Semester Over, More Time for Fandom!

It's been far too long.  But I'll admit: I've been a little upset at BYU as I look back on the football season that could have been...

Perhaps Bronco and Doman didn't know that Riley was hurt against Utah, though I find that hard to believe.  They pulled him against Weber, sat him out of practice part of the week.  Then, they played him anyway, in spite of him being noticeably ineffective.  Perhaps they thought to themselves that it was just Riley, as he has never played well against good competition.  However, after the game, they had to know for sure that he was hurt.  They played him anyway against Boise State until his gagillionth INT was finally too much.  If they don't play an injured Riley against San Jose State, I'm convinced they win that one too.  Notre Dame and Oregon State, BYU could have lost regardless of who played.  Of course, they also could have won either too...

Riley was hurt.  He played.  Badly.  Bronco and Doman could see the poor play.  They probably knew about the injury.  I don't put any blame on Riley for wanting to play, even if injured.  I think for college athletes playing hurt comes naturally.  It's on the coaches to sit the hurt players.  I know there are stories of miraculous comebacks led by injured QBs.  But BYU showed plenty of examples of an injured QB preventing a team from winning...that's on the coaches.  7-5 is on the coaches.  The talent was there.  The defense was there.  The special teams were there (minus the place-kicking).

So, there it is.  Bronco flubbed the QB situation.  He's trying to flub it for the bowl game.  In addition, the O-Line wasn't as good as the coaches said it was.  The running game was about the same as it usually is: great against garbage teams, garbage against average or better teams.  The D was great.  It played poorly for about three halves all season.  I do believe that BYU fans expectations are too high.  However, Bronco spurs it on by talking BCS games and National Championships in the offseason and pre-season.

With that said, BYU should beat SDSU in its bowl game, in spite of SDSU's motivation.  They have a better team.  They should control the line of scrimmage and prevent SDSU from getting anything going.  If they can stop SDSU's rushing attack, they should be good to win.  But that requires SOME offense, and Riley Nelson is NOT the guy to give them that.  Especially if he is still hurt!  Turnovers are the only thing that I believe prevent BYU from finishing 8-5.