BYU sneaked into the final football poll of the year, ranking No. 25 in the USA Today coaches' poll.
That's good news for BYU on an important level: next year.
While this year's ranking is a feel-good thing, what it really means is that the Cougars could start next season in the polls. Considering BYU will likely play mostly low profile teams in November, a quick start is crucial. By being ranked to begin, wins over Pac-12 schools like Washington State, Oregon State and Utah, and other BCS teams like Boise State and Notre Dame would move the Cougars up quicker.
It's always important for teams with national aspirations to begin the year in the polls. But when the end of the schedule is potentially weak, and there is no conference to win, it's even more important.
So the Cougars should take their No. 25 ranking for what it's worth: More than one might expect.
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On another note, maybe some Cougar fans have overrated exposure on ESPN.
BYU was in neither the A.P. writers' poll or the ESPNU Fan Rankings at the end of the season.
What that means is despite the fact BYU was on an ESPN network 11 times, (plus once on Fox College Sports), the people watching on TV apparently weren't impressed.
With Boise State in the Mountain West this past season, BYU became a new non-BCS darling for ESPN. But now the Cougars need to do what Boise did and win all those games against big conference schools, not just play them on ESPN.
Earning national respect is hard work. Just ask Utah. Despite being in the Pac-12 and winning the Sun Bowl, it didn't make anyone's poll. Fair enough. A five-loss team shouldn't be in the polls.
Again, just being there doesn't get respect.
Winning does.