Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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The first BCS Standings release is almost a month away, but four of the six computer ratings used in the BCS Standings have been updated through games of September 20th.
In calculating BCS scores, the highest and lowest of the six computer ratings are thrown out, and the four remaining scores comprise the teams' computer number. Again, only four of the six ratings are currently available to analyze:
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Sagarin (ELO Chess): BYU (12), Utah (7)
Massey: BYU (17), Utah (3)
Billingsley: BYU (8), Utah (13)
Colley: BYU (21), Utah (1)
BYU's average ranking: 14.5
Utah's average ranking: 8
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As you can see, the Utes would currently make up considerable ground on the Cougars when considering the computer quotient relative to the popular polls (Coaches' and Harris). Expect Utah's strength of schedule to suffer with Weber State on the schedule, and expect BYU's schedule strength to get a boost just before the BCS Standings release, by playing at TCU.
While these numbers don't mean much right now, they do give you an idea of where BYU stands, remembering that two of the computer ratings used (Anderson and Hester, and Wolfe) will not be released until the BCS Standings come out on October 16th.
An interesting site updates its "unofficial" BCS Standings, and after week 3, BYU was up 6 spots to #11--for what it's worth (Utah was 18th, pre-Air Force). The Guru's Week 4 list has not been released.
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There's plenty of audio for you to check out today, by either clicking the links in the "Cougar Cuts" box to the right, or setting up your computer for the podcasts. Bronco Mendenhall and Max Hall both addressed the media from the podium, and you can also hear an interview with David Nixon, and Bronco with me on KSL Newsradio this morning, in the "Coach's Corner."
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It's a third straight week with conference kudos for the Cougars, with the MWC brass tabbing a pair of BYU players for honors:
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
DAVID NIXON, BYU
Senior, Linebacker, College Station, Texas/A&M Consolidated HS
David Nixon registered six tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two quarterback hurries and an interception returned for a touchdown in just two and a half quarters of play in BYU's 44-0 shutout of conference foe Wyoming. With the Cowboys driving right before the half, Nixon caused a fumble and recovered the ball on the Wyoming 48 yard line to stop the drive. In the third quarter, he intercepted a Karsten Sween pass and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown, giving BYU a 41-0 lead with 8:25 to play in the third.
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SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
CJ SANTIAGO, BYU
Senior, Punter, Honolulu, Hawaii/Orange Coast CC
CJ Santiago registered seven punts for an average of 46.7 yards, including a season-high 61 yarder, in BYU's win over Wyoming. Four of the Honolulu, Hawaii, native's punts were downed inside the Wyoming 20 yard line, including his first three attempts, two of which were downed inside the 5.
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I haven't mentioned this previously, and I'm sure it's not news to many of you, but the Utah State Aggies are also on a bye week this week.
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