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BYU can add Saturday night's 20-14 loss at San Jose State to the long list of games that got away this season. You remember the Utah, Boise State and Notre Dame games, right? I know; I've tried to forget them too.
In the grand scheme of things, the game in San Jose didn't mean anything. BYU is already going to a bowl game. That isn't the point though. The Cougars have let too many games slip away this year.
Expectations were high for this team; but poor play at key positions, combined with injuries, derailed what could have been a special season.
I am as guilty as anyone when it comes to overreacting to a loss. The problem is that it isn't just one loss. This storyline has played out too many times. The quarterback play at BYU this year has been at the center of the problem. There is no way to sugarcoat the fact that Riley Nelson has struggled. Nobody questions Riley's leadership and toughness, but his play this season has been an issue. This offense has too many weapons to be playing this inconsistently. I don't know what changed from last year to this year, but even when "healthy", Riley hasn't looked right.
BYU's defense has been the one constant this season. Yes, they've had some moments against some pass-happy teams, but overall they've been the biggest reason BYU has even been in these close games. Guys like Van Noy, Ansah, Ogletree and Hadley have come up big time and again. They deserve better than being 6-5 right now.
Now that I have that out of my system, it's time to move on and look ahead. BYU has one regular season game remaining and a bowl game. All the Cougars can do now is try and finish the year on a two-game win streak.
I know fans are frustrated, but I hope they don't throw in the towel. Being a fan means taking the good with the bad. While this season has been tough at times, it doesn't mean that things can't turn around quickly.
Go Cougars!
