2009 Opponent Previews: BYU

by ccmachine on Aug 23, 2009 11:54 PM CDT in Football

Offense: Quarterback Max Hall leads a returning cast of virtually no one. In skill position players the Cougars have running back Harvey Unga and tight end Dennis Pitta returning but that’s it. Bryan Kariya steps in this year at the other running back position while Luke Ashworth and the guy with two last names, O’Neill Chambers, will fill the voids at receiver.

Offense	Per Game	Rank
Scoring	34.2	20
Rushing	134.4	70
Passing	310.4	6
Total	444.8	16

Hall is certainly capable of distributing the ball to his supporting cast and Unga is a proven workhorse after averaging 4.7 yards per carry in 2008. The immediate concern for BYU, on offense, has to be along the line. Sophomore left Tackle Matt Reynolds is the only returning starter for the Cougars and he is currently recovering from surgery to repair a broken hand and is questionable for the start of the season. Starting left guard Jason Speredon is also gone for the season with a shoulder injury and reserve lineman Houston Reynolds (younger brother to Matt) suffered an ACL injury on his right knee and could be lost for the season as well.

Behind veteran leadership BYU scored at a pace of 34.2 points per game in 2008. With 310.4 of their 444.8 offensive yards per game coming through the air the key offensive positions, outside of quarterback, are receivers and linemen. Now they are faced with new personnel at receiver and a rash of injuries along the line. Things can still come together, offensively, for the Cougars because they are known for producing talent but it sure has been a rough start in Provo.

Defense: Defensively the Cougars were the exact opposite of their offensive teammates…initially. Where the offense only has four returning starters the defense is only minus three starters from last season’s squad that at one time went eleven consecutive quarters without surrendering any points. However, like the offense they Cougar defense is facing injuries at key positions. Starting cornerbacks Brandon Bradley (knee tendonitis) and Robbie Buckner (hamstring) have been limited in practice making way for a pair of JUCO transfers.

Defense	Per Game	Rank
Scoring	21.9	39
Rushing	140.3	60
Passing	215.6	74
Total	355.9	59

BYU runs a 3-4 defensive scheme and should be solid along the front seven. All three linemen are back from last season including defensive end Jan Jorgenson who led the team in sacks. Two of BYU’s four linebackers return from `08 and Matt Bauman is one of them. Last season Bauman led the team with 108 tackles.

Stacking up well against the run, it may be the passing game that gets to the Cougars. They only allowed 215.6 yards per game through the air last season but on several occasions they were burned on short passing routes which cost them dearly in losses to both TCU and Utah.

Outlook: If BYU is able to get their offense going they are as dangerous as just about anyone in the country. At times last season they looked like a legitimate Top 10 team, particularly after crushing UCLA 59-0 in Provo. The problem is that they seemed unable to handle the pressure of the big games. They lost to the top two teams in their conference and lost bad. Then they ended the season with a ten point loss to Arizona in the Las Vegas Bowl.

With a cast that includes 10 new starters the tendency to buckle under pressure may be gone but now the talent is unproven. With Oklahoma and Florida State as two of BYU’s first three opponents it may take a while for this team to get on their feet.

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Comments

That is your breakdown?

well I hope this represents the OU team and fans as a whole. BYU is loaded offensively. We have an excellent receiving corps and our 2 TE’s are NFL worthy to say the least. Also don’t forget the ability of Manase Tonga, he is back and is a wrecking machine in the backfield next to Unga. The O-line is a problem. On the defense our weakest spot (DB’s) have never had so many players with starting potential. They aren’t amazing but they are better than what we had before. I hope for a Utah like surprise but will be happy to keep it within 3 because our O-line is so diminished and injured. But your assesment is pretty WEAK.

by doctordoctor on Aug 24, 2009 1:55 PM CDT reply actions

Ahem,

you need to join Vanquish the Foe sir.

Vanquish the Foe, a BYU Cougars blog at SB Nation

by sroufe on Aug 24, 2009 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Trust me,

this does not represent the outlook of the fanbase as a whole. Most of us realize that BYU is a respectable and even potentially dangerous team (offensively, at least). I have some serious conerns- especially about that tight end. Pita might be most underrated TE in CFB.

Thanks for the info

by ern on Aug 24, 2009 2:16 PM CDT reply actions

Overall

an excellent analysis. For more information on BYU leading up to September 5th, you are all invited over to Vanquish the Foe. We’ll be providing some further in-depth analysis of the Cougars if you’re interested, and the OU game in particular.

Also, Tomahawk Nation posted two solid breakdowns of BYU as well:
BYU Offense
BYU Defense

I had a few comments regarding each preview (see the comments) but overall found them to be well-informed.

Vanquish the Foe, a BYU Cougars blog at SB Nation

by sroufe on Aug 24, 2009 4:25 PM CDT reply actions

I don't have any real issues

with the brief analysis provided on the BYU defense. The only thing I would add is that the secondary should be dramatically improved due to the additions of three JC-transfers: Lee Aguirre, Corby Eason and Brian Logan. Buckner and Bradley were both in pads at practice today so from a BYU outlook, hopefully their injuries are minor. Last season’s secondary was JC quality but this year’s should be MWC quality. Not saying they’ll stop OU’s passing game, just saying they should compete.

The offensive breakdown is a bit weaker however. It is true that Brian Kariya could start alongside Unga, but the return of FB Manase Tonga could change things. Tonga is a very valuable blocker and experience runner – especially in the red zone. He is an immediate boost to the Cougar offense. Also not mentioned was J.J. DiLuigi who should get a few carries against OU as well. DiLuigi is Unga’s backup and has had a phenomenal fall camp reportedly.

The biggest omission is WR McKay Jacobsen. He is the No. 1 receiver, replacing Austin Collie (drafted by the Indianapolis Colts). Jacobsen returned from an LDS mission a few months ago, but he has also had a terrific camp. He is a better kick and punt returner than Collie was. In fact, between Jacobsen and O’Neill Chambers this could be the best pair of returners at BYU in over a decade.

Vanquish the Foe, a BYU Cougars blog at SB Nation

by sroufe on Aug 24, 2009 4:44 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks for the added insight!

by ccmachine on Aug 24, 2009 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions

No problem

Thanks for the preview.

One more note: Luke Ashworth that you mentioned is the Cougars’ backup Z receiver (behind Jacobsen). Overall he’s probably Hall’s 8th or 9th option behind: Unga, Pitta, Jacobsen, Chambers, George, Tonga, and Hafoka.

Here’s the projected depth chart (scroll down for it) as of this past weekend.

Vanquish the Foe, a BYU Cougars blog at SB Nation

by sroufe on Aug 26, 2009 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Brief but fair.

What your analysis lacked in depth, it made up for it in objectivity—unlike the Florida State guy that “Vanquish the Foe” mentioned. It can’t be denied that BYU had their problems on defense last year, especially in the last half when injuries mounted up. But it is also true that they nearly recorded three consecutive shutouts earlier in the season. You also noted the pounding BYU gave UCLA. I know the Bruins struggled last season, but no one else came close to beating them 59-0 (and the scoring in that game was done midway through the third quarter). So you are spot on in recognizing that BYU has the potential to be dangerous. I appreciate the post.

by Cougar Passion on Aug 25, 2009 12:44 PM CDT reply actions