Popping the Neuweasel balloon

[MikeWaters]

would be so much fun.

My thoughts:

1. We will not be able to run on UCLA like we did UW, at least at the beginning of the game.
2. Hopefully the altitude will be a factor, esp. in the trenches as the game goes on.
3. Max will need a good game.
4. Please, can we get some defensive takeaways? No turnovers for UCLA, and turnovers for us, UCLA wins.
5. I'm having a hard time imagining losing to that Craft boy. Or put differently, I can't imagine losing to a SDSU-led team. But who knows.
6. Santiago needs to step up.
7. We may find out how bad our placekicking is.
8. Just for kicks, I am predicting a Chambers runback.

[Jim Swarthout]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

would be so much fun.

8. Just for kicks, I am predicting a Chambers runback.

I think there is a better chance of Chambers getting a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

[Mars]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

1. We will not be able to run on UCLA like we did UW, at least at the beginning of the game.
2. Hopefully the altitude will be a factor, esp. in the trenches as the game goes on.
3. Max will need a good game.
4. Please, can we get some defensive takeaways? No turnovers for UCLA, and turnovers for us, UCLA wins.
5. I'm having a hard time imagining losing to that Craft boy. Or put differently, I can't imagine losing to a SDSU-led team. But who knows.
6. Santiago needs to step up.
7. We may find out how bad our placekicking is.
8. Just for kicks, I am predicting a Chambers runback.

My take:

UCLA has the best defense BYU will have faced yet, by far. BYU's offense, on the other hand, is much better than Tennessee's, thanks to our excellent Quarterback play, and the Vols put up 24 on the Bruins. Our O-Line is very strong, not having given up a sack yet this season, but the UCLA D-Line is not only powerful but also extremely aggressive. I'm predicting 5 sacks given up by the Cougars, including a blind-side hit for a fumble. UCLA will also once again almost completely take away BYU's running game, keeping us to less than 100 on the ground. The Bruin DBs appear to be solid, and for the most part will take away Collie and Reed deep, and limit them along the sidelines in the short and mid-range game. But their linebackers are a little slow and have shown poor tackling skills. This will be The Dennis Pitta Show yet again (with some Andrew George mixed in for luck), with consistent big gains across the middle. UCLA's gang-tackling necessity will add 5-YAC to every touch our TEs get. Yet, BYU scored only 17 points against UCLA each of the last TWO times we played them. We should score more than that this time around. Don't expect us to attempt many (if any) field goals though. Do expect a RB fumble, and 2 interceptions due to forced or bobbled passes. And some decent kick returns.

BYU's kick and punt teams will be "up" this game, helping give UCLA long fields to have to drive. UCLA's O-Line isn't as good as Washington's, so don't expect the Bruins to have much of a run game either (also less than 100 yards). BYU could get 3 sacks in on Craft here. But Craft can pass pretty well once he starts to get warm (2 interceptions will come before that point, I expect), and his receivers shouldn't drop the ball. They also shouldn't have too much difficulty getting behind our DBs. No, I don't think BYU's defense is as good as Tennessee's, and UCLA put up 27 points on the Vols. I'm not sure they can best that in Provo though, as they scored 27 on us in L.A. and just 16 in Vegas. I'm trying not to overestimate the home-field advantage; if anything, I'm underestimating its affect on the outcome of the game.

Final Score Prediction?
BYU 21
UCLA 24

[Spaz]

Originally Posted by Mars

My take:

UCLA has the best defense BYU will have faced yet, by far. BYU's offense, on the other hand, is much better than Tennessee's, thanks to our excellent Quarterback play, and the Vols put up 24 on the Bruins. Our O-Line is very strong, not having given up a sack yet this season, but the UCLA D-Line is not only powerful but also extremely aggressive. I'm predicting 5 sacks given up by the Cougars, including a blind-side hit for a fumble. UCLA will also once again almost completely take away BYU's running game, keeping us to less than 100 on the ground. The Bruin DBs appear to be solid, and for the most part will take away Collie and Reed deep, and limit them along the sidelines in the short and mid-range game. But their linebackers are a little slow and have shown poor tackling skills. This will be The Dennis Pitta Show yet again (with some Andrew George mixed in for luck), with consistent big gains across the middle. UCLA's gang-tackling necessity will add 5-YAC to every touch our TEs get. Yet, BYU scored only 17 points against UCLA each of the last TWO times we played them. We should score more than that this time around. Don't expect us to attempt many (if any) field goals though. Do expect a RB fumble, and 2 interceptions due to forced or bobbled passes. And some decent kick returns.

BYU's kick and punt teams will be "up" this game, helping give UCLA long fields to have to drive. UCLA's O-Line isn't as good as Washington's, so don't expect the Bruins to have much of a run game either (also less than 100 yards). BYU could get 3 sacks in on Craft here. But Craft can pass pretty well once he starts to get warm (2 interceptions will come before that point, I expect), and his receivers shouldn't drop the ball. They also shouldn't have too much difficulty getting behind our DBs. No, I don't think BYU's defense is as good as Tennessee's, and UCLA put up 27 points on the Vols. I'm not sure they can best that in Provo though, as they scored 27 on us in L.A. and just 16 in Vegas. I'm trying not to overestimate the home-field advantage; if anything, I'm underestimating its affect on the outcome of the game.

Final Score Prediction?
BYU 21
UCLA 24

Do expect a RB fumble & two INTs? From a RB who's shown little tendency to fumble, and a QB who's thrown very few INT's since game 6 last year (Hall had 8 Interceptions through 6 games, and has thrown all of 5 in the 9 games since).

Sure, it could happen, but I'd be surprised.


If UCLA wins the turnover battle by more than one, this game will probably be a loss for BYU, depending on where BYU gives it up. Otherwise, I just don't see UCLA putting up 24 on BYU in Provo, and I don't see BYU scoring under 24.

[cougjunkie]

Originally Posted by Spaz

Do expect a RB fumble & two INTs? From a RB who's shown little tendency to fumble, and a QB who's thrown very few INT's since game 6 last year (Hall had 8 Interceptions through 6 games, and has thrown all of 5 in the 9 games since).

Sure, it could happen, but I'd be surprised.


If UCLA wins the turnover battle by more than one, this game will probably be a loss for BYU, depending on where BYU gives it up. Otherwise, I just don't see UCLA putting up 24 on BYU in Provo, and I don't see BYU scoring under 24.

You dont think Harvey has a tendency to fumble? You must not be watching the same games I have. 3 critical fumbles in his last 4 games.

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by cougjunkie

You dont think Harvey has a tendency to fumble? You must not be watching the same games I have. 3 critical fumbles in his last 4 games.

You're going to pin the LV Bowl fumble on Harvey?

[Hot Lunch]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

would be so much fun.

My thoughts:

1. We will not be able to run on UCLA like we did UW, at least at the beginning of the game.
2. Hopefully the altitude will be a factor, esp. in the trenches as the game goes on.
3. Max will need a good game.
4. Please, can we get some defensive takeaways? No turnovers for UCLA, and turnovers for us, UCLA wins.
5. I'm having a hard time imagining losing to that Craft boy. Or put differently, I can't imagine losing to a SDSU-led team. But who knows.
6. Santiago needs to step up.
7. We may find out how bad our placekicking is.
8. Just for kicks, I am predicting a Chambers runback.

You sell yourself short in football knowledge.

I agree with a lot of this.

As far as the run game I don't think that we will be able to run on UCLA early. They have arguably the best DT combination in the nation. Those 2 are good. They did show major signs of fatigue in the Tennessee game. I think that the altitude will play a factor with those 2. If not physically then mentally. Well at least I hope that it does.

BYU - 27
UCLA - 23

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Hot Lunch

You sell yourself short in football knowledge.

I agree with a lot of this.

As far as the run game I don't think that we will be able to run on UCLA early. They have arguably the best DT combination in the nation. Those 2 are good. They did show major signs of fatigue in the Tennessee game. I think that the altitude will play a factor with those 2. If not physically then mentally. Well at least I hope that it does.

BYU - 27
UCLA - 23

It's hard to make any conclusions when you can only see half the play (on TV they only show the QB, OL and RBs.

Hard to know if WRs are getting open, or DBs are playing well, or LBs dropping into effective coverage.

I would rather watch the whole field.

[Spaz]

Originally Posted by cougjunkie

You dont think Harvey has a tendency to fumble? You must not be watching the same games I have. 3 critical fumbles in his last 4 games.

Nope.

Harvey's fumbles last year:
Game, Fumbles, Lost
UNM, 1, 0
CSU, 1, 0
Utah, 1, 1
UCLA(b), 1, 1

That's in 288 touches, or 72 touches per fumble. 144 per lost fumble.

I think it's also significant that in his more recent fumbles, two of the three have happened when he's very fatigued.

[YOhio]

Originally Posted by Hot Lunch

You sell yourself short in football knowledge.

It's not just football. Mike is just naturally humble.