BYU Football has a bye week before playing in-state rival Utah in Salt Lake City. Let’s look back at the season so far.
BYU Football has exceeded expectations this year, doubling its projected total of four wins. It has a record of 8-0, with notable wins over Kansas State and SMU. BYU has had some big wins mixed with close nail-biters. One reason that BYU has had so much success is its aggressive defense, which loves to get after the quarterback and get takeaways. Senior Defensive End Tyler Batty and Redshirt Junior Linebacker Jack Kelly have been tearing up opposing offenses and were a key part in keeping Kansas State and SMU out of the end zone. Batty and Kelly have combined for five sacks this season as well as eight tackles for loss.
Despite the 8-0 record and #9 ranking, BYU’s season has been far from perfect. Turnovers and poor play from quarterback Jake Retzlaff made it look like the Cougars were doomed for another losing season. However, the Cougars found a way to win games, dominating FCS foe Southern Illinois 41-13 in Week One before barely getting past SMU 18-15 in Dallas. BYU would then go into hostile territory and beat Wyoming handily with a score of 34-14. Anticipation and nerve built before the conference opener at home against then 13-ranked Kansas State.
BYU would start the game against Kansas State slowly before recovering a Wildcat fumble and returning it for a touchdown. The Cougars would then intercept two passes and score two touchdowns on offense. After a big offensive explosion, the Cougars would win big, beating Kansas State 38-9. This would earn BYU the #22 spot in the country and would set up an intriguing game in Waco against Baylor.
The Cougars would dominate the first half against Baylor, outscoring the Bears 31-14 in the first half. However, the Cougars would play conservatively in the second half, allowing 14 points while only allowing three. Both teams ended up missing field goals and BYU barely hung on, needing a Crew Wakely interception to stay undefeated. After this game, BYU jumped from #22 to #14 in the country after other undefeated teams lost.
The next game would feature the other Wildcats, the ones from Arizona. Arizona had already beaten Utah in Salt Lake two weeks ago and was looking to give BYU the same treatment. However, BYU started hot and kept their foot on the gas, steamrolling Arizona 41-19, moving up to #13. BYU forced four turnovers, including a spectacular interception at the one-yard line by Tanner Wall.
Now in full stride, the Cougars hosted the Cowboys of Oklahoma State. The Cougars again started hot but slowly tapered off once Oklahoma State scored a few rushing touchdowns. BYU would kick a field goal and then allow a 17-play, 76-yard touchdown drive that put the Cowboys up 35-31 with 1:13 left on the clock. The Cougars would then put together a drive that started slowly but resulted in a 35-yard touchdown pass from Retzlaff to Darrius Lassiter for the go-ahead score. The Cowboys would get the ball back and lose 9 yards on the final play to hand BYU a 38-35 win, moving them into the #11 ranking heading into Florida against UCF.
BYU would come into Florida and play hard. Retzlaff ran 29 yards for the opening score before Will Ferrin would make a 41-yard field goal on the next BYU possession. UCF would then punt and BYU would score another touchdown, which was quickly answered by UCF. UFC would then force BYU to punt and they would kick a field goal of their own. BYU would answer with a 62-yard touchdown pass. Both teams would trade turnovers and scores until BYU won 37-24. BYU would move to the #9 spot, cracking into the top ten.
What is BYU’s greatest strength and greatest liability heading into Salt Lake?
Greatest Strength:
Pass Offense. BYU’s greatest strength is a healthy and efficient pass offense. When BYU avoids interceptions and gets accurate throws, this team can be dangerous. Throw in the double-pass trick play as well as the flea-flicker and BYU’s pass offense is deadly. The Cougars will have to make smart passes and hold onto the ball if they want to outplay a tight Utah defense.
Greatest Liability:
Rush Defense. BYU showed against both Oklahoma State and UCF that they struggle to stop mobile quarterbacks and smart running backs. Utah has a dangerous running back named Micah Bernard who averages 7.3 yards and already has 782 rushing yards. He will be looking to add to his total against rival BYU. The Cougars will have to play more aggressively on the line of scrimmage to prevent being run all over by Bernard.
Overall, BYU has hope for the rest of the season and a potential postseason appearance. BYU’s smart passing game with some defensive adjustments, and the Cougars could be well on their way to a breakout season.
