Are we really going to fret about how tough a game Northern Iowa is? If that's the case, then we need to schedule down even MORE, not LESS.

C'mon. Playing Northern Iowa just means the spread is 21 points instead of 31.

My point is, I'm not watching BYU for a competitive game, unless it's against Michigan or Texas. If it's against Northern Iowa, anything other than a blowout is unacceptable.

Its benefit is that it allows the team to ease into the season and get to a road game with a PAC 10 team with a chance to get the early-season jitters out, polish up the execution, and build a little momentum.

If we win, we stay ranked where we are (and move up, if a few teams right above us lose.

I say it's a no lose. We should win, and we will win. If we lose, we have no business ranked in the top 25, anyway, and likely won't win out the rest of the season. If we stumble a little and it's closer than it should be, better to stumble in a win than stumble and lose. Isn't the most improvement from the first game to the second game, anyway?

If we lose, you will see gnashing of teeth that will make unhappiness in Crowton's era look like childplay. The specter of another Las Vegas Bowl or a first-time in the New Mexico bowl will not sit well with fans.

If we lose, exUte will arise like a Phoenix from the ashes.

The same gnashing of teeth would happen with a loss to Washington, which is far more likely.

Considering that UNI should help the team be more ready for Washington, I think it's a good move.

Besides, if we lose to UNI, what makes you think we'd win all the rest of the games?