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Let me start by saying how much I think of the job Kalani Sitake has done as HC of BYU. Going into his 7th year he has built BYU into a legitimate top 25 level program. He has done this with limited resources, the Independent landscape and going into the teethe of the best program Utah football has enjoyed. I was so impressed with BYU's win over Utah last year-it was a great moment for fans of good college football in the area. I really think Sitake is a great HC and I am really excited for BYU football this season.
Going into 2020 like many I didn't know what to think about BYU and Sitake. He had won some big games, lost to some inferior teams but didn't really seem to be moving BYU forward. I believe the deck was stacked against him in many ways so I didn't think it reflected he was a poor HC-just that BYU was tough place to coach under the circumstances. Then came 2020 and then BYU backed that up with a very fine 2021 season that IMO indicated it wasn't a one hit wonder type of season. BYU is adept at identifying diamonds in the rough, developing what they have and putting a high quality product on the field game in and game out. Heading into the Big 12 I really. believe BYU is poised to compete well-I am more optimistic about BYU football than I have been in perhaps ever.
Next year BYU has the potential to be spectacular offensively. When your biggest concern about your offense is whether or not the qb can stay healthy-methinks you are in a good place. BYU has the two best receivers it has had on the same team in perhaps ever-I think Romney and Nacua are both NFL caliber players. At tight end, assuming Rex gets healthy, BYU has a very good traditional TE in Rex and probably the best hybrid receiving TE in Holker it has had since Harline. The offensive line will include at least 3 (Barrington, Sumataia, Freeland) who will likely play in the NFL. On top of these current and rising stars it is deep and will likely have 9 players they can rely to play-that helps not just with injuries but preventing injuries. Then comes Jaren Hall-a legitimate duel threat QB. He is very good at both running the ball and throwing it-putting the skill set together makes him enormously difficult to defend especially with the weapons at his disposal. Nobody on this team ought to be happier than Chris Brooks-he gets to be the player most opposing teams will be least concerned about. He is running behind a legitimate to 20 OL, his QB is a potential NFL Draft pick with 3-4 future NFL players at skill positions and he is in an offense that values a power runner. Huge pickup from the transfer portal. Collectively, I think the offense will be a top 15 caliber group and perhaps better. Both balanced and explosive IMO.
Defensively, I really believe BYU will be much improved. I think Kalani is a good HC and he understands defense. I think the DL will be much better than last year with healthier and more experienced players. I hope Batty takes a step forward and becomes somebody I think can play pro ball- as I don't see any of that on the DL yet. I think the LBs will be very, very good. A few players there who I think will get some pro looks and opportunities at the next level-not as confident in them as I am the offensive players but I think we will be very good at LB this year. I think the defensive backfield will be strong as well. Collectively, I think the defense will be a top 40 group and be much better than they were last year.
If Hall starts every game, I think BYU wins 10. I think BYU beats USF, Baylor, Wyo, USU, Arkansas, Liberty, ECU, Boise State, Dixie & Stanford.
I am very bullish on BYU this year.
Going into 2020 like many I didn't know what to think about BYU and Sitake. He had won some big games, lost to some inferior teams but didn't really seem to be moving BYU forward. I believe the deck was stacked against him in many ways so I didn't think it reflected he was a poor HC-just that BYU was tough place to coach under the circumstances. Then came 2020 and then BYU backed that up with a very fine 2021 season that IMO indicated it wasn't a one hit wonder type of season. BYU is adept at identifying diamonds in the rough, developing what they have and putting a high quality product on the field game in and game out. Heading into the Big 12 I really. believe BYU is poised to compete well-I am more optimistic about BYU football than I have been in perhaps ever.
Next year BYU has the potential to be spectacular offensively. When your biggest concern about your offense is whether or not the qb can stay healthy-methinks you are in a good place. BYU has the two best receivers it has had on the same team in perhaps ever-I think Romney and Nacua are both NFL caliber players. At tight end, assuming Rex gets healthy, BYU has a very good traditional TE in Rex and probably the best hybrid receiving TE in Holker it has had since Harline. The offensive line will include at least 3 (Barrington, Sumataia, Freeland) who will likely play in the NFL. On top of these current and rising stars it is deep and will likely have 9 players they can rely to play-that helps not just with injuries but preventing injuries. Then comes Jaren Hall-a legitimate duel threat QB. He is very good at both running the ball and throwing it-putting the skill set together makes him enormously difficult to defend especially with the weapons at his disposal. Nobody on this team ought to be happier than Chris Brooks-he gets to be the player most opposing teams will be least concerned about. He is running behind a legitimate to 20 OL, his QB is a potential NFL Draft pick with 3-4 future NFL players at skill positions and he is in an offense that values a power runner. Huge pickup from the transfer portal. Collectively, I think the offense will be a top 15 caliber group and perhaps better. Both balanced and explosive IMO.
Defensively, I really believe BYU will be much improved. I think Kalani is a good HC and he understands defense. I think the DL will be much better than last year with healthier and more experienced players. I hope Batty takes a step forward and becomes somebody I think can play pro ball- as I don't see any of that on the DL yet. I think the LBs will be very, very good. A few players there who I think will get some pro looks and opportunities at the next level-not as confident in them as I am the offensive players but I think we will be very good at LB this year. I think the defensive backfield will be strong as well. Collectively, I think the defense will be a top 40 group and be much better than they were last year.
If Hall starts every game, I think BYU wins 10. I think BYU beats USF, Baylor, Wyo, USU, Arkansas, Liberty, ECU, Boise State, Dixie & Stanford.
I am very bullish on BYU this year.
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