Comments to Make After Reading the Papers and the Polls this Morning.
BYU looked BAD against Colorado State?
Are you kidding? BYU was bad because they only beat previously unbeaten Colorado State by 19 points? This is why I disagree:
1. BYU got 21 points off of turnovers in the first quarter? Not true, in the first quarter, BYU got 14 points off of turnovers, and 7 points from good special teams play. Colorado State also intercepted Max Hall twice and that led to 3 points for the Rams. Turnovers were not the difference. Capitalizing on turnovers was the difference. That is one thing a good football team does.The two interceptions on Max nullified the two in the first quarter. In the end, there was no turnover advantage for BYU.
2. Max Hall has as many interceptions as touchdown passes. This is true, but there is a caveat. The point is to score touchdowns. BYU IS scoring touchdowns on the ground. Yesterday, the Cougars scored six touchdowns. Four of the six were running TDs. Last week, they scored four touchdowns, 2 were Max Hall passes, one was a Riley Nelson pass and the other was a Harvey Unga run. Against Tulane 7 touchnowns. 2 Max Hall passes, 1 defensive and 4 running TDs. Against Oklahoma 2 TD passes. 19 Touchdowns this year, 8 Max Hall passing touchdowns, 1 Riley Nelson Passing touchdown, 1 defensive touchdown and 10 running touchdowns. The point, they are scoring touchdowns. Who cares how. Now, about the interceptions. Most were thrown against Florida State after the Seminoles had a big lead. Take away the FSU game, and the other guys are not converting BYU turnovers into scores. Outside of FSU, BYU opponents have scored 6 points because of BYUs turnovers.
3. One concern of BYU prior to the CSU game was special teams play. This aspect of the Cougar game was improved against CSU. Evidence, blocked punt.
4. Colorado State was unbeaten prior to the BYU game. Maybe the level of their competition is suspect, but you will likely see the Rams finish 8-4 and get to a bowl game. They deserve credit for not quitting after spotting the other team 21 points...unlike the Cougars of last week. They played a quality game after it was lost.
5. Colorado State out gained the Cougars statistically, but BYU only had 15 yards to drive to get their first touchdown. BYU only ran 4 offensive plays and was ahead 14-0. See how much statistics matter?
6. BYU outscored the Rams in the 1st and 4th quarters and in the 3rd quarter, the score was even. BYU outscored CSU in both halfs. BYU won the 1st half 21-7. BYU won the second half 21-16. Colorado State both outscored and out gained the Cougars in the 2nd quarter. It is only the first quarter statistics that were misleading. Colorado State outgained the Cougars, but trailed 21-0.
7. BYUs drop in the polls this morning was likely more fallout from the FSU loss. FSU lost on Saturday making thier blowout over BYU look even worse for the Cougars. If FSU tanks the rest of this season, the worse BYU will look. Even if Oklahoma continues to smother the opposition.
Weber State game reporting error on KSL:
From KSL.com
The sun was shining down on the Weber State Wildcats (2-2) as they escaped Portland State with a 36-29 victory Saturday afternoon at PGE Park in Portland, Oregon. Giving up 14 points in less than 15 seconds, the Wildcats let the Vikings back in the game and eventually blew an 18-point lead before rallying in the last minute and fifteen seconds with a touchdown pass from Cameron Higgins to Tim Toone.
What actually happened:
1st Quarter
07:14 PSU - Zach Brown 20 yd field goal, 13-57 7:46 0 - 3
2nd Quarter
10:13 WSU - Trevyn Smith 4 yd run (Jon Williams kick), 4-64 1:45 7 - 3
07:14 PSU - Aaron Woods 5 yd pass from Drew Hubel (Zach Brown kick), 5-69 2:53 7 - 10
01:40 WSU - Kam. Kaimikaua 10 yd pass from Cameron Higgins (Jon Williams kick), 12-64 5:27 14 - 10
3rd Quarter
07:51 WSU - Tim Toone 4 yd pass from Cameron Higgins (Jon Williams kick), 5-80 1:58 21 - 10
01:57 WSU - Bo Bolen 15 yd pass from Cameron Higgins (Jon Williams kick), 9-96 4:33 28 - 10
01:38 PSU - Aaron Woods 97 yd kickoff return (Zach Brown kick) 28 - 17
01:26 PSU - DeShawn Shead 31 yd interception return (Zach Brown rush failed) 28 - 23
4th Quarter
01:15 PSU - Aaron Woods 15 yd pass from Drew Hubel (C. Kavanaugh rush failed), 11-75 4:58 28 - 29
00:17 WSU - Tim Toone 38 yd pass from Cameron Higgins (Tyrl. Francisco pass from Cameron Higgins), 6-84 0:55 36 - 29
14 points was wrong. PSU got two TDs in less than 15 seconds to get back in the game, but failed to convert the PAT on the second TD. That is only 13 points.
But this brings up a point I made after the CSU loss. Even in the FCS, a team can little afford to make mistakes. Cameron Higgins deserves credit for the successful two-minute drill at the end of the game. But it would not have been needed had he not thrown an the interception in the 3rd quarter. In fact, that int would not have mattered much if the Special Teams for WSU had contained the PSU kick returner. It was the let down in those 15 seconds that almost cost Weber this game. If Weber is to win a Big Sky championship this year, they need to clean up their play considerably. They have four games on the schedule against four teams that are better than PSU. One is this coming week at Stewart Stadium. The Cats have a ton of work to do to get ready for Montana State.
Can Idaho Go Bowling?
To be bowl eligible, a team has to have at least 6 wins. The Vandals are half-way there after four games, much of the conference schedule left. Based upon how well they have played so far this season, you have to think that there are three win-able games left. Here is the remaining schedule.
O3--vs Colorado State
O10-- @ San Jose State
O17-- Hawaii
O24-- @ Nevada
O31-- Louisiana Tech
N7--Fresno State
N14--@ Boise State
N21--bye
N28--Utah State
The Vandals are much improved, but they are not Boise State. I see three more losses--Colorado State, Fresno State and Boise State. They should finish 8-4 and become bowl eligible by Halloween. Also, if you are a TCU fan, Idaho is your best hope. The only winning team left on Boise State's schedule.
Bowl Projections
Mtn West
TCU--Vegas
BYU--Poinsettia
Air Force--Armed Forces
Utah--New Mexico
Colo State--Humanitarian
WAC
Bosie--Orange
Hawaii--Hawaii
Idaho--New Mexico
Fresno--Humanitarian
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