Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Not too shabby

So BYU finished No. 14 in the final Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches' polls. Not bad. Especially considering the Cougars were, well, fortunate to win their bowl game over a .500 team in UCLA.
Moving up five spots after a 17-16 win against the Bruins (note: insert a special thank you to Eathyn Manumaleunahere) is a pretty good result and reward.
The pieces are now in place for a solid start in 2008. But don't underestimate that road trip to the University of Washington in Week 2. The Cougars did that in 1996 and it cost them an undefeated season and Bowl Alliance berth. Yes, the Huskies were only 4-8 in 2007, but they led in almost every game, including against Ohio State, and were a few plays from finishing with a solid winning record. Just ask Hawaii, which rallied to edge UW in its regular-season finale.

One of our recent polls asked whether the BYU football or men's basketball team would finish with the higher national ranking. As things stand now, it looks like football is a virtual lock. BYU has few marquee basketball opportunities remaining on the season. Even a strong conference mark won't likely land the Cougars in the top 15.
So for now we enjoy a solid basketball season, hopefully avoid a first-round flop in the NCAA tourney (if BYU gets there) and then endure the long football offseason.
Hey, just over seven months to go until two-a-days.

Until then, let the hype machines start humming. And the Cougar Zone will do its part. This summer will roll out the Fully Invested audio show once again to help stave off the offseason boredom.

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