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Show 'IToill liflmGD TByTOaHARALDCEMI aippsrCportsEdtor When BYU first opened its newlypandedfoodiaU stadium back jn 1982, 1 was there for the inaugural game. The Cougars lost to Air Force in a steady drizzle, but the event was memorable, especially for those of us who suffered through many long games in the old. shapeless stadium. - Up until two years ago, I had season tickets for the Cougs, and this year I bought some again. I'd forgotten what I'd missed most about watching BYLTs home football games, but a trip to Provo last Thursday Thurs-day reminded me quickly of what I haven't missed It was a beautiful late-summer evening in Utah County last Thursday, Thurs-day, perfect weather for a football game. ESPN was there to broadcast broad-cast the Cougs nationally, the stadium filled to near capacity with 64,000 fans, and the local heroes had even survived a lackluster performance per-formance the week befbreto beat an inspired New Mexico team. Besides, they were playing Washington State, a team that lost its coach and its top player from last year. It seemed to have all the mak-ings mak-ings of a great home-opener. As I sat on the lawn outside Cougar Stadium before the game, it was interesting to hear the comments the loyal BYU fans were making. The defense was wonderful, one proclaimed, pointing with pride to the fact that New Mexico had scored but a field goal the previous Saturday. Sure, those offense-minded Lobos have really torn up the scoreboard the past two years, haven't they? Quarterback Ty Detmer, die Texas whiz, was surely on his way to Ail-American status, if not the Heisman Trophy. Why, one national publication not only picked the Cougs number seven in the preseason poll, but indicated that, with a little luck, BYU could win another national title. And it's that subject mat's created the problem. An of us who are Cougar fans are still living like every year Is 1984. 1 mean, George Orwell knew it would be a strange year even before Associated Press ' diA The Cbugs did wfo the mythical they ve been going down the dumper ever since. Do you remember losing to UTEP one year, or that abomination at Rice Stadium last . year? And Thursday night, the Coup self-destructed faster than the PTLQub. The defensive secondary watched Washington State all night-watched night-watched them haul in passes like, well, BYU used to. Detmer looked tmore like the lead in Texas Chainsaw Massacre. BYU's kicking game could have been surpassed by performances from the Ute Conference. Con-ference. And the fans, in true Provo form, grew angry, disgusted, and obnoxious. Tne,aren,t admissions from me, a graduate myself of the J Why?" and as loyal and obnoxious a Cougar fan as they come. I jonly wish I'd known the circus was going to be in town in Provo. I'd have dressed differently and brought along some kids. Oh well, my idate was wonderful, the weather was great and the Cougar Dogs jwere good. Maybe next year, the Cougars can win that second 'national..... ' PREDICTIONS , With the exception of the Cougs' loss, it was a pretty, great state of affairs for yours truly in the predict department last week, as I went 6-1. That makes it 10-3 for the year, and here's this week's best guesses: . ; ,:: ! WOODS CROSS 21 JUDGE 14-The Bulldogs might be ready to break loose, but Woods Cross and Bountiful are quickly emerging as h class of Region 3ix, and look for the Wildcats to drop the Doggies. L : -, . . . - r BOUNTIFUL 28 MURRAY 13-Bountiful's defense may be as . tough as any in 3 A, and this could truly be the Braves' year to go all the way. Murray won't stop the momentum. -I , DAVIS 20 HIGHLAND 17-This could be the best game of the ,,. week, as the Rams are upset over last week's loss while Davis enjoys its third straight home game. The Darts must travel to Bonneville next week, so a win mis week is important fcrnwmentum. VIEWMONT 28 CLEARFIELD 14-The Vikes are for real, and the Falcons are in need of a big scoring game. Look for Viewmont to. . , move to 2-2. , NEBRASKA 56 UTAH 20-The Huskers are not the Aggies. Nuf said. ...... ' j USC 49 UTAH STATE 14-Why does USU do this to itself every ' year? . " , . ' .WEBER 28 NAU 20The Wildcats are at home, so I'll go with them. i NAVY 28 BYlT27-rin still mad at the Cougars, but I hope , (.they'll prove me wrong this Saturday. , . |