In a few weeks when the pre-season Top 25 rankings debut, the
Brigham Young Cougars should be one of those top teams according to 57 percent
of voters in last week’s poll. Another 37 percent of voters felt the opposite
and voted that BYU should not be ranked in the major pre-season polls. The
remaining six percent of voters were undecided.
If I had a ballot for either the AP or USA Today Top 25, BYU would be on it.
If I had a ballot for either the AP or USA Today Top 25, BYU would be on it.
I understand the dilemma that probably caused 43 percent of
voters to not vote “Yes.” BYU barely found its way into just the USA Today top
25 last season with a 10-3 record. The reason being BYU did not beat the three
best teams on its schedule. None of these three teams were superior to BYU. With four, possibly five, “toss up” games on the
schedule in 2012, BYU will not have a good enough record to be a top 25 team if
the pattern from 2011 continues.
BYU returns its top three receivers, three of its top four
rushers, an experienced quarterback, three offensive linemen, several
experienced tight ends. On defense, BYU returns its top five leading tacklers
and nine of the projected starters have significant playing experience. This
season is the last shot for 29 Cougar seniors.
For me, my vote came down to the character of the players.
Sure, the schedule is more daunting this year, but a team with the composition
just described would have to have little character to not be better than last year.
When I look at the players on the BYU roster, I see enough character to not
repeat the disappointments of 2011, which should earn them a top 25 ranking.
Thank you to everyone who voted. Don't forget to vote in this week's poll: "Which BYU tight end will have the best season?"
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