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BYU Football: Three reasons the UMass game could be trouble for the Cougars

By Ron Jensen

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 2: Andrew Ford #7 hands the ball off to Marquis Young #8 of the Massachusetts Minutemen during first quarter action against the Florida International Golden Panthers on December 2, 2017 at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 2: Andrew Ford #7 hands the ball off to Marquis Young #8 of the Massachusetts Minutemen during first quarter action against the Florida International Golden Panthers on December 2, 2017 at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WI – SEPTEMBER 15: Adam Pulsipher #41 and Merrill Taliauli #54 of the BYU Cougars celebrate after a missed field goal in the fourth quarter of the game by the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. BYU won 24-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI – SEPTEMBER 15: Adam Pulsipher #41 and Merrill Taliauli #54 of the BYU Cougars celebrate after a missed field goal in the fourth quarter of the game by the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. BYU won 24-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

3 – The Minutemen beat the Cougars Last Year

Just like with Utah State earlier this season, the Cougars feel that they a playing a team that they should have beaten a year ago.  One major difference, though, is that the Minutemen beat them on their own field, and now BYU has to travel across the country to try to get even.

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Avoiding a similar outcome to this year’s Aggie defeat will take the right mindset for all involved on Saturday.  Over-confidence cannot be allowed to enter the minds of a group that’s fighting for redemption in both the series and the season.

BYU’s mentality has been odd this season, looking focused and sharp in bigger games like Wisconsin, Arizona, and Boise State, but seeming lost against teams like Cal, Utah State, and Northern Illinios.

If anyone has a mental edge in this contest, it would have to be UMass.  Marching into LaVell Edwards Stadium and stealing one from BYU Football on Senior Day was an accomplishment worth acknowledging.

If the Cougars fail to at least respect their capability, it’s not only disrespectful but pure and utter foolishness.

Not admitting that this game is a huge one is also a big mistake.  So many things hinge on a win in Foxborough.  A loss could cost Cougar Nation a bowl trip, a winning season, and possibly a head coach.

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