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PROVO - BYU's entire season has been full of statement games. Against Ole Miss, BYU showed the nation that it could go on the road to the SEC and win. Texas' statement against BYU was that they're still a force to be reckoned with. Perhaps the loudest statement of the season so far was made Saturday, but trying to determine which team made the bigger statement is question a tough question.
Utah was dominant versus BYU and it showed in the stat sheet and on the scoreboard. There is no question that the Utes were the better team on Saturday, but Cougar fans are left wondering what's wrong with the team. Many other questions, answers, and suggestions are being tossed around in the sports world as the Cougars try to regroup for Friday's meeting against UCF.
Scott Lambson writing for the Bleacher Report doesn't see an end to frustration from the first three games. Saying that the Cougars have nothing to play for and that the current situation will only get worse until changes are made. His suggested changes deal range from conference realignment to depth chart changes to booster and honor code. Apparently Lambson thinks he has things figured out.
Cougar Center columnist Robby Huckvale identifies a key element lacking in BYU's recent teams. Citing examples from BYU's dominant teams of the 80's, Huckvale explains that late BYU's teams don't have the same mental toughness and killer instinct as the teams of yesteryear did.
David Lynn of the Bleacher Report has found the solution to BYU's woes. The Cougars need to pattern themselves after the best mid-major program, Boise State. Having a similar game plan as the winningest program of the 2000's couldn't hurt right?
Deep Shades of Blue editor Brett Richins
Finally something positive as Talo Stevens of Total Blue Sports writes his impressions of Jake Heaps character after Saturday's loss to the Utes.
"Jake Heaps held confident, positive and strong in the face of some difficult questions from the media," Stevens said. "He made few excuses, and like a champ took full responsibility for the offensive performance last Saturday, even though the many offensive shortcomings weren't entirely his fault."
Heaps has taken a large chuck of the blame but he believes that these early setbacks will bring the team closer together.
"We gotta figure it out and put it all together," Heaps said, "And I believe with great confidence that we all will."
