Yes, I know that I am little late this year, as the football season ended long ago. I am still waiting for the punishments from the BYU/Memphis fight and I was waiting for the coaching dust to settle, as it has not yet completely done so.
BYU
The Cougars had a disappointing season, winning 8 games for the third season in a row. By most standards, that is a pretty good accomplishment, if there are a few great seasons mixed in. BYU hasn't had a great season in a long time and some fans will not be happy until BYU finally gets into what is now called a New Year's 6 bowl game or better.
But BYU's sidelines this year looked like a scene from M*A*S*H. Especially when Taysom Hill went down to a season-ending injury against Utah State. Frankly, however, the defense was very porous, even without before that happened and it is likely that Utah State and Boise State would have still been losses even if Hill would have remained under center.
There are a lot of real questions that BYU fans should be asking after this season. Most importantly, how does BYU end up with a quartet of walk-ons behind Taysom Hill? In all truth, BYU paid the football equivelent last season of driving without a good insurance policy. If this happens again, regardless of the final outcome of the season, the head coach should be forced out. Even though Stewart did an OK job of leading the team for 4 more wins, the personnel management was inexcusable.
I would expect 2015, with the powerhouses on BYU's schedule, will end up in the Cougars first losing season since 2004. I would also expect it to be Bronco Mendenhall's last season in Provo if this happens.
Utah
Speaking of inexcusable, how is it that Utah lost both coordinators after having their best season since joining the PAC-12? I understand that Sitake was looking for better stability for his family while Dave Christensen probably wasn't a good fit for Utah. That is likely why Kyle Whittingham still hasn't named their successors, he really needs assistants coaches who are a good fit for the uniqueness of coaching in Utah. Most likely, I expect that KW will promote Aaron Roderick and Morgan Scalley, find a place for Dave Peck (the outgoing Bingham High head coach) and then look for two alumni to join the staff.
The season could have been better, however, with more consistency on offense, especially out of the quarterback position. But that was about the only real disappointment out of 2014. All other aspects of their game, especially the Special Teams, worked very well. And I would expect that 2015 will be even better.
Utah State
Utah State's motto for the 2014 season was "The Climb Continues." The Aggies did not continue the climb in 2014. They were also bitten by the injury bug, but still managed to win 10 games, after a bowl win. However, the most telling game of the season was 21-14 loss at Arkansas State. I won't say a lot else about this season, other than to ask one question. If USU has really turned the corner, when are they going to get beyond BYU? Did they look past Arkansas State because they were looking forward to BYU? Was winning the Wagon Wheel more important that beating Colorado State and winning the conference? Beating BYU was great. But it is not the most important thing that USU football can do every season. USU will not finish the climb until they can realize this. Maybe having BYU last in 2015 will be the difference.
Weber State
There were only 2 wins for the third season in a row at Weber State, and now we can claim the years after Ron McBride's retirement as darker than the years after Sark Arslenian's move to Fort Collins. Hopefully, it doesn't last as long. But this season, all phases of the game were better, and Weber State wasn't exactly blown away like they were in 2013. Also, 2014's schedule was a bit on the tough side, as they were burdened with 4 of the first 5 games on the road and with the tougher part of the Big Sky Conference to play. The 2015 schedule is a little bit more realistic and WSU has a good chance at finishing above .500.
Southern Utah
There was a lot of turnover on the SUU staff in 2014, and it showed on the field. By the end of the season, at least the offense was clicking. The defense, well, they miss Justin Ena a lot in Cedar City. The prospects for a good 2015 will rest in turning the defense around and keeping the offensive momentum going.
