No, it’s much more than that.
The Cougars are facing off against the ESPN propaganda machine that desperately wants BYU to lose. It’s a disgusting corporate cabal that only cares about protecting its own investment, the SEC.
The bias in the network’s coverage is so obvious to anyone paying attention. The BYU players know it. The staff knows it. And fans know it.
It’s bigger than just BYU versus Texas Tech. It’s bigger than football. This is the Big 12 versus Disney, common sense versus corporate greed, and facts versus propaganda.
But at the end of the day, it’s still a game played on a field.
Here’s my preview for how BYU can stick it to ESPN and secure a win for the good of college football.
No. 11 BYU v. No. 4 Texas Tech
Saturday, December 6
9:00 a.m. PT, ABC
That’s the key to BYU beating Texas Tech and making the Playoff.
In the first game in Lubbock, the Red Raider defense held the Cougars to 2.5 yards per rush and 67 yards rushing. The struggles in the trenches resulted in BYU going 3-for-14 on third down and committing three turnovers.
That can’t happen again. Or you can kiss the Playoff goodbye.
The BYU defense actually did its job in the opening matchup, holding Texas Tech to just two touchdowns and forcing five field goal attempts. It’s not the defense that’s the concern. It’s the offense.
You just aren’t going to win high-level football games when you can’t move the ball on the ground. Especially if the offensive system is predicated on establishing the run.
So how do you overcome disadvantages up front? Scheme, play-calling, and breaking tendencies.
Despite BYU being visibly outmatched along the line, the coaching staff kept trying to establish the run. The Cougars ran the ball 27 times, even while playing from behind most of the game.
There’s a famous quote attributed to Einstein that says: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Break tendencies. Do something unexpected. Throw the ball when TTU is expecting a run. Keep them off balance. Avoid slow-developing plays. Get the ball out quickly.
Those are all principles that the BYU coaching staff will likely consider in the rematch.
Now, it’s probably worth a shot to try and establish the normal offensive flow to see if the first game was more of a fluke.
But if the Red Raiders are dominating the trenches again, an alternative game plan must be utilized. Otherwise, the same ugly game is going to happen a second time.
So, what are the best offensive strengths to emphasize? Bear Bachmeier’s threat to run. His longest rush in the first game was just five yards, and he only managed to post a total of 12 yards rushing.
Use his running ability when Texas Tech thinks it’s going to be a pass. Spread the field out and call a designed quarterback run. Fake a jet sweep and throw the ball downfield.
Add substantive wrinkles to plays you’ve already put on film. Catch the Red Raiders off guard.
Because if the offense is predictable, they will swarm the ball and frustrate BYU’s offense just like they did in the first game.
And obviously, the Cougars can’t turn the ball over and expect to win. Facing such a stout defense, the turnover margin must be won.
Behren Morton isn’t that great of a quarterback. He’s not even mentioned among the elite QBs in the conference.
Morton is slow, takes sacks, and can be forced into bad throws. Attack him, he’s an easy target. If BYU is going to pull off the upset, the defense is going to have to make plays.
And regardless of what the Vegas oddsmakers think, the Cougars can absolutely win this game.
The spread is disrespectful for a rematch on a neutral field. Especially with Texas Tech essentially locked into the Playoff. This game means more to BYU and could come down to the wire.
Go win it for the Big 12.
Go win it to prove ESPN wrong.
Go win it for the West.
