Here we are another Saturday, only this time I'm not as confident in my Cougars. Colorado State is playing with confidence and are on a 6 game winning streak. The way our defense played last week is a little scary but they do get their leader back in the secondary this week. Scott Johnson is coming off a concussion in the Tulane game. He missed last week's game and I believe it really affected the confidence and swagger of the D. An interesting point is that our D really took a downturn last year when Johnson went out for a few games with a double groin tear. By no means is Johnson the most talented player or even one that will be in the NFL, but he is another coach on the field and is a leader and motivator that will get the guys to be assignment sound. This also frees up Andrew Rich to be a little more aggressive.
I expect a much improved defensive effort, but still seeing a closer game.
BYU 35 CSU 24
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Holy Ouch
That wasn't even close. I thought for sure our defense would come in and beat on FSU, but turns out they didn't seem to have their hearts in it. Don't get me wrong, FSU did a great job at taking the wind out of their sails, but there was little intensity and the physicality that allowed them to beat OU wasn't anywhere to be seen. It was almost like we just tried to outlast them, which wasn't going to happen.
The offense didn't help turning the ball over and over and over. We've got to get ball control and some of that intensity back or it could be a long season.
The offense didn't help turning the ball over and over and over. We've got to get ball control and some of that intensity back or it could be a long season.
'Noles Invade Provo
Leading up to the season, Florida State was ranked and a favorite to win its conference. They opened the season at home against their rival Miami and lost a close one. They followed it up the next week with an uninspiring effort against Jacksonville State. Even though they pulled off that win, it doesn't look good when you need two touchdowns in the last couple minutes to pull off a victory against an FCS team.
Now FSU comes to Provo as a mere 7 point underdog despite the Cougs high ranking and early season victories. This could prove to be a tough game due to the speed and athleticism of Florida State. Wait, I think I've said that before?
BYU has proven that speed and athleticism does not scare them and even better, they're home for the first time this season. FSU has proven that their man defense is not disciplined enough to cover the number of weapons the Cougars have. They've also shown an ineptitude against the run. I look for BYU to win by at least 14 if not more.
The FSU offense is decent and they are quick, but they are also not used to the physicallity with which BYU is bringing it this year. I believe they'll get in the endzone a time or two but it won't be nearly as often as BYU and the Cougs should be 3-0 for the second straight year. E and I will be at the game tonight and we're really looking forward to a loud croud all dressed in blue.
BYU 35 - FSU 18
Go Cougars!
Now FSU comes to Provo as a mere 7 point underdog despite the Cougs high ranking and early season victories. This could prove to be a tough game due to the speed and athleticism of Florida State. Wait, I think I've said that before?
BYU has proven that speed and athleticism does not scare them and even better, they're home for the first time this season. FSU has proven that their man defense is not disciplined enough to cover the number of weapons the Cougars have. They've also shown an ineptitude against the run. I look for BYU to win by at least 14 if not more.
The FSU offense is decent and they are quick, but they are also not used to the physicallity with which BYU is bringing it this year. I believe they'll get in the endzone a time or two but it won't be nearly as often as BYU and the Cougs should be 3-0 for the second straight year. E and I will be at the game tonight and we're really looking forward to a loud croud all dressed in blue.
BYU 35 - FSU 18
Go Cougars!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Blowout - Even Better Than Expected
BYU followed up a big upset win with the exact type of win expected from a top 10 team. Tulane is a team that's struggling to find its identity right now and is working on re-establishing their program. BYU went in and struggled a little early (probably due to an emotional let down after the OU win). Toward the end of the second quarter, they stepped up and found their rhythm on both sides of the ball and once they started rolling there was no looking back.
Everyone got in on this game, 10 different players have rushing statistics and 12 different receivers caught the ball tonight. Don't let the big score fool you, the defense got in and forced 4 turnovers including a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. The Cougars looked sharp in a blow out win that they needed to show the national media that last week was not a fluke.
All undefeated seasons have to start with 2 wins. So far so good. They also start with 3 wins and number 3 will be a tough one to get. Florida State comes to town next Saturday and we are excited to go to that game. Unfortunately FSU lost their first game against Miami and then struggled against a team Tulane could have beat (Jacksonville State). Hopefull they turn their season around so that our win over them next Saturday won't lose any luster.
Go Cougs!!!
Everyone got in on this game, 10 different players have rushing statistics and 12 different receivers caught the ball tonight. Don't let the big score fool you, the defense got in and forced 4 turnovers including a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. The Cougars looked sharp in a blow out win that they needed to show the national media that last week was not a fluke.
All undefeated seasons have to start with 2 wins. So far so good. They also start with 3 wins and number 3 will be a tough one to get. Florida State comes to town next Saturday and we are excited to go to that game. Unfortunately FSU lost their first game against Miami and then struggled against a team Tulane could have beat (Jacksonville State). Hopefull they turn their season around so that our win over them next Saturday won't lose any luster.
Go Cougs!!!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Tulane - Trap Game?
It would be easy to believe that BYU would be so jazzed about the win over Oklahoma and excited about the prospect of playing Florida State in the home opener next weekend that they may overlook the Green Wave of Tulane University.
I'm sure you've read all the quotes from coaches and players about how their only focus is on Tulane, yada yada yada. It's only natural to have a little dip after such a big high and I expect some of the younger players to maybe come out a little slow this weekend.
However, if you're going to have a down week, Tulane would be a good one to have on the schedule that week. They've lost 9 straight including a big blowout loss to Tulsa on their own field last weekend. The Green Wave only won 2 games last season and have a total of 10 in the last 3 or 4 years.
There is enough senior leadership on the BYU squad that this game will be a good one to get banged up players some rest and put a little extra emphasis on some of the errors made last weekend. DON'T TURN THE BALL OVER!
This would be my biggest concern. Our running game looked good at times but the overall statistics show that all it became was a smokescreen to the passing game. Fortunately, we are very talented in the passing game, but I would like to see a 100 yard rusher come out of this contest.
It looks like Tulane is an athletic team with a lot of raw talent that is in a rebuilding stage, with a new coaching staff. They are young and inexperienced and should (on paper) get rolled tomorrow.
However, College Football being College Football, the game will be tough and there will be lessons taken away from the game tomorrow for both teams. As always, I like the Cougs, only this time, I like them to win big and have it in the bag by the half.
BYU 42 - Tulane 10
Go Cougars!
I'm sure you've read all the quotes from coaches and players about how their only focus is on Tulane, yada yada yada. It's only natural to have a little dip after such a big high and I expect some of the younger players to maybe come out a little slow this weekend.
However, if you're going to have a down week, Tulane would be a good one to have on the schedule that week. They've lost 9 straight including a big blowout loss to Tulsa on their own field last weekend. The Green Wave only won 2 games last season and have a total of 10 in the last 3 or 4 years.
There is enough senior leadership on the BYU squad that this game will be a good one to get banged up players some rest and put a little extra emphasis on some of the errors made last weekend. DON'T TURN THE BALL OVER!
This would be my biggest concern. Our running game looked good at times but the overall statistics show that all it became was a smokescreen to the passing game. Fortunately, we are very talented in the passing game, but I would like to see a 100 yard rusher come out of this contest.
It looks like Tulane is an athletic team with a lot of raw talent that is in a rebuilding stage, with a new coaching staff. They are young and inexperienced and should (on paper) get rolled tomorrow.
However, College Football being College Football, the game will be tough and there will be lessons taken away from the game tomorrow for both teams. As always, I like the Cougs, only this time, I like them to win big and have it in the bag by the half.
BYU 42 - Tulane 10
Go Cougars!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Now that's a ratings jump
By now most of you have probably noticed that BYU jumped from 24 to 12 in the USA Today's Coaches poll and from 20 to 9 in the Associated Press poll. I expected a jump, but didn't expect anything like that. I figured we'd be at about 13, so I guess 12 is about right to me. 9 just feels a little high.
Oklahoma dropped like a rock and with news that their TE, Jermain Gresham, is out for the season, I wouldn't be surprised to see them drop even lower if they can't handle some of the competition they've got coming up in a few weeks. Bob Stoops is a good coach and I imagine that he'll have the team ready to rally behind Landry Jones until Sam Bradford can come back. That should also give the offensive line time to solidify and hopefully keep the guy from getting hit like a steroid era homerun.
I'll do some research on Tulane the next couple of days and will try to get a preview up soon.
Go Cougs!!
Oklahoma dropped like a rock and with news that their TE, Jermain Gresham, is out for the season, I wouldn't be surprised to see them drop even lower if they can't handle some of the competition they've got coming up in a few weeks. Bob Stoops is a good coach and I imagine that he'll have the team ready to rally behind Landry Jones until Sam Bradford can come back. That should also give the offensive line time to solidify and hopefully keep the guy from getting hit like a steroid era homerun.
I'll do some research on Tulane the next couple of days and will try to get a preview up soon.
Go Cougs!!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Furious Monkey Highlight reel
Furious Monkey has been putting together BYU highlight reels for several years now and my personal opinion is his are the best on the web.
Here's his link to download the 2009 BYU beatdown of Oklahoma. It's a big one but well worth the time to download. Keep in your archives for years to come!
Here's his link to download the 2009 BYU beatdown of Oklahoma. It's a big one but well worth the time to download. Keep in your archives for years to come!
Cougar D steps up and punches OU in the mouth (or shoulder, you decide)
Depending on who you talk to, credit for this win will be different. However, one can't help looking at what BYU did and overcame to pull off this win.
Looking closer at the game, I think we can say that OU missed their #1 TE, Jermaine Gresham, more than anyone would have imagined. The BYU defense came out in this game and punished an inexperienced offensive line. They plugged the holes so OU couldn't run and they put pressure on a QB trying to throw to a gaggle of new receivers. When a QBs security blanket and favorite target is missing, he must fine someone to fill that role. BYU did not allow Bradford to find that guy and eventually Coleby Clawson delivered THE hit heard round college football. I seriously think there was a collective gasp by just about everyone that follows the sport when Clawson hit Sam Bradford and the returning Heismann trophy winner didn't get back up.
Many will say the reason BYU won was that Bradford got knocked out of the game. I won't disagree but I will remind them, that it was great defensive playcalling and physical execution by BYU that had the Heismann trophy winner wondering where the next hit was coming from and making him uncomfortable in the pocket. Eventually, if you deliver enough hits on the QB, he's going to get hurt, it's part of the game. The responsibilty to keep him from getting hurt belongs to the coaches and Oline to make the adjustments needed with personnel to not allow that defender through the line.
Ultimately the game was won by BYU's defense. You won't see many giving them credit due to the great final drive that Max Hall directed which chewed up the clock and gave the Cougars a one point lead. Just remember that had the D not held at the goalline and forced that field goal, OU would have scored a touchdown and BYU would have needed two drives to win this game.
BYU did an excellent job of taking their weakest link and strengthening it. I'm not sure exactly what they did in the offseason, but the entire team had a new look about them. They wore the same uniforms, but they had a fire in their eyes. The excitement and attitude change was even shown in the coaches demeanor. I haven't seen Bronco that fired up since he was the defensive coordinator under Gary Crowton.
That was some gritty defense and I'm looking forward to seeing more of it throughout the year.
Next up, Tulane in the Superdome in New Orleans.
Go Cougars!!!
Looking closer at the game, I think we can say that OU missed their #1 TE, Jermaine Gresham, more than anyone would have imagined. The BYU defense came out in this game and punished an inexperienced offensive line. They plugged the holes so OU couldn't run and they put pressure on a QB trying to throw to a gaggle of new receivers. When a QBs security blanket and favorite target is missing, he must fine someone to fill that role. BYU did not allow Bradford to find that guy and eventually Coleby Clawson delivered THE hit heard round college football. I seriously think there was a collective gasp by just about everyone that follows the sport when Clawson hit Sam Bradford and the returning Heismann trophy winner didn't get back up.
Many will say the reason BYU won was that Bradford got knocked out of the game. I won't disagree but I will remind them, that it was great defensive playcalling and physical execution by BYU that had the Heismann trophy winner wondering where the next hit was coming from and making him uncomfortable in the pocket. Eventually, if you deliver enough hits on the QB, he's going to get hurt, it's part of the game. The responsibilty to keep him from getting hurt belongs to the coaches and Oline to make the adjustments needed with personnel to not allow that defender through the line.
Ultimately the game was won by BYU's defense. You won't see many giving them credit due to the great final drive that Max Hall directed which chewed up the clock and gave the Cougars a one point lead. Just remember that had the D not held at the goalline and forced that field goal, OU would have scored a touchdown and BYU would have needed two drives to win this game.
BYU did an excellent job of taking their weakest link and strengthening it. I'm not sure exactly what they did in the offseason, but the entire team had a new look about them. They wore the same uniforms, but they had a fire in their eyes. The excitement and attitude change was even shown in the coaches demeanor. I haven't seen Bronco that fired up since he was the defensive coordinator under Gary Crowton.
That was some gritty defense and I'm looking forward to seeing more of it throughout the year.
Next up, Tulane in the Superdome in New Orleans.
Go Cougars!!!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Honestly, I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!!!
I'm not really sure what to say right now. My excitement level is off the charts. I had no idea our defense was going to step up and play that physical. All in all, it was our D that kept the game close and gave us the W. The offense played well but had some trouble controlling the ball. That may have been nerves but is definitely something that needs to be addressed right away. I'll write more later when the euphoria has passed and I can actually give an objective look at the game.
The season has kicked off and started with a bang! Here's to stepping up and putting it to the #3 team in the country!
Go Cougs!
The season has kicked off and started with a bang! Here's to stepping up and putting it to the #3 team in the country!
Go Cougs!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
With Mixed Emotion
The fan in me wants to say that BYU is definitely going to win and win big. The football knowledge in me says on paper this is a blowout.
Thank goodness the game is played on the field! Anything can happen on any given day in college football. While the match up is not exactly pretty, it did just get better with OU's #1 TE, J. Gresham being declared unavailable for the game Saturday due to knee problems. Gresham was tagged to be Bradford's security blanket and go to guy this year. Not having him in the line up along with starting 4 new players on the offensive line gives me hope that my Cougars can stay in this game. I don't know if they'll win and I'm really nervous to see how it goes, but I think they'll keep it respectable.
BYU coaches have made significant changes this year to help them manage the game more effectively than last year. The offensive coordinator, Robert Anae, will now be in the booth during the game watching from a bird's eye view while the quarterbacks coach, Brandon Doman will move down to field level to have better interaction with Max. The other big change is that Jaime Hill, the defensive coordinator, will take over play calling as well, giving Bronco Mendenhall the freedom to manage the overall game.
I'm really excited about these changes. They are designed to help the team improve in an area that has been lacking the last few years, in-game adjustments. If you've watched any BYU games the last couple years, you'll notice a methodical approach to everything and when that's working, no one comes close. The problem is when a team comes in and disrupts that rhythm, the team appears unable to adjust and usually escapes by the hair on their chin (pun intended) or gets blown away.
The BYU defense has a lot to prove and OU is a tough team to face for making a statement on defense. However, I believe enough changes have been made and work has been done that we will see improvement despite the result on the field.
BYU's offense is touted as one of the most efficient and high powered in college football. They will have to prove on Saturday that they can maintain that status against athletes with greater speed and talent. They will have to maintain composure at all times and play smart football.
While it's not likely BYU comes out of this one with a win, I do believe they will show the nation that they belong in the top 25 and deserve to be talked about as a probable BCS buster.
Now, disregarding all that, my fan prediction is
BYU 35 - OU 32
Go Cougs!
Thank goodness the game is played on the field! Anything can happen on any given day in college football. While the match up is not exactly pretty, it did just get better with OU's #1 TE, J. Gresham being declared unavailable for the game Saturday due to knee problems. Gresham was tagged to be Bradford's security blanket and go to guy this year. Not having him in the line up along with starting 4 new players on the offensive line gives me hope that my Cougars can stay in this game. I don't know if they'll win and I'm really nervous to see how it goes, but I think they'll keep it respectable.
BYU coaches have made significant changes this year to help them manage the game more effectively than last year. The offensive coordinator, Robert Anae, will now be in the booth during the game watching from a bird's eye view while the quarterbacks coach, Brandon Doman will move down to field level to have better interaction with Max. The other big change is that Jaime Hill, the defensive coordinator, will take over play calling as well, giving Bronco Mendenhall the freedom to manage the overall game.
I'm really excited about these changes. They are designed to help the team improve in an area that has been lacking the last few years, in-game adjustments. If you've watched any BYU games the last couple years, you'll notice a methodical approach to everything and when that's working, no one comes close. The problem is when a team comes in and disrupts that rhythm, the team appears unable to adjust and usually escapes by the hair on their chin (pun intended) or gets blown away.
The BYU defense has a lot to prove and OU is a tough team to face for making a statement on defense. However, I believe enough changes have been made and work has been done that we will see improvement despite the result on the field.
BYU's offense is touted as one of the most efficient and high powered in college football. They will have to prove on Saturday that they can maintain that status against athletes with greater speed and talent. They will have to maintain composure at all times and play smart football.
While it's not likely BYU comes out of this one with a win, I do believe they will show the nation that they belong in the top 25 and deserve to be talked about as a probable BCS buster.
Now, disregarding all that, my fan prediction is
BYU 35 - OU 32
Go Cougs!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
