Game 6: Coming Home

Lavell Edwards Stadium Stadium (Provo, Utah)

4:00 pm MST

Kickoff forecast: 63 degrees, sunny

The Cougars are coming off of their worst start in nearly forty years. Meanwhile, the Aztecs are off to one of their best starts in about thirty years. While historically BYU has held the advantage in the series, heading into this game the advantage appears to belong to San Diego State. Interestignly enough, SDSU’s last big win came against Utah State.

SDSU’s has put up big numbers all year. Granted three of their four games were against the likes of Nicholls State, New Mexico State and Utah State. Their one loss was to Missouri in a close game. However one point that can’t be ignored: BYU just lost to that same team that SDSU beat 41-7. In the Utah State game their quarterback, Ryan Lindley, threw for over 300 yards and their leading wideout Vincent Brown had 177 receiving yards. In short, they destroyed USU. USU defeated BYU handily. SDSU is also coming off of a bye week where Defensive Coordinator Rocky Long has been able to spend extra time scheming for this game. BYU is in a little bit of trouble here. 

I find it interesting that in the Homecoming game Bronco Mendenhall is returning to defensive coordinator responsibilities. It seems like that is a great place for this Head Coach. To run the team and run the defense on game day. It seems like a return to the roots of what has made the Mendenhal era successful. But then again, I’ve always held out hope for the Cougs.

BYU is struggling (classic understatement). While my personal opinion is that the team has been underachieving, I am not sure even Bronco Mendenhall can turn this ship around in a week. The good news is that they should continue to improve. Unfortunately, it will likely not be enough to carry the day. Andrew Rich may still play, but is injured and his performance will suffer as a result. Travis Uale will get the nod for the injured Steven Thomas. Matt Putnam will be starting at defensive end as the defensive line continues to shuffle a little following the loss of Romney Fuga. Putnam is a player that many thought would be a starter this year. This weekend he should be able to perform as a starting caliber player for this team. Due to Jordan Pendleton’s injury there will be some continued rotation at the linebacker spots. Shane Hunter has been very solid in the middle and I’ve also liked Austen Jorgensen and Brandon Ogletree. The defense will miss Pendleton, there is no way around that. This is an opportunity for some of the other linebackers to step up and prove that they are going to be reliable in the transforming defense. As a defensive player, you can’t ask for a better chance than this. A new defensive coordinator and wide open roster spots. Hopefully the extra motivation will translate into improved performance. San Diego State has averaged over 500 yards of offense per game. If they do that this weekend, BYU will not win the game. The defense needs to keep them in the range of points that Missouri did. Missouri held them to 24 points. They have scored at least 40 on every other opponent. The BYU offense is not ready to win a game where the defense gives up 40+ points.

Jake Heaps is another game along and another weeks worth of practices better. The more he gets those starting reps the better he will be. By all accounts, he has very solid potential. BYU will not win this game if they can’t score around 30 points. They will not get into the endzone that many times if the receivers continue to drop passes. The dropped passes are only compounded by the frequency at which Jake Heaps launches the ball 10-15 yards too far down the field. If it hits you in the hands, catch it. That’s the rule. If you can’t do that, play defense. O’Neill Chambers has had alot to say after returning from suspension. I used to really like that about him. Now I just want someone, anyone at all,  to catch a couple of passes. Speaking of looking for someone to count on, I see no reason that JJ DiLuigi cannot match the kinds of numbers he has put up all year. The question on offense is whether or not the other 10 guys on the field can put something together. If not, this will be an ugly matchup and BYU will have to hand out paper bags a la the ‘aints of Archie Manning fame. Somehow, a potential loss to SDSU feels like the worst insult so far this year.

BYU can win this game at 27-24. If they let SDSU get rolling early, it will get ugly. If the BYU offense stalls the entire first half, it will be a difficult game to watch. Can BYU beat San Diego State? Absolutely. Will they? I’ll give them a 35% chance. Unfortunately, this may be the last time BYU plays SDSU for a few years. Brady Hoke has stated that SDSU is not interesting in playing an independent BYU. I would feel the same way if a team held a series lead of 26-7-1 over my team. But this weekend, the only game that matters is this one.

Go Cougars!

-Matt