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BYU Football: The ground game and other keys to beating Western Michigan

By Shaun Gordon

BOISE, ID - DECEMBER 22: Famous Idaho Potato Bowl MVP and team championship trophies on display at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl between the Utah State Aggies and the Akron Zips on December 22, 2015 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Akron won the game 23-21. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID - DECEMBER 22: Famous Idaho Potato Bowl MVP and team championship trophies on display at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl between the Utah State Aggies and the Akron Zips on December 22, 2015 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Akron won the game 23-21. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WI – SEPTEMBER 15: A group of BYU Cougars defenders make a tackle against the Wisconsin Badgers in the third quarter of the game 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: A group of BYU Cougars defenders make a tackle against the Wisconsin Badgers in the third quarter of the game at Camp Randall Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. BYU won 24-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Stop the Ground Game

While BYU needs to find a way to move the ball on the ground, they’ve also got to keep the Broncos from doing the same.

Western Michigan’s defensive strength is through the air, but their offensive strength is on the ground. They average 204.6 yards per game, 31st best in the nation.

Just like the Cougars, the Broncos have a freshman under center in Kaleb Eleby, and he’s not going to beat BYU with his arm alone. Western Michigan will have to move the ball on the ground in order to suck in the defense and allow Eleby to have more space in the passing game.

The Broncos have relied heavily on their run game since Eleby took over for an injured Jon Wassink midway through the season. They’ve got two solid backs in LeVante Bellamy and Jamauri Bogan, and they combine for nearly 29 rushing attempts per game.

Fortunately, BYU has the nation’s No. 26 rushing defense, so Western Michigan will have to pit their strength against the Cougars’.

BYU should have the advantage, but the run defense will have to play just as well, if not better, than their season average to keep the Broncos penned in.

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