Kalani Sitake's No. 8 BYU Cougars are riding high after a 4-0 start and a 2-0 mark in the Big 12 Conference.
Whether the Cougars run their record to 5-0 in a home game against Iowa State on Friday night will largely depend on offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick.
While the Cougars are undefeated, they are coming off a less-than-stellar road victory at TCU last Saturday. BYU suffered several major injuries last week, including running back LJ Martin, the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, and the results against TCU without LJ on the field were concerning. Yes, the wet, sloppy conditions didn't help, nor did an surprisingly inaccurate passing performance by quarterback Bear Bachmeier, but the offense was mostly impotent in a 17-10 Cougs' win.
The defense will be stout against Iowa State
Before returning to Aaron Roderick's offense, let's first dive into Kelly Poppinga's stout defense.
In BYU's two Big 12 games -- wins against Arizona and at TCU -- the Cougars' defense gave up just 27 total points. One of BYU's biggest challenges in recent years has been not only pressuring the quarterback, but security sacks that wreck drives and force punts. In those two Big 12 games, BYU's defense produced seven sacks.
Poppinga's defense was especially impressive last week against TCU. Despite the loss of veteran middle linebacker Isaiah Glasker, BYU's defense thoroughly dominated the Horned Frogs' offense. On a soggy field, the Cougars' offense was stuck in the mud most of the game and did little to control field position. Time and again, the D stepped up, bailed out the offense, and kept the game under control.
Iowa State has played two opponents this year whose defenses will be at least somewhat on BYU's level and those were losses at Iowa and home against Utah. In those two games Iowa State scored a total of 30 points. While the Cyclones are coming off a 45-point outing in a win over West Virginia, they will be facing a much stouter defense against the Cougars.
Iowa State will score 20 points or fewer on Friday at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
What will Aaron Roderick do with the offense?
But will BYU's offense score more than 20 points against Iowa State?
That's the key question.
After losing LJ Martin early last week against TCU, BYU's offense ground to a halt. Under OC Aaron Roderick -- who is excellent, by the way -- the Cougars have built an identity of using the run to set up the passing game, especially on play action and RPOs. But without LJ Martin's dominant brilliance, the run-first approach could leave the Cougars facing too many second-and-nine scenarios.
Last week, Roderick almost stubbornly reverted to a timid, conservative offense that seemed content with 16-yard drives and a punt, then relying on the defense to hold down the fort. Given the rainy conditions and many off-target throws, the approach is at least somewhat defensible, but boy did Roderick put the defense up against a wall.
The good news for Cougar fans is Aaron Roderick is an outstanding offensive coordinator. Knowing LJ Martin will miss the ISU game, he'll have his troops ready.
And Bear Bachmeier will be dialed in at home in hopefully normal conditions.
Last year against the Cyclones, Bachmeier had one of his best passing games of the season. He went 22-of-35 for 307 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. It was his third-highest passing yard performance on the season. Bear also had 12 carries for 49 yards and another touchdown.
Look for similar two-way dominance from Bachmeier as Aaron Roderick implements a gameplan that he knows will not include LJ Martin.
Also, BYU's offensive line was ragged last week with a handful of pre-snap penalties. Offensive line coach TJ Woods is outstanding, and he's going to have his unit ready to roll, even dominate, against the Cyclones.
Last week Iowa State gave up 42 points to a good West Virginia offense.
BYU's offense, even without LJ Martin, will come close to doing the same.
Prediction: BYU 34, Iowa State 17
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