So the question is this: is this an FSU 2009 game, a 2019 UW game (BYU coming in on a high after beating Oklahoma and get hammered by FSU, BYU coming in high after beating USC and Tennessee and then getting hammered by UW) OR is this 2015 Boise State at home after the Hail Mangum in Nebraska coming in and going toe to toe with Boise and beating them at the end?

I fear this is more like Florida State 2009 or 2019 UW. The emotion was simply SO high last Saturday that I think the team and the crowd come out a little flat. It was the biggest outpouring of emotion at a BYU game--considering the rivalry, the streak, the Big 12--maybe ever, or at least in over a decade. Can the team and the crowd bring the energy early? Also, I think ASU is oddly built a lot like those FSU and UW teams: extremely talented on backend of the D, very fast WRs. Having said that, here's how BYU has to win:

Offense

Play old school Wisconsin football: Allgeier and Katoa need to get 45+ carries between them. Jaren probably needs 8-10. Our O-line can dominate. Keep ASU's offense off the field and frustrate them. We can win if it's one of those games where ASU runs like 7 plays in the first quarter because we've had the ball for 12 minutes or something. That's the gameplan. Our O-line can absolutely dominate them in the run game. Run and run and run somemore, then run some Seahawks style play-action passes with Jaren, roll him out and take some shots.

I don't think this a game where we can/should throw the ball 40+ times. ASU's secondary is fast and very experienced. Their pass rush is good.

I'd line this thing up and get into a rock fight + some long bombs and TE deep crosses over the middle.

IF we can do that, we win. If we try to get into a shootout I think we lose.

Defense

I actually think this is one of the games where you play Tuiaki ball. You can't let these speedy turds from ASU beat you over the top. So make them march down the field over and over and over again. Most drives, they'll make a mistake. Blitz strategically but not often. If you flush their QB from the pocket he will take off and beat you. Contrary to CB desires, if we blitz this guy he will take off and get some serious chunk plays. You can't get too aggressive trying to rush him or he'll run through us all night.

Special Teams

#RememberRenkow - He can flip the field. If BYU does the gameplan I'm proposing above, there will be some 3 and outs or 6 and outs. Don't be afraid to let Renkow cook.