In Laramie at last…

It took a pretty big chunk of the day, driving from Colorado Springs, through Denver up 287 to Laramie, the site of BYU’s showdown with the Cowboys come Saturday after noon.

It’s cold, windy and there’s no malls and the one golf course is frozen tundra that might as well be on the moon. There are 24 bars or lounges, however, and I passed three state liquor stores once I got to town and drove to the Hampton Inn, headquarters for the Cougars.

If I were a drinker, this wouldn’t be a bad place to crash and burn.

I’ve been coming here for three decades, covering games. In the winter, it never inspires the tourist spirit, although this new motel has furnace controls that are actually capable of being controlled and the local truck stops have some nifty nail clippers, pocket knifes and pen lights for a few bucks.

The biggest mystery to many sports writers is how does the University of Wyoming ever recruit some of the football players and basketball players they’ve had over the years to this place?

I asked former BYU assistant coach Charles Bradley that once. How did he come here all the way from Maryland. He just smiled and didn’t say a word.

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For those few who get The Mtn, two new shows will debut. There will be as one-hour 2008 MWC Roundup special next Thursday at 9:30 p.m.

The recruiting program will include interviews with all nine MWC coaches, a few recruits and Scout.com regional manger of West Football Recruiting Brandon Huffman.

The second show, is “A Day in the Life,” and features the Utah Men’s basketball team’s 10-day tour in Australia last August.