BYU (and Mo) Back on Track

I have been sufficiently reminded by my family that my prediction and analysis has been lacking in this space for a few weeks.  I apologize, it was the perfect storm of "stuff" preventing me from having the appropriate time to put forth a solid effort.  I promise to go re-watch the BYU games this week and have some additional insights from them...

Initially, the obvious insight is: BYU is getting better.  I'm not predicting the same outcome as 2006, but it sure looks like the team didn't figure out how to be good until it was already too late (2 losses, including one that would have said something: Utah), just as it did in 2006.  The run defense is phenomenal.  The pass defense is serviceable, with its biggest weakness the propensity to give up the big play.  They have been pretty dang good at screens and short and intermediate passes.  Offensively, other than one or two too many turnovers each game, the team is moving the ball, with much fewer three and outs than earlier in the year and just as many big plays.  The attack is definitely more balanced now for 2 big reasons, first being most important in my opinion: 1) WRs are playing better (fewer drops, better routes, and making more difficult plays including getting some yards after catch) and 2) Taysom is more accurate (though his decision-making is still a bit sub-par at times).

The problem now is: can better play turn into more wins?  There has been a huge mental issue for BYU when it comes to certain games.  Utah and Boise State haven't been "better" than BYU in a lot of their recent contests, but BYU hasn't been able to get out of its own way to pull off victories.  So now Boise State looms.  Are the Cougars mentally able to get to that next gear?  Perhaps the way they managed to pull out the game against Houston is the turning point.  It was certainly the first time this season the Cougars dug deep in the 4th Q of a tight game to eke out a win.  GT had that potential before Alani Fua took care of things at the end of the 3rd Q and BYU rolled from there.  Virginia and Utah were failures in that regard.  They had opportunities to win, but didn't capitalize.

BYU has 3 big chances left to finish the season "right" but, like many Cougar fans, I think it takes 9 or 10 wins to really do that.  They absolutely must beat Boise State this week.  If BYU does not win that game is entirely, 100% mental.  They had also better win at least one of the other two big contests at Wisconsin and Notre Dame.  After watching Notre Dame very closely this season (and standing for 3.5 straight hours last weekend against USC), that is absolutely a beatable team, given BYU's style, personnel, and tempo.  More on that in a few weeks, but I now fully expect BYU to win that game.

Good to be back.  I hope you feel the same!