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Brigham Young plays the 57th-most difficult schedule nationally this season, according to ESPNs Football Power Index. Houstons schedule ranks 75th.Not enough to get your blood boiling as a magnificent lineup of Week 1 games nears its kickoff?Consider, then, the task before BYU, which opens Saturday night at Arizona before September dates with Utah, UCLA and West Virginia.I know when I played at BYU, I would have loved the opportunity to play this schedule, said first-year BYU coach Kalani Sitake, whose Cougars visit Michigan State and Boise State and host Mississippi State in consecutive October weeks.Houston takes center stage Saturday against third-ranked Oklahoma (noon ET, ABC). The reigning American Athletic Conference champion on Sept. 15 visits league rival, and fellow Big 12 hopeful, Cincinnati, which dispatched Miami last year in a similarly placed Thursday night game on ESPN.Were trained for chaos, Houston linebacker Steven Taylor said. We feel like were trained for anybody and anyone who comes our way.For BYU and Houston, widely considered to sit among the top candidates this year for Big 12 expansion, the importance of their high-profile, early season games extends no further than this fall. Despite the immediate challenges ahead, players and coaches at both schools said they view the tests of 2016 only as a method to measure these teams -- not as a Big 12 audition.No, second-year Houston coach Tom Herman said, because Ive been told by the people in charge that it isnt [an audition], and I trust them.BYU and Houston expressed interest this summer, among more than a 20 programs, in Big 12 membership after the leagues board of directors in July tasked commissioner Bob Bowlsby to explore options in growing the 10-team conference.For the Big 12 to evaluate Houston on its performance Saturday at NRG Stadium, Herman said, would be extremely short-sighted.I think that decision, Herman said, has to be very long-term, far-sighted vision.Not that it will stop fans and media this month -- and until Bowlsby moves forward -- from using the performances of BYU, Houston, Cincinnati and others to form beliefs on the viability of potential Big 12 additions.In fact, Houstons 2015 success, no doubt, greatly boosted its public perception as an expansion candidate. It finished 13-1 and ranked No. 8 after a Peach Bowl win over Florida State.Were still the same, disrespected, little old American Conference team with a giant chip on our shoulder, Herman said.The primary objective this season of Houston players remains to defend their league title.If we beat Oklahoma on Saturday, [AAC commissioner] Mike Aresco is not going to jog out to the 50-yard line and hand us the American championship trophy, Herman said.Never in discussing their goals did the Cougars set out to earn an invite to the Big 12.We dont let any outside influences, chatter, noise, any of that stuff, infiltrate our culture, Herman said. Our kids have done a great job of insulating themselves from all of that chatter, because at the end of the day, thats all it is.Taylor, the senior linebacker, offers another description for that chatter and noise.Theyre demons, he said, trying to distract the Cougars from their tasks at hand.Theres no future if we dont take care of the present, Taylor said.Its much the same story for the Cougars at BYU, accustomed to a difficult schedule. Last year, BYU, an FBS independent, played Nebraska, Boise State, UCLA and Michigan in the first month of the season.The normalcy of this upcoming lineup of Power 5 foes, according to senior receiver Mitchell Juergens, eliminates concern that BYU players might respond to this schedule as if something greater than usual was at stake.To create benefits for years to come, Juergens said, what it comes down to is how we play each week. Wed play harder teams if we could.The thing that I learned most from last year was how much of a mental game it is. Youve got to be strong. It takes 100 percent focus. It takes a lot of mental strength. Its draining, but to be honest, its a blast.Juergens, a 24-year-old former walk-on among five siblings in his family to attend BYU, wants badly to leave a strong legacy at the school.Every day, Juergens said, I count my blessings, because Im living a dream.If BYU earns a Big 12 invite -- because of its September success or not -- his class will be long remembered.Sitake played fullback for four seasons at BYU, concluding in 2000. The former Utah and Oregon State defensive coordinator said he noticed a sense of urgency from among his players because of three straight games against Pac-12 foes this month.I look at it as an opportunity for our players to see where our programs at, Sitake said. It doesnt prepare you for anything if you feel like any game is already a guaranteed win.Needless to say, not much of anything feels like a guarantee at BYU -- in the present or future. Sitake and his players simply dont have time to think about their Big 12 candidacy.I know others may think that, but our programs focused on this year and just respecting the process that we have, the 40-year-old coach said, respecting our seniors and their leadership. Were focused on our team and the things were trying to get done here -- the things we can control.I think itll all work out the way its supposed to.Atlanta Hawks Store . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). Hawks Jerseys 2021 . Louis Cardinals. Victorino is batting sixth and playing right field after missing two games because of back tightness. https://www.cheaphawks.com/ . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. Atlanta Hawks Shirts . Aduriz headed home Markel Susaetas cross in the sixth minute to open the scoring at San Mames Stadium. He bettered that with a long-range blast that went in off the goal frame in the 18th, and converted a penalty in the 72nd after Diego Mainz was sent off for fouling Aduriz with only the goalkeeper to beat. Hawks Jerseys China . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April.The Brumbies have appointed former General Manager Michael Thomson as their new Chief Executive Officer ending what was a tumultuous year surrounding the sides backroom staff.Thomson is no stranger to Australia rugby previously acting as General Manager for the Brumbies two years ago before taking on positions at the Australian Rugby Union, Nike and the Australian Sports Commissions.The Brumbies have a fantastic tradition of more than 20 years which is important to recognise, Michael Thomson said. I am excited about the opportunity and welcome the challenge to lead the organisation into the future.I re-join the Brumbies at a time of change, including the departure of some experienced players. Change also brings opportunity. A new generation of players has the chance to not only carry on thhe Brumbies tradition, but create a history of their own.ddddddddddddThomson takes over the role from Phil Thomson who has been acting as interim CEO throughout most of 2016 after controversial Brumbies CEO Michael Jones was stood down from his role in early 2016 before he won a court injunction to protect his position at the helm of the Canberra club. Jones later agreed to leave the side.The Brumbies had a turbulent 2016 season with financial issues arising from the sides relocation to the University of Canberra between 2009 and 2013, which instigated a Federal investigation. While the side managed to deal with the off field issues to reach the quarter finals. ' ' '