BYU Football is relevant once more in the college football landscape. Now it’s time to use the McNeese State game to get the offense to where it needs to be.
If anyone is complaining about how BYU Football has fared to this point in the season, they’ve got to be a little delusional. Although things aren’t perfect, it is obvious that the Cougars have overachieved and out-preformed all pre-season expectations.
Yet, Saturday’s contest with McNeese State presents a perfect opportunity for the offense to click and really get things moving.
That’s not to say the mild concern being voiced by the coaching staff about the Cowboys is not merited. McNeese state is currently ranked No.10 in the FCS rankings, and for good reason.
Of the twelve FCS opponents BYU football has faced in the past, the Cowboys possess the biggest threat of pulling off an upset. They’re undefeated and averaging 29.3 points and 373 yards per game. They’ve also been holding their competition to only 19.3 points a game.
Still, if the BYU players heed the coaches’ warnings, they should be able to take advantage of the talent gap. If a jump in their offensive output is to happen this season, Saturday is as great a day for it to happen as any.
Better But Not Great
The Cougars are now averaging 23.3 points and 330 yards a game. That includes 155 rushing yards, and 175 through the air. Although the rush average is a solid improvement from last year’s 130.5 yards per game, the pass and total yard averages are about the same.
Considering the competition, these numbers aren’t bad. However, with some high-powered offenses looming in the near future, specifically Utah State and Hawaii, the offense may need to score more than their 23. 3 points to pull off victories.
Maybe a lot more.
Airing It Out
It’s imperative for BYU Football to cash in on a team that’s given up 288.9 passing yards a game to FCS level talent. The chance for Tanner Mangum and his pass-catching cast to have a monster game is there for the taking this weekend. It might not be easy, but to expect less from the offense would be an insult to the 25th ranked Cougars.
So, what would be considered a step forward for the offense? This is a tough one to answer, and one the coaches have decided to leave unanswered. They are clear that such goals are not a part of the program.
A realistic expectation for the offense this week would be around 300 passing yards. The first priority is to win the game, and to do that the Cougars will impose their will and establish the run.
But still, opportunities to work in play-action passes until the game is well in hand will provide enough opportunity to hit that mark.
In other words, it’s time to take the training wheels off and let the ball fly around. Hopefully it happens before the fourth quarter, when the scrubs will be in and the ball will stay on the ground if the game is in hand.
Mangum, as well as those he throws to, could use the boost in confidence and the validation that comes from such execution.