Welcome to Too Optimistic Tuesday! This weekly column reminds BYU fans why they should count their many blessings and have an abundance of hope.
Every season in every sport is full of both ups and downs. This column will amplify the "ups" and help fans quickly recover from the "downs". So put on your blue-tinted goggles and just indulge me in some hyperbole while enjoying your BYU fandom for a moment.
BYU's starters are capable of winning the Big 12
Kalani Sitake has built a team with top-end talent that has the skill, experience, and coaching to win the Big 12 championship and make noise in the College Football Playoffs.
The Cougars are that good.
BYU went on the road to Colorado State and the starters absolutely annihilated the Rams.
Aaron Roderick's offense was firing on all cylinders in the first half. BYU's first two possessions lasted five plays, gained 146 yards, and produced two touchdowns. After a three-and-out, the Cougs then finished out the first half going touchdown, field goal, touchdown, before kneeling out their final possession before halftime.
Brady Poppinga's defense had a less-than-stellar start on the first possession that saw the Rams string together a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. After that Colorado State's remaining first half possessions yielded four straight punts followed by an interception.
It was a beatdown at halftime as the Cougars led 31-7.
While Colorado State isn't a Power Four program, they are a talented, well-coached Pac-12 team. Every week a handful of ranked teams struggle against programs of Colorado State's level. This week No. 20 Missouri led Troy just 24-17 at home after three quarters and ended up winning 27-17. No. 24 Oklahoma eeked out a 14-6 home win against New Mexico.
Last week No. 19 Washington barely beat a pretty bad Utah State team 16-14. And two weeks ago Western Michigan beat No. 16 Michigan only to have their deserved victory overturned by an egregious mistake by the officials.
Curb stomping Colorado State 31-7 at halftime is impressive.
This is how CFP-level teams perform against quality Group of Six programs.
BYU's offense is a unit. The "Big Three" of quarterback Bear Bachmeier, running back LJ Martin, and wide receiver Legend Glasker is as good as any in the country. The offensive line is dominant with the exception of Andrew Gentry's penalties. The Cougars' defense tackles well, is solid in coverage, and is playing well despite the concerning lack of pressure.
And it's a good thing BYU's starters are so dominant, because BYU's beloved head coach, Kalani Sitake, is far too quick to take his foot off the gas pedal and the Cougars' second string has played extremely poorly when given the opportunity. But we're not going to dwell on that here given where BYU is ranked and their perfect path ahead.
BYU's perfect path to the College Football Playoffs
At 3-0, Kalani Sitake's program has nine games remaining. And fortunately for this year's Cougars, they have two resume-building games against No. 3 Notre Dame and No. 15 Utah still on the schedule.
The importance of the Notre Dame gam cannot be overstated. Provided both the Cougars and the Irish keep rolling, their October 17th tilt will be between two Top 10 programs. The eyes of the entire college football universe will be watching. The fact that Notre Dame is, well, NOTRE DAME is exactly what BYU needs as it builds its College Football Playoffs resume.
BYU's problem last year was that its two marquee games were both against Big 12 foe Texas Tech. The Cougars need to prove their mettle against non-Big 12 programs, and Notre Dame fills that need.
As long as BYU is competitive with Notre Dame, a loss isn't fatal. The CFP selection committee is seemingly enamored with "quality losses", and a competitive defeat and the hands of the Irish would be just that. Provided BYU doesn't get blown out, there is only upside having Notre Dame on the schedule.
And don't forget Utah.
The No. 15 Utes have been a bulldozer this year. It's possible they are still undefeated and knocking on the door of the Top 10 by the time the two teams square off on November 15th. While the national media tends to downplay ranked wins among Big 12 members in conference games, a victory over the Utes would go a long way in building BYU's CFP resume.
Kalani Sitake and his BYU Cougars are right where they want to be.
It feels like the last two seasons have been preparing this team for this pivotal moment in time, and the Cougars look more than ready.
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