As we prepare to invade Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, we must ponder the fact that this will be our last game vs Utah as conference foes. This is the last time we will say the game has conference standing implications. Yes, believe it or not, BYU can tie Utah for 2nd place in the conference with a win on Saturday.
What's a race for second place? Well consider we started the season 1-4 with a dismal loss to Utah State; bouncing back to win 5 of the last 6 is amazing. That feat has put our Cougars in the position to finish ahead of Utah (who started 8-0) in the conference standings once you take head to head into account.
This also means that a win could put BYU in a sixth straight Las Vegas Bowl. Simply amazing. The fact BYU is bowl eligible is a miracle. But to beat Utah will require our young Cougars to play their best game of the season in one of the most hostile environments available to them.
BYU has relied on their running game to turn around their season and it's worked. What's Utah's strong point? You guessed it, their run defense. BYU will have to be able to pass the ball the set up the run if they want to beat Utah. Utah is very good at pressuring the line of scrimmage and trying to force opponents into making bad decisions. With a freshman at Quarterback, I guarantee they'll be looking to cause even more havoc than usual.
To combat the variety of blitzes and motion on the defensive line, Jake Heaps will have to be able to connect with his receivers and TE's on quick outs and slants. These passes cannot be dropped because as they are completed, Utah will be forced to account for them which will open up the line of scrimmage and the opportunity for our running backs to move the ball on the ground.
As usual the game will be close and probably decided in the waning moments. A lot rests on the ability of a true freshman to step up and become the Man that will lead BYU into Independence next fall. A win at Rice Eccles will do a lot to boost his confidence and propel the team into this new, uncharted territory.
BYU 23 - Utah 17
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
On the Road Again
What a great morning for college football! Our BYU Cougars are on the road this week at Colorado St looking to claim their first road win of the season. The team should be full of confidence heading into this one after the shellacking they gave UNLV last week. However they should still be cautious going into Fort Collins due to the fact BYU hasn't won on the road this year.
CSU has played well at home but got knocked out of bowl contention after losing to the whiny crew (SDSU) last week. And as this is their last time hosting BYU as a conference foe, the Rams should be more than fired up. CSU has a defense that touts some of the best players in the conference when it comes to getting behind the line of scrimmage and pressuring the QB. Fortunately BYU has a strong offensive line and running game that should keep the young frosh QB from taking too many hits.
What I want to see today us that BYU can maintain the momentum gained at home against a terrible UNLV team and pull out a comfortable win by moving the chains and trusting the defense to hold. The D has been a highlight this year since Bronco released the defensive coordinator to take those duties on himself. CSU should find it difficult to move the ball on the ground and will be forced to trust their freshman QB to get it down through the air.
I see this being a low scoring defensive battle with BYU coming out on top 24 - 10.
Go Cougars!
CSU has played well at home but got knocked out of bowl contention after losing to the whiny crew (SDSU) last week. And as this is their last time hosting BYU as a conference foe, the Rams should be more than fired up. CSU has a defense that touts some of the best players in the conference when it comes to getting behind the line of scrimmage and pressuring the QB. Fortunately BYU has a strong offensive line and running game that should keep the young frosh QB from taking too many hits.
What I want to see today us that BYU can maintain the momentum gained at home against a terrible UNLV team and pull out a comfortable win by moving the chains and trusting the defense to hold. The D has been a highlight this year since Bronco released the defensive coordinator to take those duties on himself. CSU should find it difficult to move the ball on the ground and will be forced to trust their freshman QB to get it down through the air.
I see this being a low scoring defensive battle with BYU coming out on top 24 - 10.
Go Cougars!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Cougars are Back!
It's been a busy fall and difficult to find time to post, but I'm back and ready to go again.
If you missed last Saturday's game, it was a joy to watch after a somewhat disappointing season. Our Cougars have been going through some serious growing pains but appear to be on the verge of regaining their identity.
UNLV was just one game and yes, they are that bad. However, we have to realize that we put more points on the board and put them up their faster than some of the top teams in the country including those pesky frogs from TCU. I guess this is the type of season you have to have now and again to remind yourself to truly enjoy the wins when they come.
With all that said, this team is young, but talented. If they can continue to build on the last couple games, we may actually give Utah a challenge in Salt Lake which I wouldn't have imagined after finishing our first 5 games 1-4 with a loss to Utah St.
Here is a video highlight of the UNLV game by Furious Monkey. Enjoy
If you missed last Saturday's game, it was a joy to watch after a somewhat disappointing season. Our Cougars have been going through some serious growing pains but appear to be on the verge of regaining their identity.
UNLV was just one game and yes, they are that bad. However, we have to realize that we put more points on the board and put them up their faster than some of the top teams in the country including those pesky frogs from TCU. I guess this is the type of season you have to have now and again to remind yourself to truly enjoy the wins when they come.
With all that said, this team is young, but talented. If they can continue to build on the last couple games, we may actually give Utah a challenge in Salt Lake which I wouldn't have imagined after finishing our first 5 games 1-4 with a loss to Utah St.
Here is a video highlight of the UNLV game by Furious Monkey. Enjoy
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