[Note: I realize things can be worse for BYU, such as with the Crowton years of 2002-2004]. These stats are taken from a time of relative down turn for BYU compared to a coinciding upturn for USU. Again, hopefully it is just a temporary phase. It is a cherry-picking of stats. It ignores the immediately preceding 4 years (2006-2009) for BYU where BYU was 43-9, and starts when BYU was having relative tough times in 2010 and onward.

I know people will say that even still, looking at the last four+ years (2010-2014) is a better indication of the current state and trajectory of the teams. They may be correct there. Through these same years I presume BYU has had a tougher strength of schedule (though I have not closely analyzed that point) and still comes out on top (though slightly) in comparing short term cherry picked down years for BYU compared to years at the same time where USU has had their best handful of years collectively (I have not looked closely at that but my perception is that that is true). I would say 5 years is short term whereas over five years and even to ten years would be longer term.

Though looking solely at those stats puts BYU on close par to USU, the reality is that BYU is in a temporary (I do believe it is temporary through the end of this year) dumpster fire, so we are more pessimistic about the team in general and fear that this will turn into a long term down turn. I do not think that is the case. My lamentation is that Mangum did not get back just before this season so that he could be getting a 50% to 75% of the season to ramp up and be set for the years thereafter. From a player development standpoint, Christian Stewart is done after this year, so we will be back at square one next season unless Taysom is Taysom again and makes it all the way through the season like he did last year. I do expect that even if Bronco stays, changes will be made in some of the coaches (i.e., Howell) and Bronco will take close control of the D so that it will at least be above average, as BYU has the talent to at least have an above average defense with Bronco. Yes, I agree that Bronco has a ceiling, but I expect the ship to be righted even if he stays so that BYU will be competing for 9 or 10 wins.