|
BYU-Colorado State matchups |
|
|
|
|
JaredCowley | Saturday, November 4, 2006, 10:48 am
|
Darnell Dickson
DAILY HERALD
Following are the matchups for today's BYU-Colorado State game:
BYU offense vs. Colorado State defense
Statistics say funny things. Like that CSU is the 15th-best defense in the country (274 yards allowed per game). Sometimes, it matters WHEN you give up the yards, and CSU has had trouble down the stretch in losses to Air Force and New Mexico. BYU’s offense has had little trouble moving the ball against anyone. Advantage: BYU
BYU defense vs. Colorado State offense
Colorado State’s rushing game is virtually non-existent (74 yards per game, 111th in the country), which puts a lot of pressure on quarterback Caleb Hanie. He’s pretty good but prone to big mistakes. WR Damon Morton has had some big catches for the Rams. But BYU’s defense has been a big part in the Cougars getting off to big leads early, and has caused early turnovers to get things started. Advantage: BYU
Special Teams
BYU’s cover teams have been consistently solid all year long, as has Nate Meikle’s punt returns. BYU’s Derek McLaughlin proved on his one punt last week he’s getting rusty from lack of work; he’s punted just four times in the past three games. Colorado State is decent on punt returns (11 yards per return) but has nothing else that stands out. Advantage: BYU
Intangibles
BYU has a five-game winning streak coming in, while CSU has lost three in a row. The Cougars are tops in the country in turnover margin, which is turning around field position and getting them off to big leads early. As bad as CSU has been in a three-game losing streak, Hughes Stadium is likely to be half-empty. Advantage: BYU
Key Matchup
BYU DB Justin Robinson vs. CSU WR Damon Morton.
Morton had an 83-yard catch against Air Force and caught seven for 94 yards and two scores last week against New Mexico. Knowing that Robinson likes to play back, CSU will probably throw early and often to Morton. Robinson needs to be solid in tackling Morton and force Hanie to go to other options. Advantage: CSU
The Final Word
If CSU was coming in off a victory or two, the Rams might be able to make a game of it. But their lack of confidence — and BYU’s abundance of confidence — spells a win for the Cougars.
Prediction: BYU 34, Colorado State 14 |
