BYU football: What to do and what to avoid moving forward

As BYU football dropped yet another game last week, and is staring at another loss this weekend, it’s easy to sour on the Cougars.

BYU football’s loss to Boise State was disappointing, but to allow this probable outcome to be a huge disappointment is a mistake.

This attitude will be more detrimental than helpful.

Coaches and fans need to curb their expectations a bit. At least until BYU football starts playing teams that they can realistically expect to beat.

I know I’m sounding pessimistic, or even borderline degrading, but we have to look at reality here.  The Cougars have not lost a game they should have won.

At least not yet.

I acknowledge that many may disagree with me, arguing that the Utah State game surely had to be a victory.  But, when you realize that after Beau Hoge left the game, even that win become highly unlikely.

A barrage of unfortunate events have prevented the team from even being properly evaluated.  The number of variables are baffling. Some within, but many out of the control of the players and coaches.

An extremely difficult schedule, a plethora of injuries, and a variety of inexplicable turnovers are among the culprits.  All these factors have contributed to the current dismal situation.

Next: Remaining Schedule Will Tell Us A Lot About The Cougars

Kalani Sitake and his coaching staff cannot hit the self destruct button as a result of such circumstances.  At this point, if they are not careful, they could become their own worst enemies.

Here is a list of things they can and can’t do, in the hope of avoiding this.

Do’s:

-Work on perfection in execution, not on changes and additions

-Stay with the offense

-Focus on playing to potential, not simply winning (especially in the case of Mississippi St.)

-Set achievable goals for offense and defense in respect to yards and points per game

-Remain confident in all involved (if they were able to do it in the summer, they can still do it now)

Don’ts:

-Overhaul the offense

-Play musical quarterbacks

-Fire Coordinators

-Blame individual athletes

-Listen to the media or fans who are not present for every practice and closed door activity

The remaining weeks of the season could be a complete disaster, or a major step in the right direction.  This will largely depend on how coaches react to current and future occurrences.

Believe it or not, but I firmly feel that their attitude will be more important than their final win-loss record.

It will be imperative to fight off negativity, while assisting their athletes to find meaning and fulfillment in what remains of the schedule.  It won’t be easy.

Like the old saying goes, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Defining what that means is what BYU football has to do right now.  Carrying it out is this season’s new challenge.

Just stay the course. Overreactions could prove to be fatal at this point.