Chase Roberts (27), a large receiver for the BYU Cougars, drops a go whereas being defended by Dwight McGlothern (3) of the Arkansas Razorbacks in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. The Razorbacks received 52-35. Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
The thrill surrounding BYU’s season has quieted considerably the previous two weeks, with the Cougars dropping back-to-back video games to Energy 5 opponents.
The most recent — a 52-35 loss to Arkansas — taught us some issues about 4-3 BYU and what may very well be in retailer for the Cougars sooner or later.
This season has been a actuality verify for what awaits in a Energy 5 convention
Subsequent 12 months, BYU will put its independence days behind it when the varsity joins the Massive 12 Convention.
Sadly, the Cougars’ 5-0 mark final 12 months in opposition to the Pac-12 — and 6-1 in opposition to Energy 5 competitors — is a distant reminiscence.
BYU is 1-3 in opposition to Energy 5 competitors this season — the one win got here in time beyond regulation in opposition to Baylor, whereas each Oregon and Arkansas blew out the Cougars.
Notre Dame edged BYU 28-20 final week, although the Combating Irish led by as many as 19 earlier than the Cougars rallied to make it a one-score sport.
There’s yet another Energy 5 opponent this season within the season finale at Stanford.
What we’ve seen thus far, although, is that BYU is ill-prepared for the week-in, week-out grind of Energy 5 play.
BYU’s depth has been examined, and outdoors of broad receiver, it’s simple to argue that it’s failing — notably on the defensive position.
If the Cougars can’t create strain in Massive 12 video games — they by no means sacked KJ Jefferson within the loss to Arkansas — there are going to be a whole lot of lengthy Saturdays sooner or later.
The identical points continued to creep up for BYU.
There have been defensive woes — the Cougars gave up scores on eight straight possessions, together with seven touchdowns, and allowed Arkansas 644 whole yards.
BYU’s kicking scenario nonetheless has points — the Cougars had one other missed further level — and it’s clear these issues affect the decision-making in different elements of the sport.
And, as Kalani Sitake emphasised in his postgame press convention, BYU’s incapability to get third-down stops is maybe the largest problem proper now.
Arkansas transformed 12 of 15 third-down makes an attempt on Saturday, one week after Notre Dame transformed 11 of 16.
Jefferson accomplished 10 of 12 passes on third-down performs for 153 yards. Three of his 5 landing passes got here on third down.
Two of his longest completions of the day — 36 and 30 yards — got here on third-down conversions, in addition to 4 others that lined 13, 18, 15 and 14 yards.
These are scary numbers not just for future Massive 12 video games, however for the rest of this season.
The place can BYU get wins the remainder of the best way?
Final week’s loss to Notre Dame extinguished any hopes of a New Yr’s Six bowl.
This loss implies that for BYU to have any probability to win 10 or extra video games for a 3rd straight season, the Cougars should win out, together with the postseason.
With 5 regular-season video games remaining, a 4-3 document and the way BYU has regarded the previous month, it’s turning into clearer that the Cougars’ path to bowl eligibility goes to be a grind.
There are video games the place BYU would be the clear favourite — at residence in opposition to 4-3 East Carolina and FCS foe Utah Tech — and so long as the Cougars maintain serve there, they’ll be bowl eligible.
The opposite three video games, although, may very well be toss-ups.
Up subsequent is Liberty, which comes into their matchup on the East Coast with a 6-1 document and carries momentum with a four-game win streak.
In early November, BYU heads on the highway to face Boise State within the closing sport for the foreseeable future in what’s turn out to be an excellent rivalry.
The Broncos have turned issues round and are 4-2 after a sluggish begin, whereas that will likely be BYU’s tenth straight sport with no break earlier than it takes a bye the following week.
BYU’s regular-season finale now appears even more durable after Saturday, when Stanford beat Notre Dame. The Cougars have by no means overwhelmed Stanford, and the Cardinal stymied a Combating Irish offense that had success in opposition to BYU only one week earlier.
Whereas there was buzz and pleasure surrounding the Cougars earlier this season, there’s simply emotions of disappointment now.
How BYU responds over the following 5 weeks will decide if this system can construct some momentum earlier than becoming a member of the Massive 12 subsequent 12 months.
Kody Epps is an excellent star within the making
Redshirt freshman broad receiver Kody Epps has seized the alternatives afforded him this season, and that continued Saturday in opposition to Arkansas.
Epps caught a team-high 9 passes for 125 yards and one landing, a 21-yarder on the finish of the primary quarter that gave BYU a 13-7 lead.
He’s turn out to be a constant goal for Jaren Corridor and has taken benefit of his probabilities to step up with the Cougars coping with so many accidents at receiver.
Epps now has 34 receptions for 423 yards and 6 touchdowns this season, all staff highs, and this comes after he had 4 receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns in opposition to Notre Dame.
Whereas there have been loads of points plaguing this staff over the previous month-plus, Epps has actually been one of many brighter spots for a beleaguered staff.