(7) BYU vs Florida State - Another Test

This truly was a game that was BYU vs itself. Don't get me wrong, Florida State is a good football team. BYU just made them look a ton better than they actually are. There was nothing we could do to stop their offense. That was surprising because of how our defense played the first two games of the season. Just doesn't make sense. That defense looked like the defense of the past. After we completely pounded OU and Tulane, it seemed as BYU was now a powerhouse on defense. Why couldn't we keep that up?

Now the offense.........we actually looked like the same team we have this season with our offense clicking with everyone -- at least for the first half. The second half is a different story. This is an actual picture that was taken from Saturday's game vs Florida State:

Like that "deer in the headlights" look on Hall's face? Their first drive out of halftime he threw a pick that was returned for a TD. That's when I knew the game was over. I just don't know how much longer I can stand watching Max Hall choke in big games. Yes, he did play well against OU, but that was the first time I have ever seen him play well in a big game. I don't know about everyone else, but I'm getting sick of it....

Not gonna happen Utah...

Just in case you didn't know, Autzen Stadium is the #9 toughest place to play a college football game in the country. If you don't believe me, just check this out: http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/pgStory?contentId=8418914#sport=CFB%20Season%20Previews&photo=8416162. Good luck Utah!

Up to #9?!?!

Before I get into the new AP Poll, I wanted to mention two surprises for the Cougars so far this year. First of all is Jordan Pendleton (left) and second is Brian Kariya (right). Pendleton put some monster hits on OU and Brian Kariya outdid himself replacing Unga on Saturday night. Keep it up guys...

With the unprecedented upset from Saturday, BYU leapfrogged quite a few teams in the new AP Poll to #9. Top ten already? Didn't everyone say that even if we won this game, we wouldn't get the respect that we deserve? That isn't quite what happened. Leaping into the top 10 this early in the year means that if we run the table, we should be in the National Championship game. We'll see if that actually happens

(20)BYU vs (3)Oklahoma - The Real Test

Wow! Our beloved Cougars from Brigham Young University beat the third best team in the country! How was it done? It was the defense. That's right...I said the defense won this game. Of course the offense had to do their part and score points, but it was our stifling D that turned on the heat for the mighty Sooners.

Watching this game, I couldn't help but wonder if it was a fluke and if BYU was just "playing up" to the talent that they were facing for this game. This is known to happen. Hopefully for all of us Cougar faithful, that is not the truth. If we are able to keep up this defensive intensity for every game this entire season, there isn't a team in the country that can beat us. Facing one of the most potent offenses from last season, the defense stepped up to bat with fire in their eyes. Without their intensity and hard hitting (just ask Sam Bradford) this game would have turned into another Sooner BLOWOUT! Come on, we stopped them 6 straight plays when they had the ball inside our 5 yard line and eventually made them kick a field goal instead of get a TD which actually proved to be the difference in the game.



Of course, as mentioned before, without our offense playing great we didn't stand a chance no matter how well our D played. Unfortunately we didn't play the best on offense (4 turnovers--2 picks and 2 fumbles lost). We did, however, have enough offensive power in this game to pull out a "W". Without a couple critical mistakes by our offense - the fumble by Chambers at the 1 yard line and the muffed punt return by Jacobson - this could have turned into a rout by the Cougars.
With about 10 or 11 minutes left in the game, Max Hall and the offense put together an amazing drive capped off by a touchdown pass to McKay Jacobson in the back of the endzone. On this specific play they had four, yes four, guys all over Dennis Pitta. And why shouldn't they do that? On that drive Pitta had 4 or 5 catches from Hall who was 9-10 for 78 yards and 1 TD. The drive concluded with the TD with 3:03 left on the clock and I knew that the game was far from over.

Oklahoma had one more chance to redeem themselves and almost did just that. Beginning their final drive of the game from the 40 yard line (from a kick that went out of bounds) they drove about 30 yards and were almost to their own 30 yard line and in a great field goal spot for the win. They had one more penalty left in them when they got a false start call and moved them back for a 53 yard field goal. The kick came up just short and landed in the end zone, which without that false start, just might have squeaked in. Overall the game was amazing.

WE BEAT THE #3 TEAM IN THE COUNTRY!!!

I just can't wait to watch the game again a couple times this week since I recorded it on my DVR.

BYU Soccer vs William & Mary

In case any of you didn't know this, my sister-in-law plays for the BYU Women's Soccer Team. We are very proud that she chose the correct school to come to rather than one of the other ten or so teams that tried recruiting her. She is (for now) the backup goalkeeper, but watch out Mac. She is coming to take over your spot. She is amazing and really fun to watch.

Last night was BYU's home regular season opener vs William & Mary. BYU scored about 5 minutes into the game from a corner kick that was knocked down by the keeper and followed up by us. Unfortunately they called it no good because of goalie interference. People sitting around us kept saying that it was offsides, but since it was a corner kick, that wouldn't be possible....

After 2 hard fought defensive halfs the game went into overtime. Then double OT. With about 8 minutes left in the second overtime, William & Mary forward was offsides by a couple feet (wasn't really a close call at all), but unfortunately the officials didn't see how far ahead she was and she had a 1-on-1 with our keeper. She shot from about 6 or 8 feet away and "Mac" barely missed the ball. Definitely wasn't her fault. I hate saying this, but I totally blame the refs.

GOOD GAME GIRLS! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

In Case You Missed It...

On a night that was supposed to be all about Jeremiah Masoli and the Oregon Ducks, the Broncos of Boise State ruled. The "Smurf Turf" was definitely the key. Kellen Moore played excellent and Masoli played about like Max Hall did against Utah last year. What a game.

Chris Peterson has done an amazing job with this football program. With only 2 losses in the last 10 seasons on the blue turf, Boise has the best home winning percentage in the FBS. Watching the Broncos dominate the Ducks last night was a pleasure. I don't (or didn't) have anything against Oregon until last night......

If you didn't watch this game last night, you need to check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtPoC8jJzRA. All I can say is WOW!! You can't let your emotions get the best of you. Just because you lose a game, you can't let this happen.

Who knows? Maybe Oregon was trying to get revenge for this hit last year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MDvH6F29Wo. With Boise letting their playing do the talking instead of their post-game antics, I can't believe that this happened.

As far as for Utah teams, there was an in-state "rivalry" game last night. Utah handed Utah State it's first, but not last, loss of the season. Up until half time, USU was still in this game. The only reason they had a chance was because of blown assignments by the Utah secondary. USU had the longest play in school history last night with a 96-yard run in the first quarter. Other than this play and a 65 yard pass play, the Aggies didn't have much going for them the whole night.

...........ONE MORE DAY UNTIL THE BIG GAME!...........

BYU Schedule

As per request, here is a link for a complete schedule for BYU Football for the 2009-2010 season: http://www.byucougars.com/Schedule.jsp?SP=130&YR=2009. Feel free to check it out and by all means, please leave more comments and let me know what else you want to see on here..........