BYU-TCU game thread

[byu71]

Patterson doing everything he can to get his team fired up:

He will tell his team BYU is so concerned about you that there most important goal this week is to have a good fireside.

Note: Fireside is kinda my irrelevant theme for this week. If they keep the religious wing of the fan base happy, I am happy.

[Coach McGuirk]

Patterson doing everything he can to get his team fired up:

Kragthorpe helping all he can,

It has practically become a contest to provide the former Utah State assistant coach with material, and I cannot resist entering. Here goes: Since beating both Utah and BYU with controversial touchdowns in overtime in consecutive weeks of September 2005, the Frogs are 1-5 against the Utes and Cougars. They're 24-2 against the MWC's other teams, which distinguishes the newcomers only as the best of the rest.
Patterson can take it from there.

Ouch!

[Surfah]

I will be yelling from my computer, hopefully with a Justin.tv connection to the game!

I am pretty sure those kids who do their own commentating will be hosting it on their channel again. BTW, one of the kids the other week was saying he was a walk on.

I am hoping there will be several feeds though. There were a couple of different channels broadcasting last week's SDSU game. I am sure there will be some TCU homers showing it.

[beefytee]

Does anyone think that the crappy turf is going to slow down TCU's speed?

They complained about it last time they were here.

It didn't seem to slow down FSU.

[SloanHater]

OK, I'll bite here, at the risk of sounding like too much of an apologist. Last year, BYU was traveling on a short week to play against a good team who had been preparing for the game since April. TCU probably would have won that game either way, but the differences in prep time for the game (don't forget that TCU installed Kerley in the brand new wildfrog package, and that doesn't just happen on a short week) led to domination for TCU.

I don't know whether BYU will win this game. TCU is a mighty fine football team. But to think that the game will be more lopsided (in TCU's favor) than last year with a change and venue and workweek (both in BYU's favor) seems off base.

I also have a feeling that having Manase in the backfield will make a marked difference this time around. I don't see TCU getting another 6 sacks and 4 turnovers.

EDIT: I'll make you a deal. If TCU wins by more than 28, the steak dinner is on me the next time you're in Houston. Otherwise, it's on you next time I'm in Real America. Either way, cowboy wins. Deal?

Deal. Your choice of eateries in the historic Wayne County (Detroit). I'll even throw in desert if TCU's Defense + Special Teams don't score at least twice.

I admire the unbridled enthusiasm Cougar fans have for their 10-2 teams, I really do.

[Flystripper]

I don't get the BYU and Utah hatred of BSU. Correct me if I am wrong but didn't both programs have a chance to do their talking on the field and both pretty much laid down in a fetal position and shaved their privates while asking the agressor to do his damage as gently as possible?

If I recall both programs will have that opportunity again in the next few years and since TCU finally ended BSU's streak against MWC opponents there is hope that Utah might be sober and BYU might be able to execute a 34 yard field goal. Until then I recommend we pretend to not be so jealous about BSU success and dominance of us.

agree completely

with the exception of the TCU victory in a close hard fought game, BSU has dominated the MWC.

[Maximus]

agree completely

with the exception of the TCU victory in a close hard fought game, BSU has dominated the MWC.

....because they played us when we sucked. Wow, they beat 03 and 04 BYU. So did UNLV.

[Flystripper]

....because they played us when we sucked. Wow, they beat 03 and 04 BYU. So did UNLV.

So we should pound our chests because they beat us when we sucked? Our suckiness in 2003 and 2004 is license to disrespect their achievements?

OK, whatever makes you feel better about yourself I guess.

BTW

Since 2002 (when BSU joined the WAC) they have been 8-1 against the MWC with the first loss in a bowl game against TCU last year. Yes many of those wins came against Wyoming but still...there is no reason to show complete lack of respect to the Broncos. Should they schedule better? Yes. But they are a good team and would compete for conference championships in the MWC.

[Maximus]

So we should pound our chests because they beat us when we sucked? Our suckiness in 2003 and 2004 is license to disrespect their achievements?

OK, whatever makes you feel better about yourself I guess.

BTW

Since 2002 (when BSU joined the WAC) they have been 8-1 against the MWC with the first loss in a bowl game against TCU last year. Yes many of those wins came against Wyoming but still...there is no reason to show complete lack of respect to the Broncos. Should they schedule better? Yes. But they are a good team and would compete for conference championships in the MWC.

I dont claim BYU owns OU because we are 2-0 against them. Same with Texas.

[Maximus]

So we should pound our chests because they beat us when we sucked? Our suckiness in 2003 and 2004 is license to disrespect their achievements?

OK, whatever makes you feel better about yourself I guess.

BTW

Since 2002 (when BSU joined the WAC) they have been 8-1 against the MWC with the first loss in a bowl game against TCU last year. Yes many of those wins came against Wyoming but still...there is no reason to show complete lack of respect to the Broncos. Should they schedule better? Yes. But they are a good team and would compete for conference championships in the MWC.

And I agree they are a good team. But claiming dominance against a particular team because you beat them in their worst years since pre1980 is silly.

[TheBYUGuy]

The two big stories out of Provo yesterday:

1. McKay is still a "maybe" for Saturday (man, he could be such a difference maker in this game)
2. Nick Alletto draws the primary assignment to block Jerry Hughes.

Over/under on the number of holding/false start fouls committed by Alletto on Saturday? I'll set it at 5.

[Fiyero]

TCU is 72-1 in its last 73 games when holding the opponent under 17 points.

[Jarid in Cedar]

So how do BYU fans see this game going down? What events of the first quarter would give you hope or would give you heartburn?

As I see it, if TCU gets off to a fast start and BYU abandons the running game because of it, this one could get ugly.

If BYU can establish and maintain Unga on the ground, they will slow Hughes and the pass rush down which will open up play action and the intermediate zone.

I have seen many people discuss holding Tonga in to chip on Hughes and I wonder what that takes away from your offense as Tonga is suc a great weapon catching the ball out of the backfield.

[The_Tick]

I think BYU wins in a nail biter. I am talking last drive type of stuff.

2 things this team has done this year that should help:

1. Tonga. Not the Island Nation but the person.

2. Slant screen. When (not if) they start getting to Hall, all you have to do is be successful on this a time or two and they start slowing down on Defense just a bit. This play has been the greatest addition to the offensive playbook this year. When we hit OU with it they almost shat themselves and it slowed the D down. I would imagine you will see it eary and often.

I will go on record right now though that Dalton goes for 100+ on the ground.

I honestly think that we will get a OU type of defensive effort on the field this week, as opposed to the FSU model.

The turf plays a big part in this game.

[SCcoug]

I think BYU offense comes out all guns blazing with some new wrinkles/plays they haven't shown yet this year. The D will give up yards and points but will make enough stops to win by 10-14 points. The key on D is stopping/limiting the run and putting enough pressure on Dalton. I see kick off/ punt coverage improved with players coming back from injury/sickness.
That being said I expect TCU to have at least one longish kick return.