Far and away, the blame for this disappointing season rests squarely on Bronco Mendenhall’s shoulders. Yes, he had help – Max Hall, Austin Collie, even John Beck and Curtis Brown and some stellar linebackers – but Bronco is the man who bears ultimate responsibility.

Why? It isn’t because Mendenhall has done a bad job; on the contrary, it is because he has done an absolutely outstanding job. The bar has been raised once again. Think back over the past ten years. Would a 9-1 record and #15 national ranking be cause for disappointment at this point in that time? Even in Crowton’s first year, no one EXPECTED the Cougs to win 12 games.

This year, the Y could end up with only one or two losses and everyone, myself included, will be disappointed at what might have been. But that disappointment is tribute to, and not an indictment of, the coaching staff.

There is a huge difference between a disappointing season and a bad season. I am just grateful we are back to a place where were are aiming for national rankings and the BC$ rather than .500 seasons. -by Rotorhead-

The most incredible thing about this post is that it is 100% true. If Bronco hadn’t lead the team to two years of 10-2, then fans would not be sitting there saying how disappointing this season is. In years past if we are where we are now, we would be rejoicing at how great this season has been. In our conference contrary to popular belief it is very hard to go undefeated every season. On any given Saturday, anybody can beat anybody depending on what teams show up that day, as we have seen with big powerhouse teams like Penn State against Iowa, USC against Oregon State, and Florida against Ole Miss.

I do agree that there are some conferences out there like the WAC and that can be cake walks from year to year, but I stand to say loudly “The Mountain West Conference is not one of them” our conference has played well against non conference teams this year. No we have not played anyone in the top 10 besides the TCU Oklahoma game, but we have played some teams that have been extremely good in years past, but are struggling this year.

Having a coach like Bronco Mendenhall be able to turn a program around in 2 years, and have taken them to 4 straight bowl games and won 3-4, I believe is a pretty incredible accomplishment. Just because we are not playing for a national Championship this year, and most likely not a BCS game because of the circumstances, doesn’t by any stretch of the imagination mean that this year is a disappointment.

I for one am extremely grateful that we are able to make teams believe that everytime they play us is their bowl game, because we are the defending Conference champs, and will continue to keep the rest of the conference in check.