Predictions: Can USU slow down Mendenhall’s High-powered Offense and Prevent BYU, Utah From Prevailing?
Will BYU, ranked 13th, be able to maintain their momentum? Can Isaac Wilson spark a transformation for Utah in the final stretch? Can Utah State possibly hinder Bronco Mendenhall’s New Mexico offense in Logan?
All those pressing inquiries will be addressed prior to Sunday.
Mike Gundy has a reputation for rallying his Cowboys in the latter part of the season following rough beginnings.
Unlikely, as BYU (6-0, 3-0) has shown resilience in evening games on their home turf. Gundy is expected to start a new quarterback this week and his defense, missing two starters, has had difficulty in stopping the run.
However, OSU’s Ollie Gordon II, who won the Doak Walker Award last year, has not performed as well this season but remains a threat that BYU needs to focus on.
At the same time, BYU’s defense is among 15 teams nationally that have limited opponents to less than their usual yards per play averages. This match will showcase two teams that are closely ranked nationally in total offense, with OSU at 71st and BYU at 72nd.
The defense is what sets them apart. BYU is 24th in overall defense with the best pass efficiency defense, while OSU is 129th in total defense. There are whispers that OSU may replace starting QB Alan Bowman with Garret Rangel.
Not sure if swapping quarterbacks in Provo versus Jay Hill will be effective. We will discover soon, even though OSU has had a couple of weeks to focus on the Cougars. Gundy excels at this.
In an unusual football scenario, Kalani Sitake’s team, the Cougars, are managing to win games despite having the third-lowest ranked offense in the Big 12. This is achieved through creating impactful defensive and special teams plays, securing turnovers, and setting up the offense with short fields. It has turned into a sort of signature.
BYU’s defense has had strong performances, but Sitake believes they must tighten things up. Defense is the key factor that should lead the Cougars to victory in this crucial league game.
Wilson doesn’t have to carry the Utes solely at Utah (4-2, 1-2), but it would benefit if he can prevent turnovers and effectively run the offense while Cam Rising is out. Quarterbacks, regardless of fairness, play a significant role in determining how well teams perform.
Can he do it? Sure. He possesses talent and skill that are sufficient. Confidence is what he requires, and playing TCU (3-3, 1-2) could be the key to breaking a two-game losing streak for him and his teammates.
Wilson will be up against the nation’s 8th-ranked pass defense, presenting a significant challenge. He will have to rely on running back Micah Bernard (averaging 6.6 yards per carry) to establish equilibrium.
While witnessing Cam Rising’s difficulties against ASU, one may contemplate whether a uninjured Wilson could have led the Utes to victory with crucial completions to sustain offensive series. Would he have managed to prevent throwing three interceptions? That’s just an assumption, but if he had a more solid base to throw from, he could put more power behind his passes.
In order to be successful in the red zone, Utah needs to improve their efficiency, as many people expected them to excel with their skilled tight ends and Bernard during the preseason. As it currently stands, Utah’s average point total in Big 12 games is 26.9, whereas TCU’s average is 35.3.
The Horned Frog’s upcoming opponent, Utah, has the third toughest defense behind Iowa State and BYU in total defense.
Utah is highly favored because TCU suffered a 30-19 loss to Houston, a lower-tier team in the Big 12.
In Logan, the Aggies face a challenging mission of halting New Mexico’s offense, which is ranked 24th in the nation and scores an average of 35 points per game.
On defense, the Lobos may have vulnerabilities, but in a high-scoring game, UNM has the upper hand with their potent and well-rounded offense led by a skilled quarterback. USU holds the 131st position in the nation for scoring defense, with an average of 42.8 points allowed per game. UNM might score 50 points against the Aggies.
This week’s picks
- Oregon 41, Purdue 17
- BYU 28, Oklahoma State 24
- Nevada 28, Fresno State 21
- Miami 33, Louisville 28
- Cincinnati 28, Arizona State 21
- Kansas 21, Houston 17
- Texas Tech 37, Baylor 28
- Iowa State 34, UCF 21
- Kansas State 28, West Virginia 24
- Utah 21, TCU 17
- New Mexico 42, Utah State 24
- San Jose State 24, Wyoming 21
- Colorado State 27, Air Force 24
- UNVL 37, Oregon State 31
- Army 42, East Carolina 24
- Rutgers 24, UCLA 21
- Alabama 28, Tennessee 24
- Michigan 24, Illinois 21
Last week 11-4; 89-27 overall (.767)