BYU footbal is 6-0. A perfect undefeated record with half of the season in the rearview mirror. Can we take a moment to savor this feeling? Suddenly, a team that was projected to miss the postseason is a contender for not only the conference championship, but a berth to the College Football Playoff--either as a champion or at-large bid.
This is a great time to be a BYU Cougar fan, so if you fall under that description--and I assume you do--rejoice!
After already taking down Kansas State, Baylor, and Arizona in Big 12 play, the Oklahoma State Cowboys were supposed to be one of BYU's toughest opponents on the schedule. The way this season has broken, however, the Cowboys are now fighting for their lives with a devastating 0-3 start to conference play and a season so underwhelming that Utah fans would shudder.
So what should we expect from the Cougars on Friday's clash with Mike Gundy and the Cowboys? What do the Cougars need to watch for, and how can they keep the good times rolling on the quest for 7-0?
BYU Cougars Pre-Game Notes
BYU enters this game with an unblemished record, but it hasn't always been easy. Road wins at SMU and Baylor come to mind for games that caused Kalani's crew to struggle to seal the deal. For the BYU Cougars, defense is the calling card, with the offense just needing to do enough to keep them above water.
Retzlaff has improved over the season, and he adapted very well to the faster and more athletic secondaries that he's had to face as conference play took over. Jake had zero turnovers against Arizona, and should have little problem with the Cowboys defense if he can continue to improve.
Jake struggled with accuracy at times against Arizona, but while he did enough to earn a relatively comfortable win, there may come a time where every play counts and BYU can't afford to settle for field goals and 0 yard possessions. I'll want to see Jake control the ball better and hit his receivers in catchable locations.
LJ Martin and Hinckley Ropati have been a good, though not yet amazing tandem in the backfield, this year, and that's partially thanks to injuries. Against Arizona, however, this team ran the ball effectively and they remained a threat on the ground just enough to do some real damage through the air. Establishing themselves on the ground will be essential to controlling this game.
BYU pre-game checklist
- BYU's defense is elite, and the only squad in the nation with a punt, kickoff, fumble, and interception return for a touchdown.
- BYU's running back room is finally healthy, but they'll be without their starting center on Friday.
- BYU will need to win the turnover battle to maintain control of this game.
Oklahoma State Pre-Game Notes
Mike Gundy's teams have always been well-coached and difficult to beat, but this season has completely flipped on its head. Despite returning so many players from last season's conference championship game team, the Cowboys are off to a horrible start, and it's been an inexplicable collapse from Stillwater.
Bowman, their 7-year veteran, is older than me, but constantly struggling to keep his starting job at quarterback. The only reason he continues to play after getting benched on multiple occassions is that his backup, Rangel, isn't any better.
Ollie Gordon, last season's top running back in the nation, returned to Oklahoma State with the hopes of winning that elusive conference championship. He hasn't been the same dude this year, and it's been tough to see the Cowboys struggle.
This team is on its last legs and will be desperately battling for a win over 13th-ranked BYU. The biggest obstacle standing in their way (other than the excellent football team on the opposing sideline) is that this game will be a night game in Provo, Utah. Ask Kansas State how those games go.
Oklahoma State Pre-game Checklist
- Whoever starts at QB will need to set the tone and keep the BYU defense from gaining confidence.
- Ollie Gordon is a great runner, but BYU is positionally sound. If Gordon can finally break through, this game could get ugly for the Cougars.
- 0-4 is not an option. The Cowboys will battle to win this game at all costs.