BYU vs UTEP predictions

BYU coming in: They have won 4 of the last 6, with their only losses coming to #3 ranked TCU and #20 ranked Utah. The Utah loss, they actually dominated most of the game, going into the 4th quarter with a 13-0 lead, eventually losing on a blocked field goal, 17-16.

UTEP coming in:  The Miners have lost 5 of their last 6, with their lone win coming against bowl eligible SMU, 28-14.  Averaging less than 20 points per game in that 6 game span, while giving up an average of 29 points per contest.

BYU's Freshman QB coming in: Jake Heaps started the season a little shaky, showing his freshman growing pains. However, in the last 4 games, Heaps has thrown 9 TD's passes to only 1 interception. During that same span, the true freshman is averaging just below 250 yards passing a game (248.75) with 2.5 TDs a game. Throw in a rushing touchdown, and Jake Heaps has accounted for 10 Cougar visits to the endzone in the last month.

UTEP's Senior QB coming in: The senior QB holds most of the passing records for the school, however has been nagged by injuries the later part of the season. In UTEP's final 6 games, he averaged a measly 155.67 yards a game, with an average passer rating of  98. In that same span, he has thrown 8 interceptions to 5 touchdowns.

QB EDGE coming in:   BYU's Heaps. I know he is just a freshman, but he has been playing stellar football and nearly beat a ranked team in a hostile environment in his regular season finale. He has started to develop relationships with wideouts, and timing his routes better. He also has learned when he needs to put touch on the ball, and when to use his God-Given-Canon for an arm to get it in tight spots.

BYU running backs coming in: BYU has three rushers over 400 yards, and two over 500. One of those is true freshman Josh Quezada, and the others are Juniors JJ Di Luigi, and Bryan Kariya. These three backs give the Cougars 3 different styles of runners. Di Luigi is their finesse back, that has some nice moves, and can move the chains with longer runs, the cougars leading rusher as well as a receiver with over 400 yards receiving out of the backfield. This creates a duel threat, and can be hard to defend. Kariya is their I-back, power back. On third and short, Kariya is money everytime to convert for the Cougars. His big frame and powerful legs allow him to get a lot of yards after contact, and enough to give the cougars a fresh set of downs. Quezada, or 'Juice' as the Cougar faithful call him, has a nice combination of the two. His 211 pounds frame allows him to bang with the big boys, while at the same time having enough agility to make people miss and break out runs.

UTEP running backs coming in: Running back by committee it seems to be. With 5 guys running for over 200 yards, and 5 guys scoring on the ground, looks like UTEP likes to mix it up. Joseph Banyard has gotten most of the carries and yards (107 good for 612 yards). As a unit, they average a nice 4.7 yards per carry. That is impressive, and will test the BYU front 3. With 18 rushing touchdowns and 20 passing touchdowns, this is a balanced team. The backs dont seem to catch a lot of passes out of the backfield, which makes them a little easier to defend, knowing they are strict runners or blockers.

RUNNING BACKS edge coming in: Hard to call this one, seeing as its pretty even. The top 3 rushers for UTEP are juniors and a senior, where for BYU there is 2 Juniors and 1 true freshman. I am going to call a toss up here, with a slight edge going to BYU for the sole reason that they are duel threats coming out of the back field to catch passes.

QUICK receiver roundup: BYU has 4 receivers with 30 or more catches. UTEP has 1. BYU has 4 receivers with 300+ yards. UTEP has 2.  UTEP seems to have established Kris Adams as their go-to guy, hence him brining in almost 1,000 yards receiver and almost 50 catches good for 20.8 yards per catch. The sad thing for BYU is that their leading receiver, is also their leading rusher and a RB. Cody Hoffman has emerged as a possible big play receiver. Cougar receivers have been prone to drop easy passes this year, so look for that to play a role in tomorrow's bowl game.

Little Bro's pick: I like BYU in this one. I think they are playing better right now, and pieces are falling into place. Their defense has been stellar lately, while UTEP's offense has been sputtering. Heaps isnt playing like a freshman, and Vittatoe is banged up.

 I am calling a 38-17 BYU victory in the New Mexico Bowl. 


Jake Heaps throws for 300+ yards with 3 scoring strikes, and JJ runs for 75 yards with a TD. Defense gets a turnover that converts into points for the Cougars. BYU walks away with a relatively easy bowl win, and a great building block for the future.

Another Chance for John Beck

ESPN is reporting here that the Washington Redskins are benching Donovan McNabb to see what Rex Grossman and John Beck can offer the team. Now that the Skins have been eliminated from playoff contention Mike Shannahan is taking this opportunity to make his documented distrust for McNabb official.

Big Bro's thoughts: Although Shannahan has expressed that he thinks that Grossman gives them a chance to win, Chicago fans can attest to his Favre-like, schizophrenic play. On the other side of that coin is Beck, who has not really had a a fair shot at starting in the NFL. This could be an opportunity for Beck to earn a starting job if Grossman throws a few picks.

ESPN link

Here is ESPN's Andrea Adelson's thoughts on the New Mexico Bowl

ESPN's thoughts on the game

Bitter Sweet Defeat

Saturday's 17-16 loss to the team up north was truly a heart breaker for the Cougars and their fans. One of the best games of many closely fought battles between the two rivals will also dig the deepest in Blue nation. However, fans of the Y have A LOT to look forward too in this final November battle between Utah and BYU.

Fantastic Freshman
 Here is where BYU has a lot to look forward too. These three freshman are going to do some pretty amazing things at BYU, and possible have  a lot of things said about them nationally, not to mention perhaps the BYU record books.

Could this be the next
great BYU quarterback?

Jake Heaps: What else can be said that hasn't been said already. The guy can throw the pigskin. Against the Utes, Heaps showed he had grown up... HEAPS (pun intended). He stepped up in the pocket a number of times to avoid pressure and deliver on the money throws. He continues to show off his awesome arm strength and fit the ball into windows that, in my opinion, Hall would have thrown a pick on. He is going through his reads and making more smart throws. A lot of progression can be attributed to his line, however, give the guy time and he has proven he will make it worth it. He is reading defenses at the line of scrimmage and knowing what they are trying to do against him. The team is starting to trust him and catch his throws. Jake Heaps, Cougar fans, WILL, I REPEAT WILL, go down as one of the greatest ever to play at BYU, and go into BYU football lore as another great 'Y' QB. There it is, I said it.

Expect to hear this guys name a lot
the next 3 years for BYU

Kyle Van Noy: This guy continues to make big plays and show his versatility. He his a big, fast, strong linebacker that can cover, blitz and hang in the middle of the field and cause havoc on opposing offenses. Yesterday he showed great cover ability on his interception where he was on the receiver stride for stride, and red the ball perfectly. He made a number of tackles that prevented big plays, including staying home on a screen pass and registering a key shoe string tackle that could have very easily gone for a first down and much much more. He is tall, so when he blitzes he can get in the face of the QB without touching him and cause impaired vision down field. He is a monster in the middle and on the edge, and I am going to go out there and say he could very well be the next Rob Morris, and bring home at least 1 All American honor by the time he is a senior (barring injury). He will for sure would have been an all conference LB if BYU wasn't going independent. BYU's defense will be solid with him at their anchor for the next 3 years.

I forsee a lot of big plays in the future
for number 20 and the Y offense

Josh Quezada:  This year we didn't get to see him have consistent reps, considering his split time with JJ and Bryan. However, he has a great mixture of speed, power, and vision that reminds me a lot of Harvey Unga, and even Luke Staley. He has more speed the Unga, not quite the moves of Staley (and hopefully not the glass frame either). He had one 100 yard game this year that showed his versatility. Also, in BYU's season opening win against Washington, showed great catching ability on his TD catch in the back of the end-zone. He will be a great out of the back field receiver, a lot of like JJ, but with better North and South running style. He will have a lot of great games for BYU, and with Kariya and J.J. leaving for graduation next year, his junior year could be very special.

Now, watching BYU lose to Utah on Saturday broke my heart, as I am sure it did many others. However, there is a lot to be thankful for considering this seasons beginning. A terrible 1-4 start that looked like the end of BYU football. Then came Bronco and his excellent coaching and turned the season into a bowl year (6th straight) and the cougars have TONS of confidence after a great battle with a ranked team on the road, heading into their bowl game. BYU's opponent for the bowl game is uncertain, but whoever they are, they better be prepared for an up and coming BYU football team.

New Mexico at BYU preview and Predictions

Today, on a gloomy day in Utah Valley, the Cougars will take on another lowly opponent in New Mexico. I am going to go out on a limb here and say BYU passes the 40 point mark again in another run away against the down 1-9 Lobos.

I am also going to go out and say that Heaps WILL indeed finally surpass the elusive 300 yard barrier he has yet to pass, marking his first 300 yard game in a Cougar uniform, with many more to come. The Cougars rack up over 200 yards on the ground, with JJ getting most of the reps and yardage. Kariya will continue to pound it out on the ground and get 50 yards or so. I am also going to say the Jacobsen will have a good game today. I think he needs this one for his one self image.

What the Cougars need to do today is what they have done each of the past two weeks. They need to start fast. They need to take shots down field, and show their opponent that they are a superior team and that they are not going to let up. This is something they have done great at the past few weeks, and I believe it to be pertinent heading into the the Utah game next weekend.

With a win today, BYU will become bowl eligible, and a shot at taking 2nd in the MWC, a feat just a month ago none of us thought possible. A win over the team up north would secure that spot, and another trip to Las Vegas most likely. Which this year, I think would be a little more savory than years past, considering what this team had to endure this season. Then again, I think any bowl this team will be satisfied with.

Defense will have another strong outing today, holding the Lobos under 300 total yards, and the second team will give up one big play.

Final score prediction. 45-10. With the lone N.M. TD coming in garbage time with benchers in the game.

Key to Jazz Season lies with...

So the Jazz had a monster comeback against the "Almighty Heat" on Tuesday. They have a loss against a lowly Golden State team that they seem to struggle against. They have dominating efforts against a very good Thunder team and a punishing loss to Denver. Translation, inconsistency to start the season.

The success of this young season for the Utah Jazz lies solely on one individual that might not be the first that comes to your mind. No its not their start point guard Deron Williams. Its not their new acquisition down low Al Jefferson. Heck, its not even the beast of Tuesdays game against the Heat, trey-dropping Paul Millsap.

Miles needs to hit this shot

The keys lie squarely in the hands of newly appointed sixth man for this team, C.J. Miles.

In the Jazz two blowout wins against OKC and Toronto, C.J. scored 21 and 19 points respectively. shooting a combined 8-11 from 3 point range and 15-25 overall. Adversely, in the Jazz two blowout loss's combined with their loss to Golden State, he tallied a total of 16 points 1-7 from 3, 5-21 from the field with 11 fouls in a total of  51 minutes.

C.J. has the ability to stretch the floor, when he is feeling the stroke. However, what I have noticed is that sometimes Miles plants out at the 3 point line waiting for the kick outs. The Jazz are in need of a guy that can penetrate besides Deron Williams, and C.J. could be that guy.

In the Jazz come from behind win against the Heat on Tuesday, C.J. scored 6 straight points for Utah, all slashes to the hoop and making layups. Once his drive game becomes respectable, people are going to have to start respecting that and sagging off, opening up his 3 point shot that, when he's on, he can hit them with the best in the league.

Bench players will decide Jazz success

With Okur on the bench, Millsap is thrust into starting duty (why not, the guy would start on any team in the league). That being the case, the Jazz dont have "that guy" coming off the bench to spark a second unit scoring spurt. C.J. is supposed to be that guy for Utah this year. He has shown he can do it. Once Memo comes back, Millsap, and/or perhaps Jefferson will then head to the bench, to solidify a bench that is only improving as the season goes on.

Okur's minutes will be limited his first month or so back in action for the first time since April. That being said, whoever gets put on bench duty (Millsap or Big Al) will see plenty of floor time. Jefferson can only get better as the season progresses. Learning the system is complicated, as has been obvious for Big Al so far this year. He has struggled from the field, and had trouble reading double teams that teams are throwing at him. Once he gets that down, and Okur can stretch the floor for him and Millsap to operate, this Jazz team could be looking at a lot more W's coming their way.

For that to happen, C.J. has got to develop a consistent jump shot, and continue to drive to the hoop. Do that , and this team could be trouble for the rest of the league.

Big day = Big Boost for BYU

Heaps and the Cougars are showing improvement

The 55-7 pounding BYU laid on UNLV this weekend did more than add a 'W' to the win column. With the most potent offensive output this season by far, the Cougars can go into next weeks game with a ton more confidence and an offense that looks like its starting to come together, finally.

It was obvious from the first offensive possesion, and play for that matter, that UNLV was outmatched. Brian Logan intercepted the first pass by UNLV's QB Omar Clayton. BYU's defense continued to show that behind Bronco, this group has a lot more passion and desire than in games before Jaime Hill was released.

On the offensive side of the ball, BYU showed that they can convert 3rd downs via the pass! Thats something we haven't seen that much this year. converting on a 3rd and long, 3rd and averages to the wideouts really will make defenses start to respect the BYU passing game more than they have in games past. BYU has come out and said that they are going to pound it out on the ground, but if they can convert a few times through the air, this offense could start to break through.

Now, I am not saying that BYU has arrived and that a take down of the team up north is eminent, however, it does present an interesting battle going into that game. Does Utah care after they finally complete their being slaughtered by TCU today? Do they really have much to play for since the BCS games are out of sight? And BYU, they of course have everything riding on that game. A send off the their future BCS rival, a possible bowl game on the line, not to mention a final stamp on the season that has been an upsetting year from game 2.

The cougars offense will only continue to get better. Putting up 55 points on a High School caliber team isnt much to gloat about. However, doing it in the fashion that they did it, with nearly mistake free football ( fumble by the third teamers) and this team look revitalized after the bye week. Heaps showed he has accuracy and touch. Receivers decided to show up this season and haul in some beautifully thrown balls. There were a couple misses that could have gone for big plays and or touchdowns, but in the end they played well.

In the end, I think BYU should walk away from this game with their heads high, and their hopes alive for bowling this winter.