BYU Cougars Football: 11 Ty Detmer Headlines We Never Got to See

I wrote previously that Ty Detmer never became as gigantic a national phenomenon as Jimmer Fredette because he played waaaayyy back in '89-'91 instead of '09-'11 (which, in BYU lore will hereafter be referred to as "Jimmer Time").

Due to our modern 24-7 news cycles, instant information access and insatiable appetite for all things sports, the present has become a data feeding frenzy which can catapult great stories into the stratosphere (i.e. Jimmer) and hurl bad-news stories into the unforgiving court of Social Media Opinion (i.e. The Sweater Vest).

So it's time for a little pretending and a little humor.

For your enjoyment, I give you 11 probable Ty Detmer headlines and news items, had the legend played two decades later, from 2009-2011. Nods to (among others) Jim Tressel, Peyton Manning and of course, Chuck Norris.

After you read, post your own Ty in 2010 headlines and news summaries. Extra points for humor.

Thanks to CougarStats (awesome resource) for the stats.

Pesky BYU and Star QB Top List of Next Year's BCS Busters

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: A grounds crew member dries the logo on the field at the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game before the Oregon Ducks and the Auburn Tigers take the field at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Ari

Pesky BYU and Star QB Top List of Next Year's BCS Busters

BYU may have fallen in disappointing defeat to the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Holiday Bowl, but the performance of the Cougars and their captivating sophomore quarterback have put the school from Provo in the picture to bust next year's BCS party.

In a thrilling shootout, Penn State edged the Cougars when Detmer was stripped of the ball on a potential game-winning drive.

But despite the outcome, Detmer amassed an unbelievable 576 yards in the air against a respected PSU defense.

The allure of the soon-to-be junior quarterback sensation, combined with a home game against the national champion Miami Hurricanes in Week 1, is likely to put the Cougars on the main stage for next season. But that probable loss to the 'Canes will make the Cougars' BCS chances likely as a Kanye West performance at the CMAs.

"Ty" Trends Worldwide

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

25 Aug 1991: Quarterback Ty Detmer of the Brigham Young Cougars talks to man upstairs during a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Pigskin Classic at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. Florida State won the game 44-28. Mandatory Credit: St

"Ty" Trends Worldwide

Following a David v. Goliath performance for the ages, the word "Ty" is dominating social media outlets and Google searches as the BYU Cougars slayed the Miami Hurricanes in a thrilling upset to kick off the 2010 football season.

"Ty" is currently the number one trending hashtag on Twitter the last 24 hours as the online sports nation has embraced his underdog aura and is turning him into a national phenomenon.

The chatter began as he was torching the defending BCS National Champion 'Canes for 406 yards through the air and three touchdowns Saturday and reached a crescendo when the upstart Cougars prevailed in victory against one of the most dominant (and disliked) football programs of the decade.

While it's only one game, the blog world and websphere has offically put Ty on its Heisman watchlist and BYU as the front-runners to bust the BCS.

Cougar BCS Hopes Dashed as BYU Falls to Oregon; Ty Mania Continues

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Jordan Holmes #54 and Josh Sanford #67 of the Oregon Ducks take the field for their game against the Auburn Tigers at the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale,

BYU BCS Hopes Dashed as Cougars Fall to Oregon; Ty Mania Continues

The BYU Cougars saw their BCS hopes demolished Saturday as they fell to the Oregon Ducks 16-32 in Eugene. The Ducks prevailed despite changing uniform designs at halftime.

The Cougars proved to be little more than Ty Detmer on offense, as the standout QB passed for over 400 yards while his rushing counterparts could muster no semblance of a running game.

While the Cougars likely won't be playing in one of the big-money games this bowl season, there is still plenty of support for Detmer as a Heisman candidate.

The loss comes as no surprise to the national media who have called the Cougars win over Miami a fluke and referred to BYU as a "smaller school" despite an enrollment as large or larger than most BCS conference members.

Ty Fever, "Tysman" Talk Engulfing the Online Sports World

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NEW YORK - DECEMBER 12: The Heisman trophy awarded to Running back Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide at a press conference after he was named the 75th Heisman Trophy winner at the Marriott Marquis on December 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo

Ty Fever, "Tysman" Talk Engulfing the Online Sports World

Two months ago the BYU football team saw their BCS hopes (and confidence) dashed following a devastating loss to Oregon.

But six games, 2,672(!) yards, 24 touchdowns and a gazillion passing records later, Ty Detmer has his BYU Cougars back on track, with a No. 4 national ranking, possible Heisman trophy and a shot at one of the lucrative BCS bowl games.

But the story has been off the field.

The online sports world, from bloggers to social media addicts to real-live journalists have jumped on the Ty bandwagon, lobbying for his Heisman victory and perpetuating his performances into instant legend. "Ty Fever" rules the internet and shows no sighs on stopping.

In fact, "Ty" has been trending on Twitter for a record 12 days.

Detmer is expected to win the Heisman over Auburn Quarterback Cam Newton, either at the ceremony in New York this week, or later after Newton is forced to vacate the award when it is discovered he was paid $447,909 and a pack of Marlboros a day to play for the Tigers.

Athletes and Entertainers Jump on the Ty Bandwagon

John Harrelson/Getty Images

FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 08: Musician Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top performs at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 8, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Athletes and Entertainers Jump on the Ty Bandwagon

Everyone from entertainers to athletes have gotten in on the praise.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donavon McNabb tweeted "Da Ty is Da Bomb" while ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons timeline stated, "Of course The Ty is the best. He's from Texas!"

All Ty Radio, All Day Long

A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Colin Cowherd of ESPN Radio hosts The Herd from the Super Bowl XL Media Center at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan on January 30, 2006. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

All Ty Radio, All Day Long

The Ty, at last count has done 267 phone interviews with national sports radio shows. The only major radio personality not to cash in on Ty Fever is ESPN's Colin Cowherd who stated, "What do I care about some white kid from Porvo [sic] Utah putting up a bunch of yards against St. Mary's High School?"

Ty Rap Brings Down YouTube

Ty Rap Brings Down YouTube

YouTube was temporarily brought down as a video entitled "Tysman Rap" was viewed over 2,098,995 times in the first five minutes of being posted.

Hip-hop labels have been clamoring for the release rights.

Peyton Manning Loses a Ty-Related Bet

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17-16.

Peyton Manning Loses a Ty-Related Bet

Indianapolis Colts quarterback and Tennessee alum Peyton Manning was seen wearing a Florida Gators jersey on a local TV interview.

When asked why he would wear arch-rival gear, he stated that in a momentary lapse of reason, he bet that The Ty would have at least one game where he passed for less than 350 yards before Dec. 1. He lost.

Jim Tressel Takes a Shot at BYU Recruiting Practices

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 30: Head Coach Jim Tressel speaks to the media during a press conference before the start of Spring practices at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center at The Ohio State University on March 30, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/

Jim Tressel Takes a Shot at BYU Recruiting Practices

The Ohio State University Head Coach Jim Tressel was asked about Ty Fever in a recent interview and responded with, "You have to wonder what BYU did to get the kid to come from Texas to play for them. I'm not accusing them of cheating, but I'm saying we have a standard here at OSU, and we don't fudge our integrity. You can read about it in my book, available at all major bookstores and on Amazon.com."

Rick Reilly's Ty Gaffe Makes Headlines

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MARTINEZ, GA - APRIL 06: Rick Reilly (L) and Scott Michaux of the Augusta Chronicle pose during the Golf Writers Association of America 39th Annual Awards Dinner at the Savannah Rapids Pavillion on April 6, 2011 in Martinez, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Re

Rick Reilly's Ty Gaffe Makes Headlines

ESPN's Rick Reilly caused a ruckus when he proclaimed Ty was only seeing success because he was so much older than the competition after serving an LDS mission. Most Americans were surprised to find Reilly still writing due to the fact he is irrelevant in his slot next to Bill Simmons.

Reilly announced that he, personally could pass for more yards against Wyoming than The Ty and challenged the BYU QB to a passing skills competition.

The Ty has not responded to the challenge. Detmer is not a Mormon and did not serve a mission. Authors note: He is Mormon now.

Ty's Facebook Thread Approaches Record Levels

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 23: Ian Poulter of England sends a message on Twitter on the practice ground during the final round of the 2011 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club on January 23, 2011 in Abu Dhabi, United

Ty's Facebook Thread Approaches Record Levels

In a showing of his inexperience with social media, The Ty, who had unwittingly left his Facebook profile public, asked for predictions on how many TDs he would throw against Utah State. His post received over 12,345 comments, with the average guess at TDs being nine.

The only Facebook post historically to gain a higher number of comments was President Barack Obama's status update in which he announced his "Socialized Breathing" plan.

Chuck Norris Reaches Out to the Ty

Jeff Golden/Getty Images

ARCADIA, CA - OCTOBER 25: Actor Chuck Norris attends the 2003 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships hosted by the Oak Tree Racing Association October 25, 2003 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)

Chuck Norris Reaches out to the Ty

Chuck Norris, from the set of his new buddy comedy Different 'Pokes (which stars Ice-Cube opposite Norris as cowboys in the old west who team up to save a western town from invading bandits), called The Ty to let him know that he, along with the entire State of Texas has Ty Fever and plans to encourage his grandson to attend BYU.

The move was confusing to many because despite his Walker: Texas Ranger fame, Norris is from Oklahoma.