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| BYU head coach Kalani Sitake isn't treating the game in Hawaii any different than the rest (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News) |
For the first time since 2004, the BYU Cougars won't go to a bowl game. That would make it tempting to treat this week's trip to Hawai'i like a bowl game. According to Head Coach Kalani Sitake and the players, this trip is business as usual.
"The goal is to go win the game," Sitake said. "This is a regular game. It's not a bowl game where there's a lot of time to have a lot of entertainment. We'll try to make the best of it as we're there and try to not have too much idle time. We'll have our regular practices on Thursday and Friday there."
Rightfully so. Coaches might be coaching for their jobs. While other schools have already started firing their head coaches, BYU has not announced any coaching changes. However, it is hard to imagine a scenario where multiple assistants don't lose their jobs. While a decision might have been made already about some coaches, the jury might still be deliberating on others. What happens in this game could make a difference in whether or not they are retained.
As for the players, they haven't done enough this season to say they merit any bonus site seeing. They also need to worry about positioning themselves for next season.
Offensive lineman Thomas Shoaf noted, "It's just another game. It's not a bowl game, it's just a regular season game and we're going there to win. Obviously, that's our priority."
Defensive lineman Corbin Kaufusi echoed the same sentiments, "I think it is definitely important; it’s a little springboard. If you can win this game, it sets us off on the right foot to get our minds right." He continued, "I know a lot of people think we will treat this like a bowl game and go have fun, but it’s actually quite the opposite. This is a legitimate thing, and this will be a game that will help us decide how we change in the offseason."
Having positive energy around the program is important for the offseason, and the Cougars really need a win for that. There is also the issue of sending the seniors out as winners.
"This upcoming game is really important," Tight end Matt Bushman explained. "Just to finish the season off with a win, everything feels better when we win and it's been a tough season. We've had adversity. If we can just finish off, send the seniors off with a win and help them have that good energy."
Added Sitake, "The focus will be on trying to get this win, sending the seniors out on a win."
There is also a matter of character and principle. Sitake really stressed with the players the issue of taking this game seriously and approaching it from a business standpoint.
Bushman added, "We just talked with Coach Sitake this morning and he just told that is really important that we finish this season off with a win. That we don't go and think that Hawaii is just going to be a vacation and be a lot of fun, but know that it's business trip. There are many ways why we could go out, have fun and slack off, but that is what we cannot do. Just the way the season has been, we can't just go out and mess around the last game of the season. We have to show everyone, we have to show and prove it to ourselves that we want to go out and win. This is the last game of the season, it's not like it's meaningless. A win can do so much for us."
Sitake did add one caveat to the business mentality his staff and the players would have after they arrive in Hawai'i on Wednesday.
"You're in Hawai’i, so you let them have some time where they can just enjoy the beach a little bit, but that's because we're there all day," Sitake said.
During every other game week, the players don't invest 24 hours a day in game prep. NCAA rules about how much time schools can require student-athletes to commit to their sport still apply. For example, the players will still need to take time to study. Now, the time that they would usually be hanging out at the Wilkinson Center or doing television spots for BYUTV, the players can go to the beach.
As for being tourists, that's not on the itinerary.
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
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