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| Will Beau Hoge start his third game at QB for BYU? (Gary Kazanjian, AP) |
With kickoff for the BYU Cougars and the UNLV Running Rebels just hours away, here are five questions to think about while preparing to cheer on the Cougars.
1. Who will be BYU's starting quarterback?
Incumbent Tanner Mangum is out for the season with an achilles injury. Beau Hoge has the inside track to getting the nod, but there are concerns about his health. If the health concerns can't be overcome, does the opening fall to Joe Critchlow? He was the backup while Hoge was too unhealthy to compete. Kody Wilstead is the third guy in the mix. He hasn't played a down yet this season, but BYU coaches did say this week he will get a fair chance in practice to demonstrate whether or not he should be the guy.
2. Can BYU keep the streaks alive?
BYU has won the last seven in the series dating back to 2005. All-time, BYU has never lost to the Running Rebels in Las Vegas (8-0). Can the Cougars extend both of these streaks?
3. Can comparing common foes have any meaning?
BYU and UNLV have played three of the same schools: San Jose State, Utah State, and Fresno State. Both teams put a solid whipping on San Jose State (41-20 and 41-13). Both schools suffered a solid loss to Utah State (40-24 and 52-28). The results differ for Fresno State. In back-to-back weeks, Fresno State lost to UNLV, 26-16, and then beat BYU 20-13.
Is this a bad sign for BYU? Is UNLV the better team by virtue of the Fresno State results? The Fresno State game is the most recent of the comparisons. Does that make the results more pertinent?
The ESPN power index gives the Running Rebels a slight edge (52.2 percent chance to win the game).
4. Can BYU finally get a good punt return?
Somehow, this has gone under the radar this season with all the other deficiencies within the program. BYU is averaging 1.5 yards per punt return. Amazingly, there are two teams worse that the Cougars in this category (East Carolina is the absolute worst with -0.25 yards per return). From 2008-2016, only eight teams in the nation have had a worse punt return average than BYU's this season.
Michael Shelton has the longest punt return for BYU this season: nine yards. Will this be the week BYU gets a return of double digits?
5. Can BYU stop the run well enough to win?
Looking at the numbers, it is clear that UNLV wants to run the ball. The Running Rebels have run for over 340 yards four times this season. They have run the ball over 30 times every game this season. Most of their points have come on the ground (24 rushing touchdowns, 7 passing touchdowns).
BYU has let every opponent, except Portland State, rush for more than 100 yards. Strong run defense used to be a hallmark of BYU defense. Can the Cougar D rise up and shut down the run?
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
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