BYU Football: Is 2017 completely behind the Cougars?

With a 3-1 start and a monster upset, BYU seems to be back to their winning ways. There are still a few things that need to happen before putting last year in the rear-view mirror, though.

BYU Football is 3-1 and recently had one of their best wins in program history. Most fans, myself included, didn’t anticipate BYU winning, or really even being competitive against No. 6 Wisconsin, and yet here we are.

The win reminded fans what it felt like to get a good win. Sure the Arizona win felt good, but that win doesn’t have the same luster as a Top 10 road win.

Wisconsin is a good team. They essentially return the same offense that was a few plays away from a likely playoff berth last season. And Wisconsin showed how good they are by going to and taking down a really good Hawkeye team.

But before setting expectations at 10+ wins, there are still some things that need to be fixed that still linger from last season. Here are some things that are better in 2018 and some areas that still need some work:

Overall Defense – Improved from 2017

The defense has shut down two Heisman trophy candidates and made them seem average at best. Aside from one bad defensive breakdown against Cal that led to a wide open receiver, there haven’t been any really big plays given up. Alex Hornibrook was much (MUCH) less efficient this season, and despite losing Fred Warner to the NFL, the linebackers as a whole are better this year.

3rd Down Defense – Needs Slight Improvement

As far as percentage goes, it is much improved. Teams are being held to 34% conversion rate, which is better than the typical national average (36%).

The problem is the kind of conversions they are giving up. It seems that all too often teams have a 3rd and 10+ and somehow the offense is able to either pick up the first down or set up a 4th down and short. BYU has given up five fourth down conversions, most of those coming off 4th and one plays that were set up by a big third down gain.

Running Backs – Improved from 2017

Squally Canada has gone from being a decent runner to a real threat to defenses. His receiving has improved (touchdown drop aside) and he isn’t so quick to just run downhill, and there are at least four running back options that could get some positive production. Last year around this time, BYU was using El-Bakri as the featured runner because everyone else was either unproductive or injured.

QB Play – Needs to Improve

Tanner Mangum quietly had a pretty bad game against Wisconsin. He threw 12-22 for 89 yards. That’s 6.4 yards per catch and 4 yards per attempt. Those numbers are going to have to improve if the Cougars want to keep winning games this season against good teams.

The fact that the longest completed pass of the season is from a Aleva Hifo isn’t good. Mangum does look a lot more composed in the pocket, and he’s avoiding turnovers for the most part, but the big plays still have not happened.

Even against McNeese State Mangum struggled and only threw for 118 yards. We saw what California was able to do when they stopped BYU’s running game, and it resulted in a loss.

Mangum needs to be more accurate and throw deeper balls if the Cougars are going to continue to have success.

Culture – Improved from 2017

Last year there were a lot of issues on and off the field for BYU. Some players got in trouble with the law and the BYU Honor Code. There was not a lot of energy on the field and there was a noticeable lack of leadership from the players.

This season seems much different. Players are getting each other hyped, competing and making each other better. Although the season isn’t over, it is safe to say that the culture on the team has improved a lot.

There’s no denying that BYU Football is better this season than they were last season. That being said, there are still a few elements of BYU’s game that need to improve if they want to continue their success.  What do you think? Is 2017 completely behind BYU or are there still some lingering issues?