AP No. 9 ranking makes a statement for Cougars

The rankings are beginning to hit the wires and BYU jumped from No. 20 to No. 9, jumping Boise State at No. 12 as Oklahoma dropped to No. 13.

This move by the nation’s sports writers is confirmation of a personal observation by me that the country, which gives the BCS about an 18 percent approval rating, is sending a statement to the BCS folks: Watch out, we want somebody to shake things up.

If the Cougars had just jumped Boise State but not made it into the Top 10, my theory may have taken a shot. But when I just saw this vote, it made a lot of sense when you consider trends, commentary, attacks by credible media critics on the BCS, the ACC, et cetera.

I don’t think the political agenda by these writers and sports casters takes anything from BYU’s performance launching the Cougars to a Top 10 team, that may have been a given.

But now you cannot ignore that there is a movement afoot to put all kinds of pressure on the closed old boy’s club cartel that is the BCS. Because of the weak performance of some of the automatic qualifying conferences and teams in the opening week, it only makes it more of a media darling issue.

I think my compatriots in the media, who have votes, are absolutely placing the Cougars in a position to challenge for a national title, enabling them to go to a place this early where they can get it done if Bronco Mendenhall continues to chalk up wins.

Now for reality check. This is very early in the season and BYU must focus on the task at hand every week. It would help the cause if Mendenhall continues to cut off celebration of wins after the weekend and begin focus on the next game. In this case it is Tulane in New Orleans this Saturday. BYU loses that game, the significance of the Oklahoma win disappears.

Max Hall told reporters just moments ago the Cougars have to put things behind them and get on with the rest of the season.

He also credited teammates and coaches for the OU win.

“Steve Young told me before the game, even in the fourth quarter, Joe Montana would stay calm and make the same reads he did in the first quarter,”

Robert Anae had him prepared for blitzes and where they’d come aand he threw his OC a bone in that department. He also said having Brandon Doman on he sidelines to keep him focused after the interceptions was a factor.