PROVO — The big-name game is here already in just the second week of this season. There are plenty more teams this year that BYU will have to work very hard to beat, but Texas turns out to be the top name opponent.

Last year, BYU soundly defeated Texas by a score of 40-21. Texas didn't like that whipping, and now the Longhorns vow to repay BYU for that loss in this year's game. Revenge is certainly a motivator, but shouldn't you be at your best for every game?

A positive motivator like "I want to be a better player so I practice hard every day" should get better results than "you beat us last year and now we will work hard to beat you this year." As soon as the game starts and people start knocking people down, the revenge factor is gone, improved skills continue the entire game or until you get tired.

I liked what Jamaal Williams said when he was told Texas has the BYU game circled on the schedule this year. He replied, "We have every game circled." That is the right attitude for the long term.

Here are my three keys to this week's game.

Stop the run

BYU will have to stop the run, which will be tough. Texas plays two running backs who are solid. They can power into the line, and if they get an opening, they can outrun everyone to the end zone. BYU did a great job against them last year, but this year is a new challenge. The running game is the strength of the Texas offense.

Related:

5 keys to a BYU victory over Texas

Coming off a week one win where they controlled the tempo and the game from start to finish, the Cougars may not be so worried about the revenge aspect for Texas.

Since the backup quarterback is starting for Texas, the play-calling will try to take some pressure off him by letting those good backs run behind a solid line. Last week, against North Texas, the Longhorns were put into second and long 24 times. BYU needs to limit first-down success like that. Putting Texas into second and third down and long will greatly help BYU's defense.

Integrate missing starters

BYU will get some regular starters back this week that should give them a lift with talent and increased depth. Jamaal Williams and Devon Blackmon on offense should give BYU more speed. Jordan Johnson and Rob Daniel will be ready to play along with Marques Johnson and Kesni Tuasinga, who have recovered from injuries.

When you get players back on the field who are skilled people, the team play improves. Last week's corners did a terrific job against UConn, and just playing a game has made them better. That experience also helps BYU this week against Texas.

Texas took a big hit when the starting center broke an ankle and will not play. Losing your center is bad because he makes all of the line calls for the blocking. I am excited to see the new quarterback, Tyronne Swoopes, play this week. He's big, 6-foot-4, 240 pounds and fast. He ran for over 5,000 yards in high school. I want to see if he is ready for the bright lights on game day.

Motivation

BYU should go into this game with just as much motivation as Texas. BYU needs to beat the big names. This is the biggest name opponent this year. This is the spotlight game so far. BYU needs to clean up the penalties it gave up against UConn and make Texas earn every yard.

BYU shouldn't fear the Longhorns offensively. Texas was only successful on third-down conversions 26.6 percent of the game against North Texas. Field position will be critical. Texas was 4 for 6 scoring touchdowns last week. Since the Longhorns got short fields, they got points. Force them to go long distances, stop third downs and get them off the field. That's the plan.

Texas is very good on defense. There is the big challenge for Taysom Hill and the offense. Last year, Texas didn't ever adjust to BYU's run option attack, and Hill tore the Longhorns up. Their defense returns eight starters. That will be the strength and the test for BYU. If the offensive line can protect like last week and Williams can get some room to run, BYU will be in a position to win the game at the finish. What more can you ask for?

Related topics