PROVO — The end of the season always comes too fast for me, but here it is. BYU plays its final home game this week against the Savannah State Tigers. The Tigers are struggling again this season and BYU will probably win easily, but there is more than the final outcome to pay attention to this week.

BYU has two other objectives in its preparation this week, honor 25 seniors that will be playing in their final home game, and work hard enough to be good enough to win the final two games of this year.

The Cougars won't be looking past the Tigers, that's a good recipe for failure, but will work just as hard in preparation as if they were facing Cal this week. I hope the fans will brave the elements Saturday to come honor the efforts of those players playing in LaVell Edwards Stadium for the last time.

Savannah State is struggling for a win this year. In fact, it has lost 20 games straight. BYU was able to schedule this game in a last-minute deal. The original opponent scheduled for this week backed out of its deal to play. That left BYU without any opponent, until this matchup was made. There weren't many teams with an open date for Nov. 22. Savannah State rarely travels more than a state away for a football game, so this will be a big trip for its players to get to see the West. This game is the final game of the season for the 0-11 Tigers.

I am interested to see how much effort they make to get their first win. Statistically, Savannah State doesn't do many things well. There are a few individuals with decent stats, but as you might expect with a team still looking for its first win, there aren't many bright spots. I do hope that the travel, weather, and this being its last game of the year doesn't hamper its efforts. BYU needs to be sharp in its execution, not just to win this game, but to improve for its next two opponents.

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Heading into his last home game of the season, BYU head football coach Bronco Mendenhall is determined to keep his team focused this week despite playing 0-11 Savannah State.

I would expect that BYU will play well. I am looking for players to continue playing hard. The defense still has to get teams off the field, stop third-down plays and prevent the big play. The defense can help the offense with gaining turnovers, keeping the opponent pinned down to create short fields for the offense. The defense still has more improvements to make. This is a great time to take charge and be dominant. Some of that attitude will be good in the final games this year.

The other reason to take charge is to make opportunities for some seniors that don't get to play often a chance to play in this game. There is a lot of work for little glory for a backup player in football. Everyone deserves a shot in the last home game.

Offensively, I would expect to see long runs made by the backs. BYU has been outstanding at finishing "blue zone" drives with touchdowns. Keep that going. The game situations might limit some of the pass game, weather and a successful run game might limit the pass attack. When the pass game is used, passes need to be on target and catches made.

The offense has been showing improvement each week, this week should be a little bigger jump in preparing for the remaining games. Same thing goes for the offense, there are seniors that deserve some glory for their years of efforts for the Cougars. Hopefully, the fans will come to watch even through the elements.

BYU is going bowling, which is always one of the team goals. However, the current win total of six games is way below what is expected of this years' team. Obviously, injuries had more to do with this seasons' struggles than normal. But to make this year "feel" better, winning out would be sugar in the spoonful of medicine. Savannah State becomes the first of those three wins needed. BYU needs to pump it up, play good solid football this week, and then be in position to win out. It should be fun to watch.

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