Week 2 Preview: BYU vs Utah

BYU and Utah both started the season off with wins and enter this week's holy war looking to prove that the best is yet to come. Intrigue abounds (even more than usual) for the biggest game in the state this season as Kalani Sitake makes his return to the hill, and squares of against his mentor Kyle Whittingham, who of course is a disciple of legendary BYU coach Lavell Edwards.

What's on the line

For BYU this game is big. The Cougars haven't beat Utah in quite some time and would love to do nothing more than come out on top of the holy war for a change. Kalani Sitake and company also need to seize this opportunity to beat another P5 opponent in their quest to prove they belong with the big boys.

For Utah this game is significant if for no other reason than a win would continue their dominance in the rivalry and possibly give them a boost in in-state recruiting. Most Utah fans would like to think that this game doesn't mean much to their team anymore, but they are kidding themselves.

Who has the Edge? 

BYU's Offense vs. Utah's Defense
In week one BYU didn't struggle moving the ball, but scoring was another story. Utah's defense had a strong showing against SUU in week one as they limited the T-Birds to 0 points. Utah's defense showed that despite losing several key players from last season, they are still a force to be reckoned with. The tip of the hat goes to Utah's defense in this match up.

Utah's offense vs. BYU's Defense
There are a lot of questions surrounding Utah's offense this s year, and Thursdays underwhelming 24 points against an FCS team didn't do much to answer them. Meanwhile BYU held Arizona's potent offense to only 16 points. BYU had the edge on this match up.


Special teams
Both teams have solid punters, and Utah's place kicker has been consistent. BYU's place kicking on the other hand had proven nothing other than a knack for the dramatic. The edge goes to Utah in this match up simply because we actually know what to expect from their guys.


The Bottom Line 
Both teams feature solid defense. I don't expect this to be a high scoring game by any stretch of the imagination. This game will most likely be yet another closely contested holy war.  Utah's offense will sputter and struggle to do much against BYU's stout defense.  Meanwhile BYU's offense should be able to do just enough to squeeze by in the end with the leadership and experience of senior QB Taysom Hill being the key factor.  BYU will come out on top, and finally break their losing streak to Utah.  The final score will be BYU 27 Utah 20, with the deciding touchdown coming late in the fourth quarter compliments Taysom Hill.

Week 1 Preview: BYU vs Arizona

 The 2016 Season kicks-off this Saturday night for the BYU Cougars when they square off against the Arizona Wildcats at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.  Both teams return impact players on both sides of the ball, yet both teams have questions surrounding their coaching staff.  Reports are that even though the game is in the Wildcats backyard, the stands of the neutral field will be near a 50-50 split, which promises a great atmosphere adding to what appears to be a great match-up between the Cougars and Wildcats. Both teams are coming off roller coaster 2015 seasons and are looking to prove to that they are capable of winning consistently. Starting the season off with a win would go a long way for both teams as they both face daunting 2016 schedules.

What's on the Line?

For BYU this will the first game under new head coach Kalani Sitake and his staff.  Fans and players alike are excited about the return of Sitake, Ty Detmer (OC) and others who once donned the white and blue as players, but nobody really knows if that excitement will translate into success on the field.  BYU's coaches and players have been tight lipped about schemes on both sides of the ball other than acknowledging that they will take snaps from under center and in the shotgun and that the defense will line up primarily in a 4-3 base (could they be any less descriptive?).  A win would only add fuel to the hype-fire that is currently burning brightly in Provo. A loss would certainly not be devastating, but could take some wind out of the Cougars independent sails.

For Arizona, Rich Rodriguez and company are seeking to maintain their fast paced and high powered spread offensive scheme, while establishing a new identity defensively under new coordinator Marcel Yates. There is no question that the Wildcats will score, but will they be able to keep their opponent from outscoring them (they gave up an average of nearly 36 points last year while averaging 37)? Inconsistency was the best word to describe Arizona last season. This year they would love to find a way to depend on something (anything). A win would be huge for Arizona. Their schedule in the PAC 12 will be grueling this year, so the Wildcats can't afford to drop any of their non-conference games this season.

Who has the Edge?

Offense vs. Defense
BYU's Offense has plenty of experience in every position except receiver, and even there they return 3 key contributors from 2015.  The big question here is will BYU's personnel fit Ty Detmer's new system?  Fifth year senior Taysom Hill will look to lead the Cougars to Detmer-esk success, but nothing has been proven yet. Detmer has promised that the Cougars will attempt to establish the run, so the return of Jamaal Williams, who will seek to become BYU's all-time rushing leader in 2016, along with a full stable of capable RBs certainly won't hurt their chances.

Arizona's Defense lost it's leader, Scooby Wright, from 2015 to the NFL draft. Even when Scooby was on the field for the Wildcats, they had a hard time keeping their opponents from scoring last season. New DC Marcel Yates (formally of Boise State) will try to sure things up on that side of the ball, but it won't be easy. Simply put Arizona hasn't been good defensively for a long time, and it will probably take a couple of year for Yates to turn the tables.

The Edge?
Even though we aren't totally sure what BYU's scheme will look like, they do have solid group of guys who have shown in the past that they can move the ball and score points. Arizona's defense in the past has also shown that they can allow any decent offense they face to move the ball and score. The edge of the BYU Offense Arizona Defense match up goes in BYU's favor.

Arizona's Offense and Rich-Rod have a reputation for going fast, and going hard. Once again the Wildcats will be lead by junior Anu Solomon who is more than capable of spreading the ball around to the various weapons surrounding him. They will likely rely heavily on the read option to keep BYU off balance. Nick Wilson, who rushed for 725 yards and 8 TDs last year will command the lions share Arizona's carries.

BYU's Defense returns several experienced players, but the loss of Bronson Kaufusi to the NFL is sure to be noticed. Under Bronco Mendenhall the Cougars operated in a 3-4 scheme, but with Kalani Sitake they will switch to a 4-3 scheme that will depend on man coverage and getting to the QB quick.  Historically BYU has struggled in man coverage but some close to the program think that the Cougars might finally have the athletes to cover speedy receivers, only time will tell.


The Edge?
Over the years BYU has showcased strong defenses, but nobody knows how the current personnel will fit into the new scheme. Given the fact that Arizona's offense as a whole remains as intact as a college football team can hope to stay from year to year, the edge goes to Rich-Rod and his high octane fast paced approach.

Special teams are a big question mark for both teams.  Neither team has a place kicker who has ever attempted a field goal in a college football game. BYU does return punter Johnny Linehan who averaged 42.7 yards per punt, and had a season long of 77 yards in 2015. Arizona doesn't have a punter on roster who has ever kicked in an FBS game.

The Edge?
The edge here (and it is a very slight edge) goes to BYU mainly because they have the only kicker or punter with any true experience on their roster.

 The Bottom Line
This game is a huge opportunity for both teams. I expect both sides to do well offensively, and struggle somewhat on defense. In the end I believe the biggest difference maker will be BYU's Taysom Hill, who has shown time and time again that when his team needs him, he can take over a game and lead them to victory. I have BYU winning in a tight one, 34-31.

What the Nation Doesn't Know about BYU's 2016 Football Team

As the 2016 college football season creeps closer and closer, many national experts have weighed in on how they think BYU will do against a difficult schedule.  Most predictions put the Cougars finishing the season with a record some where between 5-7 and 7-5. At first glance it really isn't hard to be less than optimistic about BYU this season. A completely new coaching staff with new schemes and nuances and perhaps the most difficult schedule in school history are seen largely as negatives against BYU's chances at anything much better than a winning percentage above 50%. My prediction of the BYU season is far more optimistic than most. Here is my completely blue goggled run down on why I believe BYU will far exceed the expectations of most of the experts.

New Coaching
It's true that Kalani Sitake has never been a head coach before.  It's true that offensive coordinator Ty Detmer has never coached in a college football game before. And, yes it's true that over all this new staff is quite inexperienced when it comes to coaching FBS football. But I believe that BYU's new coaching staff will turn out to be more of a positive than a negative on the outcome of BYU's 2016 season.

There is no secret that over the past at least two seasons (and possibly longer) a sense of staleness crept into the BYU football program under coach Bronco Mendenall and his staff.  Since athletic director Tom Holmoe announced the hiring of Kalani Sitake shortly after the end of the Las Vegas Bowl many have said that a tangible energy has been pumped into the football program. Cougar fans everywhere are excited to see Sitake and Detmer back in blue.

Perhaps the one of the most important members of this new staff is also one of the most unheralded ones, former SUU head coach Ed Lamb.  He is the only member of BYU's current staff with any experience as a head coach at any college level. In 8 years at SUU Lamb accumulated an overall record of 45-47, which might not seem all that impressive until you consider the circumstances under which he did it. In 2008 Lamb took over an NCAA Division 2 program at SUU that had been wallowing in mediocrity for decades.  Within four years Lamb elevated the Thunderbird football program to heights previously not imagined in Cedar City including a Great West Conference championship and even more importantly an invitation to move up to NCAA Division 1 FCS competition in the Big Sky Conference. Over the next four seasons Lamb led SUU to two FCS playoff appearances and their first ever Big Sky Conference championship. He accomplished all of this while competing against conference opponents whose budgets and facilities far exceeded SUU's. Indeed Ed Lamb has proven himself as high caliber coach with a reputation of being able to do more with less, which is exactly what BYU needs.

BYU's QB Situation
BYU finds itself in rare circumstances, boating two quarterbacks who have proven that they are winners at BYU in Senior Taysom Hill and Sophomore Tanner Mangum.  Last week Taysom Hill was named the starter, which came as no surprise to most of Cougar Nation.  Hill is an explosive athlete with elite speed and a nose for open space making him a dangerous and viable running threat that defenses must respect. He has shown improvement year by year as a passer, and many involved in fall camp have stated that he has yet again become more accurate and efficient this year. The only thing that stands between Taysom and a great senior year is the possibility of injury (he has had three season ending injuries at while at BYU).  It is true that it would be painful for BYU fans to watch Taysom go down to injury again, but at least Cougar Nation can take solace in the fact that if he does an elite and proven back up, Tanner Mangum, is waiting in the wings.A major injury to Taysom Hill doesn't necessarily derail the hopes and dreams of the BYU football team.

Experience
There may be a lack of experience on the coaching staff, but there will be no lack between the sidelines, as the Cougars return 15 starters (7 offense, 8 defense) in 2016. If that's not good enough for you, just wait, it gets better. 2 of the 15 returning starters won't be starters this year. Tanner Mangum (2015 starting QB) will stand as back up to 5th year (or 6th, or 7th year...whose counting anyway?) Senior Taysom Hill and last years starting running back will likely be listed after Jamaal Williams (who returns to the program after a 1 year hiatus) on the depth chart. So in reality BYU returns 17 starters which means at any given time up to 82% of the players on the field could have starting experience.

By no means do I think BYU will run the table in 2016, but I do think BYU will do better than many have predicted. There are some questions surrounding the team, but with the above mentioned factors, I believe that BYU just may have more answers than a lot of people are giving them credit for.

NBA and NFL Uniforms that NEED to Come Back

Uniforms have always been one of my favorite parts of sports. Over the years there have been some kits that were truly classic but that were abandoned for whatever reason. Here is my list of uniforms that have gone the way of dinosaurs, but need to come back.

NBA

One of the only Bucks uniforms that anybody has ever liked.  You have to admit that Ray Allen's Three pointers never looked any smoother than when he was sporting these threads.

The Vancouver Grizzlies never were good, but at least they looked good.  The designers of their uniforms found a way to use nearly every square inch of the jersey and shorts.  These uniforms served as a beautiful distraction from the team's play on the floor.

Is it just me, or were the 90s not the golden era of busy NBA uniforms? Even in the midst of all of the pinstripes and crazy color schemes the Heat managed to keep it simple, which I loved! The 3D numbering on these uniforms is what put them over the top.

Several NBA teams tried out pinstripes in the 90s, but it really only worked for one, the Orlando Magic.  It didn't matter if they wore white, blue, or black the Magic always had one of the freshest looks in the association.

The Nuggets are probably the only team that can claim every color of the rainbow as their own, literally.  Denver was never really a contender during their years in these uniforms, but there was just something right about Dikembe Mutombo with a rainbow across his chest.

The Pacers were one of the first to go wild with their look in the 90s, and boy did they do it well. Those right side panels...truly a thing of beauty.

These are the only NBA uniform to ever feature a dinosaur...so they pretty much have to be on this list, right?

In my opinion the Suns sunburst uniform is one of the best uniforms of all time. Just a magnificent use of orange purple and black.

This is the only 70s era uniform that made my NBA list. Bright green. Bright yellow. One of the most iconic basketball logos of all time. Put them all together and you get one inedible uniform. The Jazz should wear these more often.

NFL

Nobody told the Bengals they had to put tiger stripes on their helmets, shoulders, and pants. I'm sure glad they did though.

The Buccaneers original uniforms are simply put, the best ugly uniform of all time. The shade of orange they used...is it just me, or does it look like Denver Broncos uniforms that have been washed a few too many times? 

The Broncos use of orange in the 80s and early 90s was truly the best the color has ever seen. Those jerseys matched with royal blue helmets and trim made for one of the best looking uniforms of all time.

The Rams helmets have always had some of the NFL's best threads, no matter what colors were featured. Yellow and blue with matching "horn" patterns on the shoulders take the cake though. What a classic look.

The NFL didn't go uniform crazy in the 90s the same way the NBA did. Still, the Patriots found a way to get in on the action. The stripes in the fabric were a nice touch to go along with the oversize logos on the shoulder pads. This truly was the NFL's best fad look ever.

How to win a #BYU 50 Box: True Advice from a True Winner

Wow! That was a whirl wind of a day, wasn't it? Tom Holmoe running around provo with a football helmet on. Burger eating contests. Drained phone batteries. A few winners. And a whole lot of broken dreams. All in the name of #BYU50.

If you are reading this, it's probably because you just can't quite get to sleep. If you had just done one or two things differently, you would have gotten that box and would be basking in the eternal glory of being a #BYU50 winner right now.

#BYU50 only comes once a year, so it's never too early to start planning your strategy for next time. As a former #BYU50 champion, I feel it my duty to guide you to victory so you can join me and all of the other illustrious winners in the #BYU50 circle of champions. Let's begin.

Step 1: Preparation 
You really can't be too exhaustive here. The #BYU50 competition is one of the most diverse and demanding challenges known to man. You need to be prepared to sprint at full speed, down hamburgers in 2 bites, and drive a golf ball like a pro if you even want a chance on game day. Here are some tips sure to make you one of the elite:

• Extra phone batteries. With how much you'll be refreshing your twitter feed you will be sure to burn through full charges like wildfire. You'll need a minimum of 11 batteries to make sure you get through the day. 
• Hone in on every possible skill now. I'm not kidding. You have to be an expert at literally every conceivable way that two people could compete with each other. Badminton, ballroom dancing, limbo. You name it, you could be asked to do it. 
• You'll need to know your area like the back of your hand. The box could be dropped anyplace. You must be able to recognize every park pavilion, every store front, every obscure landmark in a 30 mile radius at the drop off a hat if you even want to think about winning. 
• Gas up your car and scope out the most central location for potential "drop spots" in the area you are aiming to win in. I'd also suggest you invest in a good cooler full of drinks (caffeinated), snacks, and well balanced meals. It could be a long day. 

Step 2: Game Day

• #BYU50 day starts early, make sure you get a good nights sleep so you can deliver at peak performance. Also, carb-loading is never a bad idea. 
• Arrive at your central location no later than 7am. The early bird gets the worm, or as I like to put it, the early Cougar gets the box. 
• Where ever you park, do not turn your motor off or even put the car in park. Time is everything and you cannot afford to waste any of it. Dreams are made and broken by hundredths of seconds. Don't be a victim, be a champion! 
• Refresh your twitter feed as often as humanly possible. This might drive your data overage charges through the roof, but winning isn't free. Are you willing to pay the price?
• Be ready to move when the time comes. Peddle to the metal my friend. "Eat my rubber! Burn shorts! Right Rusty?"
• Laser focus is a must once you get there. Sprint to the finish and complete all tasks just like you did in your training. You are almost there! 

Step 3: Win 

If you follow every step of advice listed above you are sure to win. So what are you waiting for? Get to it! I'll see you in the winners circle. 

BYU & the Big XII: From the Perspective of a True Outsider

Recently the Big XII conference announced that they would consider expanding the conference to 12 or 14 members as soon as 2017. Among those rumored to be under consideration are Houston, Cincinnati, UConn, Memphis, Colorado State, and of course BYU. In the days following the conference's announcement there has been oodles of speculation about who will get let in, who will be left out, or if the Big XII will even expand at all. 

To most, BYU seems like the front runner in nearly every way except geography. The Cougars have a strong football tradition which includes a national championship, a Heisman Trophy winner (who just so happens to be BYU's current offensive coordinator), and multiple other prestigious individual awards. BYU also boasts strong men's and women's basketball and Olympic sports. All of this along with the fact that BYU does have a national following adds up to make the Cougars at the very least a strong candidate should the Big XII choose to expand. 

Inclusion in a power 5 conference, of course, has been the proverbial unicorn that Cougar faithful have sought since they be came an FBS independent in football and joined the WCC for all other sports in 2010, the very same year BYU's arch rival Utah was invited to the PAC 12. BYU's independence in football, as intended, makes them an attractive candidate for the Big XII because they will be immediately available without having to pay an exit fee from another conference. Independence in football also makes BYU a possibility to add as a football only member with the rest of their sports remaining in the WCC, though this would be less than ideal for the Cougars. 

From a statistical standpoint, BYU's numbers are better nearly across the board than any other G5 candidate. If you don't belive me check out byutobig12.com for an extensive analysis. 

With all of this put together it's clear that Tom Holmoe has put BYU in a great position by making them the strongest and most easily accessible potential candidate for Big XII expansion. Indeed it seems that BYU is a shoe in the event that the Big XII does send out invitations.

Top Ten Players of the Bronco Mendenhall Era at BYU

At this time of year where real football news is so sparse, it's fun to reflect on the highlights of yesteryear. This is my list of the top ten BYU football players during the Bronco Mendenhall era.  Feel free to comment with any players you think I missed. Let's get started:

#10. Jan Jorgensen

The Janimal was a four year starter at defensive end, and his career was truly electrifying. Jan's sophomore campaign was particularly exciting as he set MWC records for both sacks and tackles in a season. Even though he was not able to eclipse those marks in subsequent seasons Jorgensen was still a force to be reckoned with from start to finish at BYU. 

#9. Cody Hoffman

Cody Hoffman missed only two games in his four years at BYU and will go down as one of the most reliable sets of hands any BYU quarterback has ever had to throw to.  He finished his career as BYU's all time leader in all-purpose yards, games with 100+ receiving yards, career receiving yards, and career receiving touchdowns.  Cody caught a pass in every game where he stepped on the field for BYU.

#8. Max Hall

Max came to BYU as a relatively unknown player and left as the quarterback with the most wins in BYU history. As a three year starter he never missed a game, never had a season with fewer than 10 wins, and is the last Cougar QB to end his career with a winning record against Utah. 

#7. Bronson Kaufusi

If there was one D-line man during Bronco's tenure who had pro potential from day one it was Bronson Kaufusi. With the height and reach to swat passes, the strength to bull rush offensive tackles and the speed to chase down opposing quarterbacks and running backs Kaufusi seemed to always find a way to throw a wrench in opposing teams offensive game plan. With Kaufusi's talent and tools it's no wonder the Baltimore Ravens have been so high on him through rookie training camp. 

#6. Curtis Brown

Curtis Brown's career at BYU was one to be remembered.  As three year starter Brown finished his career with two 1,000 yard seasons and a career average of 5.0 yards per carry.  By the time his time in the Cougar backfield was finished he was BYU's all-time rushing yards leader and one of the most beloved to ever don the white and blue of BYU.

#5. Kyle Van Noy

Kyle Van Noy will go down as one of the best linebackers in Cougar history. A truly dangerous edge rusher with serious ball skills and a nose for the end zone (yes as a linebacker) it's no wonder he will go down as one of the biggest play-makers to ever line up on defense for  BYU. 

# 4. Harvey Unga

Harvey Unga was one of the most reliable running backs BYU has ever had line up in the backfield. He had the whole package. He had just enough speed, plenty of strength, steady hands, reliable receiving skills, good blocking and a nose for holes in the line. It's no wonder by the end of his junior season he already held every rushing record in the Cougars record book. There is no doubt if he had been able to stay at BYU for his senior season he would have put most of those records out of a reach for years to come. 

#3. Dennis Pitta

There is no doubt that Dennis Pitta was the best tight end of the Bronco Mendenhall era. He set the NCAA record for most career receiving yards by a tight end and will go down as one of the many greats to play tight end at BYU.

#2. John Beck

John Beck's career at BYU started off turbulently, but he sure made up for it in the end. Each season Beck set new career bests for passing yards, passing touchdowns, and QBR. He also managed to win every conference game his senior year. He capped his BYU career off with his incredible final play touchdown pass to Johnny Harline to beat Utah followed by walloping Oregon in the 2006 Las Vegas Bowl.

#1. Austin Collie

There is no question that Austin Collie was the best wide reciver BYU has ever had, period.  At the end of his junior season, his final at BYU,  he held BYU's all-time record in every meaningful receiving statistic.  Collie had speed, strength, hands stickier than pine tar, and great rout running making him the whole package. Cougar fans will never blame him for leaving early to the NFL, but they will always wonder what could have been if he stayed in Provo his senior season.