After watching 3 lackadaisical performances by BYU last season, 2 in person (Wisconsin and Notre Dame), I felt as though we were witnessing the beginning of the end of BYU football. Some people, especially Ute fans, believed that started long ago. Maybe it did. Since Jake Heaps and Riley Nelson arrived on the scene, BYU has never really competed week in and week out, regardless of their schedule. As conferences continued to realign, no one of consequence ever called BYU's number, except to schedule an occasional 2-for-1 football series. Independence improved BYU's standing more than being in the MWC, but, as even Bronco admitted this offseason, independence only helps if it lifts BYU to a power conference.
So the power conferences continue to try to consolidate their power. They plucked most of the best teams from outside their conferences already. BYU continues to be on the outside of the entire equation though. The only way for BYU to change that is to win. Win big. Win a lot. Win on big stages. Unfortunately for BYU, beating Idaho State by 40 doesn't count, winning 8 games doesn't count as "a lot", and ESPN in and of itself is not a big enough stage.
BYU needs to demolish about half the teams on its 2014 schedule and it needs to beat most of the remaining teams. 10 wins, at a minimum, this season will keep BYU in any kind of national relevance. Just looking at the schedule, BYU should be able to score 40+ points against Virginia, UNLV, and Savannah State. They should top 30 points against Connecticut, Houston, Nevada, Middle Tennessee, and Cal. Texas, Utah State, UCF, and Boise State are the only teams that should have any ability to slow BYU down. Period. Looking even deeper than that, Texas and UCF are the only potentially great defenses they will face. If last season is any indication how BYU will fare in those games, then I'd expect between 13-17 points from BYU.
BYU, on paper, should put up points in bunches. They should be able to drive the ball consistently against just about anyone. They should be able to break big plays too with Taysom and Jamaal. If any of the WRs ends up being halfway decent, they should get some big plays in the passing game too. They absolutely have the experience to convert TDs in the red zone. And they need to do it in all 12 games, not just in 8 or 9. They need to win and win convincingly against the best teams on their schedule. BYU lost 3 games last season where it had more yards than its opponents (Virginia, Utah, and Washington) and 2 of those teams didn't even make bowl games. Against Washington and Virginia, BYU had 154 and 139 yards more of offense, respectively, and couldn't get a win.
If BYU wants to be a great team, they need to be able to score against good defenses on the road. They only play 2 such games this season. If BYU wants to win those games they have to find some way to put up at least 20 points. Looking ahead to the 2015 schedule, BYU still has a chance to make noise in the future, but if BYU can't do it this season, it won't matter how tough those future schedules are, BYU won't stand a chance. The time to make a splash is now. There is no tomorrow for BYU. The 2014 Cougars have the opportunity to resurrect the program, if they don't, they may lose their chance, and their fan base, forever.
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