Week by week, the Cougars begin to look more like the Cougars of old: quiet, confident, hated, dominant. BYU’s performance was all steak with very little sizzle. The offense just executed and the defense played great, limiting Air Force to more than 100 yards less than their rushing average. In what was supposed to be the toughest game remaining on the schedule, the Cougars sent a clear message to their four remaining opponents–don’t get your hopes up.

No team left on BYU’s schedule is ranked higher than 35th in scoring defense (Wyoming holds that rank, surrenduring 17.7 a game). Considering BYU has robustly outscored every opponent’s average in scoring defense, that doesn’t bode well for any of those teams. Here are the records of the teams left on the schedule:

• Colorado State: 4-4 (1-3)
• Wyoming: 4-5 (3-2)
• New Mexico: 5-4 (3-2)
• Utah: 5-4 (3-2)

Less menacing opponents would be tough to find. Not that BYU will take any of these games lightly. The collective attitude of BYU players under Coach Mendenhall is well documented.

Here are this week’s Game Balls:

1. John Beck: Beck keeps on keepin’ on. Distributed the ball outstandingly and made some heady decisions while scrambling with the ball.
2. Secondary: Air Force only came up with 39 yards passing and no big passing plays. Criddle did exceptionally well in run support, as did the safeties.
3. Offensive Line: Beck had all day to throw the ball. Travis Bright had a holding call, but other than that, the offense just clicked thanks to these guys.
4. Curtis Brown: didn’t put up huge numbers, but was still very effective. Brown was still dragging tacklers despite suffering from a stomach virus. He spent the plane ride to Colorado laying in the isle, then received 3 liters of intravenous fluids at the team hotel the night before the game. Gutsy performance.

Honorable mentions go to Johnny Harline, Fui Vakapuna and Bryan Kehl.

From here on out, I’ll be posting the second half standings and the overall standings. Nwhaught, our newest member, won’t be included in the overall standings, as he hasn’t a freakin’ chance in the universe of even contending since entering at the UNLV game. Congrats are in order, however, as nwhaught picks up the weekly win with a solid 24.

Week 7 Results: Air Force

Second Half
goldenspidey: 45.5(22)
nwhaught: 42(24)
bsum1: 41.5(20.5)
t-4 Shirts: 41(21)
t-4 hornplayer: 41(15.5)
golfingpirate: 33(19)

Overall
goldenspidey: 155
Shirts: 150.5
bsum1: 145.5
hornplayer: 140.5
golfingpirate: 128.5

In other news, I went to sign up for web hosting for the new and awesomely expanded blog but discovered that nobody charges month to month. They all want long-term contracts paid up front, so I’m going to have to wait a few weeks until I can set enough money aside (I’ve got a baby on the way, so wipe that look off of your faces). I appreciate everyone’s patience. We’ll get there someday.

In the meantime, I want to put out a bulletin to all members. We’re looking to design a logo to debut on the new blog. If anybody knows a Cougar fan that would be interested in doing a little pro bono work for us, or if you want to come up with an idea yourself, we’re taking entries. The winner will be pronounced awesome. Here are the specifications:

1. The logo cannot incorporate any official logos or graphics from BYU.
2. Entries must include an original graphic icon, a separate text logo, and at least 1 combination of the two.
3. You may submit any number of entries.

Designs should be reasonably simple and distinctive, as they will used on the blog’s home page, t-shirts, etc. Good luck!

OK, let’s see here.. the last line I heard was:

BYU @ AFA
(BYU favored by

In the tradition of avoiding predictions attributable to other disciples of Captain Obvious, here’s what I think will be the keys to BYU’s victory over Air Force:

1. Get to the stadium on time: If BYU’s offense shows up, they’re going to hang 42 on AFA in the first half. OK, I’m not going to factor that in to my Pick ‘em for the week, but Air Force’s D is no match for BYU’s O. They’re not even in the same league. Well, they are, but they aren’t. You know what I mean.
2. Strong play in the secondary: I’m not talking pass coverage here, people. Well, I am, but it’s a lot more than that. If AFA’s receivers have success run blocking on our corners, odds are that Air Force will be able to break some big runs. Our linebackers are awesome, but the corner’s job is to get off blocks and keep containment on the edge. I’m looking straight at you, Justin Robinson.
3. Start the second half strong: much has been made of AFA’s comeback in the second half last year. This year’s a new team, so what happened last year doesn’t factor much into this one. What does factor in is that BYU has had plenty of struggles out of the gate in the third quarter this year. Home games against USU and SDSU showed that it’s been tough for these Cougars to keep the pedal to the metal. Do I think it will matter to the outcome of the game? No. But if the Cougs can put the hammer down in the third, John Beck and the other first stringers can get out of the game. Air Force has a way of inflicting injuries, and that can be minimized if BYU gets a big lead and keeps up the Mo into the third quarter. Last and probably most importantly…
4. The offense must not score too quickly: BYU’s probably up a creek on this one because Air Force isn’t stopping nothin’. It will be important for the defense to get adequate rest in between series because of the grinding nature of defending the option. This, of course, becomes less of an issue if the defense can stop Air Force’s drives early and get the ball back to the offense. Odds are that at some point during the second half, BYU’s success or failure in this area will become evident.

OK, there you have it. And remember, BYU football should be a social bonding event, so get together with your chums and enjoy the game as a detachment of the Legion of the Cougar Faithful! In fact, invite a newbie over and afterwards introduce him or her to the utopia of our Triple-S world.

The title to this post pretty much sums it up.  There is an article here about it.  Also ESPN just announced it watching here at work. They said “It’s really nice to see BYU have a good year after some down years.” Nice to see us getting some props and causing some ripples on the national level.