2012 BYU Football Season

[Joe Public]

Pulled out the F-ball BYU gear and for the first time in ages all of the formerly tight shirts, jerseys, and coats fit perfectly.

Yeah for weight loss!

That's awesome; good for you.

[LA Coug]

Things I'm anxious to see answered:
Can our DTs create problems in the middle?
Can Riley complete 65%?
Can we rush for 150 yds?
Can our secondary handle a pass-happy attack?
Do we have a PK on the roster?
Will Bronco embrace the less-punting/kicking ideology being espoused by one of his mentors, Rocky Long?
What is the quality of TE play we can expect this season?

I am beyond anxious to get on a plane tomorrow and get up there to Provo. Something about the first game of the year is magical for me.

[smokymountainrain]

This season is on Riley, Imo. That generally goes without saying for QBs, but I think it's even more significant with Nelson this year. This Byu team is as experienced and talented as any I remember. Riley's play is the major wildcard. If he makes the leap that he should make - having last year under his belt, an entire offseason as the guy, etc, - Byu could have a special season. If he doesn't, Byu could lose 5 games, and it will be, for all intents and purposes, on him.

There are several intriguing things to look for this season in regard to this Byu team, but fot me it's all overshadowed by the expectations I have for Nelson.

[Goatnapper'96]

This season is on Riley, Imo. That generally goes without saying for QBs, but I think it's even more significant with Nelson this year. This Byu team is as experienced and talented as any I remember. Riley's play is the major wildcard. If he makes the leap that he should make - having last year under his belt, an entire offseason as the guy, etc, - Byu could have a special season. If he doesn't, Byu could lose 5 games, and it will be, for all intents and purposes, on him.

There are several intriguing things to look for this season in regard to this Byu team, but fot me it's all overshadowed by the expectations I have for Nelson.

I disagree. Offensively it boils down to how much improvement we see from the RB position. If BYU has a legitimate rushing threat then the offense will be good. If It has a legitimate rushing threat and Riley is improved then it will be really good. If it has no rushing threat and Riley is improved I don't see it being good.

However, I am convinced we won't really be able to gauge much until after the Utah game.

[smokymountainrain]

I disagree. Offensively it boils down to how much improvement we see from the RB position. If BYU has a legitimate rushing threat then the offense will be good. If It has a legitimate rushing threat and Riley is improved then it will be really good. If it has no rushing threat and Riley is improved I don't see it being good.

However, I am convinced we won't really be able to gauge much until after the Utah game.

Interesting. I don't worry about the run game much. Alisa will be solid, if unspectacular, and regardless of how Nelson plays his position, he will impact the run game opening things up for Alisa, Foote, Williams and Hine while rushing fot 35 - 50 yards himself. That said, they will struggle against the better competition and have success against mediocre teams. But that's Byu rushing game from the beginning of time. They will be who they've always been. This is why Riley and the pass game is so critical to get them over the hump.

[LA Coug]

However, I am convinced we won't really be able to gauge much until after the Utah game.

I agree that we can't gauge how good the team is until after the Utah game, but if BYU should lose to WSU at home, I think we know enough to say the 2012 campaign will very likely be a disaster

[smokymountainrain]

I do agree that we won't know much until after utah.

[MarkGrace]

I disagree. Offensively it boils down to how much improvement we see from the RB position. If BYU has a legitimate rushing threat then the offense will be good. If It has a legitimate rushing threat and Riley is improved then it will be really good. If it has no rushing threat and Riley is improved I don't see it being good.

However, I am convinced we won't really be able to gauge much until after the Utah game.

Yeah, same. I'm pretty uncertain about the RB position right now, as Alisa is still a question mark for me. If he's good, I think that makes Riley more effective, much in the way of what was remarked about the Doman/Staley combo the other day.

[Commando]

I think our rushing game can only improve from the last couple of years. JJ was shifty, but he was more of an H back than an RB. Just the bodies we have this year at RB and FB are encouraging to me. We should put a hurt on Wazzu's decimated defensive front.

[Goatnapper'96]

I think our rushing game can only improve from the last couple of years. JJ was shifty, but he was more of an H back than an RB. Just the bodies we have this year at RB and FB are encouraging to me. We should put a hurt on Wazzu's decimated defensive front.

I agree with you. I think we should be better but will be be improved enough to force Utah, BSU, GT and ND to respect our ability to rush the ball?

I do think tomorrow we will rush until Wazzu forces us not to. I like you don't think they will and couple that with a couple of Wazzu mistakes on offense will result in us systematically pulling away to a comfortable 17-21 pt victory!

[Indy Coug]

I think our rushing game can only improve from the last couple of years. JJ was shifty, but he was more of an H back than an RB. Just the bodies we have this year at RB and FB are encouraging to me. We should put a hurt on Wazzu's decimated defensive front.

The past couple of years, BYU averaged 168 and 160 yds/game rushing in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Prior to that, there was only one other time since 1996 that BYU has averaged more than 160 yards rushing, averaging 218 yds/game in 2001.

[smokymountainrain]

there was only one other time since 1996 that BYU has averaged more than 160 yards rushing, averaging 218 yds/game in 2001.

Quite the anomaly. I guess it would be fair to say Staley was a decent college tailback.

[Indy Coug]

Quite the anomaly. I guess it would be fair to say Staley was a decent college tailback.

Don't get oxcoug started....

[Commando]

The past couple of years, BYU averaged 168 and 160 yds/game rushing in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Prior to that, there was only one other time since 1996 that BYU has averaged more than 160 yards rushing, averaging 218 yds/game in 2001.

Noted. I would like to see what chunk of those running yards came against our beloved cupcakes on the schedule and how many yards we got on the more stout defenses. I realize we ran all over Idaho State, and we also have an unusually dextrous QB who makes teams pay with lots of yards on the ground. I maintain that we will improve merely with a nice FB like Iona on the field + RBs who can drag guys.

[LA Coug]

Opening on a Thursday makes so much sense.....gives you that much more time to fix things from your first game experience.