Lark get a shot to run the show, but otherwise I can't complain too much. We have an average college QB. We had a star recruit who didn't pan out (there may have been locker room issues, but that doesn't explain constantly missing receivers). Still there are good QBs in the pipeline with Hill lined up for a few years and Mangum after that. This stuff happens. You can't always have a good QB.

frdbtr wrote:

Remember that Austin Collie gave us the formula. You have to do what's right ON AND off the field (emphasis added). We are not doing what's right on the field (playing a QB that is below the standard that got Heaps benched--getting away from West Coast Offense roots). Hence, no magic. ;)

Not true, Riley is still playing better this year than Heaps played last year before being benched. Heaps PER last year (including the good game he had against NMST) was 110.98. Nelson's PER this year (against tougher competition I might add) is 114.91. Yes it is still bad but better than Heaps was last year. So you can't say he is playing below the level Heaps played that got him benched.

I'll say it: Riley is playing below the level that Heaps was playing at that got him benched. I have a hard time that Riley, who's in his 4th year at BYU, plus a year at USU, and 2 more years to mature, is outperforming Heaps based on having a PER that is less than 4 points higher. Riley's performance relative to his time in college football is far below what got Heaps benched. How does a QB with 2 1/2 years to improve get benched and a QB with a PER only 4 points higher and 5 games to improve not get benched?



In this situation the decission doesn't seem to be based on on field performance as measured by PER.

THE DAY THE MAGIC DIED



A long long time ago,

I can still remember how that magic used to make me smile

and I knew if we could get the right QB here

that he could make the people cheer.

And maybe they'd be happy for a while



But Riley made me shiver

With every pass that he'd deliver

The bad news was the same

I couldn't watch one more game

I can't remember if I cried

When I read about his grit and pride

But something touched me deep inside

The day the magic died



Did Bronco write the book of love

And do you have faith in God above

If Bronco tells you so?

Now do you believe in the option game?

Can magic save our football fame?

And can you teach me how to block real slow?



Bronco, I know that you're in love with him

Cause I saw you working-out in the gym

You both took off your shirts

Man, I dig those abs and curls

I was a lonely teenage Bronco buck

With an oval Y on my pickup truck

But I knew I was out of luck

The day the magic died



Helter skelter in the autumn night

His passes flew over with a wobbly flight

Eight miles high and falling fast

It landed foul on the grass

The players tried for a forward pass

With Taysom on the sidelines in a cast



Now the half-time air was sweet perfume

While the Irish played a marching tune

We all got up to dance

Oh, but we never got the chance

Cause Lark tried to take the field

But Riley refused to yield

Do you recall what was revealed

The day the magic died?

We started singin'

Bye, bye Miss American Pie



Oh, and there we were all in one place

Cougar nation lost in space

With no timeout left and a running clock

So come on Riley be nimble, Riley be quick

Riley sat on a candlestick

Cause Bronco is Riley’s only friend

And as I watched him on the green stage

My hands were clenched in fists of rage

No cougar born in Aggieville

Could break his back and end the spell

And as the kick climbed high into the night

To hit the goalpost’s upright

I saw Kwhit laughing with delight

The day the magic died

He was singin'

Bye, bye Miss American Pie



I met a coach who sang the blues

And I asked him for some happy news

But he just frowned and turned away

I went down to the sacred stadium store

Where I'd seen the magic years before

But the man there said the magic wouldn't play



And in the chat boards the fans screamed

The realists cried, and the homers dreamed

But not a happy word was spoken

The victory bells all were broken

And the three men I admire most-

McMahon, Young, and Detmer the ghost-

They caught the last train for the coast

The day the magic died

and they were singin'

Bye, bye Mis American pie

Isola wrote:
I think the real reason to why the magic won't happen is that magic doesn't happen every year.



The magic will not happen every year, and for most programs the magic merely means placing second in conference. As BYU fans we have been lucky to see magic happen several times under Bronco Mendenhall, but we can't expect the magic to happen all the time.



I think as BYU fans we lose perspective on this. We like to think of 1984, but we conveniently forget the 13 losses in 1986-1988. We think of Detmer's Heisman in 1990 but don't think about averaging 7.3 wins for the next 3 years. Or what about the fact that the magical 1996 season was sandwiched between 7 and 6 win seasons?



Truth is the magic will happen. Just not every year. And last Saturday when I sit disappointed that Nelson couldn't hit Hoffman for the go ahead score and have a repeat of Oklahoma 2009, I have to think about how lucky I am that we had Oklahoma 2009. How lucky we are that the magic has happened so many times before. It will happen again.

THIS. Except a win would rank right behind Miami for a regular season win.



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Stirfry wrote:

Cougarfan87 wrote:
Remember that Austin Collie gave us the formula. You have to do what's right ON AND off the field (emphasis added). We are not doing what's right on the field (playing a QB that is below the standard that got Heaps benched--getting away from West Coast Offense roots). Hence, no magic. ;)

Not true, Riley is still playing better this year than Heaps played last year before being benched. Heaps PER last year (including the good game he had against NMST) was 110.98. Nelson's PER this year (against tougher competition I might add) is 114.91. Yes it is still bad but better than Heaps was last year. So you can't say he is playing below the level Heaps played that got him benched.

I'll say it: Riley is playing below the level that Heaps was playing at that got him benched. I have a hard time that Riley, who's in his 4th year at BYU, plus a year at USU, and 2 more years to mature, is outperforming Heaps based on having a PER that is less than 4 points higher. Riley's performance relative to his time in college football is far below what got Heaps benched. How does a QB with 2 1/2 years to improve get benched and a QB with a PER only 4 points higher and 5 games to improve not get benched?



In this situation the decission doesn't seem to be based on on field performance as measured by PER.

When he was injured and really stunk it up he got benched. He has played better since then - thus he is still playing. And the PER medicine is right around the corner.



List Jake's PER vs undefeated top 5 teams mid-season. That should prove insightful. I do not recall him playing any of those.



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Here are the stats:



Jake's first four and a half games (when he got benched): 100 of 185 (.541) for 962 yards, 3 TDs 10 INTs, 97.68 PER, 12 rushes -61 yards 1 TD, sacked 5 times.



Riley's the last four and a half games he's played: 90 of 160 (.563) for 951 yards, 6 TDs 10 INTs, 106.05 PER, 45 rushes 88 yards. Sacked 14 times.



Both stunk. One was replaced well after he should have, one is yet to be replaced well after he should have.



Both fell WELL short of the standard of 135 PER. If both HAD met the standard, BYU could have won EVERY game they've lost the last two seasons. If both had made the plays that were there to be made, they would have met the standard and BYU would be riding a 21-game winning streak right now.

Cougarbib wrote:

frdbtr wrote:

Remember that Austin Collie gave us the formula. You have to do what's right ON AND off the field (emphasis added). We are not doing what's right on the field (playing a QB that is below the standard that got Heaps benched--getting away from West Coast Offense roots). Hence, no magic. ;)

Not true, Riley is still playing better this year than Heaps played last year before being benched. Heaps PER last year (including the good game he had against NMST) was 110.98. Nelson's PER this year (against tougher competition I might add) is 114.91. Yes it is still bad but better than Heaps was last year. So you can't say he is playing below the level Heaps played that got him benched.

I'll say it: Riley is playing below the level that Heaps was playing at that got him benched. I have a hard time that Riley, who's in his 4th year at BYU, plus a year at USU, and 2 more years to mature, is outperforming Heaps based on having a PER that is less than 4 points higher. Riley's performance relative to his time in college football is far below what got Heaps benched. How does a QB with 2 1/2 years to improve get benched and a QB with a PER only 4 points higher and 5 games to improve not get benched?



In this situation the decission doesn't seem to be based on on field performance as measured by PER.

When he was injured and really stunk it up he got benched. He has played better since then - thus he is still playing. And the PER medicine is right around the corner.



List Jake's PER vs undefeated top 5 teams mid-season. That should prove insightful. I do not recall him playing any of those.



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Bib,



I know I can't convince you on either of your two favorite topics, Riley Nelson and scheduling, but a sophmore Heaps was benched and relagated to 2nd string for the season with a PER virtually the same as the senior Nelson. Nelson was benched after nearly 7 terrible quarters of play and was never relegated to 2nd string.



As I said, the decission doesn't seem to be based on on the field performance as measured by PER.