BYU Football: The offensive line and two other keys to beating Arizona

1 of 3

PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 11: Offensive Linemen De’Ondre Wesley #57 and Brock Stringham #74 of the BYU Cougars line up during a game against the Houston Cougars on September 11, 2014 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Jay Drowns/Getty Images) /

It’ll take a team effort for BYU Football to knock off Arizona in Week 1, but three position groups will be key in keeping up with the Wildcats.

It’s finally gameday.

After nine months without any real BYU Football, the wait is over. The Cougars will take on Arizona to kick off the 2018 season, and they’re double-digit underdogs against the Wildcats.

It’s a near-consensus nationally that BYU will get beat, and the Cougars will have an uphill climb to start the season 1-0.

They’re taking on one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the nation in Khalil Tate, and they’re doing it with a completely new offensive staff and a new offensive scheme.

The Cougars are out to prove that the debacle that was the 2017 season was just a fluke, not a pattern. A win over Arizona would go a long way in proving that, and if the Cougars are going to win, they’re going to have to be firing on all cylinders and play a complete game.

But while everyone will have to play well, there are a few key players or groups that will have to step up even more to knock off the Wildcats.

Offensive Line

Last season, Arizona’s defense wasn’t great at all. There should be a little improvement in 2018, but the offense has the opportunity to put points on the board.

For that to happen, though, the offense will have to be much better than the 2017 version.

At least they can’t be much worse.

If the Cougar offense is going to turn things around this season, it has to start up front.

The offensive line has an interesting mixture of experience and youth. Veterans like Austin Hoyt and Thomas Shoaf will anchor the line, with high-profile recruits James Empey, Tristen Hoge, and Brady Christensen joining the starting five.

They’ve got good depth too, with Ului Lapuaho, Jacob Jimenez, and Kieffer Longson in the two-deep.

But the offensive line is all about execution. New offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes is an offensive line guru, and if he’s able to turn this line into a cohesive unit the offense should be night-and-day better than it was in 2017.

Home/BYU Football