Is BYU's Season a Success?

KSL asked the question this year, would BYU fans consider an 8-4 regular season a success?  In my opinion, I think that most would not consider the 2012 campaign a success.  BYU was on the short end of 3 close games and was victorious in only 1.  In the minds of many, BYU should have finished the 2012 season with a 10-2 or 11-1 record.

Looking back, here is what could have turned around the BYU season.

Utah. 

I spite of the missed field goals at the end of the game, this game was lost in the 3rd quarter.  BYU's second 3rd quarter drive ended in an interception which was turned into a Utah Field Goal.  The next drive ended with a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.  The next drive lost 19 yards and ended with a punt that gave the Utes good field position, which they immediately turned into their other touchdown.  Without those 17 points by Utah, there would have been no need for the late-game dramatics.  BYU probably would have escaped with a 21-7 win.  After the fumble was returned for a touchdown was where the coaching staff failed.  Something should have been done to calm down the shell-shocked offensive line.

Boise State

When BYU finally scored, the coaching staff could have kicked the extra point and tied the score instead of going for a 2-point conversion to win the game.  I don't know if BYU could have won on the road in overtime, but there would have been no second guessing the coaching staff.  Boise failed to score However, if they would have made the 2-point conversion, what a conversation piece that would have been.

Also of note, Boise State scored their only touchdown when Riley Nelson forced a pass into coverage.

Notre Dame

None of BYU's turnovers turned into scores.  BYU missed a field goal and quarterback Riley Nelson missed a wide-open Cody Hoffman on what could have been a game breaking touchdown score.

Oregon State

This was a very close game until the beginning of the 4th quarter when the Beavers blew the game open.  Mistakes were made early in the game.  It could have been a different game if BYU had been able to take the lead early in the game.

Here is where BYU has to improve on in 2013.

1.  Quarterback Play.  Riley Nelson has a tendency to force the ball downfield when nothing is open.  This has killed scoring opportunities and in some cases, led to scoring opportunities for the opposition.  This was THE difference in at least one game in 2012.  BYU is more likely to win when the quarterback throws the ball.  Steve Young himself said that a quarterback will not win the game by letting the defense hit him.  When the quarterback runs, he should avoid contact.  This will help minimize injury.  Quarterbacks are usually not built to get the extra 2 or 3 yards.  The only time to fight for the extra yards is on 3rd down. 

2.  Offesnive line play.  The 2013 starting quarterback has have time to throw the ball.  Better blocking will also lead to more yards on the ground.  A stronger passing game will open up opportunities for yards by the running backs.  That is the definition of how the West Coast Offense should work.

3.  Clock and game management.  Need to work on saving time outs for late in the game.  The Boise State decision could have been viewed differently if BYU had time outs to use after they kicked the ball back to Boise State.  With 3 time outs, they could have got the ball back.  There were some other times when game management was glaring, particularly the Notre Dame Game.

4.  Kicking Field Goals.  Need to improve success on field goal attempts.

It would be nice if the BYU defense could be 80% of how good they are this year.  It would be even better if they could duplicate this year's success.


Bronco Mendenhall Year by Year...

2012

Best Win, Utah State.  At best, the Aggies will finish the season with 11 wins, a conference championship and a national ranking.  At worst, USU will finish with 9 wins.  USU is a good team this year and even though the games was ugly, a good win for the Cougars.

Worst Loss, Utah.  The Utes will struggle to achieve bowl eligibility.  It seem that at best, after the bowls, the Utes will be 7-6.  This is a game that BYU should have won.

2011

Best Win, Utah State.  The Aggies were, in 2011, the only bowl-eligible team the Cougars defeated in 2011.

Worst Loss, Utah.  The Utes beat the Cougars badly due to BYU's errors.  The Utes barely become bowl eligible and struggled throughout the season.

2010

Best Win, San Diego State.  The Aztecs had the best record of all the teams that BYU defeated in 2010.

Worst Loss, Utah State.  In 2010, the Aggies had the worst record of all the teams that BYU lost to.

2009

Best Win, Oklahoma.  The Sooners finished 8-5, but were ranked in the top 10 when BYU bested them.

Worst Loss, Florida State.  The Seminoles barely finished the season bowl-eligible.  This was a lopsided loss at home.  Could turn out to be the worst loss of Bronco Mendenhall's tenure.  There was no shame in BYU's other 2009 loss, but this one was bad.

2008

Best Win, Air Force.  The Falcons were the only FBS team with a winning record that BYU defeated in 2008.

Worst Loss, TCU.  There was no shame in losing to TCU in 2008, however.

2007

Best Win, Utah.  Austin Collie was living right in this one.

Worst Loss, Tulsa.  When your team scores 47 points, you should win.

2006

Best Win, TCU.  The Horned Frogs were in the top 25 all season.

Worst Loss, Arizona.  The Wildcats finished 6-6 and were not invited to a bowl.  This one cost BYU a chance at a BCS bowl.

2005

Best win, Colorado State.  2005 was Sunny Lubick's last good season at CSU.

Worst Loss, San Diego State.  4 of the other 5 teams BYU lost to in 2005 finished the season ranked.  Utah finished with a winning record.  This was the only team with a sub .500 record that BYU lost to this season.