Opening Games Since Lavell

Bronco is riding a 6 game winning streak in opening games of the season after starting out 0-2 in season openers. Finding the end-zone hasn't been all that easy for Bronco-coached teams in the first game, except when playing very inferior opponents. BYU has scored more than 3 TDs only 2 times under Bronco, against Northern Iowa and Washington St -- 2 really really bad teams.



Here is a summary of season openers:



**Bronco**



2012: BYU 30 -- Washington St 6



2011: BYU 14 -- Mississippi 13



2010: BYU 23 -- Washington 17



2009: BYU 14 -- Oklahoma 13



2008: BYU 41 -- Northern Iowa 17



2007: BYU 20 -- Arizona 7



2006: Arizona 13 -- BYU 6



2005: Boston College 20 -- BYU 3

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**Crowton**



2004: BYU 20 -- Notre Dame 17



2003: BYU 24 -- Georgia Tech 13



2002: BYU 42 -- Syracuse 21



2001: BYU 70 -- Tulane 35

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**Lavell's last season**



2000: Florida St 29 -- BYU 3





So it looks like both Crowton and Bronco really know how to prepare in the off-season for the first opponent. Crowton was an offensive wizard in openers at first, but then like everything else his opener offensive success fizzled out. Bronco has had pretty consistent 2-3 TD season openers with a FG here and there thrown in, except for those 2 patsy games where the offense had no resistance by the opposing D.





With all this in mind, and taking into consideration this season's teams I am predicting:



BYU 24 -- Virginia 9

I think the OC has more of an influence then BMCC on points scored. BM doesn't understand offense.



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Just look at strength of opponent and you will see why Crowton and Lavell and Bronco fizzle.



Ironically, the last time BYU beat ND, according to this data, Crowton got fired. Knute Rockne and Ara Parsegian were rolling over in there graves by half-time that year. Been resting peacefully, lately.

Cougarbib wrote:
Just look at strength of opponent and you will see why Crowton and Lavell and Bronco fizzle.



Ironically, the last time BYU beat ND, according to this data, Crowton got fired. Knute Rockne and Ara Parsegian were rolling over in there graves by half-time that year. Been resting peacefully, lately.

Yeah, they played some "great" teams.

2004: Notre Dame 6-6

2003: Georgia Tech 7-6

2002: Syracuse 4-8

2001: Tulane 3-9

2000: Florida St 11-2



Bronco's strength of opponent seems about right

2012: Washingto St 3-9

2011: Ole Miss 2-10

2010: Washington 7-6

2009: Oklahoma 8-5

2008: Northern Iowa 12-3

2007: Arizona 5-7

2006: Arizona 6-6

2005: Boston College 9-3

SpiffCoug wrote:

Just look at strength of opponent and you will see why Crowton and Lavell and Bronco fizzle.



Ironically, the last time BYU beat ND, according to this data, Crowton got fired. Knute Rockne and Ara Parsegian were rolling over in there graves by half-time that year. Been resting peacefully, lately.

Yeah, they played some "great" teams.

2004: Notre Dame 6-6

2003: Georgia Tech 7-6

2002: Syracuse 4-8

2001: Tulane 3-9

2000: Florida St 11-2



Bronco's strength of opponent seems about right

2012: Washingto St 3-9

2011: Ole Miss 2-10

2010: Washington 70-6

2009: Oklahoma 8-5

2008: Northern Iowa 12-3

2007: Arizona 5-7

2006: Arizona 6-6

2005: Boston College 9-3

Dang Sark had it rolling in 2010 ;)

Good catch!



Fixed it.

BYU struggles vs mediocre to average BCS teams. Then play an 11-2 BCS team, BYU usually gets killed. Yes there are a few exceptions like Miami. Edwards got killed in his last opener. Look who he played. Probably on the road to boot although I did not look it up. That is called scheduling to lose.



Crowton won every opwner - because the best team was a mediocre 6-6 Notre Dame team. And he squeaked by in that one. I forget - probably in Provo although I know we did win in So Bend at least once.



Bronco, after a learning curve, consistently beats mediocre to average BCS teams in openers. Get Okie on the road, though, squeaker.



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Newsflash - most teams get killed when they meet an 11-2 BCS team - including many BCS teams.

SpiffCoug wrote:
Newsflash - most teams get killed when they meet an 11-2 BCS team - including many BCS teams.

Exactly my point. The opponent matters - alot.



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Cougarbib wrote:
Just look at strength of opponent and you will see why Crowton and Lavell and Bronco fizzle.



Ironically, the last time BYU beat ND, according to this data, Crowton got fired. Knute Rockne and Ara Parsegian were rolling over in there graves by half-time that year. Been resting peacefully, lately.

Like Teo's girlfriend?

IT does not make a lot of sense to compare this year's team to past BM teams. Yes, Anae is back, but he's a different Anae, and the QB situation this year is light years ahead of where it has been the past three years. Offensive talent has never been better at BYU, and defensive talent is as good as ever. I don't think it's rational to play the gloom and doom of past seasons here. BYU will win at Virginia, and Texas well tell much. If BYU can beat Texas, and UTah the following week, and put up substantial scoring in those three games, BYU will be tough beat all season.



If the offense lays an egg against Virginia, Texas or Utah, then it could be a long season, but I don't see that happening. Also, Anae has full control and authority on the offense, that was not the case with Doman...or with Anae 1.0. It's a new world this year guys.