Retzlaff #8 Deseret News
“,he’s rated so low, though, is because of his passing numbers from the Cougars’ final five games last season. He threw two touchdowns to five interceptions over that stretch to end the year and twice completed under 50% of his passes.” YIKES!
And that’s from the cheerleader newpaper.
And that’s why I only have only 60% confidence in Retzlaff - but up from 40% last year.
Like Fernek and I (and some others) said last year, he will win BYU some games but definitely cost BYU a couple of games - ala Kansas and ASU.
Oh well, I am happy to be wrong. Has that happened yet?
PS Abysmal last 4 games first season, last 5 conf. games 2nd season. Seeing a pattern here.
Let’s hope they can get the Bear and Tiger show going by game 7!
Teams know your offense by the end of the season, there is so much tape, really good teams hold onto plays just for that one game. Whitt used BYU’s offense against us for years and beat BYU even when they were down 4 TDs. Really good coaches always have tricks up their sleeves for that big moment.
Having said that, Retzlaff will be a year older, knows he doesn’t have to win games with all the talent on the team, just manage that talent. I expect him to shine this year.
Yes. I hope you are correct. Part of the reason I remain skeptical is as I went through the write-up of each Big12 qb, there were way too many (like 9 or 10) that had much better stats than Retzlaff especially TD to TOs. Most of all the other qbs will be a year older too so “comparative improvement” based on added experience cancels out for the most part.
I have no stats to back it up, but Jake benefited from defense produced short field I’m guessing more than the other qbs.
I will give Jake this, he is a gunslinger and has that mentality. I hope he can even halve his “lost his mind” / forced mistakes - I’d take that.
Here’s to me being wrong and he just slays it.
Just watched The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, so fun quote to Tuco: "You see, in this world, there are two kinds of people, my friend: those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig.”
Phil Steele says BYU’s Retzlaff is #13 in the big 12.
OK, fine, If Retzlaff plays, BYU is a contender. I had him #3 in the big 12 last year and BTW, what am I missing? BYU lost its 2 games by a total of 7 points and yes, BYU had 2 miracle wins but then I say that BYU should not of lost the two games they lost. Finished ranked #15, any other team in D1 would retain that same ranking going into the next year. BYU top 3 in the big 12 on my board.
I have never thought JR was better than just an average D1 QB. His stats back that up.
At the end of the day he has just never been accurate. That said, he improved his completion % from an absolutely abysmal 50% in 2023 to a very pedestrian 57% last year–a nice jump.
JR 2024:
Completion percentage: 97th of 118 qualifying D1 QBs
Passing Efficiency: 60th of 118.
If he takes a similar jump this year and gets to about a 62% completion rate, he will be top 50, and that’s good. In JR’s defense, Arod very rarely used our backs and TEs in the passing game last year. I think it’s possible that JR could take another step forward and be a top 50 QB this year–and if he does, I think BYU is a top 10 team. 2025 BYU with an average QB will be a good team. 2025 BYU with a good QB will be a great team. 2025 BYU with elite QB play is a final 4 contender.
I also think it’s possible that JR won’t play at all or won’t be able to get his head out of the lawsuit business. If the allegations are true, it’s awful. Even if the rape didn’t happen but it was consensual, maybe BYU kicks him out of school anyway. If the allegations are false, it’s awful for other reasons. Either way it’s awful and a lot for a kid to process.
I don’t think BYU is going to chance kicking him out at this point. JR obviously says that he did not have sex with the girl or he’d be gone by now, even before the lawsuit was brought. By kicking him out they would have to say on the stand that JR admitted to having sex. And, JR’s attorneys would love to sue BYU for doing that. So, BYU is caught in a pickle if it were true.
I have no information at all on the JR situation. I have very good contacts in the athletic department but I would never ask about the JR situation because I don’t ask questions my guys shouldn’t answer. I just hope what she alleges isn’t true.
For purposes on the field, I’m not a big JR fan anyway. I just think he’s average, period. Bachmeier is faster, has a better arm, and can’t possibly be less accurate. But he’s a freshman and has to earn his reps.
