BYU Football: The Cougars Look to Gain Momentum

BYU Football hosts the PAC-12’s California Golden Bears this weekend. This home opener could begin a new and more successful era of football for the Cougars.

Aside from a nice 2-0 start, why is Saturday’s home game against Cal so important?

Momentum.

Being an independent football program has its pros and cons, but one of the most difficult obstacles that BYU faces is having a fairly consistent front-loaded schedule.

This year is similar to what we’ve seen in previous years of independence. Four of the first five games are against Power 5 teams, and two of those four – Wisconsin and Washington – are ranked in the Associated Press Top 10.

This type of schedule in years past has proven to postpone any gain of momentum until mid-way through the season.

This week the offense will be challenged by speedy defensive backs and a quick attack off the edge.  From what we saw against Arizona, it looks like this offense is ready for the task.  Senior quarterback Tanner Mangum started the game a little shaky, but gained composure through the second half and made some big plays.

The offensive line was the biggest story of the game, opening things up for senior running back Squally Canada to rush for 98 yards and freshman Lopini Katoa to run for 39. This opened up opportunities for Mangum and his weapons at wide receiver and tight end to make excellent plays both on the ground and through the air.

If the Cougars can attack and control the line of scrimmage against Cal, look for a similar outcome this Saturday.

Kalani Sitake and the Cougars were an underdog heading into their season opener in Tucson. In fact, they were picked by Vegas to lose most of their games this season – including this week against Cal – and expected to repeat much of what we saw last year.

But after defeating Arizona’s Heisman hopeful Khalil Tate and the Wildcats, not only have some oddsmakers leaned in BYU’s favor, but it looks like the Cougars now have a big chance against Cal.

It’s a chance to make a huge statement.  A chance to gain enough momentum to win some big games.

To completely reclaim themselves from last year, which is still an incredibly daunting task, they need a win this Saturday. If that happens, momentum will build and could be strong enough for their Week 3 Goliath, the No. 5 ranked Wisconsin Badgers.

For that to happen, a win must come out of this weekend’s game against Cal. And yes, the physicality, discipline, and execution we’ve been impressed with from this new offense (and returning defense) will still need to improve in order to have any kind of chance to travel to Madison and upset Wisconsin.

But, with gained momentum, and that giant 2017 chip on their shoulder, the Cougars just may have a fighting chance.

Only time – and this Saturday – will truly tell.