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BYU Football: Offensive balance and two more keys to beating UMass

By Shaun Gordon

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 01: A general view of the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins logos prior to the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 01: A general view of the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins logos prior to the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 16: General view of the BYU Cougars offensive line during a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 16: General view of the BYU Cougars offensive line during a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

3 – Start the Game Strong

BYU has created a habit of starting games off slowly this season. In fact, if there’s something more than a habit, the Cougars have it. They’ve been outscored 52-24 in all of their first quarters combined this year, and 14 of those 24 points came against Hawaii.

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Adding to their propensity to start off slowly, it’ll be a very early start for the Cougars. Kickoff is at 10:00am MT, and BYU has been historically bad in games before noon.

Oh, and they’re historically bad in games on the East Coast.

Starting to get the picture?

The odds are stacked against a fast start for BYU. It’s more likely that they struggle early and slowly play better as the game progresses.

But that can’t happen in this one. If the Minutemen get off to a fast start and build a lead, BYU will have to play catch-up the entire game. And for a team that struggles to finish drives, that kind of comeback would be even more difficult.

If the Cougars can play the entire game using a balanced offense they’ll be able to take advantage of UMass’ lousy defense. But if they have to play catch-up it’ll allow the Minutemen to key in on the passing game, much like Utah State and Northern Illinois did.

BYU has to come out with fire and focus from the opening kickoff. In fact, we’re going to call it. Whoever wins the first quarter wins the game.

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