scott715 wrote:
Blue Ribbon Preview-MWC
http://www.mwcconnection.com/2010/7/13/1567636/blue-ribbon-previews-the-mountain#storyjump
Blue Ribbons Analysis on BYU:
BYU has finished no lower than third in the MWC under Mendenhall and has won 11 games three of the last four years. One would think having to replace players like Hall, Pitta, Unga, Jorgensen and Clawson that the Cougars might stumble.
Maybe, but all indications are BYU will be fine. Much of this will depend on quarterback play, but as long as the offensive line remains healthy, there are enough weapons around whoever plays quarterback to let them ease into the transition.
I don't get why everybody in sports media is so down on BYU this year, and wondering if Bronco Mendenhall really can just reload a team or not. 2007 just called and wonders why you have forgotten so soon. We had to replace Beck, Harline, Coats, Brown, Meikle, and Zac Collie on offense, and Jensen, Wagner, Robinson, and Paongo on defense. That's the #2 all-time passer, the #1 all-time rusher, two excellent tight ends, the heart and soul of our LBs, and left us with a lot of young guys on the DL. This year, it's very similar: we lose the #2 all-time passer, the #1 all-time rusher, two excellent tight ends, most of our starting LBs, and we have a lot of inexperience at DL. In 2007, we won the conference and went 11-2. In 2010, we have a much more stable situation in terms of our coaching and schemes and a lot more talent coming in or coming back. I see no reason we don't reload and keep rolling. Here's how I see our schedule:
Washington: no way they beat us at home. I just don't think they're good enough yet to pose that kind of challenge at home. WIN.
@Air Force: Bronco has never lost to Air Force as a head coach. And he's never scored less than 31 points against them. A well-disciplined defense with fast linebackers like we should have should never give up that many points to them. I see no reason they'll be able to beat us. WIN.
@Florida State: This is going to be rough. Ponder destroyed us last year. Now we're at their place. In September. It's going to be hot, humid, and nasty. Our best hope is that we learn our lesson from last year, and that the coaching change sets them back a bit. Or that they continue to be a Jekyll-Hyde team like last year and we get the version that lost to Jacksonville State. LOSS.
Nevada: We get them at home. They have to rebuild their defense. WIN.
@Utah State: They are Utah State. WIN.
San Diego State: We are at home, and I don't think they will have turned the corner with their football program yet - if they ever do. WIN.
@TCU: The losses on defense notwithstanding, this game scares me. It's at their place, and they have owned us on both sides of the ball in the last two years. Our best hope here is that we can change things up enough to make them uncomfortable (i.e., maybe throw at least ONE screen pass this year to throw off the blitz? Please?) and make them play outside their game plan. It would be hard to expect the sheer level of awesomeness we got from Beck in '06 from our QB, whoever he is, at this point. LOSS.
Wyoming: Wyoming has been outscored 99-7 in their last two trips to Provo. And that 7 was against the 2's on defense. WIN.
UNLV: We're at home, and Gary Crowton is no longer coaching us. WIN.
@Colorado State: Steve Fairchild has yet to demonstrate his team can play on the same level as Bronco's BYU teams. WIN.
New Mexico: Maybe New Mexico can turn things around from 1-11 and win some games. This game in November in Provo won't be one of them. WIN.
@Utah: With Utah's losses on all sides of the ball, I think they have more to replace than we do. And they aren't due for a really good team that's capable of beating us until 2012. ;) Really though, while the Utes have shown they can put it together one year out of four, they haven't been nearly as consistent as BYU. Plus, I think this is the year we finally get up for the game and give them a proper send off to the PAC-0, in blowout fashion. WIN.
Bowl: By this time, all our inexperience should be long gone, on offense and defense. WIN.
Summary: 11-2, nationally ranked. Same song, next verse. :evil:
http://www.deseretnews.com/photos/midres/2161638.jpg" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%"> Wynn lost a tooth in this game, and Pendleton is going to put him in dentures after 2010. Deal with it frutes.