BYU Fans – Don’t be Fooled by 10-3 Season

I served an LDS Church mission during which I spoke Spanish the majority of the time. When I returned home and re-enrolled in college, I was able to test out of several credits worth of Spanish classes. This credit was received as “A” credit, significantly raising my overall GPA. I remember my old man asking me how my grades were going in this particular semester. “Pops, I’m practically knocking out a 4.0 this semseter and things couldn’t be better!” was my reply. Of course the reality is I never came close to even sniffing a true 4.0 in any semester of college. But it was all good then and there. In fact it still says it on my transcript today. It was fool’s gold though.

Enter Bronco Mendenhall and his Armed Forces Bowl post-game comments regarding the Cougars’ 10-3 season:

“I think it was fantastic and I think it was just one of many more to come. We’ve won 10 games as a conference member. Now we’ve won 10 games now (as an independent)………We’ll keep winning games no matter if someone wants us in or wants us out. It’s just who our team is. ESPN certainly recognizes that, and I think a number of people that have had a chance to see us play recognize that.”

“I think this is just the beginning. This is five wins in seven bowl games, it’s not just going to the games, it’s winning the game, and that’s the new tradition that we’re embracing at BYU and it matters a lot to us.”

I think it’s safe to say Bronco got a bit carried away after the big win. Perhaps the helmet-less block and fake spike stirred up too much enthusiasm.

Yes, Bronco was technically correct the team won 10 games this year. But those 10 wins are about as legitimate as my Spanish 4.0. I knew the language and the Cougars won the games but we both simply capitalized on something handed to us on a silver, or should I say, fool’s gold platter.

BYU beat a grand total of 2 teams with a winning record this year. One was Utah State and the other was Tulsa. I know Gary Anderson has Utah State on the up and up but on talent alone, BYU should handle Utah State every year. And for Tulsa, let’s get real – they were the 3rd best team from Conference USA! Typically when I hear someone bragging about a 10 win season, I’m assuming their marquee win was not over the 3rd best team in a non-BCS conference. Maybe that’s just me?

And the quote about rolling up teams in bowl games year after year. Not buying it. Winning sure helps the program through the off-season but it’s not like the Cougars have gone 5-2 in the Orange, Sugar and Fiesta Bowls the past 7 years. Tulsa-2011, UTEP-2010, UCLA (2007 ) after the Bruins had already fired their coach. Not exactly running the gauntlet. The wins over Oregon State in 2009 and Oregon in 2006 were both very impressive though.

In fairness to Bronco, he can only play the teams on his schedule. BYU obviously had to hustle to throw together a schedule for 2011, this their first year of independence. Next year’s slate of games will be a little better. And he has won 10 games now for the 5th time.

All I ask is that Bronco and the BYU athletic dept. not insult their fan base by trying to convince them 2011 was a stellar “10-win season.” The team showed some improvement as the year progressed and the schedule weakened. However, the offense is a long ways off from competing with the likes of Notre Dame, Utah, Georgia Tech, and Boise State next year. Go 10-3 next year and I’ll buy anything Bronco and the Cougars are selling.