Wisconsin win turns out to be more significant than previously recognized

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Congratulations to the Cougars on the win. It also got BYU into a bowl game.

And by officially he means a month ago, because that 7-5 Wisconsin team that played in a bowl was already guaranteed to be first P5 team that finished with a winning record and lost to BYU.

It's actually a really worthwhile thing to point out. Just consider this. What would have happened this year if Zach had been named starter from the beginning. We all heard the coaches were considering that, just imagine what might have happened.



The one thing everyone pointed out about Tanner in the Wisconsin game was that "he did just enough to win."



Is it possible to believe that BYU would have won by a two touchdown margin if that were Zach's third game of the year?



Is it possible that Zach would have been able to engineer just one more drive of offense against Cal?



Is it also possible that Zach's running ability could have gotten a couple first downs in one of the opening two drives against Washington, thus changing the entire outcome of that game?



If Zach takes a bit of the load off of Squally, is it possible that Squally is not injured in game 4?



I know it is also just as possible that Zach could have gotten injured by being a starter and that BYU might actually have missed going to a bowl game if that had happened. You never know what could happen. But I think that productive offense makes our team less injury prone, not more injury prone.



Thus if Zach starts the year and is able to finish it, I think three important differences occur: 1. Zach finishes the final drive against Boise with a touchdown, 2. Zach figures out how to score 14 against NIU, 3. BYU beats Utah.



Rather that simply writing a fantasy here, I'm pointing this out because I think the Wisconsin game shows this is actually more likely to be the true character of this team with Zach at the helm next year. I hope that Kalani can improve his coaching and Grimes can improve his play calling at least as well as Zach can improve in his position. 2019 could be great.

2nd best moment of the season according to some.

Yzzazz wrote:

It's actually a really worthwhile thing to point out. Just consider this. What would have happened this year if Zach had been named starter from the beginning. We all heard the coaches were considering that, just imagine what might have happened.



The one thing everyone pointed out about Tanner in the Wisconsin game was that "he did just enough to win."



Is it possible to believe that BYU would have won by a two touchdown margin if that were Zach's third game of the year?

I think we probably lose both the Cal and Wisconsin games with Zach starting. I think we also lose the Washington game. But I think we beat Utah St, Boise St and Northern Illinois if he had more reps behind him. So we would have gone 3-2 in those games instead of 1-4. Then I think coaches probably have more faith in him for the 2nd half of the Utah game as well. So instead of going 1-5 in those games, we're 4-2. Which makes the season an 11-win campaign.

BYU road wins over 8 win or better P5 teams:



2018 Wisconsin

1997 ASU



That’s it.

What did Pitt finish at?

Mars wrote:

What did Pitt finish at?

Pitt ended up winning only 3 games in 84.

Meanwhile here are the road losses to 8 win or better P5s:



2018 Washington and Utah

2017 Mississippi St

2016 Utah

2015 UCLA and Michigan

2013 Wisconsin and Notre Dame

2012 Notre Dame

2011 Texas

2010 Florida State

2006 Boston College

2005 Notre Dame

2003 USC

1996 Washington

1993 UCLA

1991 UCLA and Penn State

1990 Oregon

1988 Miami

1986 Washington

1982 Georgia

1978 ASU

mormonrasta wrote:

Meanwhile here are the road losses to 8 win or better P5s:



2018 Washington and Utah

2017 Mississippi St

2016 Utah

2015 UCLA and Michigan

2013 Wisconsin and Notre Dame

2012 Notre Dame

2011 Texas

2010 Florida State

2006 Boston College

2005 Notre Dame

2003 USC

1996 Washington

1993 UCLA

1991 UCLA and Penn State

1990 Oregon

1988 Miami

1986 Washington

1982 Georgia

1978 ASU

The two biggest frustrating games in this list is 2012 against Notre Dame, if Riley could have gotten the ball even close to a wide open Hoffman, BYU wins, and the 2015 UCLA game, BYU absolutely dominated them and couldn't stop the run game in the 4th. I knew BYU would lose that game when they decided to play not to lose and kicked the field goal instead of being aggressive and trying for the touchdown. One of BYU's shortcomings.