CSU is resurging with a great deal of optimism about their program. They are excited and really think they can play with the BYU. BYU's defense is looking like last year where they had some really good/lucky outings early and then suddenly fell apart. CSU has an attitude that they are going to move the ball on BYU like they did last year. BYU is somewhat reeling after an asskicking. Their is some deflation as the lofty dreams of MNC chances have been beaten down and there is legitimate concern that the defense many of us thought was improved is not.
Regarding BYU's defense I choose to be an optimist and I think the defense is improved. I don't think it is as good as 2006 or 2007 but I still maintain it is much better than last year. I am confident that they will prove it this Saturday, but if CSU moves the ball on BYU like they did last year then I think the optimists must face that BYU hasn't improved much and that perhaps there are deeper issues. This group of BYU defenders should be pummelled by FSU when the Noles are clicking, but they should be able to hold their own against CSU.
I believe the key to the game will be turnovers for BYU. I think BYU is 17 points better than CSU. For each turnover in excess of +1 for CSU, I think the Rams can get a touchdown closer. In other words I think it will take CSU to be +4 in turnovers for the Rams to win. I don't think BYU's defense will stop CSU all the time, but I expect the Cougars to stop the Rams enough and I like BYU's bend but don't break approach forcing the Rams into field goals.
This game has a similar feel to the Air Force-BYU game in 2007. BYU was coming off a tough loss to UCLA and then a deflating brain fart in Tulsa. AFA was resurging under a good young coach and had some momentum. The game was a complete beatdown in Provo by BYU. It will take more offense, and better ball control than BYU showed against OU and FSU, than BYU had that year for a similar beatdown as BYU's defense is not as good and certainly doesn't match up as well historically with CSU's offense than it does the Flyboy's flexbone triple option. The one thing from CSU that does concern me is the CSU OL. The BYU DL needs to play really well, and missing RT is going to hurt. BYU must reestablish its competitive advantage in the trenches so as to protect the LBs. On defense our test will be the DL while on offense it will be BYU's ability to not turn the ball over. If we fix our turnover issues and if CSU turns one over early, BYU will roll. The offense will get a couple early and put the pressure on CSU who will be forced to be more one dimensional offensively. JJ will pad his all time MWC sack stats if/when that happens. If we win the toss....GIVE MAX THE DAMN BALL!
Regarding BYU's defense I choose to be an optimist and I think the defense is improved. I don't think it is as good as 2006 or 2007 but I still maintain it is much better than last year. I am confident that they will prove it this Saturday, but if CSU moves the ball on BYU like they did last year then I think the optimists must face that BYU hasn't improved much and that perhaps there are deeper issues. This group of BYU defenders should be pummelled by FSU when the Noles are clicking, but they should be able to hold their own against CSU.
I believe the key to the game will be turnovers for BYU. I think BYU is 17 points better than CSU. For each turnover in excess of +1 for CSU, I think the Rams can get a touchdown closer. In other words I think it will take CSU to be +4 in turnovers for the Rams to win. I don't think BYU's defense will stop CSU all the time, but I expect the Cougars to stop the Rams enough and I like BYU's bend but don't break approach forcing the Rams into field goals.
This game has a similar feel to the Air Force-BYU game in 2007. BYU was coming off a tough loss to UCLA and then a deflating brain fart in Tulsa. AFA was resurging under a good young coach and had some momentum. The game was a complete beatdown in Provo by BYU. It will take more offense, and better ball control than BYU showed against OU and FSU, than BYU had that year for a similar beatdown as BYU's defense is not as good and certainly doesn't match up as well historically with CSU's offense than it does the Flyboy's flexbone triple option. The one thing from CSU that does concern me is the CSU OL. The BYU DL needs to play really well, and missing RT is going to hurt. BYU must reestablish its competitive advantage in the trenches so as to protect the LBs. On defense our test will be the DL while on offense it will be BYU's ability to not turn the ball over. If we fix our turnover issues and if CSU turns one over early, BYU will roll. The offense will get a couple early and put the pressure on CSU who will be forced to be more one dimensional offensively. JJ will pad his all time MWC sack stats if/when that happens. If we win the toss....GIVE MAX THE DAMN BALL!
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