BYU preview | The Good Guys Sports Blog

I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on BYU, to be honest I’m not sure there is an expert on them this year with a few unknowns, but it’s time to find out what we’re up against on Saturday. I’ll go position by position, this should become a regular appearance on the blog. Lots of posting going on today and tomorrow so make sure you scroll down! Here we go:

While finishing 11-2 the last 3 years, the Cougars figure to take a little bit of a step back this year. They have quite a few new starters and will be breaking in new players on Saturday.

Quarterback: As you’ve probably heard by now, BYU will be playing two quarterbacks on Saturday. One is a more mobile quarterback, Riley Nelson. The other is true freshman, Jake Heaps. Heaps has excellent passing skills but doesn’t have the athletic ability that Nelson has. I wouldn’t say this will be a position of weakness at BYU, both guys are very talented, but it’s certainly an unknown. It’s hard to know what a quarterback will be like in their first game. These guys are definitely a drop off from the graduated Max Hall though (at least in this point in time). I’ve never thought that playing two quarterbacks is the best way, but it can work if it’s used correctly.

Running Back: Harvey Unga was kicked off the team this off-season and that’s great news for the Huskies. Unga was a running back in the mold of Toby Gerhart, who ran all over the Huskies in 2008. This year, BYU will be a running back by committee team. The two guys who figure to the get the most carries are J.J. DiLuigi (cool name) and Bryan Kariya. DiLuigi is more of a big play back and will get the start. So, that’s two skill positions that will use more than one guy at the position. That’s the good news. Both of these guys did put up respectable numbers as back-ups last year though.

Wide Receivers and Tight End: BYU graduated their leading receiver last year but returns a pretty steady group. McKay Jacobson figures to be the leading receiver after having 23 receptions for 556 yards last year while battling injuries. O’Neil Chambers also was solid last year (32 receptions for over 300 yards). Other guys that figure in are Luke Ashworth, Spencer Hafoka, and a few really tall, freshmen receivers.

The tight end spot is a complete unknown. There are 5 freshman battling for the starting job and Mendenhall hasn’t said who will start.

Offensive Line: This is the strength of the Cougars offense. Led by All-American left tackle, Matt Reynolds, this is the biggest mismatch BYU has on UW. These guys are big (average of 306 lbs.) and have quite a bit of experience. Nick Alletto was at the other tackle position last year but is now moved to right guard. Both of those guys are 330 lbs. Braden Hansen and Terance Brown started every game at the guard positions last year. Brown has now been moved to center. Braden will take his spot at right tackle and may rotate with Walter Kahaialii. If BYU wins this game, I think it will be because of this line.

To the defense after the jump! Continue reading →