BYU College Football Preview 2021: Keys To The Season
BYU Biggest Key: Offense
Keep the new quarterback upright. Zach Wilson was No. 2-overall-pick good with his arm, his mobility, and his decision-making ability to make it all work, and Baylor Romney and Jaren Hall aren’t going to be able to match that. However, they’re both good passers who should shine – no matter which one gets the gig – with a loaded receiving corps to work with. Now they need time to work.
The offensive line has to replace three starters, and while the production should be fine, the combination of new tackles and new quarterback could be a bit of a problem early on.
BYU Biggest Key: Defense
The pass rush has to come even with new parts up front. The linebacking corps is deep enough and good enough to do its part to generate pressure behind the line, but the line needs to get more out of the defensive ends.
For all of the good things the BYU D was able to do, there weren’t enough hits on the quarterback and just five tackles for loss per game. The defense has to manufacture pressure from several parts.
BYU Key Player To A Successful Season
DT Caden Haws, RFr.
The quarterback situation is the biggest deal, and getting production out of the safeties and hoping for a big season from Blake Freeland at left tackle matters, but it all has to start up front.
Khyiris Tonga was a 321-pound rock in the middle of the line, and now he’s a Chicago Bear. The rest of the line needs to step up, but the 6-2, 315-pound Haws will get the first look on the nose to be the new anchor with Tonga gone. He’s got the size and talent, but Tonga was a good one.
BYU Key Game To The 2021 Season
Arizona, Sept. 4 (in Las Vegas)
30-27 over USC on September 14th of 2019. That’s the last win over a big-league team.
For all of the amazing things the 2020 BYU team did, it didn’t come up with a win over a Power Five team – it wasn’t its fault; it didn’t play any.
It rocked Boise State, rolled by UCF, and whacked Houston and beat San Diego State, but not getting a shot at one of the bigger league teams was a barrier to make a bigger national splash. Now the Cougars will get their chance from the start in Las Vegas.
Arizona is a team BYU should be able to beat, and it if it can, there’s a chance to make a major splash with Utah and Arizona State at home to follow.
2020 BYU Fun Stats
– 1st Half Score: BYU 305 – Opponents 94
– Average Yards Per Play: BYU 7.8 – Opponents 4.8
– Penalties: Opponents 76 for 693 yards – BYU 52 for 444 yards