BYU lost that game because we could not rush the ball vs. ASU
That’s one reason. We couldn’t stop Skattabo in the first half is another reason. Why did it take a full half to figure out how to. We should have prepared for that rather than stopping their QB.
No I wasn’t being nice. I can see how you could think that. I believed what I wrote. I tend not to get too giddy or too down about the team or QB.
There is all kinds of parity in college football right now and even the SEC only has a single one loss team. Frankly the Big Ten looks like it has the 2 best teams in the country right now, Oregon and Ohio St. Penn State is very good as well. The SEC top to bottom is better but the Big 10 is better at the top in my opinion. The problem with the Big 12 is there is no marquee team right now. Just a bunch of good teams and the possibility that the bottom team can beat the top team and it wouldn’t be a monumental upset. I think the ACC and the Big 12 are about equal. No really great teams but lots of good ones. I don’t think Boise is that good. They are top 20 but they have struggled in a lot of their conference games against real weak opposition.
That probably sounds like a lot of Kamala Harris word salad talk but I was just trying to say that I recognize BYU is not good enough for me to get too upset when they lose and I have to recognize that they are good enough to beat anybody in the conference and most teams in the country. Retzlaff has generally been good but we would like to see him eliminate the costly mistakes and stay in rhythm for an entire game.
I was encouraged by the comeback and the fact that BYU was in it at the end with a chance to win. If we are lucky enough to get a rematch I like our chances.
ASU is good but definitely beatable.
1% mark it down-not going to happen
I think if you went back and asked for season predictions about BYU’s season you would find very few that thought they would get 9 wins and in all likelihood, they will probably get 10 before the BIG12 championship or a bowl game. Everyone has their theories, likes or dislikes and they are all probably partially right and wrong. Easy to blame the OC, DC, or Coach. I really don’t know all the answers, other than they have always been short on talent compared to SEC teams or BIG10 teams. However, they are progressing in the talent department. I will say, that their 2 losses have come about by failing to execute by the offense at critical junctures and mistakes made by the QB. The defense hasn’t been perfect, but very good. You could get a feel for the ASU game, by the difficulty BYU had running the ball. You can control a lot of relative happenings, by running the ball and managing the clock. Close and exciting game but this was the game of the year for ASU and they made the game deciding plays.
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I have several thoughts about the last several posts.
- Arod is not going to lose his job. No way it happens. If it didn’t happen after last season’s debacle it isn’t going to happen after this season ending meltdown. BYU was 9-0 and ranked #6 before falling off the cliff, something that shouldn’t surprise anyone who has watched them this season.
- BYU running game has a lot of issues, but all were fixable and controllable. The running game has worked this season several times. When it is working you use it. Unfortunately the OC can’t help himself and has to use trickery and long pass plays to feel good about his play calls. He isn’t that interested in winning unless it involves trick plays or funky, long passes called at strange junctures in the game.
- Aro is right, there is parity in college football and that has actually helped BYU, but not enough to get them over the hump of actually being a viable contender.
- BYU is adept at wasting talent. We have seen it over the course of many seasons. It has caused some players to leave, particularly tight ends. We ask the obvious questions about game plans and play calling but they are never answered with any logic or reason.
- I think I have more thoughts but they have left on the last train. I guess everyone was hyped up seeing how much BYU accomplished this season but once again we are left wondering and frustrated because that potential wasn’t fully realized. If our season had mirrored the games they played, I would be okay. Start the season or game slow and then come on strong when it really matters. Unfortunately BYU did the opposite, they started the season strong and then fizzled at the end… in back to back seasons now.
That is the bane of being a BYU football fan.
Being a fan of BYU is seeing the team over achieve showing the naysayers we are better than dull disillusioned fans. It isn’t picking a part the weaknesses and then turning on their team.
I agree Arod won’t get fired for losing a couple of games to P4 competition no matter when it happens. Guess what? Other teams practice too. They want to win too. AP sees us #19 and for good reason. Will we get to the Big12 championship? Time will tell but I’ll be cheering my Cougars of BYU.
You are the typical unknowledgeable fan who roots for BYU because you are a member of the LDS church. Half the people in cougar stadium are in that same boat…
That is why you are content with the status quo… lots of potential but never actually realizing it or being able to get past the good but not great team acceptance.
I root for them for the same reason because I think it reflects on something I believe. I should be content with all of it as well but I can’t help wanting to see them get better, just like I try to do as a member of the church… wanting to get better but knowing deep inside that I can’t.
Status quo would be 5-7. We are 9-2. So, nice try but lack of understanding was your mistake. I am a 1980 graduate of BYU. I went to every football game for 4 years. Missed only one basketball game when my wife’s water broke. Not because I’m a member of the Church like you. Why you went that direction who knows.
I told you what the status quo was within the words of my post. In that context it has nothing to do with their record and everything to do with lots of potential but never actually realizing it or being able to get past the good but not great team acceptance. There, I said it for you again.
Also, you are a member of the church because you went to BYU and found truth. You follow the team because you went to BYU but you also became a member of the church so you follow for both reasons. We both know that the majority of BYU fans follow the teams because of their church membership, not because they love and understand the games they are watching. Having said that I am not saying there is anything wrong with it. In fact, I love it. It helps create the identity and uniqueness of what BYU is. Please be clear on that and don’t twist what I just posted so you can start an argument. 
You can say it all you want but in my observation they have reached their potential for this year. Teams like ASU, Colorado, ISU have also done so. Whether it’s good enough for any of those teams compared to the other leagues and Notre Dame will be seen at a future game. Which of the 4 teams will, don’t know. But no reason to rain on their parades including BYU’s. Great year. More to come.
That’s just dumb. I follow BYU because I’m an alumni of BYU and I’m true to my school. Being a member of the Church has nothing to do with it. Anymore than brother Thompson is our Ward is a Boise St. fan because he went there and lived near Boise while at Mountain Home, Idaho. You really think all members of the Church are BYU fans? LOL! 
I am member of the church and “wanted” to go to BYU (long story about computer mishap), but that is not why I became a fan.
I started watching because one of my mission buddies played for BYU (Bart Oates), then I started liking the “style” of offense Lavell had and well, the bug bite me, and I became a fan.
But what you say is true:
How many Freshmen QB’s have BYU developed in the ARod era? Then ask how many of those players have transferred?
Before Scott says anything, Both Wilson and Hall were recruited by Mendenhall.
How many tight ends have come and gone?
How many Offensive Lineman have come and transferred?
Some say it “execution” of the play, which is partial true, but the fact that they call three running plays in a row is caused by the OC not execution.
Then you have the issue of the Front line that does not block well enough to either have a pass tipped or deflected, but also allow pressure on Jake.
How many games did we “barely” win by pulling a rabbit out of our hat? Well, the hat is now empty.
I found this article that pretty much agrees with your assessment of the team right now.
This stood out to me:
They haven’t been the same team since, for whatever reason, on both sides of the ball, and even special teams has slipped a bit (notwithstanding Keelan Marion’s kickoff return and Will Ferrin’s game-winning field goal against the Utes).
There have been dropped passes, poor play calls, subpar blocking and inaccurate passes on offense, and shoddy tackling, blown coverages and general lack of stoutness on defense. And, of course, a couple of fluky plays, such as the quick punt glancing off Evan Johnson’s helmet against Kansas and the squib kick deflecting off Talan Alfrey in Tempe.
On offense, a strong rushing attack is a quarterback’s best friend and can cover up a lot of deficiencies, as ASU showed Saturday. The Sun Devils averaged only 3.5 yards per carry, but they controlled the clock with Cam Skattebo (28 carries, 147 yards, 3 touchdowns) to take some pressure off redshirt freshman QB Sam Leavitt.
BYU football: Can No. 19 Cougars regain their pre-November form? – Deseret News
Careful Floyd, someone might call you out for speaking the truth and being honest. I have been to lots and lots of BYU games in many places both home and away. My observation is that a large percentage of the fans that attend those games are there because BYU is the representative team of the LDS church. I’m not criticizing that fact, I actually said I like it because it is representative of the institution, the religion and other things.
Not sure why the Hopper can’t agree with that but disagreeing and arguing are his strong suits so he has to stick with it.
I read that same article and saw it exactly like you did.
I am one that doesn’t care how we win as long as we win and in some cases have a shot against a supposedly better team. The 1984 national championship team pulled a few rabbits out of the hat with some spectacular plays and last minute heroics. I’m not sure we will ever be the team that blows out other P4 teams, especially in the Big12. We will still miss out on some great recruits because of our honor code and religion. Same goes with coaches. So, be prepared to win close games every year that we have left on the earth and can enjoy sports.
Just so you know, Jim accused me specifically of being a BYU fan because I’m a member of the Church. Before I came to BYU from Southern California, I was a football fan of USC and a basketball fan of UCLA. Go figure. To say all members are BYU fans and have to be because of the Church is simple wrong and inaccurate.
I do specifically remember having a discussion with you about BYU being the “Lord’s University”, which backs up what Jim is saying, at least about you.
There is nothing wrong with LDS members being fans of BYU in my opinion. What is my problem with these fans is that they don’t understand the logic when explained to them about how the team is performing. Jim, Fish, Tom, Aro, etc. all have explained their point of view very rationally and logically. I don’t agree with “everything” they are saying, but it makes logical sense of where they are coming from.
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Nice try. Ridiculous come back. Are you able to separate sports and religion? Apparently not. It is the Lord’s university and the brethren have been clear. You can go to other universities. You can vote for communist Harris. Enough said.
Please actual proof the “brethren” ever said or even insinuated that BYU is the Lord’s University? I would like to see you back this up.
BYU is supported by the church as is BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii and Ensign.
So are they the “Lord’s University” as well?
I am not the one that cannot seperate Religion and sports…
I said clearly members can and are fans of teams other than BYU. Jim said if I’m a member that’s why I support BYU teams. I don’t care who you support. Now you just make a fool out of yourself.