Here are the end-of-season rankings comparison since Bronco and Whitt took over (this seems to be a fair and current comparison as both are still the head coaches). The rankings are : BYU, Utah, Utah St

2014-now: 50 , 24 , 42
2013-2014: 33 , 51 , 41
2012-2013: 34 , 67 , 16
2011-2012: 32 , 39 , 75
2010-2011: 48 , 22 , 92
2009-2010: 13 , 23 , 94
2008-2009: 27 , 5 , 100
2007-2008: 13 , 31 , 114
2006-2007: 13 , 48 , 117
2005-2006: 56 , 51 , 106

It is pretty obvious that Utah St. has made a big change to their program, improving every year from 2006-2012. Shows what good coaching can do. So, for the averages, I am just going to include their last 3 years, as I think those are what are relevant today.

BYU: Average - 31.9, Median - 32.5, Standard Deviation - 15.9
Aggies: Average - 33, Median - 41, Standard Deviation - 14.7
Whit: Average - 36.1, Median - 35, Standard Deviation - 18.4

BYU is leading the pack. It is also clear from the standard deviation that Whit's teams are more inconsistent from year to year, though not as much as I would have guessed.

Another comparison is to rank the 3 teams in state, 1-3, and determine the average rank. Once again, BYU and Whit's boys are ranked all 10 years, with the Aggies just ranked the last 3.

BYU 1.5, Aggies 1.7, Whit 1.8

Some interesting insights. Rise of the Aggies has coincided with the fall of the UU fortunes. I think that is primarily due to Anderson going to Utah St., but I also think that the Aggies are taking recruits that would have gone to Utah more than taking recruits that would have gone to BYU.

Now for Bronco. We had a nice run from 2006-2009. Good QB play, solid defense, good coaching, and a good win every year. Next 4 years were solid, we were better than average, and except for the 2-QB/Freshman QB year were in the lower to mid 30s. This period was marked by some puzzling defeats which would have propelled us into the top 20 (Utah St, Boise, SJSU, Virginia), and specifically bad results against Utah. Now we come to this year: returning QB (with a senior backup), many good players on D (especially in the secondary), a dynamic RB, and experience on the offensive line. We had an easy schedule to set us up for an NY6 bowl. However, bad defense (a Bronco specialty) and bad discipline (penalties, suspensions) really hurt us before injuries starting playing a role.

Right now, this is the worst team since Bronco's first year. Worse than having a freshman QB split time with Riley Nelson. Worse than the having a highly recruited QB flame out and get benched. Worse than having our all-time leading rusher kicked out before the year began. Further, it is not much better than a team that fired it's head coach and was coming off consecutive losing seasons, including the first shut-out in hundreds of games, and having a large number of recruits involved in an alcohol and rape scandal.

Looking at the numbers, this is a bad year overall, not just a bad year relative to expectations. The data clearly indicates it is not just because we expected to do well, it is because we are playing worse than 8/9 previous years. If we win out, it will move us up the ranks. Still, this is not a good team. Bronco needs to be held responsible for that. I'm not advocating he be fired, but I am certainly advocating he replace someone he sees as his protege with someone more experienced, and at QB coach replace one of his former players with a real QB guru with a long track record, as we are going to need the help next year.

Pay the coaches coming in a big bonus up front to keep opposing teams from matching. Don't go after pansies like Aaron Roderick who are going to waffle. Pay the talent what they deserve, and pay them up front. We don't have space with next years schedule to fanny about. Go big or go home.

Go Cougs!!!!!!!