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King's Bowl Game Wishlist |
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A_King | Wednesday, December 21, 2005, 2:58 pm
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Aaron King
COUGARBLUE
After the loss to Utah I ignored radio broadcasts, news reports, sports websites, and all the Cougar fan forums out there. I stopped doing what makes the College Football season so much fun. In short, I closed my yearly chapter on NCAA football.
Well, with the bowl game it's not entirely closed, but BYU better make it worth it.
Before I start my wishlist for Thursday's bowl game let me say that a Cougar victory is not on that wishlist. Why? You may ask. The simple answer is that I don't want to be disappointed. Keeping my expectations curbed and looking at a few things that matter to me, here's my wishlist:
1- I want BYU to show up ready to play. After those extra weeks of practice and this being a bowl game there is no excuse for a first half like that against Utah.
2- Brown and Tahi getting 15 or more carries each. Use the running game.
3- The extra time with the defensive backs should show up on the field. No more 3rd and long TD's and tackling the defender into the endzone.
4- BYU to receive the kickoff and score first. Not three points, seven.
5- Stop the run and force Levy to pass. (And don't let Levy run. Destroy his will to live if he even tries to run.)
6- Use Harline and Coats to keep the linebackers on their heels, opening up the run more. (Doesn't have to be 3rd down first, by the way.)
7- Our offense is good enough, so I want to see an offensive score in each quarter.
8- I am wishing for a turnover. No, two turnovers. With three BYU has the best chance of winning this game.
9- When Soelberg is in, I want to see some fire in him. This is his last Football game, he should play like it is.
10- Same goes to Todd Watkins. He needs to step it up no matter who's guarding him, if Beck doesn't look his way enough, remind him by getting open.
11- Tahi earned some NFL "points" in the Notre Dame game, I want to see some more of his punishing hits tomorrow.
12- Along those same lines, I want to see Harline drag a defender for five or more yards after the catch.
13- I want all kickoffs to go into the endzone for both teams, and I never want to see the Cougar punting unit.
14- If I do see the punting unit, then I hope we don't see that same formation. Give the punter some room and block up front.
15- If Justin Robinson does get a chance to return a kickoff, then he needs to turn on the juice, instead of just getting us out to the twenty every time.
16- I want to see Beck make the best decision, no matter how much time it takes. Make more reads and find the open guy, no forced passes.
17- I also hope to see some play action. With the Cal defense being consistent, we are going to have to test them.
18- I want to see the offense that scored 21 points on TCU's defense in the first quarter. Come out on fire. This is practically a home game.
19- I want to see Cougar fans in a see of Blue and white, and to have them louder than the Cal fans. Make the Bears feel like they are at an away game.
20- I want to see the team have fun and gain confidence, win or lose. This team can be great next year, and they better start looking like a team that can win and deserves it.
I never "wished" that BYU would win, but if BYU plays like what I have wished they should win. If the defense shows any sign of stopping the pass and the rushing quarterback, then we have a very good chance of winning this game.
In fact, I predicted that BYU would win this game.
Some might realize that I am just a BYU homer who picks his team to win every week. Those of you would be right.
But, this game against Cal is a great one between two teams very equally matched.
If BYU shows up for every quarter and scores like my heart's desire, then I see them winning this one in an exciting game.
BYU 24
Cal 23
Cal could be ahead 20-17 when they produce a great drive, but thankfully our defense steps up and holds them to a field goal.
With only minutes left and down 23-17 Beck could lead BYU to a last minute game winning touchdown and we could tear down the UNLV goal posts after storming the field.
But, that's all fantasy. I don't know how the game will go, but I can't wait!
Aaron King can be reached at
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