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OXFORD, MISS. -- As BYU heads into SEC country to take on a talented, but enigmatic Ole Miss team there are several story lines developing on both sides of the ball.
- Who is Ole Miss?
Week 1 Game Notes- BYU (0-0) at Ole Miss (0-0)
- Date: Saturday Sept. 3, 2011
- Time: 3:46 p.m. CT (2:46 p.m. MT)
- Site: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (Oxford, Mississippi)
- TV: ESPN, ESPN3.com
- Radio: KSL Radio 1160 AM, 102.7 FM and ksl.com
- Kickoff Weather: Partly cloudy with a chance of showers. Temp: mid 90s
Now we all know that Ole Miss belongs to the vaunted SEC and that they have an abnormal abundance of talented athletes, so my question pertains more to the teams identity rather than where the school is located or any sort of reputation questions. With a new offensive coordinator, new quarterback, and absolutely zero film to document either, BYU's biggest challenge will be understanding what scheme they are up against.
- BYU Secondary versus 6'6" and 6'3"?The last time BYU faced receivers as tall and athletic as Ole Miss's are, was against Florida State last season. The secondary may have come away with a draw in that battle (the Seminoles had the edge in the running game). However, Ole Miss seems more prone to taking shots down field and with a new quarterback, precise timing routes are less likely. However, a three step fade is a very easy and safe throw for an unproven QB especially when your leading returning receiver is 6'6, 210 lbs. and Cougar corners are virtually untested in game situations.
- Did Heaps grow?Typically the greatest progression from a young quarterback is made between his freshman and sophomore seasons. If Heaps made the same rate of progress in learning the offensive schemes, slowing down defensive pressures, and manipulating defensive zones in the off season as he did during the course of 2010, the Cougars are in for a phenomenal game and season from their sophomore star.
- Is Oxford too hostile?First game jitters aside, will the heart, humidity, and heat of the SEC be too much for the first game on the road?
- Who will be the playmakers?Last year the wide receivers went through some interesting growing pains: From not being able to catch a ball thrown right at their numbers (some blaming it on different spins from a lefty QB and a righty QB), to suddenly making acrobatic catches in the endzone over defenders (Luke Ashworth against CSU. Oh yeah, he had 4 TD's in that game too). Everyone expects Ross Apo to be the guy, which I believe he eventually will become. However, Mckay Jacobson, JD. Falslev, and Cody Hoffman, as well as the variety of tight ends must make routine plays interspersed with an occasional "wow" moment for the cougars to win. So the story lines of Sept. 3, as is often the case for the opening game, are more questions. I think BYU fans will like the answers. Go Cougs!. Scott Johnson was a two-year starter at defensive back for BYU and now roams the sidelines reporting for the KSL Newsradio broadcast of BYU Football games.
