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Didn't see one of these yet, so figured I'd get it going.
With all the negativity running around (of which I'm certainly a major source), I'd like to acknowledge some of the positives of this team that give me hope that we'll be able to win the next 4 games. Yes, they're all patsies and victory should not provide too much satisfaction, but I think it will nonetheless. This BYU team needs some success moving the football. It needs some easier defenses to allow it to find a groove and allow the playmakers to identify themselves. And yes, it would be nice to beat as many of these teams as possible the last time (at least for awhile) that we play them.
So here's what I'm excited about:
Bronco is a beast. The turnaround in this defense since he took over is night and day. There are still mistakes, but I was amazed at how they did against TCU. Minus a cheap RUTS TD and some terrible offensive playcalling to end the first half, and that game might have ended at 10-3. My issues with Bronco are well-known and shared by many here, but there is no denying that he is a motivator of men. This defense should only get better.
Andrew Rich. Dude is a fanatic and a perfect fit for Bronco's defense. We'll miss him greatly.
The RBs. Brian Kariya has been much better recently, and when used properly is actually a decent weapon. I've been hard on him, but his main problem has been being asked to do things he shouldn't by an incompetent playcaller. As Wrubell tweeted, Kariya has gotten first down yardage on 3rd and 5 or less on 9 out of 10 tries this season. Particularly given that some of those carries were off-tackle stretch hand-offs, that's impressive. He's an asset, albeit a largely misused one. DiLuigi is perhaps the best asset this offense has, and he's been impressive when not asked to run between the guards or on delayed shotgun handoffs against a very quick defense. He'll not be an outstanding running back, but he's got what it takes to get good yardage against the weak MWC defenses.
The WRs. Yes, I know. They've been unbelievably mishandled this year, but we know that several of the returners can play because they did last year, and if someone is found who can properly coach/motivate them, they should be fine. The underclassmen have disappointed, but are nevertheless perhaps the most highly-recruited bunch ever in Provo, and they too should be fine, and perhaps great eventually. Heaps and the TEs could end up similarly, but they've been so spectacularly mishandled that it's hard to say. Either way, the talent is available, and I'm really hoping it blooms over the next month.
Special teams. Kickoff and punt coverage has been very good with a couple exceptions, Mitch Payne has been very good at what he's been asked to do, and Stephenson will be great if he can lose the shanks.
Given Bronco's comments regarding the offense finding its identity, and trusting Jay Santos' translation thereof, I think the offense performs well enough to beat Wyoming.
With all the negativity running around (of which I'm certainly a major source), I'd like to acknowledge some of the positives of this team that give me hope that we'll be able to win the next 4 games. Yes, they're all patsies and victory should not provide too much satisfaction, but I think it will nonetheless. This BYU team needs some success moving the football. It needs some easier defenses to allow it to find a groove and allow the playmakers to identify themselves. And yes, it would be nice to beat as many of these teams as possible the last time (at least for awhile) that we play them.
So here's what I'm excited about:
Bronco is a beast. The turnaround in this defense since he took over is night and day. There are still mistakes, but I was amazed at how they did against TCU. Minus a cheap RUTS TD and some terrible offensive playcalling to end the first half, and that game might have ended at 10-3. My issues with Bronco are well-known and shared by many here, but there is no denying that he is a motivator of men. This defense should only get better.
Andrew Rich. Dude is a fanatic and a perfect fit for Bronco's defense. We'll miss him greatly.
The RBs. Brian Kariya has been much better recently, and when used properly is actually a decent weapon. I've been hard on him, but his main problem has been being asked to do things he shouldn't by an incompetent playcaller. As Wrubell tweeted, Kariya has gotten first down yardage on 3rd and 5 or less on 9 out of 10 tries this season. Particularly given that some of those carries were off-tackle stretch hand-offs, that's impressive. He's an asset, albeit a largely misused one. DiLuigi is perhaps the best asset this offense has, and he's been impressive when not asked to run between the guards or on delayed shotgun handoffs against a very quick defense. He'll not be an outstanding running back, but he's got what it takes to get good yardage against the weak MWC defenses.
The WRs. Yes, I know. They've been unbelievably mishandled this year, but we know that several of the returners can play because they did last year, and if someone is found who can properly coach/motivate them, they should be fine. The underclassmen have disappointed, but are nevertheless perhaps the most highly-recruited bunch ever in Provo, and they too should be fine, and perhaps great eventually. Heaps and the TEs could end up similarly, but they've been so spectacularly mishandled that it's hard to say. Either way, the talent is available, and I'm really hoping it blooms over the next month.
Special teams. Kickoff and punt coverage has been very good with a couple exceptions, Mitch Payne has been very good at what he's been asked to do, and Stephenson will be great if he can lose the shanks.
Given Bronco's comments regarding the offense finding its identity, and trusting Jay Santos' translation thereof, I think the offense performs well enough to beat Wyoming.
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