Part of the fun of being a fan for many people is engaging in "what-if" discussions, and griping about losses, etc. But, I have a lot of trouble seriously 2nd guessing coaches as I simply don't have the perspective they do (not to mention the knowledge, skills, experience, etc.). Fans that are overly critical of coaching decisions and think they know better are delusional. If they are right, it more likley due to luck than any particular insight or knowledge they possess.

Having stated that, sometimes things fans say to justify coaching decisions (being a tru fan, I suppose) are equally delusional. I've read posts on here alluding to other schools giving their team 10-15 days off, posts that rest is more important than practice, that after 100 practices afew more days won't matter, and on, and on.

I think it is likley that 6 days is enough time to prep for a game, but as many have posted, the extra practice time could be used to develop younger players and they would would still get enough rest and heal and have time to study for finals.

What if BYU players lower on the depth chart could get 10+ extra days a year working with their position coaches and get more one-on-one attention and reps? Would a player like Ziggy have developed sooner? Would Lark or Munns ahve emerged and saved BYU from the QB issues of the past few years? Would some of the defensive backs benefited from extra help?

Part of me kinda thinks that the depth charts at BYU are shallow enough that spending extra time with 3rd stringers would ultimately just make them slightly better 3rd stringers who would still never sniff the field (only so much you can do with a Rudy), and this is why I don't lose much sleep over the bowl practice thing. I have to give the nod to the coaches, that they know the team better than I do, but some of the logic I read on here trying to justify a shortened practice schedules doesn't make sense either.

Google "bowl practice schedules" and you will find a bunch of stuff on what other schools do

Auburn Coach Malzahn: "And then half the time with the younger guys..."
http://www.oanow.com/sports/college/auburn/football/article_7eabf4b0-66c1-11e3-ba95-0019bb30f31a.html

Tide: It looks like Alabama will end up having a total of 12 practices before the bowl game
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20131219/news/131219638?p=1&tc=pg

Urban Meyer: "That was a big panic of mine last year." Urban will probably get 25 extra practices in ths year (TIC).
http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121913aau.html

Gary Anderson: Younger players get dedicated attention every day during bowl practices
http://host.madison.com/sports/college/football/video-uw-coach-gary-andersen-outlines-orlando-practice-plans-for/youtube_4b93e9b6-6d24-11e3-8a51-001a4bcf887a.html

OU: "Sam Bradford's rocket rise as a quarterback was first detected in 2006 December workouts"
http://newsok.com/article/3772755