I think it best to trust Vegas here. I’m similar to my big brother and I’ll say SMU 30 BYU 27. I thought our team looked a little slow, and I suspect SMU to be super fast. I think they will load the box and dare us to pass. Our offense will do ok, but I doubt our defense can slow them down much.
After this week, we are at Wyoming, who just got smashed by ASU last week. That should be a BYU win. Then it gets real tough with B-12 teams starting with K State.
I like our Defense a lot. We have the DBs, The linebackers are improved. Nv. kept their run game in check. Is BYU as good on D as Nev? that is the question. If we can keep their run game manageable, BYU can beat these guys.
But we are at their place. The spread is now dropped to 10 points, as I pointed out would happen. SMU has a smokin Offense so maybe this game is in the 30s but BYU should be close.
I do like your prediction, Craig
I get all the logic - keep all the insight coming y’all.
Now to my prediction - btw, I was pretty close last week.
Got to go with BYU 37-34. in overtime.
Retzlaff comes down to earth. He resorts back to adrenal junkie - and just plain gets too excited and can’t settle down and remember all his Beck training. Has 2 interceptions, one fumble and 2 TDs. Bohanon comes in late third quarter with BYU 6 points behind, rallies to tie the game with 35 seconds in game and BYU wins in overtime with a TD vs a FG. And Craig James cries. Love it!
DEFENSE wins this game stopping SMU after offensive turnovers.
PS I need Retzlaff to prove it against an above average team for me to be a believer. If he does, then he is not Riley Nelson 2.0, but still looks like Joey in a helmet. (How YOU doin?)
I’m going with 45-18 BYU. BYU will show the great improvement. SMU didn’t look so fast and good on offense last week. Short week and this gives BYU the edge.
Interesting how people soon forget some of our greats and the record they started out with.
Beck went 1-3 in his first four starts in 2003,
Sarkisian started 2-3 in 1995,
Zac Wilson went 1-2 in 2018
Steve Young went 1-2 in 1983 (which had Young throwing 6 interceptions against Georgia)
I think the difference (with the exception of Zac) is that these other QB’s had better QB coaches that could actually help the QB overcome some of their issues that first year.
Has I have stated previously, I do not have much confidence in how ARod coaches the QB’s, I think Jake did the right thing by working with Beck in the summer, and now having Bohanan as a mentor will help a lot.
The thing I remember about Sark first year was his attitude after losing to Utah, like it was not a big deal for the loss. I know a lot of fans were not happy with his behavior after the game.
Will Jake turn out to be like Sark or Beck? Not sure yet, but I am not going to judge him by the inept play calling the last four games last year by ARod either.
Sark and Beck. High bar.