Someone stole Austin Collie’s post season award…
AP Photo David Zalubowski
The 2008 Biletnikoff Award should be going to Austin Collie, but it won’t. BYU will once again be snubbed by the BCS conferences and the award will go, once again, to Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech.
This year Austin has done everything possible to solidify himself as the nation’s top receiver, but who has been watching? Austin leads the nation in total Receiving Yards with 1315 yds and in yds/game with an average of 119.55 yds/game. In every statistical category for receivers Austin leads Crabtree.
Receptions: Austin by 7
Yds/Game: Austin by 18!
Yds/Catch: Austin by 1
Yards: Austin by 305* (Austin has played one more game, but still)
The only exception to the Rule of Austin Collie is that Crabtree has 3 more TDs than Collie. This is likely due to the amount of TDs Pitta and George have in the Blue Zone.
So why does Crabtree get the nod? He was the nation’s top receiver last year, hands down. The guy flat out dominates his opponents. The bad news for Collie is the media infatuation with Crabtree carried over into this year AND he is from a BCS school. The latter supposedly means he is playing against better teams.
At least this year that is not the case. According to this year’s NCAA Pass Efficiency Defense Rankings BYU has played against far tougher pass D than Texas Tech. The best Pass D the Raiders have faced is #28 Oklahoma. BYU’s was #8 TCU -which didn’t work out to well. The next best D Tech faced was #59 Texas, while BYU faced -will face- #36 Utah, #39 AFA, #45 UCLA, #46 Wyoming.
The award should go to the nation’s top receiver THIS YEAR. That is why the award is handed out annually. No doubt about it, Collie is this years top receiver and should be awarded for his play on the field. If they have a career receiving trophy then maybe they can give that to Crabtree, but this years top dog, is actually a Cougar!
By Markell Staffieri
Leave your vote and give us an explanation as to why Collie does or doesn’t win, make your case. But I don’t want to hear one person say Crabtree wins it because of the final play of the Texas game, that would be a captain obvious statement. Keep the argument to the players importance to his team, stats, consistency and whatever you internet junkies come up with, like catch phrases. Collie has that one hands down, “Magic Happens”.
November 18th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Collie wins cause Gooch says.
November 18th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Word, but that won’t hold up with the voters.
November 18th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
I think Collie has had a great year and deserves the award. He hasn’t come out of the blue to this success either. He had a great freshman year and a great year last year so teams knew who he was coming in. I still can see him in the UCLA game where the announcers kept pumping up the poor guy that was defending him. One of them said it wasn’t a good idea to keep going at this cornerback because sooner or later it would come back to bite you. Well Austin and Max kept going at him and the guy never had an answer. I almost felt sorry for him by games end.
My question is where has the talk of guys coming out early for the draft come from? I would never have expected anyone to be considering that. What is your take since you former players know these guys? Is there anyone on the team that would be likely to jump to the NFL early??
November 18th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
One of the things that impresses me so much about Collie is that he’s getting yards no matter who we’re playing against. He’s had 100+ yards in the last 9 games, _including_ TCU, the best defense we’ve played against, where the offense overall managed only 297 yards total. If Collie doesn’t get the award this year, I’ll be looking for him to take it next year.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
While there is little dispute that Austin Collie is a TREMENDOUS receiver, as far as WRs go, I think you need to look at the entire body of work. And collegiate WR speaking, there is NO BETTER than Jarrett Dillard. I know I know, you are going to say, its the award for the best receiver this year. Well, I would argue that this guy has been the best receiver over the last 3 years. First of all, to your point, how many people have seen him play? Talk about being buried in a non-BCS school. Dillard is the consummate route runner that gets results, not flash. In 1 less game he has 2 more touchdowns than Collie. And you may think its because Pitta or Unga are getting TDs around the goal…well…Rice also has James Casey who I would argue, along with Pitta and Chase Kauffman, as being the Mackey Award Winner. Look at Dillard’s stats. Not giving him the nod at least once in his career would be like not giving Ty Detmer the Davey O’Brien award. Dillard is #1 all time NCAA leaders in career touchdowns. That is #1. EVER. In the history of college football folks. He is currently 13th on the list of career receptions, and will probably end up around 5th or 6th. Only 13 guys EVER have had at least 1000 yards in three consecutive seasons. Dillard is one of those. Dillard holds the all-time NCAA record for the most career games with a touchdown. He has 8 games with at least 3 TD catches (that to me is amazing!). He had 21 TD catches his soph year. That is 6 more than any other receiver that year. By the end of the season, he will be the all-time leader in C-USA history in TD (period - rushing or receiving) and yardage AND 1st or 2nd in scoring. Collie is great and top 3 this year for sure; but Dillard deserves it, and as we are fans of a team that is a non-BCS team, we should be giving pub to outstanding players that NEVER get any.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I think Collie will win it as long as he has another outstanding game against Utah and here’s why:
1. He is the only receiver to have been named the Biletnikoff Award player of the week more than once this season.
2. As was mentioned, he leads in every statistical category except one.
4. He has NINE straight games of 100+ yards.
3. Despite lousy media coverage he has already made it far enough to be a finalist, which suggests that there is somebody out there actually keeping tabs on him.
4. Correct me if I’m wrong, but the people who select the Biletnikoff Award winner are not the same as those who select for the BCS.
5. Those individuals, if they are doing their job, should also be aware of the statistics mentioned above.
By the way, does someone at BYU send highlights of the various players to the various voters of the awards that BYU players are nominated for? If they don’t they should.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
The only thing good about him not getting the award or all-american this year…… is the internal motivational care over to next year. Not sure this guy needs any more motivation, but it can’t hurt, right?
November 18th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I made a premature statement out coming out early. I can admit that. The main factor in leaving early in my opinion is the fact that the NFL discounts you because of age so often. Austin, Jan, and Pitta all served missions so they are getting up there in age (according to the NFL) Jan also Redshirted so he’s even older. That is my only thinking. I don’t know either way, I just know that they are probably at least giving it some thought.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Fact: People continue to talk about John Beck’s age and how he doesn’t have a long time to make a name for himself because he is so old in the NFL.
Fact: Kurt Warner is 37 and is arguably the best QB in the NFL right now.
Just goes to show that people don’t realize “old” players are good too.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Oceanographer:
Austin leads Crabtree in all but one catagory, that was my comparison. He may or may not lead the NATION in all but one, I am not sure. I did not compare everyone.
November 18th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Crabtree will win, but not for any stats.
Crabtree will win because he made an amazing move on a national stage to beat the #1 team in the country.
Stats have to be pretty impressive to overcome that kind of a play.
November 18th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Staff or Quinn,
This question is totally unrelated to the post, but whenever I am watching a game with my wife and she sees a player with with long hair, she always asks me why it is that the defense never pulls the offensive player’s long hair in order to tackle him. I have yet been able to give her an answer. Why not tackle the guy while at the same time making him think twice about growing his hair so long?
I’m sure that she will ask me the question on Saturday the first time she sees Johnson hand the ball to Asiata.
November 18th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
The only honest reason (and by honest I mean trying to avoid any talk of conference affiliation or television coverage) that the pollsters could have to give it to Crabtree over Austin is the Win/Loss ratio. It’s the same with the Heisman, as soon as a great player on a great team looses, they’re out of the discussion (at least until the rest of the nation also has a loss).
I can understand it more for the Heisman, where the qualifications include a leadership quality in urging your team on in tough situations, but an award for best performance at the receiver position? That only relies on the receiver, the passer, and the defense they play against. Nothing else. Hall and Collie have to be up there in the top three duos in the nation, if not the top.
November 18th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Nice research, Staff! Austin is the most complete receiver that I have ever seen play. He has a lot of great characteristics that do not show up in the stats as well.
November 18th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Staff,
Sorry, my mistake.
That being said, however, I think that Collie does have good chance for the other reasons that I state - especially the fact that he has already been chosen twice as the nations best receiver of the week, which is more than anyone else. I think, though, that how he performs in the game this week will be crucial. If (and when) BYU wins it will big with the national media because BYU was written off after TCU and Utah is now the media darling. If Collie has a big game and BYU pulls off the win I think it will be the right momentum to carry the award committee for Collie. That’s my hope anyway.
November 18th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Quinn,
With Dennis hurt (and he is a huge part of the BYU O game) will the Utes focus more on Austin? He has had some great games this season, but the Utes will remember 4th and 18.
They must be working on a major plan to shut him down. My other worry is the Ute’s going after Max like TCU did, that killed us . What’s your take?
November 18th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Jake,
Your wife is not the first nor the last to ask that question. Basically in order to tackle someone effectively at this level you have to go back to Day 1 technique…run through the middle of the guys numbers (Or legs if you are over matched). As fun as it would be to pull all that hair out, it is beyond the last thing on your mind when you are approaching him for a tackle. During a game, I don’t think I ever noticed long hair.
As a side note, I do remember seeing a clip of Troy Palomalu (spelling?) intercepting a ball and then being pulled down from behind by his hair. Hopefully Asiata will be tackled behind anyone has to chase him from behind
November 18th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Gunny,
No doubt they will be paying extra special attention to Collie on Sat. Expect a lot of double teams with a corner under and a safety over the top (or any other combo) ALL DAY! I still remember after 3rd and 18 Smith (The corner #4) holding up his Ute hand sign at our bench and laughing and taunting and saying all sorts of crap…he didn’t say much after 4th and 18! In fact his whole demeanor changed…
anyway back to the point. The only way the Utes can take Austin out of the game is if Max tries to force balls into Austin like he did against TCU. If we spread the ball around they can’t focus all their attention on Collie and when they let him go single cov. that one time, we will make it count.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:10 am
I think Austin can expect to be doubled most of the night. Some of the other receivers are going to need to step up in order to draw the coverage away from Collie.
Austin will have one on one coverage a handful of times throughout the game and he is going to need to maximize those opportunities.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:27 am
I disagree. The Ute defense has been successful the past few years manning up our receivers with only one high safety, while bringing the rest and putting pressure on the QB. We win because we are able to capitalize when they did play zone or prevent defenses. They are cocky enough that they have never felt like they had to double team our top receiver. Austin will have to beat their one-on-one coverage a couple of times before they start treating him special - so maybe after the first series =)
November 19th, 2008 at 1:00 am
austin is an amazing receiver but Crabtree is unbelievable, a freak, he is ridiculous, if he was on byu and had Hall throwing him the ball on almost every play he would have 2000 yards and 25 td’s again, he cannot be stopped, austin is fantastic but no one is on the same level as crabtree is
November 19th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Crabtree gets it for the reasons states it but it doesn’t sit well with me either. I’m tired of the BCS schools getting double prizes. They are the only teams that get to schedule 9 or 10 BCS schools so they get by default a “better” strength of schedule. They play “better” teams so they must be “better”. Well if Crabtree plays against better players, then doesn’t that also by default mean his QB is better so the ball is on the money more and therefore easier to catch?? Surely there should be a balance there!
November 19th, 2008 at 9:13 am
I for one think he deserves the award, but I want him back next year so if he doesn’t get it I am fine with that. Correct me if I am wrong but Max Hall could have the following weapons at his disposal next year. Collie, Pitta, Unga, Chambers, Jacobson, George. How is any defense going to slow that monster down. I REALLY hope none of these guys leave early. Next year is going to be a very special year if everyone stays in school.
November 19th, 2008 at 9:19 am
I would like to see one of the receivers on the other side step up and make big plays. Reed has not been as effective as I’d hoped but the injury bug has been tough on him this year. Utah is very confident in their defense and you could even call them arrogant but I just don’t see them leaving Collie in single man coverage all night. But then again, this is the defense that let him get open on 4th and 18 and the defense that gave John Beck all day long to make the winning TD to Harline.
November 19th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I love the Cougs and Collie as much as the next fan but we as BYU fans need to chill out when comparing our players against the BCS schools. Even if you buy the statistical arguments above, Crabtree faces some of the best defensive backs in the nation. He is not racking up yardage on the likes of our MWC foes. We need to respect our position in college football. We should consistently win the MWC and we should consistently be in the Top 25. Once in a while we will have a team that makes a run at the BCS, but year in and year out we need to bow to the BCS conferences. They are better. We would be lucky to be 500 in the BIg 12 south this year. And the SEC? Forget it. I love the Cougs and I believe they can beat any team on any given day but for an entire season? Come on. It is the unreasonable expectations that make BYU fans disappointed after going 10-1. Ten and freaking One guys. I love the BYU product this year, so easy to cheer for, but lets remember our place. BEAT THE DIRTY UTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 19th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Nate, where have you been? In 2006 people were saying 2007 is going to be special. In 2007, people were saying 2008. Now I’m seeing 2009. Look, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 ALL of them were (or will be) very special teams, AND all of them had the potential to be BCS bowl caliber teams. 2009 will have some talented skill players back, but replacing some of the gaps on the O-line is not going to be easy, and the defense still needs a fair amount of work. The skill players get a lot of credit, but from 2006-2008, that O-line has been fantastic.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Ditto what Oceanographer says. Collie deserves the award for the reasons stated. What Collie needs is for BYU to defeat Utah, and the bigger the blow out the better. Both Collie and Hall would jump back out on the national stage with a win over Utah.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:05 am
The O line has looked less that superior in a few games this year. I don’t think the drop off there will be that big as coach Weber has done a really good job. I am simply stating I cannot remember a year where BYU has had that many incredible skill players on one team.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Richard M, please reference Markell’s stats about the caliber of passing defense Crabtree has faced in comparison to the defense Austin has faced. Big 12 or MWC both players have faced good competition.
The Big 12 and SEC are better conferences, but I belive if BYU had similar surrounding population distrubutions as those schools we would have better recruiting, donors, TV contracts and rosters, which would put us on the same level as those schools.
BYU is close and if we continue to win and eventually make a BCS game I think it could turn into a reoccuring thing. We simply need to get over the hump.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:14 am
2 things.
First, I agree with Quinn’s assesment that Crabtree will win it because he’s in a BCS league and also riding the wave generated by his performance last year.
Second, the Mtn. is killing Collie’s chances to be seen. I don’t think I’ve seen a Collie highlight on SportsCenter all season long.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Collie gets here, and here are my reasons:
1. Texas Tech is a throw happy school; their system accounts for a good part of Crabtrees stats. It is true that we throw a lot, but we have a bigger balance with the run game, and it seems that we try to play shorter with the pass.
2. Collie was one of the few (if not only) player that had a good game against TCU. Even they could not shut him down. AFA also tried, and Collie had it when it counted. He beats everyone.
3. I haven’t seen all the games, so this is more speculation, but I don’t think anybody else plays with as much fire on BYU as Austin does. You can see it in his eyes and they way he catches the ball. His competative spirit is giving him chances to contribute in other ways as well a la QB option vs AFA &c.
Any feedback is welcome, esp from Gooch and Co. if the facts don’t support my reasoning.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Paul,
Dead on Exposure is what kills any BYU player’s chance of winning a post season award. I am in AZ and this has been like heaven having the MTN on my DirecTV. My wife on the other hand curses the MTN every day of her life!
November 19th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Tech is pass happy, but this year they are winning more games because they have more balance. Their offensive line is amazing and Harall should win the Heisman.
One thing that was very apparent is that Tech uses Crabtree near the goal line a lot, hence his numerous TD’s.
I think both players are highly competative and play with a lot of passion. Austin gets the edge because I think he means more to his team. Quote me on that one. If Harall didn’t have Crabtree they would simple throw to his supporting cast more and they would be alright. Our team needs Austin to produce because when he struggles BYU struggles.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Quinn,
Do you see Hall, Pitta, or Collie laving after this year for the league where they play for pay?
November 19th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
KJazz,
Max Hall and Graham Harell (Crabtree’s QB) are within decimals across the board statistically, so I don’t think that having Max throw to him would increase his output. Let’s face it, he had one amazing catch on a national stage. Collie makes lots of amazing catches, just not on ESPN…he is stuck on the mtn. The only other thing Crabtree might beat Austin in, is the 40. But Jerry Rice wasn’t a speedster either.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Collie and Pitta could leave, but Hall needs another year before he is ready. Plus Max is still young -in age- and Dennis and Austin are not only playing against their opponent, but they are also playing the clock.
I don’t know if they stay or go, but with the year they are both having, next year would be a good time for them to earn some paper.
I would like to see them stay, but they both have wonderful opportunities to fulfill every football players dream and play in the league.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I hope they all decide to stay for their senior seasons. There is unfinished business at hand next year and I hope they both stick around.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Quinn, let me say first that I enjoyed watching you play and I love this site. It is my favorite read while taking breaks from billing hours for the man.
One thing about the pass defense statistics is that those statistics are earned against the opponents that they play, which goes back to my original point. In any event, I would LOVE to see Austin Collie get the award. he’s tough, goes up for the ball and, in my eyes, he is the epitome of Cougar football.
I have to disagree that BYU will ever have a football program like the elite BCS schools. I think they could step into ANY BCS league and be average but BYU is a unique institution with unique players–slow, white guys, that are smart, play hard and play as a team. That is precisely why they can beat any team on any given Saturday. BYU will never generate the type of money that the other school generate and don’t think the Board of Directors want the football program to be run that way. It is good to have our elite LDS prospects spread throughout the country. Trust me, I have the same dream as every other Cougar fan of having all of the best LDS players come to BYU, but there are too many factors beyond religion that determine where guys chose.
Let me just close by saying, BEAT THE UTES!!!
November 19th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I read an article recently that said that during the first six years of the BCS ‘98 to ‘04 the revenue generated from bowl games was around 957 million dollars, and the BCS conferences took around 850 million. Sorry I don’t have the link but it was at usatoday.com. This is insane. We get no money!!! The crazy thing is that most of those BCS teams aren’t better than a BYU or a Utah, or a TCU, or AF, or even Wyoming!!! (Tenn went down) Some are better. But for all the freaking money they get, they aren’t as better as they should be.
This mountain channel is a piece of crap. Hall somehow gets exposure, but Collie really doesn’t. It is amazing to me that we can’t get our games on tv for all of our fans. I live in AZ, same area where Criddle was down here–Glendale, and maybe Gooch, and I can’t get a BYU game here on my own tv with dish! I have to go to o’sullivans on 59th and bell and they give me my own tv at my own table but no one wants to watch it on the bigger screens. Its crazy! Look at this Saturday. Its on the mountain again!!! and…. Not even in HD!!! Sucks!!!
Like Gooch said we are closer to busting this thing open, but I say we cant duff up. This sat should be the number 6 team against the number 7 team but we weren’t ready for TCU’s aggressiveness. Thats ok, and we move forward but we were getting serious coverage in the headlines, and commentators started to reference our national championship until we panicked in texas and dropped the ball–literally. We need more exposure, but we need to not duff up when we start getting exposure. Every time a MWC team starts building momentum they gets the crap kicked out of them in a game they should have won and the commentators eat their words. The only way we can do that is to not duff up when we get exposure. I don’t know its super hard. to go undefeated no matter who you are but we gotta just keep winning. Thats the bottom line.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Richard,
I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but this thing just won’t die. Pass Efficiency Defense is not just Pass Defense. It takes into account, pass attempts, completions, avg yds per pass completion, passing TDs, etc. Not just total yardage, which is what Pass Defense calculates. Therefore Pass Efficiency Defense really shows exactly how good a pass defense is. BYU has played against tougher pass defenses this year. Sorry, but that’s just the way it is.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Staffieri,
I wasn’t aware of that, thanks for the clarification. And thanks for being a good Cougar we enjoyed watching you play!
Best.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Collie’s white, therefore he can’t be a good WR. Only 1/14 winners have been white.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
J Bone,
There is a small silver lining to the mtn this year and that is that the byu utah game will be in HD for the first time. it was announced on their website.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Let’s just remember when you are talking “BCS” conference this year, you are really only talking 2 of the 6 that are better than the Mountain West. Many experts are willing to concede that we are the 3rd or 4th best conference in the nation this year. So BYU would compete for the Big East, ACC or PAC 10 championship this year, could hang in the Big 10 (at least this year), and then would be less successful in the SEC or Big 12.
The only way we will bust into being a BCS conference is not by leaving the MWC, but by the MWC “earning” the right. Over time, after several years of winning games and having ranked teams, I think that the MWC will have enough ammunition to get that automatic bid.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
kiyoshige,
I have to agree with everything you wrote. Let me just add that even in the SEC or Big 12 this year we would be in contention. We would at the very least be above .500 in conference in those Conferences.
I think the BCS needs to do away with the automatic bid all together. It won’t happen, but let’s face it, if you are good enough to be in a BCS bowl, then atuomatic or not, you will end up ranked high enough at the end of the year. It probably wouldn’t drastically change which conferences sent teams to the BCS games, but it would eliminate a 7-4 Pitt team from getting a fluke win at the right time and taking a spot that another team in the country deserved.
I really don’t think that people would complain about not having an Automatic bid. Look at this years BCS rankings. No one has won a conf champ yet, (no automatic lock ins) but can you really argue who the top 10 teams are? Not really. So far all 10 have earned the right to be in a BCS bowl.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Here’s the rules for future BCS qualification, as accessed on bcsfootball.org. MWC has had a great season and we have to continue to do well NOW AS A CONFERENCE (2006-2009 seasons) to earn spots in 2012-2013. This means Holy War and all, I’m a fan of all MWC teams for their respective bowl games.
“Standards for Future BCS Automatic Qualification
The champions of the Atlantic Coast, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac-10 and Southeastern Conferences will have annual automatic qualification for a BCS game after the regular seasons of 2008 through 2013, based on mathematical standards of performance during the 2004-2007 regular seasons.
The 2006-2009 regular seasons will be evaluated under the same standards to determine if other conferences will have annual automatic qualification for the games after the 2012 and 2013 regular seasons. The champions of no more than seven conferences will have annual automatic berths.
If the BCS continues under the same or similar format, conferences will be evaluated on their performances during the 2010-2013 regular seasons to determine which conferences will have automatic qualification for the bowls that will conclude the 2014-2017 regular seasons.
The evaluation data includes the following for each conference (1) the ranking of the highest-ranked team in the final BCS standings each year, (2) the final regular-season rankings of all conference teams in the computer rankings used by the BCS each year and (3) the number of teams in the top 25 of the final BCS standings each year.
Conference agreements with bowls will continue. The Pac-10 and Big Ten champions will host the Rose Bowl if their teams are not in the BCS national championship game. Likewise, the Southeastern Conference champion will host the Sugar Bowl, ACC champion will host the Orange Bowl and Big 12 champion will host the Fiesta Bowl.”
November 19th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Kiy…Good job on the research. That is a bunch of crap for how they do it though, because programs can change so much in 4 years. Programs (and conferences) can really change every 2 years. Look at the Pac 10, Big 10, Wac…those were conferences that two years ago had a handful of competitive teams…this year they are putting much together. Then look at what the MWC has done in the last 4 years in terms of growth. Aside from 2 teams that always suck (but they rotate) we have had a really strong conference.
But you know what they say about the Golden Rule…He who has the GOLD makes the RULES. The BCS conferences have all the money, so they will continue to make the rules.
November 19th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Too. Two Os.
November 19th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
collie has only 1 other threat to get his catches during a game ( pitta ) while crabtree has probably 3 sometimes 4 other guys also getting a lot of catches, now i am a die hard byu fan but i am also realistic here. i would rather have crabtree on my team than collie but collie isn’t far behind and thats saying something. he is in the top tier of receivers in the nation for sure but saying he absolutely deserves the award over crabtree is a bit ridiculous, it is closer than the vote will be though with crabtree winning easily just because of the said catch and the fact that he is on sportscenter every single day
November 20th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Collie should lock up the Biletnikoff on Saturday when he takes a direct snap and shows off that arm we heard so much about in Fall Camp by chucking it down the field for the gamewinning TD.
Except that no one watches the Mtn, so it won’t matter.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:35 am
After BYU wipes up Utah, and Collie has a career game, it will be clear to all voters. Austin Collie is the man.
November 20th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Kiyoshige,
I like your posts. In regards to your first one there is one major problem that no one seems to have mentioned yet–but might have. CAN THE MWC keep enough talented coaches to warrant “earning” the right to belong as a BCS conference. Look where Meyer is now coaching…? And its just a matter of time before guys like Bronco, Troy Calhoun, and even Whittingham get offered five times the pay to go coach in a current BCS conference. This is huge problem and as I understand it BYU alum have begun to for “a plan” to TRY to keep their coach but what about the rest of the teams in the MWC?
I have blue blood but had the Utes hung on to Meyer in 2005, it is highly probably Alex Smith would have stayed, and others who left for the NFL, as well and their whole team might have competed in in a national title the very next year. If not that year I could argue that Meyer would have gotten one of his Ute teams into a title game. His teams’–even now–are insanely prepared for “big” games.
This isn’t a tribute to Meyer but our coaching talent gets lost to the BCS conferences. Sarkisian, Chow, Croton–as a coordinator not a head coach, Meyer, etc etc, even Mike Leach of Texas Tech is a BYU grad. The point is How do we “earn” the right to be a BCS conference if all of our coaching talent, or talented people with “ties to the program” go elsewhere cause the money is ten times better??? It’s a huge question.
November 21st, 2008 at 12:47 pm
I love my Cougars and Austin Collie truly is a beast. I believe he is the best WR BYU has ever had and is having a tremendous year. I really think that he is among the 3 best WRs in college football along with Crabtree and Dez Bryant and his stats definitely show that. But I don’t think that he will win the award and I don’t think he should. I know that is blasphemy but here me out.
No matter what the stats say, Crabtree is the best WR I have ever seen in college, a slight nod to him over Larry Fitzgerald. I guy is an absolute freak that does everything well. He is a better WR than Collie! That is not a knock on Collie. As I said, Crabtree is a once in a lifetime type of player. Throwout the stats and actually watch him play. He is an absolute stud and is every bit as good as advertised. He is a guy I would absolutely pay to watch play.
November 21st, 2008 at 11:00 pm
This is why we call it the BSCS.