Congratulations...To The BYU Cougars!

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I could only watch the first half before I had to go to work. And from what I saw, I thought the men in Blue would have a long trip back to Utah.

Turns out, the second half--the half I didn't get to see--was all Brigham Young.

I've written a couple of times about the Cougars. Growing up they were the premiere team in the state and one of the best in the country. Those days of dominance haven't returned for a couple of decades, but that's the way of things. The game's gotten so much bigger and more expensive. If you're not one of a half a dozen teams, you might get lucky and have a good year, but to be the best year after year, it's so much harder to do nowadays (just my personal opinion, of course...).

When the Y hired Kalani Sitake as their head coach, I knew the program made the right decision. How can I be against a guy who helped make my Utes a defensive powerhouse with numerous alumni playing in the NFL? Even if he brings BYU back to its former glory and they thrash the Utes year after year, I'll always be grateful to him for what he did while he wore red on the sidelines.

Today's win was a good one, one that helps a team with a new coaching staff and identity build confidence. I don't know how good or bad Michigan State is this year, but going into anyone's house and beating them like the Y did today is impressive--a good win.

But as good as the win was, BYU's pre-game moment was perhaps the best part of the game for me. They placed bouquets of roses on the field in honor of two Michigan State players who died recently. 

Class act, Cougars--class act!

I don't know if I'll always be rooting for BYU, but today I was and I'm glad they won.

* Photo used without permission from: BYU Photo @BYUphoto on Instagram

Let The Games Begin!

It seemed to take forever to get here, but now that college football has begun, I wonder if it really was that long after all. I don't know why, but there's something about college football that I love.

I have the same feeling for national soccer teams. I think it's because they're playing for more than just a paycheck, like the pro teams do. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy pro football and soccer, and basketball because of how talented the athletes are. They can do amazing things.

But I think that's why I like the college game--for that same reason. The athletes are not as talented, but they play with heart.

In my state of Utah, all home teams were not guaranteed to win, because two played each other. My son came into the room Thursday night and saw the Utah/USU game on TV. "Who's playing?" he asked. "Utah and Utah State." I said. Then he said, "That's good that Utah will win." He's 9 and what he meant was it's good that a Utah team will win, and one did. But one lost, too.

I am a Utah Man sir, and I live across the green. However, I love to watch the Aggies play and win. I was an Aggie, albeit for a short time. My dad was an Aggie, my brother, my uncle, and many, many friends are Aggies (whether or not they're "true Aggies," you'll have to ask them...). Go Aggies!

Tonight the other major football power in the state played, and they did not prevail, even though when I left to go shopping with five minutes left in the game, they pretty much had the thing won. I guess not.

Be you red, blue, purple, green, brown, or black, if you're a college football fan you'll have to agree--you're glad the game is back!