My Nightmare Last Night

Since Julie got pregnant, I've had some pretty weird dreams and nightmares. I've had dreams where Eloise (our daughter) was born unhealthy. I've had dreams where she hated me. I've had dreams where she married a complete bum that got her pregnant in the back of a pick up truck who I had to call my son-in-law. However, last night, I had a completely frightening dream that gave me cold sweats: USU beat BYU in Provo. Fortunately, it was just a bad dream that has no basis in reality thanks to USU's hilariously bad loss to a bad CSU team in Logan.

ESPN=Heartbreaker

At one point this season, ESPN was going to air every BYU game (except the Idaho St game) either on TV or at least ESPN3. Suddenly, some of those games are no longer scheduled to air and I'm stuck trying to figure out how to watch them. ESPN, I'm sorry we lost twice on your station. But, this is what I still have to say to you...

I Hate Fantasy Football

I hate the  New England Patriots and I have always cheered heartily against Tom Brady, Bill Belicheck and company.  I mean, I even rooted for a team from New York in the Super Bowl a few years ago because they were playing the Pats.

Knowing this, you should understand the absolute horror I felt when I realized I was cheering for the Pats to comeback and force OT and win against the Bills today.  The BILLS!  The underdog, small market, nobody-hates-them Bills!

Why, you ask, would I stoop to this?  Because Tom Brady is my fantasy QB.  And now I feel really dirty.

Ann's Fashion Update

West Virginia?  Dudes look like they're wearing banana peels.  And why does their mascot look like a random homeless person standing there on the sidelines.

Here's my recap

So, talking to Dylan today via text. He told me to give my account of the game yesterday. The First half, BYU didn't look very good. The Second half they looked good. And Hoffman is the man.

BYU-UCF Recap

BYU managed to come out with a big win, yesterday. I say big because I think it was an important win (like Bronco's win vs. New Mexico in 2005 that changed the momentum of his whole coaching career) in terms of morale and I also think UCF is a pretty good football team. I believe there were a lot of positives in this game and some things that hopefully we'll be able to fix against the lighter part of our schedule coming up.

Positives

Special Teams: Our special teams, were, well, "special." And I mean in that in a good way, this time. Riley Stephenson's punts were amazing. He was a huge difference maker in the game, pinning them deep all game. Cody Hoffman's return was also fantastic. Not only was his vision and his burst great (which annoyed the heck out of me when Chambers would return. He almost never had big returns because he would tip toe around until he got to the 22 and then he would lower his shoulder and get to the 24 and acted like it was the greatest play, ever) but the blocking was great. Hague totally powned the kicker on the return which is always hilarious. Finally, the team covered punts well and I actually loved the fact that they got a celebration penalty; it's about time they had some fun out there. 

Turnovers: We forced three of them and every single one of them was big. I would not want to meet Kaveinga down a dark alley because he looks frightening and plays like it. Also, I think Sampson should continue to play more and more. He played great and that interception saved the day after a good drive by UCF. Unfortunately, we gave up one that killed us (it gave them a score...again) but one is a lot better than seven. It's amazing how much different a game the Utah game would have been if we only coughed it up once.

QB pressure: BYU finally got some pressure on the QB. A lot of it. We got 4 sacks after not recording one all season. We got them all on a very quick QB which made me happy. We limited this extremely athletic QB's ground game, too (he did get two touchdowns but neither were long runs).  Random side not: why if a QB gets hit ten yards behind the line of scrimmage and fumbles it's not considered a sack? That's kind of dumb.

The running game: Not only did BYU run the ball pretty effectively, they stuck with it. Running the ball 32 times (compared to 35 passes) allowed BYU to not only start picking up yards but it also kept the defense honest and wore them out. DiLuigi's run to the corner was an amazing play call that utilized his strengths well. And big ups to Kairya for running like a beast in that drive where he scored the TD.

Room for improvement

The passing game: I have finally put a finger on what Heaps' problem is, thus far: accuracy. That came before I looked at any stats. He overthrew both Jacobsen and DiLuigi on sure TDs that all he needed to do was take some off of it. Not only did that cost us TDs but anyone that plays in a passing offense knows that if your QB is inaccurate it absolutely kills play calling. If you're going to try to run a slant on first down and your QB can't hit it, then all of a sudden you're at second and ten which hurts your running game. If your back picks up four yards (a respectable gain) all of a sudden you're at third and six and they're pulling everyone into coverage. As a passing team, if you can't keep the defense honest by having a throw on first down being a viable option, you're dead. I still think Heaps hasn't been the same since the hit he took at Ole Miss on the corner blitz. He seems skiddish in the pocket. The one thing I have liked about Doman's new offense is that it spreads the ball around very well. Max Hall was awful at that.

The secondary: We all knew this was the weak spot on our defense. These guys gave up quite a few big plays that looked just awful. We did ok against a run first QB but the backup (why hasn't Texas, Ole Miss or UCF figured out that their backups have much better arms than their starters?) killed us. An accurate passer can really beat these guys and we still haven't figured out in the secondary a read option play. Joe Sampson looked good but I think Corby Eason dropped the 6th or 7th interception he should have had this year (he has none. The guy can't catch. That's why he plays D).

Where's Juice?: Juice has been absolutely non-existent all season long. Through 4 games, he has 54 yards. Not average per game but total. That is totally unacceptable. I'm not sure what the deal is. Whether he's stuck behind two senior runners or if he's just not getting it done. It seems like he's a guy that needs to get enough carries to get in the flow and he is getting hardly any, right now. I think we need him to step up and get some more carries.

The man cut off all his hair just to play for us! Give him the ball!

Why Riley?: Overall, I actually felt like Doman called a good game. I think, as mentioned above, his hands have been tied a little bit with Heaps' inconsistency and inaccuracy (or against Utah, it's hard to do much when your guys turn it over 7 times). However, the one knock I have against him is that he seems pretty insistent on using Riley every game. I don't love that idea, period, but especially not when you PASS on 4th and 2. That was a call that I know he was thinking "they won't expect this" but that is too Crowton-esque and cute for me.  

I hate to say this because Riley seems like a great guy...but he really probably should've stayed at USU.

Overall, a good win. Now, let's not make Utah State's wildest fantasy come true by beating us twice in two years. 

Why the Face?

Why the face (that's what wtf stands for according to Phil Dunphey)? My face (a frown) is because yesterday I received my ESPN the Magazine and it was an issue dedicated to Boston sports. Pretty much the whole issue. Now, if I had known that this was the material ESPN would send me, I would not have subscribed. It was bad enough that I had to endure a whole issue dedicated to Michael Vick that claimed that the only reason I dislike his actions is because he's black and that if he were white I would have him babysit my kids (and dog) a few weeks ago. Now, I have to read about how awesome the Boston Red Sox are and how Tom Brady is the best QB, ever. So, ESPN, give me some money back. Just the money I spent on those two issues. Also, dedicate a whole issue to LaVell Edwards.

Greater Yankee- Mo or Jeets?

Recently, Mariano Rivera set the records for saves in a career.  On ESPN.com, they have been debating who is the greater Yankee. While this is completely stupid and arbitrary because they play for the same team and very different positions, this blog deals in nothing but stupid and arbitrary things. So, let's take a look.

Could the Yankee dynasty have happened without Rivera? Short answer: no. Mariano Rivera has been an absolute machine since he became a closer for the Yankees. He has a CAREER ERA of 2.22. Career. That's an amazing one season ERA for pitchers. His worse year since being a closer was 2007 in which he posted a 3.15 ERA. The next year all he did was come back and have a 1.40 ERA. Plus, saving 602 games means that he shut the door on 602 close games. In contrast, the Cubs have probably blown about 602 saves in that same time period. That's the difference between a dynasty and loveable losers.

Could the Yankee dynasty have happened without Jeter? Short answer: it's complicated. Jeter has put up very good offensive statistics throughout his career with sporadic bursts of power in some seasons more than others. He has been the table setter for many good teams and scored over 100 runs in all but two of his big league seasons. He's also swiped quite a few bags. However, his offensive statistics are not gaudy in power numbers like an Albert Pujols. So, statistically, the Yankees may have been able to do it without him. In terms of leadership, consistency and clutchness, Jeter has earned his recognition as the Captain. While I used to not put much stock into one player's importance in baseball, just look at Milton Bradley for an example of how someone can change team dynamics.

Edge: Mo (barely)

Who puts fans in the stands? With all due respect to Mo, not many people go to baseball games with the intention of watching the Closer. If it happens, it is exciting but I don't know how many people would say "I'm going to Yankee Stadium to watch Mariano Rivera play." Unfortunately, this was very evident in the little buzz that Mo got when he broke the saves record. In contrast, thousands of fans go to Yankee Stadium specifically to watch Jeter play. He is definitely the Mickey Mantle of his day in that regard.

Edge: Jeter

More impressive: Jeter's 3,000 or Mo's saves record? This one is a bit of a doozy. Rivera has been the model of consistency who has come into so many tough situations and shut teams down over and over with basically only one pitch. To get to 602 saves, you have to pitch for a long time and you are often the difference between a playoff (and sometimes World Series) team and a simply above .500 team. However, the statistic of save is relatively new to baseball. In contrast, the counting of hits has always been the same since baseball started. So since its inception as a professional sport, only 28 players have 3,000 hits. Plus, Jeter did it on a homerun (much better than Craig Biggio's 3,000 hit- he got gunned out at second trying to stretch a single into a double).

Edge: Jeter. Both are the models of consistency but Jeter's hit total is currently more impressive.

So, there you have it...both are fantastic players that play on the same stinking team so come up with something else to debate, ESPN.com. 

Sports are Supposed to Be Fun

Recently, I just received my ESPN the Magazine that was pretty much purely dedicated to sports since 9/11. It was a really interesting issue. The biggest thing that I remember about sports after the 9/11 attacks are that athletes and coaches were saying "what we do is just entertainment" or "a distraction from the drudgery of everyday life" or "a way to unite as a country." That was one good thing that came after the attacks: it put sports into perspective and there was less talk about not getting paid enough, conference expansion, sports is a "business," etc. Why do I bring this up? Because, I feel like BYU football's biggest problem is that they are too tense and not just going out there and having fun. Being tense and stressed, I believe, caused so many of those silly turnovers. I'm hearing way too much talk about "statement" games and "must-win" games. One of my friends even had the audacity to mention Tim Tebow in a positive light when he said Heaps needs to lead like Tebow and pull that we're never going to lose again junk. Bronco, Doman, Heaps and the rest of the team needs to remember that football was created as an excuse to run into each other. Baseball was created as a way for boys to shirk their duties in the fields. Basketball was created as a way to get exercise. None of them were created for anything, in other words, but for an excuse to relax and enjoy a temporary distraction from the real world. Perhaps that's why it's fitting that this website is found by writing "sportexcuse.blogspot" while you are at work or supposed to be doing homework.

Random BYU-Utah related thoughts

• BYU has not played on September 17th since Bronco Mendenhall took over as Head Coach (his first season we had a bye that week). 
• BYU is tied for 28th in points allowed in the nation (with one of the three touchdowns the team has allowed coming off a Heaps pick). In contrast, we're 107th in the nation points scored. Somehow, we have scored exactly as many as we have given up (two one point games). If nothing else, we're consistent.
• The last 24 games between the Y and the U are perfectly even at 12-12. Bronco and Whittingham are 3-3 against each other. All but 2 have been decided by a single score and with 7 games being within 3 points. The last two years have been decided by the last play of the game. 
• Both Wynn and Heaps have struggled mightily. Wynn threw 46 times last week and only completed half. Heaps has thrown three interceptions that have all hurt BYU. While both have been shaky, the team's offensive woes haven't been totally their fault. Neither team has had any running presence (BYU's is well-documented. Utah's leading rusher last week mustered less than 3 yards a carry). Hard to get in a flow and throw downfield when the running game is non-existent. 
• Both teams have offensive coordinators that are currently not well loved in Provo. At least Norm Chow had twenty years or so before BYU fans called for his head. 
• Playing on the third week of the year might be really bad for BYU for many reasons. Not least of which is that if we play with the same amount of emotion and passion we did as the first two weeks, compiled with the rivalry game, we could be in for a big let down next week. While Utah gets a bye, BYU plays UCF. UCF is currently 2-0, has outscored their opponents 92-3 and has a patsy game, this week.

Birthday Wishes

So, my birthday is on game day and all's I got to say is BYU better win. Well, let me rephrase that, They better beat the living daylights out of them. I don't know if it will happen due to the last few performances, but here's to a hopeful birthday wish.

I feel that they can win because BYU's offense is showing that they are very good, they just need to put the ball in the end zone. Once that breaks through for them I feel that they could be dang near unstoppable. The D' is awesome, so that's not my concern. Utah on the other hand, their D' is ok, yet to see them play a good O', but their offense is just bad. Wynn throwing is awful and all they have is the run game. If a team is expecting it, pretty easy to stop.

My thoughts for tomorrow, and I'm not suppose to say my birthday wish out loud or it wont come true. So I wont.

GO BYU!!!!!!

Why Everybody Outside of New England Hates Tom Brady...

...and why everybody in it should.

More Holy?

It just doesn't feel right. Any of it. September. Rivalry week. Civility. Could it be that the so called "Holy War" is slowly becoming a little bit more like its name would imply? There have been no statements that would infuriate fans of either side, no new quotes we can repeat every year...not even a new shirt with a clever saying.

Maybe its because students are so busy trying to remember where their classes are that they don't have time to post derogatory comments on Facebook (those never fail to entertain) or perhaps because the freshmen haven't been indoctrinated as to why we are supposed to despise "The Team Up North."

Sadly, for all of us who have grown up with the rivalry and know what it means and what it feels like for the game to be played in November, it will just never be the same. Even I (who has never bled a red drop in my life....just ask the doctor) haven't felt that same excitement and energy for the game. Bronco seems more than happy with it (the civility), but even he admits that it feels wrong to be playing it in September.

It is how it is, though. There is nothing we can do. I'm sure all of us will cheer just as hard for the Cougars as we always have and enjoy the pride that comes with knowing we are better (even though we already knew that, of course.) So here's for an exciting game that delivers hard hits and exciting plays, because, like it or not, this rivalry will be different from now on.

I blame the Utes.

The End, or the Begining

I wanted to ease my pain from seeing Doman struggle so much as a new offensive coordinator, so I looked up game totals from BYU's former offensive coordinator in his first season. The news is not good for the cougars.

To start the 2005 season the cougars scored just three points against Boston College, however the rest of the year aside from a 10 point performance against San Diego St. was decent. BYU even managed 50 points in a close loss to TCU. The former coordinator started slow week one but never really looked back until last year.

Doman on the other had has only seen one offensive touchdown in his first two weeks. The defenses he has faced may be tougher but the offense sure has not worked liked everyone had hoped. Was he not brought in to allow BYU to play well against good defense?

I feel that everyone has taken the Texas loss way to hard. Maybe that is because we have to go undefeated now that we are independent or maybe it is how we lost. The hardest thing to swallow is an offense that was supposed to be more diverse more aggressive has proven to be not even close to that. To me the past coordinator lost his job when settling for a field against Utah last year in a game very similar to this years Texas game. The offense played no different in the Texas game than in did last year in the Utah game, possibly worse.

So what does it all mean, nothing. Doman clearly has not learned how to call plays yet or the players have not learned how to make plays against good defenses. Lucky for the cougars and sad to fans the only have the Utah and TCU games left to prove they are a better offensive team and firing the former coordinator was justified. Right now I do not see much of a change and really doubt the cougars throw for over 300 yards and score more than 24 points against Utah and will be lucky to score against TCU. I do not think bringing back the old coordinator is right. It would have been better had they made the change before last year, taken their lumps and than had the offense did what it did at the end of last year all the hype would have been justified and we would have been set for a great year. Now it looks like we will take more lumps this year.

The Texas loss seems like the end of the world, based on the offense and how we lost, can BYU turn it around against good teams, only two chances left to show they can, lets hope it happens.

More Jersey Talk

By Ann Cannon (as told to Dylan Cannon)

Okay. Time to weigh in with a little fashion report here. I know! Y’all couldn’t wait!

Today I’d like to discuss the outfits worn by Nortre Dame and Michigan in last Saturday’s game. First, snaps to Notre Dame for putting little shamrocks on their shiny golden hats. In this fashionista’s book shamrocks are both tasteful and undeniably sassy—a fab accessory for all things (and players) Irish!

And I loved, loved, loved Michigan’s shirts with that big block retro “M” stamped right there on the chestal region. Well-played, Wolverines! I’ll take a heaping plate o’that, please!

Finally, who can resist those jaunty little caps the refs wore? Certainly not moi. Like I always say, it’s good to see refs get in touch with their fun-loving sides!

More next week! And you’re welcome.

ECU Football Intro

NASCARnal Affairs

Based on the title of this, I know what you are thinking... "What does NASCAR have to with football?" Like most of you, I normally don't waste my time with such silly things like NASCAR, but it is because I love football so much that I feel that I must write this post about NASCAR.

When I turn on the TV, the first channel I turn to ESPN (followed immediately by ESPN 2). I am always excited to see what is going on in the world of sports. However, when I see a bunch cars racing around a circular track, all excitement dies. I am even more devastated when I see it on Sunday instead of NFL games!

ESPN should not taint its prestigious name by affiliating with NASCAR. I'm sure that even the NASCAR fans would happy with ESPN dropping them. ESPN is so out of touch with NASCAR. The only people who like NASCAR are southerners, and everyone knows that southerners' priorities are football, God, and NASCAR in that order. I bet even Dale Earnhardt Jr. knows that NASCAR is second fiddle to football, yet ESPN still shows races on Sundays. To further this argument, I saw a recent NASCAR commercial made by ESPN. Do you know what music was playing? No, it was not an 80s monster ballad, but a Euro-techno-crap song! Seriously ESPN? You're not appealing to a wider audience with that, you're alienating an already slim following.

The solution to this problem is simple. ESPN needs to drop NASCAR and renegotiate their contract with the NFL to start showing Sunday games. NASCAR could create its own network much like Texas did. Those who actually want to watch NASCAR on TV will subscribe to the network. Another benefit of this would be that companies could advertise their product through commercials instead of every inch of the driver's suit and car. NASCAR drivers would look less whimpy.

ESPN... Save us from NASCARnal affairs!

Angry Texts

To relieve my pain after losses I often text my frustrations to family and friends. Here is a little glimpse into this depressed angry world.

I should start with some texts I sent during the game.

To Dylan: Field goals are not going to cut it. (This text came early in first quarter).

To my brother and mom: We need a touchdown out of halftime.

Now to start the anger.........

To Dylan: It almost seems like Doman calls play action just because he can, even if it makes no sense.

Dylan to me: Yeah. Our offense almost lost us the first game. They DID this game.

Me: Still can we get a tackle? Maybe if they would have had contact in camp. BYU got what they wanted with Doman but he can't call plays. Where was Apo or a TE in the second half. Same song and dance as last year, throw on first, run on second and on third and long.

Dylan: So much for heart. Third and eight and give up 13 on a draw.

Dylan also adds texts saying we are more conservative than with Robert and have no down field presence.

And the rest of my texts to Dylan:

Well this year is over. How do they get up for any other game? Man, if any of the field goals are touchdowns we win. We look like Utah's offense of just 3 or 4 yard passes but without the run game.

I knew Texas would make a push and play better offense in the second half but I also thought one more touchdown would win it. Sure would have. I do not think the offense will look good until we play WAC schools, at which point they will talk about how good next year will be. I know Texas is fast but we could not run or pass. I thought our line was good but seemed like Heaps was rushed all night.

If teams did not have back up QBs we would win a lot more games.

Somewhere between Lavell and now, BYU forgot how to put games away. Beck never did it, Hall never did it and now we do not do it. We get a lead and think that is good enough. We do not know how to not be conservative with a lead. It is like a disease.

One more thing, how can Rice run all over Texas and we get like two yards, if that.

So I just want to apologize for my rant to my family and to Dylan but it helps me get over the loss. A day later the loss still hurts but I no longer believe most of what I wrote. I think BYU has some offensive issues, and we will see if they can fix it. That is what makes the season great. Too many fans go too high after wins and too low after a loss. Auburn barely beats USU and drops from the rankings but in week two they beat a ranked Miss state team. USU is not that good and Auburn not that bad. Teams have off nights and on nights. USU had an on night against an off night. BYU needs to make sure it gets an "on" game this week or this season may look too much like last season.

Why Can't My Good Prophecies Come True?

Unfortunately, my BYU Wins If...Loses If post was dead on.

I said "BYU Loses If...Jake Heaps plays like he did in the first half against Ole Miss." My brothers and I all noticed that Jake Heaps did not throw the ball downfield, at all in the second half (and not much in the first). I'm not sure if it was by design or receivers weren't getting open or if Heaps had no confidence. Anyway you dice it, we had absolutely no threat to stretch the field and so all of our dump passes went nowhere in the second half.

BYU Loses If... "We allow Texas to run consistently on us." Our defense was stellar throughout most of the game but in the 4th (probably because they were exhausted from the offense's 3 and outs) they just couldn't stop the run. When it was 3rd and 6 on Texas' last drive, they easily ran the ball for 9 yards without even getting touched.

BYU Loses If... "Texas stops our run and makes us one-dimensional" Our run game was non-existent. I've heard so much about how much of a stud Juice was going to be this year (as he was at the end of last year) but thus far he has not really shown me anything. None of our three backs did a thing this game.

So, for the U game, I might just write an article called BYU Will Win Because... and leave it at that.

I Hate College Football

There I said it. Do I mean it? Not entirely sure. Kind of. My Mom and I were talking about how we get so excited for this time of year, only to panic, feel needlessly upset, shout rude things at people we don't even know and then only occasional moments of extreme joy (generally when BYU's offense is not on the field). While watching Jake Heaps pass for two yard gains over and over (not to mention my new school, ECU, doing exactly the same thing) instead of being a 25 year old Master's student who has a child on the way, I acted like a 5 year old. Julie says she hates when BYU loses because then I pout all night long. So, college football- I hate you. I hate how you get me so worked up only to break my heart. I hate how you bring me to tears like nothing else can. I hate that you're corrupt and that only those with money can ever win championships. But mostly I hate that I can't hate you. Not even a little. Not even a bit.

:(

Every Blog Needs Some Art...

Bring the pain, Cougs!

BYU vs. Texas

Just in case anyone was curious, BYU is 2-0 all-time against Texas. The last time we played them was 1988. We won 47 to 6 in Provo. Some scrawny little Freshman quarterback by the name of Ty Demter threw a touchdown pass in mop-up duty. Why do I bring this up? I think it's a sign that another scrawny football player, Matt Edwards, will score his first touchdown in mop-up duty and then become a legend.

Alec's Prediction

BYU Wins and no TD celebration will be this bad/awesome:

BYU Wins If...BYU Doesn't Lose

This week is the big game in Austin, Texas where the Cougars will go and face the 24th ranked Longhorns. I believe this is a winnable game for BYU and I believe these things will make the factors in us winning.

BYU Wins If...
Jake Heaps plays against Texas the way he played against Ole Miss in the second half. In the second half, Heaps' statistical output was much better (other than the interception he threw). He completed 15 of 18 passes for 150 yards. Many of those completions were for bigger plays, as they went to our wide receivers rather than to fullbacks, etc. Beyond statistics, though, he was decisive and threw accurate strikes. He also displayed mental toughness and confidence that was absent from our team all of last year.

BYU Wins If...
We can control the time of possession, again. Our defense played outstandingly, no question, and our offense was not putting the ball into the end zone for much of the game. However, BYU dominated time of possession (34:37 to 25:23) with its methodical drives. While it unfortunately didn't end with many points on the board, it did allow the defense plenty of time to rest, which I believe was a major factor in their play. You could see that Ole Miss' defense was gassed by the time the offense broke through and scored the first touchdown (and like David, I believe we would have scored again if needed).

BYU Wins If...
The defense can continue to cause turnovers. The two fumbles we recovered were major game changers. Their was the winning touchdown by Van Noy on one, but also the first fumble ended a Mississippi threat in BYU territory. Texas only committed one turnover against Rice. Then again, a turnover against Rice is like committing a turnover against West High School.

BYU Wins If...
We force Texas to pass. Garrett Gilbert threw only ten touchdowns compared to seventeen interceptions last year. Against paltry Rice, he completed only 13 of 23 passes. He was also sacked twice. In contrast, Texas ran for 229 yards and for 5 yards a carry. If we can take away the element of the run (particularly big plays) I don't think that Gilbert has the ability to beat us (or anyone really) when the team becomes one dimensional.

BYU Wins If...
We can run the ball better. Last week, we had a few good runs, particularly by Di Luigi. However, it was not a consistent threat. We averaged less than 3 yards per attempt. Not only does that make us one-dimensional, but it also takes away the viability of doing play action passes (which our new offense seems to do VERY often).

Then again, we're playing in Austin, Texas against a ranked team. This could go bad and I think these might be the reasons why it would.

BYU Loses If...
Jake Heaps plays like he did in the first half against Ole Miss. He was only 9 for 20 for 74 yards. Many of those completions were dump passes and he didn't even loko particularly good on those. Beyond the statistics, he looked bad. His decision making was poor, he looked rattled after the big hit on the blitz and his throws were erratic (even the ones he completed). Nothing kills drives like overthrowing wide open swing passes and crossing routes.

BYU Loses If...
We allow Texas to run consistently on us. Texas won the time of possession against Rice in a dominating fashion, as well. Much of this has to do with how well Texas ran the ball. If we cannot keep the defense off the field, Texas might be able to wear us down just like we wore Ole Miss down.

BYU Loses If...
Texas stops our run and makes us one-dimensional. As I stated before, our offense is built around play action. If we cannot run the ball, at all, we will become extremely predictable and it will take away easy throws to get Heaps in a rhythm.

My prediction: BYU 24 Texas 14. Also, I predict we will wear all white again, as this seems to be the trend. I actually dig the all white but I'm not crazy about the all blue.

14-13 What's the Big Deal?

I had a boss who always said perception is reality, although true it's funny how different perceptions can be. Two years ago BYU played a 14-13 game that boosted them into the top 10, where were the critics of the offense then? Maybe because Max Hall lead the offense to the winning score it changed everything.

Lets travel back to the fourth quarter of the BYU/Ole Miss football game. BYU found itself down 13-0 in the fourth quarter before BYU was able to orchestrate an offensive drive that ended in points. Now down 13-7 late in the quarter all BYU needed to do was force a punt and score another offensive touchdown. If only things went that way.

As a BYU fan watching this game I remember too things, the announcers repeatedly saying you can't do that in the SEC and BYU has moved the ball all night but just hasn't finished. The latter was even more true in the second half. BYU had a drive end on a interception near the goal-line and another end in a missed field goal. When Ole Miss had the ball on that third down play I was not sitting there thinking man we better cause a fumble in the end zone or else we will loose this game. No, I was thinking don't give up a big play and Heaps is going to lead us to a big time comeback win. If only that had happened. I have no doubt it would have but fans everywhere didn't get to see it so perception of the game changed.

Instead Van Noy caused a fumble, picked it up and scored a touchdown. Which I am grateful for, and should be seen as just as great as had Heaps lead a touchdown drive, but it is not. ESPN sees the win not as a win for BYU but as a collapse by the SEC school. They don't even mention how BYU dominated the game.

Worst of all is BYU fans now criticizing Heaps, Doman, and the offense. Which I believe has nothing to do with the finial score or even the finial yardage totals but more on how the game was won. Had BYU forced a punt and Heaps lead a drive of 60, 70, or 80 yards he would have been the hero and the game would have been considered a great comeback by BYU. He wouldn't have even needed to complete a pass, just be on the field. Maybe the fact that BYU's offensive couldn't muster a first down to run out the clock hurt it's perception more than not scoring the winning touchdown. Ole Miss now had one more shot and the D stepped up yet again. Oh how we are indebted to the D.

Instead BYU fans are left with the perception that they have no offense, that they can't score touchdowns, that they can't finish games. Had only we forced the punt. The nation left thinking little of BYU and how they dominated a team form the all powerful SEC but how that team collapsed, how that team is no better than last year, how that team kept BYU out of the end zone. Oh how perceptions would have been different and better had BYU forced the punt. Then again BYU could have lost.

PacMan and Football

PacMan teaches us all we must know about football.

Everything I know about football strategy, I learned from PacMan…

1)   Misdirection

2)   Know your opponent

3)   When in doubt, go for the safe points

4)   Hit ‘em while they’re down

5)   “See” the field

6)   Going to the corners is ALWAYS a good thing

7)   Speed is good, reaction time is better

8)   Use your blocks

9)   Small points add up

10) Big points come few and far between… Capitalize when they present themselves

What the?

Last year, my little brother, Geoff, was quite upset at BYU Head Football Coach Bronco Mendenhall because Bronco did not want Nike to make Pro Combat jerseys for BYU's big games. I wasn't upset but thought Bronco was being a little bit silly when he declined to allow Nike to alter our jerseys for the big games...until I saw the jerseys Nike game out with. Here are some of the jerseys for your viewing displeasure.

Remember the XFL a few years ago?   Maybe the University of Georgia and Nike were sad to see it go and wanted to go "retro" in rememberance. The two color facemask is particularly interesting.

I guess this isn't technically Pro Combat...but they're still terrible. 

Remember what I said about Boise? Double it for ASU.

As an unashamed Florida Gator/Tim Tebow hater, I would personally like to thank you, Nike. 

I am a little disappointed that Nike has not come out with Pro Combat jerseys for East Carolina. I don't know if you could put two worse colors together than ECU did (well, maybe feces colored Wyoming) but I think Nike might be able to pull it off in making them looking even worse, particularly with a Pirate logo.

But...I guess Nike isn't the only the crazy one. Or even the craziest one. Did you check out Under Armour's destroying of any credibility Maryland may have ever had?

Jerseys like these make me glad the U of Maryland didn't accept me!

Finally, here is what somebody believes BYU's jerseys might look like if they were Pro Combatted? I personally think this jersey is way too good normal for Nike to make.