BYU Football is back! The Cougars will take on Portland State on Saturday, and everything is falling into place. With a starting quarterback in Bear Bachmier, the boys have been working hard in practice to prepare. The season ahead is long, and the Cougars will want to get off to a good start.
Last year kicked off with some momentum, winning nine straight before back-to-back losses to Kansas and Arizona State. BYU was in the talks for the College Football Playoff before they finished 11-2, including a big win against Colorado in the Valero Alamo Bowl. BYU will look to replicate that hot start this year.
Pre-Game Notes for the BYU Cougars
Portland State is a team in trouble -- BYU should be able to beat them. BYU seems to be a powerful team this year, and the defense has only gotten better. The Cougars need to keep their foot on the gas and score early and often. This should be a winnable game, but it could also be a trap.
BYU, of course, can run up the score. Even with a freshman quarterback, BYU can score a lot of points in this game. BYU also has quite a few solid defensive stars, and the Cougars need to stay aggressive. Also, Will Ferrin is an amazing kicker, so the Cougars have scoring options there as well.
Pre-Game Checklist: BYU Cougars
- Stay Aggressive: BYU needs to stay aggressive and not let Portland State find momentum. This could be a trap game, and BYU needs to be careful.
- Take the ball away: BYU did many things well last year, and one of those was takeaways. If BYU keeps taking the ball away, then it will limit Portland State's chances to score.
- Don't give the quarterback time: Portland State struggled under pressure last week against Tarleton State. BYU needs to keep the pressure on.
Pre-Game Notes for the Portland State Vikings
Portland State suffered a devastating loss to Tarelton State last Saturday, losing 42-0. The Vikings missed two field goals and were shut out at home for the first time since 2003. The Vikings will be angry and looking to take it out on BYU. The Vikings need to clean up some things, such as their turnovers and special teams.
Portland State has a lot to prove after being shut out at home. The Vikings will come in hungry and ready to score points. They are the clear underdog, and they know that. I expect the Vikings to come out fast and angry. It is not fun losing at home, not to mention a shutout.
Pre-Game Checklist for the Portland State Vikings
- Take the ball away, but don't give it away: Like BYU, Portland State needs to take care of the ball and force opponents into mistakes. PSU had a turnover problem against Talerton State that contributed to the big blowout loss.
- Take the lead early: Portland State knows that Lavell Edwards Stadium is loud. If the Vikings can get an early lead, they can bring the noise down and operate better.
- Stop the run: With a freshman quarterback, BYU might lean more on the run at first. If Portland State can stop the run, it can force Bear Bachmier to make mistakes that could lead to points.
In conclusion, both teams need to take care of the football. BYU is the heavy favorite, but Portland State will be looking to rebound and get back on track after being crushed at home. It will be a good game, and BYU needs to be wary of a trap game. It's only a few days away, and it should be a good season opener for BYU.