Pick your top 4 reasons for current trainwreck

[Cougarbib]

It's the injuries guys. The guys behind the starters are highly talented (probably as talented or more than those who are starting other than Stewart, obviously) but lack experience. This was their year to get their feet wet, and then possibly take over positions late in the season.

The defense obviously has problems, but I'm highly concerned about the offense. Since Taysom went down, TOP has gone from a net positive to an extreme negative. The offense has been good in 4 quarters in the last 3.5 games. The following are items that need to be rectified soon:

If Jamaal Williams is active, he needs to be on the field at the begining of the game. When I saw that he wasn't starting, I assumed he was still hurt. No, he came in during the 2nd quarter and BYU scored on his first drive in. Williams not being on the field is unacceptable.

The team needs to slow down on offense. GFGH is only effective if you have a freak athlete at QB (Hill is, Stewart isn't) or if your QB is efficient (Hill is, Stewart isn't). I know Bib will come in and argue that Hill isn't efficient in the pass game, but he was top 15 in efficiency this year.

If Stewart isn't going to keep the ball at least a few times a game on the read option, they need to change the blocking on it. I can see why they don't want him to run it because the current backup is a safety, but the threat has to be there or it's just a ridiculous play. They could add the WRs to the running game on fly sweeps, or using a fake fly sweep to freeze the end so Jamaal can go up the middle.

The only thing I want the defense to do is make the tackles they are in position to make. That will go a long way to getting them off the field on 3rd downs.

Stuck. Actually, I am going to argue that Hill was not a threat to throw deep, rarely went over the top, and almost never hit them. He compensated for that deficiency by completing a high percentage of short and intermediate throws and not throwing interceptions relative to his PER, but he also loosened up defenses because he was the best runner on the team, and was a threat in designed runs and scrambles in every play. Stewart tries to go over the top more frequently, but does not hit them any better than Hill, and has been constrained and restrained from any all-out running to avoid injury. Net: defenses still do not need to sweat the long bomb, and now they do not need to worry about the QB lowering a shoulder, hurdling tacklers, stiff arming, out running, over, under, around, and through. And UVA, UCF, USU, and BSU were decent defenses. That showed. Hill got 1.35 of those while Stew faced 2.65 of those games.

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[Cougarbib]

I have no problem with Bronco stepping away from the defense; just find someone competent to run it. Howell isn't that guy.

Howell being appointed DC points to a larger issue, Bronco/BYU's inability to get talented assistants.

Disagree. This is Bronco's scheme. He recently reminded the world that his scheme is phenominal. When you anoint a DC, and tell him the scheme a phenominal, you get a csretaker, not an innovator or leader. If you go get one of those, they will want to bring their own scheme. Bronco has a scheme that let's less athletic, but smart and dedicated defenders over achieve by being assignment sound, executing, not giving up big plays, relying on field position to require the opponent to make long drives - mistake free. Thus, keeping scoring very low. When he has above average players with experience and good health, it is fun to watch.

But, players have to buy in and trust their teammates will all buy in, because one guy out of position blows the whole concept. One selfish player trying to look at the QB when playing man. One player leaving contain to try to go make a big play. Bronco is the best person to make them believe - not a clone who thinks just like he does, but does not have the street credibility. That is how he made such a huge difference in 2010 recapturing the heart and soul. That and good timing re SOS. Right now would be perfect timing to recapture a little heart and soul. Timing is almost right and after 1 morecgsme, it will be perfect. Bye week to work on it. Hopefully some ankles heal. UNLV. Perfect.

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[CAFB_04-12]

Here are my top 4, in no particular order:

1) Taysom Hill breaking his leg
2) Taysom Hill breaking his leg
3) Taysom Hill breaking his leg
4) Taysom Hill breaking his leg

[BroncoBot]

Here are my top 4, in no particular order:

1) Taysom Hill breaking his leg
2) Taysom Hill breaking his leg
3) Taysom Hill breaking his leg
4) Taysom Hill breaking his leg

Hard to argue with that...

[Cougs_Rule]

Easy to argue with that.....
Defense was showing serious cracks in the foundation. Mix in some injuries and inexperience and boom went the Cougars.

[BroncoBot]

Easy to argue with that.....
Defense was showing serious cracks in the foundation. Mix in some injuries and inexperience and boom went the Cougars.

Yet, I still think the confidence and swagger, that were lost when Taysom injured his leg, would have been enough to get us past the last 5 opponents if Taysom was still healthy.

[CAFB_04-12]

Easy to argue with that.....
Defense was showing serious cracks in the foundation. Mix in some injuries and inexperience and boom went the Cougars.

Sure, but we don't become an 0-4 October team train wreck with Taysom in. I will believe that till the end of my days.

[Gunk]

I have no problem with Bronco stepping away from the defense; just find someone competent to run it. Howell isn't that guy.

Howell being appointed DC points to a larger issue, Bronco/BYU's inability to get talented assistants.

Disagree. This is Bronco's scheme. He recently reminded the world that his scheme is phenominal. When you anoint a DC, and tell him the scheme a phenominal, you get a csretaker, not an innovator or leader. If you go get one of those, they will want to bring their own scheme. Bronco has a scheme that let's less athletic, but smart and dedicated defenders over achieve by being assignment sound, executing, not giving up big plays, relying on field position to require the opponent to make long drives - mistake free. Thus, keeping scoring very low. When he has above average players with experience and good health, it is fun to watch.

But, players have to buy in and trust their teammates will all buy in, because one guy out of position blows the whole concept. One selfish player trying to look at the QB when playing man. One player leaving contain to try to go make a big play. Bronco is the best person to make them believe - not a clone who thinks just like he does, but does not have the street credibility. That is how he made such a huge difference in 2010 recapturing the heart and soul. That and good timing re SOS. Right now would be perfect timing to recapture a little heart and soul. Timing is almost right and after 1 morecgsme, it will be perfect. Bye week to work on it. Hopefully some ankles heal. UNLV. Perfect.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

But weren't we supposed to have the most talented secondary in nearly a decade? What happened to that? Injuries, fine...but the secondary even healthy was slipping. And the DL even at full strength hardly got pressure on the QB and was also missing tackles.

Missed tackles, players playing the wrong position for their skill set, etc all point towards poor coaching. That rolls up to Howell. Do the payers respect Howell? Sounds like that may be an issue given Howell's complete lack of experience. Well, that's on Bronco then to ensure the team respects the coaches.

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[sandiegoblue]

I think one key missing reason from the list is the LBs are a step down from prior years. We had 3 really good ones last year in KVN, Unga, and Hadley (when he was not injured or suspended). This year Fua has been injured a lot and Kaufusi has played injured much of the season. Pikula is talented, but undisciplined. Stout is serviceable. Leuta-Douyere is ok. The rest of the LBs are young and have much to learn, but seem to have the talent.

The DLine is not quite as good as last year, but the big drop off is at LB.

Since our defense is built around the LBs, this has had an impact on the whole defense. Safety has also usually been a bright spot. With Bills out a few games, we are hurting there as well. Sorenson was huge for us the last couple years. His execution during games was invaluable.