Mailbag: Hype Videos, CC’s start, and Cougar Tails.

Has Yeezy taught Bean and Mitch well?

Describe this 2012 football season in one word?
Miguel – Provo, Utah

BEAN- Disconcerting. With how great the defense played, you would think that BYU would have had at least 10 wins on the year.

MITCH- Disappointing. Like Bean said, how good this defense was, BYU should have been a 10-win team this year. Only team with a top 5 defense to not have at least nine wins.

What’s the story behind Cougar Center? What made you guys start doing a podcast each week?  Been an avid listener for months now, keep it coming!
Andrew – Tooele, Utah

BEAN- Mitch and I always talked about doing a BYU site because we felt the BYU fan community was really lacking a voice. That talk later morphed into the idea for a podcast. One night we just decided, IT WAS TIME! We set up in the first ever Cougar Center studio (My Bedroom) and recorded the first ever show. Thankfully Mitch is a computer genius and has mastered the editing and production process. The show has come a long way from the first episode. Thanks for listening.

MITCH- Andrew, appreciate the love brotha. And thank you Bean, it has been a great journey.  As we inch closer to episode #100, I’ve looked back on how far this podcast has truly come.  Ever since Cougar Center, podcasts have been popping up everywhere.  It is great to see.  But as Bean said, we wanted to give the fans a great voice.  We are passionate about BYU sports, and we like to think that we are entertaining to listen to.  When we started the podcast we told each other that our dream is to have at least two loyal fans; 94 episodes in, numerous tailgates, and one of the highest follower counts for a BYU-centric blog on Twitter, the people love Cougar Center.  Again we appreciate all the support we have received.

How long is the world’s largest Cougar Tail donut?
@RockNReza

BEAN- Apparently BYU just built the world’s largest, definitely not surprised that BYU did something like that. So I’d say it’s as long as Riley wants it to be. I was going to make a off-color joke here, but I am going to restrain myself.

MITCH- What is it with BYU trying to set these world records for random stuff?  Water balloons, cougar tails, old spice in the library videos, that was a record right?  Anyways, the BYU has to be the longest Cougar Tail, after all didn’t BYU create the Cougar Tail concept?  If there isn’t execution at a high level and position mastery at our own skill, we are truly in trouble.

In the next five years, do you see BYU having a 12+ win season?
Taylor – Marcos De Niza, Arizona

BEAN- That’s going to be tough for BYU to accomplish. Just look at the upcoming opponents in the next five years: Texas, Utah, Boise State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska, West Virginia, Notre Dame, just to mention a few. These teams pose a serious threat to any great season BYU may want to put together. Also, look at the history of Bronco Mendenhall in ”Big Games”, he hasn’t had much to hang his hat on when it comes to winning. Of his four wins against ranked opponents three wins came back in 2009. I don’t think Bronco will be around all five years, but a new coach would also have a tough time winning 12 games at BYU. The Cougs have only won 12+ games four times in their storied history (1980, 1984, 1996, 2001). I would put the chance of a 12+ win season in the next five years at 20%.

MITCH- Good stuff Bean.  With Bronco Mendenhall and “Big Games” it has been an issue, but it also has been an issue with the history of this program.  What makes that “Big Game” discussion frustrating with Bronco is that BYU has had many close calls, when will they break through?  Tom Holmoe is proving that national high-profile schedules are attainable with ESPN as a football Independent.  BYU will be road tested because their toughest tasks will usually come away from Provo.

If BYU can make strides with Taysom Hill in 2013, I could see the 2014 schedule setting up nicely for a 12+ win season.

Will Andy Reid ever coach the Cougs?
@thebrianrobbins

BEAN- That’s a tough one. I believe that if he wants to coach at BYU it will happen. Bronco has said he isn’t a BYU lifer, and I don’t expect him to be around much longer. I think Andy Reid will get NFL offers after he is fired by Philly, he’s a great coach and I would be very interested to see what he could do at the collegiate level.

MITCH- Years ago, I would have said no.  But I feel Reid could be a solid coach for four to six years.  He has a reputation for offense.  Look at QB’s in his system.  What has Donovan McNabb done in the NFL since he left Reid?  Reid even made Kevin Kolb look good.  College is a different game, but he has ties to BYU Football and knows what this program is about.  I feel Andy Reid will be the coach at BYU in 2014.  He would be a homerun hire.

How many wins do you see this #BYUBasketball team getting?
@JPPollock

BEAN- I’ve been saying this for awhile now, BYU is a very poor shooting team with a lot of flaws currently. If the Cougar Cagers can get it turned around, and I think they have a good chance to do that, BYU has the chance for 22-24 wins on the year. If I had to make a number prediction for the season, I’m saying BYU ends up with 21 wins and a NIT bid.

MITCH- I like that prediction Bean.  This isn’t an NCAA Tournament team right now. The six straight tournament appearances is in danger of being snapped this year.  Until BYU can get consistent play from the point guard position this team will struggle the entire season.  19 to 21 wins for this team and an NIT bit.

If you fellas made a BYU Football “Hype Video” what would the song in the background be? Seems like all BYU hype vids are some ridiculous Neon Trees crap. We need Bean & Mitch to enlighten us all! Keep grindin boys!
Kristopher – Murray, Utah

BEAN- This is a spectacular question, I could go so many different directions with this one. To me a “hype” video has to get the people goin. You either need Rock or Rap, and when I say rap I’m not talkin Lil Bow Wow, give me some 90’s rap, That’s when men were men and thugs were thugs. Im going to give you two options for a hype video, one rap and one rock, choose based on your preference. First up the rap song, It was hard not to choose a Kanye West or Jay-Z song here, but like I said, 90’s rap is the best choice. My choice here is Ten Crack Commandments by Notorious B.I.G. This is an absolute classic, no doubt this would make one hell of a hype video song. Next up is the rock choice, Welcome Home by Coheed and Cambria. I have contended for years that this is the best choice ever to be played before and as a team enters the field of play. Just go listen to the first minute of he song and try to tell me I’m wrong.

MITCH- Hype videos are amazing.  I love em.  It might not be a “hype” video, but I really love what the group “Supwitchugirl” has done.  They make awesome videos about the Oregon Ducks.  But back to the original topic, I really like anything Kanye West.  Flashing Lights by Yeezy is one of my favorites.  Also, any N.W.A. would be great in a hype video.  We need to get it goin Beaner.

Send us your questions to our Twitter, @Cougar_Center or our e-mail at cougarcenterpodcast@gmail.com. Look for the mailbag next week.