Pre-Game Poll: TCU vs. BYU

It’s funny to think that 300 lbs Nick Alleto is David going up against Goliath in Jerry Hughes the outcome of the game will rely on Max Hall and his ability to keep himself calm and cool. He has the tools to shred up TCU so long as he keeps his head on and doesn’t just implode like last year. Beating TCU will be huge but not impossible. The probability is that TCU will win, but it’s not like BYU is SMU… and they kept it a game for the most part (12-7 at half, and that was at TCU).

Everyone knows BYU can score. Max Hall has so many weapons on offense that he is nearly guaranteed a decent, even against a great defense like TCU. Even with an amazing pass rusher like Hughes, BYU’s offense knows how to handle that. It’s designed specifically to minimize the effects of a powerful defensive line.

The problems Hall experienced in each of his “melt down” games were caused by his superman ego. When BYU gets behind, the kyrptonite takes over and Hall tries to force things. So for Hall to perform well, the defense has to perform well. If BYU gets down by 2 or more touchdowns, this game is pretty much lost.

The D-line is crucial in keeping Dalton under wraps. But more importantly (with weaknesses exposed in the SDSU game) is the secondary. If the Cougars can get pressure on Dalton and the secondary can step-up when the pressure fails, BYU can win this game.

I initially said Unga because he’s going to be the guy to conrtol the tempo with his running, taking Hughes out of his game with little screen catches and probably protect, along with Tonga, Max Hall.
I think the choice for Alleto is a great inclusion because Hughes was responsible last year for flustering Hall and therefore creating turnovers. If Alleto can minimize Hughes’ influence in the pocket, Hall will tear up the TCU secondary.

The offense will take care of business, we need the Oklahoma defense we had, not the Florida State version. That goal line stand was a thing of sheer brilliance, and we need that brilliance to return.