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PROVO — I am really surprised to still be talking about breaking a losing streak for BYU football, but that's the way it is. Lots of people think that a Conference USA team shouldn't be much of a challenge, but this year it is. Middle Tennessee is strong on offense in the places that BYU is weak on defense. That's a bad combination again this week, the same way it has been a problem the last four games.
I am still eager to see when the bleeding stops for BYU and it takes the field with some confidence and leaves the field with a win. Is this the week?
Here's the scoop on the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee. For the Raiders, it starts with offense. The quarterback is very accurate, completing 67.4 percent of his passes, and he is very mobile. That has been a killer for the BYU defense this year. He has 10 receivers that average more than 10 yards per catch.
The offensive line does an OK job of protecting, does this scenario sound familiar? The pass game is good, which is a problem in itself; but the Raiders also rush for 218 yards a game. Middle Tennessee isn't Boise State, but it is a close cousin. Watch the Raiders' offensive line get off the ball. If BYU's front can handle that line, it will greatly improve its chance for success.
For BYU to win, it must first shut down the run. That sounds scary because that forces MT into passing, which is a strength. But that will take away the play action pass and put MT into passing downs that will help the defense. Have I said this before? BYU has to make stops and get the opponent off the field, this is just the next chance for that to happen.
The BYU offense can help the cause by being ready to play at the start of the game. I think it would help BYU to start the game with the ball. That puts the heat on the offense, and I think it will respond.
The Blue Raiders haven't been great in stopping teams, so it would be a big boost for BYU to start with a lead in the game and force MT to perform to catch up. MT has been just average against the run and pass. Jamaal can hurt these guys, and Christian Stewart has the tools to make the pass game good. MT starts two corners that are 5-foot-8. BYU has receivers that are big and tall. That mismatch can only help the BYU pass attack.
This has a chance to be a back and forth kind of a game. Turnovers always play a part in football, so BYU could ice this game by forcing turnovers, creating short fields and hanging on to the ball. If BYU can win the turnover battle, I think it will break the curse of losing and get back on the winning track. That would be a great Halloween treat for all Cougar fans.
