The Official Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl Thread

[MartyFunkhouser]

It's not satisfied because this team is headed nowhere. Going into the season we thought we were about to watch a team take its first step toward something potentially pretty great. Instead this season feels like a huge step backward despite the number of wins, and more like the ending of something (my hopes for a great season in the future) rather than beginning. We are now stuck with a QB who can't take us anywhere next season, and a massive transition in '13 that won't result in anything other than mediocrity -- and these are the two years we thought we were setting up for this year.

Great for Riley to pull this thing out, but he was awful today -- and again, as has been the case often this season, I thought he was actually worse than his numbers indicated. I swear I have never seen a kid get away with more than he does. The should-be picks (he should have had 3 in his first ten throws), the 500 balls, the absolutely bone-headed decisions, etc., just all seem to bounce his way. But maybe I'm just the dummy here because it seems to keep happening. At any rate, I'm still fairly convinced that he just doesn't have the skill/ability to lead this team to anything of note.

Reminds me a lot of David Eckstein in the 2006 World Series. A lot of dumb luck made him look like he actually was good.

[TripletDaddy]

Riley the 13th rocking the FarmDawgs shoutout

[Coach McGuirk]

Going by HS recruiting rankings, Riley is objectively the worst QB on scholarship and has been since he showed up (except for Kuresa maybe?). I would hope that we've moved beyond that as a valid way to judge QBs though, or that we would at least consider the idea that the coaching staff sucks at developing QBs, which would also obviate the rankings. Either way, it is completely nonsensical to aim our ire at Riley. He's just trying to live the dream and a bunch of ignorant fans are doing their best to spoil it for him without any clear reason for doing so.

I have been very vocal in my distaste of Riley's inconsistent and often reckless play, but what I haven't done, and am unwilling to do, is take the extra step of actively rooting against him, or digging in my heels and making enemies of those not willing to blame him for everything from games lost to Heaps leaving. Coaches often make bad personnel choices, and coaches often suck at developing players. Perhaps we could debate which of those is to blame right now (I say the latter, you seem to think the former), but either way, how is any of this Riley's fault? He's doing the best he can, which, I dare say, isn't as good as any of us would like. Unless there's an alternative, however, where does it get us to actively hope for his failure? Can you explain what I'm missing?

I don't root against Riley, and I have not made any enemies with those that support him. I think the coaches have proven they are making bad personnel choices and I also think it is clear that there is no one on staff that is developing QBs. But even if they did, Riley is at the limit of his talent, and to resign myself to that is the best BYU can do at QB, well I am digging in my heals there I guess.

Also, Weber needs to be let go. The O-line has underperformed since Grimes headed to CU.

[Guest]

I cannot believe the doom and gloom that is on this board. Yes, Riley played pretty bad today but he made the plays when he needed to. Whether it be throwing the TD pass at the end of the half, running for the 1st down on 4th and 9, or doing the audible on the spike. He wins and that is what counts at the end of the day. He leads and the team follows. Something that Heaps simply could not do.

I don't care that Riley isn't going to the NFL. I do think he will get better as will Doman in calling plays. Some of you pussies think this type of game is what we will see on a consistent basis. The fact is, our O-Line got out played today and in most cases we typically lose those games.

I think our future is bright and am stoked that we had another 10 win season.

[San Juan Sun]

Also, Weber needs to be let go. The O-line has underperformed since Grimes headed to CU.

On this, we agree. The OL is regressing.

I look forward to the day that we can all discuss Riley without looking through the Heaps/Nelson prism. That may never happen though.

[Portland Ute]

Reminds me a lot of David Eckstein in the 2006 World Series. A lot of dumb luck made him look like he actually was good.

BYU is good. Bad teams don't win 10 games and a bowl game.

I think BYU will be much better than BYU fans expect next year.

Riley Nelson will continue to mature as a QB and BYU's defense will be very good again.

[Katy Lied]

Riley in post game: I've said before how well spoken he is. The kid is a fabulous raconteur. Everyone hangs onto his every word. He'll make a great motivation speaker someday.

[Surfah]

I cannot believe the doom and gloom that is on this board. Yes, Riley played pretty bad today but he made the plays when he needed to. Whether it be throwing the TD pass at the end of the half, running for the 1st down on 4th and 9, or doing the audible on the spike. He wins and that is what counts at the end of the day. He leads and the team follows. Something that Heaps simply could not do.

I don't care that Riley isn't going to the NFL. I do think he will get better as will Doman in calling plays. Some of you pussies think this type of game is what we will see on a consistent basis. The fact is, our O-Line got out played today and in most cases we typically lose those games.

I think our future is bright and am stoked that we had another 10 win season.

How so?

[Hsaru]

It's not satisfied because this team is headed nowhere. Going into the season we thought we were about to watch a team take its first step toward something potentially pretty great. Instead this season feels like a huge step backward despite the number of wins, and more like the ending of something (my hopes for a great season in the future) rather than beginning. We are now stuck with a QB who can't take us anywhere next season, and a massive transition in '13 that won't result in anything other than mediocrity -- and these are the two years we thought we were setting up for this year.

Great for Riley to pull this thing out, but he was awful today -- and again, as has been the case often this season, I thought he was actually worse than his numbers indicated. I swear I have never seen a kid get away with more than he does. The should-be picks (he should have had 3 in his first ten throws), the 500 balls, the absolutely bone-headed decisions, etc., just all seem to bounce his way. But maybe I'm just the dummy here because it seems to keep happening. At any rate, I'm still fairly convinced that he just doesn't have the skill/ability to lead this team to anything of note.

You say everything that I believe almost exactly, but do it in a much less emotional and trollish way Bravo!

[Surfah]

I don't root against Riley, and I have not made any enemies with those that support him. I think the coaches have proven they are making bad personnel choices and I also think it is clear that there is no one on staff that is developing QBs. But even if they did, Riley is at the limit of his talent, and to resign myself to that is the best BYU can do at QB, well I am digging in my heals there I guess.

Also, Weber needs to be let go. The O-line has underperformed since Grimes headed to CU.

Weber and Omer need to go.

[Coach McGuirk]

Junior and senior laden next year. I hope that I am wrong and Riley takes this team to great heights.

[dabrockster]

This place is going to be Ad nauseam next year if this is what I have to look forward too from BYU fans each time we play and Riley has a rough game..

I have never seen so many misplaced anger and temper-tantrums on a QB.. All for what?? Because Riley beat out what some believed to be the Golden Boy?? News Flash. Heaps sucked ass and was not improving at all.. I predict he will suck ass in Kansas as well. If he thinks Doman and BYU fans are hurtful. Wait till Fat Weiss tears into him and belittles him to the point of tears... If he crumbles in BYU games I am not so sure he will even start for him.....


BYU won. It wasn't pretty and there was lots of problems but they won.. They did not crumble but showed heart and grit.. They wanted the win and got it.. Kudos to them...

[Jeff Lebowski]

I'm starting to realize what a big risk that faked spike was. If he didn't get the touchdown, they lose the game. No second chances.

I don't get this either. After the play was completed, there were still 11 seconds on the board. He could have thrown it out of the endzone. They could have gotten one more play for sure, maybe two.

[Hsaru]

This place is going to be Ad nauseam next year if this is what I have to look forward too from BYU fans each time we play and Riley has a rough game..

I have never seen so many misplaced anger and temper-tantrums on a QB.. All for what?? Because Riley beat out what some believed to be the Golden Boy?? News Flash. Heaps sucked ass and was not improving at all.. I predict he will suck ass in Kansas as well. If he thinks Doman and BYU fans are hurtful. Wait till Fat Weiss tears into him and belittles him to the point of tears... If he crumbles in BYU games I am not so sure he will even start for him.....


BYU won. It wasn't pretty and there was lots of problems but they won.. They did not crumble but showed heart and grit.. They wanted the win and got it.. Kudos to them...

Jimmy Clausen a real model of mental toughness, he and Weiss sure didn't work out

[USUC]

Weber and Omer need to go.

I agree. The changes I would like to see is Weber and Omer (especially) gone and bring in a QB coach.