“Oh yes…. I was there (cue music)

ESPN radio AND all the commentators right outside the stadium -  they said 
on loud speakers right to our faces – ALL four of them – that Oklahoma was 
not only going to win…. but also beat the spread of 22 points. “It’s going 
to be a long day for Max Hall and BYU”, “BYU’s defense has never seen an 
offence like this and simply will not be able to stop them”, “BYU’s young 
offensive line is going to get a rude awakening this evening”

Then… we took our seats and saw 70,000 Oklahoma fans pack the stadium. 
Moments before the game, ALL of them stood up, boldly and proudly raised 
their hands (#1) and recited their poem of champions.  The big screen showed 
scene after scene of championship moments in OU’s history – 3 minutes 
straight -  The OU band was there drumming a powerful, slow and steady beat 
like they were ready to go to war.  I confess… the intimidation worked. 
It felt like we were going to get throttled…. But then…

Just before the cougars took the field, the giant 70yd HUGE screen faded 
from red to blue…. and the BYU fans stood proudly to their feet.  The 
mega-tron played the first 2 minutes of this 
clip…Today Every person in that 
entire stadium focused on every word.  Then they followed it up with this 
one.  BYU 2009.  The players took the 
field.


Joe”

Bronco on the Big Screen

Can you Handle the Stare Down?

Of course special teams, turnovers, the BYU corners and running game will be almost equally important. Yet, if the Cougar’s front seven can limit the OK running backs yardage our defense can switch up defensive looks/coverage’s and hopefully be able to keep Mr. Bradford guessing. I know what your thinking, “why put the ball in the hands of Mr. Heisman trophy winner?” It’s a tough choice, but throwing the ball presents the highest probability for mistakes. Also with a young batch of receivers we can all hope they are more concerned about how they look on the super-sized jumbo plasma screen; instead of what they need to do on third and long.  Keep in mind that Bradford will be without his go to tight-end and…well, it doesn’t look like a bad proposition.

If putting the ball in Bradford’s hands and asking him to lose the game doesn’t give you a cold sweat. How about the fact that OK has the highest rated defensive line in the country and we have a brand spanking new offensive line. I’m not saying that our guys will be out manned or out played. What I am saying is there will be a few talented and mostly untested offensive linemen on the field.  It will be interesting to see how our tackles handle the speed of the OK line –which has been a trouble spot in the past- and how we communicate from guard to guard when picking up the blitz. I also hope they can keep Max off of his backside. If The offensive line can give Max time BYU’s offense has enough fire power to move the ball and score –and hopefully control the ball and clock on the way to touchdowns.

-Oh and look for a monster game out of Manesa Tonga. He could earn a ton of money with a strong performance on Saturday.

If I may, I have a few words about our secondary. I do think our corners will be outmatched, but that doesn’t mean they’ll give in or play bad. There are plenty of things that Coach Hill can do with the surrounding players to help out the corners. One would be putting the safeties in deceptive positions to mask coverage’s. Both Johnson and Rich have the understanding of the defense to a point where they can cause confusion in a quarterback. Again it comes back to if our front seven can stop the run. If the Cougars have to bring one or both safeties down it will open our defense and possible exploit vulnerability at the corner position. If Johnson is unable to finish the game for some reason I think Bills has more than enough talent to come in and fill in. The corners will need to play the game of their lives, and honestly…this is a once in a career type game.

I wish I could have played in a game on a similar stage.

As far as goals are concerned this week isn’t different from past weeks.  We need to start fast on offense and stop the run on defense.  The Cougs offensive success depends on the offensive line’s ability to protect Max Hall from the Utah blitz, while Collie and Co. work their routes against Utah’s secondary.  Harvey and Fui need to get as close to 100 yards as possible.  I don’t know how many carries they’ll get, but one of Utah’s weaknesses is an offense that can line up in power formations and pound straight into the teeth of that red/black Ute defense.

The Utes are a solid football team and they present a number of tough match ups on both sides of the ball. After watching thier games I am left asking myself, does BYU have enough magic left to finish out one of the best seasons ever?

I don’t know.  But I am sure that the character, determination, and will of BYU’s team has been molded over the past four years in a manner that prepares perfectly for Saturday’s test in Rice Eccles Stadium.  One thing that is different about this season’s game – BYU has nothing to lose.

The Utes come into this game with all the momentum in the world.  They feel like the past two years have left them hungry and motivated to destroy the Cougar’s hopes of winning.  They are riding the wave of an undefeated season, a second BCS berth, an undefeated MWC Championship, and a monster chip on their shoulder. I  am anxious to see how the Utes handle being the team with everything to lose.

Lets take a quick look at the offense and defense.

Offense

Quarterback

The Utes are lead by Brian Johnson.  He has been inconsistant during the first three quaters of most games but has pulled it together when it counted.  He isn’t a true pocket passer and his versatility has decreased significantly since his last injury.  He’ll make some mistakes during the game.   It is crucial that our defense maximizes those errors and that our offense then capitalizes on them.

Running Backs

Asiata is a beast.  The similarities between Harvey and him are astounding. I would expect Ludwig and his staff to rely heavily on Asiata in order to relieve some of the early pressure that Johnson should  be feeling. Like all big powerful backs he’s great when he’s going downhill, but struggles when he is forced horizontal and can’t find a hole right away.

Mack hasn’t gotten his touch this year due to Asiatas return from injury, but he is still a talented running back with dangerous capabilities.

The combination poses a serious threat.  Jan, Brett, Russ, and Ian must play physical enough to plug gaps and make it easier for our DB’s to come up and tackle.

Offensive Line

This is where we can win.  Utah offensive line really isn’t  great. They lack power, pass protection skills, and the ability to not make mistakes.

Some things to watch for will be if Matt Bauman, Matt Ahyou, Shawn Doman, Terrance Hooks and Colbey Clawson can find gaps in passing situations to disrupt BJ’s timing and force him to throw early. This is the one game where we need our linebackers to blitz like freaking animals.  They need to refuse to be blocked. This match up is something everyone needs to be watching – our blitzes against their blocking schemes.  I honestly think we can win, but it is going to take a great day from our LB’s.

Wide Receivers

Utah advantage lies in their ability to run four and five wide sets, with the occasional wild-cat formation. Casteel, Wilson, Wesson, Godfrey, and Brown are all quality WR’s when they get the ball in their hands. Ludwig hasn’t always been the best as using all his weapons and if he calls the game with “not losing” in mind, he’ll lose his job.

Utah has the advantage with their skill players. BYU has to control the explosive plays and make BJ be perfect when throwing the ball.  BYU’s secondary needs help from the DL and LB’s to insure that BJ gets rid of the ball quick and under pressure.  Our DB’s will hold up, but if the coverage is forced to hold on for longer than 3 seconds, WR’s will be running free and the risk of a big plays increases.

Defense

Defense has been Utah’s calling card all year.  They rely on their defense’s ability to create turnovers and big plays.  The Ute defense thrives against teams that think they have the ability to beat them sideline to sideline.  After TCU, Utah’s defense is the second fastest in the league. We won’t beat them by running sweeps and reverses.  We can win with power running and sound protection.

Defensive Line

Kruger and Misi are a great defensive tandem and if we can’t control them off the edge we could have trouble all day. Kruger has a great motor and great closing speed when he turns the corner towards the quarterback.  Misi is powerful and if Kruger is struggling, Misi is thriving.

Between the guards I think we are solid.  Matt is young and will most likely be one on one with Kruger most of the game.  Oswald has been playing better, but still has a tendency to stumble when facing a defender with good speed.  Honestly, these two have the greatest challenge and what a better stage to show how far you’ve come. With some strategic help from the running backs and with Max getting the ball off on time, BYU’s line will hold up and the offense will be business as usual.

Linebackers

The Ute defense has a great front, capable secondary, and a soft middle. The linebacking core is Utah’s weakest link.  They aren’t particularly big or fast and they aren’t physical like in years past.  They just do a good job of being where the defensive line isn’t.

The reason Utah struggles against power offenses is because this group can’t beat a block and make a tackle. Instead they will sidestep a block and grab at the running bakc’s leg.  Sometimes it works and sometimes they give up big plays.

This group has also been susceptible to underneath crossing routes, tight end match ups and option routes. This happens to be about 70% of BYU’s offense, with the other 30% being Austin Collie.  If our second and third receivers can win on the outside and pull coverage away from Austin our offense has a great chance of pulling out to an early lead.  Trust me, we need a lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Secondary

Collectively they are a good unit.  I like their size and speed and the way they play the game.  I hate how many chances they take and how many big plays they give up to mediocre players.  But as Utes, you cannot expect them to be very smart.

Utah is going to start out in man  coverage and hopefully we are running our pick plays to free up guys running across the middle.  If Utah can’t control Austin, Pita, and George in man coverage, they’ll have to play zone.  If the Cougars can force Utah into zone situations I think our offense will open up and Max will be able to use multiple weapons without working Austin and Pita and George to death.

One thing our wide outs need to do is BE PHYSICAL.  Austin and Co. can’t let the Ute defenders get in anyone’s face without retaliation. Last year Mike found Tate early in the game.  This year we need something similar.  I don’t know who it’s going to be, but it better happen early and often if we want to establish our presence in Rice Eccles stadium.

Special Teams

You have to give this one to the Utes.  Sakoda has been clutch for them all season and BYU can’t count on misses or screw-ups.

Our coverage teams will need to be almost perfect. We have to win the field position battle, so…. Santiago, Payne, and Sorenson better strap their soccer shoes on tight and bring some extra leg.

I spoke to John Beck this week and he seems to think that this game will come down to which team can control the momentum in the first and half and adjust in the second half.  Utah always has something a little extra saved up for BYU and this year won’t be an exception.

I think all the emotion and rivalry feelings distract from the fact that Utah has shown weaknesses, but teams just haven’t been able to finish them in the final few minutes.  BYU hasn’t lost a close game in a while either. BYU is playing more consistent on defense and the offense is nearly unstoppable.  BYU does have some question marks coming into the game, but after 12 weeks everyone is banged up and hurting.  BYU has 60 minutes to steal everything and lose very little.  If BYU wins it will probably mean another trip to Las Vegas, if they loose it will probably mean another trip to Las Vegas. All you can do is make it happen.

I like BYU’s chances and I like how our team has developed throughout the year. Yeah we do have some weaknesses and we are susceptible, but every game presents a new challenge and by week 12 teams should have run out of challenges.

It’s time to play.

Cougars 32-28

The first factor is Max Hall’s pocket time.  If our Offensive line can give Max at least 3 seconds in the pocket our passing offense will move the ball down the field.  3 seconds will afford our receivers enough time to shake loose in man coverage and find a soft spots in Utah’s zones.

The second is our ability to stop the Ute Run Game.  Utah is averaging 4.34yds/rush so far this year and BYU gives up an average of 3.96yds/rush so far.  That means that anyway you slice it the Utes could run the ball on every down and never see 4th down.  We need to cut the yds/play in half this game.  I think we can do it.  The extra emotion of the day will give our D the tenacity it needs to make it happen.

The final key to the game is the physicality.  Last year I was so fired up when on like the 2nd or 3rd play of the game Mike Reed just absolutely destroyed the Ute safety on a block.  It set the tempo for the day.  We were punishing them all day!  Whoever comes out and plays more physical on Saturday will win in the end.  Sometimes you just have to beat your opponent into submission.

This is Matt Allen and I really miss playing BYU football on Saturdays (and sometimes Thursdays). I miss doing the Haka before the game. I miss calling the coin toss and seeing Nate Meikle out there with his microphone and head set doing KSL’s dirty work. I miss the green grass, the blue stands, the yellow flags and the red-faced opposing coaches. I miss the BBBBBBB – YYYYYYY – UUUUUUU – COUGARS late in the second half. I miss signing autographs (although I did sign someone’s scriptures and a pass-along card the other day at church). I miss Coach Mendenhall coming into the locker room jumping up and down after a big win! I miss the players most of all, but its fun to see their names and comments pop up on this website every once in a while.

I am now removed, physically, from Provo. My family and I are living in South Pasadena, California while I am attending Physical Therapy school at USC. Every time I tell people that I go to USC they ask me if I’m a Trojan fan now. I tell them that it’s hard to convert when the program that I put so much energy into over the past 5 years has an identical record as this perennial powerhouse. Needless to say, I’ve made a lot of BYU fans out of my classmates. That being said, I regretfully have only been able to watch a few BYU games this year as Time-Warner Cable doesn’t carry the MTN. Thank goodness for Greg Wrubell on KSL.com. Here in California we have learned to live with the smog and the traffic, and ignore all the “No on Prop. 8″ protests. We actually really love it here.

This is a very important week for all of us, and while I have so many great memories of my playing days that I would love to reflect on right now, it would be inappropriate to mention anything other than the BYU/Utah rivalry past and present. Above I mentioned things that I really miss about donning the Y on my chest on the weekends. However, there are also some things that I do NOT miss, and most of them revolve around this week. For instance: I do not miss trying to ignore all the hype created by the fans and media. You hear it said all the time and I know it is annoying, but as a player it really is just another game. So much is made of this rivalry by the outside that the minute you give into hype, your focus is gone and it’s difficult to not get distracted. However, now that I’m on the other side, it is easy to see what the fuss is all about. All I want to do now is read more about what this coach may have said or what ward these two opposing players grew up in together. As a fan it’s awesome!

I also do not miss the irritating phone calls, text messages, and emails I received from cowardly, anonymous Ute fans (not players) telling me – in their own derogatory descriptive words – how BYU was going to lose. Many of our players started receiving these gestures immediately following our game the previous week (we literally had not boarded the airplane to come back to Provo before our phones started ringing) and continued to receive them right up until game time the next week. Yeah, I don’t miss that at all – GET A LIFE!

I will never miss playing games at Rice-Eccles Stadium. In fact, if I never make it back there again, it’ll be just fine with me. Aside from how they treat our fans (many of you will know more about that than myself), the Ute faithful have a definite impact on the game. Some players will tell you that they can completely ignore the crowd while they play. That is impossible up there. First of all their “fight” song is annoying! All of their fans are in red which color has been proven to elevate one’s heart rate by just looking at it. And just when your heart starts pounding, your ears begin ringing from the deafening crowd noise. The loudest opposing stadium I have ever played in (the only time I’ve ever heard anything louder was the earthquake that erupted after we converted on 4th and 18 last season). I have never felt like fans were able to impact our players’ execution on the field. But not being able to hear your own voice clearly as you yell at the top of your lungs to the player lined up next to you, wears on you after a while.

One of the best moments of my life was when that noise was silenced! Johnny on his knees with a ball in his hands. For just a fraction of a second there was no sound at all. I still remember that moment as if time were standing still. The silence was broken by the overjoyed celebrations of the Cougar faithful in that stadium. A vast minority in that venue, but their voices were proud representations of cheers being hollered in unison all across the nation.

I’d give just about anything to be back on the field listening to those cheers again this Saturday.

Go Cougars!

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.

When Dan Coats caught the touchdown on the goal line off of the play action I really thought that was the go ahead TD that would seal the game. Although Utah had a good amount of time left on the clock with the ball in their hands I believed our defense would hold the Utah offense and we would be back out on the field to run the clock out.

Yet, because of past games in my career I hesitated for a moment because there are so many crummy variables that every game is filled with. I knew that the offense needed to keep their heads in the game. Understand that our last TD wasn’t close to being the final play of the game. If we had to go out there and get a first down to seal the game or put another drive together we needed to be ready. I remember I was walking the sideline and I found Jake Kuresa and told him that we needed to make sure everyone was mentally prepared for whatever could happen.

After refocusing the offense I turned my attention to the defense.

There was a play where Aaron Wagner almost intercepted a pass to end it. I remember it played out in slow motion to my eyes because I knew that could have sealed the deal. When it wasn’t caught I had a feeling that Utah kind of got a second life. At that point I knew the offense was going to need to be ready. When Utah started getting some plays in big chunks my first thought was, “you’ve got to be kidding me. There’s no way it can end like this.” We had been in games over those last few years that had ended so crazy and somehow we ended up losing. To that point there had only been a few games where we had come from behind to win, but for many of us we remembered games like Stanford in 03, Boise St., UNLV and NM in 04, TCU, Utah and Cal in 05, and Arizona and BC in 06. Games where we fought so hard to get right there to win and in some cases even scored what we thought was the game winning score, but somehow still fell short.

When they continued to move the field I went back to the offense and said it looked like we are going to have to get ready to go into our two-minute offense and we would probably need to score. The best thing about that moment was nobody looked at me like “you think so” or “really”, they just nodded and said OK.

Moments later Utah hit that screen play for the TD and the stadium erupted. Looking back I’m glad that we got together as an offense before they scored because in our minds we were already prepared for what we needed to do. When Utah scored there was no quick rally needed. From that point until we took the field no words where needed, we were simply focused on the task at hand. Each person in their own way had already mentally prepared themselves for the final drive.

The last Thought I had was, ” I’m not going home with the game ending like this.”

Before games Matt Allen and I used to joke around and say “let’s just go out there, win this one, go home happy and kiss our wives.” At that point in the game , for whatever reason, that phrase was also what was being repeated in my head. I wanted to make sure I went home with the game ending with us on top. So after Curtis Brown returned the kick Coach Anae got the offense together on the side and basically said. “it was a two minute situation and we needed a touchdown to win.” I can remember glancing at the clock knowing we had over a minute and just running through all our two minute rules. No sacks, if you need to use a time out, get out of bounds to stop the clock, when do we take time outs and when do we want to spike it, than we took the field.

There are certain plays in that drive that stick out to me as key plays.

First was the catch by Bryce Mahuika. Bryce did a great job of avoiding a tackler and picking up an extra 5 yards and in 2 minute offense, every yard is crucial. There was also a play where I checked down to CB and he made a few guys miss to get out of bounds. That “fight” in Curtis to shed those tacklers is what gave us the few extra seconds we needed at the end.

On the fourth down to Johnny I could tell that the Utah student section had come down on the field thinking that they were going to rush the field when the play ended. I just kept my mind on my reads and knew if they rushed two or three men I wouldn’t have to force anything and I would be able to move defenders with my eyes and feet and make a play to keep the drive going.

As it turned out they only rush a three, so I had the time to move defenders and it opened up Johnny in the middle for the fourth down conversion.

The big play to McKay Jacobsen was really what set us up for the final completion. When we lined up for that play I knew I would have to squeeze the ball in a tight window, but if I could hold the nickel defender  with my eyes, using Johnny to pull him towards the middle, McKay could push the defense vertical, break his route of sharpe and we would be able to pick up the yardage we needed.

McKay did a great job of feeling the hole and settling and the play worked, just as I had imagined.

The next play I took a shot to Johnny on a fade, because Johnny had man to man coverage. He had been winning all night and they left him matched up on another defender besides Weddle. I thought it would be a sure thing. The defender made a great play so we were down to 3 seconds and the last play.

We called a timeout and went to the sideline to discuss what we wanted to do. When they had played man-to-man the play before Zac Collie and been open in the back of the end zone. We thought if they went with the same coverage Zac could get open again for the score. If Zac wasn’t open, or they went to a different coverage we would just read out the three receiver side and find the open man.

 When we took the field CB was the first to ask me what I wanted him to do. I just said if I don’t get the ball off quick just try to get open somewhere in the end zone. When we got closer to the line Johnny asked the same thing, I told him to “run a fade again, but if the fade isn’t there find a way to get open when I’m scrambling.”

 When I got to the line I surveyed the defense and recognized that there was no way they could play man coverage in their presnap alignments. I knew they were going to drop 9 or 10 into coverage.

That is when my thoughts took me back to the quarterback meeting room in November of 2005. I know all of those close losses -which I mentioned earlier- were tough for a lot of BYU fans, but I also know that there’s no way anyone had a harder time swallowing them than I did.

 I hated losing! I couldn’t take another lose… and I wouldn’t.

After the 05 loss to Utah I decided I would sit down at the computer in the QB room with a pad of paper and the game film and make a list of all the things I could have done differently to insure our team wins that game in overtime. Especially on the last play. I remember closing my eyes with my hands on the remote thinking of every possible scenario, decision, even steps that I could have made to win that game.

I don’t even remember how long I was in that room but when I walked out with a sheet full of ways to win. I felt that if I was presented with a similar scenario, I knew exactly what I needed to do.

As I stood on the 15 yard line and glanced up at the clock, then back down to the defense and my teammates, I took a deep breath and had a feeling like I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I knew from their alignment they were only going to rush a couple -it was just like the year before. I knew I would just buy as much time as I could with my feet and throw the ball only when I found an open guy.

When I was shuffling left pointing, I knew I would eventually find an open receiver because they were working so hard to get open. My receivers where running all over and the Utah defenders where stationary, I knew we had them.

After the snap when Johnny and Zac were covered, it turned into a school yard play. Where you tell everyone to “get open and I’ll find you”.

When they brought the LB to put more pressure it forced me right and I felt everyone move right. I knew I was going to need to locate the initial rusher to determine how much time I was going to have before I needed to throw it.

It was than that I saw this one white jersey cutting through the flow. I knew if he could get through the clutter he would be open. I took a few more steps to my rigth, as I saw him clear the last defender, I let it loose.

As I jumped to throw it I knew it was going to be a touchdown. When I was on my back looking through my legs I saw Johnny go to his knees -and for a second I thought, what if the throw wasn’t long enough and he’s on his knees out of the endzone!!

But when there was a huge roar and I saw Johnny get up to he’s feet in celebration I knew we had done it. I ran straight to my line and jumped up on Travis Bright. It was pandemonium. BYU fans, reporters, cameras were all in the mix, I was wondering how so many BYU fans got the field so quickly?

There was a moment during that celebration where I was hoisted on my teammates shoulders and I got to hold my helmet up towards our fans -kind of sounds like that part from Nacho Libre when he says ” do you remember when I  ripped my blouse. That’s a moment I will always remember because of the effort that went into the performance. 

I grew up on an old tape called “Greatest Moments In BYU Football History”. I would gather the neighborhood kids and have them watch the beginning of the tape to fire them up before we played pick up games in the street in front of my house.  I actually brought that tape into the locker room at BYU and we would watch it on the TV’s.

Guys laughed because I knew the narrator’s part word for word. BYU’s tradition meant so much to me and at that moment when I held up my helmet and was on my teammates shoulders I felt lucky to be apart of another great BYU moment.

I get asked all the time about that Utah game and when did I see Johnny and how did it feel. That one play was definitely a great moment and one I will always remember, but to be honest it was a culmination of many things, of years of work, that made that game and that play so special to me. In that game there was a group of guys on our team, on both sides of the ball that had been through so much adversity. Through all the adversity we never lost the belief that we could do it. The road to get to that opportunity was a difficult road to travel. The thing that made it so special was that everyone was prepared. Everyone wanted it so bad because we wanted to overcome the hardships that we had been through and just go out there and win it…and we did!

 On a side note:

I also get asked what Weddle and I were talking about when we were walking down the field together before I took the knee to end the game. Earlier that year, during the summer, a couple of my buddies and I were fishing at Fish Creek down by Scofield Reservoir. One of my friends was also friends with Weddle and had told Eric that he was going fishing with me that weekend. I guess Eric likes to fish also and wanted to come. I told my friend to tell him No… that I couldn’t fish with him until after the season, I wasn’t going to fish with a Ute that I was going to be playing later that year.

As Eric and I were walking towards the ball we were joking about our future fishing expedition to Scofield Reservoir and the fish we would catch.

Like all of you I hope BYU can get it done this weekend. I believe they will and I think they believe they will. Sounds to me like this one could be. . .another great moment in BYU football history!

Go Courgars.

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.

Dennis’s knee is another story. A sprained MCL is no picnic to play with. Every time your leg turns a certain way your knee “gaps”. Basically it feels like you injured your knee every time you turn quickly or move to fast. With the right amount of physical therapy the knee can return relatively quickly, depending on the severity of the sprain. He’ll be doing sets of leg press from Monday until Friday in hopes that the knee will tighten up and feel alright. Early in the week, Dennis will be fitted for a brace and what the brace and physical therapy doesn’t fix adrenaline will control.

Aaron Fransico played with the Dennis’ exact injury in 2004. Actually I think it was an MCL tear, and he strapped it up and played the whole game.

Injuries are a part of football -as any football player will tell you. If your playing football and your not banged up, your not playing the game right. I don’t know if that’s smart or not, but it’s the truth. I would expect both Harvey and Dennis to be in the game on Saturday and if they aren’t Fui and A. George will have to pick-up the slack.

Both Fui and Andrew are capable of playing the primary role. Kariyea and Latu could also help the work load and Anae could possible put another receiver in the game. There are a lot of ways to compensate, but I don’t think BYU will need to.

I am more concerned about Rey Fienga being out of last week’s game with back spasms. Without Rey our line plays significantly different. RJ will be a great player, but I don’t think he is quite ready to step into the prime time and perform like Rey.

The all important factor is adrenaline. When the crowd starts yelling and the intensity of the game picks up all the bruises, strains and damage can’t be felt. Your mind finds other things to focus on and your body reacts like nothing is wrong. Sunday is when everything is 100x worse.

Gett’er done.

 So does this game carry the same weight and implication as the previously anticipated, undefeated BYU vs Utah game?

 I believe this game has identical implication as an undefeated Holy War match-up. BYU’s loss to TCU -while frustrating- possible put BYU in an overall better situation coming into the Utah game. Of course the negatives are obvious, we no longer can be a definite BCS buster team, we can’t win an out-right MWC Championship, and we can only fulfill the spiritual side of the Quest for Perfection -BOOO…..JK. I hope I don’t get struck for that one.

 The good that came out of that TCU loss are also numerous, 1.) Our team was brought back to reality and redirected their energy towards getting better each week. 2.) Our coaching staff realized that they needed to find new ways to get their play makers the ball. 3.) BYU was rid of the pressure that accompanied the title of BCS prince. That pressure -while sought after and wanted- has shifted north and sits squarely on the Ute’s shoulders. 4.) BYU is still in a position to fulfill all their goals as a MWC Champion and if their living right beat the Utes -wink wink.

 This game still has all the same implication as the zero loss BYU team against a zero loss Utah team. The pressure and media attention has simply driven 40 minutes north. Do I care that we have lost our BCS darling billing…..kind of, but each week has become increasingly more meaningful since the loss to TCU. BYU has kept their hopes of a third championship in tact and while it would have been great to go somewhere other then Las Vegas, should it really matter?

I am asking, because I want someone else to tell me if it should….

 I think BYU fans are feeling somewhat disappointed in this season because of our team long history as a top program, yet Utah and Boise St. have been the only BCS busting teams. Should BYU base their programs success on an appearance in a BCS game? Should our main goal every year be busting into a system that is designed and run to keep us out? Is a 10-1 season disappointing?

 Does Utah’s current success say they’re a better program or team?

 My two MWC Championship rings say differently. It would have been amazing to enter into this game undefeated and that TCU game is hard to swallow because of how bad BYU played -and how good TCU played. Regardless I am proud to have been a part of BYU climb back to national prominence. I am proud to wear my blue shirt and shun the color red -to this day I don’t own a single red article of clothing. I am encouraged at how BYU is playing and I am hoping there is an ace up Bronco’s sleeve.

 Go Cougars.

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.

I didn’t want to make the post completely one sided, so I threw this one in there. The best games are the ones where both sidelines bring their best performances. Watch out Jenkins!!

During AFA’s offensive series in the 05′-06′ games the defense could hear the Air Force quarterback calling out signals at the line of scrimmage involving numbers and -if I remember correctly- colors. As the game progressed the quarterback kept repeating colors and numbers followed by identical run plays.

It was a difficult code to decipher, but the D managed.

As Cameron and Co. caught onto the signals he started yelling out where the players were going, who was getting the ball and what the running back’s girlfriend’s favorite color was.

You could just see Carney’s frustration mounting as Cameron would yell who was getting the ball and what gap they were running into. This friendly exchange proceeded for a couple of series until Air Force finally changed up the signals and decided they would rather play the game without Cameron being part of their offense and our defense.

There was also a moment late in the 2006 game where the back-up quarterback came in the game, looked to the sideline got the play and yelled it out to is teammates. As I heard the call I recognized the numbers and yelled out where the ball was going. The quarterback stepped back from center, looked at the coach who said,” run the play dammit!!.” They ran the play and I blasted the pitch player as he caught the ball.

I got up, shook my head, turned and trotted off the field. I chuckled the whole way back to Provo about that play…dammit.

Football is an easy game if you are able to understand your job well enough so you can start paying attention to the details. Isn’t there some kind of Chinese proverb that says “it’s all in the details”….maybe not, but there should be.

Doug Pensiger/Getty Images

The Colorado State defense has been about as consistent as a defense could be, especially in limiting offense’s big play. They use well-schemed pressures and athletes in different positions in order to create mismatches. Sometimes their scheming works and sometimes it hurts them. Early this season the defense had to play a lot of snaps and learned quickly that if they don’t give up the big plays their team will have late opportunities to win the game. They are also a “bend, not break” type of defense.

Scheme:

CSU runs a 4-3 and their best players are their safeties and outside linebackers. The defensive coordinator uses a variety of blitzes and pressures in order to confuse and disrupt the offenses blocking schemes. He also blitzes the safeties a lot, which, if timed right, can leave a safety with an unblocked path to the quarterback. Their defensive line stunts include a lot of twists. The twists are used in hopes that the center and guards aren’t communicating and switching off defenders.

CSU uses some very basic zones, mostly cover 4 and a Tampa Two. Cover 4 is where the field is divided into quarters and a Tampa two is a two deep zone with the middle linebacker dropping deeper to help with any middle post or deep drag routes. CSU also plays a lot of man and man free coverage’s along with zone blitzes.

One thing that hurts their coverage’s is that their defensive linemen aren’t great. They often can’t win their one-on-one match ups, which put stress on the secondary to stay in coverage longer.

CSU also uses a nickel package quit a bit, when they feel that they aren’t matching up well in long yardage situations.

Defensive Line:

This would be CSU weak link on their defense. They aren’t particularly fast or big, but they do play their gaps and make the play when it comes their direction. Their best lineman is the right defensive end, #91 Tommie Hill. He has a decent pass rush and a couple of moves that allow him to get pressure on the quarterback. I also noticed how long his arms are and that is a sign that he has the right body for the defensive end position. With long arm he can swat the O-tackles hands away and keep space between their bodies. He can also swat down short passes.

We match up extremely well as long as our linemen communicate well when they bring pressure.

Linebackers:

In past years CSU has had great linebacker play which has enabled them to stay in games. This year they aren’t the strongest at linebacker. Their starters are #10 Jeff Horinek, who is the voice of the defense, #56 Ricky Brewer who isn’t the biggest but moves well from sideline to sideline. The last player is #6 Mychal Sisson a freshman from Indianapolis who impressed me with his nose for being around the ball. He has the size of a strong safety, but plays physical enough to be an outside linebacker. Sisson is also a good pass rusher who makes plays all game.

This line backing core is decent in coverage, but struggles when the offense runs directly at them. They give up a lot of size to our offensive line, and I think we will find a lot of success between the tackles.

One thing that I noticed is that their inside linebackers run around a lot of blocks. They don’t stand in their and deliver a blow, to make the play. They try and position themselves to avoid the block and come in late to grab a leg. If CSU is going to have any hopes of stopping the run I believe they are going to have to stack the box with eight and hope their corners hold up in coverage.

Safeties:

CSU uses a few different safeties but their play makers are #13 Mike Pagnotta and #20 Klint Kubiak. These two play well in the running game and in coverage. The Ram defense revolves around these guys coming up and making sure tackles in open running lanes, blitzing to get pressure on the quarterback and being able to match-up against slot receivers in coverage.

I would expect the Ram safeties to be very sore by the end of the game. Where we need to be careful is when our running backs are fighting for extra yards and these guys are around. They are very good at getting a helmet on the ball and causing fumbles.

One area where they struggle is in their basic zones. When CSU drops into base coverage’s there are a lot of holes and throwing lanes. I would expect their coordinator to come after Max with a vengeance.

Corners:

Their corners are young and give up a lot of space underneath. #30 Thomas Gerard is the weak link. He is a freshman and vulnerable. Like our corners, they give up the underneath routes, hoping that we won’t be able to move the ball consistently both on the ground or with underneath throws.  Their corners also bail out a lot. This is when the corner lines up tight to the receiver and than turns and runs out fast when the ball is snapped. If Max is able to read the safeties and use the corners momentum he will be able to hit a 10-12 yard pass on almost every snap.

I wouldn’t expect too many deep balls, but if we are able to run the ball forcing their safeties to be involved in the run game there will be deep ball potential. Just don’t do I-formation play action, with Austin running a streak. PLEASE!!!

This isn’t the best defense we have faced, but CSU has always played us tough at home. I would expect a similar performance to last week. We should be able to move the ball consistently and if we can get some big plays early I don’t think they will be able to hold us to under 30 points.

My prediction is a very good game from Max. Dennis will once again play a big role in our offense’s production. CSU will devote more defensive attention to Collie, which means Mike and Co. are going to need to step up.

I am hoping that we can get an 18 carries 100+ yard day from Harvey, but with the success we will have through the air I don’t think he makes it.

Go Cougars

But each year had it’s own memories as well…

In 2004 I was a walk-on freshman and converted LB, previously a safety. I had started the first two games of the season, but I wasn’t ready for the college game yet. I hadn’t figured out the technique I needed to be a LB. Needless to say, by the time the CSU game came around I was a reserve player, backing up all 3 linebacker spots. The point of emphasis that week was to keep the running QB, Justin Holland, inside the pocket (Sound Familiar?). At half time we had not accomplished this. My coach was not too happy. He was laying into us, and when words weren’t enough he grabbed someone’s shoes from under the bench and threw them across the locker room. We didn’t know whether to be in fear, or start laughing.

In the second half I went in for a play, which sent me on a linebacker blitz. I took a bad angle at the QB missed the sack and let him scramble, breaking our contain. I was pulled out of the game immediately. In the LB meetings on Monday my coach said, “Look at that Markell, you go in for one play and you screw it up. Hell of a deal huh? Still wonder why you’re not playing?”

That was good motivation, when we played AFA, I led the team in tackles.

In 2005 we played CSU at home. The emphasis that week was on a certain CSU pass play…”Scissors”. This is when they line up two receivers on the same side of the ball about 6 yards apart. They run straight for 12 or 15 yards than cross; one to the post, one to the corner. It was their signature route. We practiced that play a thousand times during the week.
When they ran it during the game it was a non-issue -ah sweet success.

I also remember Coach Mendenhall calling a saftey blitz. The blitz called for the two inside backers and the safety to blitz up the A gaps. I hit the blitz hard, took on the RB and spun off. I had the QB dead in my sights when out of nowhere comes Corby Hodgkiss and just blasts the QB. It was awesome. Finally to end the game, Bryan Kehl rushed the passer and almost getting the sack. Bryan than sprinted downfield to where the receiver had caught the ball. Bryan arrived to the ball carrier just in time to recover the fumble and insure a BYU win. Coach Mendenhall showed Bryan’s fumble recovary over and over in our team meeting on Monday. It was an amazing display of athletisim and hustle. It was a fun night for us youngsters.

In 2006 we were back in Ft. Collins. I had recently returned from my hamstring injury and still wasn’t playing too much. I remember in the third quarter going in and CSU completing a short pass to the flats. As I pursued the receiver I got that feeling like I should probably have my head on a swivel. I turned my head just in time to see a receiver about to ear-hole me. I lowered my shoulder and took the hit. I was relieved when I say the play in meetings the next week. I saw him just in time so it looked like I got the best of him. What everyone in the meeting didn’t know was that the WR caught my head just right and I blacked out for a few seconds -I also didn’t come out of the game.

2007 was a great game. We were determined to stop the CSU rushing game and we did. The Predator -Gartrel Johnson, please reference the above pic- didn’t get over 100 yards on the Cougars. Three plays I distinctly remember from that game: First drive of the game they were moving the ball. They were down around the 10 after a big play action pass. Pre-snap read told me it’s going to be a screen, and sure enough it was. I was all over it. I hit Gartrel right as the ball sailed over his head. I think the QB just threw the ball away when he saw that I was all over the Predator.

In the 3rd quarter they threw a pass to the flats and I was in pursuit. I got that feeling again -what is it with CSU? Nobody else ear-holed me in 4 years- this time it wasn’t a receiver, it was a big TE and my head was not on a swivel. All I could do was duck my shoulder, but he got me good. I was a little dizzy, but somehow found my way off the field. The next play was a 40+ yard run to my side I was like, “Crap, I need to get back in there.” I was still a little woozy when the next play began. As the play progressed the guard pulling my direction. The gaurd caught me flat footed and planted me like a seed into LES’s turf. That’s when I decided I’d better get my wits about me and went to the sideline.

I always liked playing the Rams. CSU like to simply line up in 21, 12 and 22 personel and try and run the ball down your throat. Then they go to play actions pass. It was LBs dream game. Bring on the Run!