1. Statistical samplings of two teams with few common opponents is always a crap shoot. Biases will get in the way if actual technical eye tests. If you watch these teams execute, the staffs get very high output from a better than average talent level.

2. I have watched both of these teams play a lot this year. So I think I can say both are very deserving of the respect being paid by the coaches and the writers.

3. Now on to matchups...

SPECIAL TEAMS ... Games like this often boil down to ST play. BYU is only a cut above CC. In other words the FG and punting distance probably favors BYU a little, the return game CC. Net Field Position about the same.

OFFENSES - Both teams are incredibly efficient in somewhat different ways. CC will run and play keep away from BYU if it can. BYU will use every part if the field to move the chains and score off chunck plays and efficient spotting.

DEFENSES - The Chickens play very aggressive Defense, but it can be exploited. BYU's negatives on defense were the result of playing a lot of 2nd and 3rd team players. That means depth. CC has been in far more scrap games. It's blowout of common opponent Texas State was a little unusual for them in terms of Defense. BYU probably has the bigger, stronger, faster D-Line and if unleashed in a 4 man rush of various position groups will be the best CC has faced all year. CC realistically is I think as good as Boise State, maybe even better. BYU has a less traditional LB group. With BYU it's far more about scheme and hole plugging, coverage rotations and players that are heads-up making smarter decisions.

If preparation is limited to one or two days, the mental prep will be limited and so dedication to Video Pads and film review during a long flight and in hotel chambers will mean a lot more to achieving a win than OTF practice. The 🐓 must do the same. Who studies hardest probably wins more battles.

Edges from my watching both teams.

ST - P CC (slight edge)
ST - PK BYU (slight edge)
ST - RET CC (slight edge)
ST - BLK (even)

OL - BYU (solid)
RB's - CC (slight edge)
QB - BYU (slight edge)
WR - BYU (slight edge)
OP - Offensive Philosopy - BYU (solid edge)

DL - BYU (slight edge depth)
LB - Even
DB - BYU (slight edge depth)
DP - Defensive Philosophy - CC (slight edge)

What will happen?

BYU will want to stop the CC running game and force them to pass. Look for a tighter box on BYU D than in the past. BYU will face a very similar SDSU team next week. CC will be forced to pass and will get yards but find scoring in the red zone tougher than with other opponents previously played.

CC will be a tougher defensive challange for BYU than any prior opponent except Boise State. Having said that, play calling for BYU will be critical. Keep possession. Don't blow their downs on runs into a Box-7 A Gap. Don't give the opponent D a 12th man on the short side of the field on third downs. Move the chains. Do not be impatient and either make mistakes or fail at execution. Play calling is where Grimes has lost games getting cute on 3rd down trick plays that end up in sacks or picks. Save the trick plays for when they are not needed. That's when the work.

BYU is the bigger, stronger and equally fast team. Play fundamental ball, play for possessions, score on posessions and BYU wins by 10+ or more even on teal colored turf. Respect the opponent. They are good. So is BYU.