Been capping this game for over a week.Both teams lost so many players.BYU's offense got wiped out. The season ended on such a bad note.After leading the nation in so many offensive catogories and going 12-0,they had to play Hawaii in a bowl game.BYU scores 45 pts and loses.The "Bows" score 72.BYU lost 8 starters this yr.on defense.Is that good news or bad news?
Cuses offense got wiped out.Their top RB,FB,WR,4 O-Linemen,TE and 3 cheerleaders are all gone.On defense they lost their "all world" DE and sack leader.But they do return 6 starters and have "all world" MLB Clifton Smith.He is awesome and will be a 1st rd NFL pick.
This is a very tough game to capp.There are so many unknowns on both sides here.BYU replaces Doman with 6'4 Englemann.He is accurate and has a strong arm.Typical BYU QB.Their top OL Archibald is out for the season.A revamped OL must protect him and open up holes for Whalen because Staley is gone.BYU does have a stud WR in Mahe and 2 other solid WR's.At TE they have 2 bookends that are excellent.
Cuse has RJ back at QB.Somewhat controversial but is 11-2 as a starter.Not a great arm but can run.OL is weak except at center.They made a whole bunch of moves FB to TE,TE to RG,LG to RT,etc,etc.There young and inexperinced.Losing 9 starters on offense is a lot.
But they lost Mungro who gained almost every yd for the Cuse lyr.His 3 replacements have a total of 170 yds between them.
I see the Cuse having a lot of penalties on the road.Esp. on the OL
BYU is almost in the same boat.But Crowton is crazy when it comes to running offenses.
He will throw out you,traps,posts,down and outs,slants,reverses,screens,bombs,and even quick snaps when the Cuse players just made a good defensive play and are slapping each other a "high five".I luv this coach.Pasqualoni is more conservative and likes to run the ball.
Trends in this game are even on both sides. ie...Cuse is 3-16 ats as RD's.But 8-3 ats on road openers.BYU HF is losing but Crowton is 5-1 ats at home.But in openers BYU is 3-12 ats in home openers.I can find trends on both sides.
But one trend that opens my eyes is again "playing on grass". Cuse is not a good team on grass.In the last 3 yrs they are 3-7 ats.And that is with some good teams.
I'll take BYU -2 at home.They are 5,000 feet above sea level.The Carrier Dome is 20 ft below sea level.That means the Orangemen are playing 5,020 ft above their norm.They are replacing 9 staters on offense,missing their 2 superstars in Freeney and Mungro,playing just below the ozone on grass with many rookies all over.Mucho penalties.
Do not see a blowout because BYU defense might not be able to stop the Cuse either.
But BYU offense is so sophisticated that the better Cuse defense will tire out there in that 5,000 ft thin air.Also Cuse kicking game loves indoors.Outside is different.
Cuse has better athletics overall but not Thur nite in Provo.
I see BYU winning this one by 10 pts.
Thanks for all the nice comments last week on the Ohio St game.
This is not a strong play on Thur because of the unknown.I'm playing it lightly.
Like the Louisville -13 and will capp my alma mater North Texas-Texas game later in the week. GL
Cuses offense got wiped out.Their top RB,FB,WR,4 O-Linemen,TE and 3 cheerleaders are all gone.On defense they lost their "all world" DE and sack leader.But they do return 6 starters and have "all world" MLB Clifton Smith.He is awesome and will be a 1st rd NFL pick.
This is a very tough game to capp.There are so many unknowns on both sides here.BYU replaces Doman with 6'4 Englemann.He is accurate and has a strong arm.Typical BYU QB.Their top OL Archibald is out for the season.A revamped OL must protect him and open up holes for Whalen because Staley is gone.BYU does have a stud WR in Mahe and 2 other solid WR's.At TE they have 2 bookends that are excellent.
Cuse has RJ back at QB.Somewhat controversial but is 11-2 as a starter.Not a great arm but can run.OL is weak except at center.They made a whole bunch of moves FB to TE,TE to RG,LG to RT,etc,etc.There young and inexperinced.Losing 9 starters on offense is a lot.
But they lost Mungro who gained almost every yd for the Cuse lyr.His 3 replacements have a total of 170 yds between them.
I see the Cuse having a lot of penalties on the road.Esp. on the OL
BYU is almost in the same boat.But Crowton is crazy when it comes to running offenses.
He will throw out you,traps,posts,down and outs,slants,reverses,screens,bombs,and even quick snaps when the Cuse players just made a good defensive play and are slapping each other a "high five".I luv this coach.Pasqualoni is more conservative and likes to run the ball.
Trends in this game are even on both sides. ie...Cuse is 3-16 ats as RD's.But 8-3 ats on road openers.BYU HF is losing but Crowton is 5-1 ats at home.But in openers BYU is 3-12 ats in home openers.I can find trends on both sides.
But one trend that opens my eyes is again "playing on grass". Cuse is not a good team on grass.In the last 3 yrs they are 3-7 ats.And that is with some good teams.
I'll take BYU -2 at home.They are 5,000 feet above sea level.The Carrier Dome is 20 ft below sea level.That means the Orangemen are playing 5,020 ft above their norm.They are replacing 9 staters on offense,missing their 2 superstars in Freeney and Mungro,playing just below the ozone on grass with many rookies all over.Mucho penalties.
Do not see a blowout because BYU defense might not be able to stop the Cuse either.
But BYU offense is so sophisticated that the better Cuse defense will tire out there in that 5,000 ft thin air.Also Cuse kicking game loves indoors.Outside is different.
Cuse has better athletics overall but not Thur nite in Provo.
I see BYU winning this one by 10 pts.
Thanks for all the nice comments last week on the Ohio St game.
This is not a strong play on Thur because of the unknown.I'm playing it lightly.
Like the Louisville -13 and will capp my alma mater North Texas-Texas game later in the week. GL
