BYU Football: The pros and cons of Mangum and Wilson

Coaches

Winner: Zach Wilson

The coaches, especially Kalani Sitake. are looking for wins right now both on and off the field. Wilson is a Sitake recruit. Tanner Mangum is a Bronco Mendenhall recruit. If Wilson is able to do good things and get a win against Arizona, then Sitake scores himself a very big win, and not just on the scoreboard.

Also, Wilson gives Kalani Sitake some insurance.

(Disclaimer: I don’t agree with what I am about to say but I understand it is a popular opinion of many fans.)

If BYU goes 5-7 or worse this season with Mangum, Sitake will have a lot of pressure to be fired. If they go 5-7 or worse with Wilson however, Sitake can argue that Wilson is developing and will be prepared for the future. Sitake essentially is buying himself another season if he goes this route. Hopefully BYU wins six or more games so it wouldn’t be an issue either way.

Players

Winner: Tanner Mangum (Probably)

This is an area that in game time will make little difference, but leading up to the game could be a big factor.

Teams need to be behind their quarterback, and it is natural that guys who have been around for a few years will support the player who has been there with them. They are more likely to support the guy who has been there with them when they lost to Utah last season. The teammate who has been there for all the film sessions and been through three offensive coordinators. That isn’t to say they don’t like Wilson, they just don’t know him as well.

Two weeks ago, former BYU corner Brian Logan even admitted to not defending as hard in practice against Jake Heaps as he did for other quarterbacks because he wanted Heaps to look good. It is impossible to know what each individual player is feeling, but commons sense says that the older players are hoping Mangum is the guy.