BYU, Utah on the Radar
Impressed with BYU and Utah’s football programs? Think they’re going places?
You’re not alone.
SI.com’s Andy Staples has the Cougars and Utes in his early 2010 football power rankings. He rates BYU No. 24 and Utah No. 25.
“Quarterback Max Hall and tight end Dennis Pitta are gone, so this season will test the quality of coach Bronco Mendenhall’s recruiting. Has he brought in players who can help BYU win double-digit games again?” writes Staples.
He also praises the Utes.
“Coach Kyle Whittingham has built a fantastic program, and the Utes are going to be in the national spotlight every year,” he adds.
Apparently Staples isn’t a BCS snob, because he also rates TCU No. 7 and Boise State No. 2.
For whatever mistakes MWC commissioner Craig Thompson made — if any — by shunning ESPN and inventing The mtn. network, he has done a great job getting conference schools to play up. And when teams like BYU, Utah and TCU meet those from BCS automatic qualifying conferences, they’ve done well lately.
Which has people in the national media noticing.