Give credit where credit is due
I think there has to be a point where, as Wyoming fans, it is all right to give your opponent a little credit.
I know what you're thinking. Are you nuts? Under no circumstance will a true Wyoming fan praise BYU. Just like a true BYU fan will probably never credit Wyoming. It is what it is.
Like most Wyoming fans, I think that the average BYU athlete or fan thinks they are better than the average Wyoming athlete or fan in many ways. But let's face it: BYU is better on the field and the court. The Cougars are dominating Wyoming, not only in football, but in most sports. Yes, they are older, but the facts don't lie.
For a moment, though, let's take a look at Saturday's disappointing 44-0 loss to the Cougars. Take away two disastrous turnovers that turned into touchdowns and a freebie field goal and add a finished drive or two and things don't look so bad.
Of course, if it is that close, then Max Hall and the first-team offense is back on the field and likely the Cougars would have scored again. I'll certainly give you that.
Yet, it wasn't 59-0 and it certainly wasn't 70-0 like many people thought it would be. The sun will shine again and I'll just bet that the sky is not falling.
BYU is a very good team and won Saturday's game like a Top 15 team, soon to be a Top 10 squad, probably should have won the game.
Now, with that said, the Cowboys were their own worst enemy. Six turnovers pretty much tells the story. No team goes into Provo and even stays close with six turnovers. Simple as that.
The Cowboys moved the ball at times, but they didn't get into the end zone, and that's what the game is all about. When teams struggle, the breaks don't go their way. You know, when a pass bounces off a helmet and into the hands of a defender, who runs it back for a score.
Teams also make their own breaks. The Cougars picked up a loose ball lateral on the first drive that the Cowboys gave up on and returned it 59 yards for the score.
It all adds up. BYU is a very good team and right now, Wyoming right now is not very good. That can change, though, and there is plenty of time to do that. My guess is that if the Cougars get past TCU on the road and hold off state rival Utah, they'll bust their way into the BCS bowl scene.
The Cowboys have eight games left and can still have a good season. To do that, they have to put the past behind them, ignore the excuses and move forward.
I'd venture to say that the UW fans need to do the same and remember why they are Cowboy fans.
I know what you're thinking. Are you nuts? Under no circumstance will a true Wyoming fan praise BYU. Just like a true BYU fan will probably never credit Wyoming. It is what it is.
Like most Wyoming fans, I think that the average BYU athlete or fan thinks they are better than the average Wyoming athlete or fan in many ways. But let's face it: BYU is better on the field and the court. The Cougars are dominating Wyoming, not only in football, but in most sports. Yes, they are older, but the facts don't lie.
For a moment, though, let's take a look at Saturday's disappointing 44-0 loss to the Cougars. Take away two disastrous turnovers that turned into touchdowns and a freebie field goal and add a finished drive or two and things don't look so bad.
Of course, if it is that close, then Max Hall and the first-team offense is back on the field and likely the Cougars would have scored again. I'll certainly give you that.
Yet, it wasn't 59-0 and it certainly wasn't 70-0 like many people thought it would be. The sun will shine again and I'll just bet that the sky is not falling.
BYU is a very good team and won Saturday's game like a Top 15 team, soon to be a Top 10 squad, probably should have won the game.
Now, with that said, the Cowboys were their own worst enemy. Six turnovers pretty much tells the story. No team goes into Provo and even stays close with six turnovers. Simple as that.
The Cowboys moved the ball at times, but they didn't get into the end zone, and that's what the game is all about. When teams struggle, the breaks don't go their way. You know, when a pass bounces off a helmet and into the hands of a defender, who runs it back for a score.
Teams also make their own breaks. The Cougars picked up a loose ball lateral on the first drive that the Cowboys gave up on and returned it 59 yards for the score.
It all adds up. BYU is a very good team and right now, Wyoming right now is not very good. That can change, though, and there is plenty of time to do that. My guess is that if the Cougars get past TCU on the road and hold off state rival Utah, they'll bust their way into the BCS bowl scene.
The Cowboys have eight games left and can still have a good season. To do that, they have to put the past behind them, ignore the excuses and move forward.
I'd venture to say that the UW fans need to do the same and remember why they are Cowboy fans.
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