Former BYU running back Matt Bellini shares his thoughts about BYU going independent, scheduling as an independent, and the national BYU brand. He also interprets some comments by Brandon Doman with regards to J.J. Di Luigi.

All in all, the BYU media day was what it is supposed to be: a pep rally for the season. Media and fans had access to players and coaches. The football program was pumped up as being the program that would get the most exposure of any school in the nation this year. Optimism was high.

The Brigham Young Cougars are officially independent in football. As of midnight last Friday, July 1, 2011, they were no longer members of the Mountain West Conference. Ever since this move was announced August 31, 2010, many perceived that BYU was making this move as a statement that it was comparable to Notre Dame. While BYU has made it clear that this was not the motive, we can still ask the question: Is the BYU football program an elite program?

While the rest of America is waiting until Monday, July 4th to celebrate independence, Cougar Nation is celebrating today. The Brigham Young Cougars football team is officially a college football independent. BYU now embarks on a new journey in uncharted waters.

BlueCougarFootball.com has started its annual Top 10 list. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Ty Detmer's senior season, the list is the Top 10 Ty Detmer moments at BYU.

The list features commentary from Ty Detmer himself for each of the 10 moments.

As a freshman, Heaps set new standards for BYU freshmen quarterbacks in almost every statistical category. He won a bowl game and was named the game’s MVP. Joining the club appears to be there for the taking.

The years 1986-88 have been labeled "the down years." As the years went by, "the down years" would be pushed further and further to the side until they fell completely off the BYU football map. Looking back on this three year period, 25 years after it started, it becomes evident that "the down years" were, actually, not so down.

"Bottom line, I don’t think the BYU Bowl is viable. There is one scenario that might be worthwhile: blend the BYU bowl and the Holy War."

Brian Logan became the second former Brigham Young Cougars football player to join the Canadian Football League (CFL).

"With both Hill and Tanner Mangum now in the fold, the BYU quarterback outlook is pretty clear all the way until 2020. No that is not a typo. Kind of mind boggling, isn’t it? Therefore, to make it clear for everyone, I have put together the ultimate BYU quarterback outlook. Go ahead and bookmark this page. It will come in handy for several years."

Eagle High School (Idaho) quarterback Tanner Mangum has committed to the Brigham Young Cougars, per totalbluesports.com. Mangum has nice measurables (6’3", 195 lbs.) and is rated the #19 quarterback overall in the 2012 class by Scout.com.

If Heaps is going to be the next great BYU quarterback, a former BYU great says Heaps needs to play like JImmer Fredette. Ty also gives the scoop about how close he was or wasn't to being a BYU assistant Coach. He talks about his family and professional life building a football program at St. Andrew's in Austin, TX. If you are going to the BYU game vs. Texas in Austin, he also gives his recommendations for where to eat.

Did Bronco Mendenhall’s comments really change the quarterback situation last week? No. They were simply more of the same rhetoric that has been going around for the last three months. The quarterback competition is still open. Yet, somehow, while still being noncommittal about a 2011 starter, Mendenhall found a way to diffuse this issue without saying anything substantive or conclusive. It was genius.

Holiday Bowl Executive Director Bruce Binkowski discusses the possibility of BYU reaching an agreement with the Holiday Bowl to participate in one of the bowl’s future games. Mr. Binkowski has been with the Holiday Bowl since its inception in 1978 and has served as the executive director for 10 years.

BYU QB Jake Heaps had a rough start to his college career. The start was so rough that 2/3 of the way through the season, this site questioned: Is Jake Heaps the worst Brigham Young Cougars freshman quarterback ever?

Now that the final 1/3 of the season, plus a bowl game, has been played it is time to do justice. Is Jake Heaps the best BYU freshman QB ever?

It's Super Bowl week. Time to take a look back at how BYU has helped shape Super Bowl history.

BYU has a great Super Bowl heritage and legacy. Nice to see it will continue this Sunday.

The Auburn Tigers will try to make it five national championships in a row for the SEC when they take on the Oregon Ducks Monday night in the BCS National Championship game. Needless to say, each team has dreams of hoisting the crystal football at the end of the night. Hear are three keys to the game for Auburn and Oregon to help make these dreams become reality.

BYU Football Talk will recap the Brigham Young Cougars’ 2010 football season in three parts. Part 1 will be a general summary of the season looking at the major stories. Part 2 will be Tuesday, January 4, and will be position grades. Part 3 will be Wednesday, January 5, and will be a list of the notable moments and highlights.

Five Questions for 2010/2011 football season and to get a quick glimpse into next year.

10 names
6 played in the NFL
4 former BYU Cougars
4 played in BCS AQ conference (2 in "Murderer's Row")
1 has NFL coaching experience

The Brigham Young Cougars and Utah Utes finished another hard fought game that went down to the wire and had an unexpected ending. With BYU embarking on independence next year, and Utah joining the Pac-12, many have surmised that the "Holy War" is dead, over, done. This year was the end of the rivalry. Those taking this position argue that not playing in the same conference, that Utah gaining a recruiting advantage, and that the game no longer being played in November are the causes of death. To that, there is only one answer: NO WAY! The BYU-Utah rivalry will live on. It is greater than the two schools sharing the same conference affiliation, the games being competitive, and the placement of the game on the schedule.

"It's rivalry week for the Brigham Young Cougars and the Utah Utes. This week's game will be the 86 game between the two schools. Each day this week, BYU FOOTBALL TALK will look back on one of the Cougars' great victories over the Utes."

First up: November 15, 1975--BYU 51, Utah 20.

The Brigham Young Cougars’ true freshman quarterback Jake Heaps had his much anticipated breakout game against UNLV last Saturday. Heaps finished the day with 19 completions on 31 attempts (61.3%) for 294 yards and 2 touchdowns. His pass efficiency rating was 162.25. In reality, this stat line represents what should be a "typical day at the office" for a BYU quarterback, but for this true freshman, it was a breakout game for several reasons.

The 2010 recruiting class for the Brigham Young Cougars was the best in a long time. By the time the 2010 season kicked off, it was apparent that many freshman from this recruiting class, as well as redshirt and return missionary freshman, would play significant minutes for BYU this year. Coming off the bye week, I thought it was a good time to look at how the freshmen are contributing through the first eight games.

Since LaVell Edwards came along and allowed fans to have good expectations, five weeks into the 2010 season could be the lowest moment in BYU football.

The Alabama Crimson Tide and the Arkansas Razorbacks have done their part so far to make this game what we all wanted it to be. These two undefeated SEC West teams square off in a game that could decide who plays in Atlanta for the SEC championship, and possibly a shot at the BCS national championship game.

The Alabama Crimson Tide and the Arkansas Razorbacks have done their part so far to make this game what we all wanted it to be. These two undefeated SEC West teams square off in a game that could decide who plays in Atlanta for the SEC championship, and possibly a shot at the BCS national championship game.