This is the first BYU team I can remember that has multiple gears. For a generation now, BYU pretty much played the same way all the time, with the same or similar statistics against all but the very highest level of competition. The Cougars were unable to get "up" for a big opponent, but also rarely played down to the level of bad teams. We did what we did, and that was enough to win most games, though not all of them (except that glorious once).

But this team isn't like that. Yes, we have losses, on which we focus perhaps a shade too much, because we also have wins. The teams we've beaten (save UConn, which is a really, really bad team) are not any worse than the ones we've lost to. If you put Texas, Houston, and Virginia on one sideline and USU, Nevada and UCF on the other, which sideline would you bet on? Maybe it's just me, but I think we've beaten the best teams on our schedule and lost to lesser ones (again, UConn is an exception). Boise has to count as a better team, or at least one with a name. We've been able to beat those teams so far. That's reason number one (and don't "but Taysom" me here; I'll deal with him later).

Also, this team defines erratic, except in one game: Texas. This game against Boise is the only one on the schedule that is comparable in terms of the profile of the opponent and the hostility of the anticipated crowd. The first one was the only time all season we put a full four quarters together of consistent, quality football. This will be the second. And that's reason number two.

Finally, despite the gloom - perfectly, wholly, and completely warranted - the fact is that in every game this season BYU has proved that when it gets into its best groove, it's better than the opposition. Back to point number one, BYU has another gear this year. It's capable of playing not just well, but ridiculously well, at an exceptional level. Almost the entire Texas game. The first fifteen minutes against Houston were as good as you'll ever see from any program. The third quarter against UCF and Virginia. The first ten minutes of USU. The first half against Nevada. These weren't good luck bursts, where you get a fumble return for a touchdown or a blocked punt or what have you. These were periods of both offensive and defensive domination of the opponent. Even post-Taysom, there are moments like this, especially in the Nevada game, where in the first half BYU had drives of over 70 yards - all touchdowns - THREE TIMES. If BYU were a stock market candle chart, you'd see 2014 as one of the largest candles in its history, where the team is capable of better performance than you'd think possible, but also plays very badly at times. That's not typical BYU, as Brian Kehl pointed out today - most BYU teams made do with average players playing above themselves every game. This team CAN play better than most teams we've seen in the last fifteen years. When it does, it's better than Boise, as it was better than Texas and Virginia and Houston - and for moments better than UCF and Nevada and even USU. It will be again tomorrow night. That's reason number three.

And what is going to make the team better than it has been for the last three weeks is the return of the heart of the defense, Alani Fua and Craig Bills. Fua isn't putting up eye-popping numbers, but he is a leader and a quarterback on the defense. He knows the systems and where people are supposed to be and what they're supposed to be doing. The defense is better when he's out there, not just because he is better, but because he makes the players around him better. Bills isn't just a hitter, he's a smart player with an understanding of coverages and positioning. Losing him took the brains out of the secondary. We get them back Friday. That's reason number four.

Finally, we're going to win because of Christian Stewart. He's good. He's learning, and he's learning quite fast, if the progression from USU to UCF to Nevada is any indication. He isn't Taysom Hill, admittedly, but there are only so many of those guys anywhere. Stewart is a good BYU quarterback, if a little green still, with good touch, excellent vision of the field, the ability to spread the ball around effectively, and even to run a little if we need it (though one play less of that might have been good last week, alas). He doesn't throw picks or force the ball. His ability to throw to all fields at all levels made Nate Carter a 9-yard-per-carry back last week, and He was very good against Nevada, good enough to win most games, and Nevada and Boise are very similar programs this year. A little more defense, one less turnover, and BYU wins last week. You'll see that this week. Better defense and a more experienced quarterback at the reins of a fairly good offense that is occasionally VERY good. It will be tomorrow.

BYU wins, 35-20.

P.S. A little research on comparative defenses: in seven games, BYU has played SIX teams ranked in the top 40 in total defense (as long as we're hairshirting over the Yewts, a little perspective: Utah has played TWO, Michigan and Oregon State. In neither game did Utah manage an offensive touchdown before the fourth quarter. There is one top 40 team left on their schedule, and that's Stanford. Take the under in that game). The only team BYU has played so far that is out of the top 40 is Nevada, which is 114th. Boise is 48th. BYU is 60th, allowing 22 yards a game more than BSU. BYU's offense should reach its average against BSU, or a little better, which should be about 35 points.

P.P.S. On offense, things are quite different. Boise is the best offense BYU has seen (although I should point out Boise's schedule is littered with teams whose defenses are in the bottom 10% of football), ranked 22nd. BYU is 39th, about 30 yards less per game. One interesting thing, though. Of the teams ranked in the top 50 in yards per game, the team that is dead last in offensive touchdowns is...Tulsa. But next to last is Boise, with the same number of touchdowns on offense as Nevada (65th). Boise will move the ball. They won't score.