BYU loses in all aspects of the word as TCU rolls over them 32-7.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I was going to start this article off by saying I come to you a humble man, but that just isn’t true. I come to you as an angry man, no humbleness about it. The reason being is that, unfortunately, I had some inkling in the back of my mind that this might happen. Heck, TCU had one of the best defenses in the nation; true, the only real competition they’ve played plowed over them, but Oklahoma has done that to alot of team’s this year. I was under the impression that BYU had one of the great offenses in the nation with all the fireworks they’ve shown, but an even greater defense cancels that out as we all witnessed last night.
Now please don’t assume that I don’t like BYU’s offense, if anyone has been an advocate for them, it is me. They were just simply over matched yesterday. From their line to the D-backs being quicker than the WR’s. If TCU’s DB’s and linebackers had better hands, then I hate to say that QB Max Hall might have had 1 to 2 more interceptions. Don’t worry, I am not jumping off the BYU train, I’m a passenger for life. I made it through the Crowton era, I think I can make it through 1 loss in the last 16 games. I just like to be honest in my oberservation of BYU.
One thing with the offensive line that I noticed is that they don’t handle speed very well because that’s the thing that doomed them. It wasn’t size–BYU outweighed TCU’s d-line by 40+ pounds. It was the ability of TCU to get around the edges to be able to get to Max Hall multiple times. I have a feeling that this will be an area addressed this upcoming week in practice (along with many others). Also one thing that I hoped Max Hall had cleansed from his system was the forcing of passes to receivers that didn’t have any separation from the defensive players. He would sometimes throw into double coverage, and triple coverage. He has a great arm, but even the greatest can’t and don’t do that, and I hope Hall soon realizes that.
I don’t really have that much negatively to say about RB Harvey Unga. Yes, he only had 53 yards rushing on 14 carries, but it all comes down to the trickle down effect. If the offensive line does not block for you, then you do not get positive yards. Unga worked with what he had, you can’t fault a man for that. Another part of the Cougar’s offense that I am not too bummed about are the wide receivers. They did their best with what they were given. Once again, Austin Collie had a decent game with 6 receptions for 116 yards. Are there things that the WR’s and RB’s could have done better? Yes. But when you’re a true fan, you try to find at least a few positives in a pile full of negatives.
Now I come to the defense. Remember the “bend but don’t break” defense that I was accusing BYU of having? Well they broke….unfortunately and badly. From multiple missed tackles to numerous opportunities that were missed when they could have changed the momentum of the game by stopping TCU on a third down. Also, can someone please explain to me why, after playing numerous games against mobile QB’s, that there isn’t a constant spy on the opposing teams QB’s. The thing that killed me the most was the play of the defensive back. I’m sorry, but can someone explain to me that when it is third and 12 why BYU’s DB’s are playing 8 to 10 yards off the recievers?? Of course they are going to convert when there is nothing between them and the 1st down marker.
At the beginning of the year there was a lot of talk about what it would take for BYU’s BCS chances to be crushed. Various sports writers wrote the play of their defense, and at that time I agreed with them. Unfortunately that came true, just a couple of stops here and there, especially on the 3rd and long, and the final score might have been different. Here’s to dreaming, and unfortunately, it would have taken more than a few stopped drives from the defense. A consistent drive from the Cougar’s Offense would have helped.
Now, I’m a man who also looks at this as a glass half full approach. Maybe it’s good for BYU to lose to TCU, because I have a feeling if BYU went to a BCS bowl game, the outcome would have been a lot worse, thus ruining their opportunities for next year. Yes, BYU is still going to have a good year; they are still going to a bowl game; and we still have a chance to spoil it for Utah. So please, Cougar fans, keep your heads up, it’s not over. I have a gut feeling that it’s only just the beginning for our beloved Cougars and the things that they can accomplish in the future. Don’t forget………………..Go Cougars!
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