B
byutx2010 is going to surprise a lot of people.
(Couple quick notes: today I am feeling a little blue-goggled; also some of these thoughts are inspired by a few conversations I've had with McGregor over the last couple weeks; props to him for his insight.)
In 2007, everyone was worried about a major drop off from the 2006 team. However, a lot of talented yet unexperienced guys stepped up to make 2007 a good season. Many have pointed to this as proof that it can be done, while others have scoffed at the notion. The way I see, 2010 is different for 2 reasons. First, the unexperienced talent coming in is in most respects superior to that of 2007. Second, our schedule is much more difficult in 2010.
Overall, I expect us to be better than we were in 2007, though we may end up with a loss or two more.
Our defense will be far less vulnerable to the pass than their 2007 counterparts. If the regularly rotating guys in the front seven can just be average, we will be much better. However, I expect our DL to be BETTER than that 07 team and, by the end of the season, they will be our best DLine in years. The big question will be our inside linebackers. They need just be average and we will be better defensively in 2010 than in 2009, let alone 2007.
Our offense will be better than the 2007 O. Our TE group will be better than the 07 group (which, aside from maybe So'oto, was a great group). Our receivers are head and shoulders better than in 07, even with AC. Our OL is better and deeper than maybe any time this decade. There are obviously big questions at RB and QB. It would be hard for someone to step in and replicate Harvey's and Max's 07 performances. But, if our RB's can just be average for BYU and if Quezada or one of the other big body RB's can just properly execute, we will be sufficient. With regard to QB's, I think Heaps will be the guy. I think he'll have a Hall in 07-like season.
I think we finish 11-2 with another Vegas bowl win. We have 6 opponents that are all but guaranteed W's: @USU, SDSU, Wyo, UNLV, @ CSU, UNM. Another 2 games are likely W's: @ AFA, Nevada. (For my take on AFA, see this thread: http://cougarcorner.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4079). That brings us to the other 4 games: 2 against teams that are superior to us (@TCU, @FSU) and 2 where we will be the better team (UW, @Utah). We will beat UW in a great game and spank Utah @ RES, finally giving them the beatdown they've been due for a long, long time. The TCU and FSU games will be closer than last year's games. Mostly because neither team will dedicate multiple weeks to prepare for us and because we will be much, much faster on D and at every offensive skill position. Plus, this year FSU plays @OU the week before our showdown.
We will win our bowl game and finish 11-2. As with UCLA in 2007, our bowl will feature a Pac-10 rematch, this time against UW. Jake Heaps will become even more hated by Huskies fans having beaten his hometown team. Again.
(Couple quick notes: today I am feeling a little blue-goggled; also some of these thoughts are inspired by a few conversations I've had with McGregor over the last couple weeks; props to him for his insight.)
In 2007, everyone was worried about a major drop off from the 2006 team. However, a lot of talented yet unexperienced guys stepped up to make 2007 a good season. Many have pointed to this as proof that it can be done, while others have scoffed at the notion. The way I see, 2010 is different for 2 reasons. First, the unexperienced talent coming in is in most respects superior to that of 2007. Second, our schedule is much more difficult in 2010.
Overall, I expect us to be better than we were in 2007, though we may end up with a loss or two more.
Our defense will be far less vulnerable to the pass than their 2007 counterparts. If the regularly rotating guys in the front seven can just be average, we will be much better. However, I expect our DL to be BETTER than that 07 team and, by the end of the season, they will be our best DLine in years. The big question will be our inside linebackers. They need just be average and we will be better defensively in 2010 than in 2009, let alone 2007.
Our offense will be better than the 2007 O. Our TE group will be better than the 07 group (which, aside from maybe So'oto, was a great group). Our receivers are head and shoulders better than in 07, even with AC. Our OL is better and deeper than maybe any time this decade. There are obviously big questions at RB and QB. It would be hard for someone to step in and replicate Harvey's and Max's 07 performances. But, if our RB's can just be average for BYU and if Quezada or one of the other big body RB's can just properly execute, we will be sufficient. With regard to QB's, I think Heaps will be the guy. I think he'll have a Hall in 07-like season.
I think we finish 11-2 with another Vegas bowl win. We have 6 opponents that are all but guaranteed W's: @USU, SDSU, Wyo, UNLV, @ CSU, UNM. Another 2 games are likely W's: @ AFA, Nevada. (For my take on AFA, see this thread: http://cougarcorner.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4079). That brings us to the other 4 games: 2 against teams that are superior to us (@TCU, @FSU) and 2 where we will be the better team (UW, @Utah). We will beat UW in a great game and spank Utah @ RES, finally giving them the beatdown they've been due for a long, long time. The TCU and FSU games will be closer than last year's games. Mostly because neither team will dedicate multiple weeks to prepare for us and because we will be much, much faster on D and at every offensive skill position. Plus, this year FSU plays @OU the week before our showdown.
We will win our bowl game and finish 11-2. As with UCLA in 2007, our bowl will feature a Pac-10 rematch, this time against UW. Jake Heaps will become even more hated by Huskies fans having beaten his hometown team. Again.