FSU and Washington... Chalk Them Up As Losses?

Okay... maybe we don't want to be THAT negative and count our cougars out before they step onto the field...



BUT!!!!



How much of a shot do we really have?



Two simple facts come to mind:

- We beat Washington by 1 point two years ago, when they lost every single game, and when BYU had a great season. UW returns Locker, and should be a better team.

- Arguably the best BYU team in the past 15 years got blown out at home to a struggling FSU team last season. FSU returns Ponder, and should be a better team.



On top of all that... BYU will be in a rebuilding year, with a new QB and a new RB. Our defense may be improved... but BYU isn't traditionally a team that wins games with defense.



So realistically, do we have a chance? Statistically we do (anything can happen, and BYU always has a decent squad)... but realistically?

The way I see it: BYU only stands a chance in these games if they show up with the heart, passion, and PHYSICALITY that they showed in last season's opener against OU. Anything short of that will result in embarrassing losses, IMO.



PS - The same conclusions could be drawn if we assess the next :utard: and TCU games as well.

Italics wrote:
- We beat Washington by 1 point two years ago, when they lost every single game, and when BYU had a great season. UW returns Locker, and should be a better team.

We should be careful not to read too much into that 1 point win. Washington was playing with a lot of emotion that day. Two stories surrounded Washington that preseason.



1-Tyrone Willingham was on a very hot seat.

2-The first three games of the schedule were brutal (at Oregon, BYU, and Oklahoma) and if Washington was going win one of those first three it would be BYU, and if Washington did not win one of those first three Willingham would be gone.



BYU was also playing with the pressure of mass media focus on no road non-conference win since 2002.



Other facts about that season/game



1-Locker was injured later in the year. If he stayed healthy, Washington does not end the year winless.

2-We struggled with turnovers. There was one fumble close to the goal line taking away what would have been an 7 more points.



While all of this means NOTHING for 2010, I think we should not use the outcome of 2008 as an ominous sign for 2010.



However, I am not taking Washington lightly, but I am expecting a win--no matter who is in the backfield.



As for FSU, that will require the same emotion, effort, and execution as the OU game in 2009.

FSU = Likely loss



UW = Likely win



We're better in the secondary now, and all accounts would suggest that we've improved our defensive speed, so Locker's legs won't be as big of a factor.



We'll beat the Huskies. The Criminoles? Here's to hoping.

Mars wrote:


If you were to rank the teams we face next year, to me the top looks something like:



1. TCU

2. Florida State

3. Utah

4. Washington



I count TCU and FSU as probable losses in my mind, although there's always hope. We shocked Oklahoma last year, and that wasn't even a revenge game, where we typically excell under Bronco.



Washington, though, is no TCU. I actually think we'll be slightly favored to win that game. Think of the difference between playing UCLA in a PAC-10 stadium with PAC-10 referees... and playing them in Provo. We have a strong home field advantage. Home ref advantage can't hurt too much either against those guys.



Besides that, Washington is a dangerous team that can beat anyone, but much more so in their home state than away from it. I'm not even sure they'll win 7 games this season, while we just may be good enough to rack up 10+ for the 4th year in a row.

Seconded. I see us going 1-3 in those games, with Washington being the most likely victory. 2-2 wouldn't surprise me, but getting three of them would.



I also don't see us going worse than 7-1 in the other eight games.

I don't chalk anything up as a loss until that final whistle blows ;)

Schmoe wrote:
I don't chalk anything up as a loss until that final whistle blows ;)

A man after my own heart. I can never conceed a loss! Hand me those blue goggles because I'm gonna wear'em with pride!!!! 8) :crazy:



btw. "The Criminoles? Here's to hoping." now that is funny!!!!!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: