BYU is coming off a strong home win agains Utah State last week. However, now BYU is without their star receiver McKay Jacobson who injured his hamstring while stretching during warm ups.
This will allow room for some new receivers to shine. I expect that we will see a lot from Luke Ashworth and Spencer Hafoka. Each has seen more playing time this year than last, but has still essentially been playing in the shadow of Jacobson.
Many people are concerned with how this will affect BYU's passing game. However, I see it as a blessing in disguise. Over the past couple of years, BYU's passing game has had one or two dominant receivers that seem to stand out. Last year, it was Pitta and Collie. This year it is Pitta and Jacobson. I think this limits our abilities in the pass. It allows Max Hall to get comfortable with those few receivers and they always become his first targets. Which makes it that much easier for the defense to read. Just ask Hall, who has already thrown 10 interceptions this season, and just a couple of those were tipped balls.
It seems like BYU has the most success when they can throw the ball around the field to whoever they want. I think back to John Beck's senior season when he could throw to Collie (Zac), Allen, Meikle, Reed, Harline, Coats, Brown, and Vakapuna. I am excited to see this years receiving core develop into one where the defense has to play defense because they don't know who Hall is going to throw to.
I think we will see a lot more of that this game. I think BYU wins this one soundly.
BYU UNLV Prediction
BYU 42 - UNLV 14
No comments:
Post a Comment