Which Tide Will Rise To Lift All Boats in 2012

Definitions first. In 2011, early, the tide was so low that BYU either barely beat or lost to teams it was supposed to beat including a huge and humiliating loss to Utah and seemed headed for a humiliating 2nd loss to Utah State. The Bibster has credited Riley Nelson for being the tide that lifted all of the boats high enough to save the program.



But, how high did he lift them? BYU went on from that point to beat the teams they were supposed to beat and beat up the teams they were supposed to beat up, but the tide did not rise high enough to beat the one team, TCU, that they were not supposed to beat.



So, that is where BYU left off in 2011. Some fans appreciated the come back and 10 wins. Others remain physically and emotionally sickened by the three losses - especially the beat down at the hands of U.



So the question is, that should the Y Tide be lifted to a higher level than it left off, and beat teams it is not supposed to beat in addition to beating all of the teams it is supposed to beat - which tide will have risen to lift all of those boats?

For the moment, I wish there had been room to put an 11th choice - IDK. DM Cougar has been trying to get me to bet the farm on Riley Nelson. If I was sure he would be healthy all year - I would have by now. I am going to go with the D. Even better than last years defense. The difference? No meltdowns. No quitting. Should net at least 1 upset road win.



Go D.

2012 is all about our 29 seniors. If they play well, we'll be very good. The 2012 senior class is the tide.



But I voted for Riley, since he's the player at the most important position.

I think it will be a combination of all things listed. Still think we lose 2-3 though. Tough year on the road.

Lawboy wrote:
I think it will be a combination of all things listed. Still think we lose 2-3 though. Tough year on the road.

Agree. That is where the tide and all boats come in. Example. If the OL is dominant like they were expected to be last year - truly dominant - that tide is going to better protect Riley from injury, give him more time to throw, increase his completion percentage, get the ball to playmakers, make Riley run more effectively, ignite Alisa and others running game, and keep the D rested and off the field. The OL could make the biggest overall lift - if they are capable ofridding up. I wish I was a believer. That would even take pressure off Special Teams due to great field position.



That is what I mean by lift all boats.



Riley, if healthy, might do it by more accurate passing, fewer errors, more completions, being a running threat that opens things up for Alisa and Pritchard, and better field position takes pressure off D and ST and motivates the entire team including OL blocking until the play is over.



D could shut down the opponent so effectively, that pressure is off ST and O always starts with good field position and can take risks.



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Cougarbib2 wrote:

I think it will be a combination of all things listed. Still think we lose 2-3 though. Tough year on the road.

Agree. That is where the tide and all boats come in. Example. If the OL is dominant like they were expected to be last year - truly dominant - that tide is going to better protect Riley from injury, give him more time to throw, increase his completion percentage, get the ball to playmakers, make Riley run more effectively, ignite Alisa and others running game, and keep the D rested and off the field. The OL could make the biggest overall lift - if they are capable ofridding up. I wish I was a believer. That would even take pressure off Special Teams due to great field position.



That is what I mean by lift all boats.



Riley, if healthy, might do it by more accurate passing, fewer errors, more completions, being a running threat that opens things up for Alisa and Pritchard, and better field position takes pressure off D and ST and motivates the entire team including OL blocking until the play is over.



D could shut down the opponent so effectively, that pressure is off ST and O always starts with good field position and can take risks.



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I voted for the O-line. The other tides are going to rise, but if the O-line tide rises above 2011 performance then the whole offense will be able rise even higher.



I think the defense will be awsome--if the o-line performs well we will have a season to remember.