Austin, Texas • There weren’t any drawn out meetings or big presentations inside the BYU football offices this week to discuss the Cougars’ history playing Texas.
According to head coach Kalani Sitake, his players already knew about the last time BYU went into Austin and took down the Longhorns 41-7. There was no need to revisit that game just to gin up belief BYU could do it again — potentially upsetting the No. 7 team in the country in the process.
“I think guys are smart enough to know [the history]. I don’t think I need to have a long list of why things can be done,” Sitake said.
No matter how Sitake decided to play it, though, the task at hand doesn’t get any easier.
Texas is a legitimate college football playoff contender with one of the most talented rosters in the country. The athleticism is befitting of a team ranked sixth in the nation in composite talent by 247sports.
“Yeah, it’s really tough,” quarterback Kedon Slovis said on if he thinks BYU can matchup with Texas’ size and speed. “But there’s a reason I’m here. I believe in the guys we have in the building.”
BYU is one win away from bowl eligibility, but still working through issues on offense. The running game showed signs of coming into form — hitting the 150-yard mark for the first time. But against a team like Texas, there will be little margin for error.
“We are very close, which is a cool thing to say,” Sitake said of the offense. “But then you watch Texas, they got playmakers all over the place. One of the best teams I’ve seen both talent and coach. They got so much athleticism, speed and talent.”
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) reaches for the ball as BYU hosts Texas Tech, NCAA football in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Defending is Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back C.J. Baskerville (9).
How to watch:
Kickoff time: 1:30 p.m. MT / 2:30 p.m. CT
Television: ABC
Radio: BYU radio SiriusXM 143/ BYURadio.org / BYU Radio App/ KSL 1160 AM,102.7 FM
Weather: High 70s with a chance of thunderstorms late
Keys to the game
1. A backup quarterback
Texas is starting backup quarterback Maalik Murphy this week in place of the injured Quinn Ewers. If there was ever a window of opportunity for the Cougars to make it a game, this might be it.
Murphy is making his first college start and has only attempted eight career passes at the college level.
Still, BYU shouldn’t expect a repeat of last week when it saw Texas Tech’s third third-string quarterback. The difference between Murphy and Tech quarterback Jake Strong is seemingly immense.
Murphy is 6-foot-5 and close to 240 pounds. BYU defensive end Tyler Batty compared Murphy to Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson (who is 6-foot-3 and closer to 250 pounds).
Also, Murphy was a former four-star recruit with offers to Alabama and Texas A&M. Accordingly, Steve Sarkisian said he there isn’t a throw Murphy can’t make. It is just a matter of experience.
FILE - Texas quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) throws against Rice during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. Murphy will likely get his first career start when the No. 7 Longhorns (6-1, 3-1) host Big 12 newcomer BYU (5-2, 2-2) Saturday, Oct. 28. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
2. Figuring out the offense
The offense took a small step against Texas Tech. With the addition of veteran Aidan Robbins, the Cougars had its best overall rushing attack of the year.
Still, there were plenty of empty carries in a 150-yard night. And the passing game did not get past 175 yards.
Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick acknowledged the offense needs to find answers quickly before facing five of the top seven teams in the league to finish out the year.
Roderick called Texas’ defensive line the best he’s ever seen as a coach.
3. Giving up yards and getting pressure on the QB
In both of BYU’s Big 12 wins this year, the Cougars have been out gained by over 100 yards. That isn’t exactly a sustainable model.
Kalani Sitake admitted as much on Monday.
“I don’t care what stats look like,” Sitake said. “…But I do know stats show some deficiencies and areas we need to address.”
One of those areas is getting pressure on the quarterback. There have been times BYU’s defense has been disruptive, but it hasn’t been often enough.
For the second straight week, BYU could not get a sack against Texas Tech. It has created interceptions and turnovers, but Hill said he’d like to couple that with more negative plays.
Facing a backup quarterback, it feels as though BYU will need to get to the passer. Combine that with better third-down defense and BYU could give its offense extra chances.
Headlines:
• Spit-gate 2023 is alive and well thanks to Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire
• Steve Sarkisian once asked LaVell Edwards for a stadium fog machine.
• Where is BYU in the latest Big 12 Power Rankings?
• Quinn Ewers is out. But don’t expect Arch Manning to start this week.
• Does BYU have its identity even as its on the doorstep of bowl eligibility
Quotable:
“If you asked Sark and myself if we wished we were playing this game, of course. Are you kidding me? And do we wish we were in this conference? Yes. So let’s build off the enthusiasm.” - Sitake
