I just keep getting more optimistic as the season approaches!

[Cali Coug]

The D has some big holes, but it had even bigger holes last year, and BYU still had a winning season and the opportunity to win at least 3 more games if the ball bounced a bit differently on just one play.

The offense will be better, the defense will be better. The opponents are not as challenging. To me, that equals a pretty darn good season.

[Mormon Red Death]

Originally Posted by hoyacoug

The D has some big holes, but it had even bigger holes last year, and BYU still had a winning season...

I thought they went 6-6? Am I wrong? Is 6-6 a winning season?

[Cali Coug]

Originally Posted by Mormon Red Death

I thought they went 6-6? Am I wrong? Is 6-6 a winning season?

True if you include the bowl game. They had a winning season which qualified them for the bowl, which they lost (to a very good Cal team).

[fusnik11]

Originally Posted by hoyacoug

The offense will be better, the defense will be better. The opponents are not as challenging. To me, that equals a pretty darn good season.

I don't think the defense will be better. In fact with the changes in schemes and the deficiencies in personnel I think the defense will be significantly worse this year. I hope the offense is better in the form of efficiency and time management. This team is built for a ball control offense that has the ability to throw the ball around, if they are relying on their offense to score 40 a game to win, they will lose a few more games than anticipated.

I think a 7 win season will be very good, but think if they don't hit the 8 win threshold it will be a fairly disappointing season.

[Cali Coug]

Originally Posted by fusnik11

I don't think the defense will be better. In fact with the changes in schemes and the deficiencies in personnel I think the defense will be significantly worse this year. I hope the offense is better in the form of efficiency and time management. This team is built for a ball control offense that has the ability to throw the ball around, if they are relying on their offense to score 40 a game to win, they will lose a few more games than anticipated.

I think a 7 win season will be very good, but think if they don't hit the 8 win threshold it will be a fairly disappointing season.

I think the scheme will be a benefit. BYU has outstanding linebackers right now. We want them to be the focus of the defense. While I have yet to see the secondary, I have a hard time thinking they could possibly be any worse than they were last year. BYU added new talent, including JC talent, so I am optimistic that that group will improve as well. As for the Dline, there are substantial concerns. I think the group will perform well at the 1-deep, but if there are any injuries, the Dline could be hurting. Even with all of that, I have a hard time seeing how they will be worse than last year, let alone substantially worse.

[creekster]

I must confess that having ridden the roller coaster of pre-season optimism followed by season disappointment and post-season angst that i have been unable to get too exzcited this year. I think it is some sort of self=preservation technique. I just can't get into the nitty gritty of personel and schemes, etc.

I do know that I wouold be very happy with 8 wins and would probabyl be satisfied with 7 wins.

Go cougs, please?

[fusnik11]

Originally Posted by hoyacoug

I think the scheme will be a benefit. BYU has outstanding linebackers right now. We want them to be the focus of the defense. While I have yet to see the secondary, I have a hard time thinking they could possibly be any worse than they were last year. BYU added new talent, including JC talent, so I am optimistic that that group will improve as well. As for the Dline, there are substantial concerns. I think the group will perform well at the 1-deep, but if there are any injuries, the Dline could be hurting. Even with all of that, I have a hard time seeing how they will be worse than last year, let alone substantially worse.

Here is why I think the scheme won't benefit BYU this year.....

The d-line is going to be brutal. It won't much matter how good the LB's are this year, which I suspect will be better than average, because of the lack of developed and experienced talent on the front line. I see no real improvement in the defensive backfield.

I hope I am wrong.

[Venkman]

I'm a little more optimistic. The LB play will be better and I believe the DB play will improve with more experience, better personnel, and more zone coverage. Not saying they'll be great, but hopefully average enough to keep the opposing offenses somewhat honest.

Teams will have no problem rolling up the yardage, but I think we'll see better D in the red zone. I'm looking for more of a bend don't break defense this year.

I'm saying 7 wins based on our offense and assuming our D isn't worse than last year. If they're worse - six games, if they're better - 8 or 9.

[livecoug]

7 wins will keep me happy! 8 would overjoy me!

[Archaea]

After failure after failure, I no longer harbor any optimism for anything BYU.

I hope for success but expect failure in return.

I see glaring holes along the line, terrible dbs and OC drooling at the prospects of drilling our defense.

Our offense should be acceptable, but Beck won't win many games that are nailbiters.

Until BYU actually starts dominating both lines of scrimmage, nothing but up and down seasons can be expected.

If BYU can't get back to having the best lines, BYU will start winning again.