It’s finally game week in Provo. Welcome back after the longest offseason since 2017.
Last week, we did a deep dive into a decision that might define BYU’s season.
The Cougars are running it back with the same pass rushers this year and expecting wildly different results. Defensive coordinator Jay Hill will take Tyler Batty, Isaiah Bagnah and Logan Lutui as his main options in 2024. Problem is, Bagnah had a success rate of 2.8% at getting after the quarterback last year and Lutui didn’t record a sack. Batty is a good player. But BYU knows who he is after four years. He’s never been a 10-sack-a-year guy.
So, I’m certainly skeptical of the move to stand pat rather than upgrade that position.
But the one thing I’ll say that we didn’t get to last week was there might be another way to get after the quarterback this year. Mainly, what if Hill plans on making the linebackers a more pivotal part of the pass rush equation?
The names I’m thinking of are Weber State transfer Jack Kelly (who was an edge rusher in Ogden with over 16 career sacks) and even a player like Choe Bryant-Strother (who took snaps on the defensive line while at UCLA and came up with six hurries in 2023).
Last year, BYU’s linebackers only accounted for two sacks. Ben Bywater had one and so did Max Tooley.
But if your edge rushers aren’t getting it done, maybe it is time to bring the pressure from elsewhere. At least this linebacker unit has some experience getting after the quarterback.
Whatever happens, Hill needs to find more pressure or this defense will bottom out again. And at least right now, I don’t see that consistently coming from the rush ends over the course of a Big 12 season.
The Big Thing
Let’s get into what BYU needs to do this week. While Southern Illinois shouldn’t give the Cougars too much of a scare (if they do, it will be a huge issue), BYU desperately needs to show it can run the ball.
Nobody needs reminding that BYU ran the ball for less than 50 yards the last time it faced an FCS opponent. It was a sign that the Cougars offense was in deep trouble for the rest of the year.
With new offensive line coach TJ Woods, even getting back up to 2022 run game levels would be a welcome sign. That year, the Cougars averaged 176 yards per game. They just can’t be as bad as 2023 — when they ran for 104 yards a night and the play action passing game ground to a halt.
When offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick’s offenses are working, BYU runs the ball well. In his first year as OC, BYU ran it for 188 yards a game. It translated to over 450 total yards.
Plus, the Big 12 is a running league now. Last year, five teams ran for over 200 yards a game. 10 out of the 14 teams were over the 150-yard threshold.
Even just getting to 170 yards would put BYU in the middle of the pack. It needs to happen and it needs to start with the opener.
(Jaren Wilkey | BYU) Offensive line coach TJ Woods observes BYU football practice in Provo, Friday, March 8, 2024.
Weekly Poll
We asked you who would you like to see be BYU’s starting quarterback.
Here’s how you voted:
Gerry Bohanon — 64.3%
Jake Retzlaff — 35.7%
And here are a few of your arguments for starting Bohanon:
“More P5 experience, deserves a chance. Bohanon won a B12 championship, while Retzlaff hasn’t won a game in D1 football.”
“More playing experience at the 4-year school level.”
“Leadership experience. Plus he is an 80 in CFB 25 and Jake Retzlaff is a 75.″
And for Retzlaff:
“If they can’t decide on one then a tie should go to the incumbent…Jake. He knows the offense better and will be much improved from last year especially if he’s fixed his turnover issues.”
“Those that know more than I do keep saying he will be the starter.”
“Pizzazz.”
Fourth Down
1. How much will LJ Martin play?
Everyone is talking about the quarterback, but who will take the first carry of the season? Martin has been participating 11-on-11 sessions in the last few days of fall camp. But the shoulder injury is still a question. If he’s limited, expect plenty of Hinckley Ropati.
The Oregon transfer was a big time coup for BYU in 2023. Now it’s time for Taggart to step into a pivotal role. Without Ben Bywater in the mix, Taggart can man that linebacker spot. He just needs to stay put on play action fakes and be more effective dropping back into coverage.
Underrated this week, who will play that second corner spot? I will be looking at Mory Bamba and Marque Collins in that spot. Both should see the field going into SMU.
4. Ephraim Asiata, Fred Warner
Not sure how much he will play, but Kelly Poppinga just compared Asiata to Fred Warner. He is still putting on weight, but he can be a playmaker in this defense. He can get after the quarterback and is rangy enough to drop back in coverage.
Next Up
Vs. Southern Illinois at 6 p.m. MT on ESPN+
— That’s it from me! Talk to you after Week One.