1 Stanford lost to Hawaii really because of poor clock management. Interim Frank Reich has been a NFL coach since 2017. He will have made massive changes since he has 2 weeks to prepare for BYU.
2 Bear-Tiger storylines: These two were supposed to be the heart and soul of Stanford football…Tiger was their top receiver and Bear is a program changer, he is that good. Now they wear BYU blue.
3 Their transfer QB, Ben Gulbranson, was putrid in the Hawaii game. If he continues to struggle, Stanford has two other good QBs (just like BYU) that can fill in and BYU will be scouting the other two because there will be QB changes if Ben continues to struggle. I’m saying that Ben will struggle vs. BYU and gets replaced by Elijah Brown after a couple of series. Ben is a 6 year grad transfer from Oregon St where he is 7-1 as a starter but he gives you only this year, Reich is hearing it from $upporters that if he is going to have a losing year, why not go with a young QB, makes sense.
BYU’s D should give Bear time and playing field advantages. BYU is an -18.5 point advantage. I say the spread will be more. give me 34-10.
I still don’t know about our defense backs. We will see more attempted passes in the field play against Stanford. PSU QB threw the ball away rather than making difficult passes. I’ll be watching for that.
If Bear is as good as you say he is, I’ll go 45-13.
our DBs may be the strength of the D after our LBers……so here’s a article written by the Stanford press. Their solution: run the ball. Duhhhhhh, their passing game was in the toilet vs. Hawaii. Once BYU stuffs the run, and we will, then what?
Roderick said something this week about Bear and his game:
“Perhaps the most interesting thing that Roderick said Tuesday about Bachmeier’s performance is that the freshman already has the green light to change plays and call audibles.
“Yeah, more (freedom) than I’ve ever (given) a freshman. We had a good number of check plays in the last game, and we have a bunch (ready) in this game, too. He’s handled them very well in practice,” Roderick said. “Typically you wouldn’t want to overwhelm a freshman with those, but he’s handled them so well in practice that we are just treating him like anybody else who has ever played quarterback for us.”
Me: This has never happened, 1st a true Fr. has never started for BYU. 2 Letting Bear audible on the 1st game???
Didn’t we all have a monster discussion last year about letting a Freshman (Retzlaff’ 1st year) make that goalline call that cost us a Win over Oklahoma. Jim’s never vs. Hopper’s, sure you always let them freestyle. Very clearly I was on the side that Retzlaff was far too volatile to be allowed an audible or to change a play….Somehow I think Bear is more then respectful of the team and not be selfish. not the vibe I got with Retzlaff). If you read the article about Bear’s youth and growing up in a millitary style upbringing, his stepdad was a colonel I think, it gives you the impression that Bear and his brothers all address adults as Sir and Mam. I have some neighbor kids like that and they just make be smile and proud. I hire them, been their YM leader for years.
I was sold on Bear really before we ever signed him, his Hulu videos showed me a D1 player that could make every throw and would Truck you if he ran. Back when we signed him and Retzlaff gone, I said, “this kid will become the starter”. He’s not a dumb jock, both he and Tiger went to Stanford to get an elite education and Bear is majoring in a very tough discipline. So no surprise when I heard he had the Play book memorized in two weeks. The Portland game proved it but one play stands out……Bear takes the hike, fakes a handoff to a streaking WO, then fakes a handoff to Martin headed left and finally hands the ball another WO (I know I’m messing this up badly ) but the play ran flawlessly. Bear has never hesitated once past the 1st series. It will be good to have a much tougher game on Saturday. I see the gradual difficulty of games as a huge blessing 1st was Portland, described as such a poor opponent that Bear would probably learn more from a in house scrimmage. Next an Athletic but underact hiver Stanford,ECU, COLO Etc. Once we hit the meat of the Big 12, Bear should be seasoned and ready for a Big moment on the national scene.
All right am I crazy, but the offensive line looks like it is really struggling to open up holes and protect and he isn’t running with purpose. It almost looks like he’s unsure of what he’s going to do. Honestly that’s how he looked against Portland as well every time he ran
The offense ineptitude will cost BYU a couple of games that should have been easy wins… or at least very winnable games. It happens every season and based on tonights game I am fairly confident it will happen this season. Does Kingston put butter on his hands before the game?
Why it is always up to the defense to win the games I just don’t understand. I have my ideas and I’ve spoken them before so I don’t need to say it anymore.
runs
this is embarrassing it’s like we’re back to the offense of 2023