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PROVO — The BYU Cougars found a way to beat the Houston Cougars last weekend at Reliant Stadium in what was an unexpected shootout.
Repeatedly during the game, both defenses struggled to stop the offensive scheme, and BYU was beat repeatedly by star receiver Deontay Greenberry, as Greenberry caught two touchdown passes from John O’Korn.
BYU dominated the game in most statistical categories, outgaining Houston by nearly 200 yards. However, it was penalty yards that hurt BYU the most as the Cougars were flagged for 125 yards.
Now the Cougars find themselves hosting a nationally recognized program on national television Friday night. The BYU-Boise State rivalry has grown over the past few years and was energized after last year’s thriller in Boise.
This year appeared to be heading toward another outstanding matchup, but in the first quarter of last week’s game against Nevada, Boise State quarterback Joe Southwick broke his ankle, meaning Southwick won’t be available for this week’s game. Backup Grant Hedrick will start for Boise State against the Cougars.
Hedrick is a suitable backup, but Boise’s attack comes down to running the football. The Broncos rushed 407 yards against Nevada, and Boise State is averaging 224 yards rushing per game. With Southwick out for this week, one has to assume the Broncos will need a strong rushing performance.
So this week’s key matchup in the BYU-Boise State matchup comes down to the Cougars stopping the Broncos’ rushing attack.
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Why this matchup?
Last week against Nevada, Hedrick completed only 18 passes for 150 yards and an interception. This is coming from a team that averages 270.4 yards passing per game.
So the Broncos will rapidly become a one-trick team against above-average teams like BYU. Southwick's injury is a huge help to teams like Utah State that are looking for an edge as they try to climb back in the race in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference. Also, the injury helps a team like Fresno State as the odds of the Bulldogs losing again before bowl season go down dramatically.
BYU’s rushing defense has been one of the better ones in the country, and it all comes from its strength up front and its ability to move laterally. Often times, the defensive line tightens holes right off the ball before players like linebacker Kyle Van Noy close the door with authority.
The Broncos like to try to run players on sweeps, end-arounds and other field-streching plays. The problem is BYU’s linebackers have the speed to contain sideline-to-sideline. If Southwick played, Boise State’s game-plan undoubtedly would be to stretch the field vertically by trying to expose the BYU secondary. Whenever the game is played within 20 yards of the line of scrimmage, the Cougars have an advantage because of defensive-minded head coach Bronco Mendenhall and his personnel.
Who wins this matchup?
Again, it’s too bad a great matchup on paper in the preseason has lost much of its luster due to injuries. The Broncos have a proud program and still have playmakers on both sides of the ball. However, BYU’s offense has improved much over the past few weeks, and that necessitates a team that has a multi-dimensional offense.
Hedrick will have trouble adjusting to the speed of BYU’s pass rush, and the Cougars should be able to largely contain the Boise State rushing attack.
Thus, BYU will win its fifth straight and be the first team in Utah to earn bowl eligibility.
