BYU’s toughest test yet.
With BYU, yet again, coming off another mediocore performance, they have little time to worry about what they could have done better against New Mexico. With TCU in their sights for tomorrow’s game, I assume that Bronco Mendenhall did his all too famous “give you 15 seconds to celebrate after the New Mexico game”. I’ve said this before, but this next game scares the living day lights out of me. I’ve said this for other games, but for different reasons, in all games BYU was largely favored. In the TCU game, BYU is slightly favored and rightly so–TCU is 2nd in the nation in total defense. Plus the Horn Frogs have a two-quarterback system in Andy Dalton and Marcus Jackson, which as you all know gave the Cougars some trouble last game. Furthermore, the two QB’s for TCU have great mobility. The two previous statements are the main reasons I am a little uneas– plus the fact that BYU is playing at TCU.
What does BYU need to do to win, you ask? Well, I know Coach Mendenhall is really good at preparing his team,(and who am I to question him and his staff?), but I would still like to put in my two cents. Hey, I wouldn’t be a true fan if I didn’t question the team that I give my undying loyalty to. First, let’s start with the offense, which is the main attraction of the Cougar football team.
One thing I’ve noticed is that BYU has less three and outs when they are running the ball well–or at least trying to run the ball. When the Cougars are struggling, they are not running the ball at all or not well. BYU should not have this problem, they have one of the premiere lines in the nation that averages 6ft 5in, and 326 lbs. They easily out weigh any opposing team’s defensive line by at least 30 pounds. By those stats alone they should be running more. Also the O-line has only given up 1 sack this season, which is unheard of. They need to know that they intimidate opposing teams like a sumo wrestler would a buffet owner.
Next on my list is QB Max Hall. So far he has had an amazing year, enough so to be mentioned in the mid-season Heisman talks. But lately I’ve noticed that his passes are flying on him. I know it’s not nerves because Hall is what I like to call an iceman, ready for any tough situation. He proved this to me against Utah last year. I feel that he is trying too hard to try and get the ball in the tightest spots. Just be patient, your receivers will be there, just look at your completion percentage. That’s all I really have to say about Hall, you really can’t fault the man on anything else, heck he has a td to interception ratio of 20 to 4. Anybody that has that is alright in my book.
Now comes the unsung hero of the Cougars, WR Austin Collie. Now before you get in an uproar about me
saying ‘unsung’, let me explain. I am talking about the media. When they mention BYU they don’t mention Collie as much as they should. The man has had 5 straight games of 100+ recieving yards. Because of his great play in the last game he is now listed as #6 all time on the BYU receiving yards list. Let’s just be straight forward, if it wasn’t for Collie in at least a few games this year, BYU’s overall record would probably be different. So the moral of this story, kids, is get Collie the ball as much as possible and success will follow. What success would that be, you ask? Well besides the obvious one–that it gives BYU a better chance of winning–there are other reasons. Once TCU’s defense sees the Cougars going to Collie on a consistent basis, then they will put their attention towards him, which in turn will open up Pitta, Reed, George, Unga (and that’s pronounced Ung-a), and all the other offensive weapons the Cougars have.
Now the Cougars defense has the most to prove because they don’t have the greatest track record when it comes to mobile QB’s, let alone two on the same team. Just look at UNI, Washington, and New Mexico. Yes, they won the games but the QB’s made them look ridiculous. Even though they won’t face another QB quite like Jake Locker of UW, you still have to be concerned with the two QB’s of TCU. They pass well and run really good. Now, I’ve looked at the stats for TCU and BYU doesn’t have to be as concerned with their pass defense but their rush defense is truly going to be challenged. When TCU has 4 players that have rushed for 200+ yards and two of them are your QB’s, and the top rusher is one of your QBs, then I say BYU should be concerned. All I can say is BYU better have a spy on the defensive side with his sole job being to watch the TCU QB’s, and he must do better than the Washington and New Mexico game.
Well, I am not going to ramble on anymore because I’ve felt that I’ve addressed my concerns about tomorrow’s game. Once again, I am not going to predict, I am only going to hope. I am going to hope that the Cougars are ready for tomorrow; hope they come out shooting right off the bat; hope that they’ve gained the killer instinct that BYU so needs (you can make friends after the game). Here’s hoping BYU comes out with a win. Gooooooo, Cougars!
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