Cougarblue - 1-on-1 College Football: Which BYU back is better, Brown or Vakapuna?

1-on-1 College Football: Which BYU back is better, Brown or Vakapuna?

JaredCowley | Friday, October 27, 2006, 4:52 pm

Jared Cowley and Brandon Judd
DAILY HERALD

1. Which BYU running back is the better player right now, Fui Vakapuna or Curtis Brown, and why?

Cowley: Ask me this same question two years from now (perhaps as soon as next season) and I think the answer would be Vakapuna. He's so talented and should only get better.

But right now, Curtis Brown is still BYU's best running back. Vakapuna averages more yards per carry and has more touchdowns, but Brown is the more complete player right now and so he's more valuable to BYU. Brown is a good runner (though not as good as Vakapuna), is probably the top receiving running back in the country and is also a good blocker. More than once, when Vakapuna has broken off one of his big runs, he was aided by a big block from Brown. Vakapuna is a better runner, but Curtis is a better player.

Judd: I'm going to stand up for our boy Brown, who's had to endure so much at BYU and is finally seeing some team success this season. While Brown is not on track to rush for what he got on the ground last season (1,123 yards), he is a better all-around player this year. Currently he is ranked 11th in the country in all-purpose yards, including his kickoff returns. He is a triple threat for BYU. Vakapuna is a bruising back and may end up as a better pure runner at the Y, but I'm giving my nod to Brown.

2. What's up with Utah? It's doubtful many saw the New Mexico loss coming and the team has so many problems, it's hard to keep count. Can the Utes salvage the 2006 season and if so, how?

Cowley: I'm very surprised by the way Utah's season has played out to this point. I expected the Utes to win nine or 10 games this season and the way things are going now, Utah will be lucky to get to six victories. I don't want to discount Utah's ability to bounce back and finish the season strong, especially after last year, but I don't know how it can be done. The Utes appear to have major confidence issues right now, from the coaching staff on down to the players. Even if Utah gets a boost from a win against UNLV this weekend, it doesn't change the fact that Utah's running game is weak, it's quarterback situation is dangerously fragile and its defense has trouble playing consistent football. Against good teams like Air Force and BYU, that will be hard for Utah to overcome.

Judd: Utah may pick up its final win of the season on Saturday against UNLV, and that's only because the Rebels are so bad this year. The Utes have the talent to win, but the leadership and chemistry with this year's team is not there. A prime example of poor leadership was when coach Kyle Whittingham mentioned a week ago that starting quarterback Brett Ratliff is the second-best QB on the team, referencing to the redshirting Brian Johnson. Like a marriage, some things are understood but better left unsaid. The Utes could hang with Air Force, Colorado State and BYU in their final three games. But unless there is a Gettysburg moment like on "Remember the Titans" for this Utah squad, the Utes will likely finish the season on Nov. 25 instead of in a bowl game.

3. Which of the following games has the best shot at being one of Saturday's upset specials: No. 8 Tennessee at South Carolina, No. 21 Georgia Tech vs. Miami or No. 5 Texas at Texas Tech?

Cowley: Any of those games could see an underdog winner. I think South Carolina has the best chance at winning, but I'm going to go for a much riskier pick. I must be crazy, because I think Texas Tech has a legitimate chance at beating Texas. Texas Tech has been up and down this season, but I see three reasons the Red Raiders could pull the upset: 1) Texas Tech picked up an impressive road win at Iowa State last week in which the team played with real confidence for the first time this season, 2) The Red Raiders are out-scoring opponents 118-41 at home this season and 3) Texas hasn't been as good on the road this season as they are at home. I think Texas Tech will put a lot of points on the board and could possibly hand Texas loss No. 2.

Judd: Miami is coming off a five-point win over Duke (yeah, you read that right) and though Texas Tech beat Iowa State last week, it got steamrolled by a previously winless Colorado team before that. I just don't see the Red Raiders pulling such a big upset with the way they've had such an up-and-down year in '06. So there will be no Yellow Jacket or Longhorn fans mourning a loss this weekend. That would leave the best opportunity for an upset to South Carolina. But I don't see that happening, even with South Carolina hosting the game. Tennessee is ranked No. 17 in the country in total offensive yards (412.6 yards per game) and 18th in scoring (32.4 points per game) -- the Volunteers racked up 51 points on Georgia earlier this year -- and all this leads to another win for the Vols. No upset specials this week.

4. The MWC has a big matchup this week that's not being played in Fort Collins, Colo. Surprising Wyoming travels to TCU in a game that could make or break the Cowboys' chances at a MWC title. Will Wyoming pick up the big road win in Fort Worth?

Cowley: Wyoming, all the way. I think the Cowboys are the second-best team in the conference (behind the Cougars). The defense is for real and the offense, under super freshman Karsten Sween, is really starting to pick up steam. Plus, Wyoming isn't turning the ball over like they did last season. The Cowboys are dangerous. They'll beat TCU and move one win closer to a big showdown on Nov. 9 in Provo, when they get a shot at knocking off conference hotdog BYU in front of a national CSTV audience (at least it's not on The mtn).

Judd: It will be another close-but-not-enough loss for Wyoming this weekend, even with a new quarterback -- Karsten Sween -- leading the Cowboys in their current three-game win streak. After Wyoming, the Horned Frogs have the next best defense in the league, and I expect to see two offenses trying to find a rhythm as the defenses rule the day in this game. I give TCU the edge with homefield advantage, pulling out a close 14-10 decision over Wyoming.

Daily Herald assistant sports editor Jared Cowley and Daily Herald sports designer Brandon Judd go head-to-head in 1-on-1 Sports: College Football every Friday.

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