Exhale. What a weekend in Provo. From College Gameday to storming the field as the final pass fell incomplete to beat No. 2 Notre Dame, it was perhaps the most perfect day in BYU sports history. The task at hand? Shake off the cobwebs. Get the celebratory sip out of your system and get to work on UCF. Remarkably, the Notre Dame game marked only the halfway point of the season. There are still six regular season games remaining and BYU and its fans are hoping there will be several more games beyond the regular season finale against Cincinnati on November 28. There is a lot of work to be done.
We see it all the time. A team wins a very emotional and high-profile victory, especially at home, and the team and its fans celebrate together. Then, the following week, especially if it’s on the road or against a less popular or less exciting team, they’re disappointed. Sometimes they even lose as big favorites. It happened last week in Oklahoma. They upset No. 1 Texas. The following week, they lost to Kentucky at home.
UCF welcomes BYU, now No. 2 in the country, to Orlando. The Cougars come to the Bounce House as the highest-ranked opponent UCF has ever hosted. Needless to say, BYU definitely has a big target on its back. The Knights would love nothing more than to knock BYU off their high perch the moment they get there.
Let’s look at five ways BYU can avoid the dreaded letdown game after a big, emotional win.
Do not fake a punt in your own territory
This one is self-explanatory. Please don’t ever do this again, Kalani.
Cleaning up the mistakes made at Notre Dame game
Aside from a stunning fake punt, BYU made numerous mistakes against the Irish. Which is quite a statement, as many thought BYU needed to play a near-perfect game to beat mighty Notre Dame. Special teams are a problem. The Cougars have had three muffed punts in their last two games, between two different returners. It’s a problem. Cannon DeVries fumbled a punt near midfield in the third quarter. That changed momentum and nearly led to BYU taking a 21-10 halftime lead. BYU either needs to buckle down and figure it out or just stop putting a punt returner in there altogether.
The offense calmed down around the same time as the muffled punt. The Cougars had just 39 total yards and zero points in the third quarter. In fact, after their touchdown to go up 21-10 in the second quarter, they accumulated just 71 total yards on their next four drives, until with less than six minutes left before scoring again. The Cougars offense needs to find more consistency in the middle of the game.
Respect UCF’s rushing attack
UCF averages 162 rushing yards per game. They average 5.0 yards per carry, which ranks them in the top 40 in the FBS. Duke Watson is seventh in the Big 12 with 483 rushing yards and sixth in yards per carry at 6.9. While their top quarterback Alonza Barnett III likely won’t play due to injury, the Knights have struggled through the air. They rank 106th in passing yards per game, mostly with Keyone Jenkins behind center. They will rely heavily on a diverse running game to keep the game close.
BYU’s run defense held its own against a very tough Notre Dame rushing attack. Defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa had perhaps his best game as a Cougar. Linebacker Cade Uluave was also all over the field. Even though UCF’s offense won’t be of the same level of challenge, the Cougars can’t rest on their laurels.
Establishing physicality against UCF’s stout defense
BYU ran for over 100 yards against perhaps the best run defense in college football along with the Irish. It was also without LJ Martin and Sione Moa. Moa looks to return against the Knights after being out since the Utah Tech game. Preston Rex also impressed against the Irish, averaging 6.6 yards per carry. UCF’s run defense isn’t Notre Dame’s, but it still ranks 26th in rushing yards allowed per attempt. BYU can’t just expect UCF to be moving cones on defense to establish big running lanes. They must be sharp. UCF linebacker Tackett Curtis is strong against the run. Defensive tackle Jeffson Lafontant has 5.5 tackles for loss.
Stretch UCF’s pass defense downfield with explosive passing plays
While the Knights can defend their run, BYU should be able to make life miserable for UCF through the air. UCF ranks 105th in passing yards allowed per game. They’ve done a decent job of limiting explosive plays, but BYU has the athletes to do that anyway. The Glasker legend has caught four passes this season while being targeted 20 yards or more down the field. He can stretch the defense while 6-foot-6 Kyler Kasper makes contested catches against UCF corners who are at a height disadvantage.
Prediction: BYU 30, UCF 16
Gn sports
