Dallas Trip Part 1-BYU Game

At the End of October we got to fly to Dallas to be with friends and family. We'll post more on that, but I'll post on the Game.

BYU and TCU had a big Friday night game on ESPN in Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Going to the Stadium is worth the ticket price alone. It cost 1.3 billion dollars to build. Its got a giant video board that has to be close to the biggest in the world. It holds over a hundred thousand people.

The lobbys are posh and its a great stadium to walk around to just enjoy the opulence. It has a retractable roof that we got to watch open up:

It was fun to go with Branagan and Claire who we also stayed with in Dallas.



This is my lovely wife, and our boy In Utero.

Oh and there was a game. BYU opened up by giving TCU 14 points in the first quarter and they lost by ten.BYU has 3 turnovers and some really bad punting that doomed them. This is their 4th straight loss to TCU. I hope one day in my life time BYU can beat TCU again. TCU was unfriendly to BYU fans, didn't announce BYU at the beginning of the game and showed only TCU stuff on the jumbo tron. All the BYU fans started booing the jumbo tron when they showed the TCU cheerleaders tussle their pom-poms every 5 minutes in the 4th. Overall it just stinks to lose to a team that has been so good recently.

We ended up wandering around the stadium most of the third quarter. At least BYU scored more points than when we flew out for the 2008 game. Here is one of the last plays that ended up making sports center for BYU

I guess there is always next time...

Super Quick September Utah Trip

(Written by Ryan) The last week in September we made a super quick Utah Trip. We flew in on Wednesday Night and out on a Sunday Morning. On Wednesday and Thursday we spent time with Bick and Poppy and stayed at their house. The first night we had Sam sleep in a closet:

Visit with Deenie

Fun with Bicky

The next day we were able to get a great tour of the Conference Center by one of it's newest volunteer tour guides, my Dad. Dad gave a great tour and knew a lot of details.


On Friday we went down to BYU to see them win in the the last few seconds against Utah State. We had a great group: The Andruses, The Hills, and the Whitakers.



Lots of people rushed the field. We walked down a few minutes later and took this picture :


We spent the night and part of the next day with Craig and McKay and Eddie.
Sam spent most of the night before chasing the dog around the house and shrieking. This picture wasn't representative, but I love the look on both of these dudes faces.

We spend some more time with the Hills and Grandpa and Grandma Lindgren. They showered Sam with Elmo gifts and even dressed him up as Elmo. Sam is 100% obsessed with watching Elmo. Here is Elizabeth and ElmoSam playing the Piano:

And here is Sam and Grandma playing a tune:
On Sunday we spent some time with Gunnell's and then we were off to the airport.

Fall is Here!

Every year I post about the upcoming football season for BYU, this year is no different. This is going to be a great year to watch as a fan. BYU starts their first year of independence with an established QB, and a lot of talent, and an invigorated coaching staff. Also they have a contract with ESPN and BYUTV so it will be easy to see them play on TV.

Last year I predicted 9-10 wins and was wrong. Usually I am within a game or two, but last year the wheels fell off. Lots of injuries and some flaws in coaching became apparent during the season. A demoralizing loss at Utah State, a last minute loss to Utah, and 4 other losses led to a 7-6 season. The Cougs rallied near the end and won their bowl game.

This is how I see it this year:

I think the team will be strong almost everywhere, except for the Defensive secondary. Their is an established leader and this team is young but talented. This year they will show sparks of greatness. The Offense will be fun to watch and the defensive line will be fierce. I divide the games up into three categories:

Games BYU will not be favored in:

Texas, TCU

I wouldn't be surprised if BYU beats one of the Texas teams, but expecting victories over both talented programs on the road is too much to ask. 1-1

Games that will be competitive:

Ole Miss, Utah, UCF, Oregon State, Hawaii. BYU will kill Utah at home this year. I'm a little worried about Ole Miss and Oregon State on the road. I expect 4-1 from this group.

Games BYU will win in their sleep:

San Jose State, Utah State, New Mexico State, Idaho state, Idaho. These games will be put away by half time, especially the revenge game against Utah State.5-0

So a fun season to look forward too. I'm calling for a ten win season and a bowl victory. This year we'll be at the Utah State game and the TCU game in Dallas. Cant wait.

Go Cougars!

BYU FSU

While down in Tallahassee Dr. DR (Cheyn's Dad), Ridge, and I got to go to the BYU FSU game. I have been looking forward to this game since 2007 when I found out BYU would be playing close to Cheyney's parent's home. Ridge hooked up us with some tickets that were right behind the FSU bench at the 40 yard line. Ridge was such a sport. He really didn't have a dog in the fight but wore BYU blue (...and Gator shoes).

We all went tailgating before hand with some FSU boosters. Everybody was really nice and friendly, except for the occasional weirdo. Alcohol helps in the becoming weird process with some. We sat in the FSU section and everyone was really nice there too.

The stadium was awesome. It had 88k seats. There was a giant bronze sculpture out front with real flames coming from the top of the spear. The stadium was huge with giant jumbo trons and lots of pageantry. The stadium was an awesome temple to college football.




Inside the FSU band, and the horsemanship of the mascot were great.


Now on to the game. Great second quarter, but BYU has a lot to grow and rebuild this year. The temperature was 95 degrees and just when I thought I couldn't take the heat anymore, shade fell on the side on which we were sitting. I was very glad we went; it was a fun experience.

Welcome Fall!

One week till the start of BYU's football season. Every year I like to use a post to predict how BYU will do this year, and talk about the team we follow. I've loved BYU since I was a kid, Cheyn enjoys some games, and Sam is being raised right, so we got a family full of Cougar fans.

This year I am actually headed to a road game in Tallahassee, where BYU will take on Florida State. I have been looking forward to this for years and our friend Ridge hooked me up. Can't wait! Dr. Dr. (Stan) will also be in attendance.

This has been an interesting year for BYU. They are coming of their fourth season of being ranked in the top 25, and beat three ranked teams last year. Their top RB, QB, and All-American TE from last season all went to the NFL. The offseason has had some interesting twists and turns. The University of Utah has been invited to the Pac 10. Currently BYU has been mulling over going Independent, so the fans can actually watch more games and BYU can get more money and a better schedule.

This season's team should be young and talented, but a bit inexperienced. BYU is known for their potent offense and history of QB's, and there is competition this year to who starts at that position. This will probably be the main plot line this season. Most predict the Freshman QB Jake Heaps to be in charge of the offense by the end of the season. The Defense should be better than usual this year. They are well coached and BYU has an excellent history of consistent achievement, so don't expect BYU to fall off much this year.

Last year I predicted a 11-2 BYU and was right on. This year, I think BYU will still do well, but more in the neighborhood of 9-10 wins including the bowl game. FSU and TCU should be the toughest opponents and they may slip up somewhere else along the line, probably at the start of things.

So were ready for another fun season of following and cheering for our Alma Matter.

Welcome Fall

Fall is my favorite season. I'm not a summer guy. I love the vacations and time around friends and family, but the humidity hits here the worst in mid August and I'm a goner. Its too hot to go to the beach, and by this time we've used up all of our vacation time. We can't go running unless its we go really early or really late. There is no interesting TV. August seems to throw the rest of its energy at you right at the end and break your spirits.

Well, We've all made it through it! I'm officially calling summer over as of now. You heard it here first.

And, the other reason we love fall Cougar fans?


Wait, wait wait wrong video...this is the right one...

In honor of the return of football season we've turned our blog Blue. Last August I predicted a two loss team and was off by a game. We made it out for the TCU game last year and it was their worst loss of the season. To help the team this year we probably wont go to a game in person.
This year expect another great BYU football team. I expect them to finish in the top 25 for the fourth year in a row and again predict a two loss season. So here is your chance blog readers to go on record and predict BYU's record in the comments. And if any of our friends that are Ute fans are reading this blog, 1.I'm surprised you can read 2. I know you had a great season last year, but good luck coming to Provo this year, cause you'll need it.

Whatever happens, expect a great season of Football, leaves changing color, Halloween, and great weather. Welcome Fall.

Rivalry Week

The final play of the game the last time BYU played at Utah. To hear the U's announcers make the radio call click here

This Saturday BYU heads up to Salt Lake for their annual rivalry football game against the University of Utah. Every year is a big game, but this one matches two nationally ranked top 15 teams. BYU has won the last two meetings and this Saturday is set to be another classic competition.

We'll be watching here in Raleigh at a local sports bar. The wife actually thinks Utah will win, so this post reflects only Ryan's views and is not an official Cheyney and Ryan post.

Right now the Vegas line has Utah winning by four points. Odds are against either team winning three years in a row these days. Utah is ranked #7 and BYU is ranked #14. But the experts are wrong.

Here is my prediction: Utah feels a lot of pressure and has the most to lose in this game. BYU comes out and pulls ahead, deflating the till then undefeated Utes fragile ego's. BYU's offense is great this year, and that means a lot at a place known for their great offense. Utah rallies a little but can't get back. When BYU shows up, magic happens. Final score 33-24 BYU

So what is your prediction?

I Can't Wait For Fall, Part 1

I know summer is wonderful. Outdoor events, evening walks, vacations and all that. But around here we (And especially me, Ryan) just can't wait for fall to start. I have three reasons to be extra excited for this fall besides just the leaves changing color:

#3

College football is just the best. Its fun to root for your school and I love the rivalries. The games are just so exciting to watch. I can't really explain why I love college football as much as I do. Being a quasi vegetarian, liberal guy who wore embarrassingly short cross country shorts in high school and not shoulder pads, all I can say is I'm just into it. I love the upsets that are especially a part of the game. Not living in the Intermountain West for years, I still follow the Cougs.

BYU hasn't been hyped this much in over ten years and are picked by most to finish high up in the top twenty five. I have been going to games and following the cougars since I was about this old:
I'll try to keep up with the Cougars out here in the South, and will also have to pay attention to Ridge's Florida Gators, Justin's Michigan Wolverines and Brady and Cheyn's Georgia Bulldogs (I haven't completely converted her to BYU yet). This year I'll catch most of the games on TV but we are flying out to Fort Worth, TX to stay with friends and see BYU play TCU in October. This is going to be awesome as TCU is usually near the top of the conference with BYU. Some say the Cougs will go undefeated this season, I'm thinking they will lose a game or two, but can always hope for an undefeated season. Here is a fun highlight video of BYU football.
Less than two weeks until college football starts....and counting.

BYU Wins The Las Vegas Bowl

And we were there. BYU 38 Oregon 8. It was so fun to see great Cougar football. And what a season with the Cougs finishing in the top twenty for the first time in ten years! After the game Cheyn and I rushed the field. My favorite part was seeing Cheyn chant BYU. The conversion process has begun.

Cheyn bought me tickets as an early Christmas present. We drove up to Vegas with our friend Dan who also attended the game. We were in the Oregon section and their fans were nice, but disappointed in their team. BYU was on fire. After some hard years, the program seems to be back.