Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
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After confirming the particulars of the Austin Collie story last night, I had previously-arranged flight plans that took me to Fort Collins today, preventing me from attending Austin's morning press conference. My KSL colleague Kathy Aiken attended, and I recommend you view her story by clicking the "play video" button on this link. Also, later tonight, check out the KSL iCast (on the "Sports" page at ksl.com) for more from today's press conference. My brethren from the print media also have comprehensive recaps in their blogs and online accounts of this morning's event.
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I note that ESPN.com draft expert Todd McShay projects Collie as a 3rd round NFL Draft pick. The highest-drafted BYU wide receiver was Dan Plater, who was a 4th round selection of the Denver Broncos in 1982. Since that pick, only three BYU wideouts have been drafted by NFL teams: Glen Kozlowski (11th round, Chicago Bears, 1986), Mark Bellini (7th round, Indianapolis Colts, 1987), and Todd Watkins (7th round, Arizona Cardinals, 2006).
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With BYU finishing 21st (Coaches) and 25th (AP) in the final college football polls, the Cougars remained ranked in every poll from the first preseason polls, throughn the final postseason polls. The last time a BYU team stayed in the rankings from August through January was in 1990-91.
BYU Football Media Relations Director Brett Pyne has more poll info in this release:
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"BYU Receives Final Top 25 Ranking for Third Straight Season"
Cougars Among Few Programs Ranked in the Final Polls Each of the Last Three Years
PROVO, Utah (Jan. 9, 2009) — Finishing nationally ranked for third straight season, BYU (10-3) is ranked No. 21 in the final USA Today Coaches Poll and No. 25 in the final Associated Press Top 25 released Friday.
The Cougars are one of only eight programs in the nation to be ranked in the final coaches' poll each of the last three seasons, joining Florida, USC, Texas, Oklahoma, Penn State, Ohio State and Virginia Tech. BYU is among nine schools to finish in the final AP rankings each of the last three years along with Florida, USC, Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Georgia, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. The Cougars are the lone program from a conference without automatic qualification into the BCS to finish nationally ranked each of the past three seasons.
The No. 1 ranking in both polls went to Florida (13-1), followed by Utah (13-0), USC (12-1), Texas (12-1) and Oklahoma (12-2) in AP, while USC received the No. 2 nod from the coaches with Texas, Utah and Oklahoma rounding out the top five.
For the first time in its 10-year history, the Mountain West Conference placed three football teams in the final top 25 national polls. In addition to Utah and BYU, TCU (11-2) finished No. 7 in both polls. The MWC is one of three conferences (Big 12, SEC) with two teams in the top seven of the final 2008 polls, also marking the first time the Mountain West has finished a season with two teams ranked in the top 10.
BYU's place in the final polls over the last three seasons is evidenced by the fact that only five teams in the nation have won more games than the Cougars over that span. Teams with the best records over the last three years include Boise State (35-4), Florida (35-6), USC (34-5), Oklahoma (34-8), Ohio State (33-6), BYU (32-7) and Texas (32-7). BYU is one of only seven teams to win 10 or more games each of the last three seasons along with Oklahoma, Ohio State, USC, Boise State, Texas and Virginia Tech.
The Cougars will play a strong schedule in 2009 with four games against teams who finished in the top 25 this year, including three top-10 teams. BYU opens next season against No. 5 Oklahoma in the new Dallas Cowboys stadium and hosts top-10 Utah and TCU along with No. 21/23 Florida State.
BYU in the Final Rankings the Last Three Seasons
USA Today Coaches Poll
• No. 21 in 2008
• No. 14 in 2007
• No. 15 in 2006
Associated Press Poll
• No. 25 in 2008
• No. 14 in 2007
• No. 16 in 2006
BCS Standings
• No. 16 in 2008
• No. 17 in 2007
• No. 20 in 2006
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BYU released the following regarding tickets for next season's game with Oklahoma:
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Ticket Information for BYU-Oklahoma Game
PROVO, Utah (Jan. 9, 2009) — Tickets for the recently announced BYU vs. Oklahoma football game being played at the Dallas Cowboys new stadium on Sept. 5, 2009, are expected to go on sale in March.
"We have started receiving inquiries from BYU fans about purchasing tickets to our season opener with Oklahoma next September," BYU Marketing Director David Almodova said. "We are excited about the opportunity fans will have to attend this historic event in the new Dallas Cowboys stadium. We expect to announce the ticket purchasing plans in early March after the 2009 Mountain West Conference football schedule is released."
Once on sale, tickets to the BYU-Oklahoma game will be available for purchase through the Marriott Center Ticket Office and BYUTickets.com. Cougar Club members will have priority purchasing opportunities before they go on sale to the general public.
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Florida head coach Urban Meyer did some politicking for his former school, and by extension, for the Mountain West Conference today, in comments published at usatoday.com:
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Meyer: "...when you hear 'BCS conference' that means nothing to a lot of coaches like myself."
Meyer then mused about struggling teams among the six leagues whose conference winners automatically receive BCS bids.
"You get your brains kicked in every year and you finish 3-8, you're not BCS. You might get a little bigger check at the end of the year because you're in a nice conference, but Utah is a much better program than most BCS programs. That's most."
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As I posited in an earlier blog, Utah's success this season, along with that of BYU and TCU (all three teams finished in the Top 25) will carry a lot of weight when it comes time to consider whether another conference will be added to the list of automatic bid BCS leagues after the 2011 season. As important as the Utes' accomplishments have been to the MWC's long-term interests, equally meaningful has been the accompanying outcry, from fans, media and even some coaches, about leagues like the Big East and ACC securing auto bids while teams in the MWC play for perfection.
I think it's fair to say the current climate is right for reform--whether that reform will come sooner or later will be determined, but there's no doubt that the last few seasons (and 2008 in particular) have greatly strengthened the MWC's case for change.
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The BYU Cougar hoopsters arrive in Fort Collins later this evening, at which time they will head to Moby Arena for practice. With Saturday's game tipping at 1:00pm, the Cougars will not have a traditional day-of shootaround at the arena, so tonight's practice will be the team's only floor time before game time. Our gameday coverage gets underway Saturday at noon.
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