Keys to the AFA game

Looking at some of the comments on this board over the last couple days, it seems about half the posters are worried about this week's game, and the other half feel BYU has AFA's number.

What do you feel will be the most important "key" of the game?



For me, it 's turnovers. AFA is one of the best in the country at turnover margin, BYU is below average.

If BYU is -2 in turnovers on Saturday, like against UNM, the results will be UNM-like...either a close win or possibly a loss.

If BYU is even or positive in turnover margin, they will win handily.



You can't give a team like AFA opportunistic chances to score. Make them earn it. On the flip side, creating easy scoring opportunities for BYU will negate how well AFA's defense seems to be playing this year.



If I had to list a second key, it would be BYU's rushing game. Assuming the turnovers are in check, if BYU averages 4+ yards per carry and totals 100+ for the game, we win. If we struggle on the ground, like the UNM game, we will be in for a dogfight. BYU has to establish themselves on the ground or AFA's highly touted secondary will have too much influence on the outcome of the game.

cachevalleycougar wrote:
Looking at some of the comments on this board over the last couple days, it seems about half the posters are worried about this week's game, and the other half feel BYU has AFA's number.

That's because we don't know which BYU team will show up. If it's BYU-Oklahoma or BYU-Wyoming, there's nothing to worry about. BUT, if it's BYU-FSU, TCU or NM, then there's a lot to worry about.

From my experience of watching many BYU vs AF games, it comes down to big plays. BYU has historically always done well with AF's option attack and the major problem is if they catch us on some trick plays or play-action. Turnover will always be an issue no matter who you are playing. We were able to have four against OU and still win the game on the road, so they aren't always a death knoll, but usually are. I feel better about our turnovers the last few games, so I don't think that will be our downfall this week. I believe we beat them.

First two drives are critical. BYU will roll if they can get a couple of early scores (and stops) and get AF out of their gameplan.

EM_Puma wrote:
That's because we don't know which BYU team will show up. If it's BYU-Oklahoma or BYU-Wyoming, there's nothing to worry about. BUT, if it's BYU-FSU, TCU or NM, then there's a lot to worry about.

Very true. So does this game qualify as a "big game" where so many fans question Bronco's ability to get the team ready? Or is it simply "another game" where the UNM game will re-focus BYU so they come out firing?

Following our previous two poor showings this year, BYU came out in the next game and played as well or better than expected. We haven't played poorly in consecutive games this year.

Key to the game is the Defensive line and the linebackers. If we stop the option and make them pass, we win. I am not worried about BYU's offense in this game, BYU has too many options for AF to stop them all.

cachevalleycougar wrote:

That's because we don't know which BYU team will show up. If it's BYU-Oklahoma or BYU-Wyoming, there's nothing to worry about. BUT, if it's BYU-FSU, TCU or NM, then there's a lot to worry about.

Very true. So does this game qualify as a "big game" where so many fans question Bronco's ability to get the team ready? Or is it simply "another game" where the UNM game will re-focus BYU so they come out firing?

Following our previous two poor showings this year, BYU came out in the next game and played as well or better than expected. We haven't played poorly in consecutive games this year.

Yea, and that's what scares the hello out of me for the following week against Utah

I'm in both camps. I am confident because Bronco seems to know how to defend AFA. But I am worried about which team will show up. I just want a healthy dose of Unga all day, and all will be okay.

CAFB_04-12 wrote:
I'm in both camps. I am confident because Bronco seems to know how to defend AFA. But I am worried about which team will show up. I just want a healthy dose of Unga all day, and all will be okay.

I want a dose of healthy Unga against the falcons

Play assignment sound football, don't drop the ball.

Execution. [ducks and hides behind keyboard]

vancouvercougar wrote:
I want a dose of healthy Unga against the falcons

Seconded.



It's a complicated game. BYU's strength on offense vs. AF's strength on defense (passing... this looks like a tie, maybe slightly in the Falcons' favor with interceptions). BYU's weakness vs. AF's (rushing, with Unga and the OL tweaked, advantage Air Force if we play like last week). AF's strength on offense vs. BYU's strength on defense (rushing, tie, unless we play like we did vs. Florida State). AF's weakness vs. ours (throwing it... they win this match-up easily IMO).

But depending on how healthy Unga is, I think we'd sooner beat AFA without him than the pukes without him. If he's not 100% by Thursday, I wouldn't even risk it. We can get by AFA with Kariya, DiLuigi and the gang. But we absolutely need a healthy Unga going into the Holy War.