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BYU "Released" From BCS Bowl Consideration
BYUCougars.Com ^
| December 3, 2001
| Jeff Reynolds
Posted on 12/05/2001 6:37:29 PM PST by Illbay
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BYU "Released" From BCS Bowl Consideration written by Jeff Reynolds, BYU Athletic Media Relations
PROVO, Utah (Dec. 3, 2001) BYU coaches and players today learned a 12-0 season means very little in the eyes of the Bowl Championship Series committee. According to Mountain West Conference commissioner, Craig Thompson, the BCS officially released BYU from bowl consideration."I think it's unfair for the BCS to literally pull the rug from under our student-athletes right before one of the most important games of the season," BYU athletic director Val Hale said. "I don't think it would have hurt the BCS to wait another week before making such an announcement. I think they owe our coaches and student-athletes an apology for their insensitivity regarding this matter." Fresh off a 41-38 win at Mississippi State on Saturday scoring more points against the Bulldogs by a non-SEC opponent on their home field since 1993 the Cougars were disappointed to learn their undefeated season, as well as Saturday's game at Hawai'i (8-3) would have no impact on the BCS selection committee. They were equally disappointed to learn the committee would make such an announcement before the Cougars' season had even concluded. "It really aggravates me," BYU head coach Gary Crowton said. "Obviously I'm disappointed for our team. They have done everything they have been asked to do, yet have been denied a great opportunity, both individually and from a team aspect. From a motivational and timing standpoint, I think it's really not a very fair way to do it. It's almost like they (BCS) want to demoralize us to the point where we don't win and then it takes the pressure off them." The Cougars, who have won 14 straight games, dating back to last season, have oft been criticized for playing a weak schedule. Interestingly, BYU is the only team in the top-12 BCS rankings to play on the road seven times during the season, including two non-league games against teams from a BCS conference. "I don't care what anyone says," Crowton said. "Anyone who has ever played this game knows it is tough to go undefeated. So far, we have managed to do that. It doesn't matter who you play, it is tough and I take my hat off to this team for staying focused, going out there and taking care of business in every game we have played this season. We still have one more regular-season game left, and we'll have to focus in on Hawai'i." The Cougars are the only 12-0 team in the country and have posted more road wins (6) than any other team in the country. Additionally, two other teams ahead of BYU in the BCS rankings played opponents whose combined records are below .500, including Maryland (57-67; .456) and Illinois (61-62; .496). "They can say what they want about our schedule," Hale said. "The fact is that if we go 13-0, we belong at their party and they know it." The Cougars lead the nation in total offense, averaging 537.08 yards per game. The Cougars are ranked as the nation's top-scoring team, posting an average 46.9 points per contest. The BYU offense is led by not one, but two Heisman Trophy candidates in Brandon Doman and Luke Staley. Staley is also a Doak Walker Award finalist and has been cited as a first-team All-American by as many as five different publications and organizations. Following Saturday's regular-season finale at Hawai'i (8-3), the Cougars will return to Provo to begin preparations for a Dec. 31 matchup against Louisville (10-3) at the Liberty Bowl. "We're looking forward to playing Louisville," Hale added. "We think it will be the most entertaining and competitive bowl game of the year, including many of the BCS games. We encourage our fans across the country to make plans to attend the Liberty Bowl and support this great team." Hale said fans can purchase their tickets through the BYU ticket office. Supporters can contact the BYU ticket office by calling (801) 378-BYU1, (800) 322-BYU1. Fans are also able to purchase tickets for the 43rd annual Liberty Bowl on-line at http://www.byutickets.com.
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Simple Answer:
NCAA DIVISION IA PLAYOFF
1
posted on
12/05/2001 6:37:29 PM PST
by
Illbay
To: Illbay
NCAA DIVISION IA PLAYOFF I agree 100%. Football is played on the field, not done by complicated math formulas.
To: Illbay
I agree that there should be a playoff, because if there were, BYU would have been horribly creamed by a decent team. Miss St. is quite mediocre this year, and without motivation of a bowl, out played BYU most of the game. BYU is rightfully not a top 15 team.
To: Texaggie79
I'm aware they are in the top 15 BTW, but I do not think they have the talent to rightfully be there:
To: guitar Josh
There should be a playoff, but BYU has no business playing in a major bowl. As much as they want to spin it, the simple fact is that they have played a horribly easy schedule. You don't reward teams too cowardly to play difficult games.
5
posted on
12/05/2001 6:59:11 PM PST
by
Moosehead
To: Illbay
Fresh off a 41-38 win at Mississippi State on Saturday scoring more points against the Bulldogs by a non-SEC opponent on their home field since 1993... I think BYU deserved better also, but comments like the above are absurd. Mississippi State's record is 3-8. They nearly beat BYU last week. That's not a game BYU backers should be touting as a triumph.
To: Illbay
Division II team, Troy State beat the pants off of the Bulldogs at homecoming. I wish BYU would quit bragging about what a feather it is in their caps to have defeated MSU at home. MSU's offence is tepid and their was defence easily brushed aside by the most mediocre of SEC opponents.
To: Illbay
The simple answer is that BYU is too "white" and doesn't exhibit sufficient amounts of "diversity". My gosh, somehow they found a white fellow that can actually play the running back position. Can't have that in a national championship game these days.
To: Illbay
The weak schedule arguement is bogus. They are in a conference and therefore don't have control over most of their schedule. Name one division one team that plays an 11-12 game schedule of only quality opponents. You can't, there aren't any. The BCS will not ever work the way they say it's supposed to. The fact that Nebraska still has a shot at the title should put that bit of fiction to rest.
What should they do? Here's my take. Start the season the week before Labor Day with each team having an 11 game season with no bye week. Use the present BCS system for purposes of seeding the teams in a 32 team pool. Week 12 have your Conference Championships and use the lower tier bowls for play in games for the final 16 teams of the play offs. Reshuffle the seedings after each round of playoff games and over the next four weeks you actually end up getting a matchup of the best two teams for the championship. Rotate which of the big four bowl games end up as host for the championship each year. If they can do it for basketball, why not football?
9
posted on
12/05/2001 7:36:43 PM PST
by
SCHROLL
To: Illbay
BwhinerU should play some teams worth a damn outside the WAC then they wouldn't be stuck going to the Holiday Bowl every year.
Whiner Bit%^&#
To: hangin' chad
You sir are a joke. Except your not very funny.
To: Illbay
Uh uh.
Hey BYU, want to play in a big bowl next year? Quit scheduling cupcakes during the regular season.
12
posted on
12/05/2001 7:43:41 PM PST
by
strela
To: SCHROLL
Name one division one team that plays an 11-12 game schedule of only quality opponents. There are lots of teams that play better oppenents than BYU plays every week. BYU's schedule is laughable.
To: Always Right
What would you suggest they do, not play the eight conference games on their schedule to appease those of you that don't like the teams they are playing?
14
posted on
12/05/2001 7:50:03 PM PST
by
SCHROLL
To: SCHROLL
No, but instead of playing Tulane, Nevada, California, why not play Washington, UCLA, and Notre Dame?
To: guitar Josh
When you play teams that are far out of the top 25 (top 100 for some) and win, it is not saying much. Kind of like beating up a girl. So what if you have beaten up a dozen girls in a row?
To: All
As one who roots for Air Force, not all of the foes of the Youngites & their cast of millions descending from polygamous families (myself included) have been pushovers.
But don't expect lawsuit-minded Youngite A.D. Van Hale to start scheduling major players. Youngites attribute the help of Morgod to have accomplished all of these late-game victories...and Morgod is only "so" strong...you know, once having been a man, ya know...who progressed unto godhood... his powers tend to be a bit on the limited side...
Besides, as Youngites on hand would pray to Morgod to pull out this game or that one, Morgod, not having absolute authority, had to go to his god to get the authority to pull games out of a hat...morgod's god then had to go to his god (Morfolks believe there are a plurality/council of gods) to get the "OK"...that god then had to go to his god...ad infinitum...ad nauseum...As morgod was still waiting for a response...the game would end, the Cougars thus having pulled one out themselves!
What's ironic is that authority within the priesthood is so important to Morfolks...yet their own Morgod has no intrinsic or ultimate authority within himself...JoeSmith even said that Morgod didn't create anything out of nothing...he only organized things (a global exterior decorator).
To: Texaggie79
BYU would probably get beat in a playoff. But under the present system, we never get to find out.
BYU has played some big-name teams over the years, but the recent Big Ten/Pac 10 decision to play each other in regular season games has reduced the chances for BYU and other Mountain West and WAC teams to play the PAC 10 teams. Other big name schools don't want to take the risk of playing BYU etal. since the benefits of winning are reduced by the risk of losing. Don't you think that Colorado would love to have not played Fresno State this year? That game is costing them a shot at the national title. And BYU is a risky team to play in that they always have a high-powered offense. Winning a shootout doesn't help a team in some of the computer polls.
Personally, I will continue my decade long habit of not watching any bowl games. I want a sixteen team playoff like the other Divisions. No more of this poll nonsense or bowl games.
18
posted on
12/05/2001 8:45:23 PM PST
by
LenS
To: LenS; tamu
I will continue my decade long habit of not watching any bowl games.You'r loss. This year is the closest we have had to playoffs, with the big 12 champ and the Fla Tenn game.
BYU bothered me until I watched them play Miss st. They simply are not a top 10 team. I think that if we see Mia vs Tenn, we are seeing about as close as it gets to 1 vs 2. Of course I think that Miami will kick their hind quarters. And I'll be personally attending the toilet, I mean furniture bowl.
To: Moosehead
You don't reward teams too cowardly to play difficult games.I hate stickng up for BYU, but it's called for here.
The prima donna BCS elite go to great lengths to avoid playing BYU. They won't put BYU on their dance cards. Why do you suppose that is? Because BYU is too easy?
Look to the flatlands for the cowards. The place is infested with them.
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