BYU's running game

BYU just put up 396 rushing yards on Hawaii.



Most notably,

Jamaal Williams had 155 yards on 15 carries. (RBER: 165)

Taysom Hill had 143 yards on 15 carries. (RBER: 147.07)

Lasike had 40 yards on 10 carries (RBER: 162.73)



By all accounts and measurements, BYU had a great day rushing for a team average of 7.3 yards per carry. (BYU Team RBER: 132).



But we were also playing what is now the 106th ranked rushing defense.



Do you anticipate a more difficult time rushing against Utah State, who is giving up a scant 2.9 yards per carry, and has only given up 1 rushing touchdown all year?

I expect Byu to run for around 150 yards against USU as long as Taysom Hill is the QB.



Taysom Hill = 70 yards

Jamal Williams = 60 yards

Iona- 5 yards

Foote = 15 yards

The short answer to your question is Yes, they will have a more difficult time running against USU. Having said that, if they don't establish the run, and we have to rely on Taysom Hill to win the game with his arm, we may be in trouble, unless the defense can hold them scoreless.

Yes, it will be tougher but we'll win because we're at home and not playing a horrible/injured QB vs USU for a change...hopefully.

mizzoucoug wrote:
Yes, it will be tougher but we'll win because we're at home and not playing a horrible/injured QB vs USU for a change...hopefully.

More precisely - no injured QB played VS USU recently. And until 2010, a dead QB would have gotten the job done.



In 2010 - an inexperienced QB who was playing poorly at the time played the entire game - a humiliating loss. The injured QB with the oft questioned arm and judgement, was out for the season.



In 2011 - a somewhat more experienced QB, again playing poorly had BYU enroute to a 2nd humiliating loss to USU after already suffering a humiliating blow-out 2nd loss to U. But then a healthy QB with oft questioned arm and judgment saved the game, the season, and the program. Went on to lose to TCU like virtually every other BYU QB save John Beck's marquee win and incurred the wrath that ensued.



In 2012 - a different inexperienced QB, but one that is running well behind an overhauled OL but throwing less impressively will lead the charge unless the experienced QB with the oft questioned arm and judgment is healthy enough to play.



This saga is not about injured QBs playing USU - it is about injured QB sitting on the bench while inexperienced QB lost in 2010 and the same experienced QB coming off the bench a year later to bail out the inexperienced QB.



We will see what happens this year. Suspense. Drama. Interest.



If Hill plays - he is playing well for a true freshman.



If Nelson is healthy - which I doubt - he plays well vs USU when healthy.



BYU D - is about to get a stronger test. I think they will pass it.



BYU O - facing another good defense with - likely Hill and the new OL and an inexperienced pair of RBs who are playing well.



IDK where that will lead. Excited to go watch and see.



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I think running against Hawaii became a lot easier after we took out two of their D linemen.



Running against USU will be a lot tougher, and we will need a balanced effort to win the game. Fortunately, I think our D will win the game for us; and the offense will do just enough to not screw our defense out of the win.

vancouvercougar wrote:
I think running against Hawaii became a lot easier after we took out two of their D linemen.



Running against USU will be a lot tougher, and we will need a balanced effort to win the game. Fortunately, I think our D will win the game for us; and the offense will do just enough to not screw our defense out of the win.

I think you're right. By the time Hawaii lost their 2 defensive linemen (early in the first quarter) they were probably literally the worst rushing defense in the nation.



It will be interesting to see what BYU's impressive looking backs can do against even an average defense.