The Cougars get it done -and Howard got a pick!!
The table’s set for the biggest BYU vs. utah game in the Holy Wars history. MWC championships on the line, BCS hopes are on the line, pride, bragging rights, religion, family, legs, arms, fingers, toes, it’s all on the line. I can’t wait.
To be honest who cares about the break down of the Air Force game. We showed some weakness, both on defense and on offense, but like always, a win’s a win. Of coarse, I’ll take the time and write-up where BYU needs to improve, but this next week is going to be all about the Utes.
I am really concerned about Dennis Pitta’s knee. He has a mild MCL strain and should be fine for the big game. The only concern is I would prefer to have a team that was completely healthy -but that’s hard to accomplish during a 12 week season.
Was it me or was Air Force extremely mouthly throughout the game? Especially #34 Thomas. Granted the kid had like 20 tackles, but should you be running your mouth? Yet, I wouldn’t have expected anything different from AFA’s team. The Falcon’s can’t give up, the day a service academy team gives up is the day that our country is no longer ours.
I am a little concerned about next week, but we’ll go into the game as an underdog and Utah will have all of the pressure on them. I like our chances.
Get ready for an awsome week of blogging, it’s on.
November 15th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Quinn,
Great blog! You did a great job this week breaking down AFA. Hope to read about what needs to happen for BYU to beat Utah this weekend. Lets do this thing already, been waiting all year!
November 15th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Like Donkey Kong.
November 15th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
That was awesome, we still left a lot of points on the field. But I’m happy to win by 14.
Congratulations Howard, it’s been a challenging year for him.
Bring on the Pukes!
November 15th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I’m so excited for next weeks game! I thought we looked more fired up in the game today.
November 15th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I think we saw an improved BYU team against AFA. The boys in blue are getting closer to the early season cougars that were playing like men on a mission.
If we can get similar improvement going into next week — Cougars win! I for one know the guys can rise to the occasion.
Go Cougs!
I’d be thrilled with another “magic” win!
November 15th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
I complained here after a BYU game early in the season about the number of penalties that BYU seems to draw — and enough other people complained that Bronco actually addressed it in one of his press conferences, saying in effect, “I’m not worried about it — it shows aggressiveness.”
I’m not sure that Bronco would say that now, since many of the penalties in recent games (including today’s) have been drive-busting, momentum-killing penalties. And I still remain dismayed at the struggles of our special teams.
But BYU looked pretty good for three of the four quarters. I believe they can beat Utah, but they’re going to have to play their ‘A’ game for all 60 minutes. ..bruce..
November 15th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Question for you, Quinn:
I didn’t understand the delay of game penalty on the Air Force defense. Could you explain it for me? Thanks!
November 15th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
The penalties were frustrating to watch.
The silver lining in all of this though is that they beat one of the top teams in this conference, on their own field and by a couple of touchdowns.
This team finds a way to win despite some of their bone head plays.
The Cougs won’t win against the Utes with this many mistakes but if they can make the adjustments and play a clean game against Utah they definitely could come out of RES with a win.
I like the Cougs chances on Saturday.
November 15th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Check out the post game show on KSL for Bronco’s take on the false starts, but to summarize, they may have been because someone on AF was mimicking our cadence.
Before the game, the refs ask coaches if there’s anything to look for. Bronco mentioned that they had noticed on film that when AFA’s defense is in critical situations that their opponents offense frequently false starts - hinting that AFA may be mimicking the qb’s cadence.
Anae absolutely blew a gasket on the play where AFA was FINALLY called for defensive delay of game. I have zero respect for anyone who tries to cheat like that. AFA should be above that bush-league tactic.
Anyway, I like going into rivalry week with all the pressure being on the Ewe instead of the Y. Granted, there is pressure for us to get our annual conference championship, but the Ewets have much more to lose. And they will lose, oh yes, they will lose.
November 15th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Way to pick the score Gooch. That was awesome. I had them at 31-21 so just a tad off.
November 15th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
How about Collie’s halftime speech and then the 21 unanswered points?
Let’s find out who this team is, the last 2 games of the season!
Either way, Quinn was right about not jumping off of Max Hall’s bandwagon after a bad Air Force game and some sloppy play versus weak opponents.
We’re the best team in the conference! We need to start playing like we’re the best team in the conference!
I’m convinced if a BYU player wins a Heisman Trophy next year, it’s going to be Collie, rather than Hall.
I’m pumped. Next Saturday night is going to be so sweet.
November 15th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
I was at the game today it was great. There were many BYU fans in the stands. I am a retired U S Marine staying on base.
Let me tell the AF Fans here are a class act. Not one bashing word all day. After the game AF fans just said ” Great game.
The Cougs played under pressure and the AF fans making lots of noise. Next week the Cougs beat the Utes by 14 points!
November 15th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
RE: JimC
Additionally, Bronco said that it was obvious what they were doing since most of those false starts were when the ball was to be centered on a silent cadence..
November 15th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
My favorite was Max marching the team 91 yards when we were only up one score and a punt from deep in their territory could have been disastrous. That third down pass where the defender almost had him and he zipped it to the tight end (can’t remember if it was Pitta or George) was a classic! This game easily could have been closer at the end. Great plays on both “O” and “D”!
November 15th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Thoroughly enjoyed this W. Great poise on both sides of the ball the second half (minus the fumble).
Quinn, I was wondering your thoughts on Fui. He’s really stepped up to the plate the last could of games and I’m wondering how much we’re going to use him the Utah game.
What kind of game plan do you anticipate? Do you think we’ll be running or passing more? Trick plays? Defensive schemes? More blitz packages or more zone coverage?
It seems to me Brian Johnson really struggles when under serious pressure. Not necessarily pressure, but when he has to scramble under the threat of being sacked. I like our line’s chances at holding down Asiata and Mack, but I think the passing game could be an issue defensively for us.
How do you game plan for this next game?
Go Cougars!
Calling my shot:
BYU 31
Utah 17
November 16th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Utards are next lets do this Cougars!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 16th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Oh man, you’ve got my blood pumping now… I love rivalry week… and I’m excited to see what you have to say on the topic.
November 16th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Why is it called the Holy War when the Utes are anything but holy? With the atheisitic attitude of the Utes (football team, professors, and the majority of fans) how can they claim to be fighting for something holy? Just thinking out loud. Love the Blog Quinn, keep the comments coming.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
BYU by 10.
November 16th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Dude this is the week! On Saturday after the game I am baptising my oldest daughter. I hope it is a continuation of the celebration and not just a much needed pick me up.
Anyway, I run a Holy War blog with a Ute fan friend of mine. Check out cougsandutes@blogspot.com.
I think this game is going to be a shootout. Our Offense has too many weapons. We passed at will against the #1 Passing D in the MWC (Air Force), so we’ll score. But I think our D will give up lots of points as well. Should be a great game.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:16 am
ericverde, I think you’re painting the Utes with too broad a brush. Half their team is LDS, and they have a boatload of RMs. Sure there are any number of Ute fans who have religion as a reason to hate on byu, but it’s not a consistent difference between the teams.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Roy, that should be cougsandutes.blogspot.com. What you’ve written out is an email address.
November 18th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
MarkS, All this I know. BYU stands for something in common, and the only thing that units the utes is their hatred of BYU. Hardly Holy. I know some great people who like the utes and they are very religious, but the utes are more state than church. So the question stands, how is this a holy war? Maybe if the utes were a religious school, I could understand.
November 18th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Howard has struggled this year, a lot like Justin Robinson a few years ago. I hope he rebounds for his senior year just like jrob did. He really did have a good senior year to most everybodies surprise.
Go cougs!