What to Expect:

Most of the chat and board talk this week, seems to have been on last weeks game. Here is a preview of what to expect this Saturday.

On Offense:

The heart of the CSU offense seems to be the power running game of Bell and Johnson. But QB Billy Farris is also an efficient passer.

Running Game:

Johnson averages 93 yards per game, and 4.6 yards per carry. Bell is powerful, but less productive with 24 yards per game and 3.3 per carry. Both are pretty much straight ahead runners, though Johnson does have a few moves in traffic. They are in the mold of the backs we’ve seen at UNLV and New Mexico.

Passing Game:

Farris averages 213 yards per game and has thrown 9 TDs while giving up 7 interceptions. One of his favorite weapons is TE Kory Sperry. The Rams are more like BYU in the way they incorporate their TE into the offense. Both Greer and Morton can also make some plays. CSU seems to use their power running game to fuel their passing game, so if the cougars can limit the ram backs, the offense may have a hard day. However, with the cougar secondary struggling, the Rams may not need a running game to produce some offense.

O-Line:

I don’t know if the Ram O-line would qualify as great, but the are relatively solid.

Defense:

The basic Ram defense is a 4-3 and has a bend but don’t break kind of mentality. There are several areas that I think the Ram Defense may be vulnerable.

D-line:

The Ram D-line is a weakness, and seem to be vulnerable, especially if you run between the tackles. Harvey Unga and Fui Vakapuna could have decent outings.

Line Backers:

The outside linebackers are one of the stronger parts of the defense, and will have to be active to keep the cougar offense under control.

Secondary:

CSU has a couple of solid safety’s, who are key to the defense and keeping things in front of them. They like to play man with zone blitz and play some cover 4. They also uses quite a bit of nickel coverage. Their goal is to try to limit the big play, but the corners tend to play soft and leave short routes open. There might be some nice opportunities to throw to Unga out of the backfield, and Dennis Pitta could have another big day.

Prognosis:

CSU averages 22 points per game, and gives up about 33. They had a big outing last week, but that was against San Diego State (Who they gave up 34 points to). I noticed that BYU started playing a little tighter coverage last week, and really made several good plays, just not enough to get stops. (Credit UNLV receivers for making some great plays in decent coverage.)

I look for the cougar offense to have a big day, as long as the line can read blitz and Hall can pick up the coverages. If the o-line can do what they have done most of the season, the offense should roll. The running game should also have some lanes to run in.

Our Defense has done a good job against similar running games (see New Mexico). If the secondary can make a few plays, the Defense could have a relatively good outing.

Prediction: BYU 42, CSU 17

Oct 30th by Jim

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Oct 29th by Tyler

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The cougars contiued their at home winning streak by beating a scrappy UNLV squad 42-35

The game opened with a BYU season longest, 75 yard kick-off return, by Austin Collie.  As I sat in the North end-zone and watched that open up, I am still surprised it didn’t go for 6.  By the 12:25 mark, Adrew George was in the end-zone, and the cougs were up 7-0.

From there on out, the teams seemed to just trade scores.  BYU’s offense looked back on track, and seemed to be able to march downfield on cue. But the defense was hard pressed to come up with stops.  the half ended 21-21

Second Half

The Defense seemed to be able to come up with a couple of stops when needed, and, although the offensive play calling got a little conservative late in the game,  The cougars dropped behind 34-35  but then put together a good drive that ate up the clock and ended in a recently rare, Dennis Pitta touchdown.  The cougars went for two. Then Harvey Unga, on the receiving end of a swing pass, trotted into the end-zone, untouched.

UNLV put together one last drive, that ended up in and Andrew Rich Interception in the end-zone, as time ran out.

Max Hall was 24-30 for 245 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Austin Collie had his sixth straight 100-yard receiving game.  The tandem of Unga and Vakapuna ran for 156 yards and a pair of scores.

Oct 25th by Jim

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Now that we have all been through a twelve step program to get us off of the caffine free diet coke binge we’ve been on since the TCU game, let’s look at UNLV

http://unlv.rivals.com/teamstats.asp?Team=UNLV

BYU leads the all-time series 12-3

BYU’s average score against UNLV, 34

UNLV’s average score against BYU, 18

This Year, UNLV is averaging 27 points per game, and giving up 33 points per game.

The feature a balanced attack on offense rushing for 141 and passing for 227 per game.

On Offense: Quarterback Omar Clayton leads , the shotgun spread offense , which is fairly productive (16 touchdowns, two interceptions) . The Rebels make few mistakes and are tied with Florida for fthe least turnovers with five. UNLV also ranks No. 1 nationally in red zone offense going 100% (20-for-20 with 17 touchdowns. Good thing we only have a Blue Zone!)

On Defense: The Rebels rush defense that was very effective early in the season , has been terrible the last three games. UNLV now ranks 114th in the nation in rush defense allowing an average of 232.0 yards per game. BYU running back Harvey Unga had one of his best outings last year against the Rebels when he rushed for 177 yards on 25 carries and scored a touchdown. Let’s hope to see him do that again this time around.

Since UNLV is 0-3 in the MWC, and 1-3 on the road, the cougars look poised to resume their winning ways. Add to that, the fact that the cougars are still smarting from the loss to TCU, look for them to play with a chip on their shoulder. Probably not a good week for Rebels to wander into LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Oct 23rd by Jim

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Now that the shear horror of Thursday night’s game has subsided a bit here are a few observations.

What We Know

We are not a top 10 team.  Our offense has become predictable, and is not executing like it did early in the season.  Our defense is so afraid to give up big plays that it will hand out small plays by the dozen.

Offensive Weaknesses

Our O-line got out maneuvered by pure speed and was allowing TCU to get pressure with few linemen rushing.  Our game plan did not utilize the running game effectively.  Our receivers were not able to get much separation.  Whether that was execution or a scheme I don’t know.  I suspect it was a combination of both. Hall also threw into a lot of coverage.  Often the man he threw to was actually double covered.  The defense seemed to know what he wanted to do and was ready when he did it.

Defense

The biggest disappointment for me was that TCU could move the ball pretty much at will.  I think our inside linebacker play is not what it has been the last few years, and our corners play too soft.  I understand that some coverage causes them to play off the receiver a bit, but when you are freely giving up third downs, you need to tighten things up a bit.

Now the Good News

Actually, as bad as the game went, take away the turnovers and the Cougars are probably still in it.  My hope is that this loss will focus the team to correct whatever they need to get back to earlier season form.  It is hard to go undefeated, as can been seen each week as teams drop from the ranks of the X-0 stats.

I remember that during the run for the superbowl, Steve Young’s niner team lost a game to Philly 44-3.  It was a case of some early mistakes and turnovers, leading to players pressing too hard to make big plays and making bigger mistakes.  I think something similar is what happened to us last Thursday night.  But like that niner team, if the Cougs can right the ship to get back on track and “get their head in the game” or (insert your own trite saying here.).  Then they still have a chance to finish out the season strong, perhaps win a share of the conference title (with some help against TCU). BYU can still finish the year ranked, and begin next season with hopes like those we shared in September.

Oct 21st by Jim

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CRAP !!!

Oct 16th by Jim

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I know that this headline is contrary to popular belief. TCU has one of the best defenses in the country. BYU, on the other hand, has struggled a bit on offense the past two games.

So What Am I Smoking?

Earlier, I accused whoever does the Daily Herald grades for the New Mexico game of being on some kind of mind-altering substance during his evaluation. So, you have the right to question my state of mind as well. But I see some things that give me hope that the offense could return to early season form this week.

TCU’s Aggressive Defense

Early in the season, teams tried to put the pressure on and get to Hall. Our O-line kept them off and Hall picked apart their secondary and linebackers. TCU likes to bring the pressure and does it well enough to have the #1 defense in the nation. They usually play a kind of 4-2-5 defense with safety types who are quick and athletic. These same athletes sometimes act as linebackers, sometimes act as safety’s, and sometimes act as corners. This leaves their corners in a lot of man coverage.

When Teams have Brought Pressure

BYU’s line has slowed up the opposing pressure. Hall has made the reads. Collie, Pitta, Reed, and Unga have all made big plays (who do you choose to shut down and who do you choose to expose?). I have confidence in our line to protect Hall against TCU’s highly touted defense. I have confidence in Hall to make the right read. And I believe, that unlike the last two games, the Cougars will be totally ready for this one.

Numbers

Over the last three meetings with TCU, BYU has averaged 381 yards passing, 90 yards rushing, and 36 points per game. While last week, CSU held TCU to 151 rushing and 166 passing and 13 points. If BYU’s Offense does what they have in the past, and their Defense can produce close to CSU’s numbers, (and I think they can) it could be a big win.

Oct 15th by Jim

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Oct 13th by Tyler

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Because I had to work Saturday, I initially missed much of the New Mexico game. Looking at the score, I had to wonder “What went wrong?” I read the Daily Herald’s grades for the game, http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/284116/163/ and figured I had a good idea of what happened. Then I turned on my DVR and watched the Game.

What Was the Herald Guy Smoking?

I don’t know who writes that review for the Herald, but I don’t ever remember reading a game review that I thought was more off base. Here are a few examples:

Herald Grade: O-Line, C

Really? I mean, New Mexico is famous for coming after you with crazy stunts, lots of disquised coverage, and agressive play. they hardly touched Max all game, and though Harvey didn’t have his usual running lanes, still had enough seams to get 96 yrds rushing. How in heck did they merit a C? Maybe an A-, or I could have even understood a B+, But there was nothing average about their performance.

DH Running Backs, C+

The Lobo’s defense has limited opponent running games. Watching the game, they are quick to the ball and swarm. But Unga had one of the gutsiest performances I have watched. He was working hard and making the most of what was there. And Fui made some awesome lead blocks. I would grade the running backs at no worse than a B

DH Defensive Line C+

The reason given was “A tough game for the D-Line, which lost more battles than it won against New Mexico’s physical running game. When BYU did manage to stop the run, it was the linebackers shooting gaps” Do they not understand that in this defense, the lines job is to engage the O-line and let the linebackers fill the gaps and make the stops? (see Quinn Gooch http://deepshadesofblue.com/unm-post-game-wrap-up/#more-1591 ). They also made some big plays in the game, and ultimately only gave up 3 points. Again, D-line, a solid B

The rest of the Herald Grades were OK. But those three were way off.

Why did the offense Struggle?

I credit the Lobo Defense. Their Corners played tough and, out side of a couple of plays, limited the Cougars yards after the catch. Example, our offense attempted a couple of short throws with runs for yardage on third downs, but the lobos were there to deny the run part and stop those drives. The Lobo offense controlled the clock and limited our offensive opportunities. . But when they needed to, the offense was able to put together enough drives to win the game by 18 points. (Man are we getting spoiled to be upset about that.) Max Hall’s numbers were solid, and Austin Collie had a record setting day in total yardage. Andrew George also had two touchdown catches. It was also good to have Michael Reed back in the lineup with a couple of solid catches. I give the QB & Recievers a B+

Linebackers

I thought they did a good job of keeping the running game in front of them, and not giving up huge plays. Particularly in the second half when they started bringing an outside linebacker behind the line of scrimmage, and catching the back as he hesitated at the line. It did look like there were some times when they got caught over pursuing or trapped on the ends, and gave up some yards. Clawson has a motor (maybe even turbo-charged) and Nixon is always solid, and good for a couple of big plays. I loved the gang tackles an piles on plays. B+

Secondary

I thought the secondary played pretty solid. No big plays down the field. They did look soft and gave a lot of room, but not totally understanding assignments, I am guessing that this was the game plan to position themselves to help with the running game. Not sure if they executed up to Bronco’s expectations, but again, three points given up. Nice tip and pick by Fowler and Tafuna. B

Special Teams

Maybe the best outing for Santiago ever, or at least one of the better ones. Typically made the Lobos go the length of the field and helped us win the battle for field position. Outside of a missed field goal by Sorensen, good outing B+

Great Warm Up

I think this game helped them in their preparation for the TCU game this year. TCU is strong defensively, and likes to run the ball. BYU has liked Thursday night games with TCU. Hope this week’s is the same.

Oct 13th by Jim

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People wrote in to ESPN’s sports writer Ted Miller asking what BYU had done to be deserved so high. His response is a classic one, half sarcastic but just to emphasize the point. Here’s exactly as it appears at http://myespn.go.com/blogs/pac10/0-3-45/Opening-the-mailbag–Ball-State–BYU-and-Bush.html:

Adam from Berkeley writes: Hey Ted, What exactly has BYU done to deserve a top ten spot? I’m looking at the teams that they’ve beaten and their opponents schedules thus far and there is nothing truly impressive other than that they have won games by a huge margin. It seems like the only reason that they’re in the top ten is because of their preseason ranking along with their victory over UCLA (right after they beat Tennessee). Seeing how that is no longer a noteworthy win, why don’t they drop in the polls?

Ted Miller: Know why BYU is ranked really high?

Because folks who do the rankings think the Cougars are really, really good.

Why do they think BYU is really, really good?

Because BYU has really, really good players. And a really, really good head coach.

If you’re looking for accomplishments, well, there are plenty of teams that haven’t done much — Texas Tech, Texas, Penn State, Florida, Oklahoma — that haven’t done a whole lot.

Why are those teams ranked highly?

Because folks think they are really, really good.

Words of wisdom right there! (no pun intended…)

There are some really interesting comments below the quote on ESPN’s site, but the fact of the matter is that this year is BYU’s chance to prove that the MWC is a BCS worthy conference. BCS-busting has been done several times now and it’s no longer real news. It’s actually expected now that at least one non-BCS team gets to compete. The real issue is proving that the MWC is as strong of a conference as any and that means winning out and keeping Utah ranked so BYU can beat a ranked team WHILE they’re still ranked.

Hopefully TCU can break back in after a win this week since they’re only loss is against #1 Oklahoma. Tell me why Wisconsin can lose to unranked Michigan AND Ohio State and yet stay in the top 25 of the coaches poll? Because they beat Fresno State who isn’t even ranked anymore? Just because they’re in the Big 10? Gimme a break…TCU deserves at least their spot in the rankings.

Oct 11th by Tyler

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