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BYU Football: How the Cougars can beat every team on the schedule

By Adam Gibby

PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 9: Cody Barton #30 of the Utah Utes pressures quarterback Tanner Mangum #12 of the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 9: Cody Barton #30 of the Utah Utes pressures quarterback Tanner Mangum #12 of the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: Dru Brown #2, quarterback of the Hawaii Warriors, warms up before the game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on September 9, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: Dru Brown #2, quarterback of the Hawaii Warriors, warms up before the game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on September 9, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Hawaii

This game, like McNeese State, should be a win for the Cougars. And similar to McNeese State, BYU can’t give the Rainbow Warriors confidence. Hawaii isn’t known for scoring points, so if the Cougars can get up by double-digits before halftime, it could all but end Hawaii’s chances.

BYU will have to be balanced against the Rainbow Warrors. To this point in the season, Hawaii will have played mainly teams who like to run the ball (Navy, Army and Rice). Passing the ball could wear down the secondary and open up big runs for the physical BYU running backs.

Northern Illinois

Between 2010 and 2014, Northern Illinois went 59-13, one of the best records in college football over that span. Since then the Huskies have struggled a bit, going 21-18.  This team is underrated and could turn their program back around real quick.

The key to beating the Huskies this season is making them one-dimensional.

Last season, the Huskies were a solid offensive team, but weren’t dependent on any one facet. Quarterback Marcus threw for 184 yards per game and the running backs ran for 178 yards per game. Shutting down one of those two would force NIU to rely heavily on an offense that is not particularly strong in one area.

Boise State

Boise State is returning their quarterback and best running back. Quarterback Brett Rypien threw for nearly 3,000 yards in 11 games and running back Alexander Mattison ran for more than 1,000 yards.

Last year, BYU did a decent job of containing the Broncos, allowing just 300 yards of offense and 24 points, the Broncos’ 3rd lowest of the season. BYU will have to do this again and hope they can put up some points.

With as dangerous as Boise State is on offense, asking more from the defense is not very realistic. The Cougars will have to sustain drives to let the defense rest. Boise State also has a stout defense, so taking chances with the deep ball and a few trick plays may be the best way to get some easy points against the Broncos.

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