BYU needs to bust the Broncos at Boise State


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PROVO — In my opinion, BYU has played well enough in the last two games to get wins. When BYU leads in the fourth quarter, it is almost a surety that it gets a victory. That is one reason these past two games have me on the verge of post traumatic stress disorder.

I have been replaying games in my sleep and the outcome doesn't change. The offense has made enough plays to score points, but then make turnovers that wipe out the good. The defense in past years was able to stop opponents with a field goal instead of giving up touchdowns — even on short fields.

This week's opponent Boise State (Friday, 7 p.m., Albertsons Stadium) is a more complete team than any of the three previous opponents. The Broncos can run it with a really good back, they can throw it with a very accurate QB and they can play solid defense. BYU is still on the upswing with improved play each week, so this week will be a challenge, but one that I believe the coaches and players are ready to handle.

Here is what I think BYU will need to do this week for a win.

No. 1, stop the run. BSU wants to run the ball first with running back Jay Ajayi. I usually don't identify players by name, but this kid is good. He has run for 876 yards this season, which is about 123 yards a game. BYU has to limit the run success or Boise will just keep pounding the rock.

The Broncos can throw the ball really well, so the play-action complement to the good run game is tough to defend. Boise State's QB completes almost 72 percent of his passes. The last three opponents have thrown much more than a normal game against BYU. Because Boise State is pretty good with the things it does on offense, I am really curious to see if it changes the game plan this week to include more passes. Their QB normally throws about 37 times a game, so watch to see if that number goes up because of the opinion that BYU has trouble defending the pass.

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Evan though the end result last week was dismal, I believe the pass coverage was improved. If Boise State does throw more this week, it will be because BYU is reducing BSU's run success. Again, stopping the run has to be a priority.

BYU back-up quarterback Christian Stewart has shown solid improvement in each game he has played. Last week showed me a lot. He led touchdown drives of 97 yards and 90 yards. That was one area I thought he might struggle was controlling the offense for sustained drives. He tallied a 62 percent completion rate, 601 yards of total offense and a remarkable 38 first downs.

Stewart performed great in achieving some top-10 numbers in a game. If that game is his standard to expect, BYU will win this week, with one big but: he can't give up the football on turnovers.

I am sure most fans know the story about turnovers. When you lose the ball you lose the chance to score. You now give the opponent an emotional lift and the chance to score. Nevada got two short fields in the second half that led to touchdowns. Turnovers are only good when you are at the bakery.

Stewart hasn't had the experience to know to get rid of the ball and avoid a hit. He also hasn't been tackled in live situations since he played at Snow College. He will be better prepared after these three games in which he has played. I expect Boise State to aggressively pressure Stewart, so I also expect BYU will have a plan in place to protect Stewart and to take advantage of the risks taken from blitzing.

Having Jamaal Williams back in the lineup and at full strength is the biggest factor to help the QB play. Paul Lasike and Algernon Brown were good, Nate Carter was good, but Williams has the chance to be great. When he is the lineup, there is always a chance for a big play.

I believe Williams is planning to play this week. Having four or five other starters back would be a big boost also. I do not know the status of all of the injuries. I do believe that Williams and Craig Bills will be probable this week. Other players have missed a lot of game time, but high ankle sprains take a long time to heal. BYU could use some of those skilled players this week.

Boise State starts only five seniors on offense and defense. The Broncos are good, but not the top 20 team that it has been in the past. I hate the blue turf, but I have decided that it is only a personal dislike and probably doesn't have as much to do with the outcome of a game that I used to think it did.

I do think that the same color blue uniform as the turf can make seeing players difficult. Hey, go there and get over it and then get after it. That's a good motto to overcome most challenges. It is still turnaround time for BYU. Why wait any longer, do it now.

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