USU Football Preview: BYU
PROVO, Utah — The Cougars have finished with 10-plus wins in the last two years, finishing 10-3 last season. They defeated Utah in the Holy War for the first time in 13 years and defeated all five Pac-12 opponents faced. This year, they are ranked at No. 2 for returning production, boasting a 97% rate in defense and bringing back 88% of their total production across the board.
The biggest change for BYU since last season is the loss of running back Tyler Allgeier to the Atlanta Falcons. He led the country with 23 rushing touchdowns and was third in rushing yards with 1,606. Along with Allgeier, the Cougars also need to replace starting center James Empey and wide receiver Neil Pau’u. Despite the losses, they return second-year quarterback Jaren Hall and, well, everyone else. Hall threw for 2,583 yards with 20 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in 10 games last year.
After a surprising loss to UAB in the Independence Bowl, the Cougars are entering their last season of independence before entering the Big 12. For the Aggies, this year’s trip to Provo has some extra weight to it. Because BYU canceled all scheduled future games with Utah State, it will be the last meeting between the rivals for the foreseeable future, meaning the Old Wagon Wheel will have a permanent home for the time being. The Cougars have won the last two matchups against the Aggies after the Aggies won two in a row in 2017 and 2018. Utah State has won three of the last seven.
The No. 19 Cougars sit at 3-1 on the season, with a double-overtime win over No. 9 Baylor and loss to No. 24 Oregon at Autzen Stadium, BYU is hoping for a New Year’s Six Bowl invite. It will take some work, however. The Cougars still have to go through Notre Dame, who has been underwhelming this season, Arkansas at home and three road games against Liberty, Stanford and Boise State.
Starting wideout Puka Nacua is projected to be out for the contest against the Aggies. He is a big loss for the Cougars and could continue to be a problem if Gunner Romney is also out, however, the early indication is that Romney will make his season debut tonight after suffering a kidney injury during fall camp.
Hall has been stellar this season. He has thrown for 1,164 yards on 144 attempts, completing over 70% of his passes. The junior quarterback has nine passing touchdowns and one interception on the year.
A flaw of BYU has been its run game. Losing your best offensive player is hard, but the run game this season has been more than underwhelming. California transfer Christopher Brooks has only surpassed 31 yards once this season. Brooks was only given two carries in BYU’s last game against Wyoming, so a new starting running back could debut against the Aggies.
The Old Wagon Wheel will find a home indefinitely until the two rivals meet again when the Cougars and Aggies kick off at 6 pm in Provo on Aggie Radio 92.3 FM and ESPN.
Featured image from UNLV game by Sam Warner.