espn's new rankings (Archive)

fifthqb · 2010-02-10T20:12:23.000Z

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=4901998 BYU makes the list at number 25. The interesting thing to me though is how Boise and TCU are already dropping in the polls within just a couple of weeks time. Also.. check out the blog rankings for the non-aqs. They have BYU at number 8? wtf? http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/tag/_/name/spring-power-rankings-021010

gmj81

2/11/2010, 1:01:44 AM

Yeah, Watson obviously is trying to stick it to BYU fans who have been pretty critical of her for awhile. She can't possibly think that BYU is going to be the 8th best non-AQ team. Not only have we smoked each of those other schools in recruiting each of years Bronco has been the HC but we've already proven we can reload (like after '06 and even this with the departure of the OL and Collie/Reed).

These comments specifically bogus so either she really is holding a grudge or all the critical BYU fans are right about her:

3. Utah: The Utes had a huge signing day, especially nabbing some key junior college players who will be able to come in and help right away. Jordan Wynn is the undisputed starting quarterback, which should make this spring a lot more productive than the last one. The defense has a few question marks, but has several players that can step in seamlessly.

So no mention of BYU's recruiting class which was significantly higher rated by her own network as well as most others. And JC players are consistently overrated. In fact, at least one of those JC players probably won't even qualify academically (former BYU commit Star Lotuleilei). Also, the pukes lose way more on defense than we do either on offense or on defense. And they may have several players who can step in seamlessly but why is she so willing to give the pukes that pass but not the Cougars? She obviously doesn't follow recruiting at all.

8. BYU: Why are the Cougars so low? Itâs not because I hate BYU (though some of you will dispute that), itâs because the Cougars have a lot of key questions to answer this spring. The most pressing is at quarterback, but offensive production is also going to be a question mark. Tight end was the most productive position on the team last season, and both of the top players at that position are gone. The Cougars have to find a go-to receiver and replace all of their starters on the defensive line and in the linebacking corps. There is a lot of talent that played last season returning, though, and several missionaries coming in.

Again no mention of BYU's top 25 recruiting class, nor that we have two Parade All-American QBs, 1 5-star (top rated QB in 2010), 2 4-star and one unevaluated QB who only has more starting time/experience logged than the amazing Jordan Wynn all competing to replace Max Hall. And why do we need a go-to receiver? We didn't have one this year but we return everyone that we did have plus more (Mathews/Apo/Smith). As for TE, we only have the most highly rated TEs we've ever had at BYU ready to take over (4* Wilson, 4* Mahina, 4* Holt). At LB, she seems to have forgotten about Pendleton who started last year. But even though they didn't start Nelson/Ogletree saw plenty of time and KVN/Stout will be impact players from day one. We've already heard reports about Van Noy from Harmon. And finally "DL", or DE specifically, may be a concern but DT is not with Fuga who played more and more as the season progressed and Manumaleuna having returned from his mission already. Then consider that we've got more talented players ready to compete at DE than we did in 2006 and after what the DL accomplished in 2006, I like our team.

It's just interesting to me that Watson is so willing to give credit to other team's newcomers but doesn't mention a single one of BYU's who stand to make big impacts on the team this year.