I just finished re-watching the BYU-Utah 2007 game, and I have a few thoughts and questions:
1. How frustrating have these last three Holy Wars been for BYU fans?
-In 2006 the offense averaged 37 points per in 11 games. Beck and Co. are rolling over everyone in conference. Through 59 minutes and 57 seconds, the Cougar offense has scored 27 points, 10 under their average, and Utah has 31. It takes a last second miracle to win.
-In 2007 the offense averaged 30 points per in 10 games. The Cougars walk into the Utah game and can't get into the endzone for 59 minutes. The defense plays outstanding for 55 minutes, then allows a huge TD drive from Utah. It takes a horrendously blown coverage from McCain for Collie to get open on 4th and 18. Unga's ankle miraculously heals and BYU wins the game. Hall misses several throws that would have been game-changers.
-In 2008, BYU is averaging 37 points per as they go into Rice-Eccles. They are held to 24 points and Hall can't stop throwing to red jerseys.
Is it fair to say Whittingham has BYU's offense figured out?
2. I attended Hall's first game in a BYU jersey. He went 26-of-39 for 288 yards and two touchdowns. It wasn't vintage Detmer or anything, but it was highly promising considering how inexperienced he was at that level of football. Unga averaged 4.5 yards per carry for 68 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore starting his first game.
But have they really improved as much as I expected them to over the last two seasons?
Max threw for 100 more yards in 2008 than he did in 2007. He threw two more interceptions, but also connected on nine more touchdown passes.
Unga rushed for 70 less yards and one less touchdown in 2008 than he did in 2007. He caught virtually the same number of receptions and receiving touchdowns, but gained 250 less yards through the air.
In short, the statistics show neither Unga nor Hall were especially better in 2008 than they were in 2009.
And to my untrained eye, I still don't trust Hall's arm. I know he throws for around 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in a season, but I can't throw the sense that his long ball isn't all that accurate and his decision-making skills when under pressure are not so hot.
Unga is a tweener. He's not especially fast or especially big and strong. That translates into not many "ooooohhh" moments on the field, IMO.
It's odd, since Beck's stats as an underclassman did not translate into a reason to expect his 2006 season to be great, but I saw he had the tools to be great, and he came through.
I don't think Hall has the tools to be great. I hope I'm wrong.
So here's what I expect in 2009: a very good season, not a great one. Losses in games where a great quarterback or a great running back makes the difference, and wins in games where dink and dunk offense and a defense holding the opponent to under 30 gets the win.
This is all assuming Hall hasn't absolutely lived in the film room and learned how to read defenses over the last nine months and Harvey hasn't increased his speed substantially during the same time.
Tell me where I'm wrong.
1. How frustrating have these last three Holy Wars been for BYU fans?
-In 2006 the offense averaged 37 points per in 11 games. Beck and Co. are rolling over everyone in conference. Through 59 minutes and 57 seconds, the Cougar offense has scored 27 points, 10 under their average, and Utah has 31. It takes a last second miracle to win.
-In 2007 the offense averaged 30 points per in 10 games. The Cougars walk into the Utah game and can't get into the endzone for 59 minutes. The defense plays outstanding for 55 minutes, then allows a huge TD drive from Utah. It takes a horrendously blown coverage from McCain for Collie to get open on 4th and 18. Unga's ankle miraculously heals and BYU wins the game. Hall misses several throws that would have been game-changers.
-In 2008, BYU is averaging 37 points per as they go into Rice-Eccles. They are held to 24 points and Hall can't stop throwing to red jerseys.
Is it fair to say Whittingham has BYU's offense figured out?
2. I attended Hall's first game in a BYU jersey. He went 26-of-39 for 288 yards and two touchdowns. It wasn't vintage Detmer or anything, but it was highly promising considering how inexperienced he was at that level of football. Unga averaged 4.5 yards per carry for 68 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore starting his first game.
But have they really improved as much as I expected them to over the last two seasons?
Max threw for 100 more yards in 2008 than he did in 2007. He threw two more interceptions, but also connected on nine more touchdown passes.
Unga rushed for 70 less yards and one less touchdown in 2008 than he did in 2007. He caught virtually the same number of receptions and receiving touchdowns, but gained 250 less yards through the air.
In short, the statistics show neither Unga nor Hall were especially better in 2008 than they were in 2009.
And to my untrained eye, I still don't trust Hall's arm. I know he throws for around 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in a season, but I can't throw the sense that his long ball isn't all that accurate and his decision-making skills when under pressure are not so hot.
Unga is a tweener. He's not especially fast or especially big and strong. That translates into not many "ooooohhh" moments on the field, IMO.
It's odd, since Beck's stats as an underclassman did not translate into a reason to expect his 2006 season to be great, but I saw he had the tools to be great, and he came through.
I don't think Hall has the tools to be great. I hope I'm wrong.
So here's what I expect in 2009: a very good season, not a great one. Losses in games where a great quarterback or a great running back makes the difference, and wins in games where dink and dunk offense and a defense holding the opponent to under 30 gets the win.
This is all assuming Hall hasn't absolutely lived in the film room and learned how to read defenses over the last nine months and Harvey hasn't increased his speed substantially during the same time.
Tell me where I'm wrong.
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