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Stanford poses a myriad of challenges for BYU on Saturday and Cougar coaches are scrambling to prepare for a far more physical battle with the ACC team from California.
“We’ll get their best shot and their best game,” predicted offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick on Monday. “They also have the advantage of having the week off after losing at Hawaii to prepare for us. Our defense will see film of Stanford defending a run-and-shoot offense, which we do not run. So there’s a challenge there to adjust to what they do.”
This will all add to the pressure on freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who finds himself facing a team he left in spring to transfer to BYU. No doubt Stanford will be coming for him with blitzes and pressures. He’ll need to grow up fast.
Following a blowout win over Portland State, Cougar coaches are wary of Stanford’s talent. On the other hand, Stanford’s coach Frank Reich made an observation that BYU’s defense looked like an NFL-type unit.
Cougar Insider predictions
Question of the week: In BYU’s blowout win over Portland State, the Cougars played their starters the first half before reserves continued to pour it on in the second. What do you expect to see Saturday against Power Four Stanford from BYU starters? What will stand out? What will receive more exposure? And what do you think the final score will be?
Jay Drew: BYU fans who expect Saturday’s game against Stanford to go like last week’s game against Portland State did are probably in for a rude awakening. The Vikings are one of the worst teams in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Cardinal is a mid- to lower-level Power Four team. There’s a huge difference.
I fully expect it to be a four-quarter game, despite the fact that BYU is playing at home, at night and is almost a three-touchdown favorite. Stanford has some decent talent in the trenches, isn’t bad in the skill positions, and has a serviceable, veteran quarterback. Plus, the Cardinal has had an extra week to prepare for the Cougars.
My hunch is that Bear Bachmeier will face constant blitzing, and BYU’s offensive line will be put to the test. Stanford’s defense isn’t bad. Portland State’s defense was really bad — one of the worst units to ever play at LaVell Edwards Stadium, in my opinion.
What will stand out? Probably BYU’s rushing attack, led by LJ Martin and Sione Moa. Hawaii ran the ball well on Stanford, and I suspect that BYU will, too.
Prediction: BYU 31, Stanford 21
Dick Harmon: In Stanford, BYU will face a bigger, stronger, deeper team than it did in the opener. No question the contrast will be evident. But what you’ll see in this game is a chance to see more of BYU’s first-string players. BYU’s second- and third-string defenders only defended 12 plays in the second half last week. Jay Hill’s first-team defense will have a chance to display what it can do as an improved unit from last year, and that should be enlightening.
Offensively, look for offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick to use maximum protection for Bear Bachmeier. That means there will be seven blockers to protect him, many times with backs LJ Martin and Sione Moa in the backfield to help with the pressure. This will put pressure on BYU’s rushing attack, priority No. 1. It also means JoJo Phillips, Chase Roberts, Parker Kingston and Carsen Ryan will need to get open and make plays.
BYU will win this game, but it will be tougher and exactly what Bachmeier needs to progress and get experience facing pressure. We should find out more about his abilities in this game than the last. BYU’s defense gaining turnovers will be the key to this game.
Prediction: BYU 37, Stanford 17
Cougar tales
BYU’s opening win over hapless Portland State proved historic and a record-setting affair. It was the largest margin of victory of the early college season and vaulted BYU to No. 1 in scoring, rushing and defense. Here are some of our headlines and stories from the victory:
- Special teams picks right up where it left off (Jay Drew)
- Here’re three plays that stood out (Dave McCann)
- What Portland State’s coach said about BYU (Jackson Payne)
- Crushing win proved little, but here’s what we learned (Jay Drew)
- Did Bachmeier’s debut preview what’s to come? (Dick Harmon)
From the archives
From the X-verse
Extra points
- Women expected to rise to the top of cross-country (Deseret News)
- Looking at history of BYU and Stanford (KSLsports.com)
- Bachmeier scores local car dealership sponsorship (KSL Sports)
Fanalysts
Comments from Deseret News readers:
I think BYU showed a lot. They won like they should have. Had to pull Bear at halftime. They returned the best D in the Big 12 and it showed. Their line is huge and BYU has speed. Give BYU credit (like the D News will for Utah after they beat Cal Poly).
— 3grandslams
Here’s what we learned:
When the media put a huge burden on Bear’s shoulders by saying a high school player would struggle to lead the team, they were wrong. He did just fine.
When the line was “43,” Bear and teammates eclipsed that before halftime. In fact, they beat the line by 26 points, using four different QBs.
This game was no different than in past years when the uties would open their season at home against North Dakota or Southern Utah, yet the Y got nothing but grief and disrespect while the Utes got a free pass from local media types.
So there’s those things that we learned. Only the media was surprised with Bear’s performance but because it didn’t fit their narrative, they poo-pooded it, along with a record-tying field goal and a crowd of just under 65,000 fans in the largest stadium in the conference. After last season, it’s expected and observed.
— Holy-Schamoly-What Baloney
Up next
- Sept. 4| 6 p.m. | women’s soccer | Arkansas
- Sept. 5 | 6 p.m. | women’s volleyball | Northern Arizona
- Sept. 5 | 9 a.m. | cross-country | Provo
- Sept. 5 | 6 p.m. | women’s volleyball | Wichita State
- Sept. 5 | 8:15 p.m. | football | Stanford
- Sept. 8 | 9 a.m. | men’s golf | Cougar Day, Provo