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PROVO -- Many Cougar fans are not all that excited about BYU's November football schedule with the Cougars (6-3, 2- 0 vs. WAC) playing lower level WAC schools. Their opponent for Saturday is the visiting Idaho Vandals (2-7, 1-4 WAC) who are in the basement of the WAC. The Vandals do not pose much of a threat to the Cougars, about as much as Idaho St, but if the Cougars aren't careful they very well could lose. Let's look at some of the numbers and stats and see how these teams compare.
BYU Offense vs. Idaho Defense
BYU is coming off of a bye week after losing a tough ballgame to TCU in Texas. The Cougars had a chance in that game, but turned the ball over three times and had some trouble on special teams. BYU is getting better offensively since Riley Nelson took over the QB duties adding a mobile quarterback to the mix. Nelson is averaging 116 yards passing and 41 yards rushing per game. Wide receivers Cody Hoffman and Ross Apo are Nelson's favorite targets. Idaho is 80th nationally allowing 406 yards per game and close to 282 yards through the air. The Cougars are going to need to test the Vandal's secondary.
Advantage: BYU
BYU Defense vs. Idaho Offense
Just like the Utes, it is the Cougar defense that has been the difference in many of their games. The Cougars are ranked 27th nationally in total defense allowing only 334 total yards per game. Unfortunately for the Vandals they only gain an average of 291 yards a game ranking a lowly 115th nationally (out of a total of 120 teams). The Vandals don't have much of a rushing attack only gaining an average of 96 yards on the ground and passing for 195. The Cougars have allowed only 125 yards on the ground and 209 passing. LB Brandon Olgletree has the most tackles (53) for the Cougars, but it is fellow LB Kyle Van Noy who brings the flash. "KVN" has 39 tackles, three sacks and three INTs.
Advantage: BYU
Special Teams
Special teams, as of late, for the Cougars have been somewhat of an Achilles heel. It was three botched punts against TCU that helped the Horned Frogs to the win, giving them short fields to work with. BYU has had a punt return for a TD as well as a kick-off return for a TD for the first time in several years. The Vandals have returned three punt returns for a TD, two by Justin Veltung.
Advantage: Vandals, due to the Cougars' bad special teams play as of late.
BYU should win the game hands down because the Vandals are not a good team, but having said that the Cougars have had bad moments throughout the season.
The Cougars need to show their dominance by creating turnovers on defense and taking care of the ball on offense. Special Teams, especially punt teams, need to clean up their act and have a mistake-free game. The Cougars should be able to put in the second stringers some time midway through the 3rd quarter. They should roll to victory Saturday night.
Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. from LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Email: onlinesports@ksl.com
