An all-college football edition of the Monday morning quarterback . . .
Could this past weekend have gone much better for the Mountain West Conference with the Air Force and Utah wins against Pac-10 teams and TCU's shocking 17-10 victory over No. 7 Oklahoma in Norman, despite being four-touchdown underdogs?
Well, yes, if Colorado State hadn't blown an 11-point second-half lead at Colorado and if BYU had been able to put more than three measly points on the board against Boston College. As for Wyoming and San Diego State, you had to expect neither would beat Florida or UCLA, respectively . . .
The Cowboys can take some solace in the fact that they played Urban Meyer closer in his first year at mighty Florida (32-14) than in his first year at Utah (47-17) . . .
TCU's victory has to make the Horned Frogs the updated favorite to win the Mountain West Conference. I'm sure Utah and BYU are more than a bit concerned that they must face the formidable Frogs so early in the season with their young teams and first-year coaches. The Utes go to Fort Worth on Sept. 15, while the Cougars get TCU in Provo Sept. 24 . . .
As expected, Utah quarterback Brian Johnson had his share of struggles with tipped passes, missed passes and a fumble in Friday's opening victory over Arizona. But the fact that he passed for almost 100 more yards than Alex Smith did in his debut almost exactly two years earlier, has to bode well for the Utes' offense this year. Now if the U. defense can get in gear . . .
BYU new coach Bronco Mendenhall may be a terrific motivator, astute about bringing back old BYU traditions and a top defensive coach. But Saturday's 20-3 loss showed why he may not be quite ready for prime time as the main decision-maker. He had a few questionable decisions Saturday, most notably the two in the second half when the Cougars punted from inside the BC 40-yard line, including one from the 36-yard line with nine minutes left . . .
Speaking of traditions, it was written that the Cougars were decked out in their old uniforms and old helmets Saturday afternoon. The white helmets looked familiar, but the uniforms still look quite Aggie blue to me. Maybe the Cougs should consider going back to the royal blue jerseys. It couldn't hurt, could it? . . .
So much for the "new" offense in Provo. Sixty passes, but just eight yards rushing? Those look like Gary Crowton numbers to me . . .
Wonder if heralded quarterback Tommy Grady is having second thoughts about leaving Oklahoma for Utah after what happened on the weekend. Not because he has the task of beating out Brian Johnson next year. But after the performance of the OU quarterbacks Saturday in the upset loss to TCU (13 for 31, 128 yards), perhaps Grady would have had a chance to play very soon in Norman . . .
Nebraska vs. Maine . . . Kansas State vs. Florida International . . . California vs. Sacramento State . . . Unfortunately we're going to be seeing more, not fewer of these kinds of matchups in the years to come now that the NCAA has approved of a 12-game schedule. Big-name schools are more likely to schedule smaller, often I-AA schools in an effort to ensure a win, rather than tougher intersectional opponents . . .
Which brings up the question, why couldn't BYU have figured out a way to schedule Utah State this year, rather than Eastern Illinois? The Cougars and Aggies are longtime rivals, who haven't played since 2002 and aren't scheduled to meet in the near future. The old argument was that the Aggies weren't good enough to play the Cougars. But Eastern Illinois? . . .
Speaking of the Aggies, it was understandable, but unfortunate they had their game with Nicholls State cancelled Saturday. Instead of getting warmed up with a likely win against a Division I-AA opponent, they have to start the season on the road against a Utah team that has played a game. You know the old college football saying — "You improve most between the first and second games." That means the Utes should have a huge advantage with a game already under their belts . . . . . .
Local football fans have been chomping at the bit waiting for the college season to begin. But the Saturday after next, may be a good day to make plans to go golfing or fishing or take the family camping. On Sept. 17. Utah, BYU and Utah State all have the Saturday off. The Cougars and Aggies have byes that week and the Utes have the Thursday night ESPN game at TCU. It would have been a great day for Weber State and Ron McBride to grab the spotlight, but they'll be in Fargo, North Dakota, playing North Dakota State.
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