Usually I just ignore these, but I think this could actually end up in decent football conversation.

I respectfully dissagree with your add ons airwolf.

Defensive secondary WAS a concern after the Tulsa game. Its not that they haven't been tested since, its Bronco changed some things and now they aren't getting beat.

Penalties. There have been a few to many penalties, but it is a young team, and the number as decreased dramatically. I would say that is a minor problem though.

The receiving core.... I'm in shock with your logic here wolfy. Austin Collie is one of the best Deep threats in the Mtn west. Michael Reed and Matt Allen are also very good receivers. I love Michael Reed! He's fast, and has great hands, I wish they'd use them more! Pitta (and even george) are stepping it up big time. Harvey Unga is Hall's release valve, and has been picking up HUGE YAC lately. I know your oppinion about this, I just don't understand your logic.... at all.

Kicking game is a problem. I heard Bronco say that he didn't feel comfortable kicking it outside the 25 yard line. THAT IS TERRIBLE! BUT, I'd rather them go for it on fourth down once in awhile, and from the 45-25 is a great place to.

BYU's running game is nothing to worry about. Unga is a freaking freshman. Give him a break for not rushing 100 yards against AZ (pretty good D) and UCLA. Although, its not like it was his fault, in both those games, ESPECIALLY UCLA, we abandoned the run.

BYU is FINE. People need to realize that this is a FREAKING YOUNG team. who is going to win an outright MWC (again) and will not have lost a MWC game in 2 freaking years! This team is going to be good! seriously, look at these players Unga Freshman. Hall, Collie, Pitta, Sophmores. Reed Junior. and without looking up our whole O line. Only Sete won't be returning. Our Defense will need help, but Our Offense will be putting up PLENTY of points next year.

Sorry wolfy, your wrong

The only team Unga struggled against this year was NM. He never really got going, averaging just 3.75 yards per touch. Statistically Harvey's best games have been vs UCLA(8.88 yards per touch), AZ(8.08 yards per touch), and Eastern Wash.(8.08 yards per touch).

Another interesting thing is that Harvey's lowest yardage output (71 yards on just 8 touches) this year was against UCLA. If we had given him the ball more that game I think we would have won and we'd be sitting pretty with a good shot to go to a BCS bowl. I'm still dumbfounded by his lack of touches vs UCLA, especially with how he played vs AZ.

Anywho, give Harvey the rock all day, baby!

Saying that Unga had a bad day against Arizona (like 194 total yards and 2 touchdowns) is just plain wrong. Why run the ball when you can toss it 5 yards to Unga who is going to take it 30+ yards?

Airwolf84 wrote:
[\quote]
5. Defensive secondary. BYU HAS NOT been tested in its secondary since the Tulsa game and we know what the Golden Hurricane did to it.

Sorry, but I had to point these things out because BYU's only deficiency is not Hall getting blind-sided.[/quote]

I was really worried about the Utes going long on us as well, considering the problems we had in pass coverage with them the past two years. I found it interesting to check out Brian Johnson's game log on ESPN. His longest pass completion of the year was just 38 yards vs. Utah St. In FIVE of the nine games he's played in this year, he hasn't had a completion over 28 yards long. I'm not sure if its because his arm isn't 100%, as someone said earlier, or if the U has gotten away from the long ball as part of thier game plan. Anyway, I'm beginning to think that maybe we'll be okay - not because our secondary's great, but because Utah isn't set up to exploit it.

Why do so many fans on this site focus on the negative--whether it be real or imagined? What happened to the strength of the fanbase that gave other teams (especially the pukes) no respect and had confidence in our team? Of course we can find things to worry about but I can give you 50 reasons why BYU will win.

Let's have some faith and killer instinct for the game on Saturday. I know we are better team and look forward to a Cougar victory.

Airwolf84 wrote:

JaredCowley wrote:

... if anything, BYU is disciplined. The Cougars play assignment-sound, mistake-free football. The only real problem for BYU this season has been Max's fumbles on blindside hits.

Hey Jared, how are ya? I hope life in SoCal is going well. After reading your post, I had to respond. You cited Max Hall getting blind-sided on occasion as BYU's only problem so far this season. However, I think you are overlooking some other deficiencies as well:

1. BYU's running game typically doesn't do much against quality non-conference opponents or against teams with good run defenses. Since starting the season against Arizona and UCLA, BYU has rushed for 1,410 yards in 8 games (176 ypg avg.) Before that, they had 148 total yards against the Cats and Bruins (74 ypg). They may get 100 on the ground vs. Utah and SDSU, but in their bowl game, forget it. FYI... BYU is 2nd against the run in the conference and Utah is 3rd.

2. The kicking game. BYU's kicking has been eratic at times this year (e.g. - Wyoming blocked two field goals Saturday and how many times has Payne kicked the ball out of bounds on the kickoff, allowing an opponent to start at their own 35?) Furthermore, BYU has special teams problems. The Cougs are last in field goal %, 8th in PAT %, 8th in punting yardage and 6th in punt return coverage.

3. The receiving core. Hall's receivers have been a non-factor in several games this year (even Collie).

4. Penalties. BYU is once again dead last in the conference in total penalties. Is that "discipline"?

5. Defensive secondary. BYU HAS NOT been tested in its secondary since the Tulsa game and we know what the Golden Hurricane did to it.

Sorry, but I had to point these things out because BYU's only deficiency is not Hall getting blind-sided.

Since you thought this was brilliant enough to post twice. I'll respond to it a second time.

1. Absolutely not, as has been pointed out numerous times.

2. Yes

3. Yeah. Collie was a non-factor when he was hurt. Which may have been in the games which you are referring to, which BYU still won. It's not a weakness. Especially recently.

4. BYU is third in the conference in yards penalized per game, behind TCU and Utah.

5. Tulsa is the number 1 team in the nation in total offense, by a large margin. Utah is 73rd. BYU is 19th.