USU-BYU 2012: 3rd Quarter

Initial Sequence
If I play defense for BYU, I'm officially pissed.  USU is pinned deep on the kickoff.  The D stops them on 1st and forces a fumble on 2nd.  Offense gets a penalty, generally sucks, and a fake FG gives USU the ball 14 yards better than where BYU started with it.  I think the QB Draw has been overcalled already tonight.  I'm sure we'll see it 5 more times too...that was an awful possession by the O.  If you're going for the TD, you go for the TD.  Don't fake it...

Middle Portion
This is a physical game.  There isn't anything to be had between the tackles on either side.  Utah State can't make any progress against BYU's front 7 either.  BYU might be able to get something going with Williams if they stick with it, but they can't keep running Hill there.  One, it isn't working and two, he's taking some shots.  He can scramble on a pass play or keep on an outside option, but I don't want to see many more designed runs up the middle until the 4th Q.

Well, maybe they can get something going with Williams, if they can stop holding.  And it's Braden Brown.  It's not one of the new shuffled in, 3rd stringers playing because of injury either...and Hoffman is wearing an Aggie defender as he goes up for the catch...nothing.  Followed by another shank by Stephenson...

Over the years, what made BYU good was consistency.  The O and the kicking/punting game have ZERO consistency the past few years.  Stephenson booms it 60, 50, 45 yards.  Then every 4th punt goes 30 yards.  The O cannot get out of their own way.  They face 2nd and 3rd and long consistently.  That is not a winning formula against Southern Utah, and it certainly won't get the job done against Utah State.  This is not BYU football.  It's been far too long since BYU has played BYU football.

Last 5 Minutes
Like I'm been saying all year: hit the backs out of the backfield.  Now adding Mahina to the list of players thrown to this game.  Then Williams too.  Don't OVERDO the backs out of the backfield now, leaves Hill too open to the blitz with no extra blockers.  Have some balance...can't EVER please a Cougar fan!  BYU has to convert a few more 3rd downs in this game.  If for no other reason, let the D catch their breath and flip the field a little bit.

I'd like to see them roll Hill to the right and get a guy on a backside skinny post.  They keep flooding and it keeps not working...

D is beating up on Keeton...why does BYU block in the back on every punt return?  After Falslev has cleared too...seriously.  This is NOT a good BYU team.  This is definitely not a top 25 team.  This is a top 5 Defense though...they deserve better!  Doman is too scared to take chances.  The last play of the 3rd quarter is more the type of plays he needs to come up with: misdirection, get Hill one on one with a DE in space.  Start trying more intermediate routes or guys dragging across the middle.  It is like BYU has 5 pass plays and they are all VERY similar...

It's a good thing Utah State has similar problems with the kicking game.  It gives me SOME confidence that BYU will actually win this thing.