The case for PVV: older BYU fans defend Pete with vigor, explaining that leading the nation in rushing despite having an offensive coordinator who only called two running plays is a greater accomplishment than Luke's Doak Walker award ... as just mentioned, led nation in rushing in 1972 ... better career YPC average than legend Harvey Unga (5.2 to 5.0) ... averaged 138 rushing yards per game in 1972 (I believe this is 2nd all-time behind Luke's 145 average in '01) ... second best rushing season by yards ever at BYU ... had an awesome kick return average, including a kick return for TD ... drafted with the 66th, earlier I believe than any other Cougar runner.

The case against PVV: only ninth in career rushing yards ... underwhelming as a sophomore and junior before the explosive senior year ... no receiving presence (forgivable considering the era he played in) ... possibly hollow yardage in '72; gained lots of yards, but was mediocre in blowout losses to Utah State and Arizona State, and missed the Oregon State game.

Ultimately I decided if you only have one good season I don't think you can be in the GOAT conversation. That eliminates Pete Van Valkenburg. You might wonder how that's fair given Luke Staley only had one good season. Well, he didn't only have one good season. He had the greatest season of all-time and having the greatest season of all-time covers a multitude of sins. Also, his freshman year was better than we remember (771 yards in 8 games, 2nd most yards on the team, 13 touchdowns (most on the team) and MWC freshman of the year honors).