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BYU enters a bye week with a unique opportunity to rest and prepare for what could be a historic November.
Tied atop the Big 12 standings with Cincinnati at 5-0, and the only remaining undefeated team in the league with an 8-0 record, the Cougars are also the highest-ranked league team at No. 10. This is a critical position heading into the first CFP poll, expected out next week. Kalani Sitake’s team is the only team that can completely control its own destiny as far as the Big 12 championship game in Arlington is concerned. Win out, you are in. Lose, and you are subject to tie-breaker formulas like last year.
The Cougars are banged up, which is why this bye comes at an opportune time. Running back LJ Martin’s status is uncertain and star linebackers Jack Kelly, Siale Esera, Isaiah Glasker and D-lineman Anisi Purcell are all on the mend. There is uncertainty if Martin’s backup, Sione Moa, injured in the East Carolina game, can return this season. Receiver JoJo Phillips might return, as will safety Raider Damuni.
The next game is at Texas Tech in Lubbock before home games against TCU and UCF and a trip to Cincinnati. Both Texas Tech and Cincinnati are currently ranked in the AP Top 25, as is Utah, who plays Cincy in Salt Lake City on Saturday.
Back in August, I had the Cougars’ record 8-4 this season. They’ve raced to eight wins and are perfect, with a great chance at either going undefeated or reaching 10 wins. Anything is possible, but this stretch is one of the most important in recent BYU football history because of what is on the line.
The remarkable thing about BYU’s 8-0 run is how it mirrors last year’s 11-straight wins. BYU is winning in the margins against teams that gain more yards. The Cougars are winning in the “machinery” of football, which is blocking, tackling, getting turnovers and making critical plays at necessary times. It is red-zone scoring and red-zone stops and converting third and fourth downs, while preventing the same from opponents.
In back-to-back games, BYU got special teams turnovers when Utah muffed a punt and Iowa State had a player touch a live ball on a punt BYU defended. No other team in the country can claim that and both were key to those two wins. Luck? Maybe. But they aren’t exactly a coincidence — this is what BYU does and there’s a track record for two seasons.
There are three very physical teams in the league, Texas Tech, Utah and BYU, and this is why they are considered the best. BYU’s physicality against Utah and Iowa State (second half) were ultimately the difference in wins and losses.
Cougar Insiders question of the week
With BYU off this week before playing the No. 1 rush defense in the country, Texas Tech, are the Cougars prepared to ride the arm of Bear Bachmeier with a banged-up running back, LJ Martin?
Jay Drew: Having watched several of Texas Tech’s games this season, including that blasting of a very good Utah team, I don’t think the Cougars will be able to establish much of a running game against the Red Raiders — whether they have LJ Martin or not.
Texas Tech’s defensive line is that good, and includes a couple of probable NFL first-round draft picks. BYU’s offensive line has been outstanding through eight games, but I just don’t think Andrew Gentry, Isaiah Jatta, Bruce Mitchell, Weylin Lapuaho and company can get much going against TTU, even if Gale Sayers was in BYU’s backfield.
I bring up Sayers because I’ve had a couple old-timers tell me that Martin has similar vision and patience in attacking holes. But I digress.
BYU’s chances to upset the Red Raiders (BYU will almost certainly be a sizable underdog, even if TTU falls at Kansas State on Saturday) will ride on the right arm of Bear Bachmeier. And on his legs. He can probably slow the Texas Tech pass rush a bit with some gashing runs.
I kinda like BYU’s chances to spring some big plays, because Chase Roberts, Parker Kingston and Cody Hagen have been excellent the past few games. Throw in the likely return of JoJo Phillips, and the explosiveness is right there where it needs to be.
Now if they can just get the ball to tight end Carsen Ryan a little bit more.
Dick Harmon: For the better part of eight games, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick has smartly used LJ Martin’s legs to ease freshman Bear Bachmeier into his role as a starting QB. That ploy has worked to perfection, but at a cost to Martin. Until we know Martin’s medical status, Roderick will use a committee of Preston Rex, Enoch Nawahine or even Jovesa Damuni. It is uncertain if RB2 Sione Moa will return to action.
Martin led the Big 12 in rushing before leaving the Iowa State game in the first quarter. Not only was he a valuable rush threat, but a strong blocker in pass protection. BYU can add run threats by going horizontal with jet sweeps and swing passes to move defensive players, but it will miss Martin’s power runs between the tackles. Texas Tech excels at stopping the run better than anyone in the country.
This is why we may see BYU lean on Bachmeier’s arm more than ever. We saw that in the Iowa State win, a comeback with downfield strikes against ISU’s zone coverage, which the freshman attacked effectively.
This is definitely a time the Cougars will need to go airborne more, and perhaps set-up run plays off that threat. It will be more difficult against Texas Tech, a top-10 defense. BYU’s unique ability to be balanced will be tested. But while going to the pass is necessary, it could also prove costly to the offense if Bachmeier is asked to throw 40 times. He’ll be susceptible to more hits, more sacks and interceptions.
But that just might be a risk Roderick has to take.
Cougar tales
Here’s our coverage of BYU’s remarkable comeback win at Iowa State:
- BYU uses these 3 plays to beat ISU (Dave McCann)
- BYU flips switch in comeback over Cyclones (Dick Harmon)
- Culture, luck help Cougar rise over ISU (Jay Drew)
- What ISU coach had to say after loss (Jackson Payne)
- Here’s how social media reacted (Jackson Payne)
From the archives
From the X-verse
Extra points
- BYU’s defense rises in win over Tar Heels (Deseret News)
- Sitake remains quiet on status of Martin (Deseret News)
- Bachmeier brothers meet Adam Sandler (KSLsports)
Fanalysts
Comments from Deseret News readers:
Both byes have been well-timed. The first one gave Bear lots of practice to gain confidence for a fast-tempo East Carolina team. The reps he got that bye week were really useful.
This bye comes just in time to save BYU from having to play against an elite opponent with half their roster sidelined due to injuries.
It sounds like BYU will get a number of players back for the Texas Tech game. Thank goodness. Tech is nearly unbeatable in Lubbock.
This game looks and feels a lot like the ASU game a year ago. Once again, the deck is stacked against BYU. They nearly completed the comeback against ASU. Hopefully, this time, they learn from their past failures and find a way to get the job done against an elite (and well-paid) Red Raider team.
— BeFair
I watched the game in person surrounded by Iowa State fans. To see the entire section I was seated in clear out with eight minutes to go was truly priceless. Just hoping for speedy recoveries for Kelly, Martin and Esera and really hoping Moa and Phillips return for the Tech game. We will need to be at full strength to stay unbeaten.
— Big12Cougs
Up next
- Oct. 29| 6 p.m. | women’s volleyball | UCF
- Oct. 30 | TBA | men’s tennis | Rhalston/Neufeld Challenge
- Oct. 30 | 7 p.m. | women’s soccer | @ Utah
- Oct. 31 | 9 a.m. | cross country | Big 12 Championships
- Oct. 31 | 6 p.m. | women’s volleyball | Kansas State
- Nov. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | men’s basketball | Villanova/Las Vegas