The Good & The Bad for 2010

 Written by David Bywater

With the beginning of BYU's football season inching closer it seems most people aren’t quite as excited for this season as they have been in years past...and for good reason. The Cougars starting quarterback and running back from last year’s 11-2 team are gone. So what is there to look forward to this year? After doing a bit of research, I have a few good things and bad things for this year, including some specifics for game one against Washington.

The Good: During the last few years, BYU quarterbacks have had good starts to the season. The last three years, Max Hall had impressive first games against Oklahoma, Northern Iowa, and Arizona.

The Bad: Perhaps the next BYU quarterback could have a good start if the Cougars knew who their next quarterback was. Personally, I think it should be Riley Nelson. For those of you that think he doesn’t have a winning pedigree because of his record at Utah State, remember who he played for. Utah State. Jason (not John) Beck beat them with BYU 38-0 in 2007.

The Good: BYU has dealt well with Heisman hopeful quarterbacks before (see Sam Bradford, err… Mr. Clawson). So they should be fully prepared for Mr. Jake Locker.

The Bad: BYU has been known to stuggle with quarterbacks that have the ability to run. The most recent being Christian Ponder who ran for 77 yards last year against the Cougs in Provo, adding a touchdown in the 54-28 beat down (which makes me sick every time I think of it). Jake Locker had 4 games last year with 50 or more yards. He also scored 7 rushing touchdowns in 12 games in 2009 for the Huskies. The last time BYU faced Locker in 2008 the Cougars made him look like a Heisman contender before they were bailed out by a celebration penalty.
 

This rule has to be changed

The Good: Whoever BYU chooses as a signal caller, they will be helped by a solid wide receiveing core. This year, it will be anchored by McKay Jacobson and Luke Ashworth.

The Bad: O’Neill Chambers will probably be returning punts. I have never seen him call for a fair-catch, and yet I have seen him fumble multiple times. While the man does have more confidence than a heavyweight boxer and a politician combined, he has yet to prove that he can provide any type of stability as a punt returner. Yes, he has shown flashes of greatness, but if he really wants to help the Cougars win he must become more sure handed and be willing to settle for a fair-catch every now and then.

The Good: BYU always has good linebackers. I don't really know how they do it but every year BYU seems to reload with ease in their LB group. Also, preseason all-MWC safety Andrew Rich will plug up a lot of holes.

The Bad: Andrew Rich will have his hands full... maybe even too full because of one reason: cornerbacks, cornerbacks, cornerbacks. Has BYU ever had a CB All-American, much less on the MWC first team? EVER?

The Good: ESPN had offensive Lineman Matt Reynolds as the third best player on all of the non-automatic qualifying teams... he is that good.

The Bad: Who will replace Harvey Unga? JJ Di Luigi was the second highest rusher on the team last year, but he cannot, and will not be a feature back. I don’t feel like his IQ is too hot either. I went to my first (and last) pep rally for the team last year, and after someone asked him a question, he thought for a few long seconds, and then answered “I don’t know” and then walked away. Also, what was with his little Irish jig or whatever the heck it was after he scored a touchdown last year and got a penalty for? Really?

The Good: Bronco will have a great halftime speech. He is one of the only coaches that I don’t laugh at when he speaks, mostly because doesn’t stutter.

Feel free to rebut or support anything or everything I have said. Also, let’s go support our Cougars at the open practices in the coming weeks. See the times and places on the BYU football website.