Washington vs. BYU

[shoganai]

I think this game will be a reality check for a lot of BYU fans. I think it will be close and competitive, but my gut is telling me that Washington wins it.

In the process, I believe the Huskies will expose a lot of myths that have been fermenting in the off season. Among these myths are...

-DiLuigi, Kariya, and Quezada will provide an adequate run game

-Jake Heaps will not play like a true freshman

-Riley Nelson's experience doesn't mean anything

-BYU's defense will be its best in "several seasons" (I don't think they'll be as good as 2007)

-Jake Locker is an overrated, unreliable QB

In the long run, I personally think it will be good for BYU to lose this game. Expectations will become more reasonable, the ridiculous hype about Heaps will subside a bit, and we should still have a decent chance at winning 10 games.

[Indy Coug]

If BYU wins this game, the overhyped expectations will be downright hilarious.

[old_gregg]

we should still have a decent chance at winning 10 games.

how do you figure?

[Indy Coug]

how do you figure?

shoganai's definition of "decent" is a very generous one.

[oxcoug]

how do you figure?

I'm guessing take of 3 vs Utah, FSU and TCU, win the rest then have a shot in the bowl game.

[shoganai]

how do you figure?

Indy might be right, I may be be too generous. But, it would not shock me if we finished the regular season 9-3 with losses to Washington, Florida State, and TCU.

My 10-win optimism includes the bowl game, of course.

[Jacob]

I think this game will be a reality check for a lot of BYU fans. I think it will be close and competitive, but my gut is telling me that Washington wins it.

In the process, I believe the Huskies will expose a lot of myths that have been fermenting in the off season. Among these myths are...

-DiLuigi, Kariya, and Quezada will provide an adequate run game

-Jake Heaps will not play like a true freshman

-Riley Nelson's experience doesn't mean anything

-BYU's defense will be its best in "several seasons" (I don't think they'll be as good as 2007)

-Jake Locker is an overrated, unreliable QB

In the long run, I personally think it will be good for BYU to lose this game. Expectations will become more reasonable, the ridiculous hype about Heaps will subside a bit, and we should still have a decent chance at winning 10 games.

If those myths are exposed, as you predict, then there is a better than even chance that we win the game. How could you not pick us if you are picking the defense to be really good, Heaps to be really good, and the running backs to be adequate?

[Uncle Ted]

Hmm... Did the Huskies grow a defense?

[byu71]

If we win 10 games this year I will accept the proposition that Bronco is a "walk on water" type of coach. If he wins 8-9, I will feel he is a dang good coach. If we win less than 8, then my hopes that some on CB who think he is the greatest college coach in America right now are right, will be dashed.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

-Jake Locker is an overrated, unreliable QB

This is a myth? The only people that seem to believe this are the people that have watched him play. Pick up a preseason mag or web preview of the Huskies and many are saying he is the best QB in the country.

Although in a sense of deep irony he was on KJR last week and the host said "Husky fans realize that with this schedule 5-7 is not a failure of a season." I almost crashed I was laughing so hard. Son of David QBing your team and 5-7 isn't a failure!

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Hmm... Did the Huskies grow a defense?

LOL no kidding, last year proved Nick Holt wasn't the defensive coach that made USC go. The end of the ASU game was some amazing defense.

[shoganai]

Hmm... Did the Huskies grow a defense?

It becomes a lot easier to defend a team with when they have no threatening tailback.

[Jarid in Cedar]

If those myths are exposed, as you predict, then there is a better than even chance that we win the game. How could you not pick us if you are picking the defense to be really good, Heaps to be really good, and the running backs to be adequate?

I think he is saying that these statements will be turn out to be false.

[Jacob]

I think he is saying that these statements will be turn out to be false.

Ah. I see I misread that post.

[Uncle Ted]

LOL no kidding, last year proved Nick Holt wasn't the defensive coach that made USC go. The end of the ASU game was some amazing defense.

Yes, I recall the defense had a nice bounce off someone's foot in that game. The huskies seem to be hurting on the defense line this year with Te'O-Neseim (sp?) gone and really no one to replace him. They seem good on LB's, however. I read somewhere they may be using the 3-4 more to deal with this. It will be interesting to see if their pass coverage will be good enough to deal with the lack of a pass rush they may have.