Secondary
Some writers in Utah attack BYU's secondary (the Salt Lake Tribune). Some writers thing the criticism is too harsh (KSL). I have often wondered myself how BYU would do against a team that wants to sling the ball 50 times a game, mostly in hurry-up O-mode with three-step passes (i.e. most of the Big 12!). Enter Idaho State. Granted, they don't have the talent level of just about any FBS teams, but they are going to hurry up to the line and throw the ball all over the field, mostly in the short passing game. I have said repeatedly if I was playing BYU, I would throw about 10 hitches, slants, or outs in a row to start the game. This will be an interesting test to see how that strategy would work, albeit against an inferior opponent. If FCS Idaho State can still complete 65% of its passes, then just imagine how devastated the secondary would be against a team with better QB, RB, and WRs (i.e. every Big 12 team).
The problem with BYU's D is that there is no scheme to take away those passes. The DBs never move up. The blitz doesn't have time to get to the QB. When BYU drops 8 into coverage, they still don't blanket guys. BYU relies on someone making a mistake. [Most of the teams on BYU's schedule will make a mistake eventually on a 10-14 play drive. Idaho State is certainly no exception.] I am curious to see how this "experiment" goes. I wouldn't be surprised to see Idaho State move the ball up and down the field against BYU, though, I don't anticipate a lot of TDs in the red zone.
Alisa vs. Unga
Michael Alisa's TD last week looked almost exactly the same as one Harvey Unga had in a game against Colorado State a few years back, including the way he cradled the ball in his left hand (maybe it's a Timpview thing?). Apparently, everyone else agreed as that has become a big topic of conversation this week in Provo. Whether the rest of his runs look like Unga or not, I don't know, but I do know that his mentality is a lot like Unga's. He seems to understand when to get outside, when to run over people, and when to just take the 3 yards and get back to the huddle. And he rarely ever fumbles (once in 39 carries). The rest of the RBs have tried to do too much so far this season. Quezada has run outside when he should run inside and inside when he should run outside. Kariya seemed to go down too easily early in the year. DiLuigi hasn't been as effective in the passing game as I thought, and, until Oregon State, he hadn't had a "home run" type of run yet this season.
Alisa is running like I expected Quezada to this year: hard and tough. He is breaking tackles with his speed, power, and moves. I think with that deadly combination he, just like Nelson, has provided a spark to the offense (as with Nelson, it helps that opposing defenses have gotten progressively easier). All of the backs have picked up their game. All are running with a much greater intensity. Prior to Alisa's surge, Quezada had 33 carries for 95 yards (2.9 yards/carry), with one run over 10 yards. Since then: 12 carries for 76 yards (6.3) and two runs over 10 yards. DiLuigi had 51 carries for 214 yards (4.2), the last two games he has 13 for 90 (6.9). Alisa's carries are up. Quezada's carries are up. The seniors carries are going down. Kariya is now playing a lot more like a FB in to block on QB draws and in passing situations. The future seems to be now in the running game.
Apo and Heaps
Heaps struggled. He was yanked. Apo has been struggling too. I think it's about time for him to get the yank too. He is young. This is his first season playing college football. But he looks every bit as "business-like" as Heaps did. There is no enthusiasm. In his case, unlike Heaps, there doesn't even appear to be any effort. Riley Nelson gave Apo three catchable balls last game, besides his 1 completion for 4 yards, and Apo didn't go get any of them. It doesn't even look like he's trying. While the pick six is entirely on Nelson for holding on to the ball too long (and not on Doman for calling the play, it's a "three step then throw" not "three step, pat the ball, stare down the receiver, and throw"), Apo didn't make any effort to go get the ball, and he made even less to go tackle the guy. Apo is one of the fastest guys on the team. He's supposedly a 4.3-40 guy. But Poyer pulled away from him easily. That either makes Poyer a 4.1 guy, or Apo wasn't putting in the effort. I don't think he was going to catch him anyway, but you have to try.
I think he needs a good benching to get his head on straight. He is not playing BYU football right now. I really hate to call for benchings, or anyone's head, but I see a lack of effort out there, and that is inexcusable. Everyone else seems to be playing better/harder with Nelson out there. Apo is the exception. BYU, as we all know, is about rules, not exceptions. If it weren't, BYU might very well have won the NCAA Tournament last season...
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