BYU would be "competitive week in, week out" in Pac-10, Big Ten, Bronco says
Coach Bronco Mendenhall answered questions for about 15 minutes in the recently completed Mountain West Conference coaches teleconference, the first one of the 2009 season.
Perhaps the most interesting topic he addressed today was how he thinks BYU would do in the Pac-10 or Big Ten.
"I think we would be very competitive," he said. "I think we would be competitive week in and week out, from beginning to end.
"And that is speaking from someone that hasn't coached in one of those leagues, and hasn't done it week in and week out. But that's my opinion at this point.
"I would love to continue to play the caliber of games we are playing now to demonstrate that.
"I certainly could be wrong, but I believe our football team is capable and ready and I would love the chance to be able to do just that, what you are mentioning."
Some of the other points the coached touched upon today:
* Is BYU is having more fun this year?
"I think so. When you consider the previous two years, having not lost a conference game for two straight years, and the growing anticipation to be the team that would be the BCS buster so to speak, etc. I think they started to protect that instead of looking to go out and conquer, so to speak.
So I think the team and staff, including myself, became more hesitant rather than more aggressive. As a byproduct didn't enjoy what we were doing as much, thinking we had more to lose than we had to gain.
So we learned a lot from last season. I think it has helped our program regardless of how this season comes out, or any other, that was a learning experience that I think will help all of us."
* Are the Cougars approaching the OU game thinking there is a lot of pressure to perform, or with the nothing-to-lose attitude?
"I think it would be more the second, but a blend of both," he said. "We are anxious to grow our program, we are anxious to be considered one of the elite in the country -- not just nationally recognized, not just conference champions, not just top 20, but there's a different level in college football and that is of the elite. And there are teams that are in the top 5, relatively consistently, and we are anxious to measure ourselves against a team like that, anxious to represent our institution.
"And then see what it is going to take for us to be one of those teams. And so we feel some, I think, pressure in terms of performing well, but also are just really excited to play, and that is the most refreshing approach that I have felt here for quite some time. I would say that would be the undercurrent of what we are really feeling, and that is just the excitement to play on this stage against this caliber of opponent."
* Does BYU see itself as a flag-bearer for the conference this week, after what Utah did last year in the Sugar Bowl?
"We have to acknowledge that. As the conference continues to fight for credibility, you feel a responsibility to the other schools that if you have a game on the national stage to play well -- both preseason and postseason.
So, it will generate momentum for all of us. That can't be your primary focus, nor can it be something you dwell a lot on. But I think it has to be acknowledged, because it is a reality.
That would be a byproduct. If we were able to play well and win the football game, it would do a lot for our league.
So I think you have to acknowledge it at some level."
* Forest fires from around the West have caused the air to be smoky and hazy. How has it effected your preparations?
Smoke in the air causing problems?
"Yesterday it was very, very hazy and smoky, like an inversion layer. We practied outside anyway, but it wasn't very pleasant and it did effect some of our kids and the way they were breathing, etc. It has cleared up somewhat today, and we will go outside again today. So to this point, it hasn't limited us."
* How far would a win against OU go in changing media's perception of BYU and the MWC?
"I think it would go quite a ways. Whether that would be enough to have the public outcry that would lead to the point where the system now needs to absolutely change, who knows? I think when you look at not only our performance, but TCU's and Utah's over the past three years, you would think that our peers [other coaches] would be the ones that would be listened to the most [because] they don't want to play teams from our league. [They] value what we are accomplishing.
I am not sure how far it would go, in answer to your question. We just need to keep winning football games, preseason and postseason, to have that credibility.
Utah did a great job last year on a very national and public stage. If we were able to add on to that, I think it would really help."
* Are you in favor of all conferences being included in BCS, or just selected ones?
"If I were to chose between all or selected, I would still say selected. Or maybe a conglomerate where one of the WAC/MWC/CUSA -- the best of that group would get in.
"But to have no access, or limited access, as is the way it is presented now, I don't think that is right. But if it is not one from every league, they could certainly pool because the best from that [group] would certainly be deserving."
Perhaps the most interesting topic he addressed today was how he thinks BYU would do in the Pac-10 or Big Ten.
"I think we would be very competitive," he said. "I think we would be competitive week in and week out, from beginning to end.
"And that is speaking from someone that hasn't coached in one of those leagues, and hasn't done it week in and week out. But that's my opinion at this point.
"I would love to continue to play the caliber of games we are playing now to demonstrate that.
"I certainly could be wrong, but I believe our football team is capable and ready and I would love the chance to be able to do just that, what you are mentioning."
Some of the other points the coached touched upon today:
* Is BYU is having more fun this year?
"I think so. When you consider the previous two years, having not lost a conference game for two straight years, and the growing anticipation to be the team that would be the BCS buster so to speak, etc. I think they started to protect that instead of looking to go out and conquer, so to speak.
So I think the team and staff, including myself, became more hesitant rather than more aggressive. As a byproduct didn't enjoy what we were doing as much, thinking we had more to lose than we had to gain.
So we learned a lot from last season. I think it has helped our program regardless of how this season comes out, or any other, that was a learning experience that I think will help all of us."
* Are the Cougars approaching the OU game thinking there is a lot of pressure to perform, or with the nothing-to-lose attitude?
"I think it would be more the second, but a blend of both," he said. "We are anxious to grow our program, we are anxious to be considered one of the elite in the country -- not just nationally recognized, not just conference champions, not just top 20, but there's a different level in college football and that is of the elite. And there are teams that are in the top 5, relatively consistently, and we are anxious to measure ourselves against a team like that, anxious to represent our institution.
"And then see what it is going to take for us to be one of those teams. And so we feel some, I think, pressure in terms of performing well, but also are just really excited to play, and that is the most refreshing approach that I have felt here for quite some time. I would say that would be the undercurrent of what we are really feeling, and that is just the excitement to play on this stage against this caliber of opponent."
* Does BYU see itself as a flag-bearer for the conference this week, after what Utah did last year in the Sugar Bowl?
"We have to acknowledge that. As the conference continues to fight for credibility, you feel a responsibility to the other schools that if you have a game on the national stage to play well -- both preseason and postseason.
So, it will generate momentum for all of us. That can't be your primary focus, nor can it be something you dwell a lot on. But I think it has to be acknowledged, because it is a reality.
That would be a byproduct. If we were able to play well and win the football game, it would do a lot for our league.
So I think you have to acknowledge it at some level."
* Forest fires from around the West have caused the air to be smoky and hazy. How has it effected your preparations?
Smoke in the air causing problems?
"Yesterday it was very, very hazy and smoky, like an inversion layer. We practied outside anyway, but it wasn't very pleasant and it did effect some of our kids and the way they were breathing, etc. It has cleared up somewhat today, and we will go outside again today. So to this point, it hasn't limited us."
* How far would a win against OU go in changing media's perception of BYU and the MWC?
"I think it would go quite a ways. Whether that would be enough to have the public outcry that would lead to the point where the system now needs to absolutely change, who knows? I think when you look at not only our performance, but TCU's and Utah's over the past three years, you would think that our peers [other coaches] would be the ones that would be listened to the most [because] they don't want to play teams from our league. [They] value what we are accomplishing.
I am not sure how far it would go, in answer to your question. We just need to keep winning football games, preseason and postseason, to have that credibility.
Utah did a great job last year on a very national and public stage. If we were able to add on to that, I think it would really help."
* Are you in favor of all conferences being included in BCS, or just selected ones?
"If I were to chose between all or selected, I would still say selected. Or maybe a conglomerate where one of the WAC/MWC/CUSA -- the best of that group would get in.
"But to have no access, or limited access, as is the way it is presented now, I don't think that is right. But if it is not one from every league, they could certainly pool because the best from that [group] would certainly be deserving."
12:28 PM
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3 Comments:
1-22 against ranked opponents, how in the world could the Yners possibly compete in a BCS conference, you folks are living in dream land. How bout' beating somebody, anybody worth mentioning. How about winning a bowl game.....PAC -10, Big Ten, still can't get my mouth to close from the astonishment of arrogance.
How about beating utah 2 of the past three years. Wait, that's not even worth mentioning... How about a 22-2 record in the MWC the past three years, wait I shouldn't mention that either because no one in the MWC was ranked in 2006 and 2007. How about winning bowl games in two of the past 3 seasons. Should I mention that? You criticize everything that comes out of Bronco's mouth, but ever since he has played with his recruits he has consistently put together successful seasons.
bigyewtfan. Why do you care so much about what is being said on a BYU blog? Whittingham is the king of hyperbole. Bronco is not claining to have several Heisman contenders on his roster or seven BCS caliber recievers on the team (both Whittingham claims), he is simply saying that he would like the chance to compete at a higher level. He didn't say they would go undefeated in the PAC 10, he only said he thinks we would be competitive. So why don't you worry about your team not getting punked by Utah State tomorrow.
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