Deseret News | BYU football: Story lines aplenty for matchup against UCLA

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BYU football: Story lines aplenty for matchup against UCLA

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Bob in line | 5:08 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

This one has me on the edge of my seat already.

BYU has got to get serious on defense! Norm Chow knows how to make good quarterbacks much, much better. Yikes!

I think our offense will do well to score another 28 points against this Bruin defense. The question is stopping their quarterback. He is no Jake Locker but could you imagine Jake Locker teamed with Norm Chow and two weeks of prep time?

I think this Craft kid is going to have big numbers on our secondary. He is a pocket passer and could have a career day.

I am hoping that the reason we got so little pressure on Jake Locker is because they were focused on first keeping him in the pocket. If that is the case, and Craft is little threat out of the pocket, maybe we can pressue him and our defense will do fine.

This is gonna be fun!

Please, no obnoxious interception or fumbles at the goal line.

herrminer | 6:29 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Go BYU! Beat the Bruins!

UCLA will win... | 7:17 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

UCLA will win if the defense plays the way they did against Washington. This game scares me, our defense is pathetic.

Comments continue below

Drop of 3 spots in AP? | 7:21 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Maybe I missed something, but my impression of the BYU-WA game was that WA was lucky to even be close at the end. Here are some interesting stats comparing WA two games:

Team Stat Comparison
WAOR
1st Downs 18 23
Total Yards 242 496
Passing 147 240
Rushing 95 256
Penalties 4-44 8-85
3rd Down Conv. 7-19 6-13
4th Down Conv. 0-1 0-1
Turnovers 1 1
Possession 35:43 24:17
Score1044

Team Stat Comparison
BYUWA
1st Downs 25 22
Total Yards 475 337
Passing 338 204
Rushing 137 133
Penalties 7-60 4-25
3rd Down Conv. 12-14 9-15
4th Down Conv. 0-0 1-1
Turnovers 2 0
Possession 31:04 28:56
Score2827

Other than turnovers (which were mitigated since BYU only punted twice), the stats looked fairly similar. Washington got beat and were lucky to lose by 1. I have no doubt that if it were a home game for BYU the score would have been similar to the OR game since non-pac 10 officials would have called some of those blatant holds or blocks in the back and the crowd is a huge factor. I get tired of all these apologists hurting BYU's ranking. Bring on UCLA!

true blue | 7:31 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

If our defense plays like it did saturday, we'll have a career day of sacks. Craft doesn't move like locker. Plus Craft is going to have nightmares about his last visit to BYU. Cougars should win big. Then again they never do against BCS opponents.

Michael | 7:56 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

BYU's offense is awesome. The Secondary will prove to be the only weakness of this team. Washington is not a great team by any stretch but their receivers were open all day. UCLA has a stout defense (the best that we'll see this year) so our defense better step it up if we are to win Saturday!

Hey you guys | 7:57 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Only one thing y'all need to know. Each of UCLA offensive and defensive players is faster and bigger than the Zoos fastest man. Check the stats [Drop of 3 spots in AP?] Not a prayer I fear..

Frozen Chosen | 7:58 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

I said before the season that BYU's offense would be very good and the defense would be suspect. After two games I haven't seen anything to change that prognosis.

UCLA has a very good defense and BYU's offense must play at maximum efficiency to win this game. Their poor defense gives BYU a very small margin of error. My prediction - BYU 24 UCLA 17

geezer | 8:05 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

The BYU defense has way to many "deer-in-headlights" moments. It's obviously a work in progress. Look for UCLA to burn the DB's deep until they prove they can stop the bomb. BYU's offense is one of the best ever and may be THE best ever. They'll have to be at peak performance for BYU to beat the Bruins. BYU 34-31.

Expectations | 8:08 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Locker was incredible! He saved the Huskies time and again on his scrambling. Craft will be facing a totally different kind of pressure, and even though UCLA is obviously better than UW, they will have to move the ball to have a chance to win.

BYU at home, with something more to prove since they dropped in the AP, needs to win by two touchdowns to show the voters they deserve to move up. Yes, Chow is a great play caller, and he will be ready, but Craft was third string at the start of the season. I don't think he will be able to handle the pressure.

It is also obvious that with Collie, Pitta, Unga, Vakapuna, Hall, and on and on, BYU can move the ball. Hall will face a greater blitz package this week, but the O-line did a great job of protecting him and as a result he moved the team.

Unga's fumble was due to a great hit, low, and right on the ball, and perfect timing. Rarely will that occur with Harvey carrying the ball. Go Cougars.

Guess what? | 8:13 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

BYU should brag less about the stats and hopefully the defense will show up. Tired of hearing excuses about the defense. BYU will lose because they are undiscipined. They should have dropped in the polls. For two games they have smelled up the place. But I am pulling for BYU. But they need a reality check. Maybe playing at home will help.

BYU/UCLA rivalry | 8:14 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

IN OUR DREAMS. To UCLA, BYU is the equivalent of a high school team. There is no rivalry here. I hope Collie has been doing whatï¿½s right and is ï¿½magical,ï¿½ face it, that's the only way our cougs will win. We've got to pray for another miracle play in the last few seconds of the game. Don't know how much longer we can continue to pull out key games this way but oh well we'll ride the wave as long as we can huh. As long as we get the "W" who cares howï¿½

Fully Invested | 8:18 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

To Hey you guys, why don't you check the stats. I have a hard time beleiving that Kevin Craft is faster than Austin Collie. And I am pretty sure that UCLA's O-line is bigger, but I doubt they are faster than BYU's linebackers. Think about what you just said. You may want to clarify just a bit.

BIG game | 8:19 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

This is the one that scares me. I didn't see the U Dub- BYU game, but with two great coaches on UCLA, its going to be a dgofight. Kevin Craft, will have to play far better than he did against Rocky Top, to get UCLA a shot at winning this one at home.

Max Hall is going to see some heat from a good UCLA defense, and the receivers will have to see the coverage as they line up, and figure out how to break off routes to get the ball.

AZ Cougar | 8:47 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Coach Mendenhall needs to tell his players to be very careful with their comments to the press about UCLA. The UCLA coaches will grab any (even slightly) boastful BYU comment, or dismissive comment about UCLA, and will use it as locker room fodder.

UCLA REVENGE MOTIVATION:

1. Revenge for the LV Bowl
2. Coach Chow will be looking to humble BYU
3. Head Coach Rick N. - the 1999 UW loss in Provo.

UCLA will pull out all stops to beat BYU. Coach Chow is a Zen master. BYU will have to play error free football.

DEFENSE: Someone needs to step up big time and show some leadership and become the BIG playmakers. Jan Jorgenson, & Scott Johnson showed signs of both against UW. Linebackers need to stunt more.

OFFENSE: The usual leaders/playmakers stepped up.

PREDICTION: Collie will have a great game Sat.

Chicago BYU Fan | 8:50 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Key to victory against the Bruins, two words: Harv Unga! Cougs win 35-28.

byl046 | 8:54 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Reading these comments just make me laugh. What a bunch of geniuses. Undisciplined? Find me a team with better discipline that the Cougars. BYU fans are the worst bunch of whining cry-babys in the entire NCAA Who wants to be W. Virginia this week? The offense is spectacular and defense is Ok. they will get better. Look for lots of blitzes to keep this rookie quarterback in trouble. The cougars will be just fine folks...I saw the UCLA game and they are a very mediocre team. Against anybody but an unprepared Tennessee team at home they would have been buried.

Reality has set in | 8:56 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

The reality is....is that our defense is not very good. We forgot how to tackle, our linebackers are running over our DB's and as soon as UCLA figures out just how bad Brandon Howard is, it'll be over.

If the offense doesn't score 40 plus points it will be a very long day.

Mark my words...Unless our D-Line carries our Defense, Craft will look like the next coming of Joe Montana.

With all the hype srrounding BYU and with UCLA having nothing to lose, this is not a good recipe for a win on Saturday.

Utah Man | 9:11 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Go Utes !!

Classless | 9:13 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

I was embarassed to most of our team joking around and having a great time while the entire UW team was on their knees in prayer for their injured player. What a poor example our RM's and married boys showed on FSN. Someone needs to tell these guys when to be serious (besides firesides). Many, many people were watching to see how our boys were responding. Shameful.

Anonymous | 9:15 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Every year everyone complains about how awful BYU's defense is, how it is going to be our downfall, how we have no chance vs so and so, blah, blah, blah, and yet Bronco seems to turn out the best or near the best defense in the conference every year. Everyone who is worried about our defense, just remember how well we did after being picked apart by Tulsa last year. Never a problem again. I expect the same this year after a bad performance against Washington.

RE: Classless | 9:28 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Be quiet please. I said please.

jd | 9:29 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Re: classless - your statement is out of line. They were not joking around and laughing when the UW player was injured. If you hate BYU just admit it, but don't spread your lies.

Rich | 9:30 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

I hope the defense plays as good as they did against Washington. The reason it was close is because UW's QB is about the best rushing QB in the country... and that is where he beat us! Turnovers made the game close. Kraft cannot hold a candle to UW's QB. BYU will play the "bend but don't break" defense... but it will be easier this week. I am not worried about UCLA's offense. If BYU can minimize turnovers UCLA loses by at least 7. If not, it will be close like Washington... and, by the way, that will be the case the rest of the year.

Blueute | 9:38 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

To: Drop of 3 spots in AP? - To clarify one point ,UCLA gets PAC-10 officials where ever they
play, as do all PAC-10 schools, unless it is a post season bowl game. BYU should drop the PAC-10 and their refs, and start scheduling BIG-10, BIG 12, Big East & ACC non-league games. BYU would beat anyone one in the Big East this year and probably the ACC as well.

To 9:15am comment | 9:38 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Have you watched the games the past few years? I don't think so. The defense was good last year. This year they have given up lots of significant yardage plays, 5+ yards were the norm. And the DBs were left in the dust several times by UW's receivers. Locker just kept over throwing them. But even the tackling by the linebackers has been poor. And the front four rarely were able to put pressure on Locker. I for one am willing to admit when we have a weak defense. Hopefully they improve. If not, hopefully they outscore everybody like the good old days. Because that defense has more holes than swiss cheese.

Jerry W | 9:43 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

I think Collie is one of the better players in the league this year, but he had problems holding on to the ball in the game against Washington. When he catches the ball he knows how to run very well, but I think he is concentrating on that instead of focusing on catching the ball first. Hope he has a great game next saturday.

Ello | 9:48 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

BYU and Utah are both overrated right now. Both teams seem to be suspect at times.
Utah's 2004 team was never suspect. They truly pounded their opponents and controlled every game.
I hate to break it to the BYU fans, but you are not going to a BCS game this year, and I think you will be lucky to go to Las Vegas.
Utah and TCU are better than BYU right now, and both these schools are taking it one game at a time.

A Few Points | 9:49 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

1. BYU players were not joking around after the UWA injury. Fui immediately recognized it could be serious and was motioning for medical staff to get out on the field.

2. I'm not as concerned about our defense as some seem to be. The secondary is young and it shows but they are probably the most athletic backfield we have had in years. Once their experience catches up to their athleticism we may actually be able to play some one on one coverage in conference.

3. BYU needs a solid win. A close win may only solidify the national perception that maybe another non-BCS team (ie Eastern Carolina) ought to be in the BCS bowl driver's seat. AP has E Car. ahead of us but the USA Today has us ahead of them. We need to make a statement with more than just another 1 or 2 point win. This is our last chance to really make a national impression.

4. We can't continue to move the ball well and yet not score. We are not scoring like we should for such an efficient and high-powered offensive team. 80% on 3rd downs (leading the nation) while only #37 in scoring.

What? 9:38 a.m. comment | 9:49 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Did you watch the game on Saturday? BYU sacked Locker 4 times in that game. Max Hall got sacked 0 times. The defense will be fine. They allowed 330 yards for the game. Most teams would take that any day. The defense is not weak, the defense is young and needs to improve.

Classless vs example | 10:22 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Although a little over the top, it would have spoken tons had the Cougars either joined the Huskies kneeling in prayer for their fallen seriously injured teammate or kneeled together as a team on their own sideline in Harris behalf.

Such a simple gesture would have spoken volumes about who we are and Who we represent.

We need to let our light shine at every opportunity and this may be one opportunity missed.

casual fan | 10:25 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

UCLA 31, BYU 21
Then again, could be BYU 34, UCLA 27
Or, it might be UCLA 28, BYU 24.
Or maybe BYU 45, UCLA 42.
It could even be something else....

Defense is not fine | 10:44 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

The defense is NOT fine. Not all is well in Zion my friends. This defense needs to get better immediately if BYU is going to be a serious contender for a BCS bowl. I hate to admit it but things aren't looking good for BYU. If they were as good as we hoped we would have spanked Washington. BYU will lose a game this season unless we tighten up our defense.

Stop with the officials | 10:44 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

It is time to stop whining about the officiating. Penalties were not called either way. 7 on BYU and 4 on Washington. "If Unga hadn't fumble...If the officials called more penalties on them..." That is all part of the game. Washington was not the only team that should have been called for penalties. And what if Locker had completed some of the passes to wide open receivers.

The only stat that matters is the score! By all the whining going on, you would think that BYU lost.

Arkansas Blue | 10:46 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

1. I also noticed that the BYU players were NOT joking around after the injury and they were the ones who motioned for medical help right after the play.

2. I, too, am concerned about the defense. Even though we sacked Locker four time and put up some good defensive numbers, there were at least 4-5 wide open receivers that Locker missed with minimal pressure. I better quarterback would have hit most of those. If we don't tighten up on secondary this weekend, the Bruins will have a nice cougar snack...unless it is just a shootout and the last team with the ball wins!!!

Thanks to a Few Points | 10:48 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Fui was the first one to think that a serious injury had occured, he started pointing saying somethings not right. Our defense looked slow or confused on saturday. They need to be ready come Saturday, because Norm will. I know Bruce Davis is gone but I didn't see the game on labor day. Davis was a nightmare for us last year! On Fui's touchdown run a couple OL guys went down, I know they came back but is there any issues with these guys?

james g | 11:24 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

The washington game would not have been so close, had collie been able to catch on saturday. unfortunately, he couldn't catch a cold in alaska. wake up collie, and we will score and score and score. the defenseive secondary is too slow to hang with the pac 10 receivers, but if we smash the qb over and over, it won't matter.

Cali Coug | 11:27 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

To Hey You Guys - I checked the stats...BYU's OL averages 6'-5" 326 lbs, UCLA's OL averges 6'-5" 294 lbs...reported 40 times from each school is about the same, small edge goes to the "Y" by an average of 0.01 seconds...that is not even a half step.

UCLA's DL averages 6'-4 259 lbs and the "Y" average is 6'-4" 287 lbs. Reported 40 times are again about equal as a whole but UCLA does have one speed rusher that sticks out as a statistical abnormality.

Conditioning goes to the "Y" due to high altitude training. Reported "Benchmark strength tests" from the school also goes to the "Y", but not by much.

This should be an excellent game between two good football schools. TCU and utah also stack up well againts the PAC-10 schools. Look for Fresno State to upset Wisconsin...it is going to be a great weekend of football.

Same old story | 11:29 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

BYU fans are so superior to regular fans and that's becasue their team is probably superior to all of college football. If you are upset at this then it has probably hit home to you. Here are the facts! UW is not a good team from a good conference. UCLA has a totally new offense with new weapons! SO go on a keep typing how greaty you were against sorry UW and know you are still ranked 18th or 16th or whatever.

YOu think | 11:30 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

that BYU is going to leapfrog all these tougher schools to go to a BCS bowl by beating UCLA? A team that isn't ranked in the top 10 or 20? HEEELLLOOOOOO!

to "Ello" | 11:34 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Yeah, Utah and TCU are taking one game at a time, while BYU is playing 3 at once. It's going to be difficult, but BYU has requested to play their remaining games this saturday-- come check it out! What a lame comment.. BYU is taking their games one at a time too! For your information, BYU's win at Washington was just as good as the Utes 2 point win at Michigan.. so please take off your red ute goggles and join the rest of us on planet earth. Every said that would couldn't beat a ranked TCU in 2006 and we did--on the road! That year, I shouldn't need to remind you what happened when the Cougars visited Utah! I'm not saying it will be easy, but it can be done (reference the last two seasons).

Just like 2001 | 11:35 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

First off the reason the cougs dropped in the polls is because UW is horrible, they will battle Oregon St. for last place in the Pac-10. UW lost to Oregon the week before by 30 plus points, Heck Oregon scored 40 plus points on the huskies and made it look a lot easier than BYU did, so BYUs offence is good but there are at least three pac-10 teams with better offences. This team reminds me of the 2001 team, really good offence and sub-par defence, fans sceaming for repect then Hawaii puts up 72 on the cougs. My question is who will be this seasons Hawaii? because it will happen, maybe not 72 points, but BYU will get beat bad by someone.

Turnovers are key | 11:53 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Just as I said last week, turnovers will be the key to the game.

Without the turnovers last week, BYU would have by 2 touchdowns. Playing a young team, BYU was able to survive, just barely, being -2 in turnovers. BYU doesn't have that much of a margin for error this week vs UCLA.

Turnover Margin:

BYU +3 lock for a win
BYU +2 very good chance for a win
BYU +1 better than even chance for a win
BYU -1 to even 50/50 chance for a win
BYU -2 very good chance for a loss
BYU -3 certain loss, end of the Quest

BYU's defense is young and improving. They would have tackled Locker for a loss on Washington's final touchdown if two defenders hadn't take each other out.

As most suspected coming into this season, BYU's offense will have to carry the team through the first month. Fortunately, BYU has the offense to do that, but, they need to take advantage of EVERY scoring opportunity. That means eliminating the turnovers that cost BYU at least one touchdown, and probably two, in the win over the Huskies.

Dear Ello | 11:52 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Why play any more games? Your expert assessment should be enough to determine outcomes the rest of the season, without taking the field. Think how much money that will save all universities involved.

Classless and Classless vs Example: Each person has agency to pray how and where he/she desires. I don't know that a kneeling prayer has any more force than one uttered in heart-felt fashion silently while standing nearby.

If showmanship is the reason for kneeling in front of cameras, then BYU players may have missed that boat.

BYUtah fan | 12:07 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008

I watched the game and Washington was lucky to be in the game at the end. BYU's offense pushed them all around the field. Having said that, it is only the scoreboard that counts. BYU's offense needs to turn those yards into points not just stats. Washington's efforts at the end should have been a don't care.

I thought that BYU's defense was a bit erratic. They were terrific at times with significant breakdowns. Hopefully that will settle down.

I also watched the UCLA Tennessee game. UCLA's QB was horrible. He would have been benched the first half if UCLA had anyone else to go to. The only pass he could complete the entire game was a hook over the middle. UCLA's defense however looked great.

Just for grins check out the picture in the Desnews of the block by Jan Jorgenson of the extra point attempt. Its a terrific shot and shows how aggressive the Cougars were. Now take a look at number 76 with a firm hold of Jan Jorgenson's jersey. If I recall correctly there was no holding call. Another good call by Pac-10 officials.

Correction minded | 12:24 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008

To Classless: Not sure what game you were watching, since obviously you were not there, the incident occured on the BYU sideline, it was the BYU players and coaches who were the first to respond and get help and the team had their respective backs to the U-Dub sideline because they were being respectful for a fallen player. I have NEVER seen BYU kneel on a field of play for prayer and why would you expect them now to do a 'copy-cat' move....to appease/please/impress a NON-appeaseable/non-pleaseable/non-impressionable media/press/fan??? Your comment was way off base and typical UTE fodder.

To the Press and posters: UDUB had 3 flags, not four. Two five yarders and one 15, (at the end of the game with no time on the clock)...stop repeating everything you read and go back and watch the game. I was there, just to clarify.

For 59 minutes and 58 seconds the PACthetic 10 officials threw two five yard flags against their beloved PAC 10 school. Don't even insinuate that the flags were 'close'. There wasn't a fan in the stands who didn't see at least 10 holds and blocks in the back by UDUB that were not called.

bigbear | 12:23 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008

For the Cougs to win we must defeat the following:

The UCLA DE

The UCLA "O"

Pac 10 refs who are out to get even with the "Y" this week.

Trust me...they"ve been told not to embarrass another pac 10 school.

The cougs will have to out score UCLA by 2 td's to win.

Go Cougs

Chilidog | 12:25 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008

UW win was a great one. Not an easy place to play there. They almost beat USC there last year, but lost by 3. At home, BYU is much better and UCLA is going to be in trouble.

JR | 12:30 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008

Is anyone upset about BYU dropping three spots? I can live with East Carolina jumping us but, OREGON? So we get punished for beating a BCS team on the road that we clearly deserved to win despite the media making it look like we didn't. So Oregon spanked Washington, who cares. We would've destroyed Washington at home! So it looks like Oregon's home win over Utah State was impressive to the pollsters. Pathetic!

Johnny | 12:41 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008

If all you guys knew 10% of what you think you know, you'd know 10 times what you really know.

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