Deep Shades of Blue

Let’s get the bad news out of the way…

5 WORST THINGS:

5.   Not Dominating Washington.  At the beginning of the year perception can be detrimental to the psyche of the team.  We went into that game thinking Washington was supposed to be a good team.  They had a lot of hype around them this year coming in.  We were content with playing them tough and being ahead by a score.  Hindsight is 20/20 right?  Reference No.2 for this, but it would have been great to come out and stomp them like we did the UCLA and Wyoming.

(more…)

As the game closes in, I have been thinking a lot about how BYU needs to play in order to come out of Rice Eccles with a win.  After watching film I am sure a win is possible as long as a few aspects of the game swing in our favor.

(more…)

I have looked at every statistical category from TFLs allowed to Time of Possession to Punting and it all adds up to one very exciting, and very close game.  On paper the difference between BYU and Utah comes down to the decimal point, almost all the way across the board.  So what are the factors that will put BYU over Utah on the field?  I think this game is going to come down to 3 things, all controlled by the big boys in the trenches.

(more…)

Photo by Miller

I got a text from Quinn asking me if I would write a little bit about 2006’s final drive. Detailing my thougts and feelings on the final drive. I think for the rest of my life whenever it is the BYU vs Utah week I will always be reminded of that game in 2006. Even as I sit here typing, I have above me on a shelf the ball I took the final knee with. I wanted the ball that Johnny caught, but I don’t know if anybody knows where that ball currently resides. I just held on to the next best thing.

Well where do I begin.

(more…)

Photo by Ravell Call

At this point of the season there really isn’t a person on the field that is 100%. If you have endured 11 games without some sort of injury, you’re a stronger man then I ever was. That being said there are different levels of injury. Harvey is probably the most banged up player on the team, but that’s because of the style. Add in the fact that he touches the ball the most and you have a recipe for some sore Sunday mornings.

Most of Harvey’s injuries will only heal with time. Sorry folks, one week isn’t enough time for an aggravated nerve to settle down and go away. But his injury can be managed with some R and R during the week, physical therapy, and lots and lots of treatment, daily I vitamin, and massage therapy. I think he’ll still be very effective on Saturday and what he isn’t able to do, Fui will pick-up the slack.

(more…)

After thinking about the Cougar’s and Ute’s situations I am left wondering if the build-up and anticipation of Saturday’s game is diminished because of BYU loss? The Utes lived up to their end of the bargain and enter the game with an unblemished record. BYU suffered a demoralizing loss to TCU, but has since rebounded and is once again playing good football.

(more…)

Here are just a few reasons why i love the BYU vs. Utah rivalry. The games have everything a fan could every want. Each game is filled with raw emotion, legal/illegal hits, good plays, bad plays, 4th down conversions and more.

The first video is from BYU’s last win at Rice Eccles and the second video is from Lavells final win against Utah, in Rice Eccles.
The first video picks up around the 2:52 point, I got chills remembering where I was when John threw that pass to Johnny. Enjoy, but don’t get in trouble at work.
(more…)

Watching the Air Force defense is like seeing a reflection of BYU’s defense. They are very similar in scheme, size and effort. Well, our defense might have a slight size and speed advantage.

They run a 3-4 with an outside linebacker putting his hand down every once in a while. They run a lot of twist stunts up front and blitz linebackers and safeties in key situations. Their pass rush, like ours, is most efficient if the DB’s provide adequate coverage to allow the lineman time to get a sack.  Besides Jake Paulson the other D-linemen perform well within their assignment and role. These guys really are a no name defense.

(more…)

A lot has been posted this week about Air Force’s offense.  BYU will need to defend a good option offense while still recognizing the play action.  Their option style has changed since freshman Tim Jefferson has taken the reins. He has the ability to stretch the field and make sound decisions with the ball despite his inexperience.

Schematically the offense takes on some different dimensions with Jefferson in the game. He isn’t the tough runner that Carney was, but he instead excels when he is in open space or on the edge. The offense is more prone to working the ball sideline to sideline when Jefferson has the ball in his hands.

(more…)

This is probably the funniest thing I remember from the Air Force games. It was in 2005 when Cameron Jensen was roaming the middle at linebacker -Kelly Poppinga did something similar, but I remember it more distinctively from 05′-06′.

(more…)

Without looking into contracts or incentives -or anything like that. I would like to hear what everyone is thinking about our coaching staff sticking around for future seasons. I am not saying that I think anyone is leaving, but with the success the program’s had in the past few years, I can imagine there are a few programs that are in need to some quality coaches.

(more…)

Our defense is probably approaching this game with some mixed feelings. On one hand BYU has won nine games this season and extended their home winning streak to 18 games. On the other hand BYU has shown considerable weaknesses in five of those nine wins.

BYU fans are left to question what team will show up in Colorado Springs on Saturday? Will the team that pummeled UCLA and Wyoming show up or will the team from the TCU and Washington -both road games- (more…)