HuskyFreeNortheast: BYU @ UConn

[Topper]

it is going to be close. Away game. Missing pieces. First game mistakes....

The loss of five starters is significant. Both corners, two WRs and our lead running back. This tempers my hopefulness, but this team has to win this game. Losing against UConn could be a bad signal for the remainder of the season.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Five starters. That is a ton. It has me concerned about chemistry, which is usually lacking any way.

[smokymountainrain]

First play from scrimmage: Lasike between the tackles.

[YOhio]

First play from scrimmage: Lasike between the tackles.

Taysom to Leslie down the sidelines.

[Eddie]

Five starters. That is a ton. It has me concerned about chemistry, which is usually lacking any way.

The things I like about missing starters (I mean, I don't like it, but if BYU has to miss starters, then this has be optimistic) are:

First - they've known these guys were going to be missing since nearly the start of fall camp. Or at least anticipated they would be missing (if there really was a pathway back, that just didn't work out.) So the only player who is a surprise miss is Kurtz. Which is still unfortunate. But I like to think this gave them time to prepare.

Second - BYU didn't lose all of their DB's to injury this year prior to the first game. So missing the starting corners isn't cool. But they lost more corners last year during camp (spring & fall), so they actually have more depth at the position than last year overall. Which gives me some hope. That and the fact that the guys filling in have gotten decent reviews that they aren't horrible.

Finally - I would love to have Williams in this game. He is definitely one of the strengths of the offense and a game changer. But I also think that this will be an opportunity for the other RB's. Again - particularly since it was known that he would be missing. I'm looking for a Lasike/Brown breakout game like Kariya had against Oklahoma. We just need it for this one game. And I suspect UConn's defense won't be quite as stout as Oklahoma's.

I don't think the chemistry thing is going to be as much an issue due to the prep time they've had. In fact, it may have even created an us against-the-world type sentiment for the team where they have the added motivation of wanting to win it for the guys who are sitting, or prove that those guys aren't the only players, or have had to concentrate more on prep due to the added responsibility of starting when it was unexpected. Overall, I don't think that will keep BYU from winning. The OL will be the biggest factor. That and whether or not Hill can get his completion percentage above 35%!

Finally - my biggest concern is that I would've loved to have these guys get some real game snaps prior to the Texas game next week. I know I shouldn't be counting un-hatched chickens. And I won't be surprised if BYU struggles more than they "should". But I think not getting playing time is a bigger deal going forward than it is for this game.

[TripletDaddy]

First play from scrimmage: Lasike between the tackles.

up the middle!

[Moliere]

First play from scrimmage: Lasike between the tackles.

Fumbled shotgun snap....10 yard loss

[smokymountainrain]

Fumbled shotgun snap....10 yard loss

[TripletDaddy]

Fumbled shotgun snap....10 yard loss

stop being a huge jerk!

[smokymountainrain]

stop being a huge jerk!

Most LSU fans can't help it.

[Moliere]

stop being a huge jerk!

Just setting my psych level to not be disappointed......please God don't make me disappointed in the first play

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Are any CSers in the Constitution State? What's the atmosphere like?

[PaloAltoCougar]

Losing five starters isn't good, but that won't be the cause of a BYU loss, were one to occur (and it won't!). I'm worried about turnovers and, to a lesser extent, turnovers. I'm also worried about what to fix for dinner.

[Lost Student]

Losing five starters isn't good, but that won't be the cause of a BYU loss, were one to occur (and it won't!). I'm worried about turnovers and, to a lesser extent, turnovers. I'm also worried about what to fix for dinner.

Have some turnovers (for dessert).

[Topper]

Losing five starters isn't good, but that won't be the cause of a BYU loss, were one to occur (and it won't!). I'm worried about turnovers and, to a lesser extent, turnovers. I'm also worried about what to fix for dinner.

I am worried what you're fixing for dinner too, because I'm coming over!

The loss of three offensive starters worries me, because it places a bigger burden on Taysom which could increase the turnovers. If we don't shoot ourselves in the feet, BYU wins.