Coaches and players may not say it, but No. 9 BYU started getting ready Monday for what is the biggest game of the season when the Cougars play at No. 21 Boise State on Friday.
The upcoming matchup — the first of two ranked teams in the series — has serious implications for BYU. For just the fourth time in program history, the Cougars have gotten off to a 7-0 start.
Five of those wins came behind dominating performances, leading BYU to not only break into national rankings, but also get in NY6 and possible CFP conversations.
BYU starting quarterback Zach Wilson is also being touted as a possible Heisman candidate.
Some are referring to this game as the most important BYU game in decades.
Yet, BYU coach Kalani Sitake said on Monday the only thing the Cougars are concerning themselves with is being at their best and seeing what happens afterwards.
As they have done all season, the Cougars are going at it one week at a time and not looking forward.
“Nothing’s going to change — we’ve been on the road before,” Sitake said. “I’ve been really pleased with the way our players have kept their focus, and nothing’s going to change with this week. We’re not worried about anything other that being at our best and scouting.”
But there is one change this week that the Cougars haven’t dealt with before.
A short week is being cut even shorter due to new NCAA legislation forcing Division I teams to take Election Day off. Student-athletes will not practice and compete, among other countable athletically related activities, as per the new legislation, passed on Sept. 16.
Add in a road game, and that means BYU is only able to practice Monday and Wednesday. The Cougars will then travel Thursday and have a walk-thru at Albertsons Stadium.
BYU submitted an appeal to be able to practice on Election Day, but was denied. However, Sitake is OK with the NCAA’s decision to promote civic engagement, a philosophy that goes hand in hand with the values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its mission work.
And Sitake is choosing to see the positive out of having a short week cut even shorter.
“I know people say, well, you guys can’t do this and can’t do that with a limited time, but what we can do is embrace it and look at it as going into our eighth game, nine-week season so far — we can look at it as a time to focus on other things,” Sitake said. “When you’re so swallowed up with football, it’s good to take a break and tomorrow will be a good one for them.”
Both teams are entering the matchup undefeated, but at much different points in their seasons, with it being BYU’s eighth game and only Boise State’s third.
Senior defensive back Troy Warner isn’t letting the talk of having a short week for a big game get to him. He isn’t even trying to think of the upcoming game as a make-or-break situation. For him, it’s just another game.
Sometimes getting caught up in the hype can lead a team or player to get thrown off their game, he said.
“We’re just taking it as another game,” Warner said. “Obviously Boise is another rivalry team for us, and it’s always fun playing there [with the] atmosphere. It’s exciting. This is an exciting time and we’re going to prepare the right way. I know it’s a short week, but we’re going to do what we can and do what we have to do to come prepared and come ready for a dogfight.”
