Rate the Cougars: Fan Consensus Grades

hawkwing

MVP: Bear Bachmeier7.5/10 (B)

"Offense sputtered in the red zone"

Statistically a dominate performance. The Cougars looked great, for the most part, moving the ball well, and holding Iowa State. However, once the ball got inside the 5 yard line the Cougars just really struggled to get it in the end zone. It felt like that was where we were really missing LJ Martin. Coaches were probably being conservative in play calling, yet not conservative in the 4th down attempts instead of taking the easy points with field goals. Some coaching head scratchers there, for sure.

Nathan Dunn

MVP: Bear Bachmeier8/10 (B+)

"Lack of red zone offense made this game closer than it was"

We really miss LJ Martin in short yardage situations, and the playcalling was abysmal in those key plays. Good play calls elsewhere.

SpiffCoug

MVP: Bear Bachmeier8.5/10 (A-)

"BYU's Domination Not Fully Reflective of the Score"

BYU was dominating the game, while leaving at least 6 easy points on the board. I get analytics probably say to go for it, but I'm not a fan of leaving points on the field when up in the game. The first set of missed points would have made the score 10-3; the second set 20-3. But the game changed with Tiger's muffed punt. Sure he had some decent returns, but the Cyclones had 70 yards of offense before the muff and finishing w/ 200. It changed the whole feel of the game. The game probably ends 37-3 without that mistake. Bear balled out. The OL played well too, I thought. Defense was lights out. A performance like that will keep BYU in the game next week. And a repeat performance will likely be needed looking ahead. BYU's RB problems will likely continue until LJ returns, but there is a HUGE drop off from him to those currently trying to replace his production.