Poll Results: Will a BYU win over No. 5 Notre Dame salvage the season?

The Brigham Young Cougars can salvage their season by beating Notre Dame today, if the Cougars can go on to win the five remaining games as well. That was the response of 43 percent of poll voters. Another 32 percent of voters simply said “No,” not even a win over an undefeated top 5 team can salvage the 2012 season.  The remaining 25 percent of voters were split between, “Yes, even if BYU loses later,” (20%) and undecided (5%).

While I will gladly celebrate the win, I don’t think a win will salvage the season for me. Not even if BYU wins all the rest of its games and finishes 10-3.

I don’t want to sound pessimistic, but there are two sides to the coin.

On one side, a win on the road, over the undefeated, no. 5 ranked team with the nation’s no. 2 defense would be awesome. Imagine the headlines and attention BYU would receive. By continuing to win, BYU would finish the year ranked (in both polls). For at least one season, the complaints that BYU never beats a quality team would be quelled.

On the flip side, a win on the road, over the undefeated, no. 5 ranked team with the nation’s no. 2 defense would make those two losses to Utah and Boise State even harder to bear. Many fans, including myself, are waiting anxiously for BYU to have an undefeated, or even 1-loss season. Several have never experienced this in the life of their fandom. A special win is great, but a special season is far greater.

If BYU can beat Notre Dame, there is no justification for any of the three loses except that BYU didn’t play as well as they could have. This excuse has played like a broken record the last half decade. Why can’t BYU put it all together every game of the season, and not just for one game? That is another question that will hang like a cloud over the program if BYU wins.

I am happy that over half of poll voters could find some solace for all of 2012 if BYU beats Notre Dame. For me, I guess I have just invested too much emotionally to have one big win completely erase the feelings of failed potential.

Thank you to everyone who voted. Don’t forget to come back after the Notre Dame game to vote in a new poll.  

The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com

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