What is this years bowl game X factor?
When we lost to UofA in 2006 at their place I was not impressed with their team. I did not play due to a newly torn hamstring, but I watched all the film and was so frustrated we let that one get away. Did you know that on one play our D only had 10 guys on the field? We were missing a DL and they ran the ball RIGHT WHERE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE…for a loss of 2 yards! This was on the 10 yard line mind you.
In 2007 we played them at home and I was still not too impressed. They were supposed to have this awesome secondary, but I think we handled them quite well. Their offense was new and it was supposedly the same scheme as our offense, but ours was better in their execution, so we really were at a huge advantage. Scheme aside, I just didn’t think that they were as talented as us, and they didn’t play as hard or as physical.
So now we are in 2008 and we will meet at a neutral site with a little more on the line. So what will the outcome be? Statistically we are ranked about the same on Offense and Defense. So on paper it should be a pretty square match. For the last week and a half I have been saying that it won’t be close, thinking the Cougars would win by at least 14. Right now I am not as certain. I think we are back to even because of the X Factor. What is that? UofA’s coaches have been in some big bowl games and I think that UofA could possibly come out more fired up than BYU. The Stoops brothers have coached in big bowls and they say that this “Is the biggest bowl game we’ve coached in.” No doubt about it the Wildcats are going to be wild.
I stand by my opinion that we are the better team and SHOULD win by more than 10. However Arizona is going to come out in that first quarter and try and knock us in the teeth. If we can take that punch on the chin and come out of the 1st quarter with a lead, I think we can take the wind out of their sails, much like we did to Oregon two years ago. The longer we let them hang the more they will start to believe they can really beat us (UCLA last year).
By Markell Staffieri
So why don’t we come out and knock them in the teeth first? Why wait?
Kyle that’s exactly what we need to do. WE only did that once this year and it was against UCLA! WE all know the results there.
Markell–
I had forgotten about your hammy, but I had no idea about that play where we only had 10 men on the field for the defense. Thanks for sharing that.
For some reason, I think that you are dead on about the X Factor. It seems as if BYU teams historically (not just football) have tended to lack the “go for the jugular” killer instinct. I hope that we can really come out and push them down and then step on them.
Hope to see you again in the OC soon…
I’m a little worried about a fired up Arizona team versus a disappointed BYU team going to the same bowl for the 4th straight year. Then again, being on the East Coast, I have to get my information about the team from the Utah media, which has been relentlessly negative about the Cougars since the TCU game. Perhaps the team is more “up” for this one than the media gives them credit.
The x factor can also swing the other way – Arizona’s in its first bowl game, and it can be distracting to be in Vegas while going to shows, eating a lot, and getting your free Wii from the bowl committee. I hope Arizona forgets why it’s there. I also hope UNLV can take some of the wind out of Arizona fans’ sails by beating their b-ball team earlier in the day.
But that 3 point line in Arizona’s favor makes me wonder if someone knows something that I don’t….
Markell,
In the D News today Jeff Call wrote that although the NCAA allows 15 bowl practices, BYU is only scheduled to hold 6.
Any insight on that? Is it consistent with previous seasons? Any idea why coaches would not take those opportunities to practice? Seems to me that the team could use the time and it would have increased our chances against U of A.
Justin,
I don’t remember having only 6 practices and I have a funny feeling that someone misinterpreted Coach M. When we practiced for Oregon and UCLA we had a lot of workouts/practices in preperation. They were different though in that the 1st and 2nd string guys did 7 on 7 with just a little team and then end of practice was all devoted to the young guys.
You can only be on the field running the other teams stuff until it becomes redundant. Every year for the opening game we have a similar schedule. We don’t spend the previous two weeks on game prep, we just use maybe 1 or two extra practices (so about 6).
There are plenty of good reasons for why Coach M, is doing what he is doing. BYU will be ready.
Arizona is a team that has been playing good football -late in the season. They also have the preceived tougher conference, who knows if Arizona played in our league they could of won 8 or 9 games. It should be a good game.
The pratice schedule won’t be an issue. After a long season players bodies need to recover and get better. Bowl games also grant the young players some much needed attention so they can continue to develop. 6 practices, plus film study and meetings is more then enough time to get ready for an Arizona team that runs similar offenses to other teams in our league.
I see the problem being 1. can we tackle their quick back 2. can we tackle their receivers in space and 3. will someone be able to get their tight end on the ground when he catches the ball.
The main issue will be tackling in defense and controlling the ball/clock on offense. It should be a really good game.
Good Stuff Markell.
I too wasn’t impressed w/ UofA in either game, and I kept waiting for their QB to bust out, but he never did.
I was especially frustrated in the loss against them in 2006. Fui was a machine, and couldn’t be stopped. I thought we should of ran him a lot more. But he was also a recent RM and I guess we didn’t know what we had w/ him yet. Still should’ve had that one.
Regarding UofA being “up” more for this game than BYU. I see where you’re coming from in your analysis, but again, I just don’t get this. I don’t get why our players can’t be as pumped up…regardless of the game. In fact, I think they should be even more fired up, since the luster of their season was worn off by some, and they should have a big chip on their shoulder!
I hope you are wrong, and I hope we pound these guys! But with this repeated issue of “lack of heart/fire/drive/emotion”, I must admit, I’m concerned.
C’mon Cougars!!!
No question they’ll be fired up. But I’ve been hearing that BYU will be disappointed to play in the Vegas Bowl again, and that they’ll come in cocky and in the “Better Than the Vegas Bowl” mindset. I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think we were shocked against TCU and humbled against Utah. I think we’ll be more focused for this game than any all year. Am I being naive?
Quinn and Markell, do you have any insight on the mindset of the Cougs? I hear them saying the right things through the media, but are they as hungry as they need to be?
Also, I hear Brandon Doman had some “interest” from other colleges, but of course he didn’t say who. Any idea who was inquiring about him?
When I hear Hall talk about this game I can tell the team is antsy and ready to play well.
Especially Hall who wants to ride the ship again after that performance against Utah.
When the leader, Hall, is fired up for the game I would get the feeling the team is as well.
Collie on the mtn. Las Vegas Bowl preview seemed ready to get back to winning ways as well.
Should be a great game!
BYU 38 Arizona 27
I think there are two big X factors in this game.
One is ….will Anae run the ball? He just doesn’t seem to have the patience to stick with it. Against TCU, he panicked and desperately threw the ball. Against Utah, the same thing, panic and throw, throw, throw.
We’ve all read about the 3+ hour film session that the offense had following the Utah game and how Anae admitted to making some mistakes. I hope in this game he sticks to the game plan and uses Unga and Fui to pound the ball (hopefully more Fui than whate we’ve seen) and not become one dimensional.
The other is…a healthy Dennis Pitta. I don’t know if BYU would have beat Utah if he were healthy, but it would have certainly been a different game.
I also agree with the comments regarding intensity…if BYU comes out and looks to make a statement by throwing Wildcats around and smacking them in the mouth, I think UofA will realize that this is not a soft team and will not be able to keep up with them. Hopefully we’ll see the intensity and execution that we saw in the ‘06 LVB.
C’mon Cougs…BUST EM UP!!!!!
It’s going to be UGLY. We could do an Oklahoma and drop 60 on these guys if they’re not careful. 45-10 with the last 2 touchdowns J.J. taking handoffs from Gaskins and running behind next year’s offensive line. And, let’s finally end that kickoff return drought.
Ok, ok, I’m dreaming, but let a guy dream, will ya?
Great remarks. I think that Spencer is on the right track here. If we come out and jam it down their throats, then we will control the game. Our OL needs to set the tempo and physicality for the game.
The players are going to have look inside themselves and reach inside themselves and ask themselves how much they care about this game. If the players find the motivation within themselves, if they can find a strong meaning for winning this game, they will take the Wildcats to the woodshed. The team captains and the player-leaders need to take charge and remind the players of what is at stake, remind them of the recent UCLA, Husky, and AZ games, and what the Cougars are capable of doing.
As a fan, I’ve really enjoyed these last seasons. I want to see the Cougars go undefeated every year. Win the MWC outright every year, to go to a BCS bowl and win every year. I want to see the Cougars beat down every opponent they play like they did to UCLA. But I also enjoy when the players can find a way to win in close games like the blocked UCLA and Washington kicks or the game winning drive against CSU.
BYU needs to improve its record against UA and the Pac-10 in general. It needs to win a record 3 bowl games in a row. It needs to reach that 11-2 mark for the third season in a row. It needs to finish in the top 15 again. It needs to end strong to setup for another great season. This game is as important as ANY game BYU has played since the 1996 Cotton Bowl. It may not be Utah. It may not be for the MWC crown. But there are other very meaningful marks to be made in this LV bowl game.
I would’ve loved to see BYU playing Alabama this year, but I’m happy to see another consecutive successful season ending at the LV Bowl. 10-2 at this point in the season for the third year in a row is impressive…especially when both of those losses were to top 10 teams. And this year in particular it seemed like every opponent brought its A-game against BYU. I hope the Cougars can make this season as fine as the last two with another LV Bowl trophy.
Six practices may be enough to be prepared for this game. But if you are allowed 15, why not use them all to get youngsters reps for next year? Can we use those practices after the bowl game is played?
For me it would be really helpful to get NINE more practices for guys like Nicholson, Comer, Te’o, DiLuigi, Pendleton, Chambers, OL underclassmen, and Jadon Wagner. You could rest your starters.
Again, I just really cannot see the reasoning behind not taking advantage of teaching opportunities to prepare your team for next year. Please help me understand this Staff and Gooch. Are the coaches just tired?
Matt,
They are using the practices for the young guys. That is why only 6 are for the game.
The Cougs’ lack of fire coming out of the locker room before big games has always been a concern of mine. Sometimes I think I’m more fired up for the game than they are.
Max and Austin have all but predicted a win at this game, but if they can’t sell the rest of the team on their own zeal, then my worry is the same as Markell’s, that the Wildcats will come out with fangs dripping, and the Cougs will emerge from the tunnel emotionless as they kitty-trot onto the field.
If my worries are not realized, and the Cougs enter this game with confidence, poise, and ferocity, BYU wins by at least two touchdowns. Otherwise… well, I don’t even want to think about that.
Not to get away from the discussion about the game too much but I would like to get Markell and Quinn’s opinions on why the Cougars sometimes don’t seem to get up for big games like their opponents do. Maybe this would make a good post independent of the current discussion.
or if they played in our league they could have lost even more. They lost to UNM on their home field by a touchdown, people. How good can they be?
I agree with sonofperdition. We really need this win to set up next season. I hope the team is motivated and we kill Arizona, but there is a part of me that is a little worried. The same way I was worried before the TCU game. I hope things turn out much better than that one did.
BYU has to come to play on Saturday. I know it sounds cliche, but it is true. Arizona is a good team. Their 5 loses came by a combined 25 points. They aren’t a great team, otherwise they would have won most of those, but the fact that they can play with USC means that if BYU comes out flat, they will get beat.
I don’t think they will come out flat. I think BYU will have a great game and win by at least 2 TDs, but they have to come to play.
Though the offense has not at all been perfect this year, the defense has been the Cougs’ true Achilles heel and the secondary is my primary concern going into Vegas…just as it has been all season long. I hope we get some good JUCO transfers to bolster up the defensive ranks.
Spencer, I agree with you 10,000% about running the ball. That’s supposedly Arizona’s weakness according to their own fans, and Unga sure made a statement against them in his debut last year. I really hope Anae has the patience to work the run with both of our bruisers, together with some short, controlled passes mixed in, before taking some shots downfield.
I think the key defensively is going to be getting pressure on Tuitama and taking out the passing dimension. From what I’ve seen, he’s dangerous when he has time, but doesn’t do well under pressure. ASU managed to get some weakside pressure in the first half of their game a couple of weeks ago to make Tuitama jittery, and Jorgensen will need to do the same in order to help our secondary out.
Anybody willing to bet Mendenhall’s been on the phone with Rocky Long to compare notes on the UA-NM game?
The Defense does not concern me this game. WE know our D will give up about 20-24 points. WE have dealt with that all year. I am OK with that, because we know what to expect. Then we see that when we needed it this year our D also came up with the big stops.
The question is which offense is going to show up? A turnover prone O or the one that played against, WA, UCLA, CSU, etc? That is the key to winning this game! Controlling the ball on O.
hi Markell…please check your gmail…thanks, jared
Markell,
Couldn’t agree more. I think your point about “which Offense will show up” has been the question all season. The defense took more criticism then I think fair. They did a pretty good job in general.
Hopefully, the Offense will bring the hammer….namely Robert Anae and some good mixed up play calling, including a little misdirection, and lots of running:)
Tony
Not coming out fired up has appeared to be a problem for us many times this year. My confidence in our team’s energy and enthusiasm has waned significantly this year.
If we come out the locker room like we just walked into a fireside we could be in trouble.
Pat Forde of ESPN actually has the MWC taking 3 out of 5 bowl games; he figures Utah and Air Force will both lose. He picks BYU, TCU and CSU.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&page=dash08bowls&sportCat=ncf
MWC is gaining respect…
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