According to Bronco Mendenhall the Conference Title Goes through BYU

by Jeremy Mauss on Oct 9, 2009 11:45 AM PDT in Mountain West Football

Bronco open mouth and insert foot. This is the second questionable comment regarding BYU football this week, the first was when he called fans uneducated. This latest remark comes from his weekly coaches show on KSL Radio, where he said:

"TCU knows, as many do, that the conference championship will go through BYU."

Quite the interesting comment there Bronco.

First off Utah is the defending conference title, and the Cougars finished third behind TCU. Now if BYU had won the Mountain West last year-- which would have been their third straight-- then this comment makes sense. Wonder if Bronco is using the stat that the last ten BYU senior quarterbacks have won the conference title and just assumes. His statement stems from TCU putting BYU helmets and jerseys in the weight room as motivation.

This is certainly going to fire up TCU when they play in three weeks, and also Utah at the end of the year. Yes, BYU has that win over Oklahoma, but they also have that terrible loss at home to Florida State. Coach needs to be reminded that last year and this year --minus the Oklahoma game-- that Max Hall has struggled to hold onto the ball and this year leads the nation with ten picks.

This is bulletin board material at its finest, now just watch the Cougs lay an egg at tomorrows matchup at UNLV.

Poll

Who is the favorite to win the Mountain West?

BYU

57 votes

TCU

36 votes

Utah

6 votes

Other (place answer in comments)

3 votes

102 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 8 comments | Add comment | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Its been a rough week for Bronco.

He calls his fans dumb.
He claims that he didnt know about the Te’o DUI until now, when Hans Olsen of 1280 The Zone knew months ago.
And now this.

All in just one week!

Follow me on Twitter! http://twitter.com/MichaelRueckert

by Michael Rueckert on Oct 9, 2009 12:56 PM PDT reply actions

Anyone else think a split title might be an option?

BCS Revolution - twitter - Fanblogs.com

by utesfan100 on Oct 9, 2009 1:38 PM PDT reply actions

Its possible

The most like scenario would be

Utah beats TCU
TCU beats BYU
BYU beats Utah

Would result in a 3-way tie, assuming thats the only conference games that those teams lose

Follow me on Twitter! http://twitter.com/MichaelRueckert

by Michael Rueckert on Oct 9, 2009 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Dumb comment

Technically the road to the MWC goes through every stadium as everyone has to play each other and a loss in Provo is the same as a loss in Colorado Springs or San Diego. We all know what he meant, but just stupid to say.

Bring back Fum's Song!

by bhsmarine on Oct 9, 2009 7:23 PM PDT reply actions

Actually, he's right

How is it so obvious the road to the MWC doesn’t go through BYU? The advantage that both Utah and BYU have over TCU on alternating years is they get the other two (TCU, BYU at Utah or TCU, Utah at BYU) at home. Since 2006, BYU’s conference home record has been phenomenal: 13-0, with their overall home record during that same time 18-1. So, when BYU gets TCU and Utah at home the championship does, in fact, go through BYU.

Vanquish the Foe, a BYU Cougars blog at SB Nation

by Layton on Oct 10, 2009 8:06 AM PDT reply actions

What's the problem?

I think you need to learn your rhetoric. Of course BYU isn’t the defending champ, but Bronco said the title goes “through” BYU, not “to” BYU. There’s a big difference buddy.

Even though we finished 3rd last year, we were the favorite to win the conference for most of the season. TCU had to go ‘through’ us as underdogs to claim 2nd spot, and only as a result of that game was Utah slated to win the final game where their victory over BYU clenched their unanimous title.

The phrase ‘the conference title goes through BYU’ clearly indicates that BYU is the favorite to win the conference and another team has to beat us to take that away. The fact may fluctuate a little from year to year (right now we’re only 2nd favorite next to TCU), but name a team that has been favorite more than BYU in the history of the MWC. When you find a strong case for such a team, then you can say Bronco’s statement is offensive. Otherwise it’s simply true.

by Karzab on Oct 10, 2009 10:45 PM PDT reply actions

Actually

TCU is the favorite to win the league as they were chosen in the preseason to do so.

Not saying it is offensive but it is factually not true this year. Yes, BYU has won a lot of conference titles over the years which makes BYU a target, but the title does not go through BYU. That right as I said is deserved for the prior years champion.

Mountain West Connection

by Jeremy Mauss on Oct 11, 2009 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Well, then the conference championship would have to go through Utah, which I wouldn’t completely agree with – they should be a pretty easy roadblock to plow for both TCU and BYU. (Not saying anything can’t happen)

But you are partially right. It appears Bronco’s statement implied that most teams in the league should see us as the biggest challenge for taking the mountain this year. While this ought to be true for TCU, that target should be painted primarily on the Horned Frogs for everyone else.

by Karzab on Oct 11, 2009 4:01 PM PDT reply actions