If Hosick is willing to stick around and prove himself through competition and win the job via performance, I want him. It's as simple as that for me. I wouldn't conclude that I don't want him yet. He's still a kid to me. I wish I could talk to him. I root for the kids who aren't following the BYU path just because they represent the Church. Those kids who buy into BYU, even though they're not hard-core LDS guys, are the X-factor for BYU's success. I will NEVER accept that BYU can't compete because the LDS pool is limited. Those fans who are saying we need to accept our reality of mediocrity, because of our limitations, are also losers in my book.

The ceiling for success is artificial and nothing but false perceptions. I adopted my philosophy with Colby Bockwoldt and his mom (who was non-LDS, but encouraged her son to attend BYU). We all know what that resulted in. BYU CAN get the players we need. I've molded my fandom around guys like Colby. That's how BYU will succeed. I might be in the minority right now, but it's the winning formula. There are so many people out there who are excellent people and BYU can have an angle on that market. In fact, I truly believe this unique opportunity is better than Lavell's innovative passing oriented offense.

BYU can't gain an advantage on being an innovative passing offensive ever again (like we all want). But we CAN be the destination for amazing and dedicated athletes (and there are many of them), who WILL embrace all that BYU has to offer, and who are amazing and morally superior kids.

BYU can and will be successful on this front. The Yewts have only capitalized on a temporary opportunity with their Pac 10+2 opp. It's a very real advantage they have right now, and we can't be silly and act like it's just a gimmick they have with their Pac 12 billboards and bumper stickers. But in the long run, with the right strategy, it IS still SO beatable. Utah CAN be little brother again.

Off my soapbox now...

.. and back on it.

I'm not an active LDS BYU fan, but I can't think of one person (of many) who I associate with who isn't a salt-of-the-earth active LDS, wonderful human being. And every one of them razzes me about my Cougar devotion. It's bizarro world. I love them all, but my competitive core wants to win this battle more than anything.

One of my primary clients is Robie Boscoe's next door neighbor. They are great friends and they go biking all the time (so I'm told). He's a freakin' yewt though. He reminds me on a regular basis. I'm (in a friendly way) tired of taking grief from him. I'm not backing down, just because I have nothing of substance to back my fandom right now. BYU CAN and WILL surpass what the yewts are doing.

I'm convinced of it still...

OK, off my soapbox again for the evening... exhale.... and sigh...

GO COUGS!!!